Do I need a rotary phase converter or a variable frequency drive for my three phase bandsaw? [more inside]
posted by mearls on Oct 31, 2009 - 10 answers

Need a solution to keep my sister's feet warm in ski boots. [more inside]
posted by no bueno on Oct 18, 2009 - 18 answers

Can you help me build an electric motor scooter? [more inside]
posted by banished on Sep 9, 2009 - 6 answers

How do I make an outlet in my baseboards? I'm re-wiring the bedroom due to an untraceable short circuit (yay...came home from vacation to no power in the bedroom) and have decided that installing outlets in the baseboards is the best way to go. But, um, the outside wall is brick... [more inside]
posted by notsnot on Sep 6, 2009 - 7 answers

What's the best value second hand electric piano I can get? My requirements are full sized weighted velicity sensitive keyboard, and midi in/out cables. Maximum budget is AUD400 (USD 325, GBP 200, EUR 230). The Yamaha DGX-300 looks good apart from the floppy disk midi interface. Are there any other options about the same price/quality?
posted by singingfish on Jul 19, 2009 - 3 answers

As a lifelong manual shaver, I'm giving electric shaving a try. What should I expect? [more inside]
posted by spamguy on Jul 15, 2009 - 41 answers

I've come home to a defrosted fridge freezer and all my food has defrosted. Can I claim this on my home insurance? [more inside]
posted by Sevenupcan on Jun 29, 2009 - 5 answers

I'm in France, and I need to buy a washing machine, and maybe a TV. I am going to need it/them delivered. Can anyone recommend an online retailer? Cheap is good.
posted by handee on Jun 8, 2009 - 4 answers

I just moved into a new house - it's Victorian, so there's some older technologies and stuff around here. On the wall closest to where I have my television, DVD player, DVR cable box, cable modem, Airport, and Nintendo 64, there is only a 2 pronged socket. Already I'm only using extension cords, but not only am I going to run out of room, it's not grounded. So what is the best way to adapt? Do I get a 2-prong to 3-prong adapter, and if so, can I plug a power strip into it? Do I try and find a 2-prong power strip? Or do I ask the landlord if she can hire someone to change it? Is this expensive/complicated? Thanks!
posted by dithmer on May 9, 2009 - 16 answers

Dishwasher vs. hand washing. Assuming we run the dishwasher only when it's full, which method uses less water and fuel?
posted by markcmyers on Apr 10, 2009 - 11 answers

I'm looking for any suggestions as I'm trying to make a new, improved version of a box my professor built by hand 30 years ago, which has two stainless steel surfaces which get hot. His box is bigger than I need and not as spiffy as I'd like. [more inside]
posted by segatakai on Mar 12, 2009 - 17 answers

What would cause my electric guitar’s high E string to fool my tuners? [more inside]
posted by bondcliff on Mar 11, 2009 - 18 answers

I have an electric space heater that makes a mild burning smell and the fan makes too much noise, any ideas on how an adventurous engineering student might be able to make the unit better than out of the box? [more inside]
posted by gzimmer on Mar 6, 2009 - 14 answers

Please help me identify these electrical thingies in the house we are buying. [more inside]
posted by Eringatang on Mar 4, 2009 - 21 answers

What is wrong with the electric and gas in my two-family house? Our bills are incredibly lopsided. [more inside]
posted by rachaelfaith on Feb 24, 2009 - 14 answers

Help my grandma lower her utility bill by installing a submeter for the downstairs tenants. [more inside]
posted by letahl on Feb 22, 2009 - 10 answers

How much do criss-crossing electromagnetic waves affect one another? [more inside]
posted by Eiwalker on Feb 21, 2009 - 8 answers

Odd electrical behavior in my bathroom? [more inside]
posted by silsurf on Feb 18, 2009 - 16 answers

My dog chewed the power cable on my vacuum. Not realizing this, I turned it on and burnt a fuse. Is there any option other than replacing the vacuum? Would it be safe to wrap it with electrical tape?
posted by matkline on Jan 14, 2009 - 15 answers

Which CFL bulbs are the longest lasting and cheapest to buy? I'm concerned about saving money on my electric bill but not worried about mercury content (if lights are broken). Are there any CFL bulb giveaways that are online?
posted by boby on Dec 20, 2008 - 12 answers

Would it be very plausible to hope that a consumer-good electric(al) nerve block be developed for dental/oral surgery pain management? Soon? [more inside]
posted by Quarter Pincher on Nov 13, 2008 - 6 answers

A universal symbol for a low-speed electric vehicle? [more inside]
posted by nomisxid on Oct 30, 2008 - 7 answers

Woohoo, I'm converting my Prius to a plug-in! Now I want a personalized license plate to go with it. [more inside]
posted by cocoagirl on Oct 30, 2008 - 24 answers

Why did my light fixture start turning off and on randomly? How do I fix it? [more inside]
posted by rouftop on Oct 8, 2008 - 8 answers

How do I convert a car to electric? [more inside]
posted by photomusic86 on Oct 4, 2008 - 5 answers

Does my window air conditioner use just as much electricity on the "fan" setting as it does on the "cool" setting? [more inside]
posted by amro on Sep 28, 2008 - 7 answers

Can you recommend a specific electric shaver? [more inside]
posted by simplethings on Sep 17, 2008 - 7 answers

My husband and I moved back to the States almost year ago from Australia and have yet to find an electric wok that will get hot enough for our gastronomic needs. [more inside]
posted by inquisitrix on Aug 13, 2008 - 14 answers

My cooktop is shocking me. What's wrong? [more inside]
posted by condour75 on Aug 6, 2008 - 4 answers

Why do electric utilities either not take credit cards for payment or charge ridiculously large surcharges ($5) to do so? [more inside]
posted by OTA on Jun 22, 2008 - 9 answers

Electrical Estimate Filter: Short version is, is $1100 USD a proper estimate for simply replacing a 125 amp breaker and a 60 amp breaker in a standard residential breaker box? [more inside]
posted by Rendus on May 25, 2008 - 9 answers

I want to charge this scooter w/o buying another bunch of crap. Can you help me? [more inside]
posted by TomMelee on May 22, 2008 - 6 answers

My new gas range is breaking my heart. WTF is wrong with it? And if it is a goner, should I bother trying to replace it with another gas range, or give up and switch to electric? [more inside]
posted by Enroute on May 6, 2008 - 17 answers

I'm trying to get into building electronics and I need some advice. What would be a good place to start? [more inside]
posted by DMan on Mar 23, 2008 - 14 answers

How is this lantern/hanging lamp setup installed ? [more inside]
posted by hboogz on Feb 19, 2008 - 10 answers

Can anyone recommend an indoor electric bbq grill with cast iron or stainless steel grill? [more inside]
posted by phirleh on Feb 11, 2008 - 4 answers

Please help me identify this musician. A while ago - two years? - I saw, on my local TV news, a female piper from the north-east of England. Her instrument was an amplified pipe set, almost certainly Northumbrian small-pipes, played through a guitar effects unit. [more inside]
posted by No Mutant Enemy on Jan 31, 2008 - 11 answers

Can I use my three-ply (out-middle-inner) copper-aluminum-stainless steel pots and pans on an electric range? Will it mess them up?
posted by aussicht on Jan 30, 2008 - 3 answers

Can you show me a photo beam sensor or a magnetic sensor that is close to the size of my pinky? [more inside]
posted by kaozity on Dec 3, 2007 - 8 answers

I am trying to find replacement knobs for a stove, but cannot find a model number anywhere on the stove. [more inside]
posted by Pockets on Nov 11, 2007 - 6 answers

What kind of cheap but good amp should I get for my electric violin? [more inside]
posted by sully75 on Nov 9, 2007 - 12 answers

I'm working on an electric recumbent bicycle using a Bike-E as the bike part. I want to hang my batteries below the seat by building two containers to hang on the sides of the Bike-E's alloy beam body. What's the best way to build the container? [more inside]
posted by diode on Oct 31, 2007 - 7 answers

Electric scooters---no, not rascals. Help me pick one! [more inside]
posted by TomMelee on Oct 20, 2007 - 3 answers

I need a power strip/surge protector that in to which I can plug 15 components. [more inside]
posted by 4midori on Sep 8, 2007 - 10 answers

Experiences with an electric bike? [more inside]
posted by cowmix on Sep 1, 2007 - 6 answers

2 outlets & a ceiling light stopped working at the same time. None of the circuit breakers were flipped. What would cause this, and how can I troubleshoot it? [more inside]
posted by designbot on Aug 30, 2007 - 15 answers

Which Electric razor is the best for sensitive skin? [more inside]
posted by crewshell on Jul 11, 2007 - 17 answers

Searching for the smallest (lightest and size-wise) electric shaver for men. [more inside]
posted by leptin on Jul 4, 2007 - 3 answers

Lets just say that the U.S. decided to stop burning hydrocarbons (oil, coal, natural gas) completely for environmental reasons. Lets say that everything went electric. Cars, Power Plants, factories, everything. How many nuclear plants (using current technology) would we need to produce? Would there be one in every moderate sized town? Also, how long would the raw materials last before another energy crisis was imminent (peak uranium, I guess)?
posted by DarkForest on Jun 6, 2007 - 52 answers

I have a touch lamp, which I'm finding incredibly useful to turn off when I'm half asleep. However, I'm also a bit of an eco-warrior. I've been looking online, and found that a small amount of energy is supplied to the lamp at all times. Surely that must be costing me something? [more inside]
posted by Solomon on Apr 20, 2007 - 16 answers