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Repairing Is Better Than Recycling!�Lamp Repair Workshop

Wayne Seltzer – wayne@boulderufixitclinic.org

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Boulder U-Fix-It Clinic

  • Part of the global “fixit” movement
    • Partnered with Eco-cycle, Boulder Public Library BLDG61 makerspace, and other organizations
  • Volunteer repair coaches help participants learn to fix their broken stuff
  • Started in 2013
    • > 2,000 participants
  • boulderufixitclinic.org

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Consumer Product Waste

  • We increasingly discard a lot of the products we consume:
  • Growing trend to recycle consumer products
    • Recover plastic and metal
  • But, better to repair and reuse!

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whatisnewinecomaterials.wordpress.com

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Center for Hard-To-Recycle Materials (CHaRM) �Boulder, Colorado http://ecocycle.org/charm

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Repair Challenges

  • Product repairability
    • Products are less likely to be designed as repairable
    • Non-replaceable batteries, �sealed cases, etc.
    • Limited or no access to service manuals, parts, tools, software to perform repairs
    • Increase in product complexity
  • Limited repair services
    • What happened to the local repair shop?
  • Consumer skills
    • What happened to high school shop class?
    • Should practical repair skills be part of middle/high school curriculum? (STEAM/Experiential Learning)

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Reduce, REUSE, Recycle …

  • Area residents are GREAT recyclers, but half the waste stream still goes to the landfill
  • “Durable” goods are less durable than ever
  • Thrift stores are overwhelmed with marginally reusable discards

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Repair Opportunities

  • STEM/STEAM, Maker Spaces
    • In schools, public libraries, and communities
  • Technology is cool (right?)
  • Growing global “fixit” movement
    • workshops, social events, fixit “pop-ups”, repair cafes, …

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Why do we do fix-it clinics?

  • Near-term:
    • Landfill diversion
    • Fun community activity!
    • Teach safe and effective repair
    • Profit!
  • Long-term:
    • Develop educated consumers who purchase repairable, long-lasting products
    • Product ratings/reviews include “repairability”
    • Influence manufacturers / support Right To Repair

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Partnerships are essential

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What happens at a Boulder U-Fix-It Clinic?

Lamp and Fan repairs are popular – often an easy fix and educational opportunity

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Learning opportunities for young people

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Projects can be unusual and challenging

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Tools and Supplies for 10 coaches/participants�(sewing/electrical/electronic/mechanical)

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Our volunteer coaches are our precious resource

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Right To Repair

  • “We Have the Right to Repair Everything We Own”
    • But, some manufacturers make this impossible
    • John Deere farm equipment, Apple iPhone batteries, automobiles, power mobility devices, …
  • State gov’ts are working on right-to-repair bills. CO passed:
    • Powered wheelchairs
    • Agriculture equipment
    • Digital Electronic Equipment

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Lamp Repair Workshop

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Lamp electrical components

Bulb

Socket

Plug

Cord/Wire

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Does it work?

Is the blue LED on? �If not, press the switch.

  • Insert the plug into the outlet/receptacle.
  • Note that the prongs are different sizes to match the outlet. (polarized)

Does the bulb light up?

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Tools

Screwdriver

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Tools

Wire stripper

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Tools

Multimeter

Power button

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Silver

Silver

Brass

Brass

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Using a multimeter to test a circuit

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Testing the lamp circuit

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Testing the lamp circuit

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Disassembling the socket

Remove the bulb first. Turn counter-clockwise to remove.�“Lefty loosey, righty tighty”

shell

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Disassembling the socket

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Here’s the probem!

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Stripping the lamp cord wire

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Strip about ¾” of the insulation

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Use your thumb for leverage

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Connect the wire

Twist the wire, make a hook

Tighten the screw

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Re-assemble the socket

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Does it work?

Is the blue LED on? �If not, press the switch.

  • Insert the plug into the outlet/receptacle.
  • Note that the prongs are different sizes to match the outlet. (polarized)

Does the bulb light up?

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Does it work?

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Plug replacement/repair

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Plug replacement/repair

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Questions? Comments? Next steps?

  • http://boulderufixitclinic.org
    • Join the Boulder U-Fix-It Clinic Google group to get event announcements
    • Sign up to fix your broken stuff
    • Or, volunteer as a fix-it coach!
  • Contact us:
    • info@boulderufixitclinic.org
    • Wayne Seltzer – wayne@boulderufixitclinic.org

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Problem Set for U-Fix-It Coaches:

  • What’s this component?
    • TF 192˚ C
    • 16 Amps
    • 250 Volts
    • Commonly found in�small appliances
  • How does it influence�product life?

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Answer: It’s a “thermal fuse”

  • Innovation vs. Product Life
    • Innovative component prevents fire at very low cost.
      • Safety is absolutely required, of course
    • But…
      • Fails when product is incorrectly used (jamming, etc.)
      • Not replaceable by (most ) consumers
    • ~$1 cost retail
      • (much less wholesale)
  • Product innovation opportunity:
      • Resettable thermal fuse or circuit breaker
        • Increases product cost and product lifetime
      • Consumer products industry has no incentive (today)

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