Why do I obsess over the stupidest things!!
 

I know this is crazy, but I really worry about my sewing machine light burning out. (Pfaff Quilt Expressions 4.2 IDT)

There is more than one light, but they look to me that they are encased. I wonder if it is better to leave my sewing machine on all day, as I go back to it many times, or should I turn it off. There is a burst of electricity each time it is turned off and back on, same as the light bulbs in a home, so maybe leaving it on is easier on the whole mechanism.

Maybe I should just forget it, and turn it off when not in use. I worry that the light bulb will go out and I might have to take it to the repair shop for replacement. I have no room anywhere for an Ott light beside my sewing machine. Does anyone have experience with the LED encased lights on your sewing machine?

Good question. I don't know the answer - will be watching to see what it is.

I've been told that LEDs do not burn out. They are not like regular light bulbs. Both times I've had an issue with an LED light, it's been the power source not the LEDs themselves.

Cari

Interesting question. Off subject but do you have it hooked up to some surge protector?? Nothing can take out anything that runs on electricity than a power surge. I had it happened one time to my phone/answering machine. Think how much you paid for you DSM or LA. I only buy Belkin. They are the best.

Thanks everyone! I completely forgot about the power surger. I told my DH and he said we have a new one in the garage. He will get it for me.

It's not the cost at all. It's the trip to the sewing machine shop from where I bought it. My DH has to take me, and I would have to leave my sewing machine there for around 10 days -- It's more about the inconvenience. I appreciate your ideas though, and I will sure get one of those I can stick on. Sounds good! Thanks.

LEDs don't get hot and burn out the way regular, old fashioned light bulbs do. They also use a very tiny bit of electricity, .7 volts versus 120 volts for light bulbs, so it won't cost you much to leave them on.

That sounds good Cari! I hope they won't burn out.

led's take a lot of time to wear down. find something good to worry about, like your fabric shrinking. don't worry, be happy!!!:)

Lynnie, Good advise! I am always happy anyway, and I realized I could "Goggle" and see what the life of the LED lights are, and you are so right -- they take a looooong time. I'll burn out before they will. hahaha

I dont worry about much even if the doctor wants to do tests. Heck, until he tells me I am dying, i carry on! The sewing machine light? Nah.

Sandy

funny you should mention this. The very same thing happened with my pfaff quilt expression. replaced the bulb 3 times in about 5 minutes and all popped out when turned on AND it was connected through a surge protector. Could be a different problem. Using my Janome

I keep a couple of extra bulbs in stock. My vintage machine has a door that swings open to reveal the light bulb and it is an easy replacement.

Mine is 20 years old. I turn off when finished sewing or leave it on until tomorrow. Never had a problem.

I've been sewing for over 40 years and I've never had a bulb burn out. Sometimes I leave the machine on for several hours and other days it's off and on all day. I have a ten needle embroidery machine, it has LED bulbs down by the needles and so far I've not had any problems with those either and they are on all the time.

I have a small LED that takes up about as much space as a credit card. Got it at a hardware store. It's shaped like a triangle. I put a small piece of adhesive Velcro in an out of the way space and attached the light to it. Gives off almost more light than I need!!

Try the bendable bright lite ( available in all the quilt online stores and Joannes). it attaches to your machine so takes up no room. I can't sew without mine

Every one of my electronic items are plugged into surge protectors. I only use UL listed surge protectors with a light so I can see when they are on. (I learned the hard way not to use the cheap ones, they are outlet bars, not surge protectors. It only cost me a coffee machine to learn the difference.)

The only place I like LED lighting is on my sewing machine. The overhead LEDs put me in a jarring mood. I can't shop or stay in any place that has all LED lighting without getting anxious and out of sorts. I put one in my porch light (my little fun) and it stays on 24/7 so far it has lasted for over two years.

DH said all our outlets have built in serge protection in the outlet itself. When our house was hit with lightening a few years ago he had all new outlets put in. Less then the cost of new fridge, freezer, tvs, and even the lamps.

OH, forgot. Serge protectors you plug in have be replaced after a big serge. They get weak and won't protect after several surges. The outlets serge we have are on a big serge unit that is replaceable.

You can buy an strip of LED lights that attach to your machine with an adhesive strip. These plug into your power bar. They are available in hardware and home stores. Originally designed for under cabinet use.

I must say that I have been sewing for 50 years on a variety of brands of machines. I have NEVER had a sewing machine light burn out. The machine died before the light did.

How old is your machine? The sewing machine lights usually last for years. I bought my machine 9/14, its a wonderful machine.
Sharon W.

don't stress over a light. there are many more things more important.

Gee, when you wrote I never thought of a light bulb. My mind was saying --Yes, I too think I am worrying too much about other things. Mainly the amount of stuff that we store but do not use. Feel like this place is one big storage area--oh, but it is not like a hoarders place. Just small stuff that is in cabinets and things behind closed doors.
Worse is no one else wants to use or buy these things that were often expensive so what can I do but give to a thrift shop. Recycle clothes always and anything else that I can.
Maybe decorated like older times but I know the antiques help that look. I would sell and move if I could afford too but according to tax dept. I don't think it should be this year. My last house never gave me that feeling.
A bulb burning out doesn't upset me but hasn't happened often in all my years.
Thanks for letting me rant.

Meant to say that this week thinking of what will happen to my sewing stuff in time --so that is what got me thinking of other stuff too. People will wonder why I kept or have this /that but for many years I lived in a very big house and have down sized so many times.

I don't have encased lights. I did buy another light for each of my machines, just in case. I tried using a floor light when one burned out, it isn't the same. Silly but that little light really makes a difference.

I second this BIG TIME: BELKIN IS THE BEST! :thumbup:

I am going to try those Christmas rope lights under shelves so I can see better ;)

I need a "like" button, as all of these comments are good ones. Thanks to all who have responded. Of course I am old enough to know that in the grand scheme of life, such as my granddaughter having a tumor removed from inside the femur bone, a sewing machine light is nothing to worry about. I like my little sewing machine lights, and I am relieved to read that they probably won't burn out.

My Brother 270SE has an encased LED. It was my daily driver for years, and eventually the LED light dimmed so much I could barely see. I could not figure out how to remove the bulb for replacement, so I took it to an authorized dealer. He said it was not replaceable. Brother considers that machine a "disposable" machine, so when the light burns out, you just buy a new machine.

:shock:

Um, no. Not THIS girl, not THAT machine. It's a great little machine, perfect for classes and retreats, still running strong. I'm not going to dump it just because the light is dim. Silly, silly engineers.

So I went to IKEA and bought a $10 Jansjo light. Actually, I liked it so much I bought five. Three for me, one for my mom, and one for my friend Cindi. They also have clamp-on and floor models.

As far as the light, I've never had any issues on my machines. As for the surge protector, I have a surge protector on my machine, we have a whole house surge protector, AND at the end of my day of sewing I unplug my machine. My sewing machine is the most expensive computer in the house so it's worth the couple of seconds to unplug it!

If you switch off everytime you leave the machine you have to reset your stitch size and other setting when you switch on. I leave which ever my machine I am using on during my working time, going back and forwards to it. I switch off noting settings when I have finished for the day.

I worry more about switching iron off so I just turn that down to no heat when I leave it during working session.

The on off switches I feel only need on when you start and off when you finish.

....if your machine is digital. I don't have to reset my Brother 1500 at all because it's mechanical. One of the 1,739 reasons I love that machine... :D