A Shed Downunder.

[1/2 Cup]

Just caught up 1/2cup, you've been busy as usual - it looks (to me) that the old wiring in the West Wing dwelling was long overdue for some attention.

Sure is Mark and not before time, every bit of it so I can hold my hand on my heart that it is safe.

Thank you for dropping by..

 

[1/2 Cup]

I always believed that 'Yakka' was a brand of work clothing .

Appreciated.

Those Youtube clips say it all really. There is some Golden Oldies that I haven't seen in years.

May be I am just getting old.

No problems HOTFR8

 

[jbmatth]

Great work on the re-wire 1/2, that is how I enjoy spending my time off as well. It is a great feeling to knock off some of your personal projects rather than one for the company, but getting paid just the same.
JB

 

[1/2 Cup]

Great work on the re-wire 1/2, that is how I enjoy spending my time off as well. It is a great feeling to knock off some of your personal projects rather than one for the company, but getting paid just the same.
JB

My sentiments exactly JB

 

[Denwood]

I thought I would share this picture just to demonstrate how important it is to look after and MAINTAIN your electrical appliances in either your home or garage.

This is the bathroom , exhaust fan, light and heater combo from the West Wing.

View media item 60540
The burn marks are from the two 275 watt heater lamps. The fan was surrounded by insulation, further exacerbating the issue. I will not mention specific brands here but this is very typical of what you see in many homes.

Just how easily this could have ended in tears.

PS you will be pleased to know the fan has gone to that big recycling dump in the sky.

If nothing else make sure your home is safe with properly maintained appliances and electricals.

Wow, good catch there 1/2. I couldn't agree more with your comments.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Wow, good catch there 1/2. I couldn't agree more with your comments.

Thank you Dennis, I sincerely hope that every one takes on board the electrical safety message, I can't stress it enough.

The West Wings' rewire will replace every cable, conduit, light fixture, switch, socket outlet, exhaust fan and ceiling fan. Together with a new switchboard, circuit breakers, mains cable, point of supply mains connection and not forgetting a new main earthing system.

Have a great day and thank you one and all.

 

[Vieux]

You did a lot of good work. I like your approach to all matters

 

[1/2 Cup]

You did a lot of good work. I like your approach to all matters

Thank you Vieux.

I still have quite a bit more to do but I think I will devote some rest and relaxation in the shed tomorrow.

Regards

 

[Lyndon]

Steve

I'm jealous of your LSL, and of what you can achieve in a day.

West Wing project looking great.

Enjoy your time off.

Lyndon
Sun's over the yard arm now!!!!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Steve

I'm jealous of your LSL, and of what you can achieve in a day.

West Wing project looking great.

Enjoy your time off.

Lyndon
Sun's over the yard arm now!!!!

Lyndon I am thoroughly enjoying my LSL. It is just fantastic to step off the Merry Go Round for a while.

I have accrued six months of Long Service Leave and I will possibly take another month in October / November.

Things are ticking along next door in the West Wing, being an older home it throws up some challenges let me tell you. These are the issues that one expects when you are faced with a rewire of a home of this vintage.
I removed some of the socket outlets yesterday to prepare for the strip out and rewire. The older wiring and conduit is embedded in the rendered wall which is fed from beneath the floor.

View media item 60610
There is no way that I can use the old conduit and wall box to retro fit the new outlets, so for seven outlets the only way I can repair these is to chase in new conduits which will accommodate the new cabling, the existing steel conduit is too small.

The chase in the render will have to be re rendered and repainted of course.

Thanks for dropping by one and all and have a great day.

PS I am having a break from the West Wing today and just pottering in the Shed Downunder just because I can.

 

[Grumblebum]

1/2 cup, do you have one of the oscillating multi tools? That should cut through the render etc without making a big mess and leave a nice edge. (Particularly if you have the old horse hair plaster behind the render)

Is that one of those old black steel surrounds embedded in the wall there ?

Looks like one of those "patience grass hopper" jobs to work yourself upto for tomorrow.

Have a good day. GB.

 

[1/2 Cup]

1/2 cup, do you have one of the oscillating multi tools? That should cut through the render etc without making a big mess and leave a nice edge. (Particularly if you have the old horse hair plaster behind the render)

Is that one of those old black steel surrounds embedded in the wall there ?

Looks like one of those "patience grass hopper" jobs to work yourself upto for tomorrow.

Have a good day. GB.

GB, my dad has one of those multitools so it will come in handy for sure.

I will be replacing the wall boxes as well while I am on the go as some of the mounting screw holes have stripped threads in them and they are crooked and look terrible.
I will be ordering them this morning as they are not an off the shelf item as I had already brought the large plate Clipsal 2000P series socket outlets.

http://updates.clipsal.com/ClipsalOnline/Files/Brochures/A0000193.pdf

You are right its just one of those jobs that requires a little patience and perseverance but we will get there in the end.

Have a good one and thanks for dropping by.

 

[drivesitfar]

1/2: a few of the repairs you've shown in that old house it looks like the wires are just tucked into a wall or between beams. i'm guessing that wouldn't pass code today? we have to put almost everything in plastic boxes and years ago they were metal which are also used for special jobs.

good to hear you are getting the idea of how it is to be RETIRED. there is always lots to do and you just need to stop and smell the roses so to speak every once in a while. I wish I had that check coming in every month or couple of weeks so technically i'm still wondering what RETIREMENT would be like. also you guys mention a PAID HOLIDAY FROM A JOB and I didn't ever have one of those and worked many of the real holidays. the benefits of working for yourself is a flexible schedule so I was able to make almost all my kid's games and things they worked hard to do so i'm surely not complaining.

good luck with the wiring and sounds like you might almost be done with it in a few more days.

cheers

 

[shortykorte]

I have to ask, what is render and how do you re-render?

Also what's with all those outlet/power point wires? Please post a picture of the after to that same box.

 

[1/2 Cup]

1/2: a few of the repairs you've shown in that old house it looks like the wires are just tucked into a wall or between beams. i'm guessing that wouldn't pass code today? we have to put almost everything in plastic boxes and years ago they were metal which are also used for special jobs.

good to hear you are getting the idea of how it is to be RETIRED. there is always lots to do and you just need to stop and smell the roses so to speak every once in a while. I wish I had that check coming in every month or couple of weeks so technically i'm still wondering what RETIREMENT would be like. also you guys mention a PAID HOLIDAY FROM A JOB and I didn't ever have one of those and worked many of the real holidays. the benefits of working for yourself is a flexible schedule so I was able to make almost all my kid's games and things they worked hard to do so i'm surely not complaining.

good luck with the wiring and sounds like you might almost be done with it in a few more days.

cheers

drives all the wiring in the West Wing apart from the gas central heating system would not pass our Australian Standards.

Those standards require us that where there is an alteration and addition to an electrical installation it shall be brought up to the current standard. Clearly this was not done by the PO when the place was renovated some 10 years ago.

The metal wall boxes are still an acceptable mounting arrangement. We can get plastic ones as well but not in the size I am using. The old one in the picture and the other six will be removed and replace with new ones as will the conduit and cable.

I was going to have a day away from the West Wing yesterday but as one does I just pottered on some clean up duties then mowed the lawns.

I can see my retirement being as busy as ever and I wouldn't have it any other way and that includes some me time and smelling the roses.

Interestingly you speak of flexibility in the work place, ours is not too bad when it comes to that.

I do still have maybe two weeks worth of bits and pieces on the electrical to finish things up and at this point I will be getting in some assistance to help:

. The main switchboard, mains and main earthing system change over is a two man job and I need to organise the powerco to disconnect the over head supply, then complete the change over and have the installation inspected by a licenced inspector before reconnection.

. Mrs 1/2 Cup is organising to replace some window furnishings and some of the carpets not that they need replacement IMHO any way you do what you have to.

. I am getting a mate in who is a plasterer ( dry wall ) finisher to deal with some cornice ( coving I think you guys call it ) repairs as well.

. I have some lock replacements to do and I would also like to replace the front entrance door as well.

. Then just a thorough clean.

. I will be leaving the out side stuff apart from the lawns until later.

I have to ask, what is render and how do you re-render?

Also what's with all those outlet/power point wires? Please post a picture of the after to that same box.

Shorty apologies.

Render is hard plastering or stucco with a cement based mortar mix.

I had to ask that my self in regard to the wires at the socket outlet and I intend to post some before and after pics of the same.

Thank you one and all for dropping by, have a great day.

PS Mrs 1/2 Cup said that our hot water was running cold.

So guess who had a stone cold shower. The circuit breaker had tripped

So it appears that an element replacement is on the cards today for our electric hot water service which is in the roof space.

 

[dlcwent]

Just letting you know that I'm still following along 1/2 cup, just don't have much to add other than it appears all is going well. I hope you are enjoying "some" of your down time.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Just letting you know that I'm still following along 1/2 cup, just don't have much to add other than it appears all is going well. I hope you are enjoying "some" of your down time.

Dan, it is always great to hear from you and thank you for dropping by

Things are progressing well in the West Wing. not a lot that is picture worthy as most of the electrical work you don't see save for a new socket outlet, switch or light fitting at the end of the day.

Thus far:

. Electrical material take off and procurement. Completed.

. Disconnect and remove all the old cabling to 15 lights, switches, fans and fixtures. Completed

. Rewire all of the above. Completed

. Install all of the new light fittings, fans and switches. Completed.

. Added two extra lights and two mains powered smoke detectors. Completed.

. Fabricate, install and paint a plaster reveal to cover the old bathroom fan, heat lamp and light fixture cutout that will allow the installation of a new fan, light unit. Completed.

. Stove cabling rough in. Should finish today.

. Split air conditioner sub circuit rough in Should be complete today.

. Rewire 14 socket outlets. Completed.

. Rewire and reconfigure ceiling fan cabling in the back porch. Clean and reinstall. Completed

. Rewire and reconfigure the central gas heating system controls and duct damper motor. Completed.

. Rewire and reconfigure roof space lighting and socket outlet. Completed.

. Removal of all the redundant split conduit and old cable from the roof space. Completed.

. Remove and replace two sheet of roofing to gain access to the redundant cabling and inaccessible connections. Completed.

. Mow the lawns, yet again.


To do on the electrical upgrade:

. Remove, clean and replace dishwasher.

. Remove, clean and replace wall oven.

. Install kitchen exhaust, wiring and switching completed.

. Install two LED down lights over cook top, wiring and switching completed.

. Start on the replacement of the last power circuit which involves replacement of those old wall boxes, chasing the walls, rewire then replastering, repaint and fitting off of seven socket outlets. That will complete the power circuits and I should give it a fair crack this weekend.

. Perform the mandatory testing at completion.

. Reconnect each final sub circuit and test operation.

. Issue a Non Prescribed Certificate of Electrical Safety to Energy Safe for the works completed.

Then to close out will be the following:

1. Main switch board and metering replacement.

2. Mains and Main earth.

3. Powerco disconnect and reconnect.

4. Mandatory Electrical inspection for what is called Prescribed Electrical work.

I will be getting a hand with this from a mate of mine as it is very much a two man job.

As you can see there is a lot of work involved just in the electricals and being the age that it is, of solid brick construction inside and out, 10 ft ceilings with limited under floor space access certainly presents it challenges, I full well knew what we were in for when we purchase the home but a job worth doing is one that is worth doing right in my book and none more so than the West Wing Electrical Upgrade.

I am keeping tabs on my hours and materials just out of interest sake as I would hate to think how much it would have cost had I not been able to do the work myself.

Thank you one and all for dropping by and have a great day.

 

[Terrick down Under]

Man O Man, how long would this take if you were working everyday at work. Your doing a great job. Not many landlords would go to this much trouble to make things safe.
Up here it takes weeks to organise a meter upgrade, then weeks to get it done. I remember one time doing a meter change at a local TAFE, was not worried about the job until they told me to suit up in all the rubber gear as we were doing it live. That was really creepy, all the hairs on my body stood on edge for the whole 20 minutes, and I was only the safety man!

 

[Grumblebum]

That's one solid list you are ticking off 1/2 cup.

Terrick, we had some level 2 guys fix up some of the 100A feeds at our office a few years ago, they were pretty hot on the thermal camera. I think we were pulling 60 amps or something (60kVA UPS + Several A/C units). Anyway we stood well back once they suited up in the rubber gear as they fixed it up live.

Cheers GB.

 

[shortykorte]

I didn't see water heater element on list. Don't want to be in hot water with the Mrs.

 

[drivesitfar]

1/2: KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK. your TO DO LIST is really long and love to see all that you've accomplished in such a short time. WELL DONE SIR!!!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Man O Man, how long would this take if you were working everyday at work. Your doing a great job. Not many landlords would go to this much trouble to make things safe.
Up here it takes weeks to organise a meter upgrade, then weeks to get it done. I remember one time doing a meter change at a local TAFE, was not worried about the job until they told me to suit up in all the rubber gear as we were doing it live. That was really creepy, all the hairs on my body stood on edge for the whole 20 minutes, and I was only the safety man!

Terrick It would have taken me months to achieve what I have done in a couple of weeks.

As for making things safe we are treating this home no different to our own home in all respects.

As an apprentice we used to work live on a lot of electrical installs, these days you just do not work live full stop apart from fault finding and testing. Certainly Power companies do but like you have the correct PPE and specific safe work procedures to work safely.

That's one solid list you are ticking off 1/2 cup.

Terrick, we had some level 2 guys fix up some of the 100A feeds at our office a few years ago, they were pretty hot on the thermal camera. I think we were pulling 60 amps or something (60kVA UPS + Several A/C units). Anyway we stood well back once they suited up in the rubber gear as they fixed it up live.

Cheers GB.

GB, just chipping away at it.

Last night I livened up and tested the power and lighting circuits that I had finished and that was a great milestone.

BTW our new bathroom fan / light arrived the other day and I fitted it yesterday.


The before as you may remember:


View media item 60540
The after:


View media item 60664
http://www.fansonline.com.au/brilliant-tercel-led-white.html


It works a treat and the 13 watt LED light really lights up the bathroom.

The Tercel fan has a number of nice features about it and it is easy to install.

Thanks for dropping by and have a great week end.

I could never understand when you have ducted heating in a bathroom why you would have heat lamps as well.

 

[1/2 Cup]

I didn't see water heater element on list. Don't want to be in hot water with the Mrs.

Shorty, That's one thing I have in stock, well put it this way when I installed the new HWS I took out the 4.8 kw element and fitted a 3.6 kw one that I had at the time.

Our HWS is a mains pressure dual element unit, I have disconnected the offending element at the switchboard, reset the circuit breaker and we are running on the booster element until I get time to drain the tank and replace the element.

So fortunately I am in hot water but not in hot water If you get my dry sense of humour.

1/2: KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK. your TO DO LIST is really long and love to see all that you've accomplished in such a short time. WELL DONE SIR!!!

Drives thank you again.

There is heaps to be done and we will keep on keeping on.

Mrs 1/2 Cup is working on the floor and window coverings this week.

I have a mate of mine who is a dry wall lined up to repair some of the cornice mouldings.

Another mate to arrange the Powerco supply change over and main switchboard replacement.

I can start to see light at the tunnel now.

Have a fantastic week end and thank you one and all for dropping by.

 

[rmalkow2]

You are making great progress on the house. Lot's of hard work but you will sleep well in the future knowing the place is safe and sound. Make sure to pace yourself so you stay safe as well.

 

[1/2 Cup]

You are making great progress on the house. Lot's of hard work but you will sleep well in the future knowing the place is safe and sound. Make sure to pace yourself so you stay safe as well.

rmalkow thank you.

The West Wing is coming along nicely and I am starting to see light at the end of the tunnel.

Today we now have an electric wall oven up and running, gas hot plates, the gas central heating working a treat and the gas Hot Water Service back in operation. We still have to get each of the gas appliances checked and serviced as you do.

Trust me I am enjoying the ride and staying safe in the process, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Again, thank you for dropping by and have a great weekend.

 

[Denwood]

Sounds like you are keeping crazy busy as always 1/2. I appreciate your attention to detail. Any time I see a house being "rolled" these days I sadly assume a lot of shortcuts are being taken. It's pretty obvious you're not one of those guys!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Sounds like you are keeping crazy busy as always 1/2. I appreciate your attention to detail. Any time I see a house being "rolled" these days I sadly assume a lot of shortcuts are being taken. It's pretty obvious you're not one of those guys!

Dennis, It may seem like I am crazy busy but in all honesty I am just poking and enjoying what i am doing.

We are treating the home as if we were to live in it ourselves and like most things in this day and age if you take short cuts they come back to bite.

I am a strong advocate in detail and always have been, I guess it stems from the training I had as an apprentice.

Electrically I am getting there. There is still a heap of small maintenance tasks to be done things like a sticky door lock, replacement of some sliding door rollers, replace the front entrance door, a few dripping taps and a fair bit of improvement that I can do in the garden. I will just keep working at it until we are happy with where things are at.

Thank you for dropping by and all the best with your front entrance door.

Regards

 

[Strouty]

Don't enjoy it too much, those weeks will fly by if you are having fun.

It will be nice to have the power wrapped up, at least it will be a load off your mind. When are you planning on having the tenant move in?

 

[1/2 Cup]

Don't enjoy it too much, those weeks will fly by if you are having fun.

It will be nice to have the power wrapped up, at least it will be a load off your mind. When are you planning on having the tenant move in?

Strouty The weeks have flown by already.

Its is just so satisfying to sit back and look at just what I have achieved in a short while.

We will be aiming to have tenants in the home in around three weeks at least that is the plan. That is dependant on when we can have the Powerco complete the new supply and main switchboard change over, which can be up to 20 working days from when you book the appointment. That shouldn't be a show stopper as it will be only a days outage from when they disconnect supply, then we do the switchboard / metering panel change over, inspection and reconnection to supply.

Thank you for dropping by and enjoy the weekend.

 

[1/2 Cup]

All, I did mention that we were having element issues with our electric hot water service but I have been able to nurse it along over the last week but this morning when I went to shower it was stone cold.
Looks like I have reset the circuit breaker one too many times and the element has open circuited.

As luck would have it I restarted the gas unit in the West Wing yesterday in anticipation that the inevitable would happen.

Under the cover of the morning darkness and with the temperature around 40 F I went next door in my bath robe ( not a pretty sight I might add ) with clothes, towels and toiletries in hand and had a nice long hot shower.

So I know what I will be doing today some time, draining the hot water tank and replacing an element or two.

Just something else that will keep me from the shed today.

Have a good one.

 

[Grumblebum]

I don't expect Mrs 1/2 cup is going to be sneaking next door to do that.

Good pre-planning firing up the gas one though

 

[CoopVA]

Glad to hear you were able to get cleaned up... Hopefully the element swap isn't to horrendous a task.

 

[1/2 Cup]

I don't expect Mrs 1/2 cup is going to be sneaking next door to do that.

Good pre-planning firing up the gas one though

GB, At a pinch Mrs 1/2 Cup would have to go next door to shower but she is really relying on me to repair ours while she is out at a dog show with the rodents. I haven't let on that I had a spare element.

Glad to hear you were able to get cleaned up... Hopefully the element swap isn't to horrendous a task.

Thanks Coop.

The swap out was not too bad, I was hoping not to have to drain the 85 gal tank and do it under suction but it didn't go my way so drain the tank it was which is a slow process due to the unit being in our roof space and the drain tray could only cope with so much. Any way its done and dusted now and in the process of heating up. One thing I will have to replace is the top boost element thermostat as it should have changed over and a least giving us a few gallons of hot water.

View media item 60719
The original element lasted 12 years so I don't think we have had a bad run out of it. Usually they split the sheath but in this case it has open circuited internally.

Another job out of the way and a happy wife.

 

[BuickFarmer]

Don't you ever rest?! Yea me neither. Back to pullin parts. keep up the good work

 

[1/2 Cup]

Don't you ever rest?! Yea me neither. Back to pullin parts. keep up the good work

Thank you Buick Farmer.

As the old saying goes "there is no rest for the wicked" however I am not so sure this applies to either yours or my situations. I just enjoy doing what I am doing as I am sure you do.

Thank you one and all, have a great day.

 

[dlcwent]

1/2 cup, going back a little, the exhaust fan came out a treat, as with all of your undertakings. Getting the hot water back may have cut into your QST but living without it just doesn't work in todays world.

 

[Bears Fan]

Nice job on the light, good thing the old one didn't cause a fire, its good to see people that can still work on there own stuff and get it repaired! Nice job on the water heater too

 

[hewey]

Nice progress mate. Hope you're some time to chill out too.

 

[1/2 Cup]

1/2 cup, going back a little, the exhaust fan came out a treat, as with all of your undertakings. Getting the hot water back may have cut into your QST but living without it just doesn't work in todays world.

Dan, thank you.

It is amazing what we take for granted these days, simple things like hot water on tap 24/7. The hot water service just does its thing day in day out for years and when it fails you feel it for sure. We were fortunate to have the HWS up and running next door.

I took the opportunity to have a good look around the roof space while I was at it as I hadn't done so in a while.
Just part of the joys of owning a home I guess, there is always something to be attended to.

Nice job on the light, good thing the old one didn't cause a fire, its good to see people that can still work on there own stuff and get it repaired! Nice job on the water heater too

BF, thank you.

As an apprentice we did quite a bit of domestic electrical installation and repair work, so the Hot Water repair was just something we had done quite a bit of as part of that.
Its great to be able to apply what you learnt over the years in and around your home.

Nice progress mate. Hope you're some time to chill out too.

Thank you Hewey I have gotten into a bit of a routine over the last couple of weeks and really enjoying myself.

No phone no work computer, no meetings, no emails, no deadlines and not getting hassled at all. That to me is chilling out let me tell you.

I pull up stumps at 4.00 PM from the West Wing, tidy up from what I have been doing for the day, tools away then feet up and then sit back and enjoy a coldy

Mrs 1/2 Cup has been great and she is going about her chores such that I don't get interrupted during the day and that is working well.

I am on the home straight now with the electrical upgrade, with the last two days removing 9 socket outlets and embedded conduits that have been chased into the brick walls and stuccoed over. So there has been quite a bit of jack hammering and chisel work. The new brick wall boxes for the socket outlets and conduits have been set in position and are ready for me to refinish the stucco ( hard plaster rendering as we call it) today. Once that's completed I can then finish the last power circuit tomorrow.

Again thank you one and all for dropping by, have a great day.

 

[shortykorte]

Since you aren't busy I'd like to see a picture of the jack hammered electrical chase.