|
About:
|
I received an email about a mechanical issue with a Thumper Massager.
A gentleman was asking me if I knew about possible places to get a malfunctioning Thumper unit back to working condition.
At that moment in time, I did not have any answers for this individual (as far as a local repairman) but, while researching these percussion massagers, I did come across many reviews that mentioned receiving assistance from customer service over the phone (with a real person) and being talked through some common but simple repairs on their Thumper massage units.
I'm not sure if the repair is the same for all massager models, but the most common problem with the Thumper (MP2) I own seems to be the switch. It appears to be an easy fix.
Here are the steps to fix a switch that is not working.
Fixing The Switch On The Thumper Mini Pro - Problems:
Both of these situations can occur when the internal connections or switch housing are faulty. I have the same model Thumper, the MP2, and experienced the same problem.
Correcting The Problem:
First you want to check and see if the switch moves freely.
If the switch is jammed or stuck down (not making a clicking sound) you will need to clean the switch connections and switch housing (plastic part the switch slides in) and then refit the switch.
The word "refit" is just a cool way to say 'put together'. This is a simple job that doesn't require any special tools. A small flat head screwdriver or a Phillips screwdriver will do. Oh, and some steel wool.
What To Do First:
The unit must be opened, and the panel behind it cleaned. If the connections are broken, they should be rewired.
Before unscrewing anything try this first
*Pry off the switch (actually it's a cover), you will see the actual switch underneath.
Once you access the switch, take a cotton swab wetted with 91% rubbing alcohol and clean the contacts (keep in mind that there are several sets of contacts that control the speeds).
If the simple swab with alcohol doesn't do the trick, roll up some steel wool (a small piece rolled nice and tight) and stick it into the switch openings that are clear on top of the switch (when you have the switch open in front of you, this will make more sense).
Take a small flat-head screwdriver, and move the steel wool along the switch.
Make sure to move the switch up to clean the bottom contacts and down to get access to the top ones.
Let's See If It Works:
This is kind of important:
You want to be sure and blow any excess wool particles out of the switch before reassembling and testing the switch.
When you plug in your Thumper Mini Pro again, it should work like new at all three speeds.
Enjoy!
If you have any problems or it still isn't working, please contact Thumper Inc. at 1-800-848-6737.
Getting Back To The E-Mail I Received
Mr. C was not able to fix his unit because the switch wasn't the problem. His problem sounded more internal than a dirty contact, but the parts were available. He wasn't too interested in fixing them himself, and he didn't want to send them away for repair due to the exorbitant costs of shipping.
He told me they had two Mini Pros that need service and as you can imagine, shipping them to Canada and back is expensive.
He wanted to know if there was anybody here in the U.S. that works on them?
He got a few circuit board and other parts from the merchant, but he didn't really want to fix them himself.
I told him that I have not had any deep mechanical problems with either of the thumpers that I own, just a minor switch problem, but on my website I did make reference to a review where a fella got quite a bit of over the phone help.
I can understand that you may not want to maintain the unit, but it's nice to know, if so inclined, that these machines can be repaired (as opposed being disposable) by the owner with the right guidance.
I was aware that this was not much help but I did wish him the best of luck.
My Personal Experience
I'm sorry I couldn't help Mr. C, but I can empathize because I own two Thumpers and have never had any major problems (I am knocking on the wood as I type).
I don't want to spend money on something that I don't need to. A shipping cost to Canada and back is not cheap for a machine that weighs 7 pounds. I am happy that Thumper will provide me with replacement parts and instructions so that I can get my machine working again. I would miss my Thumper for three weeks if it were gone.
It sounds like Mr. C would too, why else would he have one of each if they didn't do exactly what they said they do and do it well.
You will understand how annoying it can be to have a kitchen appliance that rattles or squeaks. It is time to replace the older, cheaper appliances with newer ones. However, some appliances are still in good condition and were quite expensive. Luckily there is an easy fix for many devices, and this is simply lubricating certain parts that are a bit worn and therefore are making more noise than they used to.
After a few years, juicers, food processors and bread makers all make loud squeaks. The manufacturer usually lubricates gears, pulleys, axles and bushes with either silicone or teflon based materials. They last a very long time and are worth using again if you can locate them. You can buy them at electrical repair shops, or hobby shops. These lubricants are great because they're clean and won't leave ugly stains. This is why hobbyists like to use these lubricants. To lubricate the noisy parts you will have to open the appliance case. Look for the screws holding the top, bottom, or side plate down. There should be 4-6. Most electrical appliances use phillips head screws, although some use security screws you will need special bits for. Once inside and when you an see the motor, pulleys, and gears, just give the machine a turn by hand. You will hear a familiar squeak. Find out where it is coming from. All you need to do is apply a few drops of the lubricant between the contact points (eg where an axle runs through a bush or bearing) and run a thin bead around gear wheels. The only place you should NOT put any lubricant is on a pulley with a belt over it. This is what bread makers do. It is important that there is some friction so the belt doesn't slip. If this happens, you will need to clean off the lubricant using denatured alcohol and a cloth.
|
