11/23/19
(Above: The permanent light fixtures are functioning once more within the Master Blend freezer room.)
Active Summary: After today’s morning ride around the beef pasture, I ventured to the Master Blend freezer room where I began looking at the fan that I spoke of removing yesterday. I could not quickly discern any way to take it down and so decided to think on it while I made the weekly trip down to the Farm Market. With the matter thus decided, I gathered some beef for the Harbisons, Segwayed up to Oldhouse, and… found the van gone.
Fortunately, it only took Madre 10 minutes to return from her own morning errands, and I was able to help her prepare the vehicle for our imminent town outings of the coming week. This was followed by a ride down the market where I made the beef delivery and procured the weekly vegetation. On returning to Oldhouse, I put the vegetation away*, and then ventured back to the farm where I continued working on the fan.
First, I used pliers to break away the upper superficial shield. This enabled me to see half of what was holding the old fan up and to expose the wiring. I next tested that wiring to ensure there was no electricity running through it (more in TIL), and after that, set about removing the cotter pin that was securing the fan on a threaded pipe. Padre helped me with that latter task by taking a heavy pair of pliers and a screwdriver to the tip of the pin as if the tools were a hammer and chisel. I then proceeded to use two pipe wrenches to work the fan mechanism off of the pipe. I started by using both wrenches, but after finding that the big one was turning the whole fan – head and base – I utilized only that one while holding the fan up with my other hand. This was fortunate, because the heavy thing soon came falling down. I caught the fan without injury to myself or the appliance, then removed the ancient mechanism outdoors. Success.
(6:27 PM Update:) I helped with a number of cattle-related activities this afternoon and then worked a little bit more on the Master Blend freezer room. It was during this time that I tested the various fluorescent light fixtures and found that they all worked. I next located and retrieved four spare lights from the old milking parlor and slotted them all in. Now, with the flick of a single switch, the freezer room is completely lit with bright white light.
TIL: Today, I learned how to detect electrical current with a classic digital ‘dial’ multimeter. To do so, plug the red probe into middle slot (out of three) and the black probe into the bottom slot. The next step is to turn the dial to the highest voltage value in the AC testing section**, and after that, make sure that the black probe is well-grounded. I grounded mine on a many-years-old cattle chute. To test, simply place the red probe’s tip against the wires that need testing (while ensuring all fingers remain clear of metal, whether it be wires or probe-tip). If the reading is 0, it should be safe to work. If it is anything above 0, it is best to go turn off the switch/breaker that is allowing current through the circuit.
Commentary: Though much of the morning was spent finagling with that downright travesty of a fan, I was successful, and now there is no danger of mashing my skull against the ungainly appliance when parking my Segway for the evening. As for highlights, I unfortunately did not get a picture of our tremendous lunch which involved New York Strips, wheat pancakes (cooked in beef fat)***, and farm-fresh salad. I did, however, get a picture of today’s other highlight: writing this blog entry with the glass door wide open and with the garden sprinkler running quietly in the background.
Final Note: Now that the fan has been removed, tomorrow I intend to don a long plastic glove and delve about in the attic for the source of the outlet into which that appliance was plugged. I may be able to use that plug and corresponding switch for something in the near future. Also, I will use the good 8′ fluorescent bulbs to the freezer room’s east side to test the central two light receptacles. (6:49 PM Update:) Already have the light fixtures working. If I do anything with lighting, it will consist of taking the bulbs back down and cleaning them all up.
*Most in the fridge, some in the gullet.
**Usually directly to the right of ‘off’ on the Dial. It is depicted with a V~.
*** At my brother’s urging, I used a small bit of maple syrup on a cake before dunking it in some steak juice. The resulting flavor was fantastic and reminiscent of the sweet savoriness of the fried chicken and waffles that we had a few years ago while on vacation in California.