Hello everyone,I had a brilliant idea on changing the wax in my
injector. I thought the best way was to turn it on to normal
operating temp hit the compressor and drain the wax in a plastic
bag,NO BIGGIE!! Well I didnt think about quick temp change, well
there went the ceramic around the heating element in small
pieces. The injector is about 8 years old and I bought it from
Fargotsteins , but the darn thing doesnt have a brand name on it
. Does anybody know someone who might be able to repair this?
Thanks
I have a German “Miniwax” wax injector. It’s V220 2110 Hz 50/60. A
dear friend gave it to me and basically changed the plug from the
220V plug to a 110V 3-prong plug. When plugged in and turned on to
maximum, the heating is incredibly slow. After 8 hours, the wax
pellets were not completely fluid and the temperature did not exceed
150F.
How difficult is it to modify the heating unit to 110V so it will
heat and operate at a reasonable rate? I don’t understand
electricity so I don’t know what is involved. Do any of you have
suggestions on how to make this machine usable? It seems well made.
The main body is a narrow tall cylinder, approximately 6" in diameter
x 14" tall. The regulator, gauge, etc., screwed into a plexiglass
lid, add another 4.75" to the overall height.
I think that the only way to get it up to heat is to rewire it back
to 220. You might take it to an electrical shop and ask them. Look
in the yellow ages for electrical folks or to motor shops (just as
suggestions). Most electricians would know but they might charge
you to talk to you about this.
OR just be sure you put in new wax a couple of days before you need
it!!!
How difficult is it to modify the heating unit to 110V so it
will heat and operate at a reasonable rate?
Donna,
By simply changing the plug from 220 to 110, you effectively cut the
rating of the heating element in half, so it produces only half the
heat. Your options aRe:
obtain a replacement heating element designed to deliver the
correct wattage at 110 volts,
or give the machine the 220 volts it wants. That could be either
by placing it somewhere where you’ve already got 220 (such as a dryer
or range circuit in your home), or by using a step up transformer.
To use the dryer or range circuits, you’d have to change the plug
again, and since these circuits are normally specialty plugs, this
will be somewhat clunky, especially if you use the circuit for it’s
original purpose as well. The plugs used for these higher amperage
devices generally are designed so you have to push in and twist to
plug in the thing, so switching some of these from one to another can
sometimes take a bit of strength. Depends on the plug type, and how
easily you can access it.
You could, if you’re handy (Or have an electrician do it if you’re
not) run a new 220 circuit for the thing, as it’s certain your home’s
fuse/circuit breaker box does actually have 220. You just have to
get it where you need it, or you could tap off an existing circuit,
such as the dryer circuit. This is much easier to do than running a
new circuit, but you may then have to be sure to only use one of the
devices at a time. Being basically lazy myself, I run my laser
welder off a second plug I wired off of my dryer circuit. Just
means I can’t use the laser when the dryer is running.
The simplest solution, and most versatile for placement, etc, would
be just to obtain a step up transformer. These are made for exactly
this type of use. And that then lets you use any normal 110 volt
outlet.
You have several choices for operating your wax injector on 110
volts. Replace the heating elements is an option, but probably too
costly to be a good solution. Another solution is a device known as
a 120 volt to 240 volt autotransformer. If you know the wattage or
amps you can price the autotransformers to see if this is a
practical solution ( email me and I will help you). Also, there is a
possibility your wax injector has two heating elements wired “in
series” so a rewiring to make them electrically "wired in parallel"
will convert it to 110 volts… if so, this would be the best
solution.
Dear Donna, I also have a “Miniwachs” injector-- it’s great. The
cheapest, easiest thing is to have an electrician set you up with a
220 volt outlet at your workbench.
Hi Donna, In regard to your 220V wax injector operating on 110. With
out seeing how the heating element is constructed/installed, it’s
hard to give a solid answer.
One thing you might do is contact the mfgr… & see if they have a
110v heating element that can replace the 220V one.
The other solution is to leave the injector as it is & install a
220v outlet in your shop. The odds are there’s a 220 V power service
available. Most, if not all, buildings in the US (even Hawaii) have
220 V available at the meter & distribution panel. It’s also
available at electric water heaters, stoves, clothes dryers, & ac
units.
My thanks to Peter, Michael, John and all the folks that volunteered
to solve my problem with the 220V German Miniwaxer. I
ended up buying a step up/step down transformer from an electronics
shop. This was much cheaper than rewiring an outlet and much more
convenient than plugging into the outlet for my dryer.
The transformer is doing the trick and I’m now able to use the wax
pot.