Re: Microwave oven capacitor.. Dead short overnight?

Doug,

> It worked OK last night, I popped in a meal tonight, pressed the
> button.. Overload hum, blue flash from the back, then no display (10
> year old Sharp model.)

> Since my background is in electronic repair, I opened it up. put a new
> fuse in, tried again and saw the flash location, near the big cap in
> the rear.. (Unplugged, checked for charge, then metered it. 2 ohms!)

I worked as a microwave tech for about six years. Be VERY careful working
with those capacitors. They can store one heck of a charge, even weeks or
months after the oven has been unplugged! We always discharged the caps
with an insulated screwdriver across the terminals. One big "POP" and flash
I never got used to! :)

Anyway, the caps often failed without any other damage to the machine. But,
they sometimes took the diode with them too. I'd replace both parts if it
were my machine.

And, I'm guessing you'll need a new fuse too... :)

Depending on the price of the parts, it may cheaper and easier to just buy
a new oven... :) Seems to be the way of the world anymore...

Anthony
.

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