DIY Series 73: Repair Bread Maker (Trio TBM-111) Big Pulley Wheel

Please refer to the complete disassemble process in previous blog Repair Bread Maker (Trio TBM-111).

Symptoms:

• Kneading blade / arm is not moving when the motor start running. Either rubber belt or big pulley wheel or small drive gear is broken.

This time, I am fixing the big pulley wheel, where the pulley wheel is worn-out.

Photos:

1. Worn-out big pulley wheel
2. Remove old wheel and install new wheel
3. Tighten the nut of the wheel

Video:

1. Trio TBM-111 Bread Maker is working fine after fixing the big pulley wheel

Tools:

• Screwdriver, plier / spanner

Costs:

• Big Pulley Wheel: US$3.50 to US$4.00

DIY Series 72: Yamaha Keyboard Repair - Easy Fix for Keys Not Working

It had been more than 20 years since my wife bought this Yamaha Keyboard (DGX-500). Everything was working fine except floppy disk drive (FDD) is malfunction (basically not in used all these while). We are using USB-MIDI connection for data transfer.

Recently, it was noticed that several keys are not responding, initial thought it might be aging and going to the end of its life. However, after doing some searching online, it might be possible causing by dust between PCB and the keys, which is blocking its connectivity.

Photos:

1. Yamaha DGX-500 Electric Keyboard
2. Identify the malfunction keys
3. Turn the keyboard upside down to start dismantling process
4. Unscrew all the screws at the bottom housing (dotted circle indicates more screws underneath)
5. Example of speaker compartment after dismantling the cover
6. Dismantle the key part by part by unscrew the 4 screws at the top of the keys
7. Comparison between before cleaning (left) and after cleaning (right) the dust layer
8. Use the dry cloth or even toothbrush to help on the cleaning, with vacuum cleaner

Videos:

1. Test all keys functionality before assembling back the complete set

Tools:

• Screwdriver, dry cloth, toothbrush, plier, vacuum cleaner

Costs:

• NIL

Time Spent:

• 2.5 hours to 3.0 hours

Note:

• Do remove & clean the mesh net of the left & right speaker and its compartment. 
• You will need a plier to twist it in order to remove it from the housing. 
• After cleaning the dust layer (3mm to 5mm thickness), you will feel the sound volume is much better compared to before cleaning. 

Application to Local University via UPU (Govt. Subsidized) / Alternative (Self-Funded Direct Intake)

UPUONLINE (for 2025/2026)

• Step 1: Buy a PIN from Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) @ RM10.60
• Step 2: Go to the UPUONLINE official website to register

= UM =

Admission

• https://study.um.edu.my/how-to-apply-bachelor-rsquo-s-degree
• Bachelor Degree (for STPM/Matriculation/Diploma/Equivalent)
• Foundation (for SPM)

Saluran Perdana (UPUONLINE)

• https://study.um.edu.my/entry-requirements

Saluran Alternatif (UM Open Channel - SATU) - Self-Funded Direct Intake

• https://study.um.edu.my/open-channel-satu

= UPM =

Admission

• https://akademik.upm.edu.my/kemasukan_tempatan-1839
• Bachelor Degree (for STPM/Matriculation/Diploma/Equivalent)
• Diploma / Asasi (for SPM)

Saluran Perdana (UPUONLINE)

• https://akademik.upm.edu.my/kemasukan_tempatan/saluran_perdana_permohonan_kemasukan_melalui_upu-13558

Saluran Inklusif  - Self-Funded Direct Intake

• https://akademik.upm.edu.my/kemasukan_tempatan/saluran_inklusif_permohonan_kemasukan_terus_ke_upm-13681

= UTM =

Admission

• https://admission.utm.my/
• Bachelor Degree (for STPM/Matriculation/Diploma/Equivalent)
• Diploma / Asasi (for SPM)

Saluran Perdana (UPUONLINE)

• https://admission.utm.my/wp-content/uploads/sites/461/2024/05/UG-Admission-Brochure.pdf

Saluran Alternatif (UTMSPACE) - Self-Funded Direct Intake

• https://admission.utm.my/apply-now/

= UKM =

Admission

• https://www.ukm.my/akademik/kemasukan-prasiswazah/
• Bachelor Degree (for STPM/Matriculation/Diploma/Equivalent)
• Asasi Pintar (for SPM)

Saluran Perdana (UPUONLINE)

• https://www.ukm.my/akademik/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/13022025-Buku-Syarat-Kemasukan-Program-ASASIpintar-dan-Prasiswazah-Sesi-Akademik-20252026.pdf

Saluran Alternatif  - Self-Funded Direct Intake

• https://www.ukm.my/studyukm/asasipintar/
• https://join.ukm.my/

= USM =

Admission

• https://pohon.usm.my/saluran_kemasukan.php
• Bachelor Degree (for STPM/Matriculation/Diploma/Equivalent)

Saluran Perdana (UPUONLINE)

• https://pohon.usm.my/t_perdanausm.php

Saluran Alternatif (USM +1) - Self-Funded Direct Intake

• https://pohon.usm.my/t_t20.php

Note: 

Info compilation for my son who just completed his SPM exam (Year 2024/2025).

DIY Series 71: Midea Minibar Malfunction

Midea Minibar MS-50 (50L) Malfunction

Symptoms:

• Suddenly not cold and ice started melting. 
• Suspect either PTC Relay / Overload / both of them spoilt

Photos:

1. Front view of Minibar
2. Back view (top) with Electric Diagram
3. Back view (bottom) with compartment for compressor
4. Unscrew 3 screws in order to remove to cover
5. After unscrewed, you may remove the cover
6. Remove the GND wire
7. Remove the PTC Relay
8. Remove the Overload 
9. Check the PTC Relay using multimeter (Good: Close to 0Ω, NG: Open Loop)
10. Check the Overload using multimeter (Good: Close to 0Ω, NG: Open Loop)
11. Dismantle the PTC Relay, found the round plate inside already broken
12. Check suitable PTC Relay for replacement (12Ω to 33Ω)
13. Check suitable PTC Relay type. I choose 1-Pin 22Ω
14. Check the new PTC Relay using multimeter (Reading: 19.4Ω)

Costs Involved:

• PTC Relay (1-Pin 22Ω): US$1.50 to US$2.50

DIY Series 70: Repair Saga BLM Central Lock Latch Rod (Broken Clip Holder)

Symptoms:

• Unable to latch / unlatch the door lock (left front side) at Proton Saga BLM 2008 model.
• The metal latch rod looks loosen and disconnected from its original mechanism

Photos:

• Unscrew 1 screw from the left door (near side mirror)

• Unscrew 1 screw from door opening holder

• Unscrew 1 screw from the arm rest 

• Remove the corner cover near side mirror

• Remove the latch cover from the metal latch rod (turn it anticlockwise)

• Remove the arm rest cover by disconnect the connector

• Remove the door main cover 

• Study and identify the metal latch rod mechanism and its connection

• Remove the metal latch rod and replace the broken plastic clip holder

Costs Involved:

• Clips (US$0.40 to US$0.70): (10PCS) Car Side Lock Latch Rod 4mm Size Clip Plastic Retainers

DIY A Snail for Children Singing Competition

Preparing For 2024-12-15 Kindergarten Graduation & Singing Competition

• Song Title: The Snail & The Orioles (蜗牛与黄鹂鸟) - (recorded video available at YouTube)

Photos:

• One of the Best Stage Performers in his Kindergarten Singing Competition.

• Prepare a base housing using a recycled cardboard, based on targeted school bag size.

• Insert the base housing into the side pocket of the school bag, for fitting test.

• Check the base housing whether any further modification / trimming is needed.

• Prepare 1st layer of snail shape using cardboard (according to the base housing size).

• Prepare other layers of snail shell (oval shape) and eyes (round shape) using cardboard.

• Try to place all layers onto base housing to see the final appearance.

• Colour all the layers with rainbow colours and put the LED Modules as the eyes. Apply a layer of cellophane tape onto all cardboard layers as water-proof protection. Use double-sided tape to stick all layers into 1 piece.

• Add decoration pictures onto the top view and back view, padded both side with sponge, enhanced support for the eyes with ice-cream sticks.

• Added a pair of base-stand (using toilet paper roll) to support the whole snail during parking.

Videos:

• Testing of LED Modules

• Completed Set

Materials Involved:

• Recycled cardboards for Snail and base housing
• Recycled school bag
• Recycled toilet paper roll
• Ice-cream sticks
• Cellophane tape & masking tape
• Double-sided tape
• Poster colour
• LED Module (One Button Touch-Sensor LED): US$1.00 ~ US$1.50 / unit