Things keep breaking and I’m getting OLD.
So far last 30 days things that failed and I needed to fix
- Kawasaki Side By Side fuel pump wiring chewed by mice
- Tesla Outside Temp wires chewed up by mice
- GFCI for Garage Refrigerators died and needed to be replaced
- Gutter downspout clogged and needed to be removed and cleaned out
- Outdoor Camera failed and needed to be replaced
- RV Propane / CO monitor chewed end end of life and needed to be replaced
- DISH TV Remote died and needed to be replaced and reprogrammed
- Batteries for UPS died and needed to be replaced
- 50 AMP Breaker for EV Charger failed and needed to be replaced
- WIFI wall switch for Pool light failed and needed to be replaced
- MyQ wireless switch for motion lights failed and needed to be replaced
- Garage door outdoor keypad died and needed to be replaced and reprogrammed
BUT, I'm not complaining, IT COULD ALWAYS BE WORSE!!! Hurricane Debby drenched us but WE didn't have any damage.
My Son in Laws parents live 5 miles from us. They got flooded with 5 feet of water in their house. They had to be rescued by boat. SEE ATTACHED SHORT VIDEO Taken 2 days ago.
How old was the 50A breaker that failed? I’ve seen a few burned bus bars and failed breakers on various EV groups and wonder if my time is coming. I installed mine in 4/2019.
How old was the 50A breaker that failed? I’ve seen a few burned bus bars and failed breakers on various EV groups and wonder if my time is coming. I installed mine in 4/2019.
The panel is primarily used to power my RV at home with occasional use for the EV ESEV drawing 40 amps.
2 days ago my Lightning stopped charging using the Tesla Wall Connector at our remote cabin.. It was midnight when it quit. I moved the truck to the shed area and used the Ford Mobile charger plugged into the RV 14-50 outlet to complete charging.
After troubleshooting it after the sun came up it I diagnosed as a failed 50 amp breaker in the breaker panel. One leg was open. A 70 mile round trip to Home Depot and I was back in business a few hours later. Then I finished the day cutting the 3 acres of grass at the property.
A few days earlier I had to repair wire harness on my Tesla where mice had eaten up the harness that attaches to the outside air temp sensor
A few weeks before my Kawasaki Side by Side wouldn’t start. Mice had chewed through the wires to the fuel pump. I repaired the harness soldering in a length of Tefzel aircraft wire I had and heat shrinking the solder joints.
Tonight we are at our main home and my alarm system sends me a power monitor notification that the outlets that feed the 2 refrigerators in the garage lost power. Troubleshot it to a failed GFCI receptacle. I replaced it with a spare i had in my electrical stash parts box.
Every day it seems that something breaks. I’m in my late 70’s and fortunately I can still troubleshoot but the physical tasks are getting harder to do.
A few years ago I gave up crawling in the attic to run wiring. I no longer do my own tire rotations or wheel bearing repacks.
What do people who can’t troubleshoot and repair anymore do? I am not looking forward to the day I have to give up taking care of the properties since I enjoy the sense of accomplishment. Old age sucks. It gets to everyone.
I have an appt at the VA tomorrow. The nurse called Friday with questions. You know you are old when they ask these questions.
Do you still drive?
Have you fallen in the last 3 months?
Do you need help getting dressed?
Can you shower without assistance?
Do you need assistance with your medication?
Do you have trouble peeing or leak urine?
Those are questions you ask if you are below 4 years old or more than 75 years old. The cycle of life. Enjoy your health while you can still enjoys it.
A few years ago I gave up the 2 activities I loved, I no longer ride motorcycles or fly airplanes. It was tough to give up but my reaction time is slowing down too much.
I had severe neurological problems take much of my hand use about five years ago, which ultimately ended my career far earlier than I had planned. At one point, it got bad enough that I had to move in with my parents for five months before a doctor found a treatment that made things better. It’s been slowly getting a bit worse, so I’m not sitting around waiting for the “right time” to do something. I’m constantly on the road to see something I haven’t, flying out to see my east coast family, or coming up with new ways to make memories with my boys.
I’m 38 years old and might have lots of time to travel around, see the country, and spend time with family. OR maybe not…this could keep getting worse and it’ll all be a memory five or six years from now. I lost my daughter at age 6 back in 2018 without much warning, which taught me that each day is a gift and tomorrow is promised to nobody.
It hurts a lot more these days, but I still enjoy playing with my unreasonably large pile of tools and fixing things. I don’t enjoy electrical work, but love getting the opportunity to learn new things. I’ve only had to replace a few GFCI outlets over the years, but they’ve all failed at inconvenient times.
This!! Don’t stop because it’s harder. Do it because you still can, and that’s awesome!
I just saw this and I feel so hard here. My Wifes Mema has past this June ...gone but with similar symptoms. Sometimes its upper and sometimes its lower limbs that weaken. Sometimes its speech and jerking movements. I am so sorry to hear that always. Jerking movement are not always the symptom. gradual decay of physical
abilities are. The only encouragement is can offer is constant physical movement. Count them to 15000 every day. Think it is the Wise choice.
If we stayed at one house there wouldn't be much of an issue, but we go back and forth several times a month. A tripped GFCI normally wouldn't be that big a deal even if I'm not there. I could call a neighbor or my daughter and have them reset it. I can open the garage door remotely with MyQ. BUT if a GFCI totally fails, like last night with my not being home, that would be a problem.
Here is the Alarm notification Sunday at 8:14 PM it tripped. I replaced the Failed GFCI and respored power at 9:04 PM. I got it fixed 50 minutes later. Fortunately I had a new GFCI in my spares box.
Sun Jul 28 2024 8:14:13 PM 24 Hour Non-Burglary Alarm 01 REFRIGERATION POWER MONITOR
Sun Jul 28 2024 9:04:12 PM Restore 24 Hour Non-Burglary Alarm 01 REFRIGERATION POWER MONITOR
I'm considering replacing the single gang box with a double gang box in that location and install another outlet before the GFCI only to be used for the refrigerators. That way if the GFCI false trips or fails the new outlet would still stay hot. Not to code being in a garage but I'll risk it. When I sell the house I can easily connect the new outlet on the load side of the GFCI to meet code.
Below is a pix of the ourlet and the power monitor setup. There is a black 120vac to 12vdc transformer plugged into the outlet. It feeds a 12v relay (top left) and with loss of power it opens the contact on the relay, The contacts re monitored by the 5816WMWH transmitter (top right) sending a wireless signal the the Honeywell Vista alarm panel.
I'm a bit of a technology nerd. That is one of the reasons I bought the Lightning.
Well I did install the double gang box and installed another outlet in the box which I connected directly to the line input for the 2 garage refrigerators. I tested it and with the GFCI tripped it still supplied power the the 2 refrigerators in the garage.
Well today it paid off. We are at our remote cabin this week and our Home alarm system reported 4 quick power outages and restore within 11 seconds. Then the GFCI tripped. This happened while a line of thunderstorms passed through. Since our 2 garage refrigerators are now on a non-GFCI outlet the food in them is protected. The GFCI outlet also controls the garage door opener and my MyQ so I can't open the garage remotely for a neighbor to help reset the GFCI if needed. I was able to view our security cameras, remotely turn on and off several lights and see them turn on/off with the cameras therefore I knew we had power to the house and it was just a GFCI trip.
Thu Sep 05 2024 7:39:48 PM (6 hours ago) 24 Hour Non-Burglary Alarm 01 REFRIGERATION POWER MONITOR
Thu Sep 05 2024 7:39:42 PM (6 hours ago) Restore 24 Hour Non-Burglary Alarm 01 REFRIGERATION POWER MONITOR
Thu Sep 05 2024 7:39:37 PM (6 hours ago) Restore 24 Hour Non-Burglary Alarm 01 REFRIGERATION POWER MONITOR
Thu Sep 05 2024 7:39:37 PM (6 hours ago) 24 Hour Non-Burglary Alarm 01 REFRIGERATION POWER MONITOR
Thu Sep 05 2024 7:39:37 PM (6 hours ago) Restore 24 Hour Non-Burglary Alarm 01 REFRIGERATION POWER MONITOR
Thu Sep 05 2024 7:39:37 PM (6 hours ago) 24 Hour Non-Burglary Alarm 01 REFRIGERATION POWER MONITOR
Thu Sep 05 2024 7:39:37 PM (6 hours ago) 24 Hour Non-Burglary Alarm 01 REFRIGERATION POWER MONITOR
Here is the power company notice reporting the outage was resolved.
- TICKET COMPLETED
I didn't have time to rewire a house I was selling, so I hired a certified electrical who had a good reputation.
I said to use GFCI on all non-load outlets, Without me knowing it, he used GFCI on the refrigerator. I went to the house to check on it one day, only to see water under the refrigerator, and the wood laminate floor all bowed and warped.
That floor had been down a few years, but was still in excellent shape. It also was part of the matching kitchen, side entrance, and dining room.
I had to take it all up and replace it, throwing the timeline off for me finishing the house remodel, and costing me a good bit of money.
The only GFCIs I have in my current house are one receptacle in each bathroom at the sink counter.
.
jack vines
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
For true. The internet wisenheimers will state unequivocally an ESVE can only be on a big 4-wire 14-50 GFCI; but it just ain't so. The local utility gave us a free ESVE and sent a subcontractor to install it. When I saw him installing a three-wire 6-50 with no GFCI, I asked and was told that's all that's required. The city elecrical inspector confirmed this and signed off on everything. Bottom line, their install material cost was half that of what I'd been told I'd have to use; much more reliable, as well.
jack vines
Do an Internet search and you will find that an update was made in the 2020 version of the National Electrical Code that states that ANY outlet being installed for the purpose of charging an EV MUST use a GFCI breaker. If your locality is on a code older than 2020 then GCI is not required.
There are a a few localities that haven't adopted codes newer than 2020. Below is a link to a map effective 12/1/2022. There have been some updates since but I can't find a maps showing current codes per state. Some localities also have adapted codes newer than the codes adapted at their state level so it's best to check with local building department.
Also most codes require that ALL OUTLETS IN AN INDOOR GARAGE to be GFCI protected. So while some localities an outdoor EV outlet may not require GCCI protection but one in a garage will still require GFCI.
Bottom line, it's best to check with local building department.
625.54 GFCI Protection for Receptacle Outlets Used for EV Charging
"Beginning with the 2020 NEC, all receptacle outlets installed for the connection of electric vehicle charging will be required to be provided with GFCI protection for personnel (regardless of the receptacle outlet’s location). Concerns were raised with personnel plugging and unplugging something like a 250-volt cord cap into a receptacle outlet in a wet or damp environment. By requiring GFCI protection to receptacle outlets employed for EV charging, this will address these concerns."
Link to Leviton's map of codes by states effective 12/1/22 https://captaincode2020.leviton.com/necadoption
So far last 30 days things that failed and I needed to fix
- Kawasaki Side By Side fuel pump wiring chewed by mice
- Tesla Outside Temp wires chewed up by mice
- GFCI for Garage Refrigerators died and needed to be replaced
- Gutter downspout clogged and needed to be removed and cleaned out
- Outdoor Camera failed and needed to be replaced
- RV Propane / CO monitor chewed end end of life and needed to be replaced
- DISH TV Remote died and needed to be replaced and reprogrammed
- Batteries for UPS died and needed to be replaced
- 50 AMP Breaker for EV Charger failed and needed to be replaced
- WIFI wall switch for Pool light failed and needed to be replaced
- MyQ wireless switch for motion lights failed and needed to be replaced
- Garage door outdoor keypad died and needed to be replaced and reprogrammed
BUT, I'm not complaining, IT COULD ALWAYS BE WORSE!!! Hurricane Debby drenched us but WE didn't have any damage.
My Son in Laws parents live 5 miles from us. They got flooded with 5 feet of water in their house. They had to be rescued by boat. SEE ATTACHED SHORT VIDEO Taken 2 days ago.
The biggest issue was with Hurricane Milton in October of last year. Milton took out our pool cage and came to find out that insurance didn't cover it since I didn't have the screen enclosure addendum. As of today, we are still waiting for a new screen enclosure to be installed at a cost of $28,000. Also, the Hurricane did about $500 worth of roof damage and it tore up some canvas awnings that need to be recovered at a cost of $3,750 also not covered. The awnings are estimated to be installed in 4-5 months due to awning suppliers being backed up with 3 back-to-back storms, Debby, Helene and Milton last year. We should have it all fixed up just in time for next Hurricane season.
Then last week the air conditioner condenser fan motor stopped running at my remote cabin. I was hoping it was a simple capacitor failure but no luck. The fan motor is an ECM motor with no external cap. I replaced the failed ECM motor after sourcing one for $500 from a discount internet AC Parts supplier. Fortunately, it was an easy job. While I was at it I replaced the dilapidated power disconnect with a switched version and installed a MicroAir EZStart so I could run the AC with my Lightning during the frequent power outages.
Then my left eyelid is drooping and cutting off peripheral vision to the left, requiring 2 surgeries to be able to drive safely. At the same time the facial plastic surgeon who is doing the brow lift and lid surgery will do surgery to remove a Squamous Cell CA on my nose and another on my neck.
Getting old sucks but it's better than the alternative.
2 days ago my Lightning stopped charging using the Tesla Wall Connector at our remote cabin.. It was midnight when it quit. I moved the truck to the shed area and used the Ford Mobile charger plugged into the RV 14-50 outlet to complete charging.
After troubleshooting it after the sun came up it I diagnosed as a failed 50 amp breaker in the breaker panel. One leg was open. A 70 mile round trip to Home Depot and I was back in business a few hours later. Then I finished the day cutting the 3 acres of grass at the property.
A few days earlier I had to repair wire harness on my Tesla where mice had eaten up the harness that attaches to the outside air temp sensor
A few weeks before my Kawasaki Side by Side wouldn’t start. Mice had chewed through the wires to the fuel pump. I repaired the harness soldering in a length of Tefzel aircraft wire I had and heat shrinking the solder joints.
Tonight we are at our main home and my alarm system sends me a power monitor notification that the outlets that feed the 2 refrigerators in the garage lost power. Troubleshot it to a failed GFCI receptacle. I replaced it with a spare i had in my electrical stash parts box.
Every day it seems that something breaks. I’m in my late 70’s and fortunately I can still troubleshoot but the physical tasks are getting harder to do.
A few years ago I gave up crawling in the attic to run wiring. I no longer do my own tire rotations or wheel bearing repacks.
What do people who can’t troubleshoot and repair anymore do? I am not looking forward to the day I have to give up taking care of the properties since I enjoy the sense of accomplishment. Old age sucks. It gets to everyone.
I have an appt at the VA tomorrow. The nurse called Friday with questions. You know you are old when they ask these questions.
Do you still drive?
Have you fallen in the last 3 months?
Do you need help getting dressed?
Can you shower without assistance?
Do you need assistance with your medication?
Do you have trouble peeing or leak urine?
Those are questions you ask if you are below 4 years old or more than 75 years old. The cycle of life. Enjoy your health while you can still enjoys it.
A few years ago I gave up the 2 activities I loved, I no longer ride motorcycles or fly airplanes. It was tough to give up but my reaction time is slowing down too much.
Our remote cabin has lots of critter issues. We have Deer, Armadillos, rabbits, possums, squirrels, rats, field mice, snakes and an occasional alligator and bobcats. Today we arrived at the cabin after being gone for a week and found our lawn torn up by the wild boars.
The rat bait stations in the shed were empty of poison blocks but no more signs of rodents tearing up the insulation on the walls.
mice and wiring,man do they love today's soybean based insulation,, parked a ford gt165 garden tractor outside overnight, had the remove mickey and minnie the next day from under the covers, deer and rabbits love my yard . had a nice 12 point near my BR window last fall, not many green plants not chewed to the ground, squirrels, they are both gray and black around here,
toads and tree frogs love to get up under the hot tubs cover hang on the side near the warmth, i think you guys in se texas could hear my wife of 51 years scream from here in far nw nj when she finds one,
yet we love living in the country that's left here in jersey, farm rooster next door wakes us about day break , lets us know dusk is near, hear the ducks fighting,they are louder than the rooster stocked trout stream 1/4 mile away. 2 state park lakes nearby, state land right across the road .no more building here, farm and park lands
snakes! two we have to watch for,timber rattlers and copperheads,
don't go to the va here, trips to far on really bad roads,,yet even the local hospital 6 miles away asks the old age questions,
It got so bad it would knock the wheel bearings out in an F150.
I dislike going to any major city here due to the 18-wheeler beat up highways.













