hopehope
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,815 
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Post by hopehope on Sept 19, 2008 23:39:28 GMT -5
the light in my hall-- the fixture light -- is out. I changed the bulb, hell, I changed the fuse -- the only one that looked at all off -- and there's no light. so, it's the wires,? right? what do i do?
2. the carbon monoxide detector fell, today -- I put the batteries back in, and gave it a test. no sound. put them in backwards -- no sound,no light.
I replaced them with the batteries I bought a day or two ago. no sound.
i don't have and am not going to spend another thirty dollars, plus tax, to replace it.
Is it the horrible heat in my apartment this summer that did it in? it wasn't in the unventilated area. or just falling? help! what with potential inspection and all ---
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Post by heylady1 on Sept 20, 2008 0:20:16 GMT -5
Are you responsible for these things? That sounds weird to me. Changing the batteries on the Carbon Monoxide alarm, yes, but the alarm itself? And the light fixture not working. You've done what is required of you IMO, so they certainly can't hold you responsible for it not working anymore. If the wires to the light fixture are at fault there is nothing you can do. This is a job for an electrician. I don't know about where you live but here in Florida it is the LL's duty to provide a working alarm. Changing the batteries can be the tenants job (although technically I do believe LL's are required to do that too) but it's the LL's duty to provide a working unit. Maybe things are different in NY....  |
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Post by eagle on Sept 20, 2008 8:28:48 GMT -5
the light in my hall-- the fixture light -- is out. I changed the bulb, hell, I changed the fuse -- the only one that looked at all off -- and there's no light. so, it's the wires,? right? what do i do? Since you do not own the property, report it to the manager, super, maintenance, or landlord. Whoever is responsible for repairs. Electrical work is dangerous if you don't know what you're doing, and it shouldn't be your responsibility anyway. If you own the unit, that is something else again. Then there are some things you can do before calling an electrician. But it sounds as though you are renting. As a rentor, you did all that you are obligated to do. 2. the carbon monoxide detector fell, today -- I put the batteries back in, and gave it a test. no sound. put them in backwards -- no sound,no light. I replaced them with the batteries I bought a day or two ago. no sound. i don't have and am not going to spend another thirty dollars, plus tax, to replace it. Could it be one of the units that has been recalled due to malfunctions? See: www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08267.htmlwww.diylife.com/2008/05/16/recall-carbon-monoxide-co-smoke-combo-alarms-malfunction/If you can find the brand name and model number of the CO detector, you can do an internet search to read about maintenance, etc. Just type that info into Google and you should come up with something useful regarding how it works, batter replacement, etc. Hopefully. But again, is this your responsibility? To maintain it? I believe it is the responsibility of the building's owner to ensure properly working CO detectors. That is, if it is required by law in your state. Are you in the US? I don't quite recall. |
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Post by tiredofthis on Sept 20, 2008 9:21:50 GMT -5
Maybe you're trying to take care of it yourself, so you don't have to call the landlord? I know that's what I would do if I rented. But, some things you can't take care of yourself.
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Post by moggyfan on Sept 20, 2008 9:36:25 GMT -5
HH,
I know you aren't ready to call in the landlord with this issue, so I say just leave it be until you *can* call in some help. Obviously something is wrong with wiring or whatever, but you have done all you can reasonably and safely do (bulb, fuse).
Messing with electrical stuff is dangerous unless you really know what you're doing--can you just run a lamp into the hallway till you're ready to have someone in to look at fixture?
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Post by mellowyellow on Sept 20, 2008 13:07:16 GMT -5
If you don't know how to change a fixture, then please don't fiddle with your light. It's not difficult to learn, but seriously, it's best not to learn how to do it on your own. Even now, when I change a fixture, I turn off the power in my entire home. I know I only need to shut off one fuse, but I don't like to tempt fate.
As for the CO2 tester. They DO have a limited lifespan and some last longer or less than others. Sometimes you just get a dud (my first one kicked the bucket within one year). They need to get you a new one right away. I imagine it's a law where you live, as much as here. You can just hand over the old one... They don't even need to come into your place to look at the monitor and see if it's working.
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hopehope
Banned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,815
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Post by hopehope on Sept 20, 2008 20:44:59 GMT -5
thanks, guys. yes, I live in the us. the thing with the co2 thing is it is the law, but we have to py for them. and, in order to avoid having my LL come in -- for obv. reasons -- I bought my own. showed them the packaging. got an ok. so one way or another it will be my responsiblility -- and if they want to show that my place is unsafe and I want to counter that... when I get a sec will go back to the very good store I bought it at. part 2. the light went on on its own.  |
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hopehope
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,815
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Post by hopehope on Sept 20, 2008 20:45:40 GMT -5
thanks, guys. yes, I live in the us. the thing with the co2 thing is it is the law, but we have to pay for them. and, in order to avoid having my LL come in -- for obv. reasons -- I bought my own. showed them the packaging. got an ok. so one way or another it will be my responsiblility -- and if they want to show that my place is unsafe and I want to counter that... when I get a sec will go back to the very good store I bought it at. part 2. the light went on on its own. |
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Post by tiredofthis on Sept 20, 2008 21:17:09 GMT -5
part 2. the light went on on its own. You know, the exact same thing happened to my kitchen light fixture. It kind of flickered for a few minutes, and then went out. Changed the bulb; nothing. Tried the next day, still nothing. Then, it just came on by itself. This made me very nervous, because I'm afraid that it's bad wiring in either the fixture or the walls/ceiling. Or it could be the wall switch itself is going bad. But until I can get it looked at, I'm not going to use it. I bought a lamp for the kitchen counter, and a lamp for the kitchen table. This is actually what sent me to FlyLady, and then here. I couldn't use the lamps until I cleaned the counter and the kitchen table, and I started fretting about having to call an electrician, and voila! ~ it was the kick in the butt I needed to start cleaning. |
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Post by heylady1 on Sept 20, 2008 23:43:14 GMT -5
You definitely have a short in that light fixture. I will second Tiredofthis' and say don't use the light!! Use a lamp, use a flashlight just not that light! We have a light fixture like that in the kitchen. I won't use it either and instead use other lights in there. I am afraid of fire so I will not take any chances. Don't you take chances either Hopehope!!!!!
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hopehope
Banned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,815
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Post by hopehope on Sept 25, 2008 15:37:55 GMT -5
Update: stuck the co2 thing in my new bag and was just walking around with its weight there -- happened unexpectedly past the store I'd bought it at -- went in -- very classy store -- the guy was about to do an even exchange for me ( they found my receipt info online -- from 3 years ago -- I NEVER pay by credit card -- whatever -- delighted) -- then came back with his manager who said -- we can only guarantee for a year you have to write to the manufacturer. Just as I was bitching about how much it would cost me to ship it back and forth and how I might as well buy a new one -- I heard a chirp --- he'd been monkeying with a connector with the tip of his pen. anyway -- he fixed it. they verified that the old batteries are dead -- and I walked away happy with a working machine. one more inspection thing ticked off positive.  course, don't tell anyone but the previous assistant super removed the battery from my smoke alarm 18 years ago -- it went off everytime I turned on the stove -- I mean just a burner in the kitchen -- yay!!!!!!! |
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Post by mellowyellow on Sept 25, 2008 16:39:38 GMT -5
My main floor alarm would go off whenever I boiled something in the kitchen or even when I took a hot shower. It was crazy. Often, I would remove the batteries because of the constant piercing alarm.
Recently, I went to buy a new alarm for my basement, and I came across a nuisance alarm. It has a little button that you hit, if it suddenly goes off by accident. This way, you don't have the pull the whole thing off the ceiling, to remove the battery.
I decided to move the old alarm (not that old, but annoying) to the basement, where there are not showers or cooking. And I put the new one upstairs. It has been awesome. Only once I needed to hit the Nuisance button. This alarm only cost about one or two dollars more than the normal kind. That is certainly worth me not having to stand around dripping wet in a towel, trying to pull an alarm down.
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hopehope
Banned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,815
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Post by hopehope on Sept 25, 2008 17:00:43 GMT -5
hi mellow  nice to see you |
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