Neon transformers should not kill you?

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Around a week ago I took down some neon tubes and transformers from my Dad’s car wash he sold (they are ripping it down to build a CVS).  I decided to test the transformers because my Dad said they didn’t work.  I also borrowed a transformer that worked from Greg to make sure the tubes were actually good.

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So I take the transformers out of their boxes and observed the connections but I am not really sure how to hook up the neon.  I searched around the interwebs and still could not figure it out.  The problem I am having is with the ground (green wire) and what it is connected to?

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The first step was to find a tube that worked using Greg working transformer.  I found a tube which lit up just fine.

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Next step: I tried 2 unknown transformers and got the same results, sparky fire looking things and the neon was not lit fully.  I then (this was a total mistake) grabbed both ends of the transformer (so the electricy could run all the way through my body) and shocked myself, then the neon was fully lit and there were no more sparks.  I did have it grounded on the plug though, the same as with the known working transformer.  So are my 2 transformers bad or the ground bad?  Not really sure.

Hunter’s Creek Auto Wash / aka Car Wash

My GPS said “Gatorland Carwash” at 14513 Gatorland Drive, Orlando, FL. but the name does not really matter.

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First picture is the front view and the second picture it from the entry road next to a Flex-Serve.

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Front view: I like the glass block and the road sign.

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Vending:  I like the “Suggestions” box and it is interesting that they replaced the Dilling & Harris Vend-Master product door.  They replaced the plastic with metal.

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Back view:  First picture show painted arrows on the ground which is a good idea.  I just doubt it would help.

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Bay:  Some interesting notes are the crappy foam brushes and the garbage can in every bay.  I love the large timer conversion.

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Automatic:  PDQ Laser 4000 had an interesting purge setup in the automatic.  Not really sure what or why it was purging though.

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Vacuums:  They has some weird vandalism problems?  I actually had someone steal my gun off my Fragramatics fragrance vacuum before.  They unscrewed the gun and took it.

Vending machine makeover

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I purchased a piece of Optix Acrylic Sheet .220 18 x 24 to replace my yellowing other piece, which cost around $22.  You have to unscrew about 15 screws on my Dilling & Harris Max-Vend II vending machine to remove the old sheet.  I used my Craftsman table saw that I fixed the other day to cut the sheet.  I purchased a little too thick of a piece so .220 will fit but smaller would have been more like the original sheet.  Also the measurements are 16 5/16 x .   Now it looks great.

Craftsman table saw – Again

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I am starting to hate my Craftsman table saw (model number 137.218240).  I needed to use it to cut some stuff and it would not start again.  It was the switch again.

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The first picture is the actual switch and the metal piece that completes the circuit.  The second picture is what pushes the switch, I love all the saw dust.