Team-BHP (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/)

-   Gadgets, Computers & Software (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/gadgets-computers-software/)

-   -   The Home Appliance thread (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/gadgets-computers-software/23174-home-appliance-thread-643.html)

I would still go with the dial controls. The touch panels look more delicate. Speaking from experience of our two microwaves we have now, vs a 2006 model Panasonic microwave who's control panel lasted thru it's lifetime for almost 14 years.

Nothing can be ruled out, but usually replacement cost of PCBs goes into thousands of rupees, whereas mechanical switch replacement costs no more than a couple of hundreds.

We still have a National Panasonic fully functional mechanical oven with elecric heating elements which is more than 40 years old.

We have a Made In japan, Sharp microwave with touch panel that is 10 Years old. So depends how we use them and maintain. I'm really happy with this Knob control on the mi. Yes its a knob :)

clap: ..

Regarding PCBs & stuff, today's MWO's have the PCB. It's just the interface: knob + distinct button, vs touch panel. All inputs then go to the PCB for processing/functioning. And it's this panel (Not the PCB) I suspect will wear out first, and rupture at the surface due to the regular usage - even if pressing with only the soft part of one's finger.

I have had pcb conk out during one year warranty period for one of my appliances (symphony). Fortunately saved a 2k bill bcos of warranty. In another case pcb failed outside of warranty (hitachi) and I had to foot a 4K bill.

I have also seen, PCB failure in an automatic washing machine in a rented apartment ([un]fortunately the landlord had to foot the $400 bill as per lease terms). The technician told me that these pcb’s fail due to moisture/ corrosion (or sometimes heat or even power spike).

In my vtech cordless phone, the display conked out in warranty, and was rectified by pcb change. Outside of warranty, the replacement cost of pcb (parts plus labour) is more than the cost to buy a new phone.


So my goal is to avoid expensive failure points without compromising on core functionality, and mechanical switches/ dials are one way.

Agree, however today we hardly get anything without a PCB somewhere. Anything that has more than an on/off setup or near abouts has some electronics in it. Btw, been there & done that with PCB failures on washing machines, microwaves, massage chairs ..

Absolutely. Forget about it. Anyway, if it isn't a pcb, something else will fail. I don't see the sense in avoiding pcbs. Looking around my desk, from mouse to hifi, there is nothing without a pcb in it. Including my torch!

Sharp is just very, very good quality. I had a Sharp Microwave from the US for 50$ & it lasted 15 years & I am a very rough user. Not a single problem with the panel. I finally stopped using the microwave because the step down transformer I was using it with died & I purchased a new microwave for the cost of a new transformer.

As for PCBs in appliances. we still have options in food processing range that are sans PCB.

But i think the bigger point is about implementation, and lesser about pcb vs non pcb, more about brand and product.

A PCB example: I had got a Casio digital display alarm clock in the year 2000. It worked well for about 15 years. My son had bought a similar Orpat alarm clock in Jan this yerar, it has failed and repaired once within 3 months, repaired under warranty once, failed again within another month, waiting to be taken to the shop again.

A non PCB example. Symphony desert cooler. Fan failed in 2 years, replacement outside warranty, bill over 2k.Replaement fan failed after another two years. Finally made peace by selling it as scrap.

Crompton fan in desert cooler, ran without issues over 2 decades.

I am a bit dissapointed by some of our desi companies, putting low quality pcb's and materials in devices, that are more prone to failure, when compared to a top global brand (esp Japanese).

Even within Indian companies and products, there are differences, as called out in the examples.

We shouldn't overlook the problem of the quality offered by even the desified top global brands (including Japanese) in the Indian market (and similar others)!

Based on my decades of experience of using such brands both in India and abroad, I am convinced that many such brands market India-spec products which come nowhere near the quality of similar products they market in developed countries!

I have enough personal experience of using both excellent and shoddy quality products (in similar market segments) from the same brands (e.g. Panasonic, Dell, Whirlpool, Samsonite ... to name just a few) to not expect the same quality in India as I have experienced abroad.

I have also experienced an unbelievably poor quality LG microwave oven in India (when compared to a similar budget MWO (Emerson) purchased in the US).


As for the mechanical control vs. PCB debate, I don't see much electricals that can't be fixed cheaply in my Philips air fryer with a mechanical timer.
.

I used to be a huge LG fan. My parents have had LG appliances which have lasted 15 years without problems.
But last 5-6 years, the quality has gone down badly. Have had problems with many of my LG purchases.

I am looking at replacing my 13 year old LG washing machine, I am looking at a front loading, atleast 10 kilos capacity machine. I was thinking of LG again, any other good reliable brands ?

The typical family uses 6 - 7 kg washing machines. 10kg would be for laaarge family. Is the rating you mentioned correct ?

LG is said to be quieter than IFB. We have both in the extended family.

Yes you read it right, 10KG is what I am looking at. Off late I am seeing lot of negative reviews on LG products here, hence wanted to know if there are better alternatives.

Not sure about Bangalore but my experience with Samsung has been uneventful (which is good). Have a Samsung washing machine (top loading though) since last 7+ years and a Samsung fridge since 6+ years now. No issues with either. However, my Samsung TV did give me an issue once and I had to get the display panel PCB replaced for it.