Reprint from WACEM

[mixfinder]

Re: Electronic Appliances

My job requires me to keep up with current appliances and repair techniques.
Which, for me, only reinforces agreement with your hypothesis about today verses
yesterday.
There was a valid point to the Lonely Maytag Repair Guy ads.
For instance, take the cover off most any of todays selection of microwaves?
GE/Hotpoint, Whirlpool, Kenmore, Figidaire come to mind. Most all of their
actual working parts are Samsung. Most magnetrons (heart of system) are
interchangeable with ONE 15 yr old Panasonic model. Costing $52 wholesale. Now
IF (and it will) that magnetron dies? You could pay up to $185 for an exact
replacement. Just for the part. Less installation. The touchpad normally doesn't
fail. But, the relays they control do. Major repair, say you drop the thing
moving, of the case will cost more than the microwave's new cost. On top of
that? Your new Christmas 2006 microwave is the same one you bought in 1999. Just
it's now black with stainless trim. They haven't changed internal design in at
least 10 years. Just cheaper grade materials.And that's just microwaves. Ask why
a 1980's microwave still runs when your new $59 Walmart microwave croaks after 2
years?
Refrigerators, dishwashers, stoves and washer/dryers ( the standard models)
are the same internal design that dates back at least 2 decades. However, using
lighter steels, less durable electronics and more plastic. A simple dishwasher.
It'll stop working because the $85 plastic timer broke one little tooth. The
ones 20 years back were steel and hard gears. And some "stainless" steel
appearing appliances are brushed normal steel with a coat of thin plastic, or
clearcoat.
I used to buy the newest drip coffee makers. As I like the taste. But, after
a streak of buying a new one ever 3 to six months? I went back to old reliable
perculators. My current one is a Sunbeam T-9. Veery nice. Also, loved the newest
refrigerators. After, paying thru the nose for a 24 cubic inch GE with side
doors, ice and water. Then have it's compressor conk? Due to overheating. Which
was caused because a pinhole developed in the thin wall evaporator tubing.
Because the defroster cutout relay was clipped to it and rubbed the hole there.
Which, I never caught because I was away for the weekend? A 5 yr old high dollar
frige just dies that way? Nope, Our current one is a 1958 Philco with bottom
freezer. Infinitely more reliable. AND it's attractive.
Lastly, several of my clients complain of high and consistant power bills.
Yet, a good share of these folks have all new electronics. Each with it's own
little brain. True, a TV now only draws maybe 250w tops. Compared to an old tube
one at 400w to 600w. True, the draw of a drip coffee brewer, a microwave,
frige, dishwasher, washing machine, a dvd player or an entertainment center (
not just a radio anymore) is miniscule by itself. Add up the total effect. All
are OFF. But are they actually? Each one's little transformer is still active to
keep the computer and clock at the ready. Turn off everything in the house and
step outside and look at the meter. Bet it still runs? Then go unplug
everything. Your meter now stops dead. Like a slow drip faucet. Your modern
appliances and electronics all still draw power.
Like Momma used to say--"Shut off that light when you leave the room, Son."
Same with electronics.

David

 

[tolivac]

And they say modern electronic equipment is more efficient??At least when you turned off older equipment--it was truely OFF no power drawn.And the completely off is safer as well.On some of my electrnics-my TV,Receiver,and DVD players I am forced to leave them in their phantom "off" mode.I don't want to go thru their setup modes each time I use them.If I shut them truely off-I would have to go thru time consuming setups to watch movies and TV.I would love to see "Wall Warts" BANNED by the electric codes-these are fire hazards as well as energy hogs.With more modern circuits you should not have to have them in a "trickle" charge off mode when not in use.And modern SS broadcast transmitters-like the new TV or other things it's not truely turned off when not in use either.All of that low level RF and logic circuits are still energized consuming power.With the older tube transmitters--you could turn them truely off like the older Tv's and such.At most the crystal ovens would still be on.On some rigs-they had temp compensated crystals so the ovens were no longer required.Crystal ovens take about 10-30W of power.I too miss the quality,robustness,and simplicity of older machines--thats why I have and use some older ones.also the "neato" electronic timers are vulnerable to the bad lightening strikes and storms we have here.

 

[panthera]

ah, the bad old days

I think one of the reasons for the huge success of the European Appliance manufacturers (Siemens, AEG, Philips) right through the 1990s was their innovativeness and quality. Today they are largely resting on their laurels - much cheaper products built in China are sold under famous brand names.
I used to fall for this bait&switch once a year or so. In the meantime, I have learned: If AEG or Grundig or DUAL or Lorenz or Bauknecht is on the outside, on the inside will be the worst quality possible, but at a price which the "honored" brand name once justified.
One of my biggest fights with the family last year was the 1983 Sears Microwave. They wanted to replace it with a "modern" one. I insisted we at least try to get a replacement part.
Guess what - the magnetron is the same one Sears is currently using...of course not available under the "old" part number, but when you cross-index...there it is. Current.
If they can increase the reliability and speed of computers why can't they do the same for the rest? I refuse to believe there is no market for it - not to mention the environmental damage.

 

[petek]

Barring some disaster, political or otherwise, this is the way things are gonna remain. You already have a generation growing up now who knows nothing about quality built products and the majority of older generation folks really don't care. They all want stuff cheap and that means made in China for now. Yes everyone complains about it but they are not going to pay over $50 for a plain jane two slice toaster made in America (if there still were any)when they can get one made in China for $8 at WalMart or an even fancier one with buttons and lights for less than $30 and toss it out and get another "new" one next year or so. It just aint gonna happen.

 

[oxydolfan1]

Panthera, you think Bauknecht is poor quality?

I ask, because I was considering a Kenmore front-loader that is made by them.