Review: The Lutron MS-OPS2 occupancy sensor switch
I installed a Lutron occupancy sensor switch this weekend. It detects you entering the room, turns the lights on, then turns them off five minutes after it detects nobody is in the room. The timeout...
View ArticleHow to light the underside of your train table
There are few things worse than fumbling around in the dark under a train layout. So I mounted a ceiling-mount light socket underneath my train table to create a work light so that I could see when I’m...
View ArticleThe Enerlites HOSS occupancy sensor switch – no ground required
One of the most common questions I get is whether there’s an occupancy sensor light switch that doesn’t require a ground connection. I finally found one: The Enerlites Top Greener HOSS, and it’s pretty...
View ArticleHow to replace a Lionel transformer’s power cord
When using vintage Lionel transformers, it’s important to make sure the power cord isn’t broken or frayed to avoid the risk of electric shock or starting a fire. That said, replacing a power cord...
View ArticleUsing a computer power cord on a garbage disposal
When I replace garbage disposals, I prefer to use a power cord rather than hardwire them straight into the wall. The thing is, I don’t like paying $12 for the official power cord, which is chintzy...
View ArticleUsing PC ATX power supplies for accessories on a train layout
Thanks to the miracle of mass production, even the cheapest, nastiest PC power supply gives far more power output per dollar than any train transformer. So if the lights and accessories on your...
View ArticleI replaced an outlet with a GFCI and then my light switch quit working
My story about the red wire in an electrical box reminded me of a misadventure I worked my way through in my first house. In the bathroom, there was a regular outlet next to the light switch. St. Louis...
View ArticleHow to replace an AC power cord
A damaged power cord doesn’t have to mean the end of life for a tool or appliance. Power cords are usually replaceable with simple tools and minimal expense. If you can open up the device, open it up,...
View ArticleWire a Lionel motor without an e-unit
Sometimes you may want to remove an e-unit from a Lionel locomotive and rewire it to run in forward only, whether as a temporary measure while you repair the e-unit, or as a permanent modification. It...
View ArticleHow to disassemble a Lionel 1001, 1060 or 8902 locomotive
Disassembling a Lionel 1001, 1060, 8902 or 8302 locomotive isn’t too difficult. The biggest problem is knowing where the three screws are that you have to remove. These particular locomotives weren’t...
View ArticleReplace a ceiling light fixture
It’s not hard to replace a ceiling light fixture once you know how everything goes together. Even if you’ve never installed one before, you can do this. Before you start, turn off the power at the...
View ArticleWire a bathroom fan and light on one switch
Sometimes you need to wire a bathroom fan and light on one switch. Code often requires a fan in bathrooms these days, but you may only have one switch. Or maybe you have two switches but just want one...
View ArticleFix bathroom light bulb flickering
Flickering lights can be a sign of a serious electrical problem. But bathroom light bulb flickering often is due to other issues. Let’s look at things that cause bathroom light bulbs to flicker and...
View ArticleWire a Lionel ZW transformer
When it comes time to wire a Lionel ZW transformer, there’s more to think about than just which posts to use. The size of the wires also matters. If you derail a train 12 amps of power can run through...
View ArticleWiring a Lionel 1033 transformer
When it comes to wiring a Lionel 1033 transformer or its brothers, the Lionel 1044 and 4090, there’s more to consider than just which posts to use. The size of the wires also matters. If you derail a...
View ArticleWiring a Lionel KW transformer
When it comes to wiring a Lionel KW transformer, there’s more to consider than just which posts to use. The size of the wires also matters. If you derail a train 8 amps of power can run through the...
View ArticleWiring a Lionel LW transformer
When it comes to wiring a Lionel LW transformer, there’s more to consider than just which posts to use. The size of the wires also matters. If you derail a train, 5.5 amps of power can run through the...
View ArticleConnect a 2 wire light fixture to a 3 wire ceiling box
If you’re changing out a light fixture and find two wires on the fixture and three wires in the box, you’re not out of luck. Here’s how to connect a 2 wire light fixture to a 3 wire ceiling box. The...
View ArticleWhich wire is hot, black or white? Is the black wire hot?
If you don’t do electrical work very often, it can be confusing and can lead to questions. Is the black wire hot? Which wire is hot, black or white? The first rule is there are no rules. So if you The...
View ArticleHow to disable a light switch
Sometimes you need to disable a light switch, such as when a light switch turns an outlet on or off and you want to plug something other than a lamp into that outlet. Here’s how to disable a light...
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