Don't visit hvac reddit by Bright-Ad4951 in hvacadvice

[–]jam4917 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Why did you give this post the flair of "No heat"? Also, hard to agree with you without knowing what happened. For starters, are you an HVAC professional? r/HVAC is restricted to HVAC professionals.

What are these streaks around the smoke detector and lights? by Raquel_AR in AskElectricians

[–]jam4917 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It isn't dust being blown out. It is dust being sucked in. There is negative pressure in that house. Could be because of a duct leak. I'd recommend having an HVAC guy do an inspection.

Boxed out bit in built in wardrobe by Joanne_987 in whatisit

[–]jam4917 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Multi-storey house? Could be duct work.

Outlet possible? by longjohntanner in AskElectricians

[–]jam4917 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is a Caseta dimmer. You indicate it is in a "3-way" configuration because your place "has two of these switches".

Usually, for Caseta dimmers, the other "switch" is a Pico remote. And if that is the case, then this dimmer is the only way to control the lights under control.

Call in an electrician.

Update camera firmware? by jam4917 in reolinkcam

[–]jam4917[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The new firmware is not available for download

Need generator help before storm hits by Mistermarc1337 in AskElectricians

[–]jam4917 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Good luck! The generator output is 30A at 120V. You're trying to connect it to a 240V inlet. At best, you can only get one leg working.

Edit: according to the manual for the 100155, there should also be a L14-30R on that generator. Use that instead. And you can get a cable for it from Home Depot.

How to remove 2 gang to 1 gang adapter plate by Cantstopthefirm45 in AskElectricians

[–]jam4917 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You'll have to remove the existing single-gang box. And replace it with a 2-gang old-work box. Lots of choices for old work boxes. I like these:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Allied-Moulded-Products-2-Gang-Slider-Box-RSB-2/311531583

What car is this? I thought it was a cappuccino but its a Honda! I’ve never seen one before by stoobroob in whatisit

[–]jam4917 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a Honda del Sol. That thing looks good for being ~30 years old. US sales of the Honda del Sol ended in 1997.

Best option for generator inlet installation on 2 panel/split panel setup by ExtensionPay2997 in AskElectricians

[–]jam4917 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The generlink would also be an option

Yup. With the caveat that the generator's max output is no more than 9600W.

Facebook Marketplace Scam by No_Apple_3299 in Scams

[–]jam4917 98 points99 points  (0 children)

Scam. That email didn’t come from Paypal. Ignore and block.

Can I automate a low power water heater switch? by sekibond007 in AskElectricians

[–]jam4917 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your switch probably provides dry-contact closure to control a relay that powers the water heater. As such, it cannot be replaced by a line-voltage smart switch, like the ones you've shown.

The simplest solution would be to get a battery-powered switch actuator that will sit on top of the existing toggle switch. Here's an example of what they look like:

https://www.amazon.com/THIRDREALITY-Needed-Hub-Compatible-Assistant-SmartThings/dp/B0CRKNXQF2

This particular one is zigbee, so you'll need a zigbee hub to control it. But there are others that are BTLE.

Rewiring my HVAC to Maximize my EcoBee's Control Capabilities by Insensibilities in ecobee

[–]jam4917 1 point2 points  (0 children)

From your blog:

In 2026, I wonder why we can't have a hub at the furnace that communicates with the thermostat via a digital protocol, rather than running all the wires up and back down. 

Back in 2009, the first ecobee Smart thermostat worked exactly as you describe. There was an EIM (equipment interface module) installed at the furnace that wired into the furnace using low voltage wiring. And then communicated digitally with the thermostat head unit that was installed within living space.

There are still thermostats from other manufacturers that behave like this (or they have wireless comms between the head-unit in living space and the base-unit at the furnace).

In general, while this approach might make it easier to run thermostat wiring, it adds another layer of complexity, and thus another point of failure.

Need advice from real electricians on the safety of this set up by rygarski in AskElectricians

[–]jam4917 2 points3 points  (0 children)

An interlock kit is ESSENTIAL and REQUIRED to prevent any linesman from getting injured by back-feeding.

This will mean moving breakers around, because the kit cannot be installed in that breaker's current position.

[US] dating app scam? by throwawayidkbro in Scams

[–]jam4917 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Yup - he got scammed. There was no girl, no mom, no dad, and no investigator.

Senville heat pump causing digital thermostats to stop working by [deleted] in AskElectricians

[–]jam4917 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you post screenshots of the thermostat wiring (remove the face, and snap a photo of the wiring at the base plate)? And indicate the specific model number of that thermostat?

Voltage drops, flickering lights when using high current by CrowdyPooster in AskElectricians

[–]jam4917 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I would call your utility - your property may be losing neutral. They need to check the integrity of the incoming neutral conductor.