Patting myself on my back

[Bugsinrugs]

My garbage disposal stopped working. No buggy as it’s 25 years old. I have a couple in the garage because I have rentals. Pop in a new one but that doesn’t work either. So I plug it into the non switched outlet and it works. So I test the switched side of the outlet and I’ve got juice. I test the switch and again power is there. So I start tracing wires. Seems there is a pig tail that goes to the switch from three other wires. I wiggle the pig tail and power is intermittent. I replaced the bad wire and now everything works. I had to lecture my wife on how much money I saved her and why I have a garage loaded with tools and spare everything.
Oh, I’ll be saving the old disposal that still works!

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

I had to lecture my wife on how much money I saved her and why I have a garage loaded with tools and spare everything.

That should help.

[Steve Carlton]

Yep- all down the drain now.

[Bugsinrugs]

Originally Posted by stevej37

That should help.

She was in a good mood so I had to take advantage as moods change quickly around here.

[Norm K]

Unless the lecture is emanating from the wife, using lecture and wife in the same sentence is probably best avoided.

_

[Gogar]

I can hear her now

"so, you spent the money anyway? And it wasn't actually broken?"

[aschen]

Really a great feeling when you figure out how to fix things

You can pat yourself 2x if you did it without consulting google or youtube.

[porsche tech]

Quite a few years ago I was on my way to work one cold winter morning with Mama and the kids waving out the front window to me. I started up my Audi 4000 and backing out I switched on the rear defogger and it immediately shattered the rear glass. Pulled back in the drive way, went around back to my shed and came back with a fresh rear glass I had saved. Went to work and installed it at lunch time. She no longer complained about my “spare part” collection!

[Bugsinrugs]

Originally Posted by aschen

Really a great feeling when you figure out how to fix things

You can pat yourself 2x if you did it without consulting google or youtube.

This time I winged it. But, when I had to replace a three way switch it was almost a day of YouTube education.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

This time I winged it. But, when I had to replace a three way switch it was almost a day of YouTube education.

hahah, yeah, 3 way switches can be a pain.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by masraum

hahah, yeah, 3 way switches can be a pain.

Until you encounter one with the fixture(s) in between (need 4 wires from fixture to fixture but only 3 to the switches, either end).

And then there's the 4-way. We did one of those with one switch being a dimmer that controlled the lights no matter which one you used to switch them on. Took a couple hours to figure that one out. There were 3 entrances to the kitchen.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Until you encounter one with the fixture(s) in between (need 4 wires from fixture to fixture but only 3 to the switches, either end).

As in stairs with a switch at the bottom and at the top for the lights? I can't remember if I've done that dance or not.

And then there's the 4-way. We did one of those with one switch being a dimmer that controlled the lights no matter which one you used to switch them on. Took a couple hours to figure that one out. There were 3 entrances to the kitchen.

I've heard of a 4-way (electrical switch is what I'm talking about), and it made me shudder to think about.

[Bugsinrugs]

My issue was that the original three way switch was an Eagle brand and the local hardware store only had Chinese knockoffs. They didn’t match up. Taught me about “line and load “ connections.

[LWJ]

I love the lecture. I have given my wife the same one. She doesn't seem to care.

Best one is this: why does she always complain about service people. Mechanics, contractors, and similar?

Because she is comparing there crap work to my quality work.

She doesn't seem to buy that one either.

Can't win.

[Joe Bob]

When you stop talking, whilst still talking, and your wife stops listening...

You are still wrong.....suck it up, buttercup.

[1990C4S]

The other day my wife said 'Are you even fuchhin' listening to me???'

I said, 'Slow down, that's no way to start a conversation'.

I spend a lot of time in the garage now....

[javadog]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Until you encounter one with the fixture(s) in between (need 4 wires from fixture to fixture but only 3 to the switches, either end).

And then there's the 4-way. We did one of those with one switch being a dimmer that controlled the lights no matter which one you used to switch them on. Took a couple hours to figure that one out. There were 3 entrances to the kitchen.

I have encountered something similar on a three-way lighting circuit. Unlike an old three-way switch, this circuit used some sort of newfangled electronic switch that worked in a completely different way from the old ones. Took a while to figure it out.

[Bugsinrugs]

The wife wants me to get hearing aids…. I love the quiet.. while she is lecturing me.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by javadog

I have encountered something similar on a three-way lighting circuit. Unlike an old three-way switch, this circuit used some sort of newfangled electronic switch that worked in a completely different way from the old ones. Took a while to figure it out.

Yep, the master and the slaves. Still needs some fancy wiring. Most electricians I know will run the power/switch circuit all around the room before taking the switched power to the light fixtures. It might waste some wire, it might not. But it tends to not have to buy some 12/4 w/gr or 14 same. A little hard to find.