Old and new, and This is why we don\'t toss out broken microwaves:...

[Tim+]

legg <legg@nospam.magma.ca> wrote:

On Sat, 25 Feb 2023 02:23:20 -0500, micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com
wrote:

More good and bad about my new and old microwaves.

Good, the door is much easier to see through. I can actually see what\'s
going on, if it\'s bubbling or not.

The light bulb costs iirc 15 to 20 dollars. It\'s a whole assembly, and
since I don\'t want to keep the thing in parts for a week, I\'ll probably
give in and buy it in advance, instead of trying to replace the broken
bulb (which they don\'t want you to do. Maybe you can\'t even get a
matching bulb.) But all this is for years from now if/when the bulb
burns out.


They should make lamps and fuses more easily replaceable.
Platter replacement is too exxpensive - should be made
available retail, where ovens are sold.

Microswitches in the door will last longer if the microwave
is paused or stopped before opening the door. Too many people
use a door pull to terminate cooking.

Well after 35 years the switches are still working well in mine despite
years of abuse.

Are bulbs really that hard to replace in modern machine once you’ve whipped
the cover off or are folk too feart to peek under the cover these days?

Tim

--
Please don\'t feed the trolls

 

[Mark Lloyd]

On 2/25/23 07:57, Max Demian wrote:

[snip]

The lamp on mine is behind one of the internal grills and looks as if
the whole thing would have to be disassembled to replace. It hasn\'t so
far, and I imagine it could be dangerous to take it apart, with high
voltages being retained.

Mine is like that, but there is a piece of metal on the back that can be
removed.

BTW, its the only bulb I\'ve seen (except for big Christmas lights) using
an intermediate base.

Someone *did* throw out a microwave near where I live, so I retrieved
the turntable and roller guide in case I break mine, as they charge
about £25 (including p&p) for a replacement and the oven only cost £40.

--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us/

\"Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem Entities should not
be multiplied unnecessarily.\" -- William of Ockham, Quodlibeta

 

[Billy B]

On 2/26/23 02:39, Andy Burns wrote:

Andy Burns wrote:

using high voltage to make Lichtenberg figures in wood with high voltage
        ^^^^^^^^^^^^                                          ^^^^^^^^^^^^

I blame low caffeine levels

People make a lot of excuses for their drug addiction.

BTW, I don\'t really consider caffeine itself as bad, but there IS a
problem when you get addicted (and so have lost some control).

 

[micky]

In alt.home.repair, on 27 Feb 2023 16:35:48 GMT, Tim+
<tim.downie@gmail.com> wrote:

legg <legg@nospam.magma.ca> wrote:
On Sat, 25 Feb 2023 02:23:20 -0500, micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com
wrote:

More good and bad about my new and old microwaves.

Good, the door is much easier to see through. I can actually see what\'s
going on, if it\'s bubbling or not.

The light bulb costs iirc 15 to 20 dollars. It\'s a whole assembly, and
since I don\'t want to keep the thing in parts for a week, I\'ll probably
give in and buy it in advance, instead of trying to replace the broken
bulb (which they don\'t want you to do. Maybe you can\'t even get a
matching bulb.) But all this is for years from now if/when the bulb
burns out.


They should make lamps and fuses more easily replaceable.
Platter replacement is too exxpensive - should be made
available retail, where ovens are sold.

Microswitches in the door will last longer if the microwave
is paused or stopped before opening the door. Too many people
use a door pull to terminate cooking.

Well after 35 years the switches are still working well in mine despite
years of abuse.

I\'m just one guy but I\'ve never had problem with the switches either.

Are bulbs really that hard to replace in modern machine once you’ve whipped
the cover off or are folk too feart to peek under the cover these days?

Tim

It wasn\'t the effort I complained about but the price, 15 to 20 dollars.
Maybe plus shipping because you can\'t just buy a reguarl bulb
everywhere. Plus it now occurs to me that eventually one might not be
even able to find this special assembly. Why can\'t they just use a
standard light bulb?

 

[Adrian Caspersz]

On 27/02/2023 18:05, Billy B wrote:

On 2/26/23 02:39, Andy Burns wrote:
Andy Burns wrote:

using high voltage to make Lichtenberg figures in wood with high voltage
         ^^^^^^^^^^^^
^^^^^^^^^^^^

I blame low caffeine levels

People make a lot of excuses for their drug addiction.

Think that was in jest?

BTW, I don\'t really consider caffeine itself as bad, but there IS a
problem when you get addicted (and so have lost some control).

OTOH, I do long shift office work (bloody windows computers!), and some
controlled amounts of caffeine are really helpful (Coffee, Diet Cola).
What is not, is coming off overnight shifts and some bright spark
suggests that down time should be spent downing alcohol and much food -
I try to avoid it.

I will be replaced by an AI one day, and coffee shop profits will then
plummet.

--
Adrian C

 

[Mark Lloyd]

On 2/27/23 15:16, micky wrote:

[snip]

It wasn\'t the effort I complained about but the price, 15 to 20 dollars.
Maybe plus shipping because you can\'t just buy a reguarl bulb
everywhere. Plus it now occurs to me that eventually one might not be
even able to find this special assembly. Why can\'t they just use a
standard light bulb?

My microwave uses the same base as a C9 Christmas light. I wonder if one
of those would work.

--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us/

\"A good rule for interpretation is: \'If the literal sense makes good
sense, seek no other sense lest you come up with nonsense\'\" [Anonymous]

 

[micky]

In alt.home.repair, on Tue, 28 Feb 2023 11:42:26 -0600, Mark Lloyd
<not.email@all.invalid> wrote:

On 2/27/23 15:16, micky wrote:

[snip]

It wasn\'t the effort I complained about but the price, 15 to 20 dollars.
Maybe plus shipping because you can\'t just buy a reguarl bulb
everywhere. Plus it now occurs to me that eventually one might not be
even able to find this special assembly. Why can\'t they just use a
standard light bulb?

My microwave uses the same base as a C9 Christmas light. I wonder if one
of those would work.

You might be right. When the time comes, maybe I\'ll be thrifty and take
it apart before buying either a bulb or the assembly.

I don\'t remember my model number, but I know it\'s not this one that\'s
meant to mount under a cabinet. But I happened to look at it:
https://www.repairclinic.com/Repair-Library/Part-Replacement/2181/Ge-Microwave-Light-Bulb-Replacement-Bottom-Panel-Wb25x10019
And it doesn\'t use an assembly, just a push-in bulb, which they charge
$22.33 for. Surely that\'s available elsewhere for under $5. Got to be
careful if you don\'t want to waste money.

 

[legg]

On 27 Feb 2023 16:35:48 GMT, Tim+ <tim.downie@gmail.com> wrote:

legg <legg@nospam.magma.ca> wrote:
On Sat, 25 Feb 2023 02:23:20 -0500, micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com
wrote:

More good and bad about my new and old microwaves.

Good, the door is much easier to see through. I can actually see what\'s
going on, if it\'s bubbling or not.

The light bulb costs iirc 15 to 20 dollars. It\'s a whole assembly, and
since I don\'t want to keep the thing in parts for a week, I\'ll probably
give in and buy it in advance, instead of trying to replace the broken
bulb (which they don\'t want you to do. Maybe you can\'t even get a
matching bulb.) But all this is for years from now if/when the bulb
burns out.


They should make lamps and fuses more easily replaceable.
Platter replacement is too exxpensive - should be made
available retail, where ovens are sold.

Microswitches in the door will last longer if the microwave
is paused or stopped before opening the door. Too many people
use a door pull to terminate cooking.

Well after 35 years the switches are still working well in mine despite
years of abuse.

Are bulbs really that hard to replace in modern machine once you’ve whipped
the cover off or are folk too feart to peek under the cover these days?

Tim

I\'ve replaced microswitches in three domestic units, in order to
get them to run.

Older (1980)Varian-Amana devices used their own sealed bent-metal
switch array which required wiping/burnishing to revive, but their
lamps are externally accessible. These were all used in fast food
restaurants and were platter-free, using rotating reflectors in the
ceiling.

Have never run across a dead klystron.

RL

 

[legg]

On Tue, 28 Feb 2023 11:42:26 -0600, Mark Lloyd <not.email@all.invalid>
wrote:

On 2/27/23 15:16, micky wrote:

[snip]

It wasn\'t the effort I complained about but the price, 15 to 20 dollars.
Maybe plus shipping because you can\'t just buy a reguarl bulb
everywhere. Plus it now occurs to me that eventually one might not be
even able to find this special assembly. Why can\'t they just use a
standard light bulb?

My microwave uses the same base as a C9 Christmas light. I wonder if one
of those would work.

You\'ll probably need a slightly higher wattage - say a 25-40W
candelabra style, if it fits.

RL