Turning a broken microwave into a Halloween prop

Printable View

10-16-2014, 06:34 PM
ilyaz

3 Attachment(s)

Turning a broken microwave into a Halloween prop

Here's a small project my son and I did turning a broken microwave (something's wrong with the magnetron) into a Halloween prop.

Step 1: Remove the magnetron
Step 2: (optional) remove the transformer and capacitor
Step 3: Remove the door
Step 4: Jerry rig one of the door latch switches so that the light is on and the tray is rotating
Step 5: Plug in and, voila, you got yourself:http://youtu.be/9_qbHZIdpe8

Bonus: I get to keep the transformer! :)

The thing is always on as long as it's plugged in, so not sure if the tray motor won't burn out after an hour or two of continuous running. Plus the light sensor on the bloody head constantly reactivates it. So not a perfect design, but still, maybe it's time to apply for a patent... :)
10-16-2014, 08:28 PM
bigburtchino

I like it, time with your son PRICELESS!
10-17-2014, 06:26 AM
AdmiralAluminum

Halloween is my Christmas! I love it! That's awesome! And ofcourse I don't have a microwave lying around right now! I sure hope I find one at Curbco before the big day!
10-23-2014, 11:08 AM
AdmiralAluminum

Guess who found 2 microwaves this week! I can't wait to try this! I already have a head on a pedestal I didn't know what else to with!
10-23-2014, 11:45 AM
ilyaz

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdmiralAluminum

Guess who found 2 microwaves this week! I can't wait to try this! I already have a head on a pedestal I didn't know what else to with!

Sky is the limit for advancing this design. For example, wiring in some sort of motion sensor to only turn it on when someone comes close
10-23-2014, 12:15 PM
AdmiralAluminum

Oh no, I don't mess with electricity. I've been electrocuted once, that was enough. That's why I read and re-read your instructions to make sure there was no re-wiring of anything. Removing I can do, but if you had even said take connection A and attach to port B, I would have said forget it. I will let you know how it works out.
10-23-2014, 01:44 PM
Jonniebrass

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdmiralAluminum

Guess who found 2 microwaves this week! I can't wait to try this! I already have a head on a pedestal I didn't know what else to with!

That's the beauty of this forum. Guy has a head on a pedestal and now has an up cycle use for it.
10-23-2014, 01:51 PM
hobo finds

Sell one to your scrapyard!
10-23-2014, 05:42 PM
AdmiralAluminum

Turning a broken microwave into a Halloween prop

I tested them and one spins. Found one today too. Going to try this weekend with my son.
10-23-2014, 07:28 PM
ilyaz

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdmiralAluminum

Oh no, I don't mess with electricity. I've been electrocuted once, that was enough. That's why I read and re-read your instructions to make sure there was no re-wiring of anything. Removing I can do, but if you had even said take connection A and attach to port B, I would have said forget it. I will let you know how it works out.

Please be careful! There are basic safety rules that you need to follow (like not grabbing metal connectors while the machine is plugged in). If you don't feel comfortable around opened up electrical devices perhaps you should do this together with someone who does. What we've done was not complicated, but as far as precisely following my instructions, YMMV since different ovens are laid out differently inside.
10-24-2014, 06:59 AM
AdmiralAluminum

Oh I will be careful, no worries. I was just saying that if all I have to do is remove the magnetron and transformer and the turntable and light will still run without me doing anything else, I will have fun with this one week from now. I have one micro that still turns (the other 2 are scrap) and will try it out tomorrow.
11-01-2014, 10:17 AM
ilyaz

So the contraption was quite a success last night although I think parents appreciated it more than kids. Some took pictures. I even heard that one person supposedly posted a photo on Facebook claiming that the thing was theirs! :)
09-26-2015, 01:50 PM
derrickm

I'm wondering if you have any tips on how to get the light and turntable to turn? I've removed the magnetron, removed the front door, tapped the switches that sense the door closed but I still have to press the start button on the microwave to get it to come on which I'm trying to avoid because I'm going to use a motion sensor to give power the the microwave and would like for the thing to light up and spin.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Derrick
09-30-2015, 08:58 AM
AdmiralAluminum

I forgot all about this and never did it last year so thanks for reviving the thread. I just found a good sized one last night and haven't done anything to it yet, hopefully it works for this project because I'm going all out on my inlaws house this year.
09-30-2015, 09:18 AM
ryanw

Quote:

Originally Posted by derrickm

I'm wondering if you have any tips on how to get the light and turntable to turn? I've removed the magnetron, removed the front door, tapped the switches that sense the door closed but I still have to press the start button on the microwave to get it to come on which I'm trying to avoid because I'm going to use a motion sensor to give power the the microwave and would like for the thing to light up and spin.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Derrick

I'm pretty sure you can bypass all of the microwave internals altogether and wire the motor and light to your motion sensor thing. I know the turntable motors are normally all 120V AC, and I think the lights are too (you'll have to check on that).