The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Retsel Grain Mill toggle switch repair

Luv4birds's picture
Luv4birds

Retsel Grain Mill toggle switch repair

I bought a vintage Retsel Grain Mill and I have been so happy with it.  It mills really fine flour.  I have a magic mill and it is a good grain mill but does not give a flour that is fine enough, unless I don't know how to do it correctly.  I have had the mill for about 6 months.  I had been noticing a burning smell, which you notice on some appliances when using them.  I had ground 1 cup of flour and I really smelled burning and saw some smoke.  I immediately turned the toggle switch off, but it was so hot it burned my finger.  I unplugged it. The toggle switch was all burned up.  I have not found anyone talking about this before, but the Retsel website said some of their toggle switches will only last a certain time period with use and how to choose a replacement heavy or medium duty switch.  Looking for a solution, I went to their website and they sell a replacement toggle switch, but will not sell it to you, you have to ship your mill to them and they install it and send it back.  I looked into other options and am my husband is currently in the process of fixing it and mounting an electrical box on the outside for the switch to be in.  There does not seem to be much information or schematics out there on this.  The replacement toggle switch could not be put back in the area, possibly could be done if you took the whole mill apart.

I really enjoy this mill and am so happy with it and am looking forward to using it again and was fortunate that there was not more damage done to the mill.  We bench tested the new switch and bought a new electrical cord with plug attached.

barryvabeach's picture
barryvabeach

Thanks for sharing.  BTW,  I found the page on the retsel site that says certain switches will only last for a certain amount of hours per week, and found that very surprising.  http://retselusa.com/store/product_info.php/cPath/24_38/products_id/432   I understand that switches are rated for the amount of electrical throughput -  and that you need switches sized to handle the hp loads of different motors, but have never heard of an hourly rating.   

albacore's picture
albacore

50USD for a toggle switch - it must be a pretty fancy one!

barryvabeach's picture
barryvabeach

Yes it is fancy, it has two different modes,  off and on.