My son is a big fan of the connected switches. I wasn't sold until he installed one in the shed behind my house. I nearly *always* forget to shut the light off out there at the end of the day, and then, after it is dark, it becomes obvious that I left them on. No more getting all the winter gear on just to trudge out there to shut off those lights!
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
This really is like a Who’s on First conversation …lol
A “2-way”‘ switch is call a single pole
Fun fact ..4 way switches (3 locations) actually use two three way switches and one four way.
Yes J - if someone screws up a three way the light will still work but it will only turn on from one switch…meaning that if you turn it off it will not be able to be turned on from the other location.
Common (see what I did there..) mistake is not paying attention to the dark screw on a three way. The dark screw is the common (hot) wire. That must be remain in the same spot. The shunts (or travelers) can be on either of the shiny terminals.
Fun fact … a four way is wired identical to a three way except you insert a four way switch in the middle of the circuit and connect the travelers to it.
———————————————— Not a bad description for a novice.
Here’s another fun fact for ya’ll:
To control a light circuit from more and more locations, you just add one more 4-way switch to the circuit. So, to control a circuit from 4 locations you use one more 4-way switch (total of 2) than the one 4-way switch that was used in a circuit that was controlled from 3 locations.
As you pointed out, when using one 4-way switch (to control a circuit from 3 locations) you still use two 3-way switches but they must be connected electrically to the outside of the 4-way switch and this condition remains regardless of how many 4-way switches are added to the circuit.
I think we need to get back to talking about dishwashers since we all seem to understand that subject much better.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
@tjc78 said: @stickguy
I feel your pain with all the switches. When we moved it took me awhile to figure all of them out.
Each room has a minimum of a four gang box. Outlet, led cans, ceiling fan, ceiling fan light.
Our family room / kitchen must have 30+ switches.
One thing that drove everyone crazy was the switched outlets. Took a month or so but finally realized any outlet that was installed with the ground up is switched. The ground down outlets are hot all the time.
We just crossed 9 years in this house and still have switches that are a complete mystery to us.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
@tjc78 said:
This really is like a Who’s on First conversation …lol
A “2-way”‘ switch is call a single pole
Fun fact ..4 way switches (3 locations) actually use two three way switches and one four way.
Yes J - if someone screws up a three way the light will still work but it will only turn on from one switch…meaning that if you turn it off it will not be able to be turned on from the other location.
Common (see what I did there..) mistake is not paying attention to the dark screw on a three way. The dark screw is the common (hot) wire. That must be remain in the same spot. The shunts (or travelers) can be on either of the shiny terminals.
Fun fact … a four way is wired identical to a three way except you insert a four way switch in the middle of the circuit and connect the travelers to it.
To confusing, I'll think I'll stick with these.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
This x-way switch discussion is one of an increasingly large number of topics that my aged brain cannot process or grasp, just like Apple iOS functions or the NASCAR points system. Although I did take some comfort that I finally got Apple Pay working on my newish phone after losing that capability when I stopped using my former SE model.
@tjc78 said: @stickguy
I feel your pain with all the switches. When we moved it took me awhile to figure all of them out.
Each room has a minimum of a four gang box. Outlet, led cans, ceiling fan, ceiling fan light.
Our family room / kitchen must have 30+ switches.
One thing that drove everyone crazy was the switched outlets. Took a month or so but finally realized any outlet that was installed with the ground up is switched. The ground down outlets are hot all the time.
We just crossed 9 years in this house and still have switches that are a complete mystery to us.
Haha. My biggest mystery was my two hour investigation as to why all my outside outlets stopped working. Eventually tied it back to a single GFCI outlet in our storage room. I was ready to start replacing breakers or calling a pro.
Day 1 of painting is complete - the vertical walls in both the living room and dining room are done. Not sure what the plan is for today - likely the kitchen and hallway.
Ceiling and the walls in the stairway to the basement will get done when my daughters best friend shows up to help after Thanksgiving.
The nice thing is that she's put the rooms back together immediately after painting, so the house isn't a complete disaster.
———————————————— Do they have horizontal walls in Colorado?
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
We have at least 1 3 way switch. Many 2 way. One dimmer was on a single, the other on. 2 way. Both in a 4 switch box. Those are a huge hassle getting everything in and lined up again, especially with a dimmer switch (in this case 2 of them) jammed in.
————————————————- I’m confused. What is a 2 way switch?
jmonroe
one with 2 different switches connected. a 3 way has 3 different switch options.
what do you call those?
A threesome?
———————————————— That makes more sense than what @stickguy said.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
My son is a big fan of the connected switches. I wasn't sold until he installed one in the shed behind my house. I nearly *always* forget to shut the light off out there at the end of the day, and then, after it is dark, it becomes obvious that I left them on. No more getting all the winter gear on just to trudge out there to shut off those lights!
———————————————— If I had to guess, I’d say it was a guy plagued with forgetfulness who invented that gizmo.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
I feel your pain with all the switches. When we moved it took me awhile to figure all of them out.
Each room has a minimum of a four gang box. Outlet, led cans, ceiling fan, ceiling fan light.
Our family room / kitchen must have 30+ switches.
One thing that drove everyone crazy was the switched outlets. Took a month or so but finally realized any outlet that was installed with the ground up is switched. The ground down outlets are hot all the time.
We just crossed 9 years in this house and still have switches that are a complete mystery to us.
Haha. My biggest mystery was my two hour investigation as to why all my outside outlets stopped working. Eventually tied it back to a single GFCI outlet in our storage room. I was ready to start replacing breakers or calling a pro.
Whatever knucklehead decided that??
———————————————— I’m sure it was done to save money and there is nothing wrong or against the code to do that. It’s done all the time. What should have been done is the receptacles that are controlled by the downstream side of the GFCI receptacle, should have used the stickers (there has to be a dozen of them packed with the GFCI receptacle) that says something like “GFCI Receptacle Protected” and are to be stuck on the wall plate of those receptacles but almost nobody ever uses those stickers. FWIW, we use them in the flips we’ve done all the time.
I’d be willing to bet that your storage area is the closest point to the first outside receptacle and then it’s jumpered from there to the next receptacle and so on. Or the downstream side of the GFCI receptacle could have gone to a common junction box, then wired out to all the outside receptacles from there.
In any case the stickers should be used to eliminate chasing your tail to find out why a receptacle might not be working. After your 2 hour investigation, you’d probably be willing to kiss the electrician who wired your house on the lips if he did that.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
In my 1950s house, the electricians I used to upgrade the place to 200 amp service had to bring it up to 2015 electrical code. Rather than trying to run new wires which would have been a huge job, they traced the existing 2-wire circuits somehow and were able to identify what went where. Those circuits were then connected to GFCIs in the new panel and were then able to accept new 3-prong outlets in the boxes they serviced even in the absence of a ground wire. I don’t know it works, but the inspector passed it.
This really is like a Who’s on First conversation …lol
A “2-way”‘ switch is call a single pole
Fun fact ..4 way switches (3 locations) actually use two three way switches and one four way.
Yes J - if someone screws up a three way the light will still work but it will only turn on from one switch…meaning that if you turn it off it will not be able to be turned on from the other location.
Common (see what I did there..) mistake is not paying attention to the dark screw on a three way. The dark screw is the common (hot) wire. That must be remain in the same spot. The shunts (or travelers) can be on either of the shiny terminals.
Fun fact … a four way is wired identical to a three way except you insert a four way switch in the middle of the circuit and connect the travelers to it.
To confusing, I'll think I'll stick with these.
———————————————— I think I get your point but can you blow out all the other lights in that room when you blow out that one?
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
J - I knew it was most likely GFCI related. What I didn’t know was that there was a GFCi outlet behind a door in my storage room! I had never paid any attention to it.
Our circuit box in the garage is 37 years old and some of the writing as to which circuit is for what room is hard to read. I'm just wondering if it would be a big & expensive job to get it all figured out...it's just a bit difficult to read some of them. We've talked about it before, but that's where it ends. I do know that we're going to replace the can lights in our kitchen sooner then later as I can no longer climb up the 12 ft. ladder to replace some of the bulbs. Thinking of just getting pendant light all coming down to the same height as changing bulbs would be so much safer & simpler. One is already out & just to high for me to get to right now. But don't think it'll be that difficult job for a good electrician to conquer. Just have to make sure the pendants are all the same height and that the top of the pendants cover up the holes in the ceiling. Getting older does have it's challenges I'm starting to find out. Better to let the professional do the work & pay the price. The thought of getting dizzy & falling off the ladder terrifies me right now. It would be plain stupid for me to even try, plus dangerous!
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
J - I knew it was most likely GFCI related. What I didn’t know was that there was a GFCi outlet behind a door in my storage room! I had never paid any attention to it.
————————————————- If your house had a correct electrical inspection when it was built it would have failed because the code says you are not allowed to install any switch or receptacle behind a permanent or temporary covering like a door. However, there are a few exceptions like the receptacle for your micro wave having access in a closed cabinet above it. At least the code is like that in my hood.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
Someone who decided to wire a regular outlet in series with a GFCI-protected one so they could save $20. Edit: @jmonroe beat me to it.
90% of the wiring in my 1950s house is ungrounded 14/2, so I installed GFCIs almost everywhere so that I would have code-compliant grounded outlets (or at least it was code-complaint at the time). One thing that stinks is that GFCIs do not work well with powerline ethernet adapters, but that's less of a concern now that I have a relatively fast eero mesh wifi system.
Our circuit box in the garage is 37 years old and some of the writing as to which circuit is for what room is hard to read. I'm just wondering if it would be a big & expensive job to get it all figured out...it's just a bit difficult to read some of them. We've talked about it before, but that's where it ends. I do know that we're going to replace the can lights in our kitchen sooner then later as I can no longer climb up the 12 ft. ladder to replace some of the bulbs. Thinking of just getting pendant light all coming down to the same height as changing bulbs would be so much safer & simpler. One is already out & just to high for me to get to right now. But don't think it'll be that difficult job for a good electrician to conquer. Just have to make sure the pendants are all the same height and that the top of the pendants cover up the holes in the ceiling. Getting older does have it's challenges I'm starting to find out. Better to let the professional do the work & pay the price. The thought of getting dizzy & falling off the ladder terrifies me right now. It would be plain stupid for me to even try, plus dangerous!
In my 1950s house, the electricians I used to upgrade the place to 200 amp service had to bring it up to 2015 electrical code. Rather than trying to run new wires which would have been a huge job, they traced the existing 2-wire circuits somehow and were able to identify what went where. Those circuits were then connected to GFCIs in the new panel and were then able to accept new 3-prong outlets in the boxes they serviced even in the absence of a ground wire. I don’t know it works, but the inspector passed it.
———————————————— My parents built a house in 1956 and while it had the old 2 slot receptacles the wiring had a ground. Since the receptacle didn’t have the ground slot the ground wire was connected to the metal box (no plastic boxes back then). So, when the grounded receptacles came out it was relatively easy to replace the old receptacles by removing the ground wire from the box and adding 2 pigtails to that ground wire. Then connecting 1 pigtail to the metal box and the other pigtail to the ground point of the new style receptacle. Sorta easy peasy but not exactly.
FWIW, every house we’ve flipped was built before the new style receptacles were mandated so we have quite a bit of experience replacing the old style receptacles. BUT every house was wired with romex cable that had a ground wire (just like my parents house). If, in our search for homes to flip, we ever find a house that doesn’t have a ground wire we’re not going to touch that house.
Personally, I have never seen romex cable that didn’t have a ground wire but I’m told it existed and you just told me that too.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
...spotted a Jeep Gladiator with a jacked up suspension and 35" tires high-centered on the center guardrail - the left front wheel and tire were over the maybe 3' high guardrail.
How they managed to accomplish that, I have no idea.
We already have one of those sticks from HD and they aren't the best thing to use. Most times, it can't get a strong enough grip on the bulb to even move it. And last March when my son & daughter-in-law were here, he got up there and changed the bulb but something went wrong & now, it's all pushed up into the can light holder and he couldn't get it out. So, once that bulb goes, like the one over the fridge, we'll have to get some pendant lights and have someone come in & install them. Those cathedral ceilings look great but are killers to change the bulbs when one ages. It's worth it to me to spend the $ and have pendant lights put in so we can see in the kitchen. But I refuse to get up on or high ladder anymore due to the vertigo that comes & goes. That's not the way I want to die, falling from a ladder!
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
Not to "switch" topics, but I saw this picture... Of course, it would have to be a Buick, and it would have to be Ohio license plates.
I realized this is probably illegal. He needs to have a "wide load" sign and a pilot car in front and pilot car behind him like the many other wide loads I see here when I'm on the interstate highway.
I wish I could read the county name below the numbers on the license plate? Cuyahoga? Guernsey?
well, this confirmed why I don't like to mess with electrical beyond very straightforward stuff!
had to spend more time today chasing an electric problem. Fence guys came today to install and needed power to run battery chargers and their radio. So they used the outside outlet on the back of the house. Only issue, it was dead. So I also spend time running around looking for a tripped GFI (after making sure a breaker was not flipped). found one in the garage, and one in the upstairs hall bath. None in the kitchen oddly. Both fine. breaker was on, and label said it covered outside outlets and the front one was fine. Checked with electrician (since he was her yesterday taking my money). Did not seem like it could have been related, but never know! We don't think we ever used that outlet since we moved in, so could be a punch list warranty item. Electrician messaged back that the rear GFI is in the basement. so I looked harder down there. every GFI I found was fine but I cycled them anyway. no change. Ended up finding 5 down there (I assume the kitchen and powder room and other 1st floor stuff trips down there. )
reported all that to the guy. waiting for a response but I assume at some point he will stop back out to check. I assume they have ways to figure out what the issue is. I hope.
hopefully our high (2 story foyer) fixture bulbs live up to the LED hype and last forever. At least longer than I live here! Because they will be a bear to change out since the globe is not open to below. So it requires getting up there to do it. I may be investing in a 10-12' step ladder at some point! Though that fixture probably is on less than an hour per week (much less) so not too worried about it.
I do know that we're going to replace the can lights in our kitchen sooner then later as I can no longer climb up the 12 ft. ladder to replace some of the bulbs. Thinking of just getting pendant light all coming down to the same height as changing bulbs would be so much safer & simpler. One is already out & just to high for me to get to right now. But don't think it'll be that difficult job for a good electrician to conquer. Just have to make sure the pendants are all the same height and that the top of the pendants cover up the holes in the ceiling. Getting older does have it's challenges I'm starting to find out. Better to let the professional do the work & pay the price.
If pendant lights are what you want then get them, but typically if you have can lights you have many of them, so that’s a lot of pendants. If I were in your shoes I’d just replace them with the new style LED retrofit pot light replacements. Easy for the electrician and you never need to change bulbs.
This really is like a Who’s on First conversation …lol
A “2-way”‘ switch is call a single pole
Fun fact ..4 way switches (3 locations) actually use two three way switches and one four way.
Yes J - if someone screws up a three way the light will still work but it will only turn on from one switch…meaning that if you turn it off it will not be able to be turned on from the other location.
Common (see what I did there..) mistake is not paying attention to the dark screw on a three way. The dark screw is the common (hot) wire. That must be remain in the same spot. The shunts (or travelers) can be on either of the shiny terminals.
Fun fact … a four way is wired identical to a three way except you insert a four way switch in the middle of the circuit and connect the travelers to it.
To confusing, I'll think I'll stick with these.
———————————————— I think I get your point but can you blow out all the other lights in that room when you blow out that one?
jmonroe
No but I can easily move it from room to room.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Not to "switch" topics, but I saw this picture... Of course, it would have to be a Buick, and it would have to be Ohio license plates.
I realized this is probably illegal. He needs to have a "wide load" sign and a pilot car in front and pilot car behind him like the many other wide loads I see here when I'm on the interstate highway.
I wish I could read the county name below the numbers on the license plate? Cuyahoga? Guernsey?
Don't forget oversized load permits.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
well, this confirmed why I don't like to mess with electrical beyond very straightforward stuff!
had to spend more time today chasing an electric problem. Fence guys came today to install and needed power to run battery chargers and their radio. So they used the outside outlet on the back of the house. Only issue, it was dead. So I also spend time running around looking for a tripped GFI (after making sure a breaker was not flipped). found one in the garage, and one in the upstairs hall bath. None in the kitchen oddly. Both fine. breaker was on, and label said it covered outside outlets and the front one was fine. Checked with electrician (since he was her yesterday taking my money). Did not seem like it could have been related, but never know! We don't think we ever used that outlet since we moved in, so could be a punch list warranty item. Electrician messaged back that the rear GFI is in the basement. so I looked harder down there. every GFI I found was fine but I cycled them anyway. no change. Ended up finding 5 down there (I assume the kitchen and powder room and other 1st floor stuff trips down there. )
reported all that to the guy. waiting for a response but I assume at some point he will stop back out to check. I assume they have ways to figure out what the issue is. I hope.
———————————————— I’m surprised your new house has that many GFCI receptacles. Code around here is if you install new circuits they have be on a GFCI/Arc Fault Breaker in the panel and a new house would certainly satisfy that requirement.
Highly unlikely but maybe the receptacle giving you the problem wasn’t connected to the wires in the box. I saw that many years ago at a friends new house but have never seen that again.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
This really is like a Who’s on First conversation …lol
A “2-way”‘ switch is call a single pole
Fun fact ..4 way switches (3 locations) actually use two three way switches and one four way.
Yes J - if someone screws up a three way the light will still work but it will only turn on from one switch…meaning that if you turn it off it will not be able to be turned on from the other location.
Common (see what I did there..) mistake is not paying attention to the dark screw on a three way. The dark screw is the common (hot) wire. That must be remain in the same spot. The shunts (or travelers) can be on either of the shiny terminals.
Fun fact … a four way is wired identical to a three way except you insert a four way switch in the middle of the circuit and connect the travelers to it.
To confusing, I'll think I'll stick with these.
———————————————— I think I get your point but can you blow out all the other lights in that room when you blow out that one?
jmonroe
No but I can easily move it from room to room. ———————————————— You’re not playing this game fairly.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
well, this confirmed why I don't like to mess with electrical beyond very straightforward stuff!
had to spend more time today chasing an electric problem. Fence guys came today to install and needed power to run battery chargers and their radio. So they used the outside outlet on the back of the house. Only issue, it was dead. So I also spend time running around looking for a tripped GFI (after making sure a breaker was not flipped). found one in the garage, and one in the upstairs hall bath. None in the kitchen oddly. Both fine. breaker was on, and label said it covered outside outlets and the front one was fine. Checked with electrician (since he was her yesterday taking my money). Did not seem like it could have been related, but never know! We don't think we ever used that outlet since we moved in, so could be a punch list warranty item. Electrician messaged back that the rear GFI is in the basement. so I looked harder down there. every GFI I found was fine but I cycled them anyway. no change. Ended up finding 5 down there (I assume the kitchen and powder room and other 1st floor stuff trips down there. )
reported all that to the guy. waiting for a response but I assume at some point he will stop back out to check. I assume they have ways to figure out what the issue is. I hope.
———————————————— I’m surprised your new house has that many GFCI receptacles. Code around here is if you install new circuits they have be on a GFCI/Arc Fault Breaker in the panel and a new house would certainly satisfy that requirement.
Highly unlikely but maybe the receptacle giving you the problem wasn’t connected to the wires in the box. I saw that many years ago at a friends new house but have never seen that again.
jmonroe
the breaker in the box actually is labeled outside outlets/GFI at panel (something like that).
I was surprised to see so many GFI outlets too. Must be some reason. Next time I see the electrician I will ask him why. Considering they cost more, I doubt it was for the heck of it.
Not to "switch" topics, but I saw this picture... Of course, it would have to be a Buick, and it would have to be Ohio license plates.
I realized this is probably illegal. He needs to have a "wide load" sign and a pilot car in front and pilot car behind him like the many other wide loads I see here when I'm on the interstate highway.
I wish I could read the county name below the numbers on the license plate? Cuyahoga? Guernsey?
If this is in Ohio, in my years there no one ever bothers to hang ared flag the end so people can see it more easily. The feeling seemed to be that other drivers should watch out for such things.
well, this confirmed why I don't like to mess with electrical beyond very straightforward stuff! reported all that to the guy. waiting for a response but I assume at some point he will stop back out to check. I assume they have ways to figure out what the issue is. I hope.
This may just be an Alaska thing.... but often our external outlets are connected to a switch on the wall inside. Sometimes nearby, but sometimes not so much!
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
well, this confirmed why I don't like to mess with electrical beyond very straightforward stuff! reported all that to the guy. waiting for a response but I assume at some point he will stop back out to check. I assume they have ways to figure out what the issue is. I hope.
This may just be an Alaska thing.... but often our external outlets are connected to a switch on the wall inside. Sometimes nearby, but sometimes not so much!
I have one like that. The GFCI outlet on my front porch has a switch near the breaker box. I put it there many years ago to turn the Christmas lights on and off...before I wised up and got timers.
GFCI - our outlets in the backyard are controlled by a GFCI outlet in the basement.
Painting update, day 2. Kitchen is fully painted, including areas above the cabinets. Lots of detail work necessary.
Not sure when the next painting day will be. The girls have to go to the studio tomorrow, and up to 10" of snow is predicted between tonight and whenever it's supposed to stop (likely tomorrow or Saturday morning).
A little while back I mentioned I liked to watch Adam The Woo's YouTube channel sometimes. This week has been entertaining as he decided to visit @xwesx up in Alaska, the only state he had never been to before. He has lived most of his adult life in warmer climes, so his worries about and reaction to being in actual snow are fun. He arrived in Anchorage a few days ago and the most recent videos are him taking a helicopter tour, driving to Seward, and then becoming anxious about driving in snow or ice which looked like a big overreaction to actual conditions, but I can't be too critical if he has zero experience with it. His first morning in Anchorage he was fascinated by a municipal worker with a snowblower using it to clear sidewalks, which I gather he had never witnessed before.
A little while back I mentioned I liked to watch Adam The Woo's YouTube channel sometimes. This week has been entertaining as he decided to visit @xwesx up in Alaska, the only state he had never been to before. He has lived most of his adult life in warmer climes, so his worries about and reaction to being in actual snow are fun. He arrived in Anchorage a few days ago and the most recent videos are him taking a helicopter tour, driving to Seward, and then becoming anxious about driving in snow or ice which looked like a big overreaction to actual conditions, but I can't be too critical if he has zero experience with it. His first morning in Anchorage he was fascinated by a municipal worker with a snowblower using it to clear sidewalks, which I gather he had never witnessed before.
He should do what we did as teens, head to the nearest empty snow covered parking lot and let fly. Best way to get the feel of driving in winter conditions and to learn braking/skid control.
We thought that we were just being rebels but instead we actually learned something no book could tell you.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Comments
That’s what she said?
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
It would drive me nuts having to use my phone to turn on a light.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Not only your phone (still have wall switches) - but additional control, timers, themes etc
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Not a bad description for a novice.
Here’s another fun fact for ya’ll:
To control a light circuit from more and more locations, you just add one more 4-way switch to the circuit. So, to control a circuit from 4 locations you use one more 4-way switch (total of 2) than the one 4-way switch that was used in a circuit that was controlled from 3 locations.
As you pointed out, when using one 4-way switch (to control a circuit from 3 locations) you still use two 3-way switches but they must be connected electrically to the outside of the 4-way switch and this condition remains regardless of how many 4-way switches are added to the circuit.
I think we need to get back to talking about dishwashers since we all seem to understand that subject much better.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
We just crossed 9 years in this house and still have switches that are a complete mystery to us.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I don't know.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
To confusing, I'll think I'll stick with these.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
That has to be a transplanted redneck.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Haha. My biggest mystery was my two hour investigation as to why all my outside outlets stopped working. Eventually tied it back to a single GFCI outlet in our storage room. I was ready to start replacing breakers or calling a pro.
Whatever knucklehead decided that??
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Do they have horizontal walls in Colorado?
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
That makes more sense than what @stickguy said.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
If I had to guess, I’d say it was a guy plagued with forgetfulness who invented that gizmo.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
Aren't horizontal walls called ceilings?
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
Notice his use of a 2x4 to brave the rolls against the wind.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Haha. My biggest mystery was my two hour investigation as to why all my outside outlets stopped working. Eventually tied it back to a single GFCI outlet in our storage room. I was ready to start replacing breakers or calling a pro.
Whatever knucklehead decided that??
————————————————I’m sure it was done to save money and there is nothing wrong or against the code to do that. It’s done all the time. What should have been done is the receptacles that are controlled by the downstream side of the GFCI receptacle, should have used the stickers (there has to be a dozen of them packed with the GFCI receptacle) that says something like “GFCI Receptacle Protected” and are to be stuck on the wall plate of those receptacles but almost nobody ever uses those stickers. FWIW, we use them in the flips we’ve done all the time.
I’d be willing to bet that your storage area is the closest point to the first outside receptacle and then it’s jumpered from there to the next receptacle and so on. Or the downstream side of the GFCI receptacle could have gone to a common junction box, then wired out to all the outside receptacles from there.
In any case the stickers should be used to eliminate chasing your tail to find out why a receptacle might not be working. After your 2 hour investigation, you’d probably be willing to kiss the electrician who wired your house on the lips if he did that.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
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2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
To confusing, I'll think I'll stick with these.
————————————————I think I get your point but can you blow out all the other lights in that room when you blow out that one?
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
J - I knew it was most likely GFCI related. What I didn’t know was that there was a GFCi outlet behind a door in my storage room! I had never paid any attention to it.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
If your house had a correct electrical inspection when it was built it would have failed because the code says you are not allowed to install any switch or receptacle behind a permanent or temporary covering like a door. However, there are a few exceptions like the receptacle for your micro wave having access in a closed cabinet above it. At least the code is like that in my hood.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
90% of the wiring in my 1950s house is ungrounded 14/2, so I installed GFCIs almost everywhere so that I would have code-compliant grounded outlets (or at least it was code-complaint at the time). One thing that stinks is that GFCIs do not work well with powerline ethernet adapters, but that's less of a concern now that I have a relatively fast eero mesh wifi system.
https://www.amazon.com/Femitu-Assembled-Changer-Ceilings-Recessed/dp/B0BXDD8GQK/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=241DY4NDE8P9A&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Tyz_L30rc7UE8X01VDvhFzArUWyAfeNoyID2XVb204ksWiz-ACf1EAm0LTSq6IXYMzQHUpPVaEC7np_EDk3HaaF-s0Z18DCTFIn4gW69EOZldoOZgICT34IL60YznhsSkyFpVMB4VoTCtTzyftNSY9Y3OhI8EUgf0Wr7BehnRk1Yt2jTL-R9-t6dT2rq53eRm4KAZksgcZI7jqw608AYH-s9nEwzyH8RF6uls7-tT0apAnUU6MveVOIYUYCpUjPB2UYtJiL0-YioabGSlGYDxIQsCz0NXFbWQzhIYLVLTJI.uOOxB96J5qDepgVV5tIjHerFBhY0TM3VNJ5DNiZqeQk&dib_tag=se&keywords=can+light+bulb+changer+for+high+ceilings&qid=1731018911&sprefix=Can+light+bulb+chang,aps,455&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
My parents built a house in 1956 and while it had the old 2 slot receptacles the wiring had a ground. Since the receptacle didn’t have the ground slot the ground wire was connected to the metal box (no plastic boxes back then). So, when the grounded receptacles came out it was relatively easy to replace the old receptacles by removing the ground wire from the box and adding 2 pigtails to that ground wire. Then connecting 1 pigtail to the metal box and the other pigtail to the ground point of the new style receptacle. Sorta easy peasy but not exactly.
FWIW, every house we’ve flipped was built before the new style receptacles were mandated so we have quite a bit of experience replacing the old style receptacles. BUT every house was wired with romex cable that had a ground wire (just like my parents house). If, in our search for homes to flip, we ever find a house that doesn’t have a ground wire we’re not going to touch that house.
Personally, I have never seen romex cable that didn’t have a ground wire but I’m told it existed and you just told me that too.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
I wish I could read the county name below the numbers on the license plate? Cuyahoga?
Guernsey?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
had to spend more time today chasing an electric problem. Fence guys came today to install and needed power to run battery chargers and their radio. So they used the outside outlet on the back of the house. Only issue, it was dead. So I also spend time running around looking for a tripped GFI (after making sure a breaker was not flipped). found one in the garage, and one in the upstairs hall bath. None in the kitchen oddly. Both fine. breaker was on, and label said it covered outside outlets and the front one was fine. Checked with electrician (since he was her yesterday taking my money). Did not seem like it could have been related, but never know! We don't think we ever used that outlet since we moved in, so could be a punch list warranty item. Electrician messaged back that the rear GFI is in the basement. so I looked harder down there. every GFI I found was fine but I cycled them anyway. no change. Ended up finding 5 down there (I assume the kitchen and powder room and other 1st floor stuff trips down there. )
reported all that to the guy. waiting for a response but I assume at some point he will stop back out to check. I assume they have ways to figure out what the issue is. I hope.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I think I get your point but can you blow out all the other lights in that room when you blow out that one?
jmonroe
No but I can easily move it from room to room.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I’m surprised your new house has that many GFCI receptacles. Code around here is if you install new circuits they have be on a GFCI/Arc Fault Breaker in the panel and a new house would certainly satisfy that requirement.
Highly unlikely but maybe the receptacle giving you the problem wasn’t connected to the wires in the box. I saw that many years ago at a friends new house but have never seen that again.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
————————————————
You’re not playing this game fairly.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
I was surprised to see so many GFI outlets too. Must be some reason. Next time I see the electrician I will ask him why. Considering they cost more, I doubt it was for the heck of it.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
This may just be an Alaska thing.... but often our external outlets are connected to a switch on the wall inside. Sometimes nearby, but sometimes not so much!
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
Painting update, day 2. Kitchen is fully painted, including areas above the cabinets. Lots of detail work necessary.
Not sure when the next painting day will be. The girls have to go to the studio tomorrow, and up to 10" of snow is predicted between tonight and whenever it's supposed to stop (likely tomorrow or Saturday morning).
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
Congrats on the painting progress. Once you're living in the space, it is no easy task, though possibly not as torturous as deep cleaning carpets....
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I tried turning on the lights outside. Outlet still dead.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
We thought that we were just being rebels but instead we actually learned something no book could tell you.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible