Two Round Service Done ON V-Guard Induction Model VIC-400 & Also Case Of VIC-07V1
This induction cooker was brought to me with the complaint that it gets on, but does not heat up. The device had enough dust and dirt inside, which was as expected:
I used to wonder how such home appliances collect so much of dust and dirt. Even if the cleaning done in the house could cause displacement and settlement elsewhere, and if these fall within the catchment area of the cooling fans, it will get sucked in, I have seen such dust and dirt even in devices which do not have a cooling fan. Just think how much of these particles are reaching our lungs!!! What does our body do with these free deposits???
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After finishing the routine thorough internal cleaning, I carried out the blind replacement of all electrolytic capacitors, being my first step in restoring any electronic devices. Then the next step was to replace the 2N3904/2N3906/8050 transistors, 78L05 regulator, 18V Zener, suspected high watt resistors, IN4148 and other suspected diodes. Then carried out retouch of both the boards after scraping the varnish on solder joints with a metal brush, lest it should cause bad contacts. While replacing the 2N3906, I noticed that the new batch of transistors is different from the one in the board had:
If we are not aware and careful about such variations done by the manufacturers without following the international standards, we will end up in bitter soup!
After finishing the refurbishing work, I cleaned the boards thoroughly using IPA and inspected them under a 10X lens looking for any SPR-made mistakes such as soldering jumping over to the next track or component. There were two such breaches, which I rectified. Then reassembled the boards, kept the top on the coil and a pot with water in it and applied power to check whether the device was getting on and found the function was normal:
As you see from the above pictures, the water got boiled at 1300, drawing a current of about 6A which was a good sign.
I fit the panel back, closed the cover without fixing screws and transferred it to my kitchen, remembering to take away ours before keeping this in that place. I am repeating the caution not to keep one induction cooker on another even though the bottom one is disconnected as the pulses pass through the coil in the bottom that will blow the IGBT, which happened to me before. (https://jestineyong.com/caution-never-keep-one-induction-cooker-on-another-for-testing-alesson-learnt/) The cooker was tested for three days and found to be working very well. Then I fixed the bottom cover with screws and delivered it to the customer’s home as I was passing by that for another TV work. The cooker was connected in their kitchen and tested for proper function before I left from there. Though it looked as though the case was closed, in came the complaint after a couple of days stating that the cooker was showing E6 error. I went to their home and checked the AC voltage and found it to be normal. Then checked the vessels used, which were also compliant. So, picked it up and brought home to carry out further investigations. The suspicion was on the vessel sensor. When I did a cold check, got a reading of 85K in the digital multimeter. The normal reading is around 70 to 72K.
Replaced it and tried, but even then the E6 error was being shown. The next suspicion was on the 500 Ohms potentiometer. I replaced it and also a couple of high watt resistors as these could vary in value on load. Then the cooker worked very well, and I tested in very high setting also (maximum temperature). The ampere reading was also well within the limits:
Once again the cooker was delivered to the customer and checked at their premises and found to be working well.
Following are the pictures of the components replaced in the first round and second round:
Though I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that it would not make an ‘about-turn’, the satisfactions need not have to wait in the rain (it is rainy season here!) and therefore were allowed entry to the collection bag.
ADDENDUM – CASE OF A SIMPLE JOB DONE IN YET ANOTHER V-GUARD INDUCTION COOKER MODEL VIC-07V1
As though to provide some solace was the entry of this Induction Cooker which came in after the above complicated case. This was brought to me with the same complaint; i.e. getting on, but not heating. When I powered it, it was not showing any error code also. I opened the cooker and cleaned the inside, which was not as bad as the earlier one:
The cause for failure was visibly clear as I saw the 5uF 250V AC capacitor burst, picture of which is given in the second image above to save space. After cleaning and checking the board generally, I replaced the capacitor and applied power.
The cooker got on and also heated up the water kept on top in the vessel. As the cooker was not very old, the board looked in good shape and the customer was having only a low budget, I checked the cooker for two days in our kitchen, and passed its function. Mission accomplished with a record replacement of only one capacitor in this, which caused the production of a satisfaction that gained entry again in the same collection bag!
This article was prepared for you by Parasuraman Subramanian from India. He is 76 years old and has more than 30 years’ experience in handling antique equipment like Valve Radio, Amps, Reel Tape Recorders and currently studying latest tech-classes conducted by Kerala State Electronics Technicians’ Association. He has done graduation in BBA degree, private diploma in Radio Engineering and retired as MD of a USA company. Presently working as Consultant to Hospital and other institutions.
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Albert van Bemmelen
October 24, 2026 at 6:32 pm
Thanks for sharing another successful IC repair of 2 of those previously defect cookers.
About thinking on how much of these dust particles are reaching our lungs!
For that reason I have a Leitz air purifier with integrated uv cleaner in my bedroom next to my bed to at least catch some of the finedust particles in the air while I am sleeping.
Luckily I didn't pay the present price they now ask for this Leitz TruSens Z-2000 35 m² 64 dB 28 W White air cleaner. The included Sensor Wifi Pod adapter automatically regulates the fan speed matching the quality of the air in the room. The carbon Hepa filter replacement for the TruSenz Z2000 isn't cheap but I already cleaned the filter for re-use several times by blowing out the collected dust.
I do this because in the past I many years worked in a factory where we handled with asbestos, glass wool, ammonia, and with solvents and glue. All very bad for our lungs!
Parasuraman S
October 24, 2026 at 9:23 pm
Vow! That is a massive air cleaning system that you have at your end! Great to know that! In our place, Kerala, India, the atmosphere is generally very clean, at-least where I stay. A lot of greenery around and plenty of oxygen to breathe. Many thanks for sharing this knowledge! Though I have heard of these air purifiers, it is always better to become immune to all environmental degradations than trying to cling on some devices and gadgets as it will drain our body's natural defense development system.
Yogesh Panchal
October 25, 2026 at 12:16 am
Good Fix!Sir,
I have also observed on several occasions that even when part numbers are identical, the pin outs can still differ. Furthermore, the voltage and current ratings may also vary.
Parasuraman S
October 25, 2026 at 8:43 am
Many thanks for your comments, dear Yogesh Bai!
Imoudu.O
October 26, 2026 at 2:48 am
I would have love to read how you solve that transistor pins difference.
Parasuraman S
October 26, 2026 at 2:08 pm
Very simple. Inserted the pins in the slots where it should be, though it looks awkward to see a pin occupying another's place! Ha! Ha!
Albert van Bemmelen
October 25, 2026 at 1:08 am
Oops sorry! I accidentally pressed the mouse button when it was hovering right over the dislike selector. Of course I only wanted to click the Like button!
Parasuraman S
October 25, 2026 at 8:47 am
Dislike also is a sort of like! It is ok, dear Albert! Actually, we get molded in the like way only through dislikes of others, I mean, from those who follow righteousness! Only when we learn to take it sportively and identify the reasons for the dislike, it will be helpful for our self-corrections and progress!
Mark J
October 25, 2026 at 2:54 am
Parasuraman well done on the repair. Your the Induction cooker expert.
Parasuraman S
October 25, 2026 at 8:48 am
Not an expert! Still a student! Like in Chess, there are millions of reasons for failure! Many thanks for your comments, dear Mark!
Adam S
October 26, 2026 at 5:41 pm
Another excellent repair Parasuraman, and it's quite nice that these cookers so enjoy your expert attention that they like to come back a second time!
Parasuraman S
October 28, 2026 at 6:38 pm
Ha! Ha! Many thanks for your comments!