Topic: Tech Talk

A Master Samurai Tech Presentation: Series and Parallel Circuits

Posted on March 21, 2015 by - Presentations, Tech Talk

A recording of the webinar held on March 19, 2015, on series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits. If you missed the live webinar, you can watch the recording and still partake of this cup of wisdom. Topics covered:

– Components of a circuit
– Voltage and current relationships in series and parallel circuits
– Introduction to reading schematics

[s2If current_user_cannot(access_s2member_ccap_seriesparallel)]
Pricing:
Samurai Tech Academy Fundamentals Students: FREE!
Professional Appliantologist member at Appliantology.org: FREE! (with coupon code)
Appliance Tech Community-at-large: $10
[/s2If]

The Samurai Tech Academy announces upcoming webinars as well as course updates, new course offerings, and special discounts in the STA newsletter. If you’d like to subscribe, you can do so here.

 

[s2If is_singular()]
[_s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_ccap_seriesparallel) OR current_user_can(access_s2member_ccap_fundamentals)]

 

[_else]
[__s2If is_user_logged_in()]
Select your Billing Method below to watch the screencast for only $10! The screencast will appear here after you complete the checkout process.

[s2Member-Pro-Stripe-Form level=”*” ccaps=”seriesparallel” desc=”Series and Parallel Circuits” cc=”USD” custom=”mastersamuraitech.com” ra=”10.00″ rp=”1″ rt=”L” rr=”BN” coupon=”” accept_coupons=”1″ default_country_code=”US” captcha=”0″ success=”/a-master-samurai-tech-presentation-series-and-parallel-circuits/” /]
[__else]
You must be logged in to access this content! If you already have an account, click here to login. Otherwise, use the form below to create a free account. Then come back here to the blog to continue!

[s2Member-Pro-Stripe-Form register=”1″ level=”0″ ccaps=”” desc=”Signup now, it’s Free!” custom=”mastersamuraitech.com” tp=”0″ tt=”D” captcha=”0″ /]
[/__s2If]
[/_s2If]
[else]
Click here to begin your journey of Total Appliance Enlightenment!
[/s2If]

A Master Samurai Tech Presentation: What is Electricity?

Posted on March 21, 2015 by - Presentations, Tech Talk

A recording of the webinar held on March 19, 2015, on basic electricity. If you missed the live webinar, you can watch the recording and still partake of this cup of wisdom. Topics covered:

– The nature of electricity
– Voltage
– Current

This is just a small sample of what we teach in the Fundamentals of Appliance Repair training course. We go into great detail in a series of self-paced lessons explaining basic electricity, circuits, schematics, troubleshooting, motors, and much more! Enroll today!

 

 

 

Diagnosing a Refrigerator Sealed System Problem using an Ammeter and an IR Temperature Gun

Posted on March 17, 2015 by - Tech Talk

Join Samurai Appliance Repair Man on a trek into the sealed system bowels of a warm refrigerator. Watch with amazement as I show you how to make a definitive diagnosis of a sealed system failure in this fridge using common, inexpensive tools that every appliance tech (who’s worth their salt) and most DIYers already own: a clamp-on ammeter and an IR temperature gun.

Howl, o ye nations! Clap your hands, o ye peoples! No need for line piercing valves and pressure gauges IF you understand how sealed systems work, which we teach in stunning multi-media detail in the Refrigerators Troubleshooting and Repair Training Course here at the Samurai Tech Academy.

 

 

So let’s look at where that current draw comes from and apply that to the compressor in the video.

Compressors are rated by horsepower. Horsepower is a measure of mechanical work. Watts are also a measure of work but the work in this case is electrical. The nameplate rating on compressors and motors gives the horsepower of the motor because you’re usually interested in how much torque that motor can produce at a given voltage.

Horsepower is a measure of mechanical work just like watts is a measure of electrical work. You can convert horsepower to watts using the following conversion:

1 horsepower (hp) = 746 watts

The compressor in the video is an Embraco EGZ80HLP, a typical 1/3 hp compressor. 1/3 hp = 246 watts. Let’s ignore mechanical inefficiencies in converting electrical work (watts) into mechanical work (horsepower) and run the numbers:

P= I * E => I = P / E = 246 watts / 120 vac = 2 amps

So that’s where the “2 amps or maybe a little less” statement comes from in the video.

Let’s compare this calculated current draw with a measured draw from the exact same compressor model (1/3 hp) in a different refrigerator, different service call, shown in the video below starting at 3:05 in, go ahead and fast forward:

 

 

I measured 1.6 amps in the video above but calculated 2 amps. Some of that difference is due to the run capacitor installed on the compressor. The purpose of the run cap is to smooth out the pulses in the motor and help it draw less current while running. But I’d say that qualifies as “2 amps or maybe a little less.”

So what’s to be done for this wayward fridge? Take it to da dump!

The cold, economic reality is that the EPA ozone depletion regulations have made doing sealed system work so prohibitively expensive (if it’s to be done legally, correctly, and charged at a fair rate) that, in most cases, it simply does not make economic sense to do it anymore. Unless the fridge is either a built-in unit or is under some type of warranty, then sealed system failure is, for all practical purposes, a “total” event as far as the customer is concerned.

A Master Samurai Tech Presentation: Troubleshooting Appliance Electronic Control Boards

Posted on March 10, 2015 by - Presentations, Tech Talk

A Master Samurai Tech Presentation:
Troubleshooting Appliance Electronic Control Boards

 

[s2If current_user_cannot(access_s2member_ccap_gws_screencast)]
Learn from the Samurai and become a troubleshooting master!

Using a Whirlpool dishwasher as a case study, the Samurai explains each step in the process of troubleshooting electronic control boards in appliances, revealing the schematic mysteries to all who want to learn.

In this 38-minute video, you will learn:

  • Basic troubleshooting techniques with broad applications to all appliances
  • How to use tech sheets properly
  • How to get those control boards to talk to you
  • How to identify suspected problems using the schematic diagram
  • How to formulate a troubleshooting strategy based on schematic analysis
  • How to identify where to make electrical measurements
  • About triac-gated neutrals in AC loads with standing voltage
  • The difference between loading and non-loading voltage meters and when and why to use each

…and much more!

You will have LIFETIME ACCESS to this video!

 

Here are a few tantalizing screenshots of the presentation…

gws-screencast-1
 
gws-screencast-2
 
gws-screencast-3
 
One small price of admission gains you lifetime access to this valuable training video as well as the ability to ask follow-up questions in the comments section. Watch it as many times as you like as part of your journey to become a Master Samurai Tech!

Note: if you are enrolled in Advanced Schematic Analysis and Troubleshooting, then you have access to this presentation in your course materials.

Pricing:
$25
[/s2If]

[s2If is_singular()]
[_s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_ccap_gws_screencast)]

 
Did you find this presentation enlightening? Find more appliantologically empowering videos like this in the Advanced Schematic Analysis and Troubleshooting training course, available here at Master Samurai Tech.
 

 

[_else]
[__s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level0)]
Select your Billing Method below to watch the screencast for only $25! The screencast will appear here after you complete the checkout process.

[s2Member-Pro-Stripe-Form level=”*” ccaps=”gws_screencast” desc=”A Master Samurai Tech Presentation: Troubleshooting Appliance Electronic Control Boards” cc=”USD” custom=”mastersamuraitech.com” ra=”25.00″ rp=”1″ rt=”L” rr=”BN” coupon=”” accept_coupons=”0″ default_country_code=”US” captcha=”0″ success=”/troubleshooting-appliance-electronic-control-boards/” /]
[__else]
You must be logged in to access this content! If you already have an account, click here to login. Otherwise, use the form below to create a free account. Then come back here to the blog to continue!

[s2Member-Pro-Stripe-Form register=”1″ level=”0″ ccaps=”” desc=”Signup now, it’s Free!” custom=”mastersamuraitech.com” tp=”0″ tt=”D” captcha=”0″ /]
[/__s2If]
[/_s2If]
[else]
Click here to begin your journey of Total Appliance Enlightenment!
[/s2If]

Big Changes to the Academy’s Appliance Repair Training Courses

Posted on March 1, 2015 by - Academy Talk, Tech Talk

Here at the Samurai Tech Academy, we’re always thinking about our students! (That’s not quite as creepy as it sounds.)

In yet another example of the STA’s devotion to the needs of our students, we have added new Module Exams to most of the modules in the technical courses. Many of you were asking for more challenges along the way to make sure you’re really getting the material. Module Exams are a great way to revisit the info from all of the units you’ve studied and make sure you’ve nailed it before moving on to a new module.

IMPORTANT: if you are currently working through Fundamentals or Refrigerators, you will have to go back and take any exams for modules you’ve already completed before you can move forward. I hope you will see this as an opportunity to review and practice the material from those modules, and know that it will help you when you get to the Final Exam!

If you have already completed either course, you can still go back and take the exams for funsies!

But wait! There’s more!

Another change we made was a three-attempt limit on the quizzes that come after each unit (lesson). We did this because if a student needs to re-do a quiz more than three times, there’s something wrong either with the student’s attention to the material presented in the unit or with the way the material is presented. Either way, we need to troubleshoot that!

So here’s the drill: if a student requires more than three attempts to pass a quiz (and all unit quizzes require a score of 100% to pass and move on to the next unit) then the software sends me an email and the student’s progress is temporarily stopped until we can talk either by phone, email, or the Student Forums.

After I’ve administered the appropriate gray matter massage, the student is re-enabled to re-take the quiz and continue on their merry way. Ultimately, the goal is to encourage more student-Samurai interaction as needed to help the student master the material.