I had changed my previous philosophy of repairing old appliances to replacing them with used ones on Craigslist. People are always upgrading appliances and replacement parts can often cost more than buying a reliable used one. With the original dryer which came with my house, I had replaced the belt several times. I had purchased a refurb kit for around $20 consisting of a new belt, pulley and rollers and ended up replacing the whole dryer for about $50 a couple months later since I wanted a newer one with a temperature sensor.
My second dryer, a Maytag, recently had an issue with no heat. I pulled it apart and checked all the thermostats and they were all closed and there was 120V AC on that side of the circuit on the heater coil terminal. The other side is fed by the timer and replacement timers were about $100 so I quickly found another used dryer for about $25.
My replacement dryer (Frigidaire) was a bit squeaky so I took it apart to take a look. This dryer was full of lint with a thick layer at the bottom and some burnt lint by the heating coils that could have easily caught on fire. I vacuumed it all out and gave it a good cleaning. It was only squeaky starting up and this was probably caused by a loose belt slipping.
With a working dryer, I wanted to go back and troubleshoot the Maytag since it was a bit more solidly constructed. I removed the back of the console and noticed burnt wires at the timer connections. One red wire coming from the temperature select switch was burnt to the point of disconnection and melted the insulation of nearby wires that contacted it. I cut off the burnt section and re-crimped the connector (though I may go back and solder the connection). I also re-crimped another connector that was also burnt.
Model numbers for this TV include LN46A530P1FXZC / LN46A530 / LN46A530P1F
The problem is a washed out, white image which may also look like a negative. This youtube video indicates replacing the TCON board will fix this problem.
I found the part #T460HW02 V0 on ebay for about $40 USD and replacing it fixed the problem.
Update: Follow up research indicates a failed IC on the tcon board (AS15-F Gamma Driver IC) usually produces these symptoms. I would replace this chip first before replacing this board.
My budget Huawei Y530 smartphone was starting to have trouble updating apps with insufficient storage errors. With only 512MB of RAM and 4 GB of storage, the built-in google apps get bigger with every update consuming what little space was available. See my review of the Huawei here.
My next budget phone was going to the Moto E (2nd gen). With Android Lollipop (5.x), 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage, there should be much improvement over the Y530. I had seen it go on sale for $50 CAD during Boxing Day last year. Searching redflagdeals, it was on sale for the same price at Walmart several months ago and at Loblaws recently. The models sold for Canadian networks were North American versions that are easily unlocked with a code purchased online.
I searched Best Buy in the US and found the Moto E on sale for $30 USD (Boost Mobile-Sprint network). It had been on sale for as little as $10 on Black Friday. The wikipedia page indicates several LTE models with two of them specific for US carriers (XT1526 Sprint & XT1528 Verizon) This posting on redflagdeals indicated they should work in Canada. The guide below should also apply for the XT1528 though this version appears to be heavily locked down against rooting or other modifications.
Up for a challenge, I picked this up at the Bellingham Best Buy. When I got home and powered it up, it wanted to activate (but failed because it couldn’t see the network). It eventually timed out. I then connected to wifi and took all the system updates which brought the Android version to 5.1.
My SIM for Speakout was a standard size and the Moto E takes a micro SIM. I didn’t want to risk destroying my SIM by cutting it down and got a new SIM at 7-11 (normally $10 but current promo is free with $100 top up plus $25 credit). You can find punches on ebay for several bucks and smaller cell shops will cut them down for a small fee as well.
From the redflagdeals post, the XT1526 is not locked internationally but that model’s version of Android doesn’t let you change the network type from Sprint CDMA to GSM used by Speakout and most carriers worldwide. The Boost Moto E also has a SIM pre-installed in the phone. I should have pulled it out before initially powering on to avoid the activation process.
To change the band, you can either type *#*#4636#*#* into the dialer to get into the radio settings or download the “Network” app (black phone icon in white circle) which provides a shortcut to the same menu screen. Scroll down to the buttons and you will find a drop down to “Set preferred network type” and change it to “LTE/GSM auto prl”. Go back to exit and check the settings under Settings->Mobile Networks. Network mode should now indicate GSM/UMTS. Insert your SIM and under “Network operators” in the same menu, you should be able to search and select Speakout or Rogers from the list provided. For data, check if it is working and make sure “Allow GSM Data” is checked. If isn’t working, you can try to set the APN manually. I downloaded the “Change APN” app which is a shortcut to the APN menu and added the entries following this guide. It didn’t seem to take it but my data was working so not sure if it was automatically configured when I selected the network.
You should also turn off any Roaming Guard features since you are using this phone outside of the US and will get warnings every time you send a text. You can find this setting in Settings->More->Mobile Networks->Roaming Guards. Uncheck Call Guard, Data Guard and Outgoing SMS under GSM Roaming.
With the Moto E (2nd Gen), there are a few negatives.
No LED flash. If you need a flashlight, there are a few screen flashlight apps. I downloaded “Screen Flashlight”
There is an LED indicator but it only lights up if the battery is low and can’t be used by apps or for message waiting notification. The phone uses a feature called “Moto Display” which will show you both the time and icons for unread messages on the screen if the phone is moved when sleeping. Though this is a nice feature, I still prefer a flashing LED.
There is no data switch toggle on the quick settings panel on the top right. This functionality appears to be a change in Android Lollipop and not a restriction in the phone. Since I am on a limited data plan, I can’t have my phone downloading updates when I am on data. Luckily, I downloaded the “Data Usage” app which provides a shortcut to the data usage screen where the data can be toggled on and off.
No update to Android 6.x Marshmallow for US models. Non-US versions have gotten the update. One feature in 6.x is the ability to marry the external SD card to main storage so you don’t need to move apps to SD card to free up space (they may get moved back during an update). But the 8GB of storage should be adequate for most users
Locked for US carriers. Not sure if this can be unlocked with a code since I won’t be using in the US.
Other than these issues, I find the Moto E quite responsive and a great deal for $30 USD.
Update – Don’t throw out your Sprint SIM card because it can be used with Ringplus (“free” phone service in the US).
Update – Check this post here on how to minimize your data usage.
My remote for my tower fan recently stopped working. With my previous remote repair experience (see post here), I figured I could fix it.
This remote was a bit smarter with an LCD display and didn’t have a ceramic resonator. Viewing the IR LED through my smartphone’s camera indicated there were no pulses coming from it. With the remote disassembled and batteries removed, I tested the LED in-circuit with a multimeter in diode test mode. Checking both polarities, neither direction indicated a voltage drop so the LED was probably faulty.
I scrounged the recycling depot for some old remotes and removed the IR LED from one and installed it temporarily in my broken one. I needed a 3mm LED and the replacement was a larger 5mm but it would confirm if the LED was indeed faulty. Replacing the LED worked so I ordered some 3mm IR LED’s on Ebay from China for around $1. These came in pretty quick and now the remote is as good as new.
BTW, this is an excellent fan. The tower design takes up much less space than a regular fan, has multiple modes and a timer which is great for bedtime.
With Cloudnymous shutting down, I was searching for a new VPN provider. I looked at Vpnbook, Ivacy, Expressvpn, and Private Internet Access. I eventually found Betternet which is a FREE VPN service. Most services charge around $4 USD or more per month.
I have been using it for a couple of months and it seems to be ok. For PC’s they provide an app which can be a big buggy. It crashes often starting up and sometimes is slow to disconnect. Service wise, speeds are good and downloading is permitted. Traffic may shut down completely but it does maintain the connection which is good thing. If this happens, I need to disconnect and try re-connecting.
There is always skeptism of free services since they may be collecting data or start charging later on. For now, Betternet seems to be a good option to protect your privacy and the price is right.
This Samsung TV had the problem of occasionally being slow to turn on. Full model number is LN32A450C1DXZC. Opening up the back and inspecting the power supply found three bulged capacitors. Values were 680uF/35V, 680uF/25V and 470uF/25V. These were all replaced and the TV showed no more problems after the repair.
My budget Huawei Android phone is getting a bit full with apps and has trouble with some updates. I first encountered problems trying to update Google Chrome but was able to get it to work by first uninstalling all updates before reinstalling. I installed a 16GB SD card and set it to default storage but most apps can’t be moved to it.
I bought a combo case/wallet for my phone on ebay and usually minimize what I carry to only my drivers license, credit card and maybe some cash.
On a recent trip to Lowe’s, I didn’t realize they accept air miles and didn’t have the card with me. I found the app Stocard to save loyalty cards to your phone but couldn’t install the app because of insufficient storage error again.
Googling the problem lead to the solution of clearing your app cache. You can install App Cache Cleaner by Apex Apps or you can find a manual solution online.
Update: The App Cleaner isn’t working too well and I will probably need to buy a new phone eventually. Google’s built in apps get bigger with each update and you are not able to uninstall them leaving less room for apps. You can disable them however. Some of the Android versions no longer allow you to move an app to SD card.
The headlight lens on my Acura RSX gets foggy being an old car. I purchased Meguiar’s Headlight Restoration Kit based on good online reviews. Think I picked it up at Walmart in the US though it is available at Canadian Tire and Amazon as well. The kit comes with a buffing pad you attach to your drill, polishing cloth and polishing paste. It is pretty easy and quick to use and has excellent results. I do need to repolish every year though.
Update: Further research indicates the headlight get yellow because of UV and that the factory installed clear coat has worn off. There are multiple youtube videos on how to apply a clear coat to your lens so you don’t have to constantly restore it. Will be a project for the summer.
This TV had a burnt smell coming from it and power issues. It does have an interesting design since it is super thin for a LCD TV and the main boards were located below the LCD panel making for a taller TV.
Opening the TV up showed burnt areas on the power supply board. With a lot of dust inside the TV, the heat and high voltage by the transformer probably ignited the dust causing a small fire.
This failure did not appear to be a common problem since searching the internet did not find any other reports of failure. Used power supply boards (part# EAY41971801) were a bit expensive on ebay and the part could be obtained for less but new from Sears Parts. I went through the checkout process to get a quote for shipping and then cancelled the order. They emailed me a 15% off discount code a day later but I decided it wasn’t worth it to replace the board since it was close to the value of the TV.
This LG TV had power supply issues so bad capacitors on the power supply board were suspect. Taking off the back, a total of 9 electrolytic caps had bulged tops. They were all Capxon brand. The smallest values were 220uF/25V & 35V (3) that I replaced with 220uF/35V. There were 6 – 680uF/25V which I replaced with slightly larger 680uf/35V. There were also 3 Capxon 1000uF/25V that weren’t bulged but I replaced them anyway since I didn’t trust the Capxon caps. Testing with an ESR meter indicated they were ok and probably didn’t need to be replaced.
It was surprising the TV powered up at all with so many damaged capacitors. The tuner wasn’t working and may have been damaged from the power problem. Otherwise, the TV appeared fine after the replacing all the caps.
Update: Got another one of these in and the exact same nine Capxon capacitors were bulged. The non-bulged capacitors are United Chemi-con which is a quality brand. C202, C204, C205, C227, C234, C235 – 680UF/25V, C207, C218 – 220UF/25V, C203 – 220UF/35V Digikey part numbers for replacements are 1189-1749-ND (Rubycon 680UF/35V 105deg) and 493-1319-ND (Nichicon 220UF/35V 105deg).
