Replace or repair microwave?

Gdetrailer wrote:

Chum lee wrote:
Fitment issues are another reason to fix your current unit. Not all popular economical residential microwaves (read cheap) will fit conveniently in your RV without cabinet/venting modifications. The plot thickens . . . . .

Chum lee

Nope, "fitment" IS NOT A "GOOD REASON" to fix an OLD WORN OUT MICROWAVE OVEN, PERIOD.

Magnetrons are not cheap and getting the RIGHT Magnetron may even be impossible.

Kind of doubtful that the Magnetron is bad, but between the high voltage diode, high voltage transformer and the control board you can easily rack up several hundred dollars in parts IF you can find the parts that you could guess at and throw money at and not find the real source of the fuse blowing.

SCRAP THE STUPID THING, then move on.

The voltages inside a microwave oven coupled with a high wattage microwave transmitter tube, what could possibly go wrong with having a novice non electronic person rummaging around inside..

A new microwave oven now days can often be had for $50 or less and if you watch the sale adds for Christmas I would bet you could find one for a tick over $30 right now.

Microwaves now days are designed to be throwaway devices and the price reflects this (except stuff for "RV and Boats", those parts ALWAYS stay expensive). Most manufacturers do not keep any repair inventory, so once a model goes out of production it is toast if a control board goes bad.

Remove the old micro, then build a shelf where the built in sat, a couple of strategic screws into the microwave using any preexisting screw holes in the new micro can often be used to fashion a bracket mount.

Then you can use some wood molding to finish the shelf opening.

If you have an integrated range hood, you can buy NEW RV RANGE HOODS, build a shelf and mount the range hood under the shelf then mount the new home micro to the shelf.

HERE is a Amazon search for RV Range hoods, $60 and up gets you a Range hood.

Some folks have also gutted the old Micro from the integrated range hood/micro and fitted a new home micro in place with pretty good results.

The beauty of replacing with a home micro should be obvious, once the conversion work has been done replacing the micro in the future becomes child's play and cheap.. Not to mention can buy a new home unit anywhere.

I have a dislike for those built in combo devices like rangehood/micro because when one part dies you have a real expensive doorstop that is not easy or cheap to replace.

Relax, take your medication, reread my post(s), and all the other relevant posts in this thread. Please don't put words in my mouth. I never said it WAS the magnetron. I simply said it could be. I also said that older microwaves usually aren't worth fixing. The OP never said the microwave was worn out. He said it doesn't work and he found a blown fuse, which, when replaced, promptly blew again. I have no idea how handy the OP is and what tools are available to him. If $10.00 and a trip to a local electronics shop along with an hour of time are potential solutions, without having to do any cabinet work to fit a different microwave, well then, . . . that is an option. So is replacing the unit. White noise starts now . . . .

Chum lee