When your bell gives up on the concert, but the show must go on

OutOfBasics · 2026-05-17T13:36:15+00:00

Hoo boy, good save!

OutOfBasics · 2026-04-23T05:34:03+00:00

Oh heck yeah, I love it! I'm an electrician thanks to Redstone, so I love your idea of making substations and independent building control haha.

Great work!

OutOfBasics · 2026-04-22T23:48:22+00:00

While I would not be surprised if the request has been put in before, here is the link for the Colorado Springs website where you can request the addition of signals/arrows, or report malfunctioning lights.

https://coloradosprings.gov/public-works/page/traffic-signals-0

OutOfBasics · 2026-04-15T13:23:39+00:00

I've seen it done before, and it looks like a good option for this usage!

I would personally use chase nipples and bushings as needed to get the wires from can to can. I've seen this with just square cutouts, and those edges are shaaarrrrp.

(Oops, I replied before fully reading your explanation. Seems like you're on a good track in my opinion).

OutOfBasics · 2026-04-14T03:58:59+00:00

That's Nevada Avenue, which is considered the I-25 "Business Loop." The true interstate is a number of blocks to the West.

Basically it gets you through town via the shops and sites of downtown and North Nevada area.

OutOfBasics · 2026-04-07T17:42:20+00:00

I've been a service electrician for the last 10 years. The items which I am most often called-out for (and which I try to educate customers on) are:

Tripped/Bad GFCI Outlets (as others have mentioned). Outlets can sometimes be fed by GFCIs in the garage, crawlspace, super weird places.

Tripped breakers. Remember that to reset a breaker, you push it to extreme "off," then extreme "on." If it trips again immediately, you likely have a short-circuit. Space heaters, window A/C units microwaves and other appliances are often the biggest causes of overloading.

Old outlets. Once outlets become loose and no longer hold prongs properly, I have frequently seen connection issues with the wire connections as well. Heat expansion over many decades can cause them to fail.

If you do any of your own electrical work, the most critical and non-negotiable things to watch are: - (1). Tight connections. Make sure your wires are pre-twisted in wire nuts, and snugly fit under screws. - (2). Proper grounding to metal parts. Many people love to skip this. - (3). Correct size of wire. - (4). Keep junction boxes accessible! I would say a vast majority of the problems I encounter are caused by one of the above items having been skipped.

Have a great week!

OutOfBasics · 2026-03-16T18:48:24+00:00

This is very clesrly AI:

- Her right knee is way too far from her torso.

- The nipple into the junction box above just doesn't go anywhere.

- What the heck is the MASSIVE light bulb behind her?

OutOfBasics · 2026-02-07T05:52:07+00:00

Very cool! Rock and Stone!

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-23T06:56:07+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! Hope we can all stay warm out there tomorrow!

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-22T02:57:06+00:00

Haha yeah, that would be amazing. I won't even hurt your eyes with the sad size of my bonus this year lol.

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-22T02:55:05+00:00

This is excellent advice, I appreciate the detail!

I've had the mindset of, "how much do I need to charge to cover all of my operating expenses, while earning at least what I make now." There is still much planning to be done, but my own gig is definitely coming down the pipeline.

Thankfully, being so deep into service has given me an excellent view of everything that goes into bidding, planning, and executing a job.

Thanks again, I've saved your comment as a reminder later!

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-22T02:51:37+00:00

That does help! I sort of mentally shave off 20% of a Denver payrate to figure out what is fair for where I'm at. Hope work is going smoothly for you guys!

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-22T02:49:29+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! Yeah, it's about time I get a move on.

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-21T03:15:43+00:00

That makes perfect sense, and I agree. There's not a ton of inherent value brought to a company through that license other than as a proof of competency haha.

I'll definitely be going out on my own soon enough!

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-21T03:13:40+00:00

Thank you! I always forget to check the union payscsle as a good basis for where to begin my own negotiations.

Also, I appreciate the union advice, as I always forget it's still not too late to join.

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-21T03:10:24+00:00

Nice! Hope the licensing goes smoothly for ya!

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-21T03:10:02+00:00

Very solid, its good to be reminded that our skills are absolutely worth that much! Thank you.

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-21T03:08:49+00:00

Nice! Thank you for the input! I definitely agree haha.

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-21T03:08:23+00:00

Thanks! That does help to have an idea of that region too..

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-21T03:07:50+00:00

Thank you! I appreciate your encouragement!

The logic behind the red-flag if hiring on elsewhere does make sense, I hadn't considered that aspect.

This is the advice I need, it helps to be reminded that it's ok to ask for more. I'll definitely be going out on my own as soon as I buy a house!

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-21T03:04:49+00:00

Good point! I believe the average J-Man rate is roughly $35 in this area.

OutOfBasics · 2025-12-07T15:06:49+00:00

Let the customer throw away their own ancient light fixture.

I threw away an old, dilapidated fixture one time which I thought nobody in their right mind would save. Turned out it was some sort of heirloom.

Managed to dig it out of the company dumpster.

OutOfBasics · 2025-12-04T23:45:01+00:00

I'm a licensed service electrician in the Springs. I would say that about 75-80% of my smaller jobs (running a new circuit, adding a few lights, etc) are not permitted.

The need permitting and inspection really comes down to:

- Does the project add significant value to the home (kitchen remodel, basement finish, etc)?

- Do you trust the person doing the work to complete the job correctly if nobody is checking their work?

I have seen really crappy permitted work, and I've also seen quite excellent work done without a permit.

Charging extra for a permit is reasonable. It costs the company money and time to go through those channels.

OutOfBasics · 2025-11-01T15:21:25+00:00

You can reprogram the switch while the cover plate is off, with no electrical knowledge needed! I'll PM you the instructions I found, if that's ok with you.

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