The Home Appliance thread

royalcruiser · 18th April 2011, 19:44

Thank you so much for helping me build the trust on what I've bought! I didnt buy any additional warranty

BaCkSeAtDrIVeR · 18th April 2011, 21:32

royalcruiser - what was the final price you paid?

BTW, I am shelving plans for a new w/m indefinitely. The IFB one has gone to a non-company service outlet for repairs. They are estimating a 6k repair bill.

The gap will be filled by a Godrej top loader, (fully automatic) which was resurrected. It was serviced for 1.5K and it is suddenly much quieter than when it was new. Obviously, workmanship skills count. I am not sure what was done, since the machine was on loan, and it was the other guy who did the repairs. I took it back since he was not using it, and I needed one anyway. Even the clothes are much drier than what the IFB machine.

For the record, for the Godrej machine, purchased sometime in 2004/5 I had paid around the same price as the repair estimate quoted for the IFB!!!

Only reason we (rest in the family) decided to give the IFB another chance is because the show room guys we visited in last 2 weeks were plain shocked and surprised that we are replacing the IFB - they simply cannot believe that an IFB has trouble. We had talked about exchange this time; something we had not considered last time. Last time, the idea (in my mind) was to give it to scrap dealer and pay him to take it away

UKR · 19th April 2011, 08:45

People I need help buying a vacuum cleaner. First thing I looked at was the iRobot Roomba as it could do the cleaning by itself. But I don't think it is available in India. So now looking at normal vacuum cleaners. I would like to have something which is not bulky but has very good suction and low maintenance. Guys kindly advice how I could source a Roomba and also a good vacuum cleaner available in India. Thanks.

anku94 · 19th April 2011, 12:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by UKR

People I need help buying a vacuum cleaner. First thing I looked at was the iRobot Roomba as it could do the cleaning by itself.

Check out Robocleanz from Eureka Forbes. Similar to Roomba.

dadu · 19th April 2011, 20:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by anku94

Check out Robocleanz from Eureka Forbes. Similar to Roomba.

Or you can even look at nano from them, compact cleaner.

gopalnayak · 19th April 2011, 21:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by anku94

Check out Robocleanz from Eureka Forbes. Similar to Roomba.

I do not recommend this. I have had enough issues with it. The product concept is good, but the quality leaves a lot to be desired. The service support on this product is at the same levels as quality of the product.

anku94 · 19th April 2011, 22:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by gopalnayak

I do not recommend this. I have had enough issues with it. The product concept is good, but the quality leaves a lot to be desired. The service support on this product is at the same levels as quality of the product.

That's sad. Eureka Forbes service in our city is pretty good. Of course, the product is a complete ripoff of Roomba.

UKR · 19th April 2011, 23:47

Thanks a lot for the inputs guys.

Quote:

Originally Posted by anku94

Check out Robocleanz from Eureka Forbes. Similar to Roomba.

I had checked this one out and found it to be pretty mediocre compared to Roomba as it lacked features that the Roomba had. One of them is the auto return to base for recharging.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadu

Or you can even look at nano from them, compact cleaner.

This one looks promising. Pretty much fits my requirements. Will check this out.

sgiitk · 20th April 2011, 09:08

My experience shows:

1. Variable power is almost useless. You got flat out at least 90% of the time.

2. Get a wet and dry if you can.

3. Look for a 'blow' option.

4. See if you have a model which does not have disposable bags.

royalcruiser · 20th April 2011, 12:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaCkSeAtDrIVeR

royalcruiser - what was the final price you paid?

I paid 19.2k after exchanging my old semi-auto m/c. Quite impressed with the wash quality so far.

Mustang.101 · 21st April 2011, 19:31

Hello everybody,

I need to buy a refrigerator, preferably around 450 L.

I live in Delhi, so power fluctuations are a plenty. So I need a refrigerator which has minimum faults and if a fault occurs then the service should be prompt and good. Cost is not an issue.

Please Advice.

So far i have only seen Samsung RT54 with a digital temp. control in the front.

pnredkar · 22nd April 2011, 10:39

For power fluctuations, always invest in a good stabilizer. There are power fluctuations in Bangalore also. But never had problem in 12 years due to the stabilizer.

As for the refrigerator, I had recently bought a Hitachi refrigerator. My thoughts about it can be found in this thread a few pages back.

Mustang.101 · 22nd April 2011, 10:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnredkar

For power fluctuations, always invest in a good stabilizer. There are power fluctuations in Bangalore also. But never had problem in 12 years due to the stabilizer.

As for the refrigerator, I had recently bought a Hitachi refrigerator. My thoughts about it can be found in this thread a few pages back.

We do use a 1 KVA stabilizer for the refrigerator but still things happen. The stabilizer is working fine, we got it checked.

sgiitk · 22nd April 2011, 10:58

I think stabiulizers are hyped too much. All appliances are using induction motors, which are very insensitive to fluctuation. As long as you are reasonable sure that the voltage is between 180-255V forget it. I have seen more failure due to stabilizers than from the units. Let me add that for the past 30 or so years I have NOT used stabilizers. If you want to be sure just add a properly rated MCB.

pnredkar · 22nd April 2011, 11:31

Maybe you are correct about the induction motors. And I am also not sure whether all stabilizer protect against surges which last just a few cycles.

Though I do not believe that refrigerator is just about induction motors. It is an entire system composed of the compressor/motor, insulation and electronics designed to operate at certain voltages. The tolerances used in the design will impact its capacity at over-voltages. However, with modern automated ways of designing, over-design is minimal and tolerances are tight (probably only as specified). The induction motors may with-stand over-voltages, but the electronics typically will not. Also, the insulation degrades at a faster rate with over-voltage surges. I believe most problems that people face with refrigerators are not related to compressors/motors but with other aspects.

But again, I have to agree that this is all theory. Using a stabilizer is just playing safe.

I should have added in my previous post that I had problems in the three months that I did not use stabilizers such as blown bulbs. Also, I am using a 500 VA stabilizer (which may be break earlier than a 1 KVA) that has a time-out before restarting.

Hope this post helps.

18th April 2011, 19:44	#1996
royalcruiser BHPian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 228 Thanked: 54 Times	Re: The Home Appliance thread Thank you so much for helping me build the trust on what I've bought! I didnt buy any additional warranty
	() Thanks

18th April 2011, 21:32	#1997
BaCkSeAtDrIVeR BANNED Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kochi Posts: 2,522 Thanked: 752 Times	Re: The Home Appliance thread royalcruiser - what was the final price you paid? BTW, I am shelving plans for a new w/m indefinitely. The IFB one has gone to a non-company service outlet for repairs. They are estimating a 6k repair bill. The gap will be filled by a Godrej top loader, (fully automatic) which was resurrected. It was serviced for 1.5K and it is suddenly much quieter than when it was new. Obviously, workmanship skills count. I am not sure what was done, since the machine was on loan, and it was the other guy who did the repairs. I took it back since he was not using it, and I needed one anyway. Even the clothes are much drier than what the IFB machine. For the record, for the Godrej machine, purchased sometime in 2004/5 I had paid around the same price as the repair estimate quoted for the IFB!!! Only reason we (rest in the family) decided to give the IFB another chance is because the show room guys we visited in last 2 weeks were plain shocked and surprised that we are replacing the IFB - they simply cannot believe that an IFB has trouble. We had talked about exchange this time; something we had not considered last time. Last time, the idea (in my mind) was to give it to scrap dealer and pay him to take it away
	() Thanks

19th April 2011, 08:45	#1998
UKR BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Trivandrum/Bangalore Posts: 90 Thanked: 2 Times View My Garage	Re: The Home Appliance thread People I need help buying a vacuum cleaner. First thing I looked at was the iRobot Roomba as it could do the cleaning by itself. But I don't think it is available in India. So now looking at normal vacuum cleaners. I would like to have something which is not bulky but has very good suction and low maintenance. Guys kindly advice how I could source a Roomba and also a good vacuum cleaner available in India. Thanks.
	() Thanks

20th April 2011, 09:08	#2004
sgiitk BANNED Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurugram Posts: 7,969 Thanked: 4,788 Times	Re: The Home Appliance thread My experience shows: 1. Variable power is almost useless. You got flat out at least 90% of the time. 2. Get a wet and dry if you can. 3. Look for a 'blow' option. 4. See if you have a model which does not have disposable bags.
	() Thanks

21st April 2011, 19:31	#2006
Mustang.101 BANNED Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,316 Thanked: 233 Times View My Garage	Re: The Home Appliance thread Hello everybody, I need to buy a refrigerator, preferably around 450 L. I live in Delhi, so power fluctuations are a plenty. So I need a refrigerator which has minimum faults and if a fault occurs then the service should be prompt and good. Cost is not an issue. Please Advice. So far i have only seen Samsung RT54 with a digital temp. control in the front.
	() Thanks

22nd April 2011, 10:39	#2007
pnredkar BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 167 Thanked: 362 Times	Re: The Home Appliance thread For power fluctuations, always invest in a good stabilizer. There are power fluctuations in Bangalore also. But never had problem in 12 years due to the stabilizer. As for the refrigerator, I had recently bought a Hitachi refrigerator. My thoughts about it can be found in this thread a few pages back.
	() Thanks

22nd April 2011, 10:58	#2009
sgiitk BANNED Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurugram Posts: 7,969 Thanked: 4,788 Times	Re: The Home Appliance thread I think stabiulizers are hyped too much. All appliances are using induction motors, which are very insensitive to fluctuation. As long as you are reasonable sure that the voltage is between 180-255V forget it. I have seen more failure due to stabilizers than from the units. Let me add that for the past 30 or so years I have NOT used stabilizers. If you want to be sure just add a properly rated MCB.
	() Thanks

22nd April 2011, 11:31	#2010
pnredkar BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 167 Thanked: 362 Times	Re: The Home Appliance thread Maybe you are correct about the induction motors. And I am also not sure whether all stabilizer protect against surges which last just a few cycles. Though I do not believe that refrigerator is just about induction motors. It is an entire system composed of the compressor/motor, insulation and electronics designed to operate at certain voltages. The tolerances used in the design will impact its capacity at over-voltages. However, with modern automated ways of designing, over-design is minimal and tolerances are tight (probably only as specified). The induction motors may with-stand over-voltages, but the electronics typically will not. Also, the insulation degrades at a faster rate with over-voltage surges. I believe most problems that people face with refrigerators are not related to compressors/motors but with other aspects. But again, I have to agree that this is all theory. Using a stabilizer is just playing safe. I should have added in my previous post that I had problems in the three months that I did not use stabilizers such as blown bulbs. Also, I am using a 500 VA stabilizer (which may be break earlier than a 1 KVA) that has a time-out before restarting. Hope this post helps.
	() Thanks