Saturday, April 17, 2021

Replacing Refrigerator Light Switch - Home Appliance Maint. #2 & Water Puddle in the Refrigerator Compartment

 
This is a maintenance I had to do to a spare refrigerator.  I am finding out not to ignore those light bulb that is broken.  The light bulb should be replaced immedately on any refrigerator and or the light switch socket itself needs a replacement.   This maintenace note is for Whirlpool  Model GT1NHWXPQ00, 2004 model, Type C21TFA04
When the lightswitch goes bad, it seems to send mix signal to the refrigerator and the refrigerator might run continuously and or not run.  Also cause immense amount of "frost" in the freezer compartment in my case.
It looked easy fix, but bit challenging. The wire is a bit short to strech out to reconnect to the new light switch purchased.  (from Walmart)


And be sure to remove all the food instead of doing what I did.  Taking a gamble that I can do this in 15 minutes.  It took me about 45 min.

After removing the switch, I found out that I need to remove the cover, in order to have a good pull and a grip hold to the plugs.

The white wire was bit short and was difficult to reattach.  It ends up being bent.

Push it back all the way in position and restore into the cover.


Plug the refrigerator back and test open and close the freezer compartment's door.  If the light turns back on and shuts itself as the door touches the switch lever, the repair is complete.
 
 
For the other issue of water puddles within the refrigerator compartment below, the only thing I need to fix is  dripping of water from the freezer to the refrigerator section to the top shelves, vegetable crispers, and bottom.
 
Unplug.  In freezer, remove the bottom tray's two screws.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6TNv1FC82w      with 1/4 Inch Socket ranch.
Next, remove the back panel's 2 screws  that is holding the center air exchange channel  - with 1/4 Inch Socket ranch.  No need to remove the side screws.    Inside, the bottom rail with 'drain hole' maybe plugged with ice and obstructing the normal drippage through the hose resulting in water dripping into the refrigerator compartment.via 2 squares and center air exchange duct.  Water is supposed to escape from the drain hole into the water holding pan at the bottom of the refrigerator.
Parts are found in the back at the bottom covered by the cardboard.
The water in the pan normally evaporates from the heat generated during the cooling process of the refrigerator by a various parts.  For complete removal of frozen ice in the drain hole and in the tube, entire defrosting of ice needs to be completed.









The Culprit - Frozen Ice blocking the water exit








Hair dryer helped to melt away some ice quickly

Finally found the hole to the water exit tube - blocked
Dripped in some Hot water to melt the ice blocking the water exit tube.  *Be sure to gather the melting ice and hot water with towels.
After a cup of hot water - you will hear the ice dropped down through the tube to the bottom tray.
Drip more hot water through and you hear the water reaching the bottom tray.
Dry off the area really well.  Be careful not to bend any othe FINS.
Open the back bottom panel to check the receiving tray. 
Ready the vacuum cleaner and also wipe off all the dust.
Don't forget to wipe down the Fan Fins.
Empty and Clean the water receiving tray.  Double check and Test pass through more water down from the freezer.  Watch the water reaching the tray.

Ready to close the back panel.

Clean all parts and put freezer back panel back.





Yay! Done!



Tuesday, April 06, 2021

My Cactus Collection

These were all 2 to 3 inch pot size succulent cactus or whatever else they are called.  Very interesting things to observed are that as soon as they are transferred to larger pots, over several hours, the cactus grew in sizes and shapes like they are stretching out their arms.

The little creamy-white flowers on this "Ladyfinger"cactus are real.  They shoot out its flower stem carefully of their fine nets of thorns surrounding itself and opens up after peeking out them.  

The one to the right is the Cereus Ming Thing Cactus.  I am not confident with the names, but if you know, please let me know.  It's a gnarly green mound of cactus.

Interesting part of this Ladyfingers are the tiny baby nodules growing all around are easily popping off and replanted to root itself in a few weeks.


This is Mammillaria Mystax or Elongata  Again, I am not sure I have identified it correctly.
See how its flower stem try to shoot out from behind a curtain of thorny stars

The flower on this one is a fake straw flower that came with it when I purchased it.  I wonder how its real flower bloom will look like.  Patiently waiting.
The is a pair of "Peruvian Old Ladies".  These 2 seems to be takings their good ole' time growing themselves.  Since these pictures were taken back in Jan - Feb, these two's white hair have grown longer.  The body - not so much.

This one is an interesting round "Ball" Cactus about 3" round.  Since replanting, it is now 3-1/2".  Not sure what the flower will look like, but looking forward to it.
This the surviving Ruby or Moon Ball Cactus - Red and Yellow.  After the first giant Ruby Ball's death, I try not o tend to this cactus too much.  Leave them behind sheer curtains for indirect light and less watering.
And this is?  another Mammillaria family(?) 
I probably have posted this before, but I thought to post this beauty wonder again.  Sadly, I just didn't know what it likes or its life cycle and after it flowered, it died.  I think I gave it too much water.  I read somewhere that it is supposed to have only a drop of water.  And I just recenbly bought another one.  And I am going to try the "drop" of water feeding and see if it will survive.