This fix was actually carried out during the summer, 2018.
A friend of mine brought over a broken formula making machine for me to look at. It had been stored after their first child had out-grown it and since having another baby, it was now needed again, urgently. Following a couple of years in storage, it was brought out, plugged in and after briefly coming on, it failed. No lights, no hope.
These machines save time and effort by allowing water to be heated rapidly and mixed exactly with the formula powder, to produce consistent results every time, perfect for new exhausted parents in the middle of the night. So it was important that I got this working quickly.
After removing the back, I was presented with an electronic control unit, some solenoid valves and a heater, plus some other environmental sensors such as thermostats. The plug fuse was OK, so it was time to check if power was getting to the machine. It wasn’t.
This machine features a couple of power control devices; two thermal aluminium ‘can-style’ fuses in-line with the heater, plus a thermostat on the output of the heater itself (to regulate heat). After testing for continuity, it appeared that one of the can fuses had failed.
These fuses are common across a wide range of appliances, such as coffee machines, fans etc and are cheap, just a few pounds. It could be that a temporary air-lock in the heater caused a hot-spot and therefore that excess heat caused the 172 degree fuse to pop. It was worth a try to replace it and see what happened.
I replaced the fuse and re-assembled. After filling with water and powering it up, normal service was resumed.
Since I replaced the fuse, the machine has been in continuous service for many months, so I can conclude that it was probable that the over heating was temporary.
I created a short video to help others who may have similar problems with their machine.
Cost of a new machine: £90. Cost of repair: a few quid and a few beers.
Hi please please can you fix mine had it a week and now it doesn’t turn on. I bought on eBay apparently it was an ex display so I can’t send it back. 🤦♀️
I don’t trust myself to follow your video and fix it plus I have a four month old who literally takes all my time 😭
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Hi Vicky, what a shame it doesn’t work. Yes, happy to take a look for you. Can you get the machine to Worthing? Send me an email through the site on the ‘contact us’ link.
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I have 2 machines with the same problem, what thermal fuses did you order? Please help.
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I used standard 172 can thermal fuses
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Hi I have 2 machines with that problem, what thermal fuses did you order?
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Tommee tippeeprep machine only letting very small amounts of water out plz advise
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Hi Nicola, it could be blocked and might need a descale, also check your water filter.
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what fuses are they that need replacing had the same fault
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They are thermal fuses on the incoming power line to the main board. They are part of the wiring harness and their rating varies on model, in my experience, so best to check what you have fitted.
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Hi James, the uses are part of the wiring harness. Check the rating on yours before buying replacements.
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Superb. Thank you for this great tutorial. I had exactly the same issue of storing the unit for a few years between children only for it not to fire up when brought back out. I was able to follow this through step by step and repair perfectly. 🙂
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