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Anyone here an electrician?

Discussion in 'Questions and Answers' started by brandon27, Jan 22, 2019.

  1. brandon27

    brandon27 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    So this weekend in the snow storm I had an electrical issue...

    My snow blower is equipped with an electric starter so I can plug it in to start it, rather than pulling the cord. The back of the unit has the male end of a plug; I of course plug an extension cord into it, then into my wall in the garage. The snow blower itself has a standard 3 prong grounded outlet.

    I started it this weekend, unplugged it and the damn ground pin snapped off the unit and was stuck in the extension cord. I've called the retailer... of course I'm 2 months out of warranty. To replace it, I'd need to buy a whole new starter unit, that's $375 plus labor... damn snow blower is only worth $900 :lol:

    So my question is, can I just yank the ground pin from my extension cord and keep using it? I assume since the snow blower can often be wet the ground was there for a reason... It still starts just fine without it, but I assume I'm at risk there?

    Secondly, if I bought a portable GFI... Plugged that into my electrical outlet in the garage, plugged my extension cord into it, then into the snow blower... does that reduce/eliminate the risk of the missing ground connection on the snow blower itself, because of the GFI connected at the wall?
     
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  2. danmarino

    danmarino Tua is H1M! Club Member

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    There's a Pats fan here... @2socks ....he claims to be a master electrician....lol
     
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  3. brandon27

    brandon27 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I actually saw that yesterday after posting this and PM'd him; and he was very helpful, so I believe that.
     
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  4. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    What was the answer? Can you use it as-is or not? I know next to nothing about electricity and found it a really interesting question....I'd like to know.
     
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  5. brandon27

    brandon27 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Here's his response to me:

     
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  6. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    Makes total sense- just cut the cord and splice in a new one. Fast and easy fix!
     
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  7. brandon27

    brandon27 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Yeah, but the way the starter of the unit is made, there unfortunately isn't a cord I can easily cut and replace like that. :(
     

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