Coffee machine versus mice and men!

[ThaiGyro]

Hey all of you computer geeks.  Though in Thailand, I have an Italian made coffee machine, bought in the USofA, but not converted to 240 volts. I have a power converter for my machine and my coffee grinder...never an issue.  Well, as long as I plug them in to separate power units.  NO ISSUES.


However, these were all in storage for two+ years.  My $3000 dollar coffee machine was housing a mouse family.  OK...poop and pee and gathering of bedding.  No big deal.


The big deal is that they ate every single wire in my machine.  And my water reservoir.  Still not a big deal...except that the controls in the front are ribbon wires...half eaten.  What I do not know is if that wire is common or super specific.  I am tearing the unit down and starting to take photos.


BTW...both the factory and the supplier, simply said send it!  $2000 FOR REPAIRS!  UHHH, f*CK THAT.  I have done the power leads already...flushed every copper component and cleaned shit from every corner.


Just advise for the ribbon cluster would help.  Before I go Thailand hunting for a cluster that does not exist.  Names?  Common ID?

[FrankenMech]

Ribbon cable is a common computer component especially in older computers. Take the remnants to a ma&pa computer repair store. They should be able to make ribbon cables in any config. Flex cables made of kapton or mylar and copper can usually be duplicated also. Flat stock can be cut out and etched.

[lilpinny]

I’ve rebuilt my machine a couple of times. Espressoparts.com has a vast supply of spare parts and rebuild kits. They might have exactly what you are looking for... or at least the part number / description and then you can find local.

Digikey.com has a ton of cables too. When I’m looking for obscure cables for my drone I go there rather than banggood.com, although in that might also be an option for you considering you location. On digikey I’d just poke around for ribbon cable and then compare the pictures.

[jloi]

hey I hope you guys don't mind ; I don't mean to hijak this thread but I thought it might be an ok place to ask a question .
mom unplugged her heating pad and it sparked . you can see that the plug housing where the wire gos into the plug is broken off and there are bare wires . not good. she has a bunch of these extension cords all the same and they're REALLY OLD. my question is , if I inspect the others and find them all in one piece , given their age- maybe brittle ? ... do you think they are ok to keep using or should I toss them and get new ones ?
thanks guys

[FrankenMech]

Toss them all today and get new ones. Brittle extension cords are a huge fire/shock hazard.

[jloi]

OK will do . I was like AAAAUUGH when I saw the cord . could have been bad scene  .  

 what about that style  of cord ; wouldn't a grounded cord  be  1000x  safer ? 

[bandito2]

Better at handling higher current load demands perhaps but not necessarily
1000 X safer. And only better really if the item you are plugging into it
is using a grounding style plug. (along with whatever source the extension
cord is plugged into)

Most, but maybe not all extension cords with grounding plug & receptacle
ends it seems often use heavier gauge wire in them than the cheap 2 wire
type extension cords. Those cheap 2 wire types really should not be used
for much more than table lamps and such. High wattage items like heating
pads or electric blankets, irons, electric space heaters, blow driers,
micro wave ovens, hot plates, toasters, coffee makers etc. can draw enough
current that will actually cause the 2 wire type extension cords to warm up
... especially at the ends where things plug in.

Check the plug end of a coffee maker some time after brewing a pot; it may
not necessarily be hot, but it might be warm. Those heating cycles eventually
can cause the plug-in part or even the cord or plug-in end of the extension
cord to degrade and become brittle like the one shown in your pictures. The
device itself is already equipped with a cord and plug that should be able to
handle the current draw and some times elevated temperature at the plug.

So my advice would be to toss the old extension cords and get new ones for use
with table lamps and such and heavier duty extension cords for use with things
that have higher current demands... and 3 wire ground plug types for use with
tools and other things that come equipped with 3 wire plugs on them.

[jloi]

bandito2- thank you thank you thank you- that is EXACTLY what I needed to know . I kinda thought you shouldn't go too heavy of a cord for lamps and such . so I'll have to get her a better cord for her heating pad .

[tomindelaware]

deleted

[ThaiGyro]

Such is the life in Paradise. My Yamaha TRX 850 harness has a "spare". Secured in a metal box. Original eaten. My bro-in-law had to replace his plug wires on a new car, twice. They LOVE the smell of those rear view mirror scented things, so enjoy the aroma whilst nesting and feasting on rubber.

Thanks to all for the advice! jloi...keep your mom safe! ...and please tell her to quit pulling the cords from the wall using the cord. The plug head has grips for a reason.

[jloi]

Ok , I'll tell her ; this time she was pulling it of another ext. cord . that's prob not smart to use 2 of them either .

  I still remember my dad telling me that  , among  other things , 48 yrs ago .  I always do that