Recent content by generator12

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    National Electric Code - Question...

    Hi guys. I've got a house with 100 amp service, but no active ground. The system was originally grounded to the incoming water line, but since the old steel lateral into the house has now been replaced with PVC, I've got no ground except the service neutral. Obviously that's not adequate. I...
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    Question about wrens...

    I've got a birdhouse which has for years been occupied each summer by chickadees or wrens. The wrens are always chirping loudly and can be heard all around the yard - at least until this summer. There's a family which has taken up residence this year and does no singing at all. Until I saw one...
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    Gas Grille - traditional direct heat, or infra-red..?

    Gotta replace the old Char-Broil this spring and am wondering about these infra-red units. I've never used one and wonder how they compare for typical grilling tasks. (i.e., burgers, steaks, chicken, etc.) Do they cook as fast? Do they brown the meat similarly? Can you get that little...
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    Dimmer for household LED lamps...

    I've been replacing the incandescent lamps around the house bit by bit with LED's. The problem is that the old dimmers don't seem to handle the light load well. (No pun intended..!) They blink and wink and don't hold a setting for very long, particularly on low brightness settings. I even tried...
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    2011 Ford Ranger - Vibration at speed...

    I've got an interesting one on my hands. I had a four-wheel brake job done - rotors and pads on front and new pads on the rear. Also had the tires rotated. When I got it back, my ABS function would occasionally operate when stopping in reverse - not every time, but about every third time...
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    Rust Preventive Coatings...

    I've got a 2011 Ranger on which the tailgate is rusting along the bottom seam. Starting to bubble the paint on the (visible) outside and actually flaking metal on the inner side. I've priced new tailgates as well as used from southern locations, but thought I would look into one of the "paint...
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    Fireplace Heat Exchangers...

    Hi everybody. I'm wondering whether anyone here can recommend a source for a heat exchanger for a wood burning fireplace. I've got a basement family room in which the only source of heat (other than electric) is a good size fireplace. It once had a heat exchanger which did a nice job, but was...
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    Robot Vacuum, my new friend....

    About six months ago, on my sister's recommendation, I bought a DeeBot N79 robot vacuum. It's one of the less costly units ($169 for mine) and doesn't have all the features that the more expensive ones do. The little devil wanders around like a drunk for an hour or so, back and forth, hither...
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    The old days...

    Posting about my engine block heater earlier today made me think back to when we were younger and cars were simpler. A lot of guys long for those days, but I'm not so sure. Think about nylon tires with tubes inside, six volt electric systems, and the breaker-point ignition. And we were starting...
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    Thanking Heaven for my engine heater...

    My 2011 Ranger came from the factory with an engine heater. I'd never plugged it in prior to this past Monday night, but I sure did then..! And Tuesday night and Wednesday night and will again tonight. She turns over much more easily, warms up more quickly and seems to smile a little more...
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    Squaring up plastic pipe fitting...

    Replaced the air bleeder on my well tank and having problems sealing it. It's a ,male 1 1/4 MPT fitting, some sort of plastic composite, as is the female on the tank. I snug it up to what feels like "tight" to me, but it continues to leak. In order to function, the device must be in one specific...
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    .38 ACP - Got an old one but can't find ammunition...

    I've got an old Star .38 auto that I bought in the 1960's. It's in great condition, but hasn't been fired in many decades. I can't find any ammo for it. It's the Browning .38 ACP - a good cartridge but it was waylaid by the emergence of the 9mm. If anyone has a line on a source of ammunition for...
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    '97 Cadillac Sedan Deville - Security system preventing car from starting...

    A friend of mine has a '97 Caddie that is essentially defunct. When he tries to start it the engine turns over but won't start. A light tells him that the vehicle anti-theft system is preventing it. The car has been down for over a week. (Aside: The poor guy is recovering from cancer treatments...
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    Rot resistance in landscape timbers...

    Hi everyone. I've got a retaining wall made of landscape timbers backing up a flower berm. In three years the pressure-treated timbers have rotted badly. The wall still "retains" but I've got to replace it. The location is not conducive to the use of stone or blocks so I'm trying to determine...
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    Alfredo Sauce...

    ...Or more specifically, a recipe for alfredo sauce. I make one that tastes wonderful (cream, cheese, butter, a little garlic), but tends to separate while on the plate. Also, I've never been able to blend the ingredients to that creamy texture I get in a good Italian restaurant. Mine always...
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