Those slushie machines I used to fix had a HUGE line capacitor for the compressor to start (pretty much the same as a chest freezer). The company was too cheap except rarely to hire experienced techs, so we generally had to find somebody who knew the difference between a screwdriver and hammer, and could at least turn on a multi-meter. Every so often management fed us a really dumb one.
When we got one of those, we had to teach them to change the cap (its only 2 screws, a retarded goldfish could figure it out when told to change the cap), so do the demonstration 1st ....and when the old one is out (still a good one since its a working machine being used for training) we would toss it to the newb, "Here, catch and look at it" . A few times they came back the second day, but it usually cured them of wanting to be a tech and management had to find us a viable candidate.
Those slushie machines I used to fix had a HUGE line capacitor for the compressor to start (pretty much the same as a chest freezer). The company was too cheap except rarely to hire experienced techs, so we generally had to find somebody who knew the difference between a screwdriver and hammer, and could at least turn on a multi-meter. Every so often management fed us a really dumb one.
When we got one of those, we had to teach them to change the cap (its only 2 screws, a retarded goldfish could figure it out when told to change the cap), so do the demonstration 1st ....and when the old one is out (still a good one since its a working machine being used for training) we would toss it to the newb, "Here, catch and look at it" . A few times they came back the second day, but it usually cured them of wanting to be a tech and management had to find us a viable candidate.
Hint ...short it with a screwdriver across both terminals to ground before touching. It wont hurt it or you (might blow a corner off the screwdriver) and its now as harmless as the hunk of plastic it is. ....OH, YEH--for the newbs .....DONT put a finger on the steel of the screw-driver. I've seen that at LEAST 50 times in my past carrer, and I am dman tired of filling in reports saying "victim was too stupid to remove fingsrs from steel before touching electricity"
I used to work on a lot of high frequency machines. High power, high voltage and large capacitors. Most would drain down before you got into the panel, but some would zap enough to make you jumpy. I have seen some when shorting to ground that would draw a large arc and melt the grounding rod tip. And grounding once was not always enough. Still have all my fingers and other parts of my body, so I must have been careful enough.
The ones ( 5 each machine) I work with every day on my 220V 60Hz machines are the size of a beer can. They pack quite a wallop, but nothing you can’t shake off after you wake-up.
In my opinion, discharging them with a screwdriver is more trouble then it’s worth. They don’t hold much of a charge after you flash-absorb their contents.
P.S. They sure make a mess when they “malfunction”. $40 a piece to replace.
[This message has been edited by Boondawg (edited 10-11-2019).]
The investigation/experimentation he did into the girl that electrocuted herself to death in the tub with her phone charger (supposed to be impossible with the way they are mandated to be built) was interesting.
The conclusion?
She was killed by the extension cord it was plugged into...
[This message has been edited by Boondawg (edited 10-11-2019).]
Whoa !! 6 years. What a totally different life between then and now...I don't even own more than basic mechanic tools anymore. Back then my box was 17 drawer and full, and so was my 4 foot rolling workbench....now it's a 400 piece socket set, screwdriver, and pliers. Everything else is woodworking equipment. Just upgraded to a 10" sliding miter saw last week. It's a beast.
In hindsight, I wish I would have went in that direction. A lot cheaper outlet for creativity later in life.
My set-up is nice, but how creative can you get rebuilding a gearbox...
Right now for me it's a stepping stone game. I got here in August with a chop saw, old belt driven table saw and jointer, drill press and router table. Working in an open carport. I'll have the garage hard-sided by the end of the month and be all upgraded and set up the way I want by spring...but until then every thing I make at it goes right back in .
Stumbled onto one great seller. 12x12 mirror tile front mounted on a frame, and a piece of hardboard on the back 3/4 height. Leaves enough room to hide a file folder for money or whatever between the two of them. People just love them and they go as fast as I can make them.....but I'm still assembling on a workmate. It's a juggling act what to do first and will be until April or May.
....and when the old one is out (still a good one since its a working machine being used for training) we would toss it to the newb, "Here, catch and look at it" 
...short it with a screwdriver across both terminals to ground before touching. It wont hurt it or you (might blow a corner off the screwdriver) and its now as harmless as the hunk of plastic it is. 
