ESS: Fried Electronics

[Jenny]

Yesterday at about 5:30, Scott was in the bathroom (just gotten home from work so was changing clothes, etc), Josh was in my bedroom watching TV and I was downstairs watching something on my computer. Suddenly, there was a huge noise, loud pops and tremendously bright lights. My computer popped, tv popped, everything turned off. I saw sparks basically from my computer to the tv across the room, etc.

Josh & Scott came running downstairs. One of the tv's upstairs had popped and smoke poured out of it. The landlord's office is right in back of us across the alley in another townhome. One of their gutters fell off and landed on power lines and caused the power lines to cross, making a ****load of power go through everywhere. We were lucky and didn't have anything catch on fire. Our neighbors (in the other half of the duplex) had their fridge catch on fire. lol We got to spend an hour sitting outside, waiting for the ok from the firemen to go back inside.

So far, it looks like 2 TVs, vcr, cable box, floor lamp, desk lamp, 2 alarm clocks, 2 (maybe?) surge protectors & some power strips, and 2 desktop computers were fried. Bleh.

So now trying to get the management company to say that THEY will pay so that we don't have to go through our renter's insurance, thereby paying a $500 deductible.

[Airencracken]

Yikes! That's rough.

[gear02]

wow!

Did the surge protectors not protect anything?

[ufcrusher]

wow!

Did the surge protectors not protect anything?

Surges are only rated up to a certain power level, beyond that its toast.

You may want to see if any of the equipment had internal fuses which may have tripped and saved it.

[Jenny]

Nope, doesn't look like the surge protectors did much. Not sure if the comps are completely fried or if it is just the powersupply. Have to see what the insurance company says/does and then get a new ps to try with em if we have to. *sigh*

[OC]

Ouch!

My dad had some electrical work done on his house several years ago. The contractor messed up something or other and caused a similar surge. Wiped out nearly everything - clocks, answering machine, cordless phone, TV, stereo. Fortunately the contractor was a stand-up guy and covered everything.

[Jeffbx]

Also check if the surge protectors offer a warranty - some of the better ones do (APC, Tripp-Lite, etc). If your equipment gets fried while plugged in, they'll replace it.

[Jenny]

Jeffbx, but what if we never sent in any warranty or registration? heh

[Showtime]

I read the post and all I got out of it is that your getting NEW stuff!

Yay for you and I'm glad no one got hurt. Sounds like surge protectors might have helped, but sometimes they are not enough.

-j

[chrissy]

Wow, Jenny!

Glad nothing really bad happened. Sorry about the stuff -- but it's just stuff.

Hope it all works out :)

[doolittle]

bummer deal. i had somthing like this happen me when i was renting. the property owners insurance rep came out and estimated the value of our used property and cut us a check based on what the used property could be replaced for. it was somthing like half or a quarter of what it would cost to buy the stuff new.

[TofuNinja]

wow, glad you are ok, but that sucks having all your electronics toasted. Best of luckwith everything

[Markel]

Ouch! I hope it doesn't end up being too big of a hassle getting your things replaced.

[Jenny]

We filed a claim this morning. Talked to an adjuster. Sounds like the tv's, vcr, lamps, etc won't be a problem. We have to pay to take the computers and Replay TV to someplace to be evaluated to determine what is working and what isn't. They will reimburse us that cost afterwards, but like we have the ****ing money to do that??

He's sending out an inventory list paper for us to fill out. We don't have many, if any, receipts for that stuff anymore. Bleh.

And to top it off, I go out to leave to go pick up Josh, and realize as I'm backing out of the driveway that I have a ****ing flat tire!

/me wants to just go to bed and not wake up for a month. *sigh*

[Memo]

Oh god, I feel your pain. Same **** happened to me when lightning struck the house. Hope you get it all worked out.

[Jenny]

Damn. Scott just went down to put the first load of laundry on to wash since the thing yesterday and the washing machine won't start. The dryer works but not the washer. *sigh*

[g222leav]

... Our neighbors (in the other half of the duplex) had their fridge catch on fire. lol ...

i found it funny that you found this funny...

[Jenny]

i found it funny that you found this funny...

:heh: Well, they found it amusing as well. The fire department is just like a mile from our house, so was a fantastic response time. The fire only damaged their fridge and they got it replaced today by the management company, so... What's not to find amusing? ;)

[speedracer120]

At least you can LOL about it.

That must've given everyone a big jolt when it happened. I remember when some stupid crow fried itself on the transformer. Freaked everyone out and blacked us out for good couple of hours.

[Jeffbx]

Jeffbx, but what if we never sent in any warranty or registration? heh


You've heard the term SOL, right? ;)


I'm no better... I don't think I've ever sent in a registration card for those silly things.

[Jenny]

Just keeps getting better and better.

Scott's glasses just broke, so going to have to get them replaced. Found a great deal tho, that will allow (basically for the same price) me to get new ones as well. I desperately need them so.... heh

[OC]

Damn. Remind me to never piss off the same gods you did.

[Jenny]

Oh, and I forgot to post that Scott took the tire to be fixed this morning and it was not fixable. We had to replace it. Whoopee. :cry:

[TofuNinja]

ack!!! Help things turn around for you guys soon :)

[doolittle]

your electric, your tire, your glasses, should be over now. hehe

[Jenny]

LOL We hope so! Oi.

[DarkFury]

Oh, and I forgot to post that Scott took the tire to be fixed this morning and it was not fixable. We had to replace it. Whoopee. :cry:
"Discount Tire" woulda been the move here... As long as it isn't "legally bald"... you get a new tire under their warranty.

[nickel]

ok Jen, look at it this way... it is really statistically IMPOSSIBLE for anything else to go wrong at this point.

and you will be getting some cool brand new stuff. :D

[Jenny]

LOL We hope! Hope the insurance doesn't **** everything up. *sigh* I hate having to pay a $500 deductible for something that was someone else's fault! grrrr. Think I could convince them to let us get a front-loader washing machine? *grin*

[ufcrusher]

You dont want a front load washing machine, trust me. IMO they really truly suck. Clothes constantly fall out of it when you try to switch machines. Plus, if you dont have the optional pedestal they are away too low.

I had the distinct displeasure of using one for several years and will avoid them like the plague.

[chrissy]

You dont want a front load washing machine, trust me. IMO they really truly suck. Clothes constantly fall out of it when you try to switch machines. Plus, if you dont have the optional pedestal they are away too low.

I had the distinct displeasure of using one for several years and will avoid them like the plague.


Too low?

Jen! IT would be perfect for me and you!

[Airencracken]

LOL We hope! Hope the insurance doesn't **** everything up. *sigh* I hate having to pay a $500 deductible for something that was someone else's fault! grrrr. Think I could convince them to let us get a front-loader washing machine? *grin*

Front loaders rock. Better cleaning capabilities. Easier on the clothes, less energy/soap/water. :thumb:

[Jenny]

Plus, if you dont have the optional pedestal they are away too low.

Nah, you have to remember that I'm not quite 5' tall. ;)

And Chrissy, I know! lol

[OC]

Front loaders rock. Better cleaning capabilities. Easier on the clothes, less energy/soap/water. :thumb:I want a Staber jobbie.

[Markel]

You dont want a front load washing machine, trust me. IMO they really truly suck. Clothes constantly fall out of it when you try to switch machines. Plus, if you dont have the optional pedestal they are away too low.

I had the distinct displeasure of using one for several years and will avoid them like the plague.
That's quite a different opinion than most of those in this thread. (http://www.gotapex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85430)

[ufcrusher]

That's quite a different opinion than most of those in this thread. (http://www.gotapex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85430)

As I said, they have an optional pedestal that you can buy to raise the washer up to a more accessible height. Unfortunately, in our case the pedestal wouldnt work with the space restrictions of where the W/D are located.

If all you are interested in is saving money, then yes, theoretically it uses less water thus saving money. However, we have had many many many times where we had to put the clothes through multiple wash cycles since the soap was not taken out of the clothes. Before you say, well you must have put too much soap in it....we use the Tide HE soap, and follow the washers instructions to a T. Furthermore, we have even started putting in even less soap than stated and the problem persists.

A few times we have had to take out the soap slide and completely cleaned it out as the manufacturer suggested that as a possible fix, but that doesnt seem to fix the problem.

Our clothes seem to be taking the same beating they would with a standard top loader.

As for a persons size dictating whether they like it or not, there is a foot difference in height between my wife and me, we both hate it. (6'5" and 5'5") I dont think height has anything to do with it. We both have the same issues of the clothes falling out when you are taking out the load.

[Jenny]

I've used one once and just put a basket down in front of it to pull the clothes out into. That is easiest for me. As it is, I don't do laundry because I can't reach the bottom of the washer without using a hanger or something to reach them, which is a pain in the ass. heh

[CynJon]

We've got this Maytag Neptune Front Load Washer (http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=APPL&pid=02636972000) and we love it. The angled front makes it easier to get clothes in and out without needing one of the ridiculously expensive pedestals ($150 to $200 EACH!) We've been very happy with how well it cleans, and seems to be a little less wear on the clothes, as well. Nice and quiet, too.

[Jenny]

heh I wish we would get that much $$ for a washer! :D

[Kevster]

We've got this Maytag Neptune Front Load Washer (http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=APPL&pid=02636972000) and we love it. The angled front makes it easier to get clothes in and out without needing one of the ridiculously expensive pedestals ($150 to $200 EACH!) We've been very happy with how well it cleans, and seems to be a little less wear on the clothes, as well. Nice and quiet, too.

We have these as well. They have performed wonderfully over the last 3 years we have had them. They do an excellent job and they are much more efficient than our old washer/dryer.

[Jenny]

Damn, so now the insurance guy is saying that we need to get someone to look at the washing machine as well. How the heck do we do that? Any suggestions?

[chrissy]

Damn, so now the insurance guy is saying that we need to get someone to look at the washing machine as well. How the heck do we do that? Any suggestions?


You would usually have to be in the room with the said appliance and use your eyes

:rolleyes:

If you have an appliance store in town, call and see who they recommend. Call a couple and see if any names cross reference each other. Then give them a call :)

[CynJon]

You may be able to find an appliance repair company that will give you a free estimate, but I don't know for sure. Sears, maybe? I bet they wouldn't give the cheapest estimate for repair, either ;)

[Jenny]

You would usually have to be in the room with the said appliance and use your eyes

:rolleyes:



:boxing: lol Thank you, Obi Wan. :P


You may be able to find an appliance repair company that will give you a free estimate, but I don't know for sure. Sears, maybe? I bet they wouldn't give the cheapest estimate for repair, either ;)

heh Good point. I think it's more to see if it is completely broken or if it can be repaired easily. heh So we'll see. Good ideas from both you & Chrissy, tho, thanks. :D

[OC]

*looks*

Yep, it's a washing machine all right.

[Jenny]

*looks*

Yep, it's a washing machine all right.


OC meet Chrissy. Chrissy, this is OC.


:P You all are so funny ;)


Now, ideas about where to take in the computers? ;)

[ufcrusher]

Did you build them or buy them? If you bought them how long ago? If you are under warranty, well then, you have your answer, send them in. Even if they are outside of warranty, you might have to pay something but they might still be the best choce.

If you built them or they are out of warranty and you want to save money, I would find a local shop to test them.

[Jenny]

We have GOT to pay as little as possible. You know a bit about why money is tight atm, so... heh

One was built, one is a Dell that is... Hmm, would have to check back and see when I got it. Apex might remember. I dunno about warranty.

[doolittle]

if those insurance guys push you around to much, they will if they think they can save a few bucks. I believe you can talk to a renters advocate (its free in CA and many other states) and they can tell you where you stand what they are resposible for ect. if you google renters rights for kansas ect. youll get alot of hits. i know they took advantage of us when they destroyed everything in our garage. i wish i knew about this resource at the time.

[Jenny]

Thanks doolittle! I'll definitely go do that now!

[Jenny]

Damn, the cordless phone chargers and my Logitech computer speakers don't work either. Damn damn damn.

Oooh, yay, on a good note. Found the receipt for the big TV. It was stapled inside the booklet! ;)

[Jenny]

S & NSS: Sounds like it is just the power supply for both computers. Mostly, that is good. I shouldn't lose anything. But darn, was hoping for something new just cause. ;)

[BrewMaster]

S & NSS: Sounds like it is just the power supply for both computers. Mostly, that is good. I shouldn't lose anything. But darn, was hoping for something new just cause. ;)
well, you could pick up a cheap laptop tomorrow from Dell if you'd like. :D

[Jenny]

HAH As if I have $750 laying around. *cry*

[doolittle]

S & NSS: Sounds like it is just the power supply for both computers. Mostly, that is good. I shouldn't lose anything. But darn, was hoping for something new just cause. ;) i wonder if they could be liable for lost data? :winkie: