Keeping gadgets in top condition<\/p>\n
By Christiani S. Tumelap<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Electronic appliances are part and parcel of our
\nmodern lives. Unfortunately, few of us know how to properly store
\nand maintain them.<\/p>\n
Poor maintenance will likely cause damage, both to the gadget
\nand to your pocketbook. But armed with the proper knowledge,
\nowners can keep their appliances functioning fine.<\/p>\n
Here are suggestions from those in the industry.<\/p>\n
Paimin, a technician from the Sony outlet on Jl. Tebah in
\nMayestik, South Jakarta, said it was vital for each owner to know
\nthe basics about their goods through reading the user's manual
\nfrom the manufacturer.<\/p>\n
Electronic appliances are made from fragile parts, including
\nplastic, which should be kept away form heat sources such as
\nsunlight.<\/p>\n
Store them in a place with sufficient ventilation to ensure
\nthey \"breathe\" easily and do not overheat when they are in use.<\/p>\n
\"Allow 20-30 centimeters between the product and the wall
\nabove or behind it,\" Paimin says.<\/p>\n
The goods should also be kept away from fluids and dust. They
\nshould be cleaned frequently with a dry cloth to minimize dust,
\nwhich can damage the system if it accumulates in the unit.<\/p>\n
Paimin recommended putting a camphor solution near the
\nequipment's storage site to repel rodents that like gnawing on
\nelectrical wires.<\/p>\n
Usman, a sales executive at the same Sony outlet, said
\ncustomers need not worry about product quality as long as the
\nitem was still under warranty.<\/p>\n
\"Warranty means that main components in the products are
\nguaranteed to work properly in the specified period,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Hermanto, a technician at an electronic repair center on Jl.
\nTenggiri, East Jakarta, said the best thing to do to improve
\ndurability of electronic goods was to have them professionally
\ncleaned and checked by technicians every six months.<\/p>\n
\"The service is to give simple cleaning and adjustments to the
\ncomponents,\" Hermanto says.<\/p>\n
This tip is good for all kinds of electronic goods, especially
\naudio-visual systems.<\/p>\n
\"The service costs you around Rp 15,000 (US$3.75), but will be
\nvery helpful to maintain the condition of the components,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Hermanto said another must to ensure the product keeps
\nfunctioning for the optimum period is to read the owner's manual.<\/p>\n
\"By reading the book, you'll know the specification and
\ncharacteristics of the product. Thus, you will be able to
\nmaintain it properly for better enjoyment,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He added that most people were too lazy to read the manual.<\/p>\n
The three offered these additional tips on keeping specific
\nelectronic goods in tip-top condition.<\/p>\n
Television. Choose a TV set which produces colors of high
\nresolution. Colors should be close to those of the objects shown.
\nPictures should appear full-screen.<\/p>\n
Put the unit on a flat, dry and stable surface. If you use an
\nexternal antenna, be sure to ground it against lightning. Never
\nconnect the ground wire to a gas pipe.<\/p>\n
If the TV is not to be used for an extended period of time,
\nunplug it from the wall socket. Remove batteries from the remote
\ncontrol to avoid possible leakage and corrosion.<\/p>\n
In stormy weather, it will be safer for you to sacrifice your
\nviewing hours and unplug the outdoor antenna's cord from the wall
\nsocket. In some areas like South Jakarta, which are particularly
\nprone to lightning, the antenna can easily be struck, resulting
\nin damage to the TV and sometimes injuries to bystanders.<\/p>\n
Laser, CD or VCD player. Avoid placing the player on surfaces
\nsuch as shag carpets, beds and sofas which may block ventilation
\nunder the player and cause damage. Don't put it under or above
\nthe TV.<\/p>\n
Keep it away from devices such as cassette decks which are
\nsensitive to magnetic fields. If you install the player with
\nother audio components, put it on top. Since the built-in disc-
\ndrive motor continues rotating even when the player is in pause
\nmode, don't leave it in the latter for an extended period of time
\nto prolong the motor's service life. Don't play a cracked,
\nscratched or warped disc. Clean discs with a dry, soft cloth from
\nthe inside toward the outer edge.<\/p>\n
Radio cassette player. Don't use cassettes longer than 90
\nminutes, except for long playback. If it has not been used for a
\nlong time, run the player for a few minutes before inserting a
\ncassette. This rule applies to all cassette players, from a
\nmodest walkman to a sophisticated hi-fi audio system.<\/p>\n
Never leave the player in a vehicle parked in the sun,
\nespecially not above the dashboard because it is almost certain
\nto melt. For a walkman not in use, don't wind the earphone cord
\naround it to avoid battery usage caused by unintentionally
\npressed buttons. Replace all used batteries at once, and never
\nmix old and new batteries just to save money.<\/p>\n
For optimum record or playback quality, clean the heads,
\ncapstans and pinch rollers after every 10 hours of operation and
\nbefore recording with cotton buds slightly moistened with
\ncleaning fluid or alcohol solution.<\/p>\n
After 30 hours of operation, it is necessary to remove
\nresidual magnetism built up on the head with any commercially
\navailable demagnitizer. Avoid excessive rewinding and fast-
\nforwarding.<\/p>\n
Refrigerator. Plug it in a separate socket to avoid a short
\ncircuit. Disconnect the cord before cleaning either the inside or
\nthe outer body. Use a damp cloth, but never use thinner,
\nkerosene, hot water or detergent.<\/p>\n
If your fridge does not have automatic defrost, don't use a
\nknife or other sharp objects to chip away at thick ice. Instead,
\nturn the fridge off and wait until the ice melts before using a
\nclean cloth to mop it up.<\/p>\n
To obtain optimum cold temperatures, always keep the door
\ntightly closed and don't store too many items. Never put warm
\nitems in the fridge before allowing time for them to cool.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/keeping-gadgets-in-top-condition-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}