AC outlet replacement advice?

Erik Tracy
Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
edited October 2010 in The Clubhouse
So, I'm going to install an MIT AC filter outlet where my sub is connected.

The existing ac duplex outlet does not have any screws where the hot and neutral wires are connected. Instead they seem to be 'press in' fixtures, but I can't figure out if there is a 'release' or if I just have to cut the wires.

Any advice?

Thanks!

H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited October 2010
    If wiring is long enough I find it easier to cut at outlet, and start over. If not there's usually a small slot which a small flat headed screw driver can be inserted, insert there and pull wire out.

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  • Zeros
    Zeros Posts: 940
    edited October 2010
    Are there any screws on the side at all? If so, unscrew these to release the wire if it is connected via backstab. You can also just cut the wires if that is easier.
    My Basement / Home Theater Room
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited October 2010
    disneyjoe7 wrote: »
    If wiring is long enough I find it easier to cut at outlet, and start over. If not there's usually a small slot which a small flat headed screw driver can be inserted, insert there and pull wire out.

    Got it!

    Each outlet has 2 holes for the hot and neutral and a corresponding 'slot' above it. I had to find a small slot headed screwdriver to push into the slot to release the wire.

    Thanks

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • fishbones
    fishbones Posts: 947
    edited October 2010
    Copper will oxidize over time, so depending on the age of the wire, you might be better off cutting it and putting a fresh end (non oxidized) on it - as long as your wires are long enough.
    ..... ><////(*>
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited October 2010
    fishbones wrote: »
    Copper will oxidize over time, so depending on the age of the wire, you might be better off cutting it and putting a fresh end (non oxidized) on it - as long as your wires are long enough.

    Copper was nice and shiney.


    BUT - totally bummed!!

    The MIT Z outlet has their filter 'do-hickey' attached to the back of the outlet and the bottom of it won't clear my in-wall outlet box! :(

    My in-wall outlet box has the captive holes which are 'ribbed' all the way from the front of the box to the back of the box. They protrude into the box space like a half-cylinder and this prevents the MIT outlet from going in.

    Dang....this will be going up on the classifieds...:mad::(

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 18,996
    edited October 2010
    Erik, there are things you can do to make this an easy install. Are you still willing to give it a whirl?

    You got a drill?
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited October 2010
    treitz3 wrote: »
    Erik, there are things you can do to make this an easy install. Are you still willing to give it a whirl?

    You got a drill?

    Yes - got a drill.

    What kind of mod do you have in mind?

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • drselect
    drselect Posts: 664
    edited October 2010
    Would it be possible for you to replace the outlet box? Are they plastic or metal with condute. I have replaced several of my plastic outlet boxes with deeper boxes that are designed for remodel jobs. I pulled the old box out being careful not to damage the drywall and put the new ones in. You should be able to find them at Home Depot or Lowes.
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited October 2010
    drselect wrote: »
    Would it be possible for you to replace the outlet box? Are they plastic or metal with condute. I have replaced several of my plastic outlet boxes with deeper boxes that are designed for remodel jobs. I pulled the old box out being careful not to damage the drywall and put the new ones in. You should be able to find them at Home Depot or Lowes.

    It's a blue plastic outlet box.

    I suppose I could take the MIT outlet with me to see if there is a diff style of box with the right internal clearances for the outlet to fit.

    It's the AC filter do-hickey on the back that sticks down below the back of the outlet itself that makes this the problem. If it had been designed to totally 'hide' behind the outlet this would have been done and done.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • Earthy
    Earthy Posts: 488
    edited October 2010
    If your careful, you can replace the box with a deeper one. Just be prepared for some drywall dust cleanup.
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    Onkyo TX-NR808



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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 18,996
    edited October 2010
    Well, if it were me, I would just remove the box and replace it with a deeper one and call it a day. That said, depending on the tools you have and finish on the drywall, that may not be an option you want to entertain.

    If it becomes too difficult to remove the box and replace, I would just drill the outline of a square big enough to let the filter fit through and punch it out softly [so you don't damage the wall on the other side] with an object about the same size as the square and a hammer.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • drselect
    drselect Posts: 664
    edited October 2010
    If you got store nearby it might be worth a trip. It sounds like you are describing that the AC filter is not designed to fit in any box. A picture would help.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 18,996
    edited October 2010
    MITZDUP.jpg
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited October 2010
    Its not that the box isn't deep enough, it's not 'tall' enough because the inside of the box at the top and the bottom have a 'rib' running front to back that is the hole for the duplex screws to go into. Each rib is about 3/16" in height.

    And the MIT filter does not hide behind the outlet and its 'bottom' is below that of the outlet and it 'hits' the bottom rib inside the outlet box.

    I suppose I could chisel the bottom rib back far enough but then the bottom screw of the outlet would not fasten to anything.

    Or - get a filter gizmo that plugs to the outlet - less fuss, but then I would not be doing the 'manly' DIY thing. :D:p

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 18,996
    edited October 2010
    Oh dear. You would think MIT would make an outlet that fits. I would, at this point, take the outlet up to HD or Lowe's and literally see if they have one it will slide into. Screw the screws in all of the way at the store so that you know there are no surprises when you get back home. Make sure you get a retrofit outlet box and not a framing outlet box.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited October 2010
    Pic:


    As you can see, the 'bottom' of the filter is below the outlet and this is what hit's the inside 'rib' of the outlet box

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • Earthy
    Earthy Posts: 488
    edited October 2010
    Take that down to Lowes or HD and look at retrofit boxes. I'll bet you find one that will work. I agree it's a hassle, but if your determined.....

    Man, now that you posted that picture, I see what your up against. Dremmel time.
    Polk Audio SDA SRS 2.3TL
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    Polk LSiM 707, 706c, 703, 705
    Polk Blackstone TL3 for height
    SVS PB12-ISD Sub
    Denon AVR-X6400h
    Parasound Halo A51
    LG OLED65B7A
    Sony UBPX800
    Logitech Harmony Elite
    PC LSiM 703
    Spare LSIM 702 and 706c

    Home Theater #2
    Polk Audio LS70, CS350LS, LSF/X, S4
    Onkyo TX-NR808



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  • drselect
    drselect Posts: 664
    edited October 2010
    Erik Tracy wrote: »
    Pic:


    As you can see, the 'bottom of the filter is below the outlet and this is what 'hit's the inside 'rib' of the outlet box

    I think I have seen boxes that don't have the rib that goes all the way across they are just up front and about a 1/4 deep so the bottom of the filter could sit in behind it. If you cant find one then the dremel might be the next best option.
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  • DaveHo
    DaveHo Posts: 3,500
    edited October 2010
    I've done lots of electrical work in my day. There is no single gang box which that outlet will fit in. You will need to replace the box with one designed to hold a single gang mud ring. In other words, you're gonna need to do some drywall work if you want to do it right.

    Give me a few minutes & I'll did up some pics of what you need.

    -Dave
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited October 2010
    DaveHo wrote: »
    I've done lots of electrical work in my day. There is no single gang box which that outlet will fit in. You will need to replace the box with one designed to hold a single gang mud ring. In other words, you're gonna need to do some drywall work if you want to do it right.

    Give me a few minutes & I'll did up some pics of what you need.

    -Dave

    Ah....I think I'll call MIT and see if they have a different filter that is smaller.

    Else, it's up for sale in the Flea Market.

    Too much trouble.....

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited October 2010
    Just grind the rib down starting at 1/2" from the front of the box, back to the back. If you need to take a little more off, do so, until you can angle the filter over the rib. The screw will still have enough bite to hold it in, provided you're not changing plugs a lot.
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,773
    edited October 2010
    Have you sent a pic to MIT? It looks like that may have been manufactured wrong. If that were normal, seems they would get a ton of returns.
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited October 2010
    WilliamM2 wrote: »
    Have you sent a pic to MIT? It looks like that may have been manufactured wrong. If that were normal, seems they would get a ton of returns.

    I've called them...waiting for a return call.

    I'm in a cranky mood today -sick and staying home from work - purging all the stuff I can't get to work.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • avguytx
    avguytx Posts: 1,628
    edited October 2010
    I'd just cut a section of the box out and shorten the screw if need be to make it fit. It is rather stupid that they make an outlet that won't fit into a standardized box, though.
    Richard? Who's your favorite Little Rascal? Alfalfa? Or is it........................Spanky?.................................Sinner.
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited October 2010
    It would work in an old-style metal box, where the screw only has a little metal tab to turn into. I don't know how long the plastic "new work" boxes have been around.
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 18,996
    edited October 2010
    WTH? That won't fit any box I've ever seen. Could it be possible that you can remove and reinstall the filter correctly? Just look at the two pic's above and you'll see what I'm talking about.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited October 2010
    I bet that filter is plug into the wrong slots. You may need to do the small screwdriver thing and plug in it in the other slots.

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited October 2010
    disneyjoe7 wrote: »
    I bet that filter is plug into the wrong slots. You may need to do the small screwdriver thing and plug in it in the other slots.

    Yup. I called MIT and sent them the picture. The filter unit on the back was installed wrong.

    I've moved it up to the next set of terminals - gonna try again tomorrow (gotta go to my son's football game now).

    Thanks!

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited October 2010
    Got the outlet installed - finally.

    With MIT's ok, I unscrewed the filter from the back of the outlet, moved it up to the next set of terminals, then got it wired into my outlet box.

    Still a very tight fit - but it works and I didn't blow up my breaker box! :D

    Is it time for a beer? :p

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • fishbones
    fishbones Posts: 947
    edited October 2010
    Congrats!

    Love to know your thoughts on it after some burn-in time...
    ..... ><////(*>
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