Your Statim autoclave seems to be working fine when suddenly the alarm sounds and Error Code 25: Thermal Fuse appears.
If you’re thinking another $300.00 is going (and that’s the going rate, plus parts and shipping both ways), you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Fixing the problem isn’t as difficult as you may think, and the replacement part costs less than $16.00.
You only need one tool to confirm that the problem is really the thermal fuse: a cheap volt/ohmmeter. if you don’t already have one, you can get one for around $10 from Wal-Mart or Lowes. And it doesn’t make any difference if it’s analog or digital.
Thermal fuses are just like any other fuse. They get stressed from charging, or a power surge, or just get weaker over time and eventually wear out. A filament breaks: and there is no longer a path for electricity to get from one point to another. Since the path is broken, the component can’t get power and therefore doesn’t work.
The meter simply determines if the electrical path is there or not.
After checking for continuity and confirming that the thermal fuse is the problem, you are ready to make the repair. The repair is fairly straightforward and really consists of nothing more than replacing the fuse.
The only tools you will need to complete the repair are: (One) Phillips head screwdriver, (One) small slotted screwdriver; (one) 3/8″ open-end wrench and (two) 7/16″ open-end wrenches.
Below deck, the interior of the Statim is very interesting. There is a steam generator (the boiler), a compressor, a printed circuit board and a water pump. By replacing the thermal fuse, you will be working with the boiler and the printed circuit board.
The thermal fuse is located under the boiler and is contained within the white insulation seen snaking below. You will need to disconnect some of the lines going to the boiler (but not all) and the screwdriver is needed to remove the mounting bracket.
The only thing you’ll do with the PCB is simply unplug the wire coming out of the old fuse and replace it with the wire from the new one when you’re ready to. There are a few things you need to be careful about, and we cover them in detail at the link below.
Doing the repair yourself will benefit you in a couple of ways. Not only will you save $300.00, but you’ll also take the mystery out and gain a better understanding of your Statim.
