Re: Microwave problem.....again


Ken G. wrote:
Before you start any of this please discharge the capacitor .
Yes make sure you put the diode in the right way .
Try unplugging the magnatron wires and run the oven . If it sounds
normal its probably a bad mag .

Those inverter microwaves are a bit touch & go for lasting .. The first
ones out were a disaster . The later ones are better . If you buy a
``mount in`` one make sure you want to be taking it out if it breaks .
I have seen bad magnatrons in more newer microwaves than ever before .
some of them are still brand new only used a few times not enough to
even get it dirty . I have also been seeing samsung branded magnatrons
in a few other popular brand ovens .. so much for quality


I have a Sharp Carousel microwave which I bought new in November
1999. Magnetron and everything else are OK. I don't know what brand
magnetron is in mine, but it must be a good make if it still works
after more than six years.

I agree with the advice regarding over-the-range microwaves. I've
seen at least one of these (a friend of mine has one in his kitchen) ;
I hate to think what a job it may be to remove it for repairs.

I would think off-brand microwaves (and those ultra-cheap ones with
spring-wound dial timers) which can be had for $39 or less in
department stores, etc. would be a lot more prone to very early (read
premature) magnetron failures. The micros with digital displays and
touch-pad controls should last much longer assuming they are made by a
reputable manufacturer, though these days it isn't uncommon to see
appliances with well-known names on them that have actually been
manufactured by some offshore company no one ever heard of.

As to magnetrons only a few months old (or even newer [!]) going bad:
This can happen if the user tries to operate the microwave empty; this
will ruin any magnetron in almost no time flat. Also, the use of metal
pans, utensils, even aluminum foil in a microwave will destroy the tube
in very short order. Power surges on the AC line the microwave is
plugged into can also wreak havoc on the internal circuitry (such as
the microprocessor which controls the operation of the magnetron and
everything else in all recent microwaves), but I wouldn't expect the
magnetron to short or open from a line spike. This is not to say the
latter cannot occur, but it is possible.

Jeff, WB8NHV (email addy not shown to deter spammers)
Fairport Harbor, Ohio USA

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