Posts : 655 Trading Reputation : 0 Join date : 2010-11-16 Age : 39 Location : Santa Maria, CA
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Subject: Trials and Tribulations of Home Ownership Fri 22 Jul 2011 - 7:13
This occurred just the last hour or so: So my wife and I bought a home and moved in just last week. Apparently the wiring is backwards. I'll not go into detail as anyone that would understand would cry from how bad it is.
Story is the dishwasher stopped working when we installed a GFI receptacle (the ones with a test/reset button you see near sinks). Turns out the dishwasher was powered via the receptacle the GFI replaced and due to the house's bad wiring the GFI would always trip. So I turn off the breaker and begin to fix it.
Sounds good, right? Turns out it was on a different circuit and somehow the bathrooms (one side of the house) are on the same circuit as the dishwasher and a ceiling fan/light (far corners of the house!). Of course I end up arcing electricity through the pliers I was using and totally overloading the poor 20 amp circuit.
I head outside to the breaker (dark outside by now) and try to reset the breaker. No go. I am getting tired and frustrated by now and can't see well enough. The breaker will not reset. I am starting to worry I blew a fuse. (Those of you who know what I am talking about will laugh now).
After ten minutes of frustration and internet searching I finally realize: My house has a BREAKER. Therefore it is just a stuck switch not a blown fuse. Feeling like an fool I pay the 10 gc for a lantern (raid the camping gear) and head outside. Problem solved! Other than the dishwasher thing. That can wait for tomorrow.
Moral of the story: Don't let others rush you, and always make sure you can see what you are doing when working on electrical systems...
DeafNala Admin
Posts : 21622 Trading Reputation : 9 Join date : 2008-04-03 Age : 76 Location : Sound Beach, NY
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Subject: Re: Trials and Tribulations of Home Ownership Fri 22 Jul 2011 - 12:03
Having lived in a house with an early form of Paleolithic wiring, I can identify/sympathize. Ultimately, it is the home, like other possessions, that own the owner.
_________________ "I'd NEVER join a club that would have me as a member." Groucho Marx
Posts : 655 Trading Reputation : 0 Join date : 2010-11-16 Age : 39 Location : Santa Maria, CA
Personal Info Primary Warband played: Orcs & Goblins Achievements earned: none
Subject: Re: Trials and Tribulations of Home Ownership Fri 22 Jul 2011 - 17:22
On the plus side I now have enough space to actually begin constructing a game table!!! If only I had a regular group to play with...
folketsfiende Venerable Ancient
Posts : 998 Trading Reputation : 2 Join date : 2009-05-08 Location : Stockholm, Sweden
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Subject: Re: Trials and Tribulations of Home Ownership Fri 22 Jul 2011 - 18:08
I hope you'll be able to get it right. I'm something of an idiot myself when it comes to electricity (Only then, folketsfiende?), and managed to nearly electrocute myself last time I dabbled with the wiring in my apartment. Concerning ownership I would like to quote a Futurama character: "You can't, like, OWN property, man!"
DeafNala Admin
Posts : 21622 Trading Reputation : 9 Join date : 2008-04-03 Age : 76 Location : Sound Beach, NY
Personal Info Primary Warband played: Orcs & Goblins Achievements earned: none
Subject: Re: Trials and Tribulations of Home Ownership Fri 22 Jul 2011 - 18:48
BalrogTheBuff wrote:
On the plus side I now have enough space to actually begin constructing a game table!!! If only I had a regular group to play with...
"BUILD IT & THEY WILL COME"...well it worked for Field of Dreams.
_________________ "I'd NEVER join a club that would have me as a member." Groucho Marx
Subject: Trials and Tribulations of Home Ownership 
Fri 22 Jul 2011 - 7:13
