On the Ragged Mountain Ski Area Summit
Ragged Mountain hike,
swattin’ skeeters, pickin’ ticks.
Makes me miss winter.
Hello,
Ref: 13 Year old Maytag Electric dryer……
My dryer has just started making a noise / rumble only during
start-up…. The noise go’s
away one the dryer comes up to operating RPM’s…..— The belt, Tension pulley, or wheels have never been changed…..
Can you advise what maybe causing this noise on startup ? I can then
order the parts.Thanks
Tom Kern
Ah yes, the mysterious rumbling dryer. The cause of this noise has eluded many do-it-yourselfers. But St. Applianopoulos, the patron saint of appliance repair, has led you here to the Oracle of Appliance Enlightenment® for further illumination. The problem is not the belt, idler pulley, or drum rollers. It’s the blower wheel, shown here to the right–click the picture for larger view.
What happens is that the hub of this plastic blower wheel eventually wallows out on the metal shaft and no longer makes a tight fit. That’s why you hear it rumbling when the motor shaft starts spinning the wheel from a dead stop. Once the blower wheel is spinning at the same speed as the motor shaft, the noise goes away. Likewise, when the motor stops, the blower wheel’s momentum causes it to again spin at a different speed than the shaft and the noise reoccurs. Replacing this blower is an easy repair, not even two mugs on the SUDS-o-meter.
To make this repair, you’ll first need to disassemble the dryer to get access to the blower wheel. To remove the old blower wheel and secure the new one in place, you’ll need a pair of external snap-ring pliers. If someone else reading this has a Magic Chef dryer, same deal applies. You’ll need to order a slightly different blower wheel, shown here to the left.
That’s about all there is to this bit of rocket science. Now go fix your dryer!
To learn more about your dryer, or to order parts, click here.
I got back home late last night from the hike from hell. I grabbed a Sapporo and checked email to read about the latest broken things in the world only to find my inbox jammed with emails from irate Icelanders who had mysteriously discovered my dossier on my web server. The weird thing about this is that I don’t have any links at my website to this document that so inflamed the Icelanders. I’ve read that Google can spider pages that are not linked–if you have unlinked pages lurking on your server, Googblebots will sniff ’em out.
So what of this irksome dossier? Well, it’s just a sophomoric piece I wrote several years ago that clumsily recounted major events from my adolescence through my years in the Navy, college, and my engineering career. If you’re morbidly curious, you can read the offending document at this URL: http://fixitnow.com/dossier.htm — I’m not writing it as a hot link because I don’t want to help Googlebots index it. It’s not very interesting or well-written but the Icelanders took umbrage at my description of the time I spent in Iceland while on active duty in the Navy. I’d like to thank all my new Icelandic friends for taking the time to correct me on a few key points I raised in the dossier.
For example, I wrote that Icelandic fathers commonly bed their daughters. But many Icelanders have written to inform me that this old custom has been largely replaced by the new custom of strangling puppies. Thank goodness! I mean, what kind of life could a puppy have huddled on a frozen rock in the North Atlantic sea? Those poor puppies would be condemned to a life of shivering boredom, with nothing to do for fun but lay around licking their own backsides. It’s great to hear that a degenerate and self-indulgent custom is being displaced by selfless acts of mercy and compassion for such vulnerable creatures.
Another point the Icelanders objected to was my call to use Iceland as a nuclear testing ground. This, of course, is such a ridiculous notion that it doesn’t even warrant a serious response. The radioactive fallout from such a campaign would very likely contaminate unintended targets, such as Canada. And I really like Canadian beer, especially Kokanee beer. When we were backpacking in the Canadian Rockies, we would buy Kokanee beer by the case–damn good stuff!
Uhhh….what were we talking about? Ah, hell, it doesn’t matter. How ’bout another brewski? Here’s to Iceland!
I did this hike three years ago with some friends and remember it being long (17 miles), exciting (on the open summit of South Kinsman in pouring rain with lightning bolts striking all around us) but not especially painful. Three years ago, it was a long day hiking adventure in the White Mountains. This time, it kicked my sweet derriere up one side of the mountain and down the other.
I started at the Beaver Brook trailhead on Route 112 (“the Kanc”) accompanied, as always, by my three-year old, semper fi German Shepherd hiking partner, Ouzo (a.k.a., Bubba) and we headed north on the Kinsman Ridge Trail. This is a rugged, rocky section of the Appalachian Trail (AT) with lots of ups and downs going over three major White Mountain peaks: Mt. Wolf, South Kinsman, and North Kinsman, the latter two being 4,000 footers. The weather was much more cooperative this time, beautiful partly cloudy skies with temps in the low 70’s in the valleys and pleasantly cooler on the summits.
By the time we summitted South Kinsman, I started having doubts about being physically able to finish this hike–and we still had over six miles to go. These kind of thoughts are like a nuclear bomb on a long hike. Endurance hiking is about 30% physical and 70% mental. The body does what the mind believes. When doubts are allowed to take root, it’s game over. So, I did what any seasoned endurance hiker does when fighting mental demons: I called my wife on my cell phone and whimpered…in a manly way, of course. She offered to have a helicopter fly up to the summit to pick me up. This sounded like an excellent plan and I asked her how much time I had to take a nap before the chopper arrived. Turns out she was just teasing me and then proceeded to encourage me onward in her special way, calling me her “leetle girly-man.”
So, after that inspirational pep talk with the spousal unit, Bubba and I continued our northerly trek down South Kinsman, up North Kinsman, and then down the other side. At Kinsman Pond, we picked up the Fishin’ Jimmy Trail and tripped and stumbled for two miles to the AMC Lonesome Lake hut. Lots of treacherous ice patches on the upper half of the Fishin’ Jimmy Trail and I took some award-winning tumbles. Even Bubba, the most nimble and powerful canine hiker I’ve ever met, slipped a few times. At the hut, we picked up the Cascade Brook Trail and hiked to the Basin Cascade Trail. After eight hours of almost non-stop hiking, we joyously rendezvoused with the spousal unit and reproductive units as we were schlepping down the Basin Cascade Trail, about a mile from the Basin parking area. It was a Hollywood moment.
By the time we made it down to the van at the Basin parking area, it was about 7pm. We fed Bubba, piled into the Chevy Momma van and drove down to the Beaver Brook trailhead on the Kanc to pick up my Ford Econoline trailhog. Then we caravanned across the Kanc to the Shell station in Lincoln for Subway sandwiches and, of course, the essential post-hike medication, Sapporo beer. This hike required lots and lots of beer…all for legitimate medicinal use, of course. And all the more reason to give generously to my favorite charity, The United Samurai Beer Fund.
Happy Trails!
As you know, the air conditioner in Hell breaks down with annoying regularity. Many fine service technicians have tried to repair it–many have died. The Samurai’s world-class reputation for his superb repairing skills extends even into the bowels of the underworld. The other day, a low-level demonic bureaucrat summoned the Samurai to Hell to repair their air conditoner. Naturally, I was not inclined to accept the job but, well, let’s just say they made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. So, I hopped in my handbasket and took the highway to Hell. Let’s listen to this rare audio clip of the Samurai practicing his enlightened repairing art while servicing Hell’s air conditioner:
Was the Samurai’s repair successful? Let’s just hope you don’t find out! 
Got a Whirlpool or Kenmore Calypso washer that’s giving you an FL or CE or some other error code? Find out what that pesky code means and how to whomp-up on that bad boy in this genuine Whirlpool repair manual for the Calypso washer. This is the real deal written by the manufacturer of this washer, not some third-party. With over 60 pages of detailed technical information, photographs, diagrams, and illustrations, you’ll be able to easily do any repair on your Calypso washer using this manual. It’s written in a clear, easy-to-understand style so that even if you’re a technical neophyte, you can easily handle even the most complex repairs on this washer. All this for less than 20 bucks! Come git you one!
While you’re at it, come get manuals for all your other appliances, too.
A fellow appliantologist sent me this list of cool things to do with a sheet of Bounce. And all this time you’ve just been putting Bounce in the dryer. Bounce this to a friend!
Headin’ Out
audio post powered by audblog
On Bondcliff Summit
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The Triumphant Return
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If you’re repairing or installing a major appliance in your home, you’ll need to know what the electrical requirements are for that appliance. The most important things to know are the amp rating of the circuit breaker and the size wire needed. The table below lists electrical requirements for major household appliances. Also, be sure to check out these related links for more information:
| Appliance | Voltage Requirement [1] | Circuit Breaker Amp Rating [2] | Wire Gauge | Comments |
| Gas Range | 120 volts | 15 amps | #14 gauge | A 20 amp circuit may be used but requires #12 gauge wire. The outlet must be properly grounded and polarized or the spark module will not work properly–more information on this here. |
| Electric Range | 240 volts | 40 amps | #8 gauge | A 50 amp circuit may be used but requires #6 gauge wire. |
| Gas Dryer | 120 volts | 15 amps | #14 gauge | #12 gauge wire is preferred. |
| Electric Dryer | 240 volts | 30 amps | #10 gauge (minimum) | |
| Refrigerator | 120 volts | 15 amps | #14 gauge (minimum) | #12 gauge wire is preferred. A separate (dedicated) circuit serving this appliance is recommended. |
| Washing Machine | 120 volts | 15 amps | #14 gauge | A 20 amp circuit may be used but #12 gauge wire is required. Because of water conditions found in a laundry room, a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlet might also be considered. |
| Dishwasher | 120 volts | 15 amps | #14 gauge | For dishwashers without temperature boost, a 15 amp circuit may be used. Dishwashers with temperature boost should be wired on a 20 amp circuit and #12 gauge wire is required. A separate (dedicated) circuit serving this appliance is recommended. |
| Microwave | 120 volts | 15 amps | #14 gauge | A 20 amp circuit may be used but #12 gauge wire is required. A separate (dedicated) circuit serving this appliance is recommended. |
Notes:
[1] Values given are nominal voltages. All voltages listed are alternating current (AC) at 60 Hz.
[2] Fuses with the same amp rating as the listed circuit breakers may also be used.
Yes, Grasshopper, now you, too, can receive the Samurai’s secret pearls of appliance wisdom delivered to your email in a discreet brown wrapper. Taunt your friends and delight your enemies with your amazing new knowledge! Just enter your email address below. And, no, the Samurai would never stoop to selling your email address and you can opt out at any time.
Many grasshoppers often ask me, “Oh, most wise and beloved Samurai, which appliances use the most power and what can be done to make them more efficient?” To which I sagely reply, “Look, I’m Samurai Appliance Repair Man, not a friggin’ power meter. How ’bout you measure the power usage of your appliances yourself?” Yes, grasshopper, until recently, power consumption test instruments were very expensive. However, a new product called the Kill-a-Watt meter, can help you determine which appliance is hogging the most energy in your home.
Is your refrigerator running too much, or is your window air conditioner causing your electric bill to skyrocket? With the Kill-a-Watt meter, you can determine energy usage of any standard household appliance that plugs into a 110 volt outlet.
Refrigerators use a lot of power — between 300 and 500 watts while running. If the condenser coil is dirty, or the door gaskets are torn, they’ll use even more. Check the efficiency of your refrigerator and other appliances regularly, and clean or maintain them as needed to make sure they’re running as efficiently as possible.
You can also use the Kill-a-Watt meter to check computers, table lamps and most other devices that plug into standard wall receptacles. You’ll learn many devices, such as TVs and stereos, actually use energy when they’re turned off.
The Kill-a-Watt meter costs less than $30. This is a small price to pay to potentially save hundreds of dollars in electricity over time. Come git you one!
Sir:
I have a 1997 KitchenAid top freezer refrigerator, 22cf. It cools, it freezes but periodically (every three to four weeks)ice forms in the plenum between the freezer and refrigerator and blocks cold air from the freezer being blown into the refrig. Seems like an automatic defrost issue but I’m not sure. Model is KTLS22QDWHO. Help!
Barry_______________________________
The above message was sent when you were offline, via your LivePerson site.Message sent from IP: 67.33.214.144
Sounds like the condensate drain is plugging up causing the condensate to backup and freeze in the plenum. More information and the recommended fix in this Whirlpool service update.
Broken appliance?
Don’t wanna spend much money?
Suspicious of greedy repairmen?
Call Monkey Boy Appliance Repair!
1-800-MONKEYS
Appliance broken but you don’t want to hire one of those over-priced, greedy repairmen just to replace a simple part? Then don’t! Put your wallet at ease by calling for a genuine parts-changing monkey from Monkey Boy Appliance Repair.
At Monkey Boy, we absolutely guarantee that you’ll never get one of those greedy, overpriced humans…because we don’t have any! All Monkey Boy parts changers are imported directly from the deepest jungles of Africa and then genetically tested to ensure that they are 100% genuine simians, free of any traces of human genetic material.
Then, we put all our verified, 100%-pure monkeys through a proprietary 30-minute training program on changing appliance parts using, not one, but three different hammers! And some of our fully-trained monkeys may even be housebroken, too!
Just think, you could have your appliance fixed right now by a fully-trained and possibly-housebroken Monkey Boy parts-changing monkey. And, best of all, Monkey Boy Appliance Repair caters to special customers just like you so you know our prices are cheap, cheap, cheap!
If you have a broken appliance, don’t just call the first human bubba you find in the Yellow Pages. Call Monkey Boy! Monkey Boy parts changers are here lounging around, eating bananas and scratching themselves while awaiting your call so, please…
Call Monkey Boy now!
1-800-MONKEYS
Because you deserve the very cheapest appliance repair.
Disclaimer: Proven effective in laboratory experiments. Not responsible for bites or scratches inflicted on occupants at the home. Keep away from pets and small children. Monkeys may suddenly fling feces without provocation. Avoid contact with skin. Don’t quote me on that. Don’t quote me on anything. Other restrictions may apply. No warranty, express or implied, regarding the efficacy of the repair or the quality of the workmanship. Generally speaking, you get what you pay for.
Your appliance is broken and your repair quest has brought you to Fixitnow.com. Your knees wobble and your bowels rumble as you contemplate doing the repair yourself. Since he is omniscient (and he knows it), the Samurai hears your question before you even ask it: “What am I in for if I decide to do this repair myself?”
Introducing Samurai’s User-friendly Difficulty Scale (SUDS). Created just for Fixitnow.com Grasshoppers, the Samurai has developed a proprietary scale for rating the difficulty of appliance repairs. SUDS is based on the universally-understood six-pack: the more difficult a repair task is, the more suds it takes to get through it. So now, when I’m helping you do a repair, either in the Appliantology Group or in Live Help, I can quantify the difficulty of the repair task that lies before you using a scale we can all understand: SUDS. Simple. Intuitive. Fermented. That’s the Samurai Way.
After you complete your repair using the myriad resources at Fixitnow.com or the Appliantology Group, you can return the favor and help the Samurai maintain his own supply of suds by giving to the United Samurai Beer Fund. Cheers!
| SAMURAI’S USER-FRIENDLY DIFFICULTY SCALE (SUDS) for assessing appliance repair task difficulty |
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|---|---|
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Cake walk. You’ll be done before your beer gets warm. This is simple stuff that requires few, if any, tools and almost no electrical skills. |
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Not too bad, but you’ll need a refill on your beer. You’ll only need ordinary tools, nothing specialized. You may need a multimeter to make a simple continuity check. |
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You’ll need a little buzz to get through this one. Basic set of common tools and some specialty tools required. If it’s an electrical problem, you’ll need your multimeter and the wiring diagram. |
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Get the kids out of earshot, adult language forthcoming. Settle in and get ready to spend some time on this one. No quick fix here, Hoss. |
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A third arm growing out of the middle of your chest would be helpful. Time and pain, that’s what you’re in for here. If it’s an electrical problem, get ready for a brain teaser. If mechanical, you’ll be giving libations of your own blood from the skin scraped off your knuckles. |
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What were the engineers smoking when they designed this damn thing? When you’re done with this one, you’ll probably want to hunt down the sadists who designed your appliance so you can give them a taste of the living hell they put you through. |
Now you can get each of the Samurai’s pearls of wisdom as they’re unleashed, er, I mean, released to the web. Yep, you can use your flavorite RSS reader to scoop up the latests pearls without ever having to actually click over to Fixitnow.com. Now how fain�ant is that? It’s even easier if you have a My Yahoo page. Just click here and all the latest posts here at the Samurai School of Appliantology will show up right on your My Yahoo page. Oh, it’s tres cool. Oui, papa.
