4 ms·
PCBs, sensors, and switches seem to cover most failure modes of modern appliances. I try to minimize the number of each in every purchase. My favorite recent b
by yojo 4y ago
PCBs, sensors, and switches seem to cover most failure modes of modern appliances. I try to minimize the number of each in every purchase.
My favorite recent buy was a Victory range hood with mechanical switches and no PCB. More like this please.
- bombcar 4y agoIt's triply annoying as the computers in these devices absolutely pale in comparison to a Raspberry Pi - it would be nice if all appliances used one general purpose board that could be easily sourced; as it is nobody will pay $750 for a control board to fix a washer when a brand new one is less.
- Nextgrid 4y agoThe $750 price tag means that either someone is getting ridiculously rich and/or the prices are artificially inflated in order to discourage repair. There's no reason a board with a few relays or MOSFETs and the processing power of a pocket calculator should cost much more than a Raspberry Pi.
- sudosysgen 4y agoIt's probably because the new models have incompatible boards and there is a small stockpile of that model left.
- bombcar 4y agoIt's exactly this - once the line stops making the boards, they stockpile the remainder for warranty support and as that supply dwindles the price begins to skyrocket.
- juve1996 4y agoThese problems exist because we no longer live in an economy with true competition. Look at the post about Whirlpool owning almost all major appliance brands I see at best buy.
- s0rce 4y agoI hate all the electronics on ovens/stoves, my brother needed a new one and I found a Canadian company called Unique that makes them without electronics (and some models for propane use off grid).
- axiolite 4y ago> PCBs, sensors, and switches seem to cover most failure modes of modern appliances. I try to minimize the number of each in every purchase. Digital thermostats are far more reliable than mechanical ones, as well as more consistent. There are surely other cases where solid state electronics (which have PCBs) replacing mechanical systems have improved the reliability of appliances. So your rule of thumb is surely contrary to reality.
- yojo 4y agoAnecdata, but most of my expensive appliance repairs have been from a board frying. Replacing a standard thermocouple is trivial. Replacing a PCB may not even be possible if the part isn’t being produced. Doesn’t mean you’re wrong, but I’d still rather have the thermocouple in most cases.
- atoav 4y ago> PCBs, sensors, and switches seem to cover most failure modes of modern appliances. Let's not forget about software in these IoT times. Yes there is a phone app. But will it be there in 10 years?