GusWishing an enjoyable and relaxing weekend to everyone who doesn't design electronics enclosures for washing machine manufacturers...
Done cleaning off silicone and was just about to order some new relays when I spotted ol' cracky McCrackerson here, on one leg of the bad relay's coil.
Surprisingly the rest of this PCB has pretty good solder joints, there are videos of later model Samsung washers on Youtube where there are tons of visibly bad joints.
After two weeks we appreciate having a working washing machine again!
Was reflecting on how much time and effort this took to fix. Only possible at all because of skills and experience, but also an abundance of available time (half a dozen hours last week, and a couple more hours this morning). If I didn't have the privilege of not working full time, or if I had the extra responsibilities of kids, or a body that wasn't available for wrestling a washing machine onto its side and lying on the laundry floor to peer inside it multiple times... it'd be a non-starter.
The frustrating thing is it doesn't have to be that way: requiring more repairable designs, or available official diagnostic and repair info (AI has made this aspect way worse), or more affordable spare parts - any two of those could have reduced the time needed to just an hour or two. Reducing the time also makes paying someone to do it, or asking a friend for help with it, into a much more reasonable proposition.
But that's no way to sell a new washing machine.
\>ᏒⴹᎢꓰＣ𐋏@projectgus I am of the POV that most any 2005 and above home appliance is a fast diminishing return when you spend more for the "better" model.
I've never owned a new washer and never paid more that $50usd for one. I've always gone to some shop that sells used repaired appliances. Each time it has been a mom&pop shop. I've asked for the simplest working top loader. Shortest life span was 1yr ($40), longest 5 ($45). Each time I took it back to the shop, told them they could have it I just wanted to buy another. That way they get another one to repair and sell. My friend who bought a $1300 one, because features, laughed at my process. That machine lasted 7yrs, or $186/yr.
@R_3_T_3_C_H hard to argue with that approach!