RCBS pot wiring diagram

[abunaitoo]

Have a RCBS pot made in 1980. I think it's RCBS.
It's green, but it's a light green. Not like the newer ones.
I have no idea if it was working before.
The on-off switch broke. I got one from the store and installed it.
I marked the wires before I removed the old one, but the wiring is wrong.
Probably have the wrong switch, but I could have labled the wires wrong.
Anyone have a wire diagram for it.

[Edubya]

Heating coils and switches are too simple to be explained. If you can, reassemble the original switch and wiring then take it to your neighbor electrical hobbyist. He shouldn't charge you much more than a six-pack and you might even gain an acquaintance or friend.

EW

[dbosman]

If the switch is a single pole single throw switch (two connectors) you can't wire it wrong. It could be bad.

Unless there is also a "thermostat" of some sort, connect the hot lead (black) to switch. Other side of switch to heating coil.
White lead (white) to other side of heating coil.

If there is a thermostat or rheostat, connect the hot lead (black) to switch. Other side of switch to the thermostat. Other side of thermostat to one side of the heating coil.
White (return) lead to the other side of the heating coil.

[abunaitoo]

The switch had three poles.
I hooked it up so it would work.
The temp control is dead.
It's a Essex Stemco 101W. Can't find it anywhere.
The ones I did find were pricey.
These work different from the one's in the Lee pots.
They use a probe. The Lee pots use a heated wire switch.
Anyone know if the Lee control would work in place of the one in there now????

[500MAG]

Are you talking about the little red switch on the Pro Melt or the dial thermostat?

[kayak1]

The switch had three poles.
I hooked it up so it would work.
The temp control is dead.
It's a Essex Stemco 101W. Can't find it anywhere.
The ones I did find were pricey.
These work different from the one's in the Lee pots.
They use a probe. The Lee pots use a heated wire switch.
Anyone know if the Lee control would work in place of the one in there now????

Pictures will help in the diagnostics.

[Norbrat]

The switch had three poles.
I hooked it up so it would work.
The temp control is dead.
It's a Essex Stemco 101W. Can't find it anywhere.
The ones I did find were pricey.
These work different from the one's in the Lee pots.
They use a probe. The Lee pots use a heated wire switch.
Anyone know if the Lee control would work in place of the one in there now????

As the Lee part costs $5, I would give it a go, especially if the wattage of the RCBS element is similar to the Lee (700W).

Failing that, I would make a PID to control it, and have the benefit of much better control.

I've built a PID for my Lee and it was definitely worth the cost and effort.

[Jon K]

Why don't you call RCBS?
If it is RCBS, they will repair, or replace electronic equip for $46, if out of warranty(1 year on electronics)

Jon

[Baja_Traveler]

RCBS is awesome - a guy here at work Jon and I shoot with sent in a many years old busted electronic scale with a $46 check, and two weeks later got a box returned with a new scale in it.
Probably refurbished, but it looks and works brand spanken new...
When my 80's era ProMelt finally gives up the ghost you know where I'm sending it...

[abunaitoo]

UGGGGGG!!!!!
I never thought of contacting RCBS.
Should have emailed them first.

[abunaitoo]

RCBS replied.
They will send the "thermostst" and a switch for $60.00.
Can't beat that.

[abunaitoo]

Got the Thermostat and switch.
Both are different from the ones taken out.
Installed them and pot works.

Two problems.
1) It only get it up to 700'.
2) Light in switch is not working.

The switch has three leads. The thermostat has three leads and a grounding lead on the body.
Have the white power lead going to one side of the heating coils.
The other lend of the coil goes to the thermostat.
From the thermostat goes to the switch.
Black lead is to the switch.

Still would like a wire diagram.
Someone have a Pro-melt that they can open up????
I kind of remember someone having the same problem with a new thermostat not getting hot enough.
They modified it in a way to get it to work.
Can't find the link now.

[6bg6ga]

Got the Thermostat and switch.
Both are different from the ones taken out.
Installed them and pot works.

Two problems.
1) It only get it up to 700'.
2) Light in switch is not working.

The switch has three leads. The thermostat has three leads and a grounding lead on the body.
Have the white power lead going to one side of the heating coils.
The other lend of the coil goes to the thermostat.
From the thermostat goes to the switch.
Black lead is to the switch.

Still would like a wire diagram.
Someone have a Pro-melt that they can open up????
I kind of remember someone having the same problem with a new thermostat not getting hot enough.
They modified it in a way to get it to work.
Can't find the link now.

It isn't black magic. Do you have a volt/ohm meter? If not the discount house has them on the cheap. Start by drawing the circuit on a piece of paper and posting it here.

The fact that you only get 700 degrees out of the unit may be because it won't get hotter. With a cheap meter you can see for example if the heating element is still getting voltage when it is reading 700 degrees. It is my feeling that the unit will not get any hotter.

[6bg6ga]

Have a RCBS pot made in 1980. I think it's RCBS.
It's green, but it's a light green. Not like the newer ones.
I have no idea if it was working before.
The on-off switch broke. I got one from the store and installed it.
I marked the wires before I removed the old one, but the wiring is wrong.
Probably have the wrong switch, but I could have labled the wires wrong.
Anyone have a wire diagram for it.


First of all is the pot 120v or 220v?

Single pole switch or double pole?

Pictures?

[abunaitoo]

According to RCBS, it's suppose to heat up to 850'. The dial on the side starts at 650' and ends at 850'.
The pot is 120v.
The switch has three poles. When it's turned on, one of the other two connects. Get no connection from the other pole.

[6bg6ga]

According to RCBS, it's suppose to heat up to 850'. The dial on the side starts at 650' and ends at 850'.
The pot is 120v.
The switch has three poles. When it's turned on, one of the other two connects. Get no connection from the other pole.


120 volt unit?

Ok, 120 source into switch, 120 out to thermostat, neutral into switch for the light

[6bg6ga]

Generally most lighted switches are wired as follows L1 (AC input) bottom of switch. L1 (AC outgoing to whatever) middle terminal of the switch

Top terminal is the neutral terminal. Without the neutral the internal light /neon will not function.

Now, there are exceptions as to how switches might be manufactured but generally they are like the above description.

Hope this helps...

[45-70bpcr]

I have a picture of the inside of my old ProMelt might show you something helpful
I think this is with the new parts installed that I ordered from rcbs also.

86526

[abunaitoo]

Thanks for the picture.
It looks like I do have it hooked up correct. I'll have to open it back up to recheck.
RCBS sent me a reply about it not getting up to 850'.
They said the coils maybe going bad.
I'll Check the resisitance and maybe by pass the thermostst to see if it gets to 850'.

[45-70bpcr]

No problem. My thermostat was bad and would not kick out. Pot was running away and would get very hot., way too hot to use. It works good now. Hopefully your element is not going. Still worth fixing. They are good pots. Not sure how they sell any at the current new prices though.

[abunaitoo]

Had a chance to look at the pot today. The wiring was correct. Bad switch.
New one that RCBS sent me for free.
I just bought another one.
The pot still didn't get hot enough.
Resistance of the coils was 19-24. I have no idea if that's good or bad.
What I did was make a bracket that holds the thermostat probe away (about 1/4") from the heating coil.
There was a clamp the held them together.
Problem solved. It now get the lead up to 850'. Not that I cast that hot, but it makes start up faster.
Another problem I noticed is it drips. I thought only Lee pots dripped.
On the Lee pot you can turn the plug to stop it dripping. Can't dp it with this RCBS.
Any suggestions?????