Big Day

[Stewmuse]

@StewMuse, I'm hoping we're all sorted out before you arrive. If not, get ready for a long week of cold showers and (Dominican) public transit. You wanted an "authentic" experience, right?

Umm... no. Let’s just try again in 2019. Oh, wait. That’s not likely to be any better, so...

[Kip]

OK. At the moment, I have electricity, hot water, AND a running truck.

New truck starter (good news). The problem was the bad news. I've known I had a valve cover leak for a while. It hasn't been bad; just enough to burn a half quart per month. Problem is, it's getting worse....and apparently leaks down the block onto the starter.....which had totally greased the starter motor until it no longer could function. So, short term I'm good. I just have to get that gasket changed soon.

Found the water heater element at the "flea market/Big Lots/hardware store". Changed it with (relatively) little mess made, and we're running hot again. Now, if the power just holds out.

So....most of today's problems were solved by 6pm. It just cost me a day of productivity. I'm going to have a cigar.

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[Kip]

Forgot to mention...apparently the last guy decided no insulation is necessary over the contacts that bring power into the water heater. The metal panel over them was touching and the whole dang water heater shell was "hot" when the switch was closed. Brilliant.

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[Stewmuse]

Forgot to mention...apparently the last guy decided no insulation is necessary over the contacts that bring power into the water heater. The metal panel over them was touching and the whole dang water heater shell was "hot" when the switch was closed. Brilliant.

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Maybe I should just stop by Home Depot and bring you down a new water heater. Might struggle with it as a carry-on, though.

[kurtdesign1]

Well, William and Nick came and picked me up. We're looking for somebody who knows something about tracking down what is likely an electrical gremlin. I have power to everything in the truck - except actually initiating the starter. Windows, lights, etc. all work. Just no crank and no start. I thought maybe the Neutral Safety Switch is out, which is a common cause of this situation (the vehicle doesn't know it's not in gear, so no crank). If that isn't it, I imagine the ignition switch could be bad. Could be a broken contact on the starter as well, which would break the ignition circuit. I don't know. If I still lived in Florida with all the tools I once had, this would be much easier. Having the knowledge but lacking the tools is more than a little frustrating.

On the bright side, our power is back on. It was out this morning, which meant Kristi and the kids had to get ready for their first day back at school in the dark. With no hot water. That was also awesome. I also found the proper element, so I got that going for me.

I'm not kidding here.
My dad has a 2000 Blazer ZR2 (?). Whatever. It's the offroad blazer they used to sell. It has the same sort of issue from time to time and the electrical connection to the starter is the culprit. For him (or me if I'm with him), I put a rubber mat down on the pavement, slide under the car to the point where I can see the starter, touch the connection point with a flathead screwdriver and then it will start right up. Not sure why or how but it works. There is the real chance of electrical shock here so be careful and know what you're touching but it does legitimately work.

[Kip]

The Avengerses....by Marvelee


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[Kip]

Had to make stuff work today....



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[jledou]

Had to look at that one a couple of times... do we call that Dominican Engineering

[Kip]

Had to look at that one a couple of times... do we call that Dominican Engineering

At the school where we often work, there's not usually any power. They have a small generator, but never enough cords/ends. So, the wires were attached to a plug....the stick was just to keep them from touching.

[Stewmuse]

Had to look at that one a couple of times... do we call that Dominican Engineering

At the school where we often work, there's not usually any power. They have a small generator, but never enough cords/ends. So, the wires were attached to a plug....the stick was just to keep them from touching.

So... some extension cords in the next box o' goodies would be a good thing?