[diyguy]

Originally Posted by Prowler

If it is hot your Magnetron - the heart of your microwave is good. If it overheats as it appears to do in your case, your glass of water may not be hot enough which may indicate a failing transformer.

my microwave now is failing to pop the popcorn even after 5 minutes of running. This means the transformer is at fault and not the magnetron? If so, that should be fixable and I need not purchase a new one? I haven't taken it to a service center yet.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by diyguy

my microwave now is failing to pop the popcorn even after 5 minutes of running. This means the transformer is at fault and not the magnetron? If so, that should be fixable and I need not purchase a new one? I haven't taken it to a service center yet.

Magnetron is easy to replace and depending upon the model, it may be available readily off the shelf. Transformers are available too - but in case if it is a rare model that has other extra windings, it can be rewound at specialist centers.

It is always the electronics which are a pain to source. That is why the simple model microwave that comes with a mechanical timer switch generally lasts a long time.

In Indian houses where they use lot of oil to fry, the oil forms a gunge which is irresistible to a kind of Cockroach which will eventually damage the pcb of the electronics control board. Failure to source these control boards or the control IC are the reasons why many of these microwaves are junked.

[diyguy]

Originally Posted by Prowler

Magnetron is easy to replace and depending upon the model, it may be available readily off the shelf. Transformers are available too - but in case if it is a rare model that has other extra windings, it can be rewound at specialist centers.

I opened up the unit last week and the inside looked very well engineered. Optimal use of space and connectors. The coil seemed fine atleast to a cursory inspection. It's a BPL Sanyo unit and it is 17+ years old. Was thinking if repair is going to cost more than 1.5 to 2k better to buy a new one. 20-23L grill models are about 6-7k of brands like LG, Panasonic and Samsung. The solo ones are even cheaper at around 4.5k for the LG rotary dial. Honestly in the 17 years we've only reheated stuff and made popcorn, nothing beyond that! I would like to fix the unit myself but read that the capacitors store some seriously high voltage and can easily kill if not discharged properly prior to fiddling with it. Gave me the shivers!!

[NPV]

Any recommendations for a 5 or 6kg front loading washing Machine ? Thinking about a replacement for a decade + old IFB.

[sgiitk]

In a Magnetron setup what is more likely to fail is the HT transformer and rectifier. This is about 1.8kV.

[diyguy]

Originally Posted by sgiitk

In a Magnetron setup what is more likely to fail is the HT transformer and rectifier. This is about 1.8kV.

this is very scary and a grey area for me. Hence not venturing a diy on this one.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by sgiitk

In a Magnetron setup what is more likely to fail is the HT transformer and rectifier. This is about 1.8kV.

Actually in all the years I have repaired the Microwave ovens, 90 % of the time, it is the magnetron which fails. They work under extreme conditions often at their rated limits. Even a careless metal spoon thrown inside along with the food can cause arcing which ruins the magnetron. But at the end of the day - it is still a vacuum tube that belts out about 650 W of microwave energy into the chamber.

Originally Posted by diyguy

this is very scary and a grey area for me. Hence not venturing a diy on this one.

It is lethal. It is not a DIY service unless you have experience dealing with such electronics. High Voltage alone is not a big issue. You would see 30 kV or more in big sized CRT. But they carry little current. Here in a microwave the current is high - almost half a Ampere. (~=400 mA)

There is an old saying: It is volts that jolts but it is mils that kills.

I headed a company specializing in repairing high end electronics for more than a decade before I switched into Computers.

[swift_guy]

I have a question for Microwave experts. I have a 4-5 year old Godrej Microwave oven which is used very less. Recently I have noticed that when we rotate the timer knob clockwise (i.e. to increase the time first), the display shows menu board (which is supposed to be seen on turning the knob anticlockwise). Even after somehow managing to move to your desired time setting, turning the knob sometimes does increase the time but sometimes even reduces the time. Don't know what is wrong!

Can some experts help me, I just need some info on which part is likely to be faulty here. I will get it repaired from a professional but still need to be clear as to what all needs repair.

Thanks in advance.

[narayan]

Guys
I am looking for a home use printer ( primarily for black and white A4 size printing for my son's school work ).
When I checked online, I was quite surprised that there are even colour inkjet printers from Canon available from Rs1750 onwards ( they cost even less in websites like PAYTM ).

Is there a catch here or is it that printer prices have come down so much over the years ? For my usage pattern, is it ok for go for such basic models ?

Kindly advise. Thanks

[Chetan_Rao]

Originally Posted by narayan

.......
Is there a catch here or is it that printer prices have come down so much over the years?

Printers were always relatively cheap. The kicker is ink cartridge prices. Sit down or hold onto something when you check.

If you fancy a laugh while you're at it, read this.

[narayan]

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

Printers were always relatively cheap. The kicker is ink cartridge prices. Sit down or hold onto something when you check.

If you fancy a laugh while you're at it, read this.

That link was really funny. Had a good laugh

Now back to the buying decision. Other than the expensive cartridges which will anyway be expensive even if I buy an expensive printer, is it ok to go for brands in the Rs2000-2500 range ? I just noticed that there are printer + scanner + photocopier starting Rs 2750

[Chetan_Rao]

Originally Posted by narayan

......is it ok to go for brands in the Rs2000-2500 range ? I just noticed that there are printer + scanner + photocopier starting Rs 2750

Only you can answer that question, really. Buy something you're comfortable handling (for minor troubleshooting using Google) or has reliable service in your area. Most simple ones (without too many bling functions) will cost you in the same ballpark.

Getting one with a scanner makes sense, as lots of administrative procedures these days accept scanned copies of documents. Flatbed scanners are better as you can scan non-paper, non-standard sized stuff (licenses, PAN, passports etc). USB/Wireless printing is another useful feature.

Whatever you choose, try to get a live demo in-store before actual purchase to verify it suits your requirements.

P.S. If you're only interested in B/W printing for kids use, check out some of the laser printers. Basic ones can be had in the 5k INR range.

[sgiitk]

Originally Posted by narayan

Guys
I am looking for a home use printer ( primarily for black and white A4 size printing for my son's school work ).
When I checked online, I was quite surprised that there are even colour inkjet printers from Canon available from Rs1750 onwards ( they cost even less in websites like PAYTM ).

Is there a catch here or is it that printer prices have come down so much over the years ? For my usage pattern, is it ok for go for such basic models ?

With inkjets watch out. Single cartridge is cheap but can be very expensive to run. Over the years I have come to the following conclusions - get a separate tank for each colour model (costly to buy), if your printing is not almost daily avoid Epson (the ink path dries out fast and is very tough to unclog). I have found Canon to be quite efficient, in that they do not even dry out after six months of disuse. Why that low - I have Samsung laser printer scanner, and a Sony Pixma as my inkjet. Both are wireless, but I have been unable to get them going so use with the USB only. My son has a Samsung SCX-3200 which after a struggle he managed to get going on wireless and uses a lot with his mobile. Mine is a 3400 and really needs a days work.

[diyguy]

We have a Voltas water dispenser with the hot and cold push buttons and the mini cooler below. The normal water tap started leaking and I opened it up to check. Was sad to notice the dirt inside the water container. It had yellowish slime on the steel inner tank as well as plastic fins that allow the water to flow down in a path. It's been maybe 4 years since we purchased this and has never been cleaned. There were also particles of dirt in the container. There are three holes for the water to correspond with the three taps and I just wish there were a mesh filter to trap the particulate dirt in there.
It would have been good if there was an easy way to open up the unit and clean the dispenser drum so it can be done more often!
Wanted to get others opinion of how they keep their dispensers clean?

[Soumyajit9]

Originally Posted by narayan

When I checked online, I was quite surprised that there are even colour inkjet printers from Canon available from Rs1750 onwards ( they cost even less in websites like PAYTM ).

Do not go for Canon models. The printer is cheap, but the cartridges are freaking expensive.
A Black and White ink cartridge costed me Rs.1000. A Colour costs Rs1300.

Check various HP models and their compatible cartridges price. It is worth paying 1000 bucks more (one time) for a printer, whose cartridges cost less.

If you buy a Canon for Rs.2000, I am sure the cartridges costs would keep killing you all the time.