Product review (2 stars): Functional Controller Demonstrates Risk of Fire
We remodeled our kitchen 4 years ago and I purchased this controller and the fiber optic controller switch back then for the bar sink in our new island. I went to use the disposal recently and it was no longer functional. Upon inspection the inside of the controller box was seriously blackened and traces on the circuit board were disintegrated. The MOV device next to the transformer basically had exploded. I don't think we had used that disposal a couple of dozen times over the years.

The device did work as advertised. It also was easy to install. But now that it failed and I have had a chance to look at the electronics (my career field) I am a bit concerned. To begin with the circuit is powered 24/7. Besides the demonstrated risk of fire it constantly consumes energy and adds to the ever increasing load on your wallet. Why can't we design these things in to be energy conscious?

My wife tells me now that Waste-King appears to have redesigned their base unit. I wonder if it has been improved in any way or is just designed to be more cheaply manufactured. I am not willing to risk it. Frankly, I would rather pay more for something that would last 30 years then to have to repair/replace so frequently. You know, just about everything falls into the latter category these days. The land fill out this way is growing to an astounding elevation.

I would recommend that if you like this product you consider turning power off to it when it is not going to be used for any length of time. Meanwhile I might take the time myself and do a little reverse engineering to see how they approached this design and to learn how not to do it.