Warning! To avoid personal injury or death, always unplug the appliance or disconnect the power before attempting any repairs. Always turn off the gas at the source before repairing any gas appliance. Always wear safety glasses when using tools. Keep loose clothing and hair away from any moving parts. Safety is of major importance when performing any service or repair on any electrical appliance. Please,
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First, make sure the drawer is completely closed and is not jammed. If you find it closes but the compactor still doesn't power on, check the power at the electrical receptacle and test the electrical cord. Look for and reconnect loose terminal wires before attempting to power the unit on again.
Sometimes these can get worn or stuck, or fail to stay in position. Check the on and off switch, the tilt switch, and the safety switch. If these seem to be OK then check the motor’s centrifugal switch. Also test the drawer safety and on-off switches.
If the compactor attempts to start on its own after repeated use and has a "hot" smell, the problem may be a defective upper-limit switch or a defective centrifugal switch on the motor. If this happens, this part should be replaced.
If the compactor is overloaded, it might not thoroughly and effectively compact your garbage. As a rule, the compactor needs to be a minimum of 1/3 full with trash, but no more than 2/3 full. Any other amounts (lower or in excessive of) can cause your compactor unit to struggle to do its work.
There is a risk that repeated vibration from the motor could work small parts loose. Examine any screws or nuts and bolts for wear and tear. Make sure that power screws are lubricated with penetrating oil for smooth operations.
If the compactor still runs but does not crush the garbage, check the hydraulic ram; it may be stuck in position if you are getting this sort of problem.
If the ram is not all the way up, the compactor door will not open. Make sure that it has returned to the top before trying to open the door. Several things such as worn rollers, a bent roller mounting bracket, or a defective drawer track can cause this problem.
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