DIY Series 49: Water Heater Inlet Valve's Washer Replacement

Symptoms:

• Water Heater inlet valve is not functioning to stop the water flow completely when it is turn OFF

Findings:

• Washer inside the valve was worn-out. Need to get replacement washer.

Photos:

1. Replacement Part: Washer (4pcs/pack)
2. Water Heater inlet valve (front view)
3. Water Heater inlet valve (side view)
4. Water Heater inlet valve (inside view, without washer)
5. To dismantle the knob, use hand to turn it anti-clockwise
6. Get a new washer to be insert into its location
7. New washer inserted into its location, place back the knob and turn it clockwise.

Tools required:

• NIL

Costs involved:

• Replacement Washer (4pcs/pack) = US$1 ~ US$2

Note:

• Different brands might have different size of washer / parts. However, the same mechanism / concept should be common or similar across all types of valve / tap.

DIY Series 48: Washing Machine Suspension Rod Holder / Cup

 Symptoms:

• Washing machine's drum tilted to one side
• Loud sound during its operation, and unable to proceed washing process

Findings:

• A suspension rod was found detached from its holder/cup
• One of the holder/cup was broken, the other 3 holders/cups was in bad condition 

Photos:

1. Location of Washing Machine Suspension Rods
2. Disconnect the water inlet
3. Unscrew the top cover screws (left side, 2 screws)
4. Unscrew the top cover screws (right side, 2 screws)
5. Checking the suspension rod holder/cup
6. Example of L-Shape Hook Suspension Rod
7. Example of Suspension Rod Holder/Cup

Tools required:

• Screwdriver
• T-Shape Wrench

Costs involved:

• Suspension Rod Holder/Cup (4pcs) = US$4.00

DIY Series 47: Laptop CMOS Battery (CR2032)

CMOS batteries can last from 3-10 years. However, just like any other consumable item, they need to be replaced at some point.

Symptoms:

• CMOS checksum is invalid
• CMOS Reset (502)

Findings:

• CMOS Battery need to be replaced

Photos:

• Error Message during Power ON
• Condition of old CMOS Battery

 

Tools required:

• Screwdriver

Costs involved:

• CMOS Battery (CR2032) = US$0.10 ~ US$0.30

DIY Series 46: Samsung Fridge Not Cooling

Symptoms:

• Samsung Fridge is not cooling

Findings:

• When power OFF and ON again, compressor is not working
• There is no switching sound at the back of fridge after power ON

Photos:

1. Example for Samsung Fridge (Model: RT30MASS)
2. Circuit Block Diagram & location of Defrost Timer
3. Turn the Defrost Timer to RESET it, you will hear "tuck" sound

Tools required:

• Screwdriver

Costs involved:

• NIL

Note:

• In case of the Defrost Timer is still not working after reset, replace it with a new unit
• New Defrost Timer: US$3.50 ~ US$4.50

[Update] 2023-11-09

• After merely more than 1 week, the Defrost Timer is malfunction again.
• Hence, new part (TD-20C) is needed as replacement part.

Photos:

1. Look for the small box at the back of fridge, detach it from the fridge.
2. Open up the cover of the box.
3. Removed the broken Defrost Timer from its location.
4. Replacement done. Broken part was taken out.
5. Turn the Defrost Timer slightly to activate it, you will hear "tuck" sound.

DIY Series 45: Alpha EVO-i Fixing (Test/Reset & Heater)

Symptoms:

• Test and Reset Button for ELCB trip check is not working
• Heater LED is not ON, thus heater is not working

Findings:

• Test & Reset Board (Board Model: SW-G) is malfunction
• ELCB Board (Board Model: E2N) is malfunction

Photos:

1. Block Diagram of Alpha EVO-i Water Heater
2. Location of malfunction board (ELCB Board: E2N)
3. Location of malfunction board (Test & Reset Board: SW-G)
4. Faulty Push Button Switches of "Test" & "Reset"
5. Faulty Parts on ELCB Board (Electrolytic Cap 470uF, CBB21 1uF, Varistor 14D471K)

Video (After Fixing):

• 0:00:08: Testing on Test / Reset Button
• 0:00:13: Testing on Heater LED ON
• 0:00:23: Testing on Test / Reset Button
• 0:00:28: Testing on Heater LED OFF
• 0:00:40: Testing on water supply cut-off, Heater LED OFF
• 0:00:42: Testing on water supply resume, Heater LED ON

Tools required:

• Screwdriver
• Soldering Tools
• Multimeter
• Plier

Costs involved:

• Push Button Switches (2pcs): US$0.05 x 2 = US$0.10
• Electrolytic Cap 470uF: US$0.10
• Varistor 14D471K: US$0.10
• CBB21 1uF (105J630V): US$0.35

Note:

• New ELCB Board (Model: E2N): US$18 ~ US$20
• E2N Board suitable for Model RS-E, EVO-i, EVO-E, X5-E, X5-i, EZY-i, FX-i.
• New Alpha EVO-i Water Heater: US$100 ~ US$120

DIY Series 44: Mini Vespa (Toys Motorbike) Battery Replacement

Symptoms:

• Unable to power on even charging for long hours. Suspect battery is aging.

Findings:

• Battery is at low voltage level (below 3V)

Photos:

1. Example of Mini Vespa (toys motorbike)
2. Unscrew the screw on the battery compartment cover
3. Detached the battery from the battery terminals (+ & -)
4. Check the battery voltage level using multimeter
5. Get the battery info and source for replacement battery
6. Check the new battery voltage level before installing
7. Connect both battery terminals (+ & -) and sealed it using hot glue gun

Tools required:

• Screwdriver
• Multimeter
• Plier
• Hot glue gun

Costs involved:

• Rechargeable Sealed Lead Acid Battery (6V 4.5Ah): US$3 ~ US$5

DIY Series 43: Hitachi Washing Machine (SF-110LJ) Error Code C9

Symptoms:

• Old Hitachi Washing Machine (SF-110LJ) is having Error Code (C9)

Findings:

• Suspect Lid Lock / Door Lock is malfunction

Photos:

1. Location of lid lock / door lock mechanism
2. Error Code C9 was displayed on the screen
3. Unscrew top cover screw at left side
4. Another 3 screws (right side, and at the back)
5. Open up the top cover, unscrew 4 screws
6. Location of the lid lock / door lock
7. Detached the 4 cables attached to the lid lock / door lock
8. Unscrew 2 screws to remove the lid lock / door lock
9. Replacement Part: NTCY001CC3 (OEM Part)

Tools required:

• Screwdriver, plier

Costs involved:

• NTCY001CC3 (OEM Part) for Hitachi SF-110LJ: US$15

DIY Series 42: Pensonic Slow Cooker (PSC-301) Malfunction

Symptoms:

• All status LEDs (Low, Auto, High) are working fine when Power ON, but slow cooker is not heating up.

Findings:

• Found that the thermistor is having open circuit.
• This thermistor should be NC (Normally Closed) by default.

Photos:

1. Turn the slow cooker upside down to start to dismantle the external housing
2. Unscrew the center nut (1st nut)
3. Unscrew the 2 screws of power cord
4. Remove the power cord cover so that the power cord is easily pull out (when needed)
5. Remove the knob cover
6. Remove the nut under the knob cover using plier
7. Push the knob into the housing
8. Remove the inner metal base pot from the external housing
9. Unscrew 2nd nut from the screw to take out the Earth Line
10. Unscrew 3rd nut to remove the thermistor (use plier) and check using multimeter, replace with new thermistor (for this case)
11. Thermistor: KSD301, 250V, 10A, 150°C. (Original part was 145°C)
12. Info on NC (Normally Closed) and NO (Normally Open)

Tools required:

• Screwdriver
• Multimeter
• Plier

Costs involved:

Thermistor (KSD-301, 250V, 10A, 150 Degree Celsius, NC): 

• Online Store: US$1 ~ US$2
• Physical Store: US$2 ~ US$3