Oops, there it goes! Rogue fuse in the converter

jkjenn
jkjenn Member Posts: 6,423
in Battery/Electrical & Solar
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?

2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

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Comments

  • Photomom
    Photomom Member Posts: 2,217
    Maybe one of these things? http://www.amazon.com/X-Long-Flex-Cable-Pick-Up-4-Finger-Retriever/dp/B006ZEOXJY
    John and Henrietta, Late 2016 T@B S Max in Western New York
  • Verna
    Verna Member Posts: 6,876
    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. 
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
  • Tabaz
    Tabaz Member Posts: 2,420
    Maybe use one of those cans of compressed air (to clean computer keyboards) to move the fuse to a spot you can see it?
    2016 Outback 320
    2024 Ford F150 Supercrew short bed.
  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Member Posts: 6,423
    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



    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

  • Verna
    Verna Member Posts: 6,876
    Jenn, I've never looked inside a converter. Please be careful of the possible presense of a capacitor. 
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
  • Photomom
    Photomom Member Posts: 2,217
    Ugh, the Amazon listing says it is an "endoscope." Careful you don't get a used and returned one. 
    John and Henrietta, Late 2016 T@B S Max in Western New York
  • ChanW
    ChanW Member Posts: 3,165
    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. 

    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
  • Nomad
    Nomad Member Posts: 7,209
    edited February 2016
    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
    jkjenn Member Posts: 6,423
    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.

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

  • Nomad
    Nomad Member Posts: 7,209
    Of course you did :-)
  • DougandMia
    DougandMia Member Posts: 73
    Jenn: endoscopy?
      Mia   Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.  2015 T@B U, formerly 2012 LG 5-Wide Platform
  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Member Posts: 6,423
    The irony? I had a really bad experience with an endoscopy when I was young.

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

  • ChanW
    ChanW Member Posts: 3,165
    Jenn, we're waiting with baited breath. 

    Did you get the fuse out yet?
    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Member Posts: 6,423
    ChanW said:
    Jenn, we're waiting with baited breath. 

    Did you get the fuse out yet?

    My new tool arrives today. :)

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

  • ChanW
    ChanW Member Posts: 3,165
    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)  :s
    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Member Posts: 6,423
    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)  :s

    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!

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

  • Photomom
    Photomom Member Posts: 2,217
    Maybe you could attach a straw or similar to your vacuum cleaner hose with duct tape, and suck it out. 
    John and Henrietta, Late 2016 T@B S Max in Western New York
  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Member Posts: 6,423
    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.

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

  • Nomad
    Nomad Member Posts: 7,209
    Have you tried blowing compressed air to see if it will move?
  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Member Posts: 6,423
    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?

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

  • Nomad
    Nomad Member Posts: 7,209
    Have you tried one of those telescoping, articulating magnetic thingies?
  • ChanW
    ChanW Member Posts: 3,165
    edited February 2016
    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...
    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
  • Tabaz
    Tabaz Member Posts: 2,420
    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.
    2016 Outback 320
    2024 Ford F150 Supercrew short bed.
  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Member Posts: 6,423
    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.

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

  • Nomad
    Nomad Member Posts: 7,209
    Hmmmmm - Wouldn't have expected that.
  • irvingj
    irvingj Member Posts: 335
    "fuses are not magnetic"  The metal pieces in fuses are generally  brass, not magnetic.
  • JandJ92010
    JandJ92010 Member Posts: 304
    How about a piece of doubled over duct tape on the end of a coat hanger wire?
    The HobbiT@B, 2015-L, towed by a2014 RAM C/V
  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Member Posts: 6,423
    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.


    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

  • Photomom
    Photomom Member Posts: 2,217
    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. 
    John and Henrietta, Late 2016 T@B S Max in Western New York
  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Member Posts: 6,423
    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.

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

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