Recent content by slipnfall

Here are two perfect options, but they're incandescent only (local building codes here restrict closet lighting to fluorescent). http://www.smarthome.com/20464/UPM-ETW193-...mer-500W/p.aspx (again the LCD is overkill) http://www.smarthome.com/4253I-A/Multi-Tim...-6515M-I/p.aspx (the other...

That would work well for a walk-in, or even if the light switches were located inside the closet - however all of mine are mounted outside the door. The manual over-ride is a little too easy to switch permanently on.

Thanks for that important bit of info. Some of these things get pretty expensive! Sort of negates the cost savings. :) But $22-$25 isn't too bad. I could do without the LCD, but no biggie.

That looks perfect, *however* it says for incandescent loads only - so no fluorescents (not CFLs, just tube fluorescents)?

Hi Folks, I'm trying to find a simple wall switch timer - similar to the rotary timers, but with a push/toggle switch. I have several closets (and several children!) who love to leave the lights on. Most of the 'timer' switches out there are for programming a scheduled ON/OFF/RANDOM time. I...

Just a quick suggestion for those going IP based: I have family living across the street, and before I had internet up and running I bridged two wireless routers to give my house internet access. Now that I have my own cable inet service I still keep the routers bridged for redundancy. Bad guys...

Hi Folks - I have the above cable tester, and it works great for quick checks. The problem is I've lost the stupid terminator for coax! Can anyone that has one perhaps fill me in on the termination value? It's this one FYI: http://ideal.datacomtools.com/PDF/33-856.pdf The manual states that...

Yes you can wire an op-amp in comparator configuration as either a threshold detector, or window comparitor. The supply loops are 4-20mA. Pass this through a 275ohm resistor and you'll get a 1.1->5.5V range. Better yet just buy a sensor with 0-5Vdc output. :-) It would be nice to see a few...

Good suggestions! On the studfinder, I think I have a stanley, but it is sold as other brands as well. It allows you to select the wall thickness (1/2, 3/8", etc), and will differentiate between metal, AC, and studs. You 'calibrate it' by placing it over a known studd-less area, then swipe. I...

Depends - do you have any means of aquiring an analog signal? If so, tap a connection into the 3-4" pipe, and measure with a low-ranged differential pressure transducer. This is expensive (lab grade) but they have very low/accurate ranges. I use them down to 0.25"WC at work and they're dead on...

I have the Rhino 3000 as well. It certainly has it's up sides: very wide variety of tapes/heatshrink, battery powered, somewhat rugged, and widespread support. However I'm still in the air about it. For the price you pay, it should be able to do a *lot* more. For instance you can't set the...

I thought I was the only one who bought quality electrical tape. There's nothing worse than searching for that 'special' role when you just need a quick wrap. Jamie

Great list already. I'm an electronics guy, so I never have a DVM too far from reach. Fluke 86 here also. It's like another appendature. PS - I keep a few junk diodes handy in my road toolbox - it makes (on rare occasion when you need to) discriminating between a pair of unlabled/numbered...

Wow, sorry about the subject typo! Should have been "Your indispensable tools".

Hi folks, I'm always eager to find those hard-to-live-without tools, and I came across one today. I don't know why I didn't see these before. Now this isn't probably anything new to the 'installers by profession, or those who have been doing this for a while, but new to this DIY'er anyway. This...