I'm A Freaking Genius

[Kathianne]

Last night I was all excited to be home, two days off. Threw on my headset and listened to Fox about Bronx rally. Was in the middle of prepping veggies and fruits for the week, when sound went out. Oh well, figured I'd fix after finishing in kitchen. So, all things prepped for week and in appropriate freezer or fridge. Came into room to check tv/headset. TV fine, captioning going just right. No headset working. Tried pairing my SkullCandy wireless with tv, no go. Put in hearing aids to check speakers on TV, couldn't hear anything, but didn't want to wake roommate, so didn't put past 10 and not sure hearing aids would pick that up.

Moved to living room to watch 'little tv' with different headset-worked for 10 minutes, then pffft! That I understood, headset if over 10 years old and no longer holding charge. The speakers on that I could pick up working, so problem was my 'new' bigger screen in my room.

Around 4am I ordered new headset for my room and new headset/transmitter/receiver for old tv. Coming tomorrow-Saturday.

So, all morning trying to get sound, no luck. Figure out genius that I am. that a new headset isn't going to fix this. So playing around with all sorts of youtube/reddit/vizio ideas. Rebooted tv, took off optical cable and wiped and plugged in. Then unplugged everything with tv-lots of crap. Suddenly...SOUND! Headset working, speakers working! Why the F didn't I just unplug everything at 2am? Nonetheless, all set for new stuff tomorrow. I needed new headset in my room, I use constantly. Like I said, the other is really old and it was time.

[fj1200]

Been saying it for years.

[Kathianne]

Been saying it for years.

My son said, "Mom, I've told you hundreds of times, always-ALWAYS try unplugging, waiting, and plug back in. 9 out of 10 times, it's a fix." LOL!

[Black Diamond]

My son said, "Mom, I've told you hundreds of times, always-ALWAYS try unplugging, waiting, and plug back in. 9 out of 10 times, it's a fix." LOL!

I've seen electricians start there many times. And the 9/10 seems accurate.

[Gunny]

I've seen electricians start there many times. And the 9/10 seems accurate.

Not the number one fix for an electrician. Resetting the GFCI is. Service call 10 years ago was $120 just to show up and push a button.

But yes, especially with electronics, unplugging devices.

[Gunny]

Last night I was all excited to be home, two days off. Threw on my headset and listened to Fox about Bronx rally. Was in the middle of prepping veggies and fruits for the week, when sound went out. Oh well, figured I'd fix after finishing in kitchen. So, all things prepped for week and in appropriate freezer or fridge. Came into room to check tv/headset. TV fine, captioning going just right. No headset working. Tried pairing my SkullCandy wireless with tv, no go. Put in hearing aids to check speakers on TV, couldn't hear anything, but didn't want to wake roommate, so didn't put past 10 and not sure hearing aids would pick that up.

Moved to living room to watch 'little tv' with different headset-worked for 10 minutes, then pffft! That I understood, headset if over 10 years old and no longer holding charge. The speakers on that I could pick up working, so problem was my 'new' bigger screen in my room.

Around 4am I ordered new headset for my room and new headset/transmitter/receiver for old tv. Coming tomorrow-Saturday.

So, all morning trying to get sound, no luck. Figure out genius that I am. that a new headset isn't going to fix this. So playing around with all sorts of youtube/reddit/vizio ideas. Rebooted tv, took off optical cable and wiped and plugged in. Then unplugged everything with tv-lots of crap. Suddenly...SOUND! Headset working, speakers working! Why the F didn't I just unplug everything at 2am? Nonetheless, all set for new stuff tomorrow. I needed new headset in my room, I use constantly. Like I said, the other is really old and it was time.

Anybody that says they haven't done similar is telling stories. Have I told you about the time I "fixed" my 69 Montego electrical one component at a time upwards of $300 (in 70s dollars) only to discover a 10 cent piece of electrical tape fixed the short in the ignition switch?

[Black Diamond]

Not the number one fix for an electrician. Resetting the GFCI is. Service call 10 years ago was $120 just to show up and push a button.

But yes, especially with electronics, unplugging devices.

What is that? I am bad with initials and acronyms. Looks like something to do with the plug. I was thinking about when i was machine operator and needed an electrician. I remember they turned it off and f turned it back on a few times. I felt silly so i started doing that instead of calling them. Come to think of it i don't know if anyone ever unplugged the machines. Idea is similar though. And i unplug stuff here and in effect seems to reset everything.

[Black Diamond]

What is that? I am bad with initials and acronyms. Looks like something to do with the plug. I was thinking about when i was machine operator and needed an electrician. I remember they turned it off and f turned it back on a few times. I felt silly so i started doing that instead of calling them. Come to think of it i don't know if anyone ever unplugged the machines. Idea is similar though. And i unplug stuff here and in effect seems to reset everything.

Duh. There was a box with a lever. I need more coffee.

[Gunny]

What is that? I am bad with initials and acronyms. Looks like something to do with the plug. I was thinking about when i was machine operator and needed an electrician. I remember they turned it off and f turned it back on a few times. I felt silly so i started doing that instead of calling them. Come to think of it i don't know if anyone ever unplugged the machines. Idea is similar though. And i unplug stuff here and in effect seems to reset everything.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). I know what it is and does. Let's see if I can explain it In houses, there is one usually in the garage next to the electrical panel, and it will run to all receptacles (plugs) that are close to water e.g. bathroom/kitchen outlets. If you overload the circuit, the GFCI (which is the rectangular plug with a red and a black button) will shut the receptacle down. You have to reset it (push the red button). AFTER turning off and unplugging everything .

It basically worked the same as tripping a breaker. It's just an additional precaution due to its proximity to water.

Machines and heating elements are tricky. The UL listing on the device will tell you how many amps it draws. The breaker in the electrical panel you are using will tell you how many amps it supports. For example, a 20 amp breaker will trip at 80 percent capacity (16-something amps). An individual machine tripping a breaker designated to support only that machine is usually an indicator there is more wrong than just turning it off and on. We always had a problem on job sites with chop saws (plumbers swear by them ).

Adding a bigger breaker without knowing the max load on the panel is usually not a solution. I only throw that in because lots of home remedy guys do it.