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Microwave experts,,,,?
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desertjoe View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Sep 2013
Location: New mexico
Points: 13693 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote desertjoe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Microwave experts,,,,?
    Posted: 02 Mar 2023 at 12:55am
  My microwave started a week or so ago that it does not get near as "hot" as it used to when new. It is a 4 years old Kenmore 1200 watt Elite that used to heat a cup of coffee in 15-20 seconds and now takes at least 60 seconds and sometimes more,,,,Are there multiple heating elements in there and mayhaps one gone bad? Are they replaceable? Is there something in there I need to be careful with,??  THanks for any help.
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jaybmiller View Drop Down
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Greensville,Ont
Points: 24657 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jaybmiller Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Mar 2023 at 6:29am
give the case, inside and OUT a good cleaning. Over time a layer of 'gunk' ( grease,dust,oil,etc) builds up. Be sure to clean door, frame,ceiling,walls, etc. Remove the glass plate, clean the 'floor' as well....

It takes a good 1/2 hour to do it right....

hay, it's a better job than moving the pile of 'white' you know who donated...
3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112
Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor)

Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water
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Lars(wi) View Drop Down
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009
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Points: 8035 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lars(wi) Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Mar 2023 at 6:40am
Joe, if I’m not mistaken it’s call a ‘magnetron’ that is basically the ‘guts’ of a microwave. Replaceable yes, but the cost is just about as much as a new microwave(unless under warranty). At least that was the situation for us about 5 years ago. I have been told(not sure if true) the magnetron will hold a charge even when the unit is unplugged. 4-5 years for a modern day micro is about all you can ask for.
I tried to follow the science, but it was not there. I then followed the money, and that’s where I found the science.
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jaybmiller View Drop Down
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
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Points: 24657 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jaybmiller Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Mar 2023 at 6:54am
yeah, there's a nice 'little' capacitor in the power supply that holds the high voltage.
it won't kill you, outright....usually....
it's the 5 inch gash in your lower arm as you rail back at Warp speed from getting 'zapped', the case  thin tin,razor sharp,  slicing you and letting that necessary 'red stuff' pump out of your body without a bandaid in sight..
3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112
Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor)

Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water
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Les Kerf View Drop Down
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Joined: 08 May 2020
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Points: 1262 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Les Kerf Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Mar 2023 at 7:58am
Yup. I was an avionics tech in the Marines; one of the R/T units I worked on was an airborne search radar unit that was used in the C-130's. It had a Pulse Forming Network (PFN) consisting of several large capacitors that were charged up and then rapidly discharged via an SCR (Silicone Controlled Rectifier) through the magnetron to create the radar 'pulse' that was transferred through the waveguide and out the antenna.

I forget the capacitance value of those caps (it has been 40+ years ago) but they were about the size of a 16 oz pop can. They were charged up at about 300 volts and needed to be discharged before you stuck your hands in there; this was done with a large very chewed up old screwdriver. You just shorted the terminals which resulted in a very large and loud SNAP! I never saw anyone who could do that without flinching :-)

BTW, this charging and discharging of a capacitor is exactly how a modern CDI ignition works, it uses a coil rather than a magnetron though.
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steve(ill) View Drop Down
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
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Points: 87641 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote steve(ill) Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Mar 2023 at 9:55am
open the door and look inside.. You will see a "mica" plate about 4 x 4 inches... The MAGIC is behind that and the "mica" lets the "microwaves" into the box... If the MICA gets a thin layer of grease on it, it will not work as good, or at all...

You will NOT SEE the grease on the mica... For a test, take the mica plate off and then try to cook a cup of water.. If it works GREAT, you need a new mica plate... if it still does not work, then its INTERNAL as the guys said and time for a  new microwave.

You can buy the mica plates on AMAZON for a few bucks.. Sometimes they are generic and you cut to size with  snips.
Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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steve(ill) View Drop Down
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
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Points: 87641 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote steve(ill) Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Mar 2023 at 9:57am
you can also scrub the mica plate with dish wash soap and clean... but i would buy NEW.






Edited by steve(ill) - 02 Mar 2023 at 9:58am
Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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desertjoe View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Sep 2013
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Points: 13693 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote desertjoe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Mar 2023 at 6:52pm

 Hey Thanks Steve,,,I'll go look right now,,,
                 (4 minutes later)

  IT WORKS!! STEVE,,,,IT WORKS!!!!!!!!!ClapClap
  UMMmmm,,,do you have charge accounts,,,,,!!
 Many Thanks, Steve, I left that little plate out and it works like new, will boil a cup of water again in 45 seconds. Cleaned the plate good but am gonna order new ones as it had a spot in center where it looked like it got mighty HOT,,,!! THANKS!!
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steve(ill) View Drop Down
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
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Clap  Clap  Clap
Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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Les Kerf View Drop Down
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Joined: 08 May 2020
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Points: 1262 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Les Kerf Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Mar 2023 at 5:37am
Originally posted by steve(ill) steve(ill) wrote:

...

You can buy the mica plates on AMAZON for a few bucks.. Sometimes they are generic and you cut to size with  snips.


I had no idea that those mica plates were so readily available, thank you Steve!  Cool
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GeneD14 View Drop Down
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Joined: 17 Sep 2009
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Points: 248 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GeneD14 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Mar 2023 at 10:51am
Be careful when poking around inside your microwave. A friend I went to high school with was looking inside of his and he touched the capacitor. It stopped his heart, killing him. The class reunion that year was pretty sad. :(
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desertjoe View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Sep 2013
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Points: 13693 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote desertjoe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Mar 2023 at 9:02am

  Well Gents,,my microwave pulled a fast one on me,,,it did,,!!  it worked great for a time or two then went back to slow cookin. I had ordered some new covers and had the old one in for temp but I think I might of discovered what the problem might be,,,, It seems the frigging "POWER" control is going down to a low setting on it's own. According to a dude on Internet, The DEfault setting for power is HIGH or 10 on the scale, byr this stove goes from 10 to 2 as soon as it starts cooking,,,,? AND if you try to raise power,,,,, all it does is ADD more time but does NOT raise power level of ongoing cook. The dude said disconnect    , let it set for a couple of mins but it will not reset to the Default setting.,,,,??? Ya'll suspect the PLC has gone to chit,,,? It will stay at HI or 10 but only if you set timer to like 4-5 minutes cook time aand I ain't gonna stand there and baby sit the friggin thing,,,,,WinkWink
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steve(ill) View Drop Down
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
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Points: 87641 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote steve(ill) Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Mar 2023 at 9:06am
does it still work with the MICA removed ? .... Maybe it is REDUCING the power because of the partly plugged MICA ??   Really dont know..
Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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desertjoe View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Sep 2013
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Points: 13693 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote desertjoe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Mar 2023 at 9:15am
  Well Steve, I finally took the the Mica out and tried it without but still doing it. The power level is indicated by some lights that scroll across from LOW to High and according to that dude are susspossed to go to thet last light and Stay there when at Default setting of High, but this one  the lights just keep scrolling from Low to high over and over. I do remember when new, the lights would NOT scroll thru but stay at the high setting,,, I left thet Guru a message see if he calls back,,,HMMmm think I'll ask my grandson just what he done last time I seen him messing with it,,,,Wink
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