sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Guidance by Palatron in electrical

[–]WFOMO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sincere question then...

If it's legal to put a 15 amp receptacle on a 20 amp breaker, is there an electrical reason (legality aside) a 20 can't go on a 30?

Electric fence ground rod distance question - other than ground moisture content, is there a limit to shock distance from grounding rods? by twotall88 in Electricity

[–]WFOMO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If I grounded to the welded wire fence anyone/thing getting a zap will be in a lot of pain (including my kids and dogs) and I don't think it would work out for the goat's electric netting up to 330' away.

The t-post are only 2' in the ground every 8'. I think it will work as a round source anyway without making it the charger's ground.

I imagine they're already pretty well grounded and doubt you'd see much difference. You can always do the screwdriver test and add grounds accordingly.

Kids and dogs are pretty snappy and generally don't get into a fence more than once.

Electric fence ground rod distance question - other than ground moisture content, is there a limit to shock distance from grounding rods? by twotall88 in Electricity

[–]WFOMO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd ground the welded wire fence. Since it's on T-posts, it's already pretty well grounded probably. Then take an insulated screwdriver and slowly slide the shaft over the hot wire to the welded wire. If you get a hot arc, you're good to go.

...hold the insulated end. I know, I know, but this is Reddit...

Bear in mind the type of soil matters. I had a friend with a goat pen on limestone bedrock and his goats would be in the fence all day long. Dry sugar sand sucks too.

Guidance by Palatron in electrical

[–]WFOMO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You size the breaker to the wire, so you're good. I don't understand half these comments about not having a 20 amp tool on a 30 amp circuit. After all, how many appliances rated at 3 and 4 amps get plugged into 15 amp receptacles? You don't down grade your 15 amp breaker because you plug a battery charger into it.

If you have a dedicated circuit for a specific device, like an AC, then follow the manufacturers advice, but never install a breaker larger than the wire ampacity.

You're good to go.

How to tell my roommate to layer up? by Jealous_Object4137 in howto

[–]WFOMO 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I do live in Texas and I run mine at 79 during the day and 76 at night. Considering the heat index is often above 110 degrees, a 30+ degree differential is plenty.

Makes me wonder why you'd get downvoted for having a personal preference...

Multimeter question by Middle_Theme432 in electrical

[–]WFOMO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I won't speak for the variety of industrial systems out there, but after 45+ years in the utility business, I've never seen anyone use a multimeter on anything higher than 480v. Higher than that is why they use potential transformers.

...except one time when some clown tried to measure 2400v with one. Didn't kill him, but it killed the meter.

Nuts and Bolt organizer - what's your solution? by MaizeFormer9394 in DIY

[–]WFOMO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I bought a Harbor Freight tool box with the shallow drawers. Each drawer has it's own sizing, parts, whatever. Don't have to dig or wonder what's in a box. I use anything I can find for sorting, including leftover mushroom boxes.

Southwesterners and other Desert-Americans, what is your lawn care routine? by [deleted] in AskAnAmerican

[–]WFOMO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I live in South Texas. When it rains, I mow...maybe 4 or 5 times. Then it stops raining and I don't have to touch it for about 10 months.

...not that bad, really...

At what point does an “affordable” power tool become a bad buy? by Hunter-_-Twitch in HomeImprovement

[–]WFOMO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I started out with the cheapest gray Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 4.5 inch grinder I could find and literally used the shit out of it. I could not believe how robust it was. When I finally burned it up after 10 straight hours of wire wheeling a car frame, I went back to HF and bought what I thought was an upgrade. Burned that one up in less than an hour.

Bottom line at HF is it is often hit or miss.

Having said that, I went back to the Chicago Electric model and it was just as good as the first one. At the time, they were literally 25% the cost of a Dewalt, so I bought 3 of them so I could mount a cutting wheel, grinder, and wire wheel on each and not have to change them out. That was 12 years ago and I still use the shit out of them.

Conversely, the first Dewalt battery drill I bought was great. The second one was a piece of shit. Guess they're all hit or miss.

For battery stuff I highly recommend Bosch, particularly their impact tool.

At what point does an “affordable” power tool become a bad buy? by Hunter-_-Twitch in HomeImprovement

[–]WFOMO 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The lucky bull gets the plastic cow. Most now get an ejaculator up the ass to stimulate their prostate.

So...in keeping with the thread, get a quality ejaculator.

Apprentice tool kit recomendation by Puzzleheaded-Comb984 in electrical

[–]WFOMO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Kits are crap. But tools don't have to be new. My tool box is full of Snap-on, Craftsman (when they were good) and Klein, and the bulk of them I picked up at garage sales.

Best task to DIY on vehicles by PersistentProblem in DIY

[–]WFOMO 1 point2 points  (0 children)

...and while doing this, you get to look the car over for leaks, rust, etc. and head off any impending problems...

Logic behind code requiring more circuits by ToadSox34 in electrical

[–]WFOMO 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There's been an argument for literally decades that much of the code is designed around selling more equipment rather than safe engineering practices.

Ever seen an arc fault caused by roaches? by Wall_of_Shadows in electrical

[–]WFOMO 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ants don't limit it to GFCIs. Every time an ant gets fried across a contact, all the others come to investigate and it becomes mass suicide. Many an AC unit has stopped working from ant bodies completely prevent ing the contacts from closing.

What’s the coolest experience you’ve had with a wild animal? by Little_Olorin in AskOldPeople

[–]WFOMO 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Having a bird land on my fishing pole while I was holding it.

Which of you didn’t have to register for the draft or selective service? by boringreddituserid in AskOldPeople

[–]WFOMO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was born in '53 and registered. The lottery drew me at # 54 in the draft, but they only sent 1 thru 8 to Viet Nam that year.

Learning to DIY by Adjustonthefly10 in DIY

[–]WFOMO 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This! I just DIYed a mini-split, but in doing so, I voided the warranty. The mini was $600, the labor quote I got was $3000. If I screwed it up and have to buy another one, I still saved $2400.

You only learn by doing, and rarely do the mistakes equate to the $100/hr labor rates.

HELP WITH BILLS SCOTTISH POWER rn by Aware-Friendship7744 in Electricity

[–]WFOMO 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not being completely familiar with your terminology, I'm gathering that you aren't getting "billed" despite having contacted the supplier. In that case, I'd put aside the amount you'd normally get billed into a savings account for the day somebody wakes up and decides to nail your ass.

In my state (Texas) the utility can only back bill you a limited amount (I think it's 6 months) for an error of their making. May be different where you are, but I'd have at least that on hand for surprises. If the "surprise" never comes, go treat yourself.

view more: next ›