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The electrical current in my outbuildings is now weak, and I can't figure out why. I've use this current to power my electric mower, sump pump, play stereo, power electric chainsaw, etc. (not at the same time...)
I've had my property 3 years - no problems until the other day.
I went to mow and the mower was super low powered - so much so that it wouldn't actually cut once I got moving. I tried all the outbuilding outlets - same result. To be sure it wasn't the mower - I plugged it in from an outlet on the house - ran fine and I mowed the back yard.
I checked to see if I had something plugged in that I'm not supposed to - don't.
The only thing I can possibly think of that has changed in the way of electricity is that recently my back exterior shed light came on by itself - it hasn't worked since I moved here. I asked my neighbor (who keeps his big john deere tractor in that shed) about it, and he said the photo cell must have kicked in. He didn't say he'd messed with the light at all. Looking at the area it doesn't look like anything was done - but what do I know.
I have no earthly idea what I should be looking for - or what could have caused this problem with the current.
Can anyone help me figure it out? Any ideas appreciated.
I'll call an electrician if I have to, but I really can't afford it. If it's something I can remedy myself, I'd like to try.
Sounds like either a short somewhere or a breaker that may be going bad. You might try this site to see what the procedures are to trace down the problem. Even though there may not be any "human" changes going on...since this is an outdoor situation, there are always the birds, squirrels, wasps and more that can cause odd problems...also if some wiring is buried..there's always the moles and such too. Oh yeah...and always make sure any overhead wiring is free of tree limbs and such..they will cause major problems.
