Thread: Microwave question

You're a braver man than I am Wheelin'...........there's a VBB (very bloody big) charged capacitor across everything that can do you a bit of damage.
Better you, than me.

Take note about that capacitor. It's charged and dangerous even whem the microwave isn't plugged in. You'll know all about it real quick if you come in contact with it.

No big deal if you unplug it and leave it uplugged for a couple of days. Should self discharge. It's not exactly hard to put a rubber/plastic sheet on the obvious big ???? capacitor if you are worred.

Nowadays I would have thought it was cheaper to discard the thing and buy a new one.

I think when you find out the price of a new magnatron you will be better off just replacing the complete unit, you did check all the obvious things first like fuse and diode etc and the globe some microwave ovens will shut down if the globe blows

Also have a good look at the door and ensure that it closes properly, and that the interlock switch for the door is operating properly.
Bought a Panasonic years ago during the gas drought after the Longford explosion. Bought while we were away caravaning for the weekend, and would not work when we got it home and plugged in. Service guy was around fairly quickly, adjusted interlock switch position a minute amount and its run like a dream since.

The transformer in these thing is capable of delivering up to 1200 volts at close to 500mA. These sort of voltages and currents are capable of puncturing insulation in pliers and side cutters, if fact an experienced serviceman was killed when the insulation on his pliers failed. If you must play with it then invest in a service manual, get some decent tools capable of handling the voltages involved and lastly up your life insurance. Seriously though these thing are so cheap now that they are not worth fixing, that's why you see so many on the side of the road.

Thanks to everyone
I located this site and had a good read after removing the Magnatron a great how too

http://www.gallawa.com/microtech/Ch7Pg1.html

True we do throw things away so easy these days the high cost of parts and repair being the reason. Amazing isn't it why parts cost almost if not more than the original item.

We have got the Daughters which has been stored since her engagement and will replace it with a new one.

wont be going any further not because of costs etc or hazard just no time its taking me away from other things. The Magents will come in handy.

Got bitten recently pulling a small 35mm camera apart the inner capacitor had storage of power.

But hey I have played with electrical since about 7 1st thing I repaired was an old B&W TV sadly never went much further than tinkering.

Brushing a High tension lead from a distributor/Coil gives a funny sensation too.

I recall a mechanic who working on a lawn mower checking for spark got thrown across the garage about 30 ft.

For what it's worth.........

I was told the other day (by a white goods salesman in a
large national company) that the quality of current Sharp
microwaves has dropped from their previous high standard.

He claimed Panasonic were the "in" brand as far as
quality goes. His company sold both brands.

Both models are Sharp Barry

Used to be all we bought due to high standards which have dropped

Sharp once sponsored a great English Soccer team a rumour had it the soccer team dropped Sharp because fans and players were disgusted with the quality.

Ray,

Had a similar problem a few years back with my Panasonic 42 litre microwave/convection oven. Replacement oven was over $900 at the time. The magnetron was about $200 and a bloke on one of the forums I subscribed to offered me a free second hand magnetron. All I had to do was drive from Penrith to Hornsby to pick it up. Which I did and the oven has been going strong ever since.

Never did fix the wave guide though, it's still got a hole in it.