Coffee Maker Failure

I won't drag you through the details with this post, but suffice it to say that I've been going through some coffee makers - they just completely fail and will not turn on. The mfg.'s that I have dealt with do not have "Technical Service" available, so I can't discuss this problem with them - they just tell me to return it for credit or exchange.

Here's where I think the problem is, but would appreciate your feedback! I've had different trucks and coffee makers in the past with no problems. This is the first truck that I've had where a small "counter" seemed to make sense. So, I took a short shelving unit and put a counter top on it and was able to attach it to the floor. I've screwed the coffee maker onto this counter from below - all is rigid.

After going through a few of these coffee makers, I am left thinking that the "rigidity" might be my/coffee maker's problem. I think that I am either tripping some relay/diode and shaking something loose.

Maybe the truck's shelving units provide enough dampening - I don't know. I'd rather not install this in the truck's shelving unit. At this time, I think that I'll install the latest coffee maker on top of some kind of shock absorbing thing-a-ma-bob - don't know what just yet, but have some ideas.

Anyways, .... I thought I'd run this by you folks and see if anyone's experienced similar. Thanks in advance for your constructive help!

 

is the plate not getting hot or is it not purking ?
Nothing happens at all - no power

Are you using the same power inverter that you have used in the past? Are any other appliances you are using with this inverter giving you problems?

Same inverter - no problems there. I run different electrical gang strips to one surge protector - each has its own power switch and I never run more than one strip at a time. I use a laptop, 19" LCD TV, DVD/CD player, two fans, and Cell/Bluetooth chargers, all with absolutely no problems. I'm pretty sure that I've eliminated all the potential problems - I even have unplugged it after usage.

What brand of coffee maker? Is it just a standard "home type" model? Or, a 12volt, travel style?

First was Hamilton Beach - they started a new design that doesn't use a pot - its gone through at least 4 new design changes since I got the first one. I see that some Pilots are starting to carry the smaller model. Their customer service has been no assistance at all.

I am pretty sure that it has something to do with "shock" and/or just the vibrations from the truck. I have a feeling that adding some form of a shock absorber will do the trick - I can use some padding between the counter top and coffee maker. Coffee Makers that I have used in the past have been in the shelving area of the truck, and that probably provided enough dampening.

The thing that gets me about this though, is if you've ever had one of these opened up, there isn't much to it. It's got to be simple enough - a little diode or something. I just don't have the electrical knowledge, nor time to mess with it. I don't really "need" the maker, but it sure comes in handy at times.

 

Yes Baack, I agree, I think you nailed it. Now my question is, what/where is it? I realize that all the mfg.'s probably have different designs, but I assume that there are some similarities. Are they mostly mechanical? Kind of like a float or something? Or are they electrical? Or electrical/mechanical? I have no friggin clue!

The reason I care about this at all is that this may be something I could easily "reset" if I knew I could, and how to do it. I find it hard to believe that it is something that would permanently disable the maker.

I can't help think that it is something real simple, its just that I've never had this happen before so haven't thought/cared about it. Anyone have knowledge of this?

 

CommDriver: How long has each coffee pot lasted?

Thanks, but less than a month and very little usage - 1 to 5 times maybe. I really am with you on the "find it hard to believe" part, but am speaking from experience. I think the situation is boiling down to attaching it basically directly, rigidly to the floor.

Fried Tater: Sounds more like a voltage issue rather then vibration gremlins.

Appreciate this thought, but haven't measured it. Wouldn't you think I would have problems with other devices, though? Laptop? LCD TV? Please keep in mind that the coffee maker completely ceases to function. I can take it out and plug it in at home and .... nothing

I think I am "tripping" some kind of a safety switch/diode/what-da-ya-call-it. I just wish, for my own knowledge/curiosity, I knew what the #### it was. I hate for this to boil down to tapping it twice on it's top left side and it turns on.

For the most part, I really don't have time to deal with this, so it mostly has been off the radar screen.