Oops, there it goes! Rogue fuse in the converter

jkjenn

I was testing the load on my fuses yesterday and dropped a fuse into converter. I know, it takes pure talent, doesn't it? I have tried, unsuccessfully to fish it out. I can't see it, at all. I tried to stick a wire with a magnet on it inside to fish it out (with power cut.) I tried to see if I could pull the cover off of the converter to get to the inside of it. That doesn't work, either.  It seems like the metal blade flopping around is a bad idea inside of the converter. Any ideas?

Photomom

Maybe one of these things? http://www.amazon.com/X-Long-Flex-Cable-Pick-Up-4-Finger-Retriever/dp/B006ZEOXJY

Verna

Duct tape rolled inside out on a wooden skewer stick so the fuse will stick to the tape. You may need to play around to make it fit the space. 

Tabaz

Maybe use one of those cans of compressed air (to clean computer keyboards) to move the fuse to a spot you can see it?

jkjenn

Photomom said:

Maybe one of these things? http://www.amazon.com/X-Long-Flex-Cable-Pick-Up-4-Finger-Retriever/dp/B006ZEOXJY

Unfortunately, way to big, but thanks.

Verna said:

Duct tape rolled inside out on a wooden skewer stick so the fuse will stick to the tape. You may need to play around to make it fit the space. 

This is worth a try.

OutbackAZ said:

Maybe use one of those cans of compressed air (to clean computer keyboards) to move the fuse to a spot you can see it?

This might also work.

These were all admirable ideas. Thanks. You inspired me to something I recently saw and thought it might be good to have on hand so I ordered it: a waterproof scope with a camera and grabber accessory.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/21b6fTR

Verna

Jenn, I've never looked inside a converter. Please be careful of the possible presense of a capacitor. 

Photomom

Ugh, the Amazon listing says it is an "endoscope." Careful you don't get a used and returned one. 

ChanW

I thought it looked familiar!
Photomom said:

Ugh, the Amazon listing says it is an "endoscope." Careful you don't get a used and returned one. 

Nomad

I think Jenn dropped it on purpose so she could get a new gizmo - It's been a week or two since the last, she was suffering withdrawl

jkjenn

Verna said:

Jenn, I've never looked inside a converter. Please be careful of the possible presense of a capacitor. 

Thanks, @VernaI will be cautious and do some investigation.

PXLated said:

I think Jenn dropped it on purpose so she could get a new gizmo - It's been a week or two since the last, she was suferring withdrawl

I have thought of a lot of good uses for this one.

Nomad

Of course you did :-)

DougandMia

Jenn: endoscopy?

jkjenn

The irony? I had a really bad experience with an endoscopy when I was young.

ChanW

Jenn, we're waiting with baited breath. 

Did you get the fuse out yet?

jkjenn

ChanW said:

Jenn, we're waiting with baited breath. 

Did you get the fuse out yet?

My new tool arrives today.

ChanW

Cool. I'll be interested to know what you see inside that space. ie: is it actually the inside of the converter, or is there a protective case on there... (you see, I dropped a fuse in there too - and it's still in there) 

jkjenn

ChanW said:

Cool. I'll be interested to know what you see inside that space. ie: is it actually the inside of the converter, or is there a protective case on there... (you see, I dropped a fuse in there too - and it's still in there) 

Aha!, well, if the software allows, I will post a video for you. It must be close and I just can't see it. There isn't enough room to get a regular  mirror or cell phone in there. If this doesn't work, it might have to be one of those dental type mirrors!

Photomom

Maybe you could attach a straw or similar to your vacuum cleaner hose with duct tape, and suck it out. 

jkjenn

Well, the endoscopy works great. Getting it out was not so great. I can see it with the probe, but getting it out is going to be virtually impossible.  Maybe if try, again after my next trip it will have moved to a more convenient spot.  It isn't as simple as it sliding around on the lfoor of the converter due to the wiring inside.

Nomad

Have you tried blowing compressed air to see if it will move?

jkjenn

PXLated said:

Have you tried blowing compressed air to see if it will move?

Because it is back in corner, with things on both sides, I would need a vacuum. No vacuum would fit into there, except perhaps a dental vacuum. But, my finger can almost reach, I wonder if I could manage tweezers?

Nomad

Have you tried one of those telescoping, articulating magnetic thingies?

ChanW

We have an attachment for a standard vacuum that's designed for sucking out computers etc. The tubes are about a half inch outside diameter...

Tabaz

Hmmm. If it won't move when being blasted by compressed air, can't be felt with a probe, can't be sucked out with a vacuum, and can't be seen with a remote camera, perhaps it won't bother the converter. Just a thought.

jkjenn

PXLated said:

Have you tried one of those telescoping, articulating magnetic thingies?

I actually did... that's when I discovered the fuses are not magnetic.

Nomad

Hmmmmm - Wouldn't have expected that.

irvingj

"fuses are not magnetic"  The metal pieces in fuses are generally  brass, not magnetic.

JandJ92010

How about a piece of doubled over duct tape on the end of a coat hanger wire?

jkjenn

I have been out of town but will get back onto this over the next week. Perhaps tweezers will work.

ChanW said:

We have an attachment for a standard vacuum that's designed for sucking out computers etc. The tubes are about a half inch outside diameter...

Still looking for one that would fit.

Bobbo said:

Would a hemostat work? Here is a link to both a straight and curved pair for about $8.

Very useful tool for lots of things.

(I am in a medical field.)

Possibly. Good thought.

JandJ92010 said:

How about a piece of doubled over duct tape on the end of a coat hanger wire?

I have been trying that with a telescoping back scratcher (really a handy tool) but the tape won't pick it up.

Photomom

Did you try grafting a straw or other thin tube to your vacuum with duct tape and sucking it out? There MUST be a way to use duct tape for this. 

jkjenn

Photomom said:

Did you try grafting a straw or other thin tube to your vacuum with duct tape and sucking it out? There MUST be a way to use duct tape for this. 

That is an excellent idea. I have a Dyson, so it should have enough power. A straw is brilliant.