DIY Life

So you're fed up with your monthly gas and electricity bill? Or you're building a new abode and you want to get off on the right track with controlling how much utility power you have to buy from an outside producer?

What you need are alternate sources of energy. There are several ways to do this and you're free to mix and match in order to reach your energy freedom goals. No, I'm not recommending that you do any strip mining for coal in your backyard or install a nuclear reactor. (Might be a good idea, though.)

Choices for alternative energy sources

When it comes to providing some or all of your own energy sources, you have options, and the viability of these will vary according to where you live. Live out on the open plains? You're a good candidate for windmill type power (wind energy).

1. Turn off the power to the heater and A/C.
2. Remove the cover.
3. Obviously, change any batteries.
4. Clean the bimetal coil with a soft, clean brush. On a round thermostat, you might have to turn the dial for complete access.
5. Remove the body from the base on a round model. There are usually screws involved.
6. Clean the switch contacts with a piece of bond paper.
7. Replace the body on a round model.
8. Adjust the anticipator. Start by finding and noting the amp setting; it may be in your manual, on the furnace service panel or on the boiler's transformer. Look at the anticipator setting on the scale. If it's off, adjust it with your fingernail; or you nail-biters (you know who you are), use the point on a pen.
   NOTE: On an air heating distribution system set it to the amp setting. On a water heating distribution system set it to (amp setting X 1.4). I have no idea why.
9. Replace the cover.
   

The U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission, in cooperation with All-Power America, has announced a voluntary recall of about 64,000 Strike Force portable air compressors.

The motor on the compressor can overheat and ignite the protective cover, posing a fire hazard. The cover might not prevent internal components of the compressor from being touched, posing an electrical shock hazard. Although no injuries have been reported, the firm has received four reports of fires.

The recalled twin air tank compressors were manufactured in China and exclusively sold nationwide at Advance Auto Parts stores, and online at www.partsamerica.com, from October 2006 through December 2007, for about $90. The model and serial numbers for the recalled compressor are located on the compressor's housing.

Stop using the air compressor and return it to any Advance Auto Parts store for a full refund. For more information on the recall, contact All-Power America toll free at (888) 896-6881 or visit www.allpoweramerica.com, or www.advanceautoparts.com.

If you have an old monitor sitting around (and come on: I know you do), and if you only kinda value your life, you should immediately go make this Lightning Globe, created by Instructables user NK5. It uses a light bulb, metal screening, a plain plastic plant pot... and a high-voltage power supply.

I say, "only kinda value your life," because in order to complete this project, you'll have to get the high-voltage power supply out of an old monitor, and you'll have to discharge the high voltage on your own. I'm not keen on the idea of our readers winning Darwin Awards, but this project is too cool to not post about it.

Keep in mind that this is not a plasma globe. The lightning will not flow to your fingertips if you place them on the globe. Your hair may or may not stand on end, but if it does, that's probably not a good thing: some of the other Instructables users report getting a shock after their globes were up and running. (This is one of those cases where the reader comments are particularly interesting and instructive.) If you do this project, please be extremely careful.

1. Copper wire (apparently any gauge will work)
2. Two magnets (one significantly larger than the other)
3. Electrical tape
4. Plastic cup
5. Enough distilled water to fill the plastic cup
6. Saran wrap, or other plastic wrapping
7. Rubber band

1. Wire cutter / stripper

1. Three or four big juicy lemons
2. Zinc-coated nails (one for each lemon)
3. Pennies older than 1982* (one for each lemon)
4. Common electrical wire
5. A red LED bulb
   

1. It's not completely necessary, but a multimeter will help you determine if one of your lemons is... well, a lemon (as in, a dud).