If you own a car, some knowledge of how to repair auto electrical problems Auto Electrical Repairwill be beneficial. Below are some common electrical issues with cars and how to resolve them.

Fixing Electrical Headlight Shortages

Required Tools and Materials

Electric headlight
Volt / ohm meter
Wire crimping tool
Wire brush (small)
Wire cutters
Headlight bulbs (must be of model and year of the car)
Service manual
Wire connectors (multiple gauges)

Step 1

Check in the car service manual to find out the position and color of the wire. Look out for signs of corrosion; this may cause a short. When you see the broken wire, assess its gauge. You should also check if it is a ground or hot wire.

Step 2

Utilize the volt / ohm meter to look for an open circuit. This will register on the meter. Before you repair auto electrical problems, make an assessment of the severity of the damage.

Step 3

Slice the wire on its ends. Throw away the broken wire. Select a wire connector that is fit for wire. Set the wire on the connector’s endpoints. Get the wire crimpers and tuck the two ends. This process should be repeated for other broken wires in the circuit.

Step 4

Inspect the ground wire with the volt / ohm meter (usually this wire is black). The wire is damaged if there is no battery reading. Repeat the process earlier to find and fix damaged ground wires.

Step 5

To repair auto electrical problems involving headlights, you need to find the fuse box and headlight fuse. For the fuse, you need to set the black probe on the ground part. The red probe should be on the hot side. If the reading is 12 volts, it’s all right. If not, the fuse is defective. Replace it.

Step 6

Test the bulbs by turning on the headlights. Try both in high beam and normal. Replace the bulb if either one isn’t working. If neither one is working, inspect the light socket. If there’s corrosion, clean it with a wire brush. Try the light bulbs again.

Repairing and Replacing Fuses and Circuit Breakers

A simple rule to keep in mind is this: all electrical parts in the car need voltage to work. For you to be able to repair auto electrical problems, you need the voltmeter or 12 v indicator light.

Find the component that isn’t working. Find its power source and connect it to the voltage source. If there’s no voltage reading, the problem is either the fuse or the circuit breaker.

Note: you can replace the fuse and the car might start. However you still need to check the circuit breaker. If the circuit breaker is damaged, the auto will malfunction again. To test the circuit breaker, bypass it by using a jumper wire. If the other components work, then the circuit breaker needs to be replaced.

Sometimes the cost of maintaining a car becomes prohibitive because people don’t know how to repair auto electrical problems. Why pay a mechanic to do the inspection when you can do it yourself?

Marine solar panels are pretty helpful especially if you have it installed in a cramped little boat. You’ll have an additional power source for any form of critical lighting, which comes in really handy when you’re trying to conserve power. Installing one easily translates to better power efficiency for any seaworthy vessel. This is one of the good reasons why people ask how to install a marine solar panel.

Several Considerations Before You Buy One

Before you purchase a marine solar panel you should first consider where you want to install it. Space is a vital and scarce commodity especially in a really cramped boat. You must choose a spot where you can install the biggest possible solar panel you can get. After deciding on the spot where to install it, you should now consider what size of a solar panel you should get. You should match the size of the panel to the available space.

Not only will you consider the size of your marine solar panel, you should also consider just how many solar panels you will be able to install. One way to figure out just how many panels you can use you should consider the types of solar panels available in the many stores you can choose from.

Installing Your Marine Solar Panel

Each brand of marine solar panels will have its own method of installation. Each kit you buy will come with its own instruction manual that will walk you through the steps to assemble and install your solar panel. However, the steps to install them will follow a general method of assembly.

You will assemble the solar panels themselves, which are the parts that actually capture energy from the sun. This you will have to connect to something called a charge controller. This part will be responsible for managing the charging of the battery. And finally, there are also batteries where the energy is stored for later use.

It is important that you follow the instructions to the letter especially if there are specific instructions unique to the solar panel model you are using. Never short change the equipment you’re using to install a solar panel. Be sure to use the proper equipment, which means that if you install any bit of wiring you should be using marine grade wires only. Remember to keep your solar panels away from the shade.

Tips for Purchasing a Marine Solar Panel

If all you want is higher efficiency from your solar panel then you should purchase one that uses monocrystalline cells. Never buy ones that have amorphous silicon since these are less efficient. However, if you want one that has the highest efficiency then get one that has polycrystalline cells.

Some people may be intimated by the thought of repairing electrical wiring. But the following step by step procedure should help clarify matters a lot.

Required Tools and Materials

Soldering iron
Diagonal wire cutters
Heat shrink
Razor blade
Permanent marker
Eye goggles
Sponge
Alcohol (isopropyl)
Rosin core solder (8”)
Wire flux
Paintbrush
Fire extinguisher

Step 1

Be certain the shrink wrap is the right gauge for the wring. You can find this info on the wire sheath.

Step 2

Turn off and unplug any appliances using the wire you’re about to fix. Shut down the circuit that goes through the wires. For frayed wires, slice it at the section you’re going to mend.

Step 3

Begin the process of repairing electrical wiring by heating the soldering iron. Use the marker to mark a spot ½” from the spot you want to take off. Nick the sheath with the blade. Score it around the wire but it has to be done lightly.

Avoid cutting the wire. When you get to the repair section, flex it. When the sheath breaks, take it off. Repeat this procedure at the other end.

Step 4

Chop off a couple of inches of the heat shrink. Slide the piece at one side of the repair section until it goes past the unsheathed section.

Step 5

Don your safety goggles. Put the two unsheathed wires in the flux. Do it just enough to get some coating. When repairing electrical wiring, make sure nothing gets on the sheath.

Step 6

Dampen the sponge. Melt a layer of solder ¼” from the end of the soldering iron. Turn the soldering iron’s end to the sponge. Push the two sides together. They will engage. Smoothen it so no strings are left projecting.

Step 7

Set the soldering iron to the side of the meshed wire. Stop when it begins to smoke. For the other end, get some strand of solder. This will melt and coat the wiring. Keep repeating until the coat becomes a glossy silver.

Step 8

Use the paintbrush and alcohol to clean this area. Set the shrink wrap at the soldered repair. To continue repairing electrical wiring, warm it up with a blow dryer. Keep doing this until the ends are closed.

Step 9

Holding the fire extinguisher in hand, test the wire. Do not take off your safety glasses when testing.

Tips and Warnings

Do not put furniture or other objects on the wires. When setting up the wires, put them in a location where people cannot step on them. If the wiring works, have an inspector check to see if it meets the safety standards.

If the wring damage is extensive (i.e., five sections within a ft of the wire) then it’s better to just get a new one. Double check the wiring to make sure no appliances are running. Avoid inhaling the fumes when soldering.

Finally, always keep safety in mind when repairing electrical wiring. As long as you are careful, you should be able to fix it.

When taken for granted, common electrical problems might cause serious damages to appliances that will lead to fire and death. There are some things that you can do personally to avoid these damages to occur. Learn how to solve these problems for a happier and peaceful life.

Spikes and Surges

Two of the common electrical problems in a household are spikes and surges. Spikes are actually short electrical bursts that are mainly caused by excessive voltage. Surges are long electrical bursts that are mainly caused by some extra voltage. The extra and excessive voltage that causes spikes and surges to happen are results of storms or accidents. When not given enough attention, they have the capacity to destroy your household appliances immediately or over time.

You can use a surge protector to solve these common electrical problems and thus prevents your appliances from any damages. A surge protector is a plug-in unit that you can purchase in your local electrical shop. It will definitely protect any electronics against spikes, surges, electrical noise, and other kinds of electrical disturbances.

Sags, Dips, and Outages

Sags and dips are common electrical problems that show low voltage for a short period of time. They are caused by powerful electrical equipment that sucks electrical power when turned on. While outages are long periods of time where there is no electrical power and are commonly called as blackouts. A severe weather or an accident might be the reason why the supply of electrical power from the company is directly cut off. When these common electrical problems happen, physical damage and data loss might happen.

Using a UPS or Uninterruptable Power Supply can help to protect your electrical appliances against these common electrical problems. The main purpose of the UPS is to supply electrical power to the appliance for a short period of time when dips, sags, and outages occur. The source of the electrical power is the battery of the UPS that lasts for about 15 to 20 minutes thus giving you enough time to turn off your electrical appliances safely.

No Electrical Power in Some Parts of the House

The reason that this common electrical problem occurs is that the circuit breakers are overloaded. It means that you have a tripped circuit breaker or a short circuit in that part of the house with no electrical power.

To solve this common electrical problem, you need to reset your circuit breaker. Learn if a new electrical appliance was plugged into the circuit and then unplug that appliance. Also unplug other electrical appliance within the circuit that may have cause the short circuit on the breaker or overload. Reset the circuit breaker by pushing it all the way where the ‘off’ position is and then push it back all the way to the ‘on’ position. If ever you still have a tripped circuit breaker after resetting it, the it is time to call for an electrician to solve the problem for you.

If you want to use the pool but can’t due to the weather, consider building a solar pool heater. It’s quite simple and once set up you’ll be able to use it immediately.

Required Tools and Materials

Pipe (copper or PVC, whichever you use it must be painted black)
Stop valve
Plywood frame
Tubing
Adhesive

Step 1

Put the pipe on the plywood board. Use glue to stick it in place (a pipe mount is also an option). Set one end of the pipe’s ends to the pump. Make sure to install the valve; this will allow you to manage the heater.

Step 2

Now connect the other end of the pipe to a tubing. It can be set to the pool’s edge. Plumbing to the jets is also possible.

Step 3

After building a solar pool heater, all you need to do is make sure the heater is set into the pump, not the filter. This is important so the warm water doesn’t affect the filter. This also lessens the odds of bacteria getting in.

How to Make a Solar Pool Heater: Method II

Here is another way to make a solar pool heater.

Required Tools and Materials

Pool
2 T connectors
PVC tubing
Ladder
PVC adhesive
1 gate valve
Pump

Step 1

Start by painting the PVC tubing black. Now coil it so it becomes a level spiral. Put it on the roof. If you want to set it on the ground, find a place where it won’t be disturbed. When building a solar pool heater, you can put in more coils. This will speed up the heating process.

Step 2

Find the line that puts water in the pool from the pump. Now you need to make these changes. First, put in a gate valve right between the pool and the pool pump. Get the T connector. Put it between the gate valve and the pump. Run a bypass line to the coils (wherever you put them).

Step 4

Set up another T connector between the poll and the gate valve. This will put water from the coils to the line. This line in turn, is connected to the pool.

Step 5

You’re almost done building a solar pool heater. Link a line from the first T connector to the coils. This will produce warm water. Now join the line from the coils to the 2nd T connector. This will produce cool water for the pool.

Step 6

Use the gate valve to modify the water flow. Know that excessive pressure will push water through the coils too rapidly, not generating enough heat.

Tips and Warnings

Make sure the pump has a timer. This will allow it to go on when the valve adjustments are made. Be careful when handling water from the pipe; it can get very hot.

Building a solar pool heater is not as complicated as it seems. Once you are done building, you just need to experiment with the setting until you find the one that you like.

There are various shapes and sizes of fluorescent lights today. They may differ in the outside appearance but still they all work in one similar way. When some problems arise in your light fixtures, doing fluorescent light repairs on your own is pretty easy to do.

There are three symptoms to watch out for to know that there is a problem in your fluorescent light fixtures and these are one bulb is only burning, the bulbs are flickering, and the lights are completely out. Here are some easy ways to do fluorescent light repairs at home.

Order of Fluorescent Light Repairs

1. When the bulbs of your fluorescent light fixtures are burned out or loose, performing a simple inspection with the power applied to the light is helpful in doing some of the fluorescent light repairs. Check is the bulbs are seated properly in the tombstones by carefully twisting the bulbs with the use of both your hands. If they are seated properly, then the bulbs are already burned out. You need to replace all the bulbs in the fluorescent light fixtures since a weaker bulb will drag more power and thus affecting the performance of the ballast transformer.

2. If you already have new bulbs but there is still no lights coming from the bulb, then something else is not working correctly. Disconnect first all the power going to the fixtures before proceeding to do the fluorescent light repairs. After disconnecting all the power, take out the bulbs and the main cover of the fixture to see the ballast transformer and the complete wiring underneath the main cover. Inspect all the wiring connections starting from the primary going to the ballast transformer then to the tombstones especially those small wires that gets loosen up.

If the wiring connections seemed to be fine then its time to inspect if the light fixture is receiving the correct power voltage. Take out the wire nuts away from the primary wiring thus exposing the main power wires. Arrange those wires in a way that there is no possibility of a short circuit. Turn the power back on and inspect the power voltage using a multi-meter. If the power voltage is correct, then turn off the main power again and check the starter of the fixture.

3. For older models of fixtures, a small cylindrical relay starter can be found. Replace the starter, turn the power back own, and put the new bulbs again.

4. If still nothings works with the fluorescent light repairs listed above, then the final conclusion would be that the ballast transformer is defective. Replace the ballast transformer with a new one and follow the instructions that come from the manufacturers of the product.

With the search on for alternative power sources, some individuals are starting to build a wind mill around their homes. If you want to make one, there are several things you need to consider.

Required Tools and Materials

Several pieces of lumber or concrete
Metal or plastic tubing
Turbine
Rotor
Windmill blades
Electrical wiring
Battery
Transformer
Hammer, saw, nails and drill

Step 1

Check with the authorities if you need special permits to make the windmill. If you want one that provides substantial power, you’ll need several thousand sq ft of land. The land needs to have as few trees as possible. You also need to raise the structure about 30 feet from the ground.

You also need to figure your budget. When you get the permit, decide how large the wind mill will be so you can get the right supplies. Make a sketch design of the wind mill to help you out.

Step 2

Start to build a wind mill by laying down the base. First the ground has to be level. The wind mill base is either round or square. For the actual building you can use concrete or lumber. If using concrete, you should allow the mixture to dry before proceeding. If using wood, get the strongest type you can afford.

Step 3

When the base is set, you can make the tower. You can use tubing or guide wires. If using tubing, you should utilize metal.

Step 4

After making the tower, add the turbine and the rotor. Connect the wires and the blades at the topmost section of the tower. Take the electrical wire. Put the wire in the pipe.

Proceed to build a wind mill by connecting the turbine to the wire’s endpoint. Take the other end of the wire. Link it to the battery unit. Take a few more electrical wires. Join these from the battery then to the transformer.

Step 5

Raise the tower. Secure the tubing or the wires on the tower. Note: this is where the blades, turbine and rotor are connected to.

Step 6

Hook the transformer to your house and test the wind mill.

How to Make Solar Powered Wind Mills

The required tools and materials are the same as the ones mentioned earlier. However you need to add solar panels and a generator.

Step 1

Build a wind mill base in the same manner you did earlier. Be certain the tower is high enough so the blades don’t come into contact with other objects near the ground.

Step 2

Put the solar panels on the roof where they’ll get maximum heat.

Step 3

Get the turbine and link it to the tower. Now link the wind mill to your generator. This will transform the wind into electricity. You can use an alternator instead of a generator if you wish.

Step 4

The final step is to wire the battery, the panels and the generator to the house’s electric system.

There are many ways to build a wind mill. But regardless of which style you choose, be sure to assess the zoning regulations in you area.

Those who build a hydrogen fuel cell do so because it can serve as an alternate fuel source. The following project will show you the basic principles as to how the large fuel cells are constructed.

Required Tools and Materials

Wire Clippers
Battery clip (lead)
Nail
Glass of water
Knife
Platinum wire
Tape
Battery (one that matches the lead)

Step 1

Slice the platinum wire into two equal parts using the wire clippers. Now you need to make two coils. Do this by enfolding each of the cut wires on the nail separately.

Step 2

Use your knife to slice the battery lead wires. The cut should be 3 quarters from the connections. Remove the insulation coating from the lead wires you just cut. To remove the insulation at the ends, use a knife or scissors. When you build a hydrogen fuel cell, you don’t need to slice the insulation back too extensively.

Step 3

Enfold the stripped ends of the lead wires on the platinum wires you coiled. The platinum coiled wires will function as the fuel cell electrodes.

Step 4

Slice some tape. Use this to fasten the wires you linked to the platinum wires on a pencil. Tape it midway down the pencil. You want the electrodes to extend over the side.

Step 5

Set the pencil on a glass of water so that the electrodes hang over the water. Do not let the electrical wire make contact with the water; only the electrodes should make contact. Remove water from the glass if the wirings are too close to the liquid.

Step 6

The last step to build a hydrogen fuel cell is to press the battery onto the battery clip. If you did everything right, bubbles will appear in the water. In scientific terms, it means the water molecules have split.

Hydroxide ions also appear. If you take away the battery clip, the electrodes split the hydroxide ions. The results are hydrogen ions. Electrons are released and drawn to the negative electrodes. The resulting chemical interactions lead to the reformation of hydrogen ions into water. The electrons turn into electrical energy.

Checking for Electricity

If you attach a voltage meter to the electrodes, you’ll see electricity being generated. Once you build a hydrogen fuel cell, you can test it on small electrical components. Try connecting the electrodes to the digital clock. Actually it can be used on any electrical equipment provided there is enough power.

Tips and Warnings

If you want more power, you’ll need to increase the hydrogen output. However, you need to realize that in large amounts, the hydrogen can be combustible.

To produce more hydrogen, large scale fuel cells use modified setups. You can try this but be aware that it could be dangerous. Studies have shown that improper use could lead to combustion or even explosions.

One of the things you’ll learn when you build a hydrogen fuel cell is that there are other possible fuel / power sources out there. By experimenting a bit, you get to widen your view and knowledge of science too.

There are many ways to build a solar panel. This is one of the simplest and will give you an idea of how it actually works.

Required Tools and Materials

Copper sheeting
2 tbsp of salt
Electric stove or hot plate
Micro-ammeter (can detect below 50 microamperes)
Sandpaper
2 alligator clip leads
Water
Wire cutter
Plastic bottle
Sheet metal shears

Step 1

Slice two pieces of copper sheeting. Make each one as big as the stove. Take one copper sheet and wash it. Use the sandpaper to remove any corrosion. Put the copper sheet on the stove burner. Turn on the burner and put the heat settings to the maximum level.

Step 2

The copper will turn black as it oxidizes. To build a solar panel successfully, the copper sheet needs to be left at the stove for 40 minutes. By this time it will be covered with black material. Turn off the burner. Allow the copper to cool down for half an hour.

Step 3

Take the copper sheeting. Wash it under running water. Take out the oxidized coating. Only remove what can be taken off. Don’t scrub too vigorously; you might break the copper.

Step 4

Cut the top part of the bottle so it resembles a bucket. Get the copper you did not wash. Bend it a little so it conforms to the shape of the bottle. You’ll need to put this copper in the bottle. To build a solar panel, you need to put the burned copper in the bottle too. Do not allow the two materials to make contact.

Step 5

Link an alligator clip lead onto each copper. Link the alligator clip attached to the non-blackened copper to the positive terminal of the micro-ammeter. Set the alligator clip lead on the blackened copper to the micro-ameter’s negative terminal.

Step 6

Pour hot water into several cups. Add salt into each cup. Stir until the salt dissipates completely. Carefully pour the liquid into the bottle. Make sure the alligator clip leads do not get wet. Make sure that an inch of the copper materials are over the water line.

Step 7

Look at the needle of the micro-ammeter. You will see a charge appear. After you build a solar panel, it’s time to put it to a test. Take it out into the sun. Watch how the charge goes up. The reason is that the apparatus takes the sun’s energy and transforms it into electricity.

Tips and Warnings

Although the device is simple, it shows you the basic principles behind even the largest solar panels. You can use the concepts here to make larger solar panels.

There are many solar panel designs available. Look at various designs to get some ideas as well. Different appliances will require bigger solar panels. Do some research so you can figure out how large a solar panel you need to power your house.

It takes a bit of effort to build a solar panel. However it opens the doors to a whole new energy source and could make a difference down the road.

Knowing how to build a wind generator is one of the easiest ways to reduce power expenses. As you’ll see, the procedure can be quite straightforward. You simply need the right tools.

Required Tools and Materials

Socket set
Saw
Automotive fan belt
Wheel hub with bearings
Lumber (several pieces of 2 x 4s and plywood)
Hammer
Battery bank
Belt pulleys
Drill
Nails
Bolts
L brackets
Automotive alternator
Screwdrivers
Sander

Step 1

Determine the size of the wind generator. Next, cut the wood boards and make the vanes. Slice them according to the specified dimensions. The edges should be sanded to a 30 degree angle.

The wood curves will be the fan blades. When you build a wind generator, these will be the parts that will rotate. The longer they are, the greater the wind friction, so long curves are recommended.

Step 2

Set the vanes on a wheel bearing plate (i.e., the wheel hub). Fasten the vanes to the wheel hub using bolts and L brackets. If the wheel hubs have bolts installed, you can utilize these. Secure them tight.

Step 3

Get the automated belt pulley and connect them to the wheel hub. Alternatively, use a belt that can fit in the hub’s groove. Be certain the pulley is firmly fastened because it will be used to move the alternator. When you build a wind generator, the pulley will provide power, hence the need for its firmness.

Step 4

Put the vanes and the wheel bearing on a platform or tower. The structure should be high enough so strong winds can reach it. Connect the rear hub to the platform / tower. Don’t bolt the front parts so the vanes can spin.

Step 5

Put the automotive alternator under the hub. Secure it to the supporting structure using the bolts. Make sure the pulley and hub pulley are at the same angle. Ensure that the drive belt can be installed with adequate tension.

As you build a wind generator, ensure the mount is solid. Also keep in mind the alternator will be subject to wear and tear. It’s a good idea to use automotive engine parts like metal alternative mounts.

Step 6

Connect the hub belt between the alternator and hub pulleys. You can do this by slipping the belt on each pulley groove. Position the belt so it can rotate the alternator as the vanes move.

Step 7

Link the alternator’s power source to a battery bank. Done correctly, the generator should work.

Tips

The location is critical. Choose the one that generates the greatest amount of wind at the height you intend to make the generator. To avoid difficulties, you should prepare the various components early.

Bring a handful of bolts and brackets. Make sure none of the pulleys or other parts are worn out. Check all the bolts so parts don’t fly off.

The time it takes to build a wind generator is usually a day. For this to work, the wind needs to blow around 15 mph.