DIY Series 107: Repair Cornell Ceramic Cooker (CCC-2201X)

Cornell Ceramic Cooker (CCC-2201X) is a 2000W multi-function kitchen appliance featuring a digital touch panel.

Symptoms:

• Having "E1" Error (High Temperature) displayed on the touch panel screen.

Findings: 

• Thermocouple broken (Continuity Test, having open loop (OL) connection)

Common Causes of E1 Error:

An E1 error code on Cornell ceramic and induction cookers typically indicates a low voltage supply (incoming voltage is too low) or an internal temperature/sensor abnormality.

• Low Voltage: The electrical voltage from your wall socket or home supply has dropped below the operating threshold (usually under 220V).
• Thermal / Sensor Issue: Overheating of internal parts, a blocked air vent, or a glitch in the surface/IGBT temperature sensor.

Photos:

1. Cornell Ceramic Cooker (Model: CCC-2201X)
2. Dismantle at bottom side with unscrew 7 pcs of screws. Turn back the cooker facing up, remove the glass top surface. 
3. Unscrew 1 screw to take out the control panel board.
4. Unscrew 3 screws to dismantle the heating element.
5. Remove the 3pcs plastic holders of heating element.
6. Unplug the broken thermocouple from the main board.
7. Unscrew 2 screws at the bottom of heating element to remove thermocouple for its holder.
8. Install new thermocouple onto the main board.

Videos:

1. Cornell Ceramic Cooker having "E1" Error.
2. Cornell Ceramic Cooker after fixing done.

Tools required:

• Screwdriver
• Multimeter

Costs involved:

• Thermocouple (2pcs): ~US$2.50

Knowledgebase:

• Thermocouples, thermostats, and thermistors are all components used to monitor or regulate temperature, but they function in fundamentally different ways. A thermocouple generates a voltage based on temperature differences, a thermistor alters its electrical resistance as temperatures change, and a thermostat acts as an on/off control switch to maintain a target temperature.

DIY Series 106: Rear Truck LED Light Strip on Proton X90

Rear Truck LED Light Strip on Proton X90

Model: Proton X90 MC1 2026 (Prime)

Video:

Photos:

Open rear tailgate and locate the boot interior lamp

Remove the interior lamp using the plastic trim tool

Disconnect the interior lamp, plug in the 1-to-2 extender

Plug in both interior lamp and LED strip to check connectivity

Pull out the rubber seal to find a place to pull out the wire for LED strip

Use a cable tie to assist on directing the wiring needed

Pull out the wire required and remove the cable tie

Slot-in the LED strip into the rubber seal, 

cut the LED strip at the end of complete loop,

cover the end with the plastic cap.

Tools Required:

• Plastic Trim Tool
• Cable Tie
• Wiring Tape

Cost Involved:

• Coolray Rear Truck LED Light Strip: ~US$20 (Streamer Edition | Soft Glow | Full Circle | Tools Included)

Related Link:

• Great Place To Go... 无处不去: Info on Proton X90 MC1 2026

DIY Series 105: Dibea GT200 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner Malfunction

Dibea GT200 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner Malfunction

Based on the behavior of the Dibea GT200 (and similar Dibea/Airbot models), the 2-beep, 5-second shutdown is a safety mechanism indicating a motor protection shutdown caused by an obstruction or blockage. The vacuum detects that the motor is working harder than usual due to restricted airflow or a jammed roller, so it shuts down to prevent damage. 

This behavior typically indicates the blocking and turning protection function has been triggered to prevent motor damage. 

Common Fixes for 2-Beep Error:

• Clear Brush Obstructions: Check the main floor brush and side brushes for tangled hair, strings, or debris that might be jamming the rotation. Manually rotate them to ensure they spin freely.

• Check the Bumper: Debris might be stuck behind the front bumper, making it think it has collided with an object. Tap or shake the bumper gently to dislodge any trapped particles.

• Clean the Sensors: Use a dry, soft cloth to wipe the sensors (cliff sensors and collision sensors) located on the front and bottom of the unit.

• Empty the Dustbin: A full dustbin or clogged filters (HEPA) can cause the motor to overwork and shut down.

• Verify Battery Level: Ensure the unit is fully charged, as a dying battery can cause sudden stops immediately after starting. 

If the issue persists after these steps, the side brush motor or main motor may be faulty and require professional repair.

Findings:

• After charging for a long period of time, Dibea GT200 is still having the 2-beep, 5-second shutdown.
• Open up the battery compartment, check the battery pack using multimeter.
• Battery pack malfunction, replaced with new battery pack.

Tools Required:

• Screwdriver
• Multimeter

Cost Involved:

• Dibea GT200 Battery Pack (2600mAh): US$15 ~ US$20

Other Related Study (For Future Reference)

• Motor Specs Understanding

Example: Side Brush Motor (RF-500TB-14350)

Mabuchi RF-500TB-14350 6-12V with Gear

• The RF-500TB-14350 motor features a cylindrical body with a nominal diameter of 32 mm (approx. 1.26 inches) and an approximate height of 19.6 mm. It is a carbon brush, permanent magnet DC motor commonly used in home appliances, characterized by a 2 mm shaft diameter and a 9000 RPM speed range at 6V-12V. 

• RF = Round Type, Precious Metal Brushes

• 500 = Armature Diameter (32mm) + Housing Length + Armature Pole

• TB = Ring Shape Isotropic Magnet + Motor Height (19.6mm)

• 14350 = Magnet Wire Diameter (0.14mm) + Winding Turns (350) = <12V, 9000RPM

• Universal Pinion Extractor / Motor Gear Puller

A Universal Pinion Extractor or Motor Gear Puller is a precision tool specifically designed to remove press-fit gears from small motor shafts, such as the 2mm shaft on your RF-500TB series motor. Using a puller prevents damage to the internal motor bearings and ensures the shaft remains straight.

Operating Steps

• Selection: Choose a thimble/pin based on the motor shaft diameter.
• Setup: Install the rotating rod and tighten the pin into place.
• Alignment: Snap the motor into the puller's plate and align the shaft with the pin.
• Extraction: Turn the handle clockwise; the pin will press the shaft while the plate holds the gear, pulling it off.

DIY Series 104: Alpha SMART 18i Water Heater (Heater Not Working)

Alpha SMART 18i Water Heater (Heater Not Working)

Symptoms:

• When you power on the Alpha Smart 18i, it automatically runs a 10-second self-diagnostic "Auto Test". If the LEDs blink and then stop without allowing the heater or pump to start, it typically indicates that the unit has detected a safety fault or an internal hardware failure.
• The blinking lights are GREEN. (If they are RED, the unit is intentionally staying off for safety.)
• Try pressing the TEST button and then the RESET button to check the safety protection. Upon press TEST button, the GREEN LEDs turns into RED. It actually means the built-in Earth Leakage Sensing Device (ELSD) is performing its safety function correctly. RESET button will bring it back to normal mode.

Findings:

• If it stops heating but the pump still runs, you should check the thermal cut-out button on top of the tank. For this case, both heater and pump are not working, thus most likely it is the board that is malfunction.
• A burnt mark on the LVDC2 (Low Voltage DC) Board confirms a hardware failure. This specific board is responsible for converting power to run the DC pump, the control logic, and the safety sensors. Once it has a burnt mark, the circuit is broken, which is why the heater and pump won't respond to the knobs.
• Found both primary filter capacitors (10uF/400V) and fuse (T2A) were burnt. Those specific capacitors are the "heart" of the power filter; once they dry out or bulge, they cause the voltage ripples that blow the fuse.
• This LVDC2 Board is a modular part. You can replace the LVDC2 board (~US$40) specifically without replacing the entire heater (US$100 ~ US$150), or further debug on which parts are malfunction and replace the broken parts.

Videos:

• [Before] Upon power on, after "Auto Test" completed, heater is not working (Heater LED is OFF) even the Temperature Control knob is turned.

• [Before] TEST & RESET is functioning accordingly

• [After] Upon power on, tested the LVDC2 Board is working. LVDC2 Board RED LED is ON.

• [After] Upon power on, tested both Temperature Control knob and Pump Control knob are working.

• [After] Installation completed, water heater is working fine.

Photos:

• Turn off the power supply, open up the front cover
• Disconnect the 3 wires (L/N/E) and unscrew 3 screws to take down the water heater
• Suspect the LVDC2 Board malfunction, on board LED is not turn on when power on
• Found the burnt mark near primary filter capacitors (10uF/400V) 
• Both capacitors (10uF/400V) and fuse (T2A) were broken
• Order replacement parts and replaced 3 components (10uF/400V capacitors & T2A fuse)

Tools Required:

• Screwdriver
• Multimeter
• Soldering Tools
• Test Pen
• Cutter

Cost Involved:

• Capacitor 10uF/400V (MOQ: 5pcs): US$1.20
• Radial Slow Blow Fuse T2A (MOQ: 10pcs): US$0.40
• New LVDC2 Board: US$40 (if required a new board)

Notes:

To catch a potential failure before the board burns out again, watch for these three early warning signs that the capacitors are weakening:

• The "Blinking Delay" at Startup 
• When you first switch on the wall heater switch, the Auto Test LED should blink and stabilize quickly (usually within 10 seconds).
• The Warning: If the LEDs take longer than usual to stop blinking, or if they flicker weakly before turning solid, the capacitors are likely struggling to hold a steady voltage.

• Pump "Stuttering" or Weak Start
• Since those capacitors help provide the DC power for the inverter pump:
• The Warning: If you hear the pump "struggle" to start, or if the water pressure fluctuates slightly even when your house water pressure is steady, the DC rail is becoming "noisy" or unstable.

• The "Ghost" Trip
• The Warning: If the unit occasionally trips its own internal ELSD (the light turns RED) for no apparent reason, but works fine after you press RESET, the capacitors are likely failing to filter out electrical "noise," causing the sensitive safety microchip to trigger a false alarm.

DIY Series 103: Samsung WA88V4 Washing Machine Repair (Power Trip)

Samsung WA88V4 Washing Machine Repair (Power Trip)

Symptoms:

• Samsung washing machine causing power trip when power on.
• After replaced new motor, the motor starts spinning immediately after power it on.
• The motor is getting heat up immediately after power on, which is abnormal.
• There is definitely shorted somewhere, and the leakage current go thru the motor continuously and heat up the motor.

Findings:

• Found out that the washing machine was placed under an aircond outdoor unit, where water dripped directly onto the washing machine's control panel (near the place where Triac located), so somewhere on the main control board was shorted.
• After study online, looks like most likely caused by shorted motor Triac on the main control board.
• Since the original Triac T835H-8F (JieJie Microelectronics) is difficult to get locally, I opted to buy compatible Triac BTA16-800BW (STMicroelectronics). Keyword is "Snubberless" Triac.

Part 1: Changing Motor & Capacitor

• DIY Series 87: Samsung WA88V4 Washing Machine Repair (Part 2 of 2) - Motor
• Since the motor at the above broken again (due to shorted Triac, motor overheated) after few months, this time I replaced a new motor and new capacitor as below:
• Samsung WAS165WTVA Motor (delivered without pulley)
• 6.3mm Cable Lug (for wiring to motor connection)
• 12mm Pulley (bought wrong size, modified to fit, better get 10mm Pulley)
• 8uF Capacitor (smaller in size, added some padding to hold it tight)
• After replaced new motor, the motor (rotor) starts spinning immediately after power it on. No more power trip when power on, but motor spin non-stop after power on.

Part 2: Debug Main Control Board & Changing Triac

• DIY Series 57: Samsung WA88V4 Washing Machine Control Board Malfunction
• This time, I take out the main control board and trying to check and replace the Triac.
• BTA16-800BW (bought from TaoBao)

Photos:

1. Open up the Control Panel to take out the Main Control Board
2. Remove the Main Control Board from Washing Machine
3. Cut the PCB housing where Triac is located
4. Identify the malfunction Triac (T835H) using multimeter
5. Remove both Triac (T835H) from the PCB (better use same Triac on board)
6. Solder new Triac (BTA16-800BW) onto the PCB (top view)
7. Solder new Triac (BTA16-800BW) onto the PCB (bottom view)

Tools required:

• Screwdriver
• Mini Saw
• Multimeter
• Soldering Tools

Cost involved:

• Samsung WAS165WTVA Motor: US$30
• 6.3mm Cable Lug (10pcs): US$0.50
• 12mm Pulley: US$1.25
• 8uF Capacitor: US$1.60
• BTA16-800BW (6pcs): US$4 (include shipping from TaoBao China)

Related Link:

• DIY Series 57: Samsung WA88V4 Washing Machine Control Board Malfunction
• DIY Series 86: Samsung WA88V4 Washing Machine Repair (Part 1 of 2) - Gear Mechanism
• DIY Series 87: Samsung WA88V4 Washing Machine Repair (Part 2 of 2) - Motor

DIY Series 102: Handheld Megaphone Speaker From School

Handheld Megaphone Speaker From School

Received 2 units of Handheld Megaphone Speakers from a primary school. Provided free debugging and free repair service to the school.

Symptoms: 

• Upon power on, there is no sound output

Analysis:

• Checked the battery, it is using a customised Battery Pack (18650 Li-Ion, single cell, 3.7V, 2000mA)
• Battery pack comes with USB port for charging, but unable to charge when insert to a USB port for charging.

Photos:

• Unlatch and open up the back cover of Megaphone

• Unplug the battery pack from USB Port

• Unscrew a screw at the battery pack housing

• Take out the old 18650 Battery from its housing (terminals joint by spot welding)

• Disconnect the old 18650 Battery from +/- terminal wiring (spot welded)

• Prepare nickel strip to make 2pcs of nickel plates for +/- terminal wiring spot welding

• Clamp the nickel plates onto +/- terminal wiring using wire cutter

• Spot welding a nickel plate onto the new 18650 Battery positive (+) terminal

• Spot welding a nickel plate onto the new 18650 Battery negative (-) terminal

• Reinsert the new 18650 Battery into its housing

• Screw the housing and turn on the switch to check Battery Pack. The Red colour LED is on upon switched on, means battery is fine. Take the Battery Pack for USB charging, charge until LED turn into Blue colour.

Tools Involved:

• Screwdriver
• Multimeter
• Spot Welder
• Wire cutter
• Tweezer
• Scissor

Cost Involved:

• 18650 Li-Ion Battery (4800mA): US$0.80

Note:

• Current lithium-ion technology for the standard 18650 form factor (18mm x 65mm) has a physical maximum capacity limit of approximately 3500mAh to 3600mAh. 
• Any 18650 battery claiming more than 4000mAh, including ProDIY, is generally considered by experts to be using inflated marketing specs.
• ProDIY claimed to have 4800mAh but it is estimated the battery capacity < 2500mAh.