Recent content by 75gmck25

For wall insulation you might consider a flash and batt solution. The "flash" is a thin layer (1-2") of spray foam that completely seals up the wall and prevents any air penetration. Then you add whatever type of batt insulation you want to fill the cavity. USB-A (the large USB connector)...

"you would have to run extra wires if the power went to the fixture first" You are probably correct, since for standard wiring schemes you would need four wires between the two switches to make it work. However, it is possible to make it work with all 14/2 and 14/3 by powering the fixture...

You are on the right track, but three-way switches can be wired differently, based on power first to either the switch or the fixture, whether the light is at the end, light in the middle, etc. I would recommend opening up the fixtures you think it controls, and then use some long test leads...

AFAIK, most SER is not rated for direct burial or running underground in conduit. When you need direct burial or burial in conduit you must transition to Mobile Home Feeder (MHF) or other cable that is rated for underground use. Many folks use 2-2-2-4 AL MHF, which is rated for direct burial...

For our shower threshold we used one pressure-treated 2x4 flat on the floor, and then faced it with Schluter board all the way around. The bottom of the shower was a pre-sloped Shluter pan with a drain in the center. For the finished top of the threshold I purchased a piece of polished stone...

If you have a truck long enough to haul it, 12 foot drywall is a standard product from commercial supply stores. You could install it vertically and have only one horizontal seam near the top or bottom. A bottom seam would only be one foot off the floor, so really easy to reach for taping and...

I believe US code also requires a ground wire to a metal box, but nothing if the box is plastic. I assume that the theory is that the metal box might accidentally come in contact with a hot wire that is not properly insulated, and you don't want to have a user contact a box that is live.

I have used a local glass store, but found that even a small pane was relatively expensive because it was in an exterior door. Original 1940 glass pane was not safety glass, but the "professional" glass place said I needed to buy safety glass because it was one pane in a French door. The...

Considering the age of your "new" oven, you need to use the model number to track down its installation docs and find out if it can be converted from using a 4 wire cord to a 3 wire cord. The 3 wire cord was common back in the 60s and 70's, but gradually most appliances have gone over to...

If you have 200 amp service there is no point in installing a 150 amp panel. Based current pricing, it saves you nothing on the panel purchase. If you get a 200 amp panel, make sure you have 40+ spaces for breakers. It will give you the flexibility to make electrical additions later and keep...

IIRC, in my AHJ you are required to foam or caulk around any top and bottom plate penetrations to provide fire blocking. Its a really easy item to inspect when they look at the rough-in, and they seem to love catching the error.

AFAIK, 2-2-2-4 AL MHF vs 2-2-2-4 AL SER is really easy to distinguish. SER cable is jacketed like Romex, so you have a large diameter single cable to route. That makes it simple to route indoors through holes in floor joists, etc. The dual rated MHF that I bought was four separate wires that...

Some of the confusion may be based on the EV installation guides. My Chargepoint EV is available with 6-50 (3 wire) or 14-50 (4 wire) plugs, or a hardwired cable. When I installed the hardwired version I found that inside the cable whip and at the EV “head” or holder, there is no neutral wire...

You can buy commercial extension cords that are designed to be laid across the floor. but they are a short rubber "threshold" design with an inset to hold and protect the cord. They would definitely telegraph the cord location if they were under a rug. In fact, I'm not sure they are even...

My BIL lives in Minneapolis and has been searching for a garage-ready refrigerator/freezer. Bottom line - there is no refrigerator available from the big box stores that will work when the garage is below freezing. Most only claim to work down to about 38 degrees. Items in the refrigerator...