PDA

View Full Version : Do Emmett's Fix-it shops exist anymore?



Darrell KSR
01-19-2015, 12:47 PM
Just curious.

I have a squirrel evictor light where the very thick cord was chewed through by squirrels. A new cord is needed, if somebody does that kind of stuff anymore.

The light is $200 ($170 if you're lucky), so I'd rather not replace the whole thing, but just pay somebody to safely replace the cord, if it can be done.

My next question will be -- what's the best way to keep squirrels from chewing through a cord? Wrap it in a chain?

MickintheHam
01-19-2015, 01:14 PM
My next question will be -- what's the best way to keep squirrels from chewing through a cord? Wrap it in a chain? Shoot the squirrels.

CitizenBBN
01-19-2015, 02:56 PM
Anti-squirrel device was destroyed by squirrels. Hmmm........

If you can get to the connectors (and even if you can't) it sounds like a simple wiring job. Is this a 110v power cord you just plug in?

Darrell KSR
01-19-2015, 03:08 PM
Anti-squirrel device was destroyed by squirrels. Hmmm........

If you can get to the connectors (and even if you can't) it sounds like a simple wiring job. Is this a 110v power cord you just plug in?

Yup. Pretty thick cord.

Darrell KSR
01-19-2015, 03:39 PM
4398



4397



4396

Darrell KSR
01-19-2015, 03:54 PM
Close up of cord.

It's a 10 foot cord, and I'm thinking maybe just splice the good parts together, shortening it to about 8 feet?

I should be able to do that, shouldn't I?

Darrell KSR
01-19-2015, 03:54 PM
Close up of cord.

It's a 10 foot cord, and I'm thinking maybe just splice the good parts together, shortening it to about 8 feet?

I should be able to do that, shouldn't I?

4399



4400

Darrell KSR
01-19-2015, 05:23 PM
Arggh.

Two years ago I fell through the ceiling. A few minutes ago I was using an extension ladder (don't ask), and it wasn't secured properly. I fortunately grabbed hold of the attic entrance as I plummetted, scraping and cutting myself in the process, but according to my son, "Dad, you looked like you just made an awesome dunk as you were swinging."

Don't ask.

CitizenBBN
01-19-2015, 05:24 PM
16 gauge isn't even that heavy a load. Table lamp level.

Yep, you can do that. Get some twist nut connectors, splice it together tying the matching wires together (white/white in one, black/black in one, green/green in one), then electrical tape each to keep it good and secure then elec tape it all. Not sure what you do about the squirrels eating it again, but that will fix the electrical issues.

If you need more length you can just splice it to an extension cord directly. Just get one with a lower gauge than the 16, which won't be hard b/c most any extension cord will be 14 or lower.

CitizenBBN
01-19-2015, 05:32 PM
Arggh.

Two years ago I fell through the ceiling. A few minutes ago I was using an extension ladder (don't ask), and it wasn't secured properly. I fortunately grabbed hold of the attic entrance as I plummetted, scraping and cutting myself in the process, but according to my son, "Dad, you looked like you just made an awesome dunk as you were swinging."

Don't ask.

You OK? I may retract my other post about you doing this job. ;)

Can I take it this light is in the attic? if so the tape and splice would be fine, but the idea of wires being eaten through in your house has me worried.

Darrell KSR
01-19-2015, 05:57 PM
Yeah, I'm sore. Scraped, skinned and bruised. And basketball practice in 2 hours. Joy.

dan_bgblue
01-19-2015, 07:21 PM
Box it up and ship it to me. I will do the repair for the cost of the return freight.

dan_bgblue
01-19-2015, 07:25 PM
I will replace the wiring with this armored cable. (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-25-ft-14-2-Armorlite-Solid-Metal-Clad-Cable-68579221/202316372?N=5yc1vZc57m)

Darrell KSR
01-19-2015, 09:50 PM
My son told me to snip it and replace the plug. Made it about a 7 foot cord, but it was simple enough that I could do it. 10 minutes, probably should've been 3.

Dan, I appreciate the offer and would've done it had I seen that before.

Darrell KSR
01-19-2015, 09:50 PM
I will replace the wiring with this armored cable. (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-25-ft-14-2-Armorlite-Solid-Metal-Clad-Cable-68579221/202316372?N=5yc1vZc57m)

Oh that looks sweet.

CitizenBBN
01-19-2015, 10:21 PM
Is that BX Dan?

D, it's used in commercial construction, it's great b/c you can attach it to conduit and run it exposed or in wall. Will definitely stop the squirrels, and not all that pricey. You can probably get it by the foot if you wanted to pick it up. Just need to rewire it to the light. Post a pic of the wire going into the light and we can take a guess at what it would take to rewire it completely.

Is this thing in your attic? You could go Bx and metal boxes all the way from one end to the other.

Doc
01-20-2015, 10:20 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PRF39gcUoc

suncat05
01-20-2015, 12:30 PM
I had this happen to me when I lived in Tallahassee. I replaced that wire, and then put on vinyl gloves and coated the wire with habanero tabasco sauce. Twice. Never had another problem with the squirrels after that.

Darrell KSR
01-20-2015, 12:37 PM
I'm hoping that the squirrel evictor light still works.

I actually ordered a 2nd one--it really is too small for my attic just for one, but it worked great until they decided to chew through the cord. But it may have shorted out the lamp, as it isn't working now.

dan_bgblue
01-21-2015, 08:02 PM
What brand light is it?

You need to make sure it is the bulb that is malfunctioning before investing any money in one. Do you have an electrical multitester, or an ohm meter?

CitizenBBN
01-21-2015, 10:32 PM
Do you have an electrical multitester, or an ohm meter?

This is going to be fun. :) ;)

Darrell KSR
01-21-2015, 11:48 PM
What brand light is it?

You need to make sure it is the bulb that is malfunctioning before investing any money in one. Do you have an electrical multitester, or an ohm meter?

Squirrel evictor light.

http://www.amazon.com/Pest-Tools-10K-Evictor-Strobe/dp/B000E7OYBK

Ohm meter? Is that like a Swedish yardstick?

dan_bgblue
01-22-2015, 08:04 AM
A replacement 10K strobe bulb is about $45.00. Ohm meter is a device used to measure levels of meditation.

Darrell KSR
01-22-2015, 10:44 AM
A replacement 10K strobe bulb is about $45.00. Ohm meter is a device used to measure levels of meditation.

Can I meditate with the squirrels? Sounds zen-like.

dan_bgblue
01-22-2015, 03:54 PM
I would not recommend that course of action. It has to do with the proper body position to meditate and the squirrel's affinity for nuts.

Darrell KSR
01-22-2015, 04:55 PM
If you can't trust a squirrel, who can you trust?

dan_bgblue
01-22-2015, 05:52 PM
Lets see, we are talking about a critter that should be charged with breaking and entering plus willful destruction of personal property, and you think it is trustworthy?

Darrell KSR
01-22-2015, 06:17 PM
Lets see, we are talking about a critter that should be charged with breaking and entering plus willful destruction of personal property, and you think it is trustworthy?

Hmm. That's a ponder worthy point. I may meditate on it. Where's my ohm meter?

CitizenBBN
01-22-2015, 11:49 PM
Told you so. :)

dan_bgblue
01-23-2015, 10:23 AM
You did, but the thread has taken an interesting turn. Apparently Darrell is more interested in discussing the inherent trustworthiness of a tree rat than he is in fixing the device he spent good money on to run the tree rat out of the space it has homesteaded without an invite.

Darrell KSR
01-23-2015, 10:41 AM
I found a replacement bulb for $27. I wonder if that would be cheaper than meditating with the squirrels as to whether or not the device I have is working?

dan_bgblue
01-23-2015, 12:00 PM
I think squirrels are unionized so it is likely a meditation session would be more costly. If the new bulb does not fix the device, the bulb will make a nice conversation piece if you just leave it lying on the desk at your office.

Darrell KSR
01-23-2015, 12:45 PM
Well my "2nd" one came in.

In the meantime, I picked up a device 4 days ago that may have worked temporarily. It's an ultrasonic device that I thought was useless, but for 4 days, there has been no activity at all. And generally there is activity every day when they have invaded.

I have heard that it is a temporary fix only, so I did not rely on it. My other light came in yesterday and I put it up today. I might let those two things go for now--basically sound and a strobe light. I think I have disco squirrels.

I may still order the replacement bulb since I found it for $27. One is really too small for the attic, but it has worked since I placed it closer to the end where I'm pretty sure they get in.

Darrell KSR
01-23-2015, 04:03 PM
By the way, this is just my arm on what happened when I fell from the attic and grabbed the opening. Legs and torso got it, too.



4415

BigBluePappy
01-23-2015, 07:15 PM
I have heard of it all; full contact squirrel wrangling!

All seriousness, be very thankful you were not injured worse...

CitizenBBN
01-23-2015, 09:48 PM
Well this was funny till Darrell posted actual pics of his injuries. ;)

Darrell KSR
01-23-2015, 10:16 PM
It's still funny. Just sad that a squirrel can beat me up.

CitizenBBN
01-23-2015, 11:26 PM
It's still funny. Just sad that a squirrel can beat me up.

I thought you slipped. Now you're saying you were pushed?

dan_bgblue
01-24-2015, 06:10 PM
We can add assault and battery to the list of charges against the "trustworthy" squirrel