Oops, there it goes! Rogue fuse in the converter

jkjenn · February 2016

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 · February 2016

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

Verna · February 2016

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 · February 2016

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 · February 2016

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 · February 2016

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

Photomom · February 2016

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

ChanW · February 2016

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 · 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 · February 2016

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 · February 2016

Of course you did :-)

DougandMia · February 2016

Jenn: endoscopy?

jkjenn · February 2016

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

ChanW · February 2016

Jenn, we're waiting with baited breath.

Did you get the fuse out yet?

jkjenn · February 2016

ChanW said:

Jenn, we're waiting with baited breath.

Did you get the fuse out yet?

My new tool arrives today.

ChanW · February 2016

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 · February 2016

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 · February 2016

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

jkjenn · February 2016

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 · February 2016

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

jkjenn · February 2016

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 · February 2016

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

ChanW · 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...

Tabaz · February 2016

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 · February 2016

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 · February 2016

Hmmmmm - Wouldn't have expected that.

irvingj · March 2016

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

JandJ92010 · March 2016

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

jkjenn · March 2016

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 · March 2016

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 · March 2016

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.

Oops, there it goes! Rogue fuse in the converter

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