I've had my Pin•Bot for over 20 years and just noticed that the line cord was spliced and the ground prong was broken off the plug. I purchased a 15 ft medical grade cord and started to replace it this evening. I noticed there is no thermistor and none noted on the schematic in the manual. Should find one and install it? Hopefully my local electrical supply place will have one or the one remaining electronics store in the area which is always a fun stop.

But since it has been working fine since 1986 without it I was wondering if it was worth the, as small as it will be, effort to install one. The MOV looks brand new as does the filter so those will remain.

Thanks again Vid for starting this thread and for everyone who participates. There is no better information anywhere.

///Rich

PS-One other observation. There is a discussion or 18ga or 16ga cords. I went with the 18ga one as it was the same size as the original (before the splice). But the leads of the thermistor is clearly smaller than 18ga as is the small wire from my fuse (I changed it from 8 to 5 amps) to the filter. What am I missing in that it has to pass whatever the machine will draw. Doesn't that suggest that the 18ga power cord is plenty large?

Yes. But the thermistor leads are small and it is in series with the hot and switch taking the full load. Would the thermistor melt because of the current if it got to even 5 amps even though it was zero ohms being hot?

More of a technical question rather than worrying. And also if I should install one where there was none and it's not in the Pin•Bot schematics either.

///Rich

So Vid, I am going with whatever you say. Should I add one or is it not necessary? I am going with a 5 amp fuse but will the thermistor lesson shock on startup? If it will provide some benefit, any at all, it's worth the $2.50 while I have it open to install it.

I got a medical grade cord. It's well made and since I have no idea where this machine will end up, I didn't want anyone to even consider an extension cord.

Thanks in advance.

///Rich

Perfect. And I appreciate the candidness.

I can button up the machine tonight now that I don't have to try to source the thermistor.

And for the record, I learned a LOT from this thread. Things you don't think about as I do what I can to keep the Pin•Bot humming.

///Rich

After a week it's still working fine which was not unexpected. I replaced the 8 amp fuse with a 3 amp fuse and it's been great for a week. I have a Save-A-Watt attached and it never went above 2.25 amps. But I have a 4 amp fuse ready to go just in case.. ///Rich