Getting really frustrated!

C

Captn TJ

Active Member
Sep 19, 2017
872
Catawba Island, Oh
Boat Info
2005 280DA
Raymarine E80
Engines
5.0 with Bravo 3
So I'm trying to replace the non-functioning microwave on my 280 (as I wrote in the 280 forum). I think I've looked at every conceivable compact microwave out there - the issue is the height of the cabinet opening (9 7/8) and minimum height I've seen on on these microwaves is 10 1/8. Also looked at perhaps modifying the face frame of the cabinet - but it looks like the face is part of the cabinet and I'd have to remove the entire box potentially damaging the vinyl liner. Any help would be appreciated.
 
have you looked at RV parts suppliers?.....sometimes they will have appliances made to fit in smaller places......

cliff
 
Yup I did go on a couple of RV sites and they sold Dometic microwaves which are still too high (dimension not price).
 
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What are your maximum dimensions and do you require specific features? Color, convection...etc?

Josh
 
can you have the old one repaired or rebuilt?.....

cliff
 
Once the microwave is out you most likely can expand the opening with a jig saw. It might not make a pretty cut by had so I would expect to get a matching trim that could be screwed in once the new one is mounted. I had to do something similar when I replaced the Fridge in my old 260DA. Same model a few year later was slightly taller.

If you pickup a small stainless style model you probably could get a small piece of brushed aluminum to finish with.

-Kevin
 
Some time ago I had the same problem, had similar problem, lots of good advice but the conclusion was there are ones that are close but non will fit without cutting your cabinet. You will need to cut the place it goes to put a new one in. Make a template of the new microwave and use rotor to cut the new whole. Make sure you get a bit that will not splinter the cabinet face. Practice on similar material first. Or get a cabinet maker to cut the whole for you. I am still in the practice stage. Or use the microwave as extra storage.
 
have you checked smallappliances,com. They seem to have almost anything.
 
There's a video on Youtube on the account "Boatsbeachesandbars" where he replaces the microwave on a 330 sundancer. I believe he used a jigsaw to modify the opening to accept a slightly larger microwave, but it shows the steps he took to remove the trim and replace so that it looked factory. Might be worth a look.
 
I would cut the opening with a jig saw using a fine blade. Put some painters tape down (blue tape) and mark the line. This will also prevent some scratching and chipping at the edge of the cut. File smooth and trim. There may be a block under the microwave to support the base. So if you expand down that may need to be reduced also.

-Kevin
 
stg099 said:
There's a video on Youtube on the account "Boatsbeachesandbars" where he replaces the microwave on a 330 sundancer. I believe he used a jigsaw to modify the opening to accept a slightly larger microwave, but it shows the steps he took to remove the trim and replace so that it looked factory. Might be worth a look.
Click to expand...


Thanks I did check out the video. One of the issues is that there is very little clearance between the top part of the cabinet (Shelf) and the face frame - probably only about 1/4 of an inch. So that's the most I could gain by trimming the top part of the face frame.
 
You may need to trim top & bottom to get the clearance. You need less than a 1/2 inch from what you posted.

-Kevin
 
perhaps 'plan B' could be get a small counter top microwave oven and use the opening in the cabinet for the original oven for some other purpose.....

cliff
 
Use a multi-tool vibrating saw with the" flush cut offset blade" made for cutting metal. This blade allows you to lay the blade flat on a surface and cut something laying on the surface.
On the inside of the cabinet laying the blade flat on the "ceiling" follow that edge and cut to the outside. It will give a perfectly flush cut, and then file the edge smooth, If you need to you can do the bottom of the cabinet face frame also. From your original measurements you only needed a 1/4 inch more.

Maybe the microwave measurements include the feet on the micro, and maybe you can shave them down a bit to pick up a little more space.
 
I replaced mine on a 2008 Sundancer 260. All I did was remove the 3/4 inch particle boat underneath the microwave and replaced with a thin piece of king starboard, or similar. No cutting of cabinet.
 
Jon Paul said:
I replaced mine on a 2008 Sundancer 260. All I did was remove the 3/4 inch particle boat underneath the microwave and replaced with a thin piece of king starboard, or similar. No cutting of cabinet.
Click to expand...

Jon, Now that's pretty interesting - If I can trim the cabinet face enough to insert that would work.
 
Sublimetime said:
Use a multi-tool vibrating saw with the" flush cut offset blade" made for cutting metal. This blade allows you to lay the blade flat on a surface and cut something laying on the surface.
On the inside of the cabinet laying the blade flat on the "ceiling" follow that edge and cut to the outside. It will give a perfectly flush cut, and then file the edge smooth, If you need to you can do the bottom of the cabinet face frame also. From your original measurements you only needed a 1/4 inch more.

Maybe the microwave measurements include the feet on the micro, and maybe you can shave them down a bit to pick up a little more space.
Click to expand...


Yeah that was my first thought - remove the rubber feet. Unfortunately all of the microwaves I've looked at have the feet as part of the stamped bottom plate.
 
To cut with a sabre saw get a down cut blade or turn the blade around so it cuts down that way you don't get no chipping. Then get a 3 x 5 card and hold it under the base of the sabre saw so it won't scratch the cabinet. I'm a cabinet maker and do this all the time on refridgerator and microwave cabinets that are too long and need shortened.
 
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