My new Radarange!

[philr]

RCM-10 with air-driven stirrer.

 

[philr]

RR-2 with motor-driven stirrer. The shield in this one is semi-transparent rather than more opaque white and there are no vent holes in it. It's also held by 7 screws instead of 4. 

[this post was last edited: 9/24/2012-00:34]

 

[philr]

I'm still waiting for the glass tray for the RR-2 but this weekend, I decided to follow the repair procedure on Cory's website for one of my other microwaves. My Frigidaire RCM-10 microwaves are almost identical to an Amana RR-9T (or RRL-9TA) and the touchpads and digital displays on both of them were a bit erratic. One of them became worse this week as it was constantly displaying "4"s even if I didn't touch the touchpad (the other does the same if it gets very humid inside). I bought 2 of the 3 capacitors that often fail in these this morning and I replaced them. The touchpad works nicely again! Now, I need to find the other capacitor and I'll replace it too as well as the 3 capacitors in my other RCM-10 oven.   Thanks to Cory's detailed explanations, it was an easy job!

 

 

 

[jetcone]

Here;s the

buzzer shot, havent' got behind yet to see the serial number, its an RR2 .

 

[jetcone]

new dial installed

nice lite!

 

[philr]

Hi Jon,
The model and serial number tag should be under it! I would be curious to see the serial number and as many details as you could provide!
Please send more pics!

Here's the sticker where yours has a buzzer switch on mine.

 

[philr]

I also took one of the RCM-10 at the same time.

 

[cadman]

Phil, glad the cap replacement was successful! Stunning machines!

Regarding the buzzer switch...I should check my RR-2, but I don't think I've seen one without it. My RR-8A still has the cutout for the switch but that model uses a bell. However my 6W (the first digital machine) uses that switch even though the 'buzzer' is a much nicer electronic beep (quieter than the later ones) that times out after a few seconds. The switch completely disables it. Odd really. -Cory

 

[jetcone]

Its a nasty little

buzzer- makes you get right over to the machine. I rarely use it!
I'll check for Ser#

 

[philr]

Thanks Jon!

 

Hi Cory,

 

That means yours also has the buzzer? Do you know how to tell the approximate production dates from the serial numbers?

 

I thought most RR-2s lacked the buzzer as I saw this on your website: 

 

<strong style="font-size: small; background-color: #000000; color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman';">RR-2  (1968)</strong>

<span style="font-size: x-small;">Essentially an RR-1 with the addition of a STOP button. The timers are still additive but the 25min timer has been bumped to 30min. Upper and lower timers swap locations where they will stay through the 4D series. The front is now entirely bright chrome. The perforated door screen continues to lack clear plastic panels on either side, making splatter cleanup difficult. RR-2's still lack an end of cycle chime/buzzer.</span>

 

[cadman]

You know what, I remember writing that based off the service lit I had at the time. This was a couple years before I acquired my 2; likely an early running change. Regarding serial numbers, that's something I haven't delved into yet. I should be able to get access to my 2 this week. I'll get the serno and we can compare. -Cory

 

[philr]

Ok, can you tell me if the shade of gray of the control panels changed during the RR-2 production. Some ads I have seen which display RR-2 seem to show some with a darker gray. It could be just how they were printed or scanned but since the newer ones seem to have darker panels I'd be interested to know if it was changed during the production of the RR-2.

 

[ovrphil]

This thread has me looking for the old Amana radaranges. I found several, but most are far from me...

Cory's link (http://www.radar58.com/radarange/radar.html) is really good - does anyone know of any other references similar to it?

PhilR (that's my initials, fyi) : LIKE your Frigidaire Touch-n-Cook microwave - those and the stoves are like, no where to be found on Craigslist...do a search for them, using a couple different craigslist search machines, and nothing! They're probably under a listing for "microwave" with a photo of it. Touch-n-Cook stoves are nice, too.

Thanks for this thread - something else I now can get distracted with...and I've included one of a few links I found for these old beauties. My Gulfstream III is in repair and my pilots are all on vacation, so anyone near Lakeland, get this PRISTINE unit and yes, I'm jealous whoever gets it.

http://lakeland.craigslist.org/app/3198350134.html

 

[philr]

Here's another RR-2 that I saw for sale that seems to lack the buzzer switch. It's control panel is the same color as mine. 

 

[ovrphil]

chrome and others (RRL-5C)

I like the buzzer, but someone commented that it was a little annoying. Well, so is my car buzzer(1990 MB300E ) when I first turn on the car(seatbelt reminder), but that's the way they made them, and a mark in time. I saw some newer Amana's that I like alot , in that link - a few were available in other states. I didn't bookmark..sorry, I don't have the links. BUT...a nice pristine unit, that I don't like as much as the chromed radaranges, is available at the posted link. I wish there was a complete guide of Amana Radaranges, as Cory's site got me "glowing". )

Question: I read that these Amana's have wattages from 1000-1600watts. Isn't 1500watts the limit or did that happen after some regulations? I also read that these Amana's, besides weighing in at 50-75lbs(?), will cook much faster than many of today's countertop models(not comparing to the bigger over-the-stove microwaves).

Love the chrome ones, but would be happy with almost any of the pre-1984 m-waves.

http://huntsville.craigslist.org/app/3172428408.html

 

[philr]

Phil, 

The first Frigidaire MW I found was in Atlanta!  The other one and the Amana were local finds. 

 

I have been searching for a "Touch-N-Cook" range or cooktop for a while and I couldn't find one...  I'd prefer a cooktop!

 

While we're talking about it, Frigidaire apparently started using "Touch-N-Cook" panels on it's 1973-74 appliances, I'm wondering when Amama started to use the touchpads on it's MW ovens (1975?) and how Frigidaire and Amana seemed to share this technology (GM on conventional ranges, ovens and cooktops, Amana on it's Radaranges) before Frigidaire had it's own "Touch-N-Cook" microwave ovens made by Amana? 

 

[philr]

1600 watts is the power consumption. The power rating is much less! I think the first ones were 650, I think my RR-2 is 660. The newer ones were a bit more powerful but still below 800 watts! 

 

[philr]

This ad for a RCM-10 from the late seventies says "from approximately 70 to 675 watts of microwave power"

 

[philr]

Here's another RR-2 with detailed info on a museum website.

http://www.indianamuseum.org/museumcollections/detail.php?t=objects&type=related&kv=181444

 

[ovrphil]

PhilR:

You were lucky to find that one here. If I had timed it right..(famous last words) I would own a really nice one now. Well, as we all know, patience and persistence. I've found some frigidaire and GE microwaves, but no touch-n-cook. You're asking me about Touch-N-Cook. I'm a rookie here,still laughing about how I have been "hooked" and looking at all the cool old appliances. I saw one touch-n-cook stove , but just the word, "touch-n-cook" is not always mentioned in the ads, making searching for these, much more difficult.

That makes more sense....675Watts. What was I THINK-ing!? Well when you look at the size of the magnetron and transformer, all the parts, one is easily convinced, at least at first, that "here stands a mighty cannon".

I have still read in blogs, that these some early Amana Radaranges will cook food faster. I don't think it will cook it as evenly, maybe(?), but maybe the motor or air disbursements of the m-waves has some characteristically different cooking efficiencies or speed? These old workhorses still going - not a lot of info out there.

Incidentally...I sent Cory a message that his web page has some dead-ends when clicking the photos, and asked if he was going to add more to the site, in the near future.

I haven't seen any photo gallery of member's m-waves. If none exists, I think we should have all the members who have older microwaves do a photo gallery? I know these are not the biggest interest item, but we have to start somewhere!

Phil

 

[cadman]

Interesting....

Just checked my RR-2 and wouldn't you know it...NO Buzzer Switch. However NO FCC sticker in that location either. Serial number S18351271. Wouldn't you know it, I can't put my finger on the Amana manuals binder. Hmmm.

 

[ovrphil]

Cadman: I tried to find a manual...but you need a different model number or it's a longer number...or..maybe this site just doesn't understand RR-2, but have you tried:

http://shared.whirlpoolcorp.com/pro...=&siteCd=AMA&searchTerm=RR2&userType=Consumer
http://shared.whirlpoolcorp.com/pro...=&siteCd=AMA&searchTerm=RR2&userType=Consumer

 

[philr]

Phil, 

 

I think Cory has more information on early Radaranges than anybody that works at Whirlpool...

 

I also wish there would be a member gallery for all appliances (not only MW ovens!) searchable by brand and model number!

 

 

I just got the glass tray for my oven today and it's in very nice condition. 

 

Here's some interesting info about early microwave ovens (some commercial and some domestic models).

 

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/30803586/Microwave-Oven-Survey-Results-in

 

[ovrphil]

Really!? I hope he will be able to have the interest, time, money or whatever the factors, to keep the website going. It's hard to believe that there isn't a book on the Amana Microwaves produced, with year and model of production...something I can definitely research.

It's a good idea; a search engine that will reveal all the ads, technical data, and repair manual links(still a pay feature) here at AW.org. Big steps to implement, with no idea on costs for doing that.

Thanks for link, I downloaded it...kinda blurry, but I'll read it in the morning.

"Chrome guns do it better"

 

[launderess]

Early Amana Microwaves Without Turn Tables

We all over the place in terms of ratings from "Consumer Reports" type publications. Most models ranked between "fair" or "good", with those rankings going down as other microwave ovens began offering turn tables either built in or as a separate option.

Once however most manufacturers moved to built in automatic turn tables that was it for Amana's design for the most part. Interestingly Panasonic recently launched a line of microwave ovens that did not use a turn table. The claim it gives more usable space and allows for odd and or large size pans which aren't always possible otherwise.

 

[launderess]

Older Amana Microwave Oven Information On Whirlpool's Si

Is very hit or miss, I've tried.

One can only assume when Whirlpool purchased Amana and or over the years the former has decided to cease offering any sort of support for the older designs/models of the latter.

 

[cadman]

The Confusion!

Sadly, there's not a lot of information out there and what little there is, is often incomplete and occasionally contradictory. Even the Amana service manuals can be a bear... Different ways of laying out the schematics, incomplete information, different formats, dates printed only on the service release. Then there's the model names themselves. Let me give you an example....

An RR-7B and RR-8B are essentially the same machine, they even share the same service manual, but the 8B gets a temp probe and temp control slider.

One might jump to the conclusion that a 7A and 8A might be equally similar, but the 8A is a design unique unto itself. One might also assume a 7B is a revised 7A but they're also different as night and day.(A 7A actually has two separate timers!) Then I discover Amana released conversion kits to turn 7 and 7A's into what amounts to a 7B. All the components in the control panel change, but the model number tag on the back of the machine of course stays the same.

In the late 70's it seems that every possible variation the designers could dream up was released with its own model number... There's the RR series, the RRL series, the RO's, and the R's. And then they'd go and make a running change across the board. It gets real confusing. - Cory

 

[ovrphil]

Launderess - interesting, isn't it? ! I remember those first rotating plates. Funny, we just removed the plate to fit larger items to nuke.

Yes,those acquisitions include "sunsetting" the support,as the intellectual properties are assimilated and sorted out(along with good people).

But...Amana deserves more in its place in history. I used to work for NCR; still have the old glossy photo/text literature we gave prospective customers. I'm thinking like Jane's All the World's Aircraft on a smaller level, looking for "Amana's All the World's Radarange's. I'm dreaming, but calling out to anyone who might have a stash, any amount, of Radarange brochures or docs, just collecting dust. I'll volunteer to scan them all.

Good to exchange notes - thanks!

 

[petek]

Back in the late 70's or could have been the early 80s when other makers were adding turntables and variable power settings Amana advertised for a while that they were unnecessary with their ovens. Shortly after they came out with their power shift models.

 

[ovrphil]

Cory: Amana was all over the place! It sounded like a free-spirited place to work, with the variations in designs and oddities in model number id'ing.

Once I looked at these Radaranges as clunksters, but I have a renewed appreciation these days. I would really like to see some old brochures of some of the Radaranges; can't hope for an "Amana's All the World's Radaranges" book soon. :^P Anyone have luck finding some Radarange brochures? That one museum page of Amana's product is hardly just. I can't imagine someone who worked as an engineer or in sales or who knows what department, who wouldn't still have some photos or brochures tucked away at home, that avoided the Whirlypool's dumpsters.

When you or anyone acquires one of these old beauties, do you typically have a manual? I 'm guessing not, but if you do, why not scan the pages and pass along in a library for online access?

I can see the challenges you faced with trying to document and add support for these Amana's - NOT EASY! ...brings a renewed sense of appreciation, thanks!