Simple home DIY repairs

[Lala81]

On 1/30/2024 at 7:55 PM, Lala81 said:

Wife noted some mould growing on my girls taobao bookshelf and underneath some wooden stools. Probably due to the wet weather in Dec and early Jan. 

Just did 1 layer of the varnish.  too lazy for a 2nd coat. 

got my wife to do another coat for the cupboard this am, since aesthetically doesnt look that good.

we had no turpentine in the house. my wife has some nail polish remover (acetone), so we used tt to dissolve the residue from the brush (yesterday didn't realise we have acetone).

leave it outdoors for a few more days for the smell to dissipate. 

Edited January 31, 2024 by Lala81

[Ct3833]

On 1/31/2024 at 8:28 AM, Kklee said:

IMHO.

I have a glass table and one of the leg got detached.   What can I use to "glue" it back ? 
The leg to glass joint is of some metal,  maybe aluminum. 

You check the other three are they using clear glue, if yes then super glue would be the way to go, otherwise, those 2-part epoxy would provide stronger adhesion but they are not transparent. 

Edited January 31, 2024 by Ct3833

[Vratenza]

Superglue will harden and leave white fumes residue?

On 1/31/2024 at 12:14 PM, Ct3833 said:

You check the other three are they using clear glue, if yes then super glue would be the way to go, otherwise, those 2-part epoxy would provide stronger adhesion but they are not transparent. 

 

[Kklee]

On 1/31/2024 at 12:14 PM, Ct3833 said:

You check the other three are they using clear glue, if yes then super glue would be the way to go, otherwise, those 2-part epoxy would provide stronger adhesion but they are not transparent. 

IMHO.
The glue on the rest are clear.  The one that was detached,  at the edge is some translucent residue.  Maybe I will try those 2-part epoxy.

[Kb27]

So I bought a deWALT cordless drill combo kit, about $230 incl delivery and GST. It came with 2 brushless tools/batteries and a 120Vac charger. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TYKLGZT

I have a 120/230Vac converter but decide to convert the charger to 230Vac.

I saw a few YT video such as this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHn8Hh_tO1M

They replaced with 3 components: MOV, NTC, Capacitor. The first 2 were extras for surge protection. I bought them all, but decide to only replace the capacitor due to my poor eyesight at soldering/desolding. Basically just replaced a 100uF capacitor from 200V to 400V. If not change when plugged into 230Vac, this capacitor will explode.

To remove the casing screws, need T15 security tool.

I bought the more expensive capacitor, made in Japan (Nippon Chemi-con) for $5. China ones sell for $1 or less. I believe better quality, less problem, just replaced once only.

 

Original:

with 200V capacitor

 

After replacement with 400V capacitor, and UK plug.

 

Finally, plug into 230Vac, and it's charging the battery normally. No explosion observed. 

[Fcw75]

[Kb27]

DIY clean aircon FCU

I use Bosch pressure washer with adjustable nozzle

 

Remove FCU casing cover, air filters and vents. Cover a/c, especially the right side where the electricals are. Obviously shutdown electrical power to A/C

 

Using pressure washer, add detergent (cleaner + kao color bleach), first spray, let it soak a few minutes, then finish with water only. I clean rear and front coils, This is the blower after cleaning, looks like new. 😀

 

All the dirt that came out from the cleaning of FCU.

 

A/C is much colder after removing all those dirt, as they act as insulator against the cold air.

Similarly, ice has to be removed from fridge cooling coil, as they act as insulator. Most normal fridge has a auto defroster which does this. For manual fridge, you need to shutdown electricity to let the ice melt.

[Lala81]

On 3/13/2024 at 4:04 PM, Kb27 said:

DIY clean aircon FCU

I use Bosch pressure washer with adjustable nozzle

 

Remove FCU casing cover, air filters and vents. Cover a/c, especially the right side where the electricals are. Obviously shutdown electrical power to A/C

 

Using pressure washer, add detergent (cleaner + kao color bleach), first spray, let it soak a few minutes, then finish with water only. I clean rear and front coils, This is the blower after cleaning, looks like new. 😀

 

All the dirt that came out from the cleaning of FCU.

 

A/C is much colder after removing all those dirt, as they act as insulator against the cold air.

Similarly, ice has to be removed from fridge cooling coil, as they act as insulator. Most normal fridge has a auto defroster which does this. For manual fridge, you need to shutdown electricity to let the ice melt.

The force of the water alone will clean the blower pretty clean. Your oxygen bleach probably more useful for the coils and fins. 

I just clean without power off. 

[Volvobrick]

On 3/5/2024 at 11:19 PM, Fcw75 said:

Yes. And if duct tape doesn't solve the issue, that means you haven't used enough duct tape! 

[Mkl22]

On 3/13/2024 at 4:04 PM, Kb27 said:

DIY clean aircon FCU

I use Bosch pressure washer with adjustable nozzle

 

Remove FCU casing cover, air filters and vents. Cover a/c, especially the right side where the electricals are. Obviously shutdown electrical power to A/C

 

Using pressure washer, add detergent (cleaner + kao color bleach), first spray, let it soak a few minutes, then finish with water only. I clean rear and front coils, This is the blower after cleaning, looks like new. 😀

 

All the dirt that came out from the cleaning of FCU.

 

A/C is much colder after removing all those dirt, as they act as insulator against the cold air.

Similarly, ice has to be removed from fridge cooling coil, as they act as insulator. Most normal fridge has an auto defroster which does this. For manual fridge, you need to shutdown electricity to let the ice melt.

Dont forget the rear coil. It’s small but quite some dirt and dust can gather there. 
 

don’t use any bleach. Just some all purpose cleaner. Dilute it a bit and use spray bottle to spray on. I only used it once. With high pressure and frequent cleaning, just water will do. Been maintaining my Aircon like this for the last 8-10years. No need chem clean, no need to dismantle blower which can cause leaks of refrigerant. 

Edited March 13, 2024 by Mkl22

[Fcw75]

On 3/13/2024 at 6:04 PM, Volvobrick said:

Yes. And if duct tape doesn't solve the issue, that means you haven't used enough duct tape! 

If still doesn’t solve, use the almighty Cable Tie!

Tried and tested by SMRT.

🤣

[Kb27]

On 3/13/2024 at 5:43 PM, Lala81 said:

The force of the water alone will clean the blower pretty clean. Your oxygen bleach probably more useful for the coils and fins. 

I just clean without power off. 

I add to the detergent bottle and clean the rear and front coils and blower, and also the drain pan.

For rear coil, I aim from top downwards at the edge, adjusting the nozzle downwards at an angle.

Previously I cleaned without the detergent, but I realized the detergent helped clean it much better, like turbo-charged, as evidenced by more dirt coming off.

My compressor coil at the rear is in much worse condition. It's covered with blackish dirt, sticky, will not come easily. Kao color bleach clear it easily. So I've always use this in certain situation.

[Mkl22]

On 3/13/2024 at 10:34 PM, Kb27 said:

I add to the detergent bottle and clean the rear and front coils and blower, and also the drain pan.

For rear coil, I aim from top downwards at the edge, adjusting the nozzle downwards at an angle.

Previously I cleaned without the detergent, but I realized the detergent helped clean it much better, like turbo-charged, as evidenced by more dirt coming off.

My compressor coil at the rear is in much worse condition. It's covered with blackish dirt, sticky, will not come easily. Kao color bleach clear it easily. So I've always use this in certain situation.

Do you have any scented candles or burn oils or scents in the room? 

[Kb27]

On 3/13/2024 at 10:46 PM, Mkl22 said:

Do you have any scented candles or burn oils or scents in the room? 

Sometimes I use aromatherapy oil and baby talc powder. I understand these add to the stain on the coil, but it can't be helped. I just have to clean it more often.

[Ct3833]

A roller of my folding door  is badly damaged, i could not even lossen the nut because the screw is bent and damaged, i intend to saw it off. Any other better way of removing it ?  

 

 

 

[Gunzy]

@Ct3833  Have you tried with a 12" adjustable wrench, for me i usually use brute force🤪

[Volvobrick]

Even if you remove the whole door you will still need to saw/grind off the bent bolt. Might as well try to saw/grind off using angle grinder first and see if you can use a socket/impact driver to remove the offending nut. 

[Ct3833]

On 4/4/2024 at 5:16 PM, Gunzy said:

@Ct3833  Have you tried with a 12" adjustable wrench, for me i usually use brute force🤪

Hi, the gap is too small that a wrench could not access the small nut.

On 4/4/2024 at 5:24 PM, Volvobrick said:

Even if you remove the whole door you will still need to saw/grind off the bent bolt. Might as well try to saw/grind off using angle grinder first and see if you can use a socket/impact driver to remove the offending nut. 

Removing the whole door will be too heavy for me to do it alone. Ok i will saw it off and go buy a replacement wheel first, worst case   i will get a handyman in to fix it for me.