Tool Time Tribulations (or, Technical Tales 101)

Sunday morning, as I awakened, I became aware of a faint whine emanating from outdoors, roughly from the area of the A/C compressor.

Ruh-roh! 

I hurried outdoors, rounded the corner of the house, and confirmed that in fact the noise was from my compressor, not the neighbor's. As I got close enough to look into the louvers to see if smoke was pouring out or something, it turned off.

Remember, it's Sunday. Independence Day weekend Sunday.

Hmmm. At this point I'm wondering if it just died, or if it had come to the end of the cycle. So, as you would have done, I went back inside to fetch a screwdriver, after shutting off the power at the service disconnect.

• Screwdriver

Returning outside, I removed the sheetmetal covers from the unit.  No smoke.  When I'd gone inside, I'd lowered the thermostat to induce the next cycle, so I turned the power to the unit back on.

It runs!  Well, there's a relief.  I went back inside to make some breakfast for my middle son.

He wolfs down a home-made breakfast sandwich, and leaves to go to church when his mother stops by to pick him up.  The whine returns.  (No, that is not an editorial comment.)

Grabbing a can of spray lube (not WD-40, I said lube)  I went back out, shut off the power again, and tipped up the louver section.  No real lubrication points to squirt the spray.

• Spray lube

Well, I'd better tackle this job now, before it's 100 degrees out and I lose my shade.  After drawing a diagram of the color codes and positions, I carefully disconnect the fan motor wires from the supply relay and the starter capacitor, with insulated pliers, and thread them out of the nylon ties and grommets.

• Pliers

With the screwdriver, I remove the motor mounting base from the louver, and a raceway that protects the wires.  The fan motor is now free, but the blade will need to be removed, as two square head set screw/bolts attach it to the shaft.  I retrieve a crescent wrench.

• Crescent wrench

Surface rust coats the motor shaft.  I spray the lube down the shaft, and also in the set screw holes.  It doesn't budge.  Need more tools.

• Liquid wrench penetrant
• Hammer

With the hammer I tap the fan blade - still no movement.  Actually, I succeed in tapping it closer, not away from the motor housing.  Bummer.  More tools.

• 3-jaw gear pullers (three different ones, as I'm not sure which size will fit)

Adjusting the jaws to fit the blade flange, I tighten the center-point with the crescent wrench, and slowly the blade moves away from the motor housing, and comes free. With the screwdriver, I remove a small, stamped and press-fit cap from the shaft end of the motor.

The foam rubber filling that had formed sort of an oil bath for that end of the motor has disintegrated and needs to be cleaned out.  And it's not exactly something I'll find at The Home Depot.  So I go inside, looking for some craft felt sheets.  Found.

• Craft felt
• Q-tips
• Scissors

I clean out the debris with Q-tips, and cut four donut shaped rings from the felt, to fill the cap, then press them into the motor housing, then liberally soak them with oil, and gently tap the retaining cap back into place.  Now for the motor tail cap.  Uh-oh, more tools.

• 1/4" drive nut driver set

Removing the four bolts that hold the motor housing together, a tap of the hammer allows the motor tailpiece to come free.  Unlike the other end, no deteriorated foam.  Since this end will be up, I clean the arbor area, then go inside to get some grease.

• Hi-temp grease

I pack the bushing area with the grease, and put a small dollop on the enclosed shaft end, then reassemble the motor housing, also attaching the sheet metal mounting plate.  I reattach the mounting plate to the louver, wondering if the wires will be safe from chafing on the sheet metal edges.  Back inside.

• Heat shrink tubing
• BBQ lighter

I cut some lengths of shrink tube for the areas that I feel may need protection, heat them, then reassemble the raceway.  Now to put the fan blade back on the shaft, but the rust is keeping it from sliding on.  Here we go again.

• 4" grinder with knotted cup-brush
• Extension cord

The cup brush makes quick work cleaning up the motor shaft, and with a bit of grease as protectant, the fan blade is reattached and secured.  The louver section is positioned, the wiring threaded into the adjoining relay area, reconnected, and powered up.

It runs!  No whining.  I give thanks to God.

But, now, in the vicinity of the A/C compressor, are:

• Screwdriver
• Spray lube
• Pliers
• Crescent wrench
• Liquid wrench
• Hammer
• Gear pullers
• Q-tips
• Scissors
• Nut driver set
• Grease
• BBQ lighter
• Cup brush
• Extension cord

Overall, I was pleased with the result.  Total elapsed time was maybe 75-90 minutes, much of it spent fetching tools that now need to be put away.

My conundrum is that I have a ton of tools, not necessarily stored in the most orderly fashion, and I wonder who's better off: The person who calls a repairman (bringing, and taking away, his own tools), or the person who has a tool for just about every contingency, just in case?

To be continued...

The Fray

And speaking of Independence Day

...or at least Old Glory.

I've written previously on these pages that I never wore the uniform of any of the U.S. armed services: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard. I signed up for the Selective Service when I turned 18, and that was that. Like millions of other [then] young men during the Carter/Reagan/GHW Bush/Clinton years, I never got a call or a telegram.  (OK, by Clinton I was starting to be not young.)
 
The uniform(s) I did wear belonged to the Boy Scouts of America. When my sons were younger, I served as an Assistant Den Leader and later, Assistant Scoutmaster. No great sacrifice required, other than a bit of time and some desire to help build young men of good morals and character.

This evening on the AOL, I see a topical news piece about the use of the flag as clothing. Featuring Cindy Crawford, some chick named (?) Ke$ha, Lady Gag-Me, Julianne Hough (how could you?), assorted pop tarts, and some guys too - all dressed provocatively in some form of the Stars & Stripes.  I'm not sure if Will Ferrell qualifies as 'provocative' in his patriotic Speedo - I was just provoked to look away.  In any event, my collective assay of the article was like Dana Carvey's Church Lady: "Isn't that special?"

In the Scouts, it was an honor to be able to participate, on several occasions, in proper flag retirement ceremonies.  In very solemn fashion, we explained each element of the flag to those assembled as we prepared them for the fire.

The United States flag is sacred, and it's offensive to many when it's worn as clothing, or to sell soda pop, burgers, beer, or dirty magazines.  After all, is that what generations of American servicemen and women fought for?

Good question.

Now, let's go a step further.  What about flag burning (not in conjunction with the dignified flag retirement ceremony)?   Did warriors spill their blood so that nit-wit socialists, dope-smokers, and assorted wackos could burn the U.S. flag in the streets?

While maybe not specifically, I believe the answer is 'yes'.

Before y'all heat up the pitch bucket and grab a pillow, hear me out.

The flag is special, and I am offended to see it abused and bastardized,  but it's a symbol of the ideals we hold sacred.  The morons could burn a thousand flags in Thanksgiving and Sundance Squares, and those ideals would be no less powerful, their truth not diminished in the least.  Free speech and expression is one of those ideals.  Similarly, they could burn Bibles in the town square, but His truth is everlasting.

But, if they try to burn my flag, or my Bible, I'll kick their...

God Bless America

I went looking for Ray Charles' version of America the Beautiful to commemorate Independence Day, but found this instead. I think you'll agree it's even better.

God bless those who gave, and are giving, for our freedom.



If that doesn't stir your heart, grab the AED or check your pacemaker - you may have flatlined.

El Lonely Boy

Although I was aware of his passing recently, I had not previously posted about Andrew Gold, accomplished musician.  This evening I came across the following video, from The Midnight Special, and deemed it worthy of inclusion, if for no other reason than that it includes not one, not two, but three deceased musicians: Mr. Gold (3 June 2011), Kenny Edwards on bass (from Linda Ronstadt's Stone Poneys, 18 August 2010), and Mike Botts on drums (from Bread, Linda Ronstadt's and Dan Fogelberg's bands, 9 December 2005). Sure, Todd the Blogger, I could have just posted some Skynyrd, but that would've been too easy.

Inflatables: Not just for apes and Elvi anymore

Well, you didn't think the Einsteins who brought us blow-up King Kongs to sell Corollas would rest on their laurels, did you?

Heck, no!  Those clever marketers are ever innovating. 

Is this a simian?  Or a blue Samoan?

This one got away from Pete 'Pecos' Bunyan, Paul's cousin.

Jerry Jones could place of these, with a black & white striped upper body, atop Cowboys Stadium and let the Arlington PD fly their recon UAV through the upstretched arms like a field goal.

Sorry, Dew, no word yet on whether the Shark Tank will finance a 25' party doll on top of Christal's in Lake Worth...

Biff! Bam! Pow!

Personally, my idea of a fine pickup ride would run along the lines of a King Ranch.

But, to each his own:

Ford Ranger Robin sold separately - always wear your Bat [seat] Belt

I'm looking forward to seeing the Superman, Spiderman, and in celebration of Independence Day weekend, the Captain America versions.

Collect all four!