Monday dawned cool and cloudy. Just as we were started our breakfast, the
rain began. Mike was scheduled to meet
Phil on the dock. The plan was to take
the 'Ruth' over to West Point where they sell diesel fuel. (something about West
Point in Maine amuses me.) As soon as
we tied up the dinghy we met Phil. We
clambered aboard the Ruth for the hop to the fuel dock—just a short way south
of Sebasco. After returning the Ruth to
her mooring, we retreated to Cotinga to wait out the weather.
Mike was writing some checks and I thought it would be the
perfect time to get out the sewing machine.
We got the inverter fired up and set up the machine on the dining
table. All was going well. Mike, having finished with the bill paying,
was cooking up some collard greens. The
aroma of the bacon, onions and collard greens filled the cabin, prompting
thoughts of lunch. Mike whipped up some grilled
ham and cheese sandwiches and announced that lunch was ready. I shut off the sewing machine and scooted
around the side of the table to eat.
After a few minutes, there was a crackling sound and smoke started
emanating from the sewing machine. I
quickly unplugged it, while Mike shut off the inverter. I’m not sure who was more distraught. We finished our sandwiches glumly, then set
about trying to figure out what had happened to my Elna. (This was a second hand machine that we
bought specifically to bring along on the boat!)
After studying the casing for screws we took off the top
plate and managed to prize open the side of the machine. Nothing obviously looked amiss. After disconnecting some wires we were able
to take the end piece off the machine.
The copper coils of the motor looked fine. Nothing was obviously wrong with either the
motor or the circuit board, although both parts smelled strongly of burning
electrical wiring. At a loss, we
reconnected everything and plugged it back in.
Much to my astonishment, the sewing machine seemed to work just
fine. Maybe time will tell...
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