Never Mind Plenums - Check Your Appliances

planenut · 13th December 2018, 20:42

Once again, as part of a strange hobby, I have acquired a condenser tumble dryer destined for the tip. According to the previous owner "it's working fine but just doesn't dry the clothes".

It was absolutely clogged with lint and debris totally blocking the air channels. cleaned them out and cleaned the rest of the machine and it works just fine.

Especially with those laundry appliances always keep the filters clear, condensing units clear and channels that may be in the door or at the back of the machine. with washing machines, clear those pumps.

Such a shame that people are so quick to replace appliances costing hundreds of pounds when a little bit of maintenance will save them that amount - as we do with our cars.

Heddy · 14th December 2018, 06:19

I'm pretty sure a good number of vacuum cleaners are scrapped because of the cord grip breaking the wire. Usually can't be seen, but people decide 'the motor's gone'.

SCP440 · 14th December 2018, 06:34

A lot of home appliances are scrapped because of simple faults, a lot of washing machines and dishwashers wont fill once the solenoid goes on the fill valve. These cost less than £10 in most cases and take a few mins to replace.

It amazes me how often cars are scrapped because of a few faults at MOT time, one car my MOT tester was showing me had failed on two bald tyres bad front brakes ( needed discs and pads) and some failed bulbs. The owner just left the car at the testing station and said he would ring. He never did so after a couple of weeks the car was scrapped. He reckons this happens at least once a month that people would rather replace with another car than fix there car, I don't see the sense in this but maybe I am missing something?

topman · 14th December 2018, 07:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCP440

It amazes me how often cars are scrapped because of a few faults at MOT time, one car my MOT tester was showing me had failed on two bald tyres bad front brakes ( needed discs and pads) and some failed bulbs. The owner just left the car at the testing station and said he would ring. He never did so after a couple of weeks the car was scrapped. He reckons this happens at least once a month that people would rather replace with another car than fix there car, I don't see the sense in this but maybe I am missing something?

It's just the excuse they need to get rid and get something else. Happens all the time, oh the remote has gone for the TV, well we'll have to get a new one now, the one they've had their eye on for the past 6 months.

Better known as man maths when a gadget /toy is needed.

clf · 14th December 2018, 12:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heddy

I'm pretty sure a good number of vacuum cleaners are scrapped because of the cord grip breaking the wire. Usually can't be seen, but people decide 'the motor's gone'.

Just putting it in here, Henry type numatic vacuum cleaners are known to stop working due to a 70pence copper contact in the cord rewind section. Thankfully I didn't throw out the old one before I discovered the issue when the second one failed.

Very simple to maintain and repair, with all parts available too.

Sent from my SM-A600FN using Tapatalk

Heddy · 14th December 2018, 12:31

I've been PAT testing the Henry's on park. Failed a couple on a damaged cord on entry to the m/c. I find a single screw fixes a moulded cap onto terminals at the base. Not rewirable so a complete new cord needed, or scrap.

andymc · 14th December 2018, 13:17

We still use the same washing machine we bought in 1997, having replaced a pump on it about 15 years ago. Our fridge-freezer was only replaced last year at the age of 23. Our telly is still relatively young at 11 years old. Our tumble dryer is the "grandaddy" though - it was inherited from my mother-in-law, and is at least 30 years old. It certainly wasn't brand-new when I met my future wife back in 1990.

However, the oldest still-working electrical appliance of which I'm aware is the stereo radiogram that a long-dead uncle of mine hand-built at some stage in the late 50s or early 60s - stereo sound output had been around for a while, but was still very rare at the time. It's currently gathering dust in my father's attic, but I've been promised it! It has a functioning turntable and, as far as I know, the radio part relies on valves to operate.

Just as an aside - that uncle of mine was an electrical engineer who ended up working for the BBC. He was instrumental in bringing colour TV to Scotland and Northern Ireland. As students, he and a small group of friends were appalled at the way trams were being scrapped at the time they were at university, so each of them put in a substantial chunk from their respective living allowances/student grants as a pool of money to buy and restore one tram. That was the start of a project (or perhaps a better term would be "love affair") which eventually became the National Tramway Museum in Crich, Derbyshire. We had a big family gathering there some years back, on what would have been his 80th birthday.

stevestrat · 14th December 2018, 14:25

Most people don't seem to have the brains to investigate a problem. Not exactly an appliance but years ago I picked up a motorbike for next to nothing because it had a "serious electrical problem". It would start and run fine but as soon as you put any load on the electrics (lights, indicators, horn or brake light) the engine died. The "serious electrical problem" turned out to be that the glass tube fuses weren't sitting in their holders correctly and the whole electrical system was one massive short circuit! Repositioned the fuses correctly and it was fine.

SCP440 · 14th December 2018, 16:59

I was given an Escort Automatic many years ago, the reason for it being given away was it had no drive or practically no drive. I was expecting to brake it for parts. I checked the gearbox fluid while it was running and was surprised to find it had no fluid in the box, I topped it up and drive was restored. I rung the person who had given me the car and asked if they had checked the fluid level and they had but not while it was running.

I put an MOT on it and sold it for about a months wages at the time, I gave the person who had given me the car half the cash.

MSS · 14th December 2018, 19:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by clf

Just putting it in here, Henry type numatic vacuum cleaners are known to stop working due to a 70pence copper contact in the cord rewind section. Thankfully I didn't throw out the old one before I discovered the issue when the second one failed.

Very simple to maintain and repair, with all parts available too.

Sent from my SM-A600FN using Tapatalk

I also like the Henry/Heti vacuums for the fact that they are very repairable. Ours was rejuvenated last year with a new set of brushes for £7.99.

13th December 2018, 20:42	#1
planenut Regional Secretary Rover 1.8T Tourer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Heathrow Posts: 6,955 Thanks: 1,551 Thanked 2,036 Times in 1,264 Posts	Never Mind Plenums - Check Your Appliances Once again, as part of a strange hobby, I have acquired a condenser tumble dryer destined for the tip. According to the previous owner "it's working fine but just doesn't dry the clothes". It was absolutely clogged with lint and debris totally blocking the air channels. cleaned them out and cleaned the rest of the machine and it works just fine. Especially with those laundry appliances always keep the filters clear, condensing units clear and channels that may be in the door or at the back of the machine. with washing machines, clear those pumps. Such a shame that people are so quick to replace appliances costing hundreds of pounds when a little bit of maintenance will save them that amount - as we do with our cars.

14th December 2018, 13:17	#7
andymc Posted a thing or two Wedgewood Connie SE / Black Club SE Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Ballymoney Posts: 1,459 Thanks: 542 Thanked 583 Times in 365 Posts	We still use the same washing machine we bought in 1997, having replaced a pump on it about 15 years ago. Our fridge-freezer was only replaced last year at the age of 23. Our telly is still relatively young at 11 years old. Our tumble dryer is the "grandaddy" though - it was inherited from my mother-in-law, and is at least 30 years old. It certainly wasn't brand-new when I met my future wife back in 1990. However, the oldest still-working electrical appliance of which I'm aware is the stereo radiogram that a long-dead uncle of mine hand-built at some stage in the late 50s or early 60s - stereo sound output had been around for a while, but was still very rare at the time. It's currently gathering dust in my father's attic, but I've been promised it! It has a functioning turntable and, as far as I know, the radio part relies on valves to operate. Just as an aside - that uncle of mine was an electrical engineer who ended up working for the BBC. He was instrumental in bringing colour TV to Scotland and Northern Ireland. As students, he and a small group of friends were appalled at the way trams were being scrapped at the time they were at university, so each of them put in a substantial chunk from their respective living allowances/student grants as a pool of money to buy and restore one tram. That was the start of a project (or perhaps a better term would be "love affair") which eventually became the National Tramway Museum in Crich, Derbyshire. We had a big family gathering there some years back, on what would have been his 80th birthday. __________________ My blood brother is an immigrant A beautiful immigrant My blood brother's Freddie Mercury A Nigerian mother of three

14th December 2018, 14:25	#8
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 22,481 Thanks: 650 Thanked 4,624 Times in 3,358 Posts	Most people don't seem to have the brains to investigate a problem. Not exactly an appliance but years ago I picked up a motorbike for next to nothing because it had a "serious electrical problem". It would start and run fine but as soon as you put any load on the electrics (lights, indicators, horn or brake light) the engine died. The "serious electrical problem" turned out to be that the glass tube fuses weren't sitting in their holders correctly and the whole electrical system was one massive short circuit! Repositioned the fuses correctly and it was fine. __________________ Steve T4 Location Map

14th December 2018, 06:19	#2
Heddy This is my second home None Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: None Posts: 5,556 Thanks: 465 Thanked 1,161 Times in 924 Posts	I'm pretty sure a good number of vacuum cleaners are scrapped because of the cord grip breaking the wire. Usually can't be seen, but people decide 'the motor's gone'.

14th December 2018, 06:34	#3
SCP440 I really should get out more....... MG ZT-T 260 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Witney Posts: 2,504 Thanks: 6 Thanked 910 Times in 571 Posts	A lot of home appliances are scrapped because of simple faults, a lot of washing machines and dishwashers wont fill once the solenoid goes on the fill valve. These cost less than £10 in most cases and take a few mins to replace. It amazes me how often cars are scrapped because of a few faults at MOT time, one car my MOT tester was showing me had failed on two bald tyres bad front brakes ( needed discs and pads) and some failed bulbs. The owner just left the car at the testing station and said he would ring. He never did so after a couple of weeks the car was scrapped. He reckons this happens at least once a month that people would rather replace with another car than fix there car, I don't see the sense in this but maybe I am missing something?

14th December 2018, 12:31	#6
Heddy This is my second home None Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: None Posts: 5,556 Thanks: 465 Thanked 1,161 Times in 924 Posts	I've been PAT testing the Henry's on park. Failed a couple on a damaged cord on entry to the m/c. I find a single screw fixes a moulded cap onto terminals at the base. Not rewirable so a complete new cord needed, or scrap.

14th December 2018, 16:59	#9
SCP440 I really should get out more....... MG ZT-T 260 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Witney Posts: 2,504 Thanks: 6 Thanked 910 Times in 571 Posts	I was given an Escort Automatic many years ago, the reason for it being given away was it had no drive or practically no drive. I was expecting to brake it for parts. I checked the gearbox fluid while it was running and was surprised to find it had no fluid in the box, I topped it up and drive was restored. I rung the person who had given me the car and asked if they had checked the fluid level and they had but not while it was running. I put an MOT on it and sold it for about a months wages at the time, I gave the person who had given me the car half the cash.