household questions

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:41 am

do you have any? perhaps we can answer each others' questions.....i have two. one, my smoke detector is screeching because i have a candle lit! that's a first! i had to disarm it. second, i have 3 very big mag-lights. (torches to you Brits:D )...so i wanted to change out all the batteries. well one of them was totally ruined because the batteries had leaked and solidified acid inside. those lights are expensive!! and i had to throw it away.

i wonder why that happened.

guppy · Post by **guppy** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:48 am

i have a question. why is it , if one thing tears up in the house ,enevitably two more things will shortly.....

woppy71 · Post by **woppy71** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:50 am

Have you tried vacuuming '/ cleaning the smoke detector? Some times they get so dirty that the sensor gets blocked and the slightest thing sets it off. Please don't disarm it, get a new one if it dosn't work

Ahh, maglites. I have a seven D-cell one and a mini AA one. Strange thing is, they are supposed to be bomb / fire proof but not acid proof. Weird. I think that batteries tend to chemically break down when they get weak, then they start to leak

Have you tried using high capacity re-chargable N-imh batteries (high curent ones) ? They tend to be far, far less prone to leaking (due to different chemical composistion, and they will save you and untold amount of money.

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:56 am

i haven't tried rechargables. probably a good idea!

Carl44 · Post by **Carl44** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:08 am

why have i just dried a plate with the oven gloves and the taken a red hot oven dish out of the oven with a tea towel and burnt my fingers:(

i think i'm losing it

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 11:42 am

jimbo;460035 wrote: why have i just dried a plate with the oven gloves and the taken a red hot oven dish out of the oven with a tea towel and burnt my fingers:(

i think i'm losing it

Because you are a dude. You instinctively want to be incapable in the kitchen. Now go change a tire.

guppy · Post by **guppy** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:56 pm

how do yu get the metal thingy out of a socket when you break the bulb off trying to unscrew it?

Carl44 · Post by **Carl44** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:59 pm

guppy;460320 wrote: how do yu get the metal thingy out of a socket when you break the bulb off trying to unscrew it?

first unplug it gups fried fish other wise

then use some pliers on the metal bit thats left

got to go got some manly tire changing jobs to do :wah: :wah:

guppy · Post by **guppy** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:00 pm

jimbo;460323 wrote: first unplug it gups fried fish other wise

then use some pliers on the metal bit thats left

got to go got some manly tire changing jobs to do :wah: :wah:

it's a light socket on the wall. .....i thought about the pliers thing, but i didn't want to get fried. :p

weber · Post by **weber** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:10 pm

guppy;460325 wrote: it's a light socket on the wall. .....i thought about the pliers thing, but i didn't want to get fried. :p

go unplug the thingie that shuts down the power.......thingie being the female word for that little round thingie that screws in the power panel.

Ah, senior moment over........unplug the fuse, fuse, that's it ......fuse

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:20 pm

Turn it off, Throw the breaker swithch. Take a raw potato , shove it in and unscrew. Comes out with the tater.

guppy · Post by **guppy** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 2:13 pm

tried that. it worked. thanks wise guy.:-6

guppy · Post by **guppy** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 2:16 pm

weber;460339 wrote: go unplug the thingie that shuts down the power.......thingie being the female word for that little round thingie that screws in the power panel.

Ah, senior moment over........unplug the fuse, fuse, that's it ......fuse

thanks , i got it.:-6 i used the tater and crammed it into the socket and screwed it out. meanwhile i had to hold a flashlight so i could see cause it was in the bathroom. i couldn't figureout which breaker to throw so to be safe i threw em all.:p

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 2:32 pm

guppy;460407 wrote: tried that. it worked. thanks wise guy.:-6
Glad it worked. " Here I come to save the day, Mighty yz is on the way."

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:53 pm

Ok Im sorry but I must scold you publicly now. If you smoke and light candles you must re-arm your alarms at once. This is non-negotiable. Even if you have to live with the mind numbing peircing shreaking eardrum exploding noise. No one wants a burned up lady cop. Ill wait here while you go put the batteries back in.

This should keep you busy for awhile with your battery question.

Carbon batteries, sometimes called the LeClanche cell. This contains the following major components: a Zn metal can, which is the anode, in the can is a mix of Manganese Dioxide [MnO2], Carbon Black, Ammonium Chloride, and water . Upright in the middle of this mix is the cathode which is a porous Carbon rod, with a metal cap. On the inner surface of the Zn can, the metal is oxidized. Zn = Zn [+2] + 2e [2 electrons] At the carbon cathode, MnO2 + H2O + e = MnO[OH] = OH- When the battery is used, these electrons leave the Zn metal, travel through the external circuit [flashlight bulb and wires for example], and enter the carbon electrode. When the battery is not in use, other reactions can also happen. Zn is an active metal and will slowly react with the water and ammonium chloride. That is, it corrodes to form Zn chloride and/or Zn hydroxide and some hydrogen gas is liberated. If this gas cannot leave the can through the porous carbon cathode, this will generate pressure and the can will swell. When the Zn corrodes it becomes thinner and finally it is perforated. Some of the liquid electrolyte will leak out, adsorb water from the air and the Zn will corrode rapidly. This is a simple explanation of this common problem. If you need more details, find a good book on basic electrochemistry.

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:04 pm

i knew that. :p ...ok ok smoke detectors armed!

nvalleyvee · Post by **nvalleyvee** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:07 pm

lady cop;459963 wrote: do you have any? perhaps we can answer each others' questions.....i have two. one, my smoke detector is screeching because i have a candle lit! that's a first! i had to disarm it. second, i have 3 very big mag-lights. (torches to you Brits:D )...so i wanted to change out all the batteries. well one of them was totally ruined because the batteries had leaked and solidified acid inside. those lights are expensive!! and i had to throw it away.

i wonder why that happened.

When I remodeled the house 3 years ago I was required to hard wire the smoke detectors electrically...........danged expensive............they are all wired into the electrical box now...........just battery back-up. BUT that could still happen...........would it eat the electrical wires? Mine beep at the least little battery low.........what if it didn't?

nvalleyvee · Post by **nvalleyvee** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:11 pm

guppy;460320 wrote: how do yu get the metal thingy out of a socket when you break the bulb off trying to unscrew it?

Go to your electrical box and turn off the electricity to it...........test by turning the light off and on............cut a potato in half and shove the cut end into the metal thingy..............unscrew it. Wait for at least 1/2 hour before putting another bulb in there and turing on the electricity.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:17 pm

lady cop;460747 wrote: i knew that. :p ...ok ok smoke detectors armed!

Your lying. Youll burn up if you dont. By the way if you do start on fire dont look in the mirror because that would probably just freak you out more.

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:22 pm

Nomad;460753 wrote: Your lying. Youll burn up if you dont. By the way if you do start on fire dont look in the mirror because that would probably just freak you out more.actually i did re-arm them, i'm a firm believer in the efficacy of smoke alarms. it was very unusual for a candle to set it off though. ...so what about human spontaneous combustion? HUH? :-2 you believe in that?? how do you prevent that o mad scientist?

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:26 pm

lady cop;460755 wrote: actually i did re-arm them, i'm a firm believer in the efficacy of smoke alrms. it was very unusual for a candle to set it off though. ...so what about human spontaneous combustion? HUH? :-2 you believe in that?? how do you prevent that oh mad scientist?

It cant be stopped or controlled. Its just something we all need to learn to live with. I carry an extinguisher on my belt at all times.

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:54 pm

Magenta flame;460765 wrote: wow that's actually funny.

recently I've pulled up vinyl tiles in the kitchen and I can't seem to get the sticky stuff off the floor. I've used domestic cleaners and turps etc, but still it's sticky. which is a bit of a bugger when I'm wearing socks.

Can anybody suggest something?would a home supply store, like the home depots we have here, help?

Mystery · Post by **Mystery** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:31 pm

Magenta flame;460776 wrote: Yeah ..and all they could say is," have you tried turps?" :-5

I'm not sure what turps is, so I'm hoping it's not the same as my suggestion

Have you tried paint thinner/acetone?

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:50 pm

i suspect it's turpentine... i just thought perhaps a home supply specialist would have an answer.

woppy71 · Post by **woppy71** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 12:56 am

YZGI;460354 wrote: Turn it off, Throw the breaker swithch. Take a raw potato , shove it in and unscrew. Comes out with the tater.

Now that is bloody impressive!!

Bill Sikes · Post by **Bill Sikes** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:18 am

lady cop;459963 wrote: i have 3 very big mag-lights. (torches to you Brits:D )...so i wanted to change out all the batteries. well one of them was totally ruined because the batteries had leaked and solidified acid inside. those lights are expensive!! and i had to throw it away.

i wonder why that happened.

Probably one duff or old cell in with the others. The stuff in torch batteries is

alkaline. Sometimes it helps to try and wash them out with very hot water (or

soak 'em) with a dash of vinegar.

Bill Sikes · Post by **Bill Sikes** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:20 am

guppy;460320 wrote: how do yu get the metal thingy out of a socket when you break the bulb off trying to unscrew it?

Push it in before you start screwing. Use electrical pliers. Swap to bayonet fittings

rather than the dreadful "Edison Screw", which are very prone to this problem.

Bill Sikes · Post by **Bill Sikes** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:22 am

lady cop;459988 wrote: i haven't tried rechargables. probably a good idea!

They are Good For The Earth. However, they have a voltage of 1.2V compared to

"normal" ones which are 1.5V. You can get torches that take sealed lead-acid

batteries, which are very good.

Bill Sikes · Post by **Bill Sikes** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:26 am

lady cop;460755 wrote: [B what about human spontaneous combustion?

Someone did an experiment with a pig carcass. It's not "spontaneous".

Bill Sikes · Post by **Bill Sikes** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:31 am

Magenta flame;460765 wrote: recently I've pulled up vinyl tiles in the kitchen and I can't seem to get the sticky stuff off the floor. I've used domestic cleaners and turps etc, but still it's sticky. which is a bit of a bugger when I'm wearing socks.

Can anybody suggest something?

Use a scraper (possibly heat too) if you really need to get the stuff off. Using

solvents invites disaster. If you're covering the stuff up again, you probably

don't need to get it off.

Bill Sikes · Post by **Bill Sikes** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:33 am

Mystery;460789 wrote: I'm not sure what turps is, so I'm hoping it's not the same as my suggestion

Have you tried paint thinner/acetone?

Turps=turpentine=solvent distilled from trees. Turps. substitute="white spirit",

a petroleum distillate. Paint thinner/acetone is even more likely to blow you up

when used like this.

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:55 am

woppy71;460888 wrote: Now that is bloody impressive!!

Thanks Wop. Read or heard it a long time ago and have used it a few times . It does work pretty well.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:19 pm

Magenta flame;462884 wrote: thanks guys for the advice sorry I tend to use slang too often, Yes I meant turpintine:o I'll use some paint thinner and see how it goes.

thanks again

Be careful with that stuff ! Whats underneath it ? In my opinion you will never get it completely off. If its wood underneath sand it and recoat it with laquer. If its just more vinyl you should recover it. Do I have to come over there ?

guppy · Post by **guppy** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:23 pm

Did yall know that a bar of dial soap rubbed on stains will get them out of clothes. someone showed me this trick recently. beats all those stain removing products anyday.

just dampen the soap and rub it on the stain before you wash it. wah lah. stain gone.

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:51 pm

i hate to spam...but there are a few things that i've tried that really are excellent. and i'm not some domestic diva, i just like CLEAN! clorox makes a bleach pen than is very effective on stains on white items. (saved more than one of my son's shirts)...the swiffer duster is great, it really grabs the dust rather than just move it around. it's the best thing for ceiling fans, which attract dirt like a magnet. and mr.clean magic erasers are amazing! stains i despaired of are GONE!

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 7:24 pm

where do cobwebs come from?

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 7:26 pm

lady cop;468332 wrote: where do cobwebs come from?

Why, they come from cobs, obviously!

:yh_giggle :yh_dance

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 7:27 pm

valerie;468335 wrote: Why, they come from cobs, obviously!

:yh_giggle :yh_dancewhy the heck didn't i think of that? :rolleyes:

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 7:29 pm

Why are they called "Cobwebs" is there a creature called a cob that makes a web. ??? Nomie needs to research this pronto..:p

[QUOTE]Quote:

Originally Posted by lady cop

where do cobwebs come from?

Why, they come from cobs, obviously![/QUOTE]

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 7:32 pm

I was just yankin' at LC's extremity.

She loves it when I do that. Seriously.

Here's a link:

http://www.takeourword.com/TOW116/page2.html

;)

guppy · Post by **guppy** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 8:32 pm

I have a question. the lightbulbs went out in my laundry room i thought. replaced em. still doesn't work. no breaker throwed. .....any ideas or do i replace the whole light fixture???????

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 8:28 pm

lady cop;468332 wrote: where do cobwebs come from?

Snakes.

Snakes and other things that crawl and slither.

While you sleep.

Always while you sleep.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 10:31 pm

Might be the best idea, and check the wiring as well.

[QUOTE]I have a question. the lightbulbs went out in my laundry room i thought. replaced em. still doesn't work. no breaker throwed. .....any ideas or do i replace the whole light fixture???????[/QUOTE]

guppy · Post by **guppy** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 11:31 pm

CARLA;469183 wrote: Might be the best idea, and check the wiring as well.

thanks carla, checking the wiring is out of my league. i will call an electrician monday.

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 3:07 am

does the holiday season do this to you? i have things piled up that i would NEVER let go normally, the vacuuming, the dishes which i always do instantly, my guns are on the kitchen counter with a gun-cleaning kit, nearly frozen from lack of oil and cleaning, and all the bedding needs washing! and i still haven't done my Christmas cards! this is not like me! (i did, however, write in all my dates for 2007 in a new calendar, i guess that's some progress.:rolleyes: )

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 4:24 pm

a cosmic question....why does your porchlight ALWAYS burn out in the pitch black dark and you can't see to change it??? :-5 ...then again, maybe we are meant to check them in the daytime:-6 *sigh*.