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Post by blackhorse on Jan 1, 2018 5:00:55 GMT
When you get that far, be sure to test every crimp-on connector by trying to pull it off of the wire. If it comes off with moderate force it's no good.
Hand crimps are notoriously troublesome; some strands are too loose, others pinched off. On older equipment that use screws instead of spade connectors you may get better connections by stripping the wire and wrapping it (3/4 turn) around the screw and tightening. Watch for stray strands after the screw is tightened, trim them off so they don't touch anything.
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Post by jake on Jan 1, 2018 16:06:30 GMT
The connectors are available at Home Depot, Lowe's, or your local hardware store. I'd recommend getting an assortment to start out with. Some spade (flat) connectors, some ring connectors, and some butt connectors. 14 and 16 gauge should be good. You might find a 12 gauge or two but I doubt it. The package will tell you what gauges you're buying. The smaller the number the thicker the wire. Plus they're color coded. You can also use liquid electrical tape on some wires too. It's great for beginners and you literally just paint it on for a good insulator. Good to hear from you again, Nana! Keep us posted! Just be patient and take your time. You can do this!!
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nana
5 Cubic Foot
Posts: 70
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Post by nana on Jan 2, 2018 23:55:03 GMT
We're dealing with power outages, no heat, and frozen pipes...the fridge is on the back burner.
I'll post a picture when I can, and then you guys are going to have to back waaaay up and start at the very beginning. I'm sure you're giving me good advice, but I'm not ready for crimping and connectors and wire gauges yet! Believe me, it goes beyond refrigerator repair for "dummies" all the way to "complete nincompoops". Assume I know nothing. Because I don't!
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Post by blackhorse on Jan 3, 2018 5:34:14 GMT
Ahhh-- Winter. Ain't it glorious?
Sitting here now with the water turned off, leave it on and the showers and kitchen sink will be frozen in the morning.
Anyone driving anything named Titanic will be in serious danger if they go anywhere near the livestock waterers.
The potbelly pigs are buried under rams to keep from freezing. Which is something for them; normally they shriek at any such indignity. And it keeps the "rammy bits" warm(er), for mutual benefit.
Saw where they're wearing T-shirts in Alaska. Polar Vortex. Climate change. Whatever.
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Post by Travis on Jan 3, 2018 17:21:55 GMT
It’s temporary, suck It up.
I’m chomping at the bit to work in the garage, but not until it’s 30. It’s winter and the good days ran out.
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nana
5 Cubic Foot
Posts: 70
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Post by nana on Jan 4, 2018 0:00:51 GMT
We've developed many strategies for dealing with our plumbing in winter, but when the power went out at 20 below...there was really nothing we could do, besides quickly drain the whole system, which we didn't think to do until it was too late. This is shaping up to be a winter like we used to have! We got complacent over the past couple winters and so we got caught flatfooted. Alas, sucking it up is all we can do til spring, I guess!
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Post by Travis on Jan 4, 2018 1:12:17 GMT
You're completely right Nana. The past 2-3 winters have been very mild. I don't like the cold, but am very thankful that the ground is clear. I seem to recall more snow in St. Louis. I don't miss it one tiny little bit.
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Post by blackhorse on Jan 4, 2018 13:06:46 GMT
You're completely right Nana. The past 2-3 winters have been very mild. I don't like the cold, but am very thankful that the ground is clear. I seem to recall more snow in St. Louis. I don't miss it one tiny little bit. Aaaague !! Don't even breathe the "S" word --
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Post by jake on Jan 4, 2018 22:37:10 GMT
Snow is a four letter word!!
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nana
5 Cubic Foot
Posts: 70
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Post by nana on Jan 4, 2018 22:55:58 GMT
Snow is fine with me! So it snows, big deal. Once it's plowed or shoveled out of your way it can sit there for months, not bothering anybody. What I hate is ice. When you get freeze-thaw weather, or snow and then it rains on top of it, that's truly awful. Ice is dangerous. Right now it's been so cold that all our snow is still fluffy and light and easy to deal with, even the stuff we're getting right now. After the deep freeze coming up this weekend, (Saturday's predicted high: -3) it's going to go up into the thirties next week. It's gonna feel like spring! But the snow will get icy then too. Gotta take the good with the bad!
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Post by ckfan on Jan 5, 2018 23:06:44 GMT
Snow is fine with me! So it snows, big deal. Once it's plowed or shoveled out of your way it can sit there for months, not bothering anybody. What I hate is ice. When you get freeze-thaw weather, or snow and then it rains on top of it, that's truly awful. Ice is dangerous. Right now it's been so cold that all our snow is still fluffy and light and easy to deal with, even the stuff we're getting right now. After the deep freeze coming up this weekend, (Saturday's predicted high: -3) it's going to go up into the thirties next week. It's gonna feel like spring! But the snow will get icy then too. Gotta take the good with the bad! Ice = bad and destructive Snow = fun and beautiful! Until you wreck that is...
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nana
5 Cubic Foot
Posts: 70
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Post by nana on Jan 5, 2018 23:43:17 GMT
If it's just snow, always remember go slow and no sudden moves. And have properly inflated tires with good tread. Actually the snow we got last night and into today was nice and crunchy from the cold--you actually get pretty good traction in that kind.
We used to live in Oklahoma when my husband was still in the Army and I remember it snowed about 6" and the whole state shut down. People just aren't ready for snow in southern climes so when it happens they are really in a pickle. I only get fed up with it if we get so much there's nowhere to put it. We've had winters where the snowbanks are over my husbands head. All the walkways and people's driveways are like canyons.
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Post by Travis on Jan 6, 2018 0:03:56 GMT
Oh come on.
Snow rarely falls and doesn't melt some and turn into ice. If it did, I'd be all for it.
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nana
5 Cubic Foot
Posts: 70
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Post by nana on Jan 6, 2018 15:12:09 GMT
When the temperature hasn't gone above 20 degrees since Christmas, there's not a lot of melting going on! Lots of icicles on the roofs though. Check out this one on our roof: It's longer than me! We put a copper snow slide on the edge of the roof, so we don't usually get this kind of icicle. This one is over where there used to be a chimney going up the side of the house, which was pushed down by ice when we had a doozy of a winter the first year we had the house--a combination of too much snow and not enough insulation, and no snow slide. There must be just enough cracks in the siding there to let out just enough heat to create this monster. Monday is finally supposed to go above freezing, so we will be blocking our driveway off until it falls. That thing would kill someone if it landed on them!
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