Microwave Oven Recommendations?

TECHNOKID

newbie308 wrote: »

Probably because they were built that long ago! GE is not what it was! Of course that is true of many companies that live off their name!

Bingo! GE, RCA, Zenith, Sony just to name a few... I'd be worry of LG as LG is bits and pieces of bad companies going under (Zenith, Goldstar and much more I believe...)

Serendipity

newbie308 wrote: »

Probably because they were built that long ago! GE is not what it was! Of course that is true of many companies that live off their name!

I really don't have any experience with modern GE appliances, but all of the GE stuff we have is of great quality!

TECHNOKID wrote: »

Bingo! GE, RCA, Zenith, Sony just to name a few... I'd be worry of LG as LG is bits and pieces of bad companies going under (Zenith, Goldstar and much more I believe...)

Well Sony isn't "SONY" of the 70's and 80's where they made truly good stuff, but their modern television sets aren't crap either. I'd think a GE microwave today would last 5-10 years, no?

TECHNOKID

I really don't have any experience with modern GE appliances, but all of the GE stuff we have is of great quality!

Yes, they used to make some good stuff back then (heck, even the cheapest brands of the good old days would be considered great stuff when compared to today's standard.

Well Sony isn't "SONY" of the 70's and 80's where they made truly good stuff, but their modern television sets aren't crap either. I'd think a GE microwave today would last 5-10 years, no?

Agreed however, TV wise they've been on the top for many years, IMHO while their TV are still good some other brands now surpasses them. I use to consider Panasonic as a good second behind them and now I think it is the opposite. I use to consider Toshiba TVs as average but I now think they surpass Sony.

However, my Sony comment was focus more on the HTIB garbage they now make. In the good older days Sony wouldn't associate much their name with bottom of the crop gear and now it seems it is their mani production. They used to make decent audio receivers (I still have a working STR-V25 that is in the area of 25 - 30 years old). Most of their newer receivers are IMHO average if not even below average. The older gear was made in Japan, as soon as Sony started to get their gear made in Mexico, the company was on a decadence. Late 90s - early 2000; While their Sony Trinitron were still some of the best TVs on the market, some major PC board problems started to occur and tuners were crap and totally un-reliable (all Mexican manufacturing). In the same era, Sony CD players single or carousel were total garbage, would come in for repair at a very early stage. Yes, their TVs are still decent but I would consider them simply average when compared to other brands. I haven't opened any newer models in the last 10 years but I would imagine it is all Chinese manufacturing nowadays.

Now, when talking about GE's (and many other average brands) of microwave I would agree on a potential 5 - 10 years life span but IMHO, closer to 5 depending on the care and usage. In the late 90s, I often seen 7 years old microwave in shop for repair and often not worth repairing due to the high cost of magnetron and panel PCB. In older microwave, the magnetron would nearly last a lifetime and now you could have a fairly recent magnetron going south after only a few years. I couldn't believe it today, I've seen new in box microwave for 39$ :eek: At that kind of pricing, how can they even put cheap parts in them Probably made to last for a year or so?

At the price you are willing to pay for your microwave, I feel the only reason it would last for 10 years plus would simply be because of the huge amount invested you would be willing to invest 200 - 300$ to fix it.

Serendipity

TECHNOKID wrote: »

At the price you are willing to pay for your microwave, I feel the only reason it would last for 10 years plus would simply be because of the huge amount invested you would be willing to invest 200 - 300$ to fix it.

I don't mind fixing things. Less garbage in the landfills + reusing old appliances is the way to go IMO.

TECHNOKID

Serendipity wrote: »

I don't mind fixing things. Less garbage in the landfills + reusing old appliances is the way to go IMO.

I agree with you, this era of throw away technology is pittyfull however, I wish the lifespan of our equipment would be better than below 10 years.

Serendipity

TECHNOKID wrote: »

I agree with you, this era of throw away technology is pittyfull however, I wish the lifespan of our equipment would be better than below 10 years.

Definitely. We throw away so many useful products and then wonder why landfills are overflowing, rivers have toxic chemicals, and people are getting sick from the pollution. For example, some parts of NY have a very high breast cancer rate due to toxic drinking water (polrbehr knows about this) and many have actually died from the cancer.

That's why I like keeping old appliances alive and running. And I'm definitely going to get that old microwave fixed. A few years ago I went to a very poor country I learned what it is like to live without running water, electricity, heat, a place to sleep, etc. Then I realized how lucky we are.

IMO, it's good to cherish what we have. My dorm has food, water, electricity, Internet access, telephone, and cable TV. I'm really grateful for it. In some places, they eat 1 meal a day. There isn't even a roof above your head. So I take this into consideration with the above.

I believe that everyone can make a difference in the world.

TECHNOKID

anonymouse wrote: »

Microwaves are one thing I would consider NOT fixing. They are dangerous if the radiation seal is broken and sadly even so called authorized repair shops do not perform a thorough leak test. The reason I replaced my LG unit after the magnetron was replaced under warranty was because I saw that the repair guy did not even do a leak test, and I had done enough research to know this was essential, especially with a magnetron replacement. This was an authorized LG service shop that sent a guy out to do the fix.

Simply replacing the magnetron does not put you in danger (unless of course the repair shop is not qualified to do so). Removing the top cover is no hazard what so ever, the magnetron has its own shield against emanations. The real hazard in when tweaking the door and replacing the micro switches which require proper alignment in order to effectively shut down the microwave if the door is not properly closed or opened. The door alignment is also critical to ensure proper seal to prevent emanations. When it comes to repair shops, I would suggest one starts with smaller non critical task and slowly augment the tasks as confidence increase in your repair shop. A good way for one to test for potential microwave leak is to have a TV (CRT) turned on nearby when the microwave is operational. Even the smallest leakage will be reflected as electric parasite in the picture tube.

Serendipity

Just read this online from [url]www.repairfaq.org:[/url]

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!

Microwave ovens are probably the most dangerous of consumer appliances to service. Very high voltages (up to 5000 V) at potentially very high currents (AMPs) are present when operating - deadly combination. These dangers do not go away even when unplugged as there is an energy storage device - a high voltage capacitor - that can retain a dangerous charge for a long time. If you have the slightest doubts about your knowledge and abilities to deal with these hazards, replace the oven or have it professionally repaired.

Careless troubleshooting of a microwave oven can not only can fry you from high voltages at relatively high currents but can microwave irradiate you as well. When you remove the metal cover of the microwave oven you expose yourself to dangerous - potentially lethal - electrical connections. You may also be exposed to potentially harmful levels of microwave emissions if you run the oven with the cover off and there is damage or misalignment to the waveguide to the oven chamber.

There is a high voltage capacitor in the microwave generator. Always ensure that it is totally discharged before even thinking about touching or probing anything in the high voltage power circuits. See the troubleshooting sections later in this document.

To prevent the possibility of extremely dangerous electric shock, unplug the oven from the AC outlet before removing the cover and do not plug it in to operate it with the cover off if at all possible. If you must probe live, remove the connections to the magnetron (see below) to prevent the inadvertent generation of microwaves except when this is absolutely needed during troubleshooting. Discharge the high voltage capacitor (with the oven unplugged) and then use clip leads to make any connections before you plug it in and apply power. Then after removing power and unplugging the oven discharge the HV capacitor once again.

WARNING: Experienced technicians have been electrocuted deader than a brick from even careful probing of the HV circuits of a powered microwave oven. Therefore, I highly recommend avoiding any probing of the HV circuits - nearly everything can be determined by inspection and component tests with the oven unplugged.

The microwave oven circuitry is especially hazardous because the return for the high voltage is the chassis - it is not isolated. In addition, the HV may exceed 5000 V peak with a continuous current rating of over .25 AMP at 50/60 Hz - the continuous power rating of the HV transformer may exceed 1,500 W with short term availability of much greater power. Always observe high voltage protocol.

TECHNOKID

Very interesting site above, thanks for posting this Serendipity

schutz2106

Just remodeled last year and got rid of the old maytag microwave just to buy a new one with the remodel.. isnt hard to tell they are made in taiwan now, Really crappy build.

BrettT1

Getcha one of these badboys.

Serendipity

TECHNOKID wrote: »

Simply replacing the magnetron does not put you in danger (unless of course the repair shop is not qualified to do so). Removing the top cover is no hazard what so ever, the magnetron has its own shield against emanations. The real hazard in when tweaking the door and replacing the micro switches which require proper alignment in order to effectively shut down the microwave if the door is not properly closed or opened. The door alignment is also critical to ensure proper seal to prevent emanations. When it comes to repair shops, I would suggest one starts with smaller non critical task and slowly augment the tasks as confidence increase in your repair shop. A good way for one to test for potential microwave leak is to have a TV (CRT) turned on nearby when the microwave is operational. Even the smallest leakage will be reflected as electric parasite in the picture tube.

Fixed the old unit and no tweaking of the door/micro switches was required. The GE's are very safe in that BOTH switches must be activated correctly, plus a third switch cuts power if the door is ever opened during a cook cycle.

Let's hope this one lasts another 15-20 years!

TECHNOKID

Serendipity wrote: »

Fixed the old unit and no tweaking of the door/micro switches was required. The GE's are very safe in that BOTH switches must be activated correctly, plus a third switch cuts power if the door is ever opened during a cook cycle.

Let's hope this one lasts another 15-20 years!

Good job! You might be saving some substantial $$$s afterall

Serendipity

Thanks, the old unit was a very expensive one and I knew it could last with just some minor repairs. It's almost as old as I am. I wish modern stuff could last this long.