It will last you way more than 5 years.
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It will last you way more than 5 years.
Oh yes, It will last more than yrs. I bought mine used in 2009 and it still works like a new one. RCBS just couldn't leave well enough alone and added the bells and whistles to the next generation ProMelt and those fancy add on's just don't live to well in a hot environment. The one you have is a grail find for that very reason.
RCBS most likely wasn't moving enough of them and saw we were adding the PID for temperature control. The PID mounted in the rear sheetmetal comes at a cost. Poor ventilation and having to add the cooling fan. Most modern ovens have the same basic control and have a lot of air moving through them even though they operate at a lower temp. Screens get blocked on them and the PID control never acts the same even after you clean them. You should see what the digital control costs for them. If you separate the the PID from the heat source or compartment they fare much better and are more accurate. They just need to stay close to ambient temp.
I used the same Lee 20 lb drip-o-matic pot for 30 years. I have to say dollar for dollar, they can't be beat. I finally decided to get the ProMelt and did so. The Lee has been mothballed and is backup just in case.
The ProMelt is worlds ahead of everyone. If you are a volume caster (I usually do runs of 1000 or so bullets) you will note a real difference in the flow, temp stability and just ease of use. I cast mostly with H&G 4 & 6 cavity moulds and yes, you will empty the pot rather quickly. Preheat your ingots and it helps.
HOWEVER, you need to let the whole thing cool down when you are done. That necessitates leaving it plugged in to run the fan. I don't know about you, but I don't want to have to go back and check on it 2 hours later. When I'm done I am done.
Get a timer that plugs in to the outlet, and plug the pot into the timer. When you are done, bring the temp indicator to zero, set the timer for 2 hours and it goes off for you. Cooled down and ready to go again.
This needs to be done otherwise you will eventually fry the controller....or so I was told.
Lasting a few years should not be a problem. I have two "Ohio" pro melt pots. These were made before RCBS bought the rights to mfg them. You can set several ingots on top of the pot to preheat them. Enjoy the best lead pot made.