@Ignorant it has been solved, but companies don’t put it into practice. My Xbox and my laptop both have bricks… But they’re farther down the cord so you have a normal plug.
@RiotDemon the n64 put the brick at the other end, right by the machine. Only drawback was it likely contributed to overheating. Middle of the cord is best, but anything beats at the outlet.
Depends where. Certain rooms have not enough of either, others have just enough of one, but not the other, etc. Then the car doesn’t have any AC outlets, so I can’t use the computer on long trips.
@DVDBZN There are transformers that plug into the cigarette lighter that provide a 3 prong plug. We used to run our crockpot for dinner in the minivan on long trips.
@givemeyoursoul They didn’t want the cats (they are crazy cat people) and potential future kids (trying, but a lot of complications) to get hurt from putting the footrests down too fast.
@vanslaterco It’s like the folks designing older houses were satisfied having one outlet in each room. What, how much electricity could people possibly use?
At least it was all installed with BX so the sheathing is a proper ground (by 1940s code) and someone retrofit grounded outlets at some point in the past when it was still code to do so.
On the to-do list for this house: rip all the walls down and re-do all the electrical. With EMT and rigid conduit (because it’s the right way. Also Chicago codes are practically usury).
My house is 101 years old. There is never enough of anything. Outlets, insulation, floor joists that actually touch, ways to keep bats out, basement floors, stable basement walls, etc.
Bought a new washing machine, got the tandem model with the main washer and some sidekick drawer-sized mini washer underneath.
Installing it, pulled out the old units, unplugged the 120v washer cord … and realized it’s a single receptacle. It’s the standard 120v 20amp grounded polarized, with the t-slot for the left prong. But it’s single, not duplex.
So had to put everything on hold, run back to Lowes.
Did some research, wiring code has changed here every couple of years.
One example, floor level outlets now need to be tamper resistant. We used to be foster parents, so that would have saved a ton of time and money in child proofing the house.
Also read that some places are switching to installing outlets upside down, because using the third prong as the aiming point is supposedly safer, less damage to outlet and appliance.
But couldn’t find anyone who could explain why they’d build the room with a singleton 20 amp outlet. Just to make sure you didn’t overload it? Maybe folks would put a recharger (irobot or Dyson cordless?) on the same line, even though there are 3 other 120v 15amp outlets in the room?
There are 128 outlets in the house. The price difference between a single and double is like 70¢. Thats like 0.00000175% of the home price. You build 100, that’s like seven bucks you just saved.
@MehnofLaMehncha Technically, large-draw appliances are supposed to be the only thing on their circuit - and putting a single-recepticle outlet in place is a good way to make sure that’s followed. I imagine it was code at some point (and may very well still be) in your area.
(disclaimer: IANAE, I’ve just spent a ton of time fixing shit on my 130 year old Chicago cottage.)
I live full time in an Airstream and while it is very comfortable it only has 8 outlets and 30 amp service. I can’t run the microwave without turning off the A/C.
I’m in the middle of adding solar panels and increasing the number of USB ports on the 12 volt system. At least that will get rid of most of my power adapters
@lafawnda My wife and I are planning on living in a converted van (Sprinter, Transit). My wife is such a techie it’ll be hard for her to limit how many toys are plugged in. Definitely having solar panels.
I’m living in a house that was built before electricity! (1855) We are definitely not up to code with regard to outlet placement. My bedroom has one outlet plate right by the door. I bought a surge protector with a 25’ cord so I could have power on the other side of the room without tripping over/stepping on an extension cord all the time. I was so jazzed when I finally got it. A bedside lamp is such a great thing to have! I have another, shorter surge protector in the other outlet, and that’s all I can do.
My roommate also only has two outlets, but they’re not grounded. At least mine are. I got off easy there.
Not enough… ground.
@brhfl agreed, wish I had the time and energy to fix our wiring so we could have proper grounded outlets.
@brhfl
I’ll vote in the 2nd poll at 8 Eastern
@Ignorant This may be one of the funniest things I’ve ever read here.
@AnnaB
My outlet situation is always in state of shit because of all those freakin enormous power bricks!
@DRBLAW yeah how has that problem not been solved yet.
@Ignorant it has been solved, but companies don’t put it into practice. My Xbox and my laptop both have bricks… But they’re farther down the cord so you have a normal plug.
@RiotDemon the n64 put the brick at the other end, right by the machine. Only drawback was it likely contributed to overheating. Middle of the cord is best, but anything beats at the outlet.
@DRBLAW
I didn’t know what you were talking about until I realized it’s another name for a power adapter.
Depends where. Certain rooms have not enough of either, others have just enough of one, but not the other, etc. Then the car doesn’t have any AC outlets, so I can’t use the computer on long trips.
@DVDBZN There are transformers that plug into the cigarette lighter that provide a 3 prong plug. We used to run our crockpot for dinner in the minivan on long trips.
@myambro
Yeah, I know, but I haven’t seen Meh.com sell those yet.
Not enough where I need them. My friends got two loveseats, and a recliner that have electric recline and USB ports!
@MrsBeckett They sound fat.
@givemeyoursoul They didn’t want the cats (they are crazy cat people) and potential future kids (trying, but a lot of complications) to get hurt from putting the footrests down too fast.
@MrsBeckett They’re not crazy cat people; just crazy
/giphy cat people
Old house, old outlet needs.
@vanslaterco It’s like the folks designing older houses were satisfied having one outlet in each room. What, how much electricity could people possibly use?
@melonscoop When would anyone ever need more than a lamp outlet, a radio/tv outlet and a second lamp/box fan outlet??
@vanslaterco Radio/TV outlet? Our old house was built before broadcast radio or television existed. What would outlets be needed for besides lamps?
@compunaut If movies tell me anything, someone’s ironing some slacks somewhere.
@vanslaterco Not in the living room or parlor…
We have an old house, built in 1957. Not all of the wall outlets have been switched out to three prong.
So, I had a converter plug. I had a surge protector connected to it (it wasn’t grounded, so no protection besides the surge protector).
That surge protector had another surge protector connected to it and that surge protector, had yet another surge protector connected to it.
All of the outlets in all three were used.
I cut down to one 9 outlet surge protector and I plug in the printer as needed.
Fire risk anyone?
/giphy outlet fire
@juststephen lol 1957 is old. Try 1885
.
At least it was all installed with BX so the sheathing is a proper ground (by 1940s code) and someone retrofit grounded outlets at some point in the past when it was still code to do so.
On the to-do list for this house: rip all the walls down and re-do all the electrical. With EMT and rigid conduit (because it’s the right way. Also Chicago codes are practically usury).
@minivanmegafun Old enough that they were all single prong, though.
@minivanmegafun Ouch. That’ll be a pain.
Never enough. Must plug in all the things.
My house is 101 years old. There is never enough of anything. Outlets, insulation, floor joists that actually touch, ways to keep bats out, basement floors, stable basement walls, etc.
@JoetatoChip Keeping you on your toes, eh?
Bought a new washing machine, got the tandem model with the main washer and some sidekick drawer-sized mini washer underneath.
Installing it, pulled out the old units, unplugged the 120v washer cord … and realized it’s a single receptacle. It’s the standard 120v 20amp grounded polarized, with the t-slot for the left prong. But it’s single, not duplex.
So had to put everything on hold, run back to Lowes.
Did some research, wiring code has changed here every couple of years.
One example, floor level outlets now need to be tamper resistant. We used to be foster parents, so that would have saved a ton of time and money in child proofing the house.
Also read that some places are switching to installing outlets upside down, because using the third prong as the aiming point is supposedly safer, less damage to outlet and appliance.
But couldn’t find anyone who could explain why they’d build the room with a singleton 20 amp outlet. Just to make sure you didn’t overload it? Maybe folks would put a recharger (irobot or Dyson cordless?) on the same line, even though there are 3 other 120v 15amp outlets in the room?
There are 128 outlets in the house. The price difference between a single and double is like 70¢. Thats like 0.00000175% of the home price. You build 100, that’s like seven bucks you just saved.
@MehnofLaMehncha Technically, large-draw appliances are supposed to be the only thing on their circuit - and putting a single-recepticle outlet in place is a good way to make sure that’s followed. I imagine it was code at some point (and may very well still be) in your area.
(disclaimer: IANAE, I’ve just spent a ton of time fixing shit on my 130 year old Chicago cottage.)
@JoetatoChip This is funny, I live in a 130 year old house and today we are having insulation blown into the attic.
(Also, we have the bat problem. Well, I don’t mind the bat all that much, it’s the guano that’s the problem.)
@MehnofLaMehncha That’s lot of outlets. The house where I live has…about 20 or so, I’m not sure.
Och, Captain! We need more poerrrrrr!!!
USB, shoo-S-B, why do we need so many devices anyway?
I live full time in an Airstream and while it is very comfortable it only has 8 outlets and 30 amp service. I can’t run the microwave without turning off the A/C.
I’m in the middle of adding solar panels and increasing the number of USB ports on the 12 volt system. At least that will get rid of most of my power adapters
@lafawnda My wife and I are planning on living in a converted van (Sprinter, Transit). My wife is such a techie it’ll be hard for her to limit how many toys are plugged in. Definitely having solar panels.
A good charge controller is a must and I found 12v wall mount marine USB outlets on eBay pretty cheap
I’m living in a house that was built before electricity! (1855) We are definitely not up to code with regard to outlet placement. My bedroom has one outlet plate right by the door. I bought a surge protector with a 25’ cord so I could have power on the other side of the room without tripping over/stepping on an extension cord all the time. I was so jazzed when I finally got it. A bedside lamp is such a great thing to have! I have another, shorter surge protector in the other outlet, and that’s all I can do.
My roommate also only has two outlets, but they’re not grounded. At least mine are. I got off easy there.