Radio Netherlands Worldwide

I am a retired electrical engineer and have on numerous occasion repaired an electrical appliance despite warnings by serviceman that the item cannot be repaired due to lack of spare parts The way not is to get a serviceman working for a firm supplying new equipment Some Examples are 1. A Carrier ducted air conditioning unit burned out fan coil motor was replaced and available from Carrier for the same or similar motor assembly 2. A Carrier ducted air conditioning unit noisy compressor motor assembly was replaced with a similar unit fitted by a servicemen who is good at fitting units by modifying the compressor interior to fit the new unit The cost of a new unit was 3 times the cost of the repairs. However the technician claimed the old air conditioning unit to be in good condition and capable of outlasting the warranttee period of a new unit . The new units only last as long as the warrantte period after which no more spare parts are available for repair of many electronic assemblies which cannot be replaced with similar units. 3. A washing machine faulty cold water valve which the serviceman claimed was not available and in any case he claimed the new units are very cheap and will be more economical than continuous repairs. The valve was available and replaced and the unit has been working without breaking down for 3 years well beyond the warrantte of a new washing machine after which spare part not available and cannot be replaced because they are electronic components which must be replaced with the original component 4. A dishwasher with a faulty pressure valve switch, I had two serviceman who could not locate the fault and recommended that I buy a new machine I looked at the circuit diagram and determined the fault; purchased a new valve and also repaired the old one. This was a year ago with the same argument applicable as above re warranttee period and lack of or equivalent spare parts after this period In addition repairing a unit saves a lot of pollution by disposing an old unit and manufacturing a new unit The argument that new units are energy saving is negated by the pollution created when replacing it with a new unit