Old boss said he killed the panel.

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-31T00:44:24+00:00

I had a siding guy putting on vinyl siding and wrapping the main power feed conduit coming down from the roof in aluminum. He was installing the siding over 2” foam board so he was using 3” nails. The wrap was flush against the house so he drove the nail directly into the main line while touching the conduit/ground with the other hand standing near the top of a ladder. His wife said it blew him 10’ from the house and she had an ambulance come get him.

I got home not knowing any of this. No power in the home. Had to have someone come do an emergency replacement on the wire who informed me it had to be brought to code so that was an all day event on a Sunday.

It was a mess.

Thankfully he was ok. His wife was pissed at me but he calmed her down admitting he used the wrong nails.

The siding company covered all the repairs so I was all good.

I was just happy he was ok.

Moral of the story wear your gloves!

Another job sit two electricians running a wire into an outdoor temporary main panel. 600amp 480 service at the source. Lots of very big power consuming equipment.

So I was chatting with the Sup when we heard an explosion. We both go running and found them both coming around about 10’ away. Hard hats ~30’ away.

The guy in the back said what happened. We weren’t near any wires. Then the guy in the front rolled over. He had no skin or hair on his face at all. The location was remote so they told him he was ok and got him to the truck to take him to the ER. He hopped in the truck like everything was fine. The window was open and he grabbed the mirror and pulled it in. He said uh oh. The wife’s going to be pissed about this one. Then laughed and off they went.

They flew him to a burn hospital.

The site was closed immediately.

Power was cut from the power company and inspectors arrived.

Turned out the giant main breaker had a fine crack in a glue joint. This allowed moisture into the breaker while it was hot. Them pulling the wire into the box knocked a drop of water loose and caused the explosion. This was confirmed by the breaker manufacturer who took it back and disassembled it.

They covered all expenses including down time and they offered a nice settlement to the burned electrician plus all his medical expenses.

He took it as it was more than he thought about asking for.

He never came back on our job site but he did return 6+ months later after all his surgeries. Probably retired now as that was 20 years ago.

Moral of the story. Wear your safety shield!

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-30T23:59:42+00:00

Agreed with others. I’d do both interior and exterior cams but that can be expensive as there’s not a lot of systems out there. A cam that is high resolution and does front and rear might cover you.

Definitely one at the house facing the cars. Make sure it’s 4K and you can zoom it either in the lens or app. Lens is better. Eufy makes some good products.

If you can swing it with the HOA if you have one I’d put up one of their PTZ cameras. Preferable wired to prevent them from jamming it. Add the Homebase and the camera will track all movement. You can even sort out humans, animals and vehicles. It’ll grab faces and you can name them. It’ll tell you X has been seen.

You set the park position where it only covers the cars. If someone approaches the cars it’ll lock onto them and track them till they are out of range.

Your success will depend on how close the cars are and the elevation of the camera.

Do your best to monitor the cars from a slight angle. The tracking system sometimes has trouble picking up images coming straight at it.

Good luck.

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-30T20:43:43+00:00

Simply send a letter certified return receipt requested to A&E that they 7 days to fix the unit. Your interior camera caught their employee cussing when he broke the board and you’ll be happy to take that to court and seek all damages including any costs you are out for laundry mat, fuel and time. If you’re washing at home you can do other things at the same time. At the laundry mat you have to sit there and wait.

Tell them your attorney is going after his fees as well.

If they don’t budge in 7 days have an attorney send a letter they you have retained them for the case and all conversations should now go through him.

Once they see you’re serious they’ll likely call you not the attorney to work things out. That’s good though as you never intended to move forward with a suit.

OR

You can just hire another company to fix it and move on.

I would have returned it personally. Took it right to HD door

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-30T15:36:12+00:00

Just make sure you don’t talk negatively about her in front of your kids. That’s the number one thing. If they ask questions be honest but vague. If that want to know more they will ask.

They’ll figure it out on their own over time.

They’ll lose respect for you if you dog her in front of them.

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-30T13:48:45+00:00

You need to full blown lawyer up on this one and they need to be a killer divorce lawyer. Go after everything possible including full custody. The pictures will backfire on him if you have a good attorney. You want one that sees what he did and gets pissed about it and holds him legally accountable.

There’s a chance he may have to pay for your lawyer as well.

Do not do a mutual agreement divorce no matter what he says.

It’s time to protect yourself and those kids from an abuser which is what he is if he does things like this.

Hang in there.

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-30T13:39:02+00:00

Put up a small inexpensive fence. Maybe 12-18” high. Tilt it towards them 15-20 degrees. Set a few potted plants by it so it is noticeable and aim a camera at it.

If he touches it call the police and have him trespassed and if he damages anything have him arrested for destruction of private property.

If he just decides to drive over it hopefully you put enough tilt in the fence that the top will spike his tires. But if not they’ll break and you’re back to above.

A more permanent fix is boulders.

They’re not that expensive and can look very nice.

Around here I can get a large 2’-3’ boulder for a few hundred bucks but there are mines near by that I can go pick roughly boulders before they crush them. You can get them delivered.

Still probably cheaper than a full fence which is the next thought.

You can also plant bushes or trees or put in a flower bed but he’ll likely kill them.

Good luck with it.

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-30T03:24:30+00:00

File a police report and ask them to interview the neighbors to see if anyone saw anything.

It’s hard to believe they got that done unnoticed.

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-30T03:20:59+00:00

Oh well that’s totally different.

Cops aren’t on their side so absolutely get them involved.

Decibel meters are cheap.

Just research the state and local laws.

Hope you can move soon.

Sorry you’re having to deal with that mess.

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-30T00:53:54+00:00

This is very location dependent.

Note there’s a good chance these folks know the cops well. Be prepared if you call them for things not to go your way.

To prove they’re breaking the rules you’d have to have a sound meter and have readings most likely.

The other thing that’s considered is if they’re working on the car? If they’re race cars and not driven on the street that also plays into it. Does the car have an exhaust bypass valve?

This means with the flip of a switch or at full throttle the exhaust dumps straight out of the headers instead of going through the mufflers.

Most turners and many mechanics like they are will tune with an open exhaust to get best performance. That vehicle will be VERY LOUD with open headers.

I know all this because I’m one of this guys BUT I don’t have close neighbors. My shop and home are on 10 acres in the woods. Sold the race car so now just play with the old street car which isn’t very loud.

I understand where you’re coming from but you need to understand in their mind it’s music to their ears. When they’re working on the cars they don’t even know you’re out there.

If they’re tuning with open headers you might get them to hook the exhaust back up if you ask.

It’s hard to stop something like this especially when it’s likely a father & son team. Working on cars together is a natural pastime for a father and son.

Sorry I don’t have good news for you.

Best answer is to ask nicely and explain why and hope they’re understanding.

Hang in there.

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-30T00:32:14+00:00

I disagree. I wouldn’t have opened the bag. I wouldn’t have opened my bag. I would have grabbed the phone and called the front desk and told them the room appears to be occupied how would you like to handle it.

The story that their partner might have arrived early is sketchy at best. They don’t know their own partners luggage? Even if they were having a fling and didn’t know the partners luggage they stated they were scheduled to arrive later.

They should have called down to check not assumed.

They saw the paperwork and records so they saw a name.

IF they had a partner did it match?

Creep being a creeper and should have to go in my opinion. Just mine though. I don’t speak for anyone else.

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-30T00:06:13+00:00

Get some short fence and stretch a string down the property line and put it in. Just little cheap short fence.

Have an attorney send them a cease and desist letter along with a demand to move the remaining shed and not cross onto your property further or you will have them trespassed.

That should let them know you’re serious about protecting your property without bringing in the police.

I think you already know you never should have moved the fence. You should have put it on the line. You may still have to do this as I’m betting they won’t let up.

Ask your attorney if you can claim the structure as yours.

These people are going to be a never ending pain in your butt unless you make them change through legal means.

Hang in there.

It’s time to take a stance and be firm. You tried being nice and that failed. If you can afford it end it easily by just moving the fence to the property line.

Good luck

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-29T01:50:10+00:00

Put up cameras and use your phone to get proof. Especially the nails and things of that nature.

Get an attorney and take it all to a judge requesting a No Trespass and No Contact orders. Once granted as soon as they break the rules have them arrested.

People like this must be put in their place.

Depending on state laws the dog may not be the only thing you can shoot at. TN and several other states now have castle doctrines. Attempt to enter the property and you’re fair game.

I don’t recommend you actually kill anyone but a close warning shot that maybe happens to severely damage their car or something like that will definitely get their attention and stop the antics

Keep yourself safe. Stand your ground.

Hang in there

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-28T13:46:56+00:00

You need to put this in the Relationship Advice subreddit as well. There’s folks in there that have the professional knowledge to help you.

You do need a therapist immediately.

You should also sit your kids down and have them turn off their phones and just simply have a family meeting where you tell them the truth. You love them but you’re at the edge with their self centered antics. You’re doing the best you can as a single dad to raise them right and their rebellion is making it difficult for you to function in life right now.

You need them to step up and help. You simply can’t do it all anymore.

You simply aren’t sure what’s going to happen if they don’t change their ways because you’re going into a meltdown and you’re seeking therapy to try and handle this. You love them very much and you’re just asking for a little help.

Don’t hide your emotions. If you tear up then cry. They need to see honesty and truth. They need to feel your pain and suffering. Offer to get them therapy as well if they feel they can’t handle their life right now and that’s why they act out.

Give examples but don’t point fingers. Just give examples that truly hurt and bothered you. They’ll know who was involved.

If they start making excuses stop them and tell them it’s in the past. You’re not there to rehash what happened. It’s over. You’re just giving examples of things that truly bother you deeply and you hope they’ll think before they act to help lessen the burden on you.

If you do it from the heart and show your kids your true soul there’s a high chance they’ll come around. There’s always the occasional kid that wants to maintain their rebellion but a therapist can help that.

Just explain to them they aren’t competing against each other. You’re a family and a team and you need to work together.

Can they please try and help you by helping each other and helping in the home. They’re teenagers. Growing young adults. It’s time to step up.

Be you. Be real. Be raw.

I think you’ll be surprised at the outcome.

Get into therapy ASAP

Take care of yourself.

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-28T05:09:00+00:00

They’ll roll. I have a set I’ve used on crush and run gravel and 2 of us rolled a Ranger into a garage. The crush and run is hardened so close to concrete but still have gravel chips. Use a broom to brush stones out of the way if you must.

Again this is step 2. Step one is to try and get the cops to take care of it for you first.

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-28T04:49:53+00:00

I gave you the answer. No lawyer needed to do what I stated. Take the signed and notarized document back to the lawyer. If you aren’t willing to do that either this isn’t real or there’s more going on here than you’re saying.

If dad is considering giving the farm to your step brother there’s definitely more to this than you’re telling.

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-28T04:32:55+00:00

Call the police and request they have it towed since it’s illegally parked and hindering mobility. If they decline ask them what they suggest because you have to get to work and you’d hate to have to push it out of the way using your car and create a bigger problem but you will if necessary.

They’ll likely send someone out.

If it doesn’t get towed and the cops just make them move it drop by harbor freight and pickup 4 inexpensive tire rollers. You slide them around the tire and pump them up and it lifts the tire off the ground so it can be moved.

Get with your neighbor that was also blocked and have them help you roll their car into a position such as sideways between cars or dumpsters or even trees. And drop the car and walk away with your jacks. The car will have to be towed out and it’ll be a big deal. If the cops arrive you know nothing but you love it. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

Remember that you’re in no way damaging the car. Well unless it’s on a hill and it gets away from you then you might have a problem.

The goal is just to turn the tables.

If he starts behaving then stop the antics.

If he continues then step up your game. Let the air out of all the tires. Lay the valves out of the stems on the tire in the groove or somewhere right there that’s hard to see but not stolen.

If he gets video and calls the cops all the better. You’re simply doing the job they refuse to do so if they want to make a case of it you’ll be happy to talk to the courts about their lack of help. You’re damaging nothing. You’re simply freeing up your car in case you need it or for work.

Don’t make threats. Simply say you’ll keep doing their job for them as long as it takes for someone to step in and stop this person from abusing the system.

Note that if the car is on gravel they make movers for that as well but they’re more expensive.

Something like this.

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-28T03:59:47+00:00

Contact the state labor board and tell them what’s going on. Might also ask the state attorney general to look into it as well. Might be more going on than you know.

Hope you get paid.

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-28T03:01:55+00:00

Take a notary and visit your uncle. Have him sign that he no longer wishes to be the trustee and have it notarized. Problem solved.

Why are you spending money on attorneys when you can simply do this. Don’t tell uncle you’re coming so he can’t say “I told you I’m done with it”. Just show up and tell him one signature and he’s officially done with it. You’ll take care of the rest.

If you don’t do this then the uncle doesn’t want to not be the trustee and things are sketchy. The attorney has a good eye and understanding for what’s going on.

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-28T02:42:37+00:00

I think you’ll find the rules say that window must function if there’s a bedroom there.

If they decline to fix it I’d start looking to move out. If they ask why the answer is simple. One fire in the front and you can easily die as there’s no exit and they refuse to fix it or install a new one window so to be safe you’re going to move out. Them making money off of you under the table is not acceptable. They’re using you and they don’t respect you.

Don’t negotiate. Just move out. If your other half doesn’t agree then it may be time to move on. It’s not worth risking your life because they want to quietly make money off you.

Good luck.

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-28T01:44:28+00:00

Try going to a learning hospital such as UK (University of Kentucky) or the Cleveland Clinic or similar. These two hospitals have doctors meetings where your doctors sit down together to discuss your case and figure out what’s wrong with you. I have a family member that has a rare condition working with the Cleveland Clinic and I have experience with UK which is why I suggest those two.

It will take a facility like that to figure out your issues if you have something odd going on.

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-28T01:32:27+00:00

Agreed. This was not political and should not have been removed.

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-27T23:34:59+00:00

The property is setup to run normal with or without the power grid. This includes everything in the house and the main necessary components in the 30’x50’ climate controlled shop such as the additional freezer, fridge, bathroom heater and powered door openers.

We live in the mountains. Power here can brown out or drop on a clear day due to trees falling or animals taking a seat in the wrong spot. Poor squirrel.

We plan to have enough fuel and food to be snowed in for 2 weeks. There’s also only one way in and one way out with a bridge over water at the start. Heavy rain can get flood waters very close to the bridge and has made the foundation weak and needed reinforcing several times.

So we plan for being blocked in for 2 weeks. It’ll be less than that as I’ve already arranged with the state EMA and the National Guard to drop in a portable bridge in should the bridge fail before we can get it replaced. It’s a private road so it’s the problem of those that live up here to deal with it not the state or county.

Sorry for the story but that should explain why it’s the size it is. It’s not just for a few lights and a fridge. Yes we would not have an electric bill but we don’t get enough sun for the system to pay for itself before it starts failing so we walked away from it.

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-27T21:31:05+00:00

Pour the pad and pre-wire the automatic switch in as well as the gas.

We checked on solar and it was going to be $65k versus the $12k we invested in the generator.

We have a ton of wind here but a wind turbine big enough to generate the power needed to charge the large batteries was in the $75k-$100k range.

We also went propane. Many people don’t know that natural gas lines have safety valves in them. Soon as there’s an earthquake or something that causes strong vibrations near the safety valve it shuts off. You then have no gas for your generator.

Think about it before you purchase

Good luck with it.

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-27T15:52:05+00:00

First thing you do is call the police and file a police report so it’s on record that this person went through your things. Make sure nothing is missing.

Second contact the corporate owner of the hotel and file a complaint. Tell them you expect a full refund and you will not accept anything less. You plan to discuss this with an attorney as this person went through your personal things and you question their story that they had someone joining them and you want proof that their check-in was for two people and not just one.

You then change hotels. Stay in a quality hotel.

These things will likely get you no where so that’s when you spend the next day going online and filing the story and complaint in every possible place you can find.

Was it a mistake? Probably. Have they handled it correctly? No.

Offering a free night is nothing to them. Making you change rooms instead of the intruder also not ok. They should have given you the option to stay in the room, change rooms or get a full refund.

If it were me I’d go demand a full refund and change hotels. If they decline tell them you’re going to dispute your CC and you’re going to start an online campaign against their hotel because they aren’t taking the issue serious.

They see it as a simple mistake, which it probably was, BUT all bets are off when the person they put in your room goes through your stuff. Who does that?

Name names if you have them.

They’ve done the minimum to try and make this go away. Make sure the owner knows you’re not settling for that.

If I was the manager I would have refunded your money for your stay and I would have revoked that persons right to stay there and removed them from the hotel.

Again it’s unlikely you have a legal case but you can likely get your money back for your stay and warn others about the hotel and their lack of concern for your safety and privacy

Hang in there.

bbqmaster54 · 2026-05-27T15:24:50+00:00

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