I haven’t changed the site to an advertisement for products I own. I’m just letting people know ways to fix products that I have and that have (however unfortunately) not worked 100%.
I feel silly writing this, but I really also want to take that lawnmower post from the top of the homepage. Yeah.
Last fall, we purchased this Black and Decker lawn mower, shortly after we purchased our home.
I decided on the model because it’s electric, which is cleaner, easier to maintain (no bad gas concerns), and I wouldn’t have to replace a battery that cost as much as the machine within 3-5 years. Also, I have a smaller yard that a cord can cover and they were on sale. So, there’s that.
Since Spring started, I’ve been mowing once a week. While I’ve had no issues with how the mower cuts the lawn, I did notice that the orange lever on the handle was becoming more and more sensitive to where I had it. I couldn’t keep the lever flush against the handlebar anymore, but had to keep it a half inch off.
Annoyed, I decided to take the lever apart (which I’m apt to do). Of course, i had unplugged the mower first and performed the below fully aware that I am responsible (as you are) for my (your) own actions (you’ve been disclaimed).
Luckily, the lever is held into place using a few screws. Don’t worry, the piece is screwed into a specific spot on the handle to avoid slipping down the handlebar.
I noticed that, much like our hands-free soap dispenser, the lever was just a plastic piece used to complete an electric current between two metal pieces and engage the motor. Unlike the soap dispenser, this switch wasn’t broken, but merely a bit out of place.
After I (slightly) adjusted this switch, I screwed the lever housing back together and plugged the unit in.
With a careful pulling up of the lever to the handlebar, I heard the switch move as it should and the motor started.
Successful, I had a beer and mowed the lawn the next day (don’t hate).
So, we purchased this Emerson hands-free soap dispenser last year at a discount store for like $10.
We decided on buying this model despite already owning a Lysol hands-free dispenser (link), because the Lysol system requires proprietary soap and is half the amount per container versus a bottle of regular hand soap.
Long story short, the Emerson model allows you to use any soap you want, and that’s appealing and frugal. What’s not appealing is that the craftsmanship is a little shoddy in one major way. Allow me to explain:
On the bottom of the unit is a plastic switch which tells the unit that it is on a surface and, thusly, is safe to dispense without making a mess at the wrong time. This switch, when depressed, forces a metal strip inside the unit to engage the pump action; inversely, when the switch is not pressed, the cycle is broken and the motor will not start. Either way, you will see the red LED on if you’re within range of the infrared sensors. And that is the key to diagnosing a broken switch.
When I was trying to figure out why the dispenser stopped dispensing after a couple months, I noticed the LED would still light up, but literally no sound was coming from where the motor would be. I also noticed the switch was stuck and not depressing (heh). I tried to turn the unit off and back on again by holding down the silver button above the dispensing nozzle, but no luck.
So, I opened the thing. You’ll need a small Phillips-head screwdriver to do the same. And, I’m not responsible should you break the product or hurt yourself (how?).
Start from the bottom, removing the battery compartment and the batteries. Of course, it’s easier to do all of this without having soap in the reservoir. You can tip the unit upside down and pour out the soap, making sure you tip with the reservoir side down.
With the battery compartment open and cleared, on the bottom of the base you’ll see 5 plastic nubs which are used to keep the dispenser a bit off the counter/wherever. Pry those off by sliding a flathead screwdriver or something similar right around the edges, until they pop out.
With the Phillips-head screwdriver, remove the screws from the five holes. There will also be a silver screw near the switch that needs to be removed.
Once all 6 screws are removed, carefully remove the base (it’ll slide off), because there are very thin wires inside that connect the batteries and switch to the motor, sensors, etc.
Now that the unit is open, you can see where the switch is basically just a piece of plastic next to a bent piece of metal. If your switch was like mine (completely snapped), you’ll notice that moving the switch does not move the metal piece at all. Also, if your pump (when working) squirts barely any soap, the reservoir tube is visible (surrounded by a spring) and may need some attention (at your own discretion).
To remedy the faulty switch, you have some options: 1. Flip the switch over and force the metal piece to always be in contact (like I did), 2. Tape or otherwise permanently keep the metal pieces in contact, or 3. Fix/replace the switch (but the same thing may happen again).
The reason I chose option 1 is simple: you can turn the dispenser off by holding the manual button down, thereby negating a need for the switch when moving or refilling it. You can make your own choice. Be careful, though, because you may now have the switch mechanism just floating around in the base and need to plug the hole where the switch was to prevent water coming in & rusting parts.
After having solved the issue, you can put the base back on, ensuring you don’t pinch the wires (I gently stuffed ’em into a hollow side of the top). If the base doesn’t become flush with the top, you’re probably pinching a wire or the switch mechanism is in the way and needs repositioned.
If you have any questions, just ask and I’ll do my best to help. Planned obsolescence is a pain, but can be avoided if you try.
held myself up by propping on you for a bit,
but now you’re half buried
mom, i
thank you
for all you’ve done
with only so much as an ask–
or none.
You know,
Half the time I spend looking at you
Is looking forward to
All that we will do when we’ve had time
For our own memories.
Though I may not remember
Every moment we’ve spent together,
I’ve used every one to
Build who I am today.
Though I may not recall
All we’ve done or where we’ve been,
I’ve used every moment to
Be where I am today
with you.
‘tween the trees, this
taper-tipped owl sits,
perched to speak to
they who listen/know
the tale of solitude,
in call that they may
forget such times exist.
I remember maturity was,
When I wasn’t, the ability to
Remove ourselves from ageist expectations.
We held strong to who we
Thought we were not to be–
We became images of
Future regret, anxiety, calls for help;
We became our own type of normal.
I opened my eyes to where
I am now;
No one told me I would be here, but I find myself
Here.
Your main purpose in this world is not to be successful at something you don’t love. Your main purpose in this world is to be a warning to those who give up their dreams/hang up their pen,
Forgetting who they are for
What they are.
Doing (yes, in actions) what I feel is being asked
Before I think about not doing so.
Not to say that I do not pause, understand
The request, and then perform the action.
When actions are muted
By the thoughts in my head–
When my hand seems like a river,
Stretching out to splash on _anything_,
To be guided by _anything_ other than
By the thoughts in my head.