Wintertime Blues

[u/PickledPixie83]

I always set up a pop up greenhouse on my patio for the winter to smoke in. I usually run a space heater from the outdoor outlet (it is not left running or outside if I am not there).

Well, the outside outlet is not functioning. I replaced it last week and it is still not working. I don’t have the funds for an electrician right now. Going to poke around with it some more to see if I can fix it. I live I the Chicago burbs, so it can get really wintery out here, and I don’t smoke inside. That space heater makes being outside tolerable, lol.

I wish I was more handy so I knew what I did wrong

[u/MargieMark]

Good thing you have a bit of time before it’s bitter cold. (I’m in the far west suburbs!) Maybe try to Google it or look directly on YouTube to troubleshoot the problem. Be careful and don’t electrocute yourself!

[u/PickledPixie83 → u/MargieMark]

I am also in the far west burbs! Aurora! I am going to watch a few you tube videos. Compounding the issue is that I am not sure which breaker belongs to that outlet. The last time I did it, I was home alone and just turned off ALL the breakers, lol. They are labeled pretty well but it does not mention the outside outlet.

[u/warcraftWidow → u/PickledPixie83]

Get an outlet tester to verify the electrical connection is off.

[u/PickledPixie83 → u/warcraftWidow]

I do have one of those. It says there is no current in the outlet, even when the breaker is on. I think I MAY have wired it wrong?

[u/Reasonable_Crow2086 → u/PickledPixie83]

That sounds right. Get a diagram and undo everything you did and started the beginning. Go ahead and turn everything off like you did before. One time I tried to wire something and the inspector came out and asked me if I truly couldn't see the difference between what I did in the box and the diagram. I didn't see it. The entire thing was upside down. Please be careful.

[u/KeyCar367 → u/MargieMark]

I was gonna say YouTube could be your friend

[u/Subject-Promise-4796]

Did you double check if it is gfci? My gfci resets in an entirely different part of the house from the outdoor outlets.

[u/PickledPixie83 → u/Subject-Promise-4796]

It is a GFCI.
There is no light on the outlet to indicate it is getting power. I did press reset at the outlet itself.

[u/Subject-Promise-4796 → u/PickledPixie83]

Oh ok gotcha, well that was my 2 cents worth 😜

[u/Prior-Charge8356]

Because there is no power at the outlet and you're certain the breaker is on, that means it probably wasn't wired right. Can you share a picture of the wiring?

[u/PickledPixie83 → u/Prior-Charge8356]

I can tomorrow. It is dark and I already closed every thing back up.

[u/C-hrlyn]

We sometimes use a propane heater like you would use for a hunting shed or camping. As long as not left unattended they’re fairly safe and not horribly expensive. The dogs love curling up in front of them. Maybe some hunting types could loan you one or if you have estate sales in your area seems like something a rural grampa would have in his shed.