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Other Vintage Household Electrical or Electromechanical Items For discussions about other vintage (over 25 years old) electrical and electromechanical household items. See the sticky thread for details. |
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27th Sep 2011, 10:12 pm | #1 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Co. Donegal, Ireland
Posts: 1
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Morphy Richards CA-75 Iron Problem
Hi all, new here.
I got this lovely primrose Morphy Richards Senior iron to accompany my twin tubs and washers recently, but it doesn't seem to be working now. It worked once for me. Replaced the flex, still no joy. I think the bulb is fused so I took it out then unfortunately lost it (tiny thing). Where can I find one like it again? Could it be the plug fuse also? I don't know where to start so I'm hoping you lot can help. It is in great shape. James. |
27th Sep 2011, 11:02 pm | #2 | |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 4,061
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Re: Morphy Richards CA-75 Iron Problem
Hi James,
Quote:
Anyway, presumably you don't have a multimeter? Why did you change the flex? was it in dangerous condition and/or physically damaged? You also asked if it could be the plug fuse; well only you can tell us if the fuse has blown. With a multimeter you can check the fuse, wiring continuity and all manner of things without the need to plug the iron in. The lamp was described by MR as being a "Special safety lamp", or words to that effect. All it was in reality was a pilot lamp to indicate when the heating element was receiving power, in other words it indicated when the thermostat contacts were closed. I don't know, however, how it was connected; IIRC it was nothing more than an ordinary touch bulb painted green so there would've been an arrangement with regard to voltage. Safety wasn't such an issue then as it is now but, even so, I'd expect the lamp to be wired in such a way that when it fails the iron dies. So without a meter, all you can really do is check the thermostat by ear - iron unplugged of course. When you operate the control, can you hear a weak click as the thermostat cuts in and out? With the iron cold the click, if present, will occur very close to the lowest heat setting. If you can hear a click then the thermostat is probably ok. Regarding the fuse, if you've no meter then test it by fitting it temporarily into the plug of another appliance. With a meter you can, as stated earlier, quickly test the fuse and check the whole circuit by connecting the meter across the L and N plug pins and watching for a reading as you operate the thermostat control. I would also advise you to check the earthing. Also with a meter, you could by shunting the terminals of the lamp holder also find out if a failed lamp does indeed kill the iron completely. You should be able to work that out just by a visual examination though. So in summary we have: a) a failed lamp killing the whole iron. b) a failed thermostat. c) a blown plug fuse BUT if it is that, you need to determine why it's blown. d) worse case scenario, a failed heater element. One further point, these irons contain asbestos so think twice about opening the iron up to the extent whereby the asbestos is exposed. That's about all I can say. Other members have old domestic appliances, including irons, so hopefully they'll be able to advise you better than I can. Meantime, keep hunting for that lamp - it's there somewhere. |
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28th Sep 2011, 12:05 am | #3 |
Heptode
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Barnstaple, N.Devon, UK.
Posts: 556
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Re: Morphy Richards CA-75 Iron Problem
Hi, there is a thread with regard to this iron from june this year (2011). In post No 4 Denis described how the pilot lamp is connected. Sorry I don't know how to do links but it's title was "rewiring a morphy richards CA 75 iron" .
David. |
28th Sep 2011, 1:58 am | #5 |
Hexode
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Derbyshire, UK.
Posts: 288
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Re: Morphy Richards CA-75 Iron Problem
Hi James,
It is more than likely to be the element that has gone but you really do need a multimeter to check this easily. Michael. |
28th Sep 2011, 1:12 pm | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK.
Posts: 16,527
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Re: Morphy Richards CA-75 Iron Problem
You could check continuity of the element using a "lamp limiter" (basically an incandescent GLS lamp in series with the ac supply) as used for initial powering up of old valve radios.
http://www.vintage-radio.com/projects/lamp-limiter.html If the element is OK (and all the rest of the parts in series with it- thermostat, fuse, wiring, pilot light sense coil etc) it should light up pretty much at full brilliance when it's all turned on.
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17th Jan 2012, 4:09 pm | #7 | |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 1
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Re: Morphy Richards CA-75 Iron Problem
Quote:
Mandy |
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17th Jan 2012, 5:21 pm | #8 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK.
Posts: 21,192
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Re: Morphy Richards CA-75 Iron Problem
Hello Mandy and welcome to the forums. James hasn't logged into the forums since 29 September last year. You could try sending him a Private Message (PM) by clicking on his username to the left of his post.
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Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron. |