Category: Troubleshooting the press
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Updating Kensol 12a

I have a Kensol 12a, and I think the heating element is going bad. It doesn’t seem like I can get it up to temperature, and the heating element is quite old. It doesn’t have a digital readout, so I don’t know what temperature it is at, only what the dial says it is heating to. Anyone done this swap, and know where to get the updated digital elements from?

image: kensol12a.jpg

kensol12a.jpg

image: kensol-thermostat.jpg

kensol-thermostat.jpg

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  • kimaboe
  • on 27 Jan 25 (16:57)
  • Updated 27 Jan 25 (17:15)

I swapped the heating element on my Kwikprint, and this looks to maybe be the same/similar, though this is wider? I got mine from Talas (talasonline.com) and it looks like they still have the Kwikprint-elements for sale, maybe give them a call? I don’t know about the digital readout, since the Kwikprint has a temperature dial on top of the typeholder.

I’m unfamiliar with the Kensol, so maybe this is a common feature, but I suppose you could buy any temperature-sensor with a suitable range and mount it?

Edit: IIRC (this was back in 2013) the issues I had were much the same as you described, with the element not really getting hot. The dial did not register the heat, but when I replaced the element the dial worked fine once the temperature came back into foiling ranges.

  • DWP
  • on 12 Feb 25 (12:16)

Not sure how long the element is on your Kensol but there’s this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GTMPW3M/?coliid=I98V6BVOM03CF&colid=2Q8YKBY...

which is about 4” long and get’s up to temp for about $10. Add one of the PID controllers for another $20 and you’ve got a new machine with accurate temp set and control.