Archive for November, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

A very Happy Thanksgiving to you! I appreciate you guys!

Way back in November ’04, I wrote an article on oven temperature calibration that I thought might be helpful right about now. The link is below… 

If your oven burns the cookies or always takes longer than Betty C. says it should, this article should help, especially with ‘analog’, non-electronic oven thermostats. 

Most electronic oven controls adjust, too, but the procedure’s different for each version, so you’ll want to check the owner’s manual for yours. Most newer manuals include it. And be sure to use an electronic, remote-sensing thermometer. They’re no longer expensive, and very handy for a lot of other jobs, too.  

http://www.DavesRepair.com/DIYhelp/oventempadj.htm

Hope that’s helpful, and that you and yours have a terrific Thanksgiving!

Warmly,
Dave Harnish
Dave’s Repair Service
New Albany, PA
www.DavesRepair.com

John 3:3

With New Refrigerators Lasting 5-6 Years, I’m Ready to Retire!

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

Happy Veterans’ Day!

Vets + flag

I’ve been a professional appliance service technician for 37 years as of December first, and two weeks ago I walked away from my first refrigerator ever, giving up in disgust. I think it’s time to retire and just concentrate on the website full-time. It’s nearly full-time anyway, and I’m having a *blast* helping you do-it-yourself’ers with your appliance problems. Not to mention how much fun it is staying up here on the mountain every day with Gracie, and not burning $3 gasoline.

A well-known ‘offshore’ brand, this beast refrigerator ‘takes the cake’ for most ‘whistles and bells’. With a huge ‘motherboard’, nearly full-width keypad, all kinds of audio output, 7 thermistors sensing temperatures everywhere, 3 tiny low-torque 12 volt DC, variable-speed fan motors, and mostly metric hardware! And no service manual available anywhere that I can find. Amazing!

I’ve done electrical work all of my life, trained in and serviced electronics over the years, but this is really getting ridiculous. All this to refrigerate food?

I’ve mentioned this in a recent DRSNews issue, but if you’re buying, or recently purchased, a new refrigerator, budget for another one in about 5 years. I say that not to be nasty or cynical in any way, it’s just a plain, but sad, fact. They’re not lasting much longer than that. With their tiny lowest-bidder-sourced compressors, they use very little energy, but are filling up landfills fast!

Yep, think I’ll retire from in-home service. ‘Need more time to hunt, anyway.  

God bless,
Dave Harnish
www.DavesRepair.com

Nehemiah 9:6

Welcome to the DavesRepair.com Blog!

Monday, November 9th, 2009

Glad you could stop by! After publishing the ‘DRSNews’ ezine since May 2002, I’m just getting started with blogging. (In fact, you’re reading my very first post!) To be honest, I’ve been getting a bit bored with writing an email newsletter every month. And maybe, just maybe, my subscribers are getting tired of the same old email format, too!  Either way, let’s give this a try!