Australian Electric Blankets - Follow-up Report

[fixitclinic]

At Virtual Fixit Clinic 561 University of California at Berkeley 2020-09-12 we saw Anna’s electric blankets:

-From AU-Victoria-Melbourne: Two electric over-blankets (1) Lumina TK062X122-1S (Aldi) (2) Homemaker TK160X120-180 (Kmart) https://www.kmart.com.au/wcsstore/Kmart/pdfs/42431060_Manual.pdf 2014 nothing happens when switched on. Watched a youtube troubleshooting video but didn't understand it. https://youtu.be/PfhEEp_7As0?t=1857

Anna posted to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FixitClinic/posts/3310702035642401

(text copied below)

“Just wanted to say thanks to the boffins and moderators of the Virtual Fixit Clinic at Berkeley that was held today.

I attended from the other side of the world (Australia) with two dead electric over-blankets. Troubleshooting virtually when the person with the broken item doesn't even now how to use a multi-meter is difficult to say the least, and while I could suggest some changes when going from an in-person clinic to a virtual clinic, the guys did pretty well to sit on their hands and teach rather than to do. Even though I would have preferred more explanation of the basics like how a multi-meter works, I still learned heaps and am glad I went along.

While the two blankets are different brands from different stores we determined the cords/controllers are identical from end to end, right down to the part # on the transformer that we worked out was blown.

The guys suggested I make a couple of calls and complain, and I have. The Lumina blanket had an after sales support contact number on the back of the controller box, which turned out to be an importer. As expected, they don't supply circuit board components but are able to supply a replacement cord/controller for $30. That's annoying as the whole blanket only cost $40 at Aldi. "Wait," I said, "You're selling crap that only lasts a few months and you expect me to pay to replace faulty parts?" He then mumbled something about seeing what he could do if I had the receipt. Since I pulled that blanket out of a dumpster, Magic 8 Ball says "It is highly unlikely".

Kmart (where the other blanket came from) couldn't even do that much. They said they'd normally exchange it but this model hasn't been sold by them for over 3 years. Even if it was still being sold and I could do that I'm not a fan of the whole 'we'll just exchange it' and - the unspoken part - 'send the broken one to landfill' option that they call a solution.

Since Kmart couldn't do anything to resolve my problem I just left them some very direct feedback to pass on to whoever it is that's supposed to give a damn (but most likely won't): "STOP selling crap that breaks in a few months' time!"

Anyway. Given that the two parts are identical from end to end that I can see, I'm thinking I can order two replacement cords from the Lumina importer and get both blankets working again. Not the ideal solution, but a solution nevertheless.

Bigger picture, the Fixit Clinic guys confirmed my long-held suspicion that product designers and the companies they work for generally aren't thinking beyond a quick sale. Is there anywhere (other than bitching about it on social media) I and my audience can make some noise about this? Because as one of the Fixit guys (Sorry, I didn't catch his name) said, the landfills are full of appliances that all too often only needed a ten cent part to fix. That and the fact that I have to go to all the hassle of buying another piece of Stuff because Stuff is not designed to be fixable makes me go from Zero to Feral in eight seconds - it is NOT acceptable. Not on my watch.

Thanks again for holding this clinic and everyone's help to troubleshoot my problem and advise me what to do next - I really appreciate it.”

(And she included some photos of the electric blanket controllers and circuit boards.)