HOW TRASH COMPACTORS WORK
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| All trash compactors have essentially the same components and operate on the same principle. |
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Your trash compactor has these components:
- A trash container, at the bottom of the unit.
- A motor, at the top or bottom of the unit.
- A flat, steel ram that's stored in the top of the unit.
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When you put trash into the trash container, close the door, and press or turn the Start button, the motor starts. It rotates a set of reduction gears or a belt-and-pulley system that slowly lowers the ram.
The ram exerts tremendous pressure on the trash, which flattens it. When the ram pressure reaches its setpoint, the motor reverses and raises the ram back up to the top of the compactor.
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Warning! To avoid personal injury or even death, always disconnect your appliance from its power source--that is, unplug it or break the connection at the circuit breaker or fuse box--before you do any troubleshooting or repair work on your appliance. Also, because some components may have sharp edges, use caution while working on your appliance.
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Note: If your repair problem isn't listed, click here to email the RepairGuru. He will give you the help you need.
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If your trash compactor doesn't work at all, check these:
- Wall socket
- Ground fault circuit interrupter
- Switch
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Trash compactors usually plug into a wall socket. Try plugging something else into the socket to be sure the socket is getting power. If it isn't, check the household fuses or circuit breakers.
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If there's no power to the outlet but the fuse/circuit is okay, the compactor may be plugged into a circuit that's protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)--a special wall socket with a Test and a Reset button. If so, try pressing the Reset button
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If there's power but your compactor still doesn't function, there may be a problem with the compactor's door switch, key switch, or the micro switches that sense when the ram is fully up. But also make sure that nothing is caught behind the drawer, keeping it from closing all the way.
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If the ram won't go down--or if it has gone down but won't come back up--there may be a broken drive belt, chain, or gears. Or the switches inside the cabinet that control the direction and starting/stopping points of the ram may be defective or out of adjustment. Trash compactors can be tough to work on because they are, themselves, compact and difficult to move. We suggest that you consult the repair manual for your trash compactor.
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Over time, food spills and other garbage may clog the track the drawer rides on. If you can remove your drawer, thoroughly clean the tracks, glides, rollers, and so on using degreaser and some dish detergent on a damp rag. Then wipe all of the components with a clean, damp rag and lightly oil the track with a household lubricant. If the drawer continues to be stiff, you may need to replace the rollers, ball-bearings, or tracks.
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