Dryer Dies Due to a 12-Cent Resistor

The AEG Lavatherm 58860 tumble dryer we received from my son was only 4 years old when it failed. An IC on the switching power supply in the motor controller broke down. I found a short circuit in the switching FET of that IC. As a result, the full charge of the buffer capacitor of 330uF, charged to about 340V, was discharged through the short which caused an electric arc. The arc burned the printed circuit board heavily in two places and evaporated a small SMD series resistor of unknown value.

The cost of parts was $1.40 for the IC, and 12 cents for the resistor that evaporated. The manufacturer, AEG/Electrolux/Zanussi, had failed to place a fuse in a circuit that was working at about 340V rectified mains voltage. The absence of a fuse was probably intended to cut costs. But the lack of a fuse allowed this damage. Not only did it destroy the circuit board, it could have started a fire, especially in a tumble dryer with the inevitable presence of dust and lint.

The normal repair procedure for this type of defect from AEG/Electrolux/Zanussi was the replacement of the full printed circuit board module, which costs $315. The repair had to be carried out by an official technician, with transport charges of $110 and probably one hour of an hourly rate of at least $75. That would bring the total repair to about $500. The machine only cost $775 four years ago.

The manufacturer refused to deliver the service documentation, or even replace the 12-cent value of the resistor that evaporated. I think there should be a legal requirement that manufacturers provide information necessary to repair their equipment for at least 10 years after the last device of that type is produced or sold. On previous repairs of other brands of equipment I was always able to obtain the service documentation, often for free, through the website of the manufacturer, or through websites that offer such documentation, sometimes for a small fee. Not with this monkey.

Tell us your experiences with monkey-designed products. Send stories to Jennifer Campbell for Made by Monkeys.

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