Thread: Microwave Oven Conversion to a UV Resin Curing Chamber

Needed items

1. Microwave
2. Screwdrivers
3. Drill with bits
4. Aluminum Tape
5. UV Curing light
6. Dremel with cutting wheel or metal shears

So I had seen a video on YT about this so I tried it. I took a microwave that was fully functional but had been in a closet for years. All one really needs is an old microwave that doesn’t have a functioning magnetron but still has power and a functioning keypad.

I removed the cover (s) to expose the inner guts of the microwave. The Capacitor, Magnetron and High Voltage Transformer were identified and removed. At this point I started plotting where and how I was going to cut the hole and mount the UV curing light. There was an existing area (wave guide) where I could cut the hole to put the curing light in. I used metal snips to accomplish this and the light fit perfectly. ( I would have used a Dremel but I didn’t have a cutting wheel handy and I wasn’t running 30 miles to town.


OPENING THE MICROWAVE TO EXPOSE THE GUTS


CAPACITOR AND HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER REMOVED. NOTE: THE MAGNETRON REMAINS AND IS THE SQUARE SHAPED PART WITH THE YELLOW STICKER.


After removing the wave guide (popped the micro welds with a big screwdriver) and cutting the hole i test fit the light, smoothed the cut edges with a file and taped around them with Aluminum tape.



At this point I could have cut the power cord to the UV curing light and wired it into the existing internal power wires that powered the transformer which would have allowed the UV light to come on when I started the microwave. It would have been convenient however I chose to leave the original cord powering the light intact to facilitate easy removal should it go bad or the microwave unit have issues. I installed the light securing it with aluminum tape and the bracket that came with the light.


TRANSFORMER POWER WIRES IDENTIFIED

After installing the light I taped the inside of the microwave in it entirely so that the light reflects all over the inside to facilitate complete curing.



I set the microwave using the units timer and it runs as normal with the turntable rotating. I power the light on individually with its own on off switch.

Tested it out before buttoning up the unit and everything is a go.

Special thanks to my wife for putting up with me doing this on the kitchen counter inside on a cold rainy day.


LINK TO THE UV LIGHT UNIT I BOUGHT FROM AMAZON:

Amazon.com