Refrigerator tubing exposed

Refrigerator re-gassing in Port Elizabeth. South Africa

The question is regas or not

Answer to original question all depends how lucky you feel.

www.pinepienaar.info

PS. Also read this related post https://highpointappliances.blogspot.com/2017/12/refrigerator-regas-or-not.html

Another First for GE Appliances

Appliance Repairs in Port Elizabeth. South Africa

GE Appliances does it again

GE appliances are known for their Firsts and also have a proud record-list of
been awarded more than a 100 patents

Ge’s Firsts

Apart from having been known for their innovated appliance, they have
also created the first;-

• Dishwasher single-rack front loader (Launched in 1936)
• Fridge/Freezer Combination with two doors (in 1947)
• Ovens that do self-clean(in 1963)
• Wall ovens that do Hot air Frying (in 2019)

Bob Park the Brands Chief for GE Appliances Canada recently said at
the launch of the Hot-air-Frying wall oven, that this oven will fill an
Appliance cap in the market.
Consumers have become more health-conscious in the way they prepare their
food combine with the general trend of consumers aiming for minimalists living.
Bob says this wall hot air-frying-oven will help to declutter your counter-top
because you won't need a stand-alone air fryer.

Great news, I just can't wait to prepare my first healthy meal in one of these
ovens

www.pinepienaar.info

Defy 600STE multifunction Oven Anatomy

Stove and Oven Repairs in Port Elizabeth. South Africa

The reason for this post is to show you Defy 600STE multifunction Oven Anatomy and Parts. All electrical ovens basically work the same, some just have more bells and whistles.

Cooking family meals in the defy multifunction is effortless and one can achieve the same cooking results as you would get in an industrial combi-oven. the 600 STE multifunction oven is just more energy efficient

The controls simple straight forward;

• Thermostat (70 to 230 degrees)
• Selector
• Timer

Inside this little oven is where the magic is

Food Art can be created in this little oven with the help of different Function settings

• Thermofan Bake (fan is located at the back of the oven surrounded with its own heat element)
•  Bake element
•  Bake Fan assisted
•  Grill element

Thermofan wiring and element

The Defy 600STE multifunction Oven Anatomy has a pulldown double glass door. The plastic handles makes it safe to touch during cooking.

Personally I don't like the black glass because I like to see the baking-magic as it happens
    

Thermostat Old and new replacement unit

The oven thermostat indicator light switches of once desired temperature have been reached.

The oven-light remains on for the whole duration of the oven usage

I do hope you have as much fun with your oven as much as I enjoy working on Defy 600STE multifunction Oven Anatomy

Let your creative juices flow

www.pinepienaar.info

PS. Find more about Ovens here;

https://highpointappliances.blogspot.com/2019/04/defy-kitchenaire-six-twenty-stove.html

https://highpointappliances.blogspot.com/2019/01/defy-gas-stove-gas-5-burner-model.html

https://highpointappliances.blogspot.com/2018/08/electric-heating-elements.html

https://highpointappliances.blogspot.com/2018/05/kitchen-artist.html

Defy oven and hob terminal connection

Oven and Hobb Repairs in Port Elizabeth. South Africa

It is common for stove terminal connections to burnout these days with all the load shedding and power outages.

A couple of years ago this phenomenon was unheard of, electric-wire-connector never used to blow.

Times have changed -  Our Monopoly power supplier has become untrustworthy and electric power is consistent. 

Domestic appliances take a serious beating every day with the uncontrolled voltage supply to our homes. 

Things happen while you at work or when you are sleeping. 

Voltages go up and down 

Every time the Alternating current (AC) voltage reaches an extreme curve it causes damage to the appliance electronics and electrical components. (its what we call "electronic rust"). These little "out of control" power fluctuations are not strong enough to blow the appliance there and then, but it is strong enough to leave a ding on the electrical components. Over time these little dings add up to create the same effect as one huge power surge or lightning strick.

Did you know that most appliances like washing machines, dishwasher, microwaves, etc do have surge suppressor build-in? But It is also a good idea to install surge protectors in your homes DV-board which will help for the major power surges. Still, it will not protect your appliances against the small power fluctuations. For the smaller damage causing fluctuations, you are going to need the protection of an inverter.

Uninterruptible Power Supply, will deliver clean steady AC power with little static noise.  The UPS is the cheapest option to protect your appliances.

How does it work? 

Your use your normal household AC electric current, convert it into DC power, run it into a battery, then use the DC power to convert it back into clean steady AC power. 

EASY Peacy!

Don't stress a will tell you more about the whole process in another post. For now, just know there is a better way to protect your All Appliances.

Cheers!

www.pinepienaar.info

Fuchware Oven and stove classique

Stove and Oven Repairs in Port Elizabeth. South Africa

Fuchsware has built some of the best kitchen appliances In South Africa and it is still common to find them fully function in homes all over the country.

CJ Fuchs (Pty)Ltd was started by Carl Julius Fuchs in 1929, the first location use to be an ould stable situated at 149 Marshall Street, Johannesburg. In the early years, Carl who was a plumber focused mainly on spray-painting and plate-making. During the second world war, they also manufactured components for the military.

Later they ventured into the domestic electrical appliances under license from an American company called Wasting House Electric International.

During 1948 the business was relocated to a much larger factory in Alrode, Alberton, That's was also when the trusted domestic appliances brand "Fuchware" was born. 
Apart from the domestic appliances like Refrigerators and Fuchs stove, the company also manufactured Circuit breakers, geysers, and stainless steelware. Later on, the company also started to produced television, electronic systems, and industrial electrical equipment.

Fuchware was Booming!  

April 1976 Carl Fuchs died and the company was sold to Barlow Rand. This also marked the beginning of the end for the Fuchware Brand.

Is it just Amazing that a 14-year-old boy who started working as a plumber apprentice during the recession years could build up a multi-million business that employed thousands of people.

There is no substitute for hard work

Feel free to contact me if you should need repairs advice

www.pinepienaar,info

Stove energy plate regulator switch

Appliance Repairs in Port Elizabeth. South Africa

Regulators and switches go on the blink all the time but sometimes outside factors cause regulators to blow sooner.  Some of the factors that cause damage are lightning and power surges.

If you look closely at the picture two contact points on the right you will see they have melted.

• These two are also the-negative-inlet contact points. which is an indication that this unit was hit by a lightning /surge. 
• The third contact (positive) from the right must have been switch-on and henge also the reason for the melted contact.

The fourth contact points are how a normal contact-point looks from everyday wear-and-tear. 

Melted contact points

The amazing thing about the incident was that the element wasn't damaged at all by this surge, only the temperature regulator.

The following signs are indicators that your hob energy regulators must be replaced.

• The plates and spiral elements don't heat-up hot-hot. They stay lukewarm.
• Plates don't heat at all
• Plates heat up to the max even if the switches are set at zero.

Should you need more information contact me on any of our social media platforms or send me an email.

www.pinepienaar.info

DEFY Kitchenaire Six Twenty stove

Stove Repairs in Port Elizabeth. South Africa

If you notice dust/power lying at the bottom of your oven don't ignore it, it's your electric oven showing you that he needs attention.

DEFY Kitchenaire Six  Twenty stove 

DEFY Kitchenaire Six  Twenty stove

Seeing a powder residue in the oven cabin is a sign that one of the heating-elements has exploded and the oven should not be used again till you had professional appliance tec looked at it.

Should you need more information feel free to e-mail me

https://www.pinepienaar.info/



PS; See these other related posts for more information

https://highpointappliances.blogspot.com/2018/10/another-gemini-thermo-fan-oven-bits-dust.html

https://highpointappliances.blogspot.com/2018/08/electric-heating-elements.html

Inverter repair

Inverter Repairs in Port Elizabeth. South Africa

Since stage 4 Load shedding has been introduced my workbench has been piling up with broken inverters and the reason for these breakages could all have been avoided

Inverter dismantled for repairs

Low voltage batteries 

Low voltage battery is the single biggest reason why these Inverters failed.

A low voltage battery will cause a higher current flow through the inverter!

Now isn't this an a-ha moment!

Let me say this again " a low voltage battery will cause a higher current to flow through the inverter! And most electronic components cannot handle the higher current.

Another a-ha piece for you to digest!

Battery charger in an inverter cannot quick-charge

What this basically means if the power from the grid is off for 4 hours and back on again for a short time before it goes off again the inverter charger cannot get the battery up to its optimal performance level. 

It also takes more to charge Gel batteries when its voltage is down. You basically need a separate quick charging battery-charger. 

The last heads-up I want to run past you is 

Fitt a voltage meter on the inverter battery

Better still fit an electronic voltage meter with an alarm. There are a couple suppliers that manufacture them but like everything here in Port Elizabeth it has to be ordered.  (if you can't find them - go to Ann she can get you anything)

As always I hope this post has added some value to your day and given you some food for thought. Should you need more send me an email to highpoint525@gmail.com

 Cheers!

www.pinepienaar.info

PS. Also see this related post about inverters

Current Kills

Appliance Repairs in Port Elizabeth. South Africa

Electrical current flow from an energy source to energize appliance. By putting your body in the path of the current flow it will divert some of the electrical currents to the human body.

The human body has a resistance of 500 to 1000 ohms that will limit the current flow

Applied

1 Volt = 2 Ma to flow
220 Volt = 440 ma

Basically, I am trying to tell you not to work with your appliances once it's switched on and always wear shoes.

www.pinepienaar.info

Ps. Also see related posts https://highpointappliances.blogspot.com/2018/09/voltage.html

Fridge warm and freezer cold

Refrigerator Repairs in Port Elizabeth. South Africa

The refrigerator is no longer cooling the content inside the fridge compartment and the freezer cabinet is freezing but some of its content is getting softer. Do not panic there is an easy solution to your temperature fluctuation problem,

FROST FREE REFRIGERATOR COOLS BY USING AIR MOVEMENT PRINCIPALS

The frost-free refrigerator comes with their own unique set of problems and the most common problem is the fridge starts to warm up and the freezer section ices up - (then no more air circulation)

I've mentioned in a previous post that Frost-free refrigerator still makes frost but the ice is hidden away. This brings me to the other reason for this post is m

In our part of the world (Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape) It is common for refrigerators to over-ice during December, January and February sometimes it even goes into March when the moister in the air higher. In December it's not the weather that causes the problem, its the frozen treats that cause the over-icing. It is holiday time and the freezers are loaded with treats, The freezer door is opened more frequently and every time you do that hot moist air comes cussing in - condensation on the condenser plates. 

Although the condenser sections have heater elements fitted to melt down the ice that forms on the freezer fins, at some stage the condensation is just too much for the elements to handle. Especially if the door was left open for the night.

 Now that you know that there is nothing seriously wrong with your refrigerator also Read the following post for more information - https://highpointappliances.blogspot.com/2018/09/rat-in-fridge.html

If you need more just send me an email.

www.pinepienaar.info

Defy gas stove gas 5 burner Model DGS161 Wiring diagram

Appliance Repairs in Port Elizabeth. South Africa

Defy gas stove 5 burner Model DGS161

www.pinepienaar.info

Washing machine or tumble dryer motor not turning

Appliance Repairs in Port Elizabeth. South Africa

When your Washing Machine or tumble drier motor stop turning, the capacitor is the first part you examine.

Over Heated capacitor

1. Just to put you in the loop,. A capacitor is normally a cylinder type device that stores electric energy. This stored energy is every time the electric motor starts-up

Should you need more information send me a email

www.pinepienaar.info

Wiring and connections in 2019

Appliance Repairs in Port Elizabeth. South Africa

Defy oven Thermostat wiring 

 Sometime things look more complicated than what it really is;

• Take a step back 
• Asses the situation 
• Then dive-in and get into it 

Enjoy this years journey!

Remember you only get one chance to live a moment. Life is not a rehearsal - You cannot go back and get that moment back.

Stay in gratitude

See you on the otherside

www.pinepienaars.info

Ps: Should you need help or pointers with your DiY-projects feel free to send me a e-mail to  highpoint525@gmail.com

  

9 Steps to trouble free Laundering

Appliance Repairs in Port Elizabeth. South Africa

Step to trouble-free laundering

1. Pre-treat stains and spots
2. Sort fabrics carefully
3. Separate colors Whites one-side and colors in another load
4. Mix large and small items together in the same load
5. Make sure about the water temperature (check garmine labels)
6. Select the correct washing program
7. Use the correct amount of laundry product
8. Use appropriate kind of laundry product
9. Rinse and Dry clothing properly

If you have more tips on laundry results, please leave a comment below.

www.pinepienaar.info

Call 083 52 52 52 2 for more information

Microwave Oven Oil frying

Microwave oven Repairs in Port Elizabeth. South Africa

Did you Know?

You cannot fry food in oil in a Microwave oven.

The oil will get hot but it will not boil, so you will not be able too get the crispiness

Microwave ovens need water to fry something

Darn!

Do you know how to get something crispy in the Microwave Oven?

Leave a comment below of send us a email.

www.pinepienaar.info

Voltage

Appliance Repairs in Port Elizabeth. South Africa

Voltage

Ghd Pcb

What is voltage and why does it affect my appliances, is questions I get asked regularly

Putting the answer in layman’s terms - Voltage is Energy and the voltage number is the amount
supplied from a energy source.

Simple! - Not! This is where things get interesting. The energy amount supplied is not necessary the
amount that is going to reach the end.

Voltage flow is called Current

To get the energy(voltage) from here to there is called current flow and normally the best means is done
through copper conductors(wire or printed circuitry on a pc board).

Disturbance in a current flow is called Resistance

The negative part about these current flows is that every disturbance in  the flow will cause a
resistance (voltage drops);

• The further the current flow the more the voltage drop
• Switches and circuit breakers causes voltage drops
• Joints will cause a voltage drop

Now we get to the other potential problem;

Voltage resistance causes a Heat build-up  

There is mathematical ways one can work out these resistances and drops in advange but I not going
to risk boring or losing you, it is better if you go look it up yourself the different formulas.

Just take my word on this one, the bigger the energy lost the bigger is the bigger is the heat buildup.

Now that we have the above out of the way we are getting to the reason for this post!

Common reasons why Appliances fail

• Dust and fluff
• Blocking ventilation holes preventing circulation
• Fluff around a motor will make the operating temperature go higher and all most small

motors need is  between 3 to 5 degree temperature rise to burnout

• Bad connection
• Any connection is also a disturbance in the current flow and a potential heat build-up area.
• Heat (current) makes metal expand and contract when cools down.. Over a period of time

connection wear loose and then it really starts heating up, till eventually something burns

Conclusion

Have you appliances serviced regularly periods by a reputable service provider. Ask them if they do
down to earth test

Should you need more - feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email.

www.pinepienaar.info

Single Induction Cooker

Stove Repairs in Port Elizabeth. South Africa

Single Induction Cooker

Exposed Induction Cooker 

The single induction cooker  saves up to 50% on electricity and is much faster  than any traditional methods.

While single induction cookers has many features the one that impressed me is that they are compatible with inverters and generators. Which means while you are out bun-du-bashing you can use the cooker connecting it to your vehicles battery via a inverter. This makes for a quick and easy cooking.

Induction cooker Control Module

How induction heating works

Induction heating method is very similar to the principles used in a microwave oven - Joule heating;- currents react with the intrinsic resistance of the medium

Hu!

Putting it simpler - It is a phenomenon that involves AC currents with two metallic circuits not in direct contact with each other, will exchange energy by varying magnetic fields. 

 High frequency coupling transfer energy to a medium that causes resistance will cause heat. 

The normal electric current frequency from the mains to any appliance is 50Hz, which is too low to produce any heating results. The only method one can produce a high enough frequency is through an oscillator.

Sadly like most electronic equipment they all fail at some point but not to worry that why you know me.

That reminds me another safety features that impressed me was the dry pot and high/low voltage protection.

Induction cooker main parts

Heads Up

• Ordinary aluminium pots and pans don't work on induction cooker - True 
• Only expensive cooking equipment works with induction cooker -  Not True 

A Simple test to find out if your cooking pot or pan are compatible with a induction cooker. 

All you need is a small magnate. 

If the magnate sticks to the bottom of the pot, it can be used on a induction cooker. SIMPLE! 

If you should need more advise or tips feel to drop me a email or leave a comment below.

Happy Cooking

www.pinepienaar.info

Rat in Fridge

Fridge Repairs in Port Elizabeth. South Africa

Ice in ventilation fan

Have you ever heard a faint scratching noise coming from the refrigerator - like a rat looking for something
nice but don’t panic it’s only Ice.

It is not common for Ice to build up around the ventilation fan but it does happen and only in “frost-free”
refrigerators. Certain times of the year it’s worse. In Port Elizabeth middle December up to middle
February is the time when most frost free refrigerators over ice due to condensation. We start getting
the plenty of calls at that time but it could be that the problem started before Xmas because of the
following reasons.

1. Ice Cream and Lollies

During holiday season, hot weather and weekends the freezers are loaded with ice cream, lollies
and ice.The refrigerator doors are been opened a lot more than normal and each time you open the
refrigerator door hot -moist-air comes gushing in, condensate on the ice-plates (condenser)

2, Door left open

Leaving the door open is a sure way to get the refrigerator all iced up. Especially when visitors are
around for the holidays everybody is sneaking to the refrigerator for some leftovers and they don’t
what to let anybody hear they are in the refrigerator, so they close the fridge door ever so softly.
Just close enough to prevent the “open door” alarm from going off and open enough for the moist air to
sneak into the refrigerator.

There are a couple of other reasons why refrigerator over condensate (ice) but I am not going to talk
about them in this post because they are going to cost you money to sort out and the reason for this
post is to save you money.

Ok! I won't leave you hanging

The other things that can cause over icing is a faulty temperature probe, broken heater element and
ventilation fan but let’s not go there (expensive repairs).

Quick Fix

Switch the refrigerator off just before everyone goes to bed at night because you don’t want anyone to
open the fridge doors again (to keep cold air inside). In the morning switch the refrigerator back on
again.

With this method you will melt the excessive condensation (ice) on the condenser (ice-plates) but your
food won’t go-off or defrost in the freezer. If the scratching is gone then you know you on the right track.

Most of the time you have to do this ritual (switching on and off) 3 to 4 nights in a row.

Condensor iced up 

Just a word of caution:  

“Remember to switch the Refrigerator back on again the next day.”

If the switching on and off didn’t solve your problem then unfortunately you are going to need me.

Leave a comment below or send me a email should you need more information or would like to add..

Stay Cool

www.pinepienaar.info

PS. Here are links to more refrigeration advice

http://highpointappliances.blogspot.com/2016/02/frost-free-refrigerator-red-light.html

http://highpointappliances.blogspot.com/2011/06/refrigerator-not-cooling.html