singer 401 controller question
 

I've been sewing all week and have come to hate that two button controller that came with my 401. The 401 has a unique (I think) two prong plug that plugs directly to the machine body. So I assume you would have to use the cord that came with it and rewire it to another controller. Is that correct?

I really don't want to mess up the cord unless I have to. Can you use the cord like it is or do you have to cut the ends off and put new connectors on it?

I have several clamshell controllers left over from dead T&S machines that I might use. Would that work?

bkay

As long as the controller doesn't have the speed control slider (630 and 640) you can switch them. It's just a matter of opening the controller and disconnecting/reconnecting the two wires, and it doesn't matter which wire goes to which connection.

Cari

My 401 controller is a pain to open. It has 4 indents to keep the bottom slide of the controller in place. I pried the first ones up OK, but the ones in the middle are giving me fits. A hack saw is looking promising at this point. Any suggestions?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]600867[/ATTACH]

This is the two prong plug that bkay is speaking of.[ATTACH=CONFIG]600868[/ATTACH]


It also has a secondary plug below the bed[ATTACH=CONFIG]600869[/ATTACH]

You can get new power cords on ebay. The controller doesn't look original to me. I have several 401's. I would get
an old black controller from any old Singer and just put new cords on the machine and not mess with the old controller
or cords.

My cord was damaged in a move and my repair man got me another from somewhere that was new.

The photos are Leon's. I have the original brown one button controller (I assume it's original as it's the same controller that is on my other 401 and both my 503s). The problem with 401s is that the controller is wired (via a plug) directly to the machine like the 301 (not included on the power cord like the earlier and later machines). I don't see the advantage of replacing it with a black version of the same thing.

I've worked on the one button controllers (on 503s), but not the clamshell controllers. (I have several from dead T&Ss.) I was wondering if it would be an easy switch. The existing controller probably just needs to be taken apart, cleaned and the carbon disks replaced, so that it makes more consistent contact.

I was looking for an easy way out. I was just hoping that I could open up a clamshell controller and replace the wires with the wires from the original.

bkay

I would have to get this plug on a replacement controller. (I "borrowed" Leon's photo.)

[ATTACH=CONFIG]601570[/ATTACH]

Thanks crafty pat. I did not know that new plugs were available.

bkay

Sew classic has https://shop.sew-classic.com/Cord-Si...rol-197628.htm and https://shop.sew-classic.com/Cord-Si...780-SCE122.htm for the 401 and others. I can't remember which machine I needed it for but did get probably both of them from there.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

Thanks, Janey.

bkay