There's no need to pay for a pricey electrician for a light switch problem— you can try to fix it yourself. This video from This Old House explains how three-way switches work and shows tips for finding and replacing faulty three-way switches in your home. First, you need to u ...more
The Type G plug is the standard plug in the United Kingdom, usually 230V and 50Hz, and is referred to as the BS1363 (British Standards 1363). It's most commonly referred to as the "13-amp plug" because it has a 13-amp fuse inside. The wires consist of a hot (or live) wire, neu ...more
This video is about electrical wires. It describes common types, configurations of wire, and wire terminology. It explain the gauge system of rating wire size (diameter), circular mils, current capacity, and others.
If the servo wires in your RC car are broken or need to be a different size for the setup you're working with, this video will help you out. It will show you how to repair damaged servo wires or, if you aren't happy with the size, swap them out for longer or shorter wires.
This Home and Garden video tutorial shows how to repair a wash machine lid switch. This video is on a GE Prodigy machine. Looking inside the machine under the switch, she finds that two wires are broken. Take a screwdriver and press down the clip of the switch from underneath. ...more
In this tutorial, we learn how to clean and repair gutters with Mike Kraft. Damaged gutters can mean leaking roofs with water dripping everywhere. To fix this, you will need: buckets, a shovel, gutter sealant, a trowel, wire hooks, garden hose, nozzle, and gloves. First, place ...more
In this tutorial, we learn how to repair the Vivitar 285's Flash Foot. First, remove the flash foot using a soldering iron. Melt the solder just enough, don't ruin the wires or the backing. Now, set the iron down and then short the wires out, you will see the flash go off when ...more
Over time, the dryer belt can become hard and brittle when the drum is turning loud noises such as squeaking, squealing or thumping noises can occur. Replacing the belt is an easy task for the do-it-yourselfer. All that’s required is a few simple tools. Here’s a step-by-step g ...more
If things are getting a bit stuffy at your desk, don’t fret. A cool breeze is just a USB slot away. Watch this video to learn how to make a USB fan. Step 1. Retrieve computer fan Look online or at your local computer-repair shop for a plastic computer-cooling fan. Or, disman ...more
Wall studs are both critical for maintaining the structure of your home and supporting items of weight and function on the interior walls (e.g. cabinets, shelves, plasma TVs, etc.). With wall studs playing such a critical role, consistently being able to find them is important ...more
Computer viruses are terrifying. They are undetectable, dangerous, and operate constantly right under your nose. For the average computer user, there are only a few repair options. You could buy expensive antivirus software that causes more problems than it fixes, you can wipe ...more
Here's how to remember what wires go where when wiring a plug in the United Kingdom. UK plugs have two or three wires going into them: brown, blue and yellow-green. L in the blue tells you it goes on the left. The R on the brown tells you it goes on the right. If there's a yel ...more
Make a solar cell from a condom with this video tutorial. Solar energy is plentiful and better for the environment, so why not take an easily accessible commodity (like a condom), and use it to harvest the power of the sun. To replicate this hack at home, you'll need the follo ...more
In this tutorial, we learn how to bypass the kickstand safety switch on a motorcycle. If you have broke your kickstand switch, you can easily bypass it while you are on the road so you can set your bike. All you need to do this is a piece of electric tape. If you don't have th ...more
This video shows you how to use household electrical wire to make stunning jewelry pieces for you or a friend. Taking the wire from a renovation project, I stripped the wires of their plastic and then started twisting and creating designs. Make cheap jewelry but expensive desi ...more
Need to keep people out of your precious room? Tired of all of those "do not disturb" signs not working? Locks just aren't cutting it these days? Safeguard your privacy with your very own electric fence. Remember Jurassic Park, when the kid got zapped by the electric fence? Th ...more
In this tutorial, we learn how to wire a three-way electrical switch. First, you will need to know the difference between the wires that you are using. Once you familiarize yourself with these different wires, you can start to wire your electrical switch. Now, go to your elect ...more
Expert electrician Danny Herb demonstrates in easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions how to replace a light switch and how to replace a wall socket. He begins by showing you how to turn off the circuit breaker, an essential first step to any electrical repair, and offers sa ...more
Warning! When dealing with electrical wires, makes sure you always turn off the power before you do anything. There is no room for error since you can become severely injured in the process. Anyways, if you're looking to change an old switch with a new one or a new type of sw ...more
In this video, we learn how to install a Toad Stop braking system for towed vehicles. First, determine where you are going to install the braking system. Insert the electrical wires into the appropriate spots by reading the labels that are on them. After this, use a drill to l ...more
If you're new to the RV world, then this next tutorial might help explain a problem you may experience. Installing an RV fan is a great idea, especially if it's able to take out the old air in your car and bring in new air. This tutorial talks about the issue with trying to i ...more
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to use a long handled saw. This type of saw is used to cut off the branches of trees. There are 2 bolts that screw the blade onto the handle. The handle is about 2 meters long when folded down and about 5 meters when extended out. When ...more
Watch this video from This Old House to learn how to install a mini-split air conditioner. Steps: 1. Lay pad on ground, check for level, then set condenser unit on top of pad. 2. Use 1 ½-inch hole saw to drill hole through house for refrigerant line. 3. Feed refrigerant line ...more
Installing a chandelier can bring a whole new style to your home’s design. Even though it might seem like a job only a professional can do, it really is quite simple. This DIY video illustrates just how easy it can be to install the chandelier yourself. Be sure to read the in ...more
A ceiling fan is a cheap, economical way to add some nice air into your home during the hot summer months. They're easy to install and can actually save some money. So in these videos, you'll find out how to easily install a ceiling fan in your home today. Remember, you will b ...more
Use the tread on wire-nut, to create a mold for mini clay cupcakes. Usually used for joining together electrical wires, the repeated lines of the wire-nut will here be used to form the ridges expected on a cupcake bottom. Press the wire-nut into a small piece of clay to form a ...more
By Camilla Cicconetti - Visit LifeStyleWebTV for more travel articles, videos, recipe demos and more. Located near the tip of the Brittany peninsula in northwestern France, Locronan is one of the region’s most spectacular villages. When you set foot on the cobblestone street ...more
Feeling unprepared for the next earthquake? In this tutorial, learn what to do and what not to do to survive "the big one". You'll be surprised to learn that hiding in a doorway is a myth! You Will Need: • A safe place • Sturdy shoes • A fire extinguisher • A flashlight ...more
In this video we learn how to replace an electrical light switch. First, turn the power off in your home. Then, remove the screws around the switch exposing the wires. Confirm that they are dead with a tester, then you can get started removing. Wrap electrical tape around the ...more
In this tutorial, we learn how to install a car alarm on a Viper 5900. First, read your manual and figure out which wires go where, then label them so you don't confuse them. Next, grab all the tools you will need and have them prepared and ready. After this, find the electric ...more
If your old outlet has become so loose that a cord barely stays in place, it's time to change it. It's not just an annoyance—it's a hazard. Learn how to replace an electrical outlet with this instructional video from Howcast. You Will Need: * A flathead screwdriver * A digita ...more
Microcontrollers are great. You can do anything from water your garden to catch wildlife trash diggers in the act—and on the cheap. I prefer to use the Arduino microcontroller because of the large and helpful community built around the website. Though it is my favorite, there ...more
This video shows you how easy it is to install the J&T water temperature gauge on your snowmobile. This is a "Must Have" for any snowmobile rider in order to keep an eye on your water temperature so you don't melt a piston. List of parts and tools needed: -4 electrical eyele ...more
Reduce the risk of blown fuses, blown sensors, shorted wires, and even possibly increase shift times on an automatic and possibly increase horsepower with a grounding kit! All you need is some wire, terminal ends and electrical tape or heat shrink. To make this work, all you h ...more
To make a glowing ice bulb, like the one in this how-to video, you need LEDs, batteries, wire, a balloon, and electrical tape. First, you connect the led to the wires. Then, you put the LED in the balloon, fill the balloon with water and freeze it. Once frozen, remove the ball ...more
Faulty switches are easy to fix; you just have to exercise caution. You will need a screwdriver, a new switch, and a circuit tester. Electrical repairs don't need to be dangerous, just be careful. Watch this video home repair tutorial and learn how to replace a light switch.
In this video, we learn how to install chase tail lights on a Mustang. First, you need to remove the rear trunk panel and trim piece. Next, prepare your tail light kit by following the directions that are given to you with the package. Next, cut the tail light wire. Now, put o ...more
If you don't know, an alternator is a pretty big part when it comes to a car. If you don't know what it does, an alternator basically converts mechanical energy into electrical energy for your car to use. If you need to know how to fix it or repair it, this tutorial should hel ...more
This video will show you how to install a replacement side rear-view mirror on a 2002-2008 Dodge Ram truck. For this auto repair, you will use a T40 Torx driver, a Phillips screwdriver, a flat blade screwdriver and a 10mm wrench. This video also contains instructions for the e ...more
Teaching the basics of soldering, you should be able to learn how to fix broken headphones. There should be two wires protected by a covering, one which is a silvery metal and an orange wire which is your copper wire. Taking the plate for your speakers, there should be two con ...more
In order to repair a damaged spark plug, you will need the following: pliers, newspaper, brake cleaner, a mallet, a block of wood, a screwdriver, a valve cover gasket set, Lock Tight, and a high impact socket. Label your spark plug wires. Remove the four 10 mm head bolts. Lea ...more
If you have an older battery charger and it works apart from having worn out terminals or frayed wiring, don't throw it away. Overhaul it with new wires, a plug and clip leads. This costs about $15 at the most instead of the $50 for a new unit. So watch this automotive repair ...more
In this tutorial by Lowe's, we learn how to install exterior motion-sensor lights with Lowe's. First, you will need to pick out what kind of motion sensor light you want. Most of the kits you purchase will come equipped with all the things you need, you will just need to suppl ...more
The best way to make sure you have the best connections on high voltage-lines is to clean them. Cleaning high-voltage wires with cleaning solvents is the best way to get the job done for a better flow of electricity. This video, produced by Polywater, trains electricians on th ...more
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to solder speaker lead wires. Soldering is a process in which two or more metal items are joined together by melting and flowing a filler metal into the joint. Viewers are shown how to solder speaker lead wires to the terminals. This v ...more
In this article, I'll be showing you how to make a cool visual representation of sound using an old cathode ray tube (CRT) television, a stereo, and a sound source. You'll also need a pair of wire cutters, and a few screwdrivers. To properly understand this project, it's a goo ...more
GFI stands for Ground Fault Interrupter and is used in areas that have water. The first thing you should do before replacing anything electrical is shut off the power in the area you are working. When you remove the old outlet, you will notice a series of wires going into the ...more
As some of you Mad Science readers will remember, we recently covered the separation of water into hydrogen and oxygen using electrolysis. Passing a current through water can rend it apart, but we can also recombine that oxygen and hydrogen to make electricity! This is the pri ...more
Fans of Doctor Who know that the sonic screwdriver is the ultimate tool. It can unlock doors, turn on lights, detect life forms, solder wires, and sabotage weapons. Presumably, the sonic screwdriver creates sonic vibrations to achieve whatever the doctor wants by vibrating th ...more
Learn how to clean your auto engine with these great tips. • Apply spray wax to fenders to prevent spotting on the paint, from engine degreaser. • An alternator is a crucial electrical device which must be protected from water and other chemicals. as a precaution, cover it wit ...more
In this video series, watch as professional sound engineer Kip Bradford teaches how to make and repair audio cables. Learn the tools needed to repair and make audio cables, learn what kind of solder to use, learn the types of connectors and wires to use, how to solder audio ca ...more
One of the basics of electronics is knowing how an electrical current works. For this video, you will need a 1.2V battery, a lightbulb, and 2 copper wires. First, take the wires and attach one end of each wire to opposite sides of the battery. Have a friend hold the wires ther ...more
Watch to learn how to change an AEG Electrolux fridge freezer lightbulb and how to fit a replacement door bottle shelf. Changing a blown fridge light bulb is a simple fridge repair. This fridge maintenance video explains the process. eSpares videos show you how to fit common ...more
Watch to learn how to replace the fan oven element in a Neff oven. You'll remove and replace the fan oven element in a Neff oven. Oven fan working but no heat? You could have a faulty fan oven element. This straightforward oven repair video also shows how to remove the oven do ...more
In this series of home car repair videos, our expert mechanic takes you through each step of repairing your valve cover gaskets. He demonstrates how to remove and replace valve cover hoses, spark plug wires and ultimately the gasket itself. Part 1 of 19 - How to Replace a valv ...more
F for FAKE. This video has been labeled a "Faux-To". Commonly contested as bogus science, we believe this video to be a hoax. What's your opinion? Comment below. Cut a potato in half. Hollow-out one side of the potato. Fill with mixture of salt and tooth paste. With tooth pic ...more
Hello! This post is about the electrical socket. Imagine that somebody pulled the cable out of the possible protection outlet too fast? The result can be seen on the following photo. What to do next? Step 1: Preparation First, make sure that your work will be done in a safe m ...more
Sometimes the best place to hide something is where people least expect it, so in this project, we're making a super secret safe that only you'll know about. You'll need either a single- or double-gang plastic, old-work, electrical box made for existing walls, depending on ho ...more
Michael Faraday was an English chemist and physicist - a bona fide electromagnetism and electrochemistry genius. Without him, men couldn't walk on live electrical wires. Wait, what? In the Smithsonian IMAX documentary Straight Up: Helicopters in Action, helicopter pilots perf ...more
Hotly contested video. The question remains, is the science behind the potato fire bonafide or bogus? We have yet to try it over here at WonderHowTo, and the comments thus far haven't indicated a solid verdict. Try it out and let us know! Is this a hoax? Or can you truly start ...more