Microwave parts sources

FWFW, in the past I've had generally good luck finding a wide range of parts at http://www.searspartsdirect.com/- doesn't have to be Sears products. Just put in a model number to see what they have.

Just replaced mine with an identical one from Walmart.
$46US.

Replacement is the way of the world with microwaves.

A microwave oven story: Back in the infancy of microwave ovens, my wife and I purchased an Amana Radar range oven. It failed almost exactly 15 years from the date of purchase. While we were shopping for a replacement, I happened to converse with a sales person about electronics. I mentioned that 15 years was kind of short for something built as well as the Amana and the price. "Sure", he said, "and your new Sharp Carousel won't last any longer, probably less due to mfg. process and quality control. Just look at the price, though. The Sharp is 1/4 of what you paid for the Amana". I couldn't argue with his reasoning but I'm happy to say that the Sharp is still working at least 10 years from date of purchase. Sometimes, you just get lucky.

mrgreetis wrote:
Thanks for all the responses. I'm leaning toward just getting a new one and pulling the rest apart for who knows what. I will keep looking.
I am aware of the magnetron power supply (Capacitor) issues. I worked on Navy radar systems years ago. This unit at least had a bleeder resistor on the capacitor. But I did check for voltage across the cap's terminals.
Thanks again.

If you happen to have a Ham Radio license, save it for parts: :B There was an article in I think 73 magazine ages ago about a ham who built a ham radio microwave transmitter for ham television. The frequency was in the same microwave band that hams can use! Imagine--A kilowatt! Don't stand too close to the waveguide :E

keep the MOT and diode if you junk the unit, handy parts to have if you need to build a high current battery charger

Thanks for all the responses. I'm leaning toward just getting a new one and pulling the rest apart for who knows what. I will keep looking.
I am aware of the magnetron power supply (Capacitor) issues. I worked on Navy radar systems years ago. This unit at least had a bleeder resistor on the capacitor. But I did check for voltage across the cap's terminals.
Thanks again.

Appliance repair parts seem to generally be either very affordable or else extremely expensive/unavailable, based on my handful of forays into fixing my appliances. I'm not sure why there seems to be little middle ground.

In this case, I think I agree with Gdetrailer. The door switch is very much a safety part on the microwave, and a failed substitution could be quite dangerous (or could cause other problems in the oven). While there are some repairs to microwaves that can be cost-effective, they're rather limited for cheap units and certainly it's not worth risking one's health/safety/eyesight by kludging something together. (The eyes are particularly susceptible to microwave radiation damage.)

Incidentally, microwaves are among the most dangerous of home appliances to repair due to the magnetron power supply, which is capable of providing high voltage (kilovolts) at a fairly substantial current (a significant fraction of an amp).

mrgreetis wrote:
This is not specifically an RV question, but there have been threads about simple repairs to a non-functioning microwave and how fixing would be cheaper than buying new. This might be of help to someone else in the future.
In our S&B I have an inexpensive Emerson microwave, bought at Walmart probably 8 years ago. It recently stopped working - timer works, no rotation, no heating. I took off the cover, checked the door switches and found a bad one. Just replace the microswitch; simple, right? Part is no longer available at appliance repair shops through their part catalogs. Also out of stock on amazon. Just doing a Google search brings up AliBaba (china) where I can order (minimum of 200 or 1000). I did find ereplacementparts.com, but they don't have a listing for my switch.
Are there any other sources for these switches? They look pretty generic, and they're relatively cheap, but buying one "just to see if it works" isn't very frugal on retirement income. Thanks in advance for any input.

Mike

Sorry, as a electronics repair tech of too many years I would recommend just junking the microwave..

While there may be similar looking microswitches only the CORRECT DIRECT replacement door switch should be used..

This IS a safety item, that door switch is there to protect YOU the user from microwave radiation..

Using the factory specified part is the only way to ensure the switch is in the correct place and has the correct on/off action.. Any other switch may not have the correct fit or action which would leave you possibly exposed to microwave RF if the switch doesn't act quick enough..

Microwaves are dirt cheap, your life.. Not so much..

$40 will easily buy a NEW microwave with a warranty.. If $40 is going to break your bank then you may want to rethink the RV/camping thing..

There is a place and time for being cheap and DIY, just not really a good idea with microwaves..

Even myself, I have repaired TVs, stereos, sat systems, computers, power supplies and plenty of other items that can have hazards.. I don't bother with microwaves.. most parts are hard to find and when you do find them they are expensive..

Might try these folks in Boise,

Capitol Refrigeration & Appliance
4585 Emerald St
Boise, ID 83706
Phone: (208)345-2739 or toll free (800)998-2739
Fax: (208)345-2745