Allow me to start off with some work that I was “allowed”, not forced, to preform yesterday, after returning from the doctor. This project has been on the list for a while so I decided to see what I could do to remove it from the list. This project was, “remove and replace an electrical outlet that is located on the back patio”, there will be photos.
The old outlet was a ground fault receptacle, and it was put there by me a bunch of years ago. In the past (aka olden days) we had a swimming pool out back, and it is a very good idea to have a ground fault receptacle for the pool pump.
Now days, this receptacle gets used for the heat lamp that goes in the hot house during the colder months. The receptacle would work for a while and then for no reason quit, then I would get down on my hands and knees to reset said receptacle. If we sit out back having a cool drink, we often like to have the little fan on, and we have some decretive lights that look like red peppers. My favorite wife has suggested a small TV for the patio, as you may now understand, we need a working outlet on the patio.
Well, that is enough history, let us get to the work at hand. Now I have believed that one of the problems might have been bugs, and or little lizards, getting into the outlet box, causing the outlet to trip.
Yesterday I turned the breaker off and got down on my hands and knees to see if I could fix this problem, yes, I did have some prayer time while on my knees. Hay, ole people have a difficult time getting up and down, so when we get on our hands and knees we might as well pray. If we didn’t pray while we were down there, do you think we could get back up?
I went to the garage, moved some items out of the way, and I was able to get into the drawer that had a few supplies. One receptacle, one outlet cover made for the outside, one cover not made for the outside. I also procured some screws, and some tools.
Outside as I sat on the floor, I removed the old receptacle and found the outlet box was full of dirt, some of which you may see in the photo to follow.
I checked to be sure the power was turned off, and I proceeded to disconnect the old receptacle. I then cleaned the outlet box out, and then installed the new outlet.
I then attempted to install the weatherproof cover, but I could not get it installed. If I would have had an extra set of hands, I could have probably installed it, so without extra help, I installed the plastic cover. Ole senior retired people never get any help, photo to follow.
The outlet is protected from the weather, but I will probably purchase a new easier to install weatherproof cover. Oh, by the way, it works! Yes, I did sweep the debris away.
That was yesterday, then I rested!
Work but no pay!
Senior ole person who can still do some work, Don the Ford
May today be better than your best day, but not as good as tomorrow!
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