Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Gunslinger on June 15, 2008, 08:09:17 PM
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So for fathers day I decide to fix my water pressure problem (technically a volume problem), seeing as this is my only day off for the next 2 weeks. All I need to do is replace the $24 watts 3/4" regulator that's burried in my front yard. Perfect day for a project......its sunny....its about 90 degrees but oh well.
SO I purchase the regulator and a new pipe wrench from home depot and I get started.
I've never done this before but I'm pretty mechanicly inclined how hard can it be?
After about an hour I get tired of digging and break out the preasure washer. WAY COOL! All I have to do is deal with the miniswamp in my front yard to get to the pipes. That problem is solved by an old shop vac that I have no problem ruining.
3 hours into it.....
So now I have access to the pipes and regulator sans swamp.
I take a look and wonder why the previous owner, or builder, used a 6" piece of plastic pipe in between the meter and the shut off valve. I have beer and ponder this for a bit on my first break.
So now I announce the no flushing rule to all the house hold occupants and shut the water off and go to town with my new pipe wrench. I have to say I've never heard the water meter make the sound that it did when I broke that peice of plastic pipe. Keep in mind its after the meter but before the shut off valve.
Gunslinger now owns a swamp again. I dive in head first hoping that there's a shut off before the meter dreading calling the water company and paying that bill for service on a sunday. There is but it's not like one I"ve seen.....it has saftey wire locking it into place. I scrable to find my diaginal side cutters (not sure if the filter will let me say "dikes") cut the wire and try to fit a wrench of some sort on this as my hand power is fading fast and it wont budge.
An hour later the water is shut off and gunslinger has his third beer pondering:
1. how am I going to cook dinner tonight
2. The swamp looks great but it's got to go
3. I need to slow down on the beer for I have to venture back to home depot
5 hours into it.....
I get the new parts and put them all together on my vice in my shed. I take them to the front and fit them in there new location sans the swamp....again....only to discover they are about a 1/2" to long.
Drats So I think I can squeeze that 1/2" out of the threads and fit this puppy in there. NOPE. Thankfully I didn't crack the regulator but I did over tourqe the stop valve and thus another trip to home depot.
Unfortunatly "Hot MILF day" was over but $14 later I get my new parts. To solve my length problem I got two smaller pipes and a coupler to adjust it.
7 hours into it......
I put my new pipes back together, without cracking anything this time, and procede to place them in there new home. THE LENGTH IS PERFECT cept one problem......the angle is off ever so slightly and the metal casting that covers the meter portion does not allow for any adjustment. Now I have to dig out the meter cover as well.
9 hours into it......6 beers later
It finally dawns on my why the previous installer used a plastic pipe......it afforded him some flexability in this very situation.
Everything is aligned....fitted to the best of my ability and I apply the final torque to all the fittings. I do a double check....good
I turn on the hose out front and open up both shut off valves. I hook up my preasure guage to check it......50 PSI. I lower it to the recomended 36-40 and all is well. I run some of the water through the sinks and flush every toilet to help flush the system. I also turn the shower on and finally with both sprinklers running and all the toilets flushing I have more than just a tiny dribble I can take a full blown shower.
After it's all said and done.....$70 10 hours and 9 beers later Mrs. Gunslinger says to me......"our home warrenty company would have fixed that for our $50 deductable......I called them last week to check."
Here's to the hard working fathers out there! :salute
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For those who just don't quit! :salute
Great story. Loved it.
BTW, I had a 40 hour marathon working on my computer this weekend. It is not what I wanted to do. It had issues. Some caused by yours truly. I envy you for the beer and being outside.
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Now THAT was one heck of a father's day story.
Would make a great episode of some sitcom, just can't think of which one.
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Yea, but you fixed it YOURSELF. :salute
Its a guy thing. :rock
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I took on a challenge today also, my wifes car power antenna seems to have a failure, as it no longer goes up and down when she starts and shuts off the car or radio. You can hear the motor running trying to retract it when you shut the car off, runs about a minute, but the antenna doesn't move. The radio works fine, the cable for that is fine.
So, I struggled to get access behind the fender well plastic shroud, found the wires to the antenna, reached in with a pair of wire cutters and cut the freaking motor power wire.
No more motor running noise when you shut the car off. :D
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:rofl :rofl :rofl Dago
Hmmm, somehow I viewed the problem differently.
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I took on a challenge today also, my wifes car power antenna seems to have a failure, as it no longer goes up and down when she starts and shuts off the car or radio. You can hear the motor running trying to retract it when you shut the car off, runs about a minute, but the antenna doesn't move. The radio works fine, the cable for that is fine.
So, I struggled to get access behind the fender well plastic shroud, found the wires to the antenna, reached in with a pair of wire cutters and cut the freaking motor power wire.
No more motor running noise when you shut the car off. :D
Depending on the make and model there could also be a separate fuse for the antenna motor that you could have just pulled.
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I took on a challenge today also, my wifes car power antenna seems to have a failure, as it no longer goes up and down when she starts and shuts off the car or radio. You can hear the motor running trying to retract it when you shut the car off, runs about a minute, but the antenna doesn't move. The radio works fine, the cable for that is fine.
So, I struggled to get access behind the fender well plastic shroud, found the wires to the antenna, reached in with a pair of wire cutters and cut the freaking motor power wire.
No more motor running noise when you shut the car off. :D
There's a relay for these you could have disconnected. Also if the motor is running you do not have to replace the whole antenna, probably just the mast ribbon.
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Steve, something about mast ribbon doesnt sound right................ :rock
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Steve, something about mast ribbon doesnt sound right................ :rock
huh?
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So for fathers day I decide to fix my water pressure problem
I fixed something once all by myself. I don't remember what it was but I swore I would never fix anything again and I haven't. This decision has made for a much better world, cut global warming in half and restored my belief in a higher power (the handyman). But now, reading this amazing story, I am inspired. Today I think I shall attempt to fix lunch.
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I'm fixing to as well.
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"To solve my length problem I got two smaller pipes and a coupler to adjust it."
There's sig material right there.....
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What? No Welsly Sprocket and a Gangly Wrench?
ROX
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If the original was an adjustable water regulator, it was likely rebuildable. The kits are cheap.
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Depending on the make and model there could also be a separate fuse for the antenna motor that you could have just pulled.
I checked that first, and the pwr antenna was on a 10amp fuse with about 12 other items.
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If the original was an adjustable water regulator, it was likely rebuildable. The kits are cheap.
Would it require removal? If it had to be removed it would have resulted in a very similar day just $24 cheaper. Yes it was adjustable.....one side had a clogged up screen the other side had green crap caked all over it.
Either way thanks Mr Hindsite :aok
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I checked that first, and the pwr antenna was on a 10amp fuse with about 12 other items.
The antenna has a RELAY
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My fix it day today. Mower won't start, ok, short across coil terminals, fires right up. Take coil out and test it, yep it's bad, go get new coil and install. Turn key, mower still won't start, what the heck!! :mad: Disconnect all safety switches and jumper wire them, still won't start, ahh ha must be dirty ignition switch contacts. Plug all the switches back in clean ignition switch contacts, turn key, yipppeee it starts. Mow half the lawn, ok fuel low at this point i'll run it into the garage and fuel it up, pull into garage, turn key, mower stays running!?! :O
Pull spark plug wire, shut garage door in disgust, come in house have a beer. :D Ain't simple repairs great? :cry
P.S. New ignition switch gonna run me $20. :(
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I think you should have thought longer on the bright idea to turn mud into sloppy mud - JMO :)
Sometimes shortcuts are the longest distance between two points.
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The antenna has a RELAY
LOL, he cut the wires. :rofl :rofl :rofl
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The antenna has a RELAY
Yeah? Big whoop. The power drive is unhooked from the antenna mast in some manner so the motor runs, but the antenna doesn't move. It was easy enough to clip the wire in a spot I was easily able to reach, and if the spirit ever moved me to change the unit, I could easily toss a splice into.
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LOL, he cut the wires. :rofl :rofl :rofl
I cut one wire, easily reached, secured the end. If I ever feel like fixing it, I have amp splices and could fix the wire in about 2 minutes time. It was quick, easy and I didn't have to spend one single miserable minute contorted under a dash looking to pull a relay that would probably get lost.
It is only those who don't understand the situation that don't understand the easy choice this made.
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ya but a real man like Dave
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=141&t=543304&i=0
would have found a work around ;)
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Your beer to F-up ratio is way to low my man!
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LMAO great story.
My "Fathers DAY" was relatively simple.(Note I said Fathers DAY"
As a non material gift my wife and daughter were kind enough to go to the zoo with my nephew. His wife and kids and leave me home alone.
(heh Cant beat that deal with a stick)
The only catch was a repair to the piece of watermelon $300 15' pool my wife decided to get without consulting me a couple of years ago.
I specifically said I didn't want a pool of ANY size because as I said then. "I don't want to take care of it and I don't want to hear about taking care of it."
Well she got one anyway and guess who gets to hear about taking care of the pool I never wanted because I didn't want to take care of it.
Hmmm. Seems to me I have two dogs and 2 cats I also said the same thing about.
so much for "male privilege".
Now remember I said "Fathers DAY"
Well Saturday was a little bit more involved.
She was kind enough to order 2 tons of sand to the front driveway. which I had to wheel barrow into the back yard for me to spread out in the back yard to level the area out where the pool was going. Fun fun fun.
Actually I should have expected it with the kinda karma that comes with gifts from customers who give me a free near new wheelbarrow simply because it has a flat tire and they cant be bothered changing it. Easier to buy new.
Anyway
The fittings on the side of the pool the filter hoses attach to were all cracked and needed to be replaced.
Shulda been simple but....
Regular pool fittings are too large for the openings in the side of the pool.
Seems they designed it to prevent you from doing exactly what it was I was trying to do.
So I went through all the little parts and doodads at the pool place and managed to get some parts together that looked like they would work..
Went home Hooked em up. Ahh success. Resumed filling the pool.
Went inside. Relaxed, took a nap. Woke up. Made myself a Hot sausage sandwich took a big bite and proceeded to scald the living daylights out of my gums because I was too hungry to wait for it to cool off.
Ran to the store to grab myself an Orange Monster. Came home.
Wife and kid had come home already.
I walk in and before I could even ask how the zoo was. My daughter tells me.
"the pool has a leak"
So I go out back to where my wife is waiting and sure enough. Right on the bottom water is squirting out right near the seam.
"Well looks like we are going to have to empty the pool" Which is nearly full at this point.
There is a drainage plug near the bottom and I'm sitting there thinking how cold that water is going to be diving under the water to pull it.
At this point my daughter starts carrying on about wanting to use the pool.
So I did the only logical thing.
"Well you can use it now if you want" I say as in one motion I pick her up and launch her into the pool
SPLASH
She surfaces and immediately starts freaking about how cold it is. And hurries and gets out. I of coarse am laughing hysterically.
I tell her.
"What did you get out for? You gotta pull the plug so I can fix it"
"Why do I have to do it?" she asks
SPLASH! I toss her in again. "because #1 your already wet, #2 your already in the pool. And I'll tell you #3 after you pull the plug and get out"
Which she does.
"Ok so whats #3 daddy"
With a BIG grin I toss her a towel and say
"Waters too cold" :D
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OH BTW
As material gifts.
Wife is getting me a new motherboard and Case.
Son got me a fishing licence.
Not a bad deal
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Yeah? Big whoop. The power drive is unhooked from the antenna mast in some manner so the motor runs, but the antenna doesn't move. It was easy enough to clip the wire in a spot I was easily able to reach, and if the spirit ever moved me to change the unit, I could easily toss a splice into.
I get it. You're one of those clowns who knows everything and is too wrapped up in his own ego to accept help from others. OK, when the spirit moves you, you go ahead and replace the unit. I'll be helping the next guy in your position by saving him $75.00 to $200.00, depending on the vehicle.
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I replaced the light bulb in our fridge in the weekend. Reached around to undo the fitting to find out the hard way that it was bare wiring. I think my 3 year old learn't some new swear words in the weekend :(
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I replaced the light bulb in our fridge in the weekend. Reached around to undo the fitting to find out the hard way that it was bare wiring. I think my 3 year old learn't some new swear words in the weekend :(
If ya think that was fun.
Try fiddling around with your brand new spark plug wires thinking ones is loose causing a miss only to find out one is cracked.
I swear on top of the rather jolting experience I felt a spak jump from a filling to the roof of my mouth LOL