Electronic spider repeller not working

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • mrs sumner
    New Member
    • Sep 2009
    • 8

    #1

    Electronic spider repeller not working

    Hi all. I'm in need of some help...

    OK - this probably sounds a bit odd, but I bought an electronic spider repeller to try to keep the nasty things out of my house. It's supposed to work by emitting ultrasonic waves and also sends electromagnetic fields down the house wiring, apparently. It worked for about three days (well, the lights came on and it ran for three days - whether it actually worked or not is another matter!), then I noticed that it had failed. None of the indicating lights were on at the front of it, and no test sound was emitted when the "test" button was pressed. It plugs directly into the socket in the wall, so I tried another socket - still nothing.

    So I've pulled it apart. I have a multimeter and have checked the connection of the pcb to the plug connectors, and this is fine. There is a fuse on the board and this also is ok. So, from here, where do I start looking/testing?
  • Wizard
    Badcaps Legend
    • Mar 2008
    • 2296

    #2
    Re: Electronic spider repeller not working

    BUNK.

    Spiders doesn't have ears. They feel vibrations.

    Cheers, Wizard

    Comment

    • kc8adu
      Super Moderator
      • Nov 2003
      • 8832
      • U.S.A!

      #3
      Re: Electronic spider repeller not working

      post a pic of the worthless thing.
      it is likely a simple fix.
      ps to get rid of the spiders get rid of their food.this means other bugs in your home.
      no food=no spiders.

      Comment

      • Krankshaft
        Badcaps Legend
        • Jan 2007
        • 2328
        • USA

        #4
        Re: Electronic spider repeller not working

        It's not that Rid X pest remover from TV is it?

        Just more infomercial crap.
        Elements of the past and the future combining to make something not quite as good as either.

        Comment

        • mrs sumner
          New Member
          • Sep 2009
          • 8

          #5
          Re: Electronic spider repeller not working

          Ok - I will post some pics. I'm at work at the moment so will be back with them tomorrow.

          As for it being BUNK, well, that's as maybe, but for 20 quid, as long as I sleep a little easier at night, it's worth it

          And yes, my house is crawling with bugs, but I've only just bought it and am in the process of sorting it out. It was empty for four years before I moved in...

          Comment

          • Toasty
            Badcaps Legend
            • Jul 2007
            • 4171

            #6
            Re: Electronic spider repeller not working

            >>And yes, my house is crawling with bugs, but I've only just bought it and am in the process of sorting it out.<<

            Tent it. Gas it. Ask any exterminator.

            Those electronic devices are bunk/junk/crap/whatever. If they *really* worked, the insect control people would be out of business.

            They've been marketing them in one form or another for near 30 years. They didn't work then, they still don't. Consumer Reports reported on them years ago saying they were useless. Recent TV Consumer investigators also found the same thing. No change in bugs. It's a *Jedi mind trick*. You are led to believe it will work so when there are fewer bugs one day you say "see, it's working". Only to infested with them the next day.

            P.T. Barnum was right.

            Sorry

            Toast
            veritas odium parit

            Comment

            • kc8adu
              Super Moderator
              • Nov 2003
              • 8832
              • U.S.A!

              #7
              Re: Electronic spider repeller not working

              i remember seeing one of those bug repellers that was full of roaches.
              seems it stayed warm and they liked the heat.so much for it working!

              Comment

              • mrs sumner
                New Member
                • Sep 2009
                • 8

                #8
                Re: Electronic spider repeller not working

                Well, here are the photos anyway (hope it works!).

                Do you think it could be a diode problem? The four diodes (presumably AC/DC rectification) near the power leads show resistance in both directions, when I'm testing with my multimeter on the diode symbol. Is this correct? I thought they were supposed to pass current in one direction only, so would show next to nothing resistance in one direction and infinite in the other?
                Attached Files

                Comment

                • kc8adu
                  Super Moderator
                  • Nov 2003
                  • 8832
                  • U.S.A!

                  #9
                  Re: Electronic spider repeller not working

                  looks like it uses that big red cap as a "ballast" and the diodes to rectify.
                  are they zero in both directions?
                  also look for a shorted zener that would be used as a regulator.

                  Comment

                  • mrs sumner
                    New Member
                    • Sep 2009
                    • 8

                    #10
                    Re: Electronic spider repeller not working

                    Originally posted by kc8adu
                    looks like it uses that big red cap as a "ballast" and the diodes to rectify.
                    are they zero in both directions?
                    also look for a shorted zener that would be used as a regulator.
                    Is it likely to be the big red cap, and how would I test it?

                    No, the diodes were giving a reading of something like 600, or maybe 0.6 in BOTH directions on the diode setting on the digital multimeter. But this was measured with them in place on the PCB. I'm going to remove one leg each off the board and try again...

                    Comment

                    • kc8adu
                      Super Moderator
                      • Nov 2003
                      • 8832
                      • U.S.A!

                      #11
                      Re: Electronic spider repeller not working

                      no the big cap is probably ok.
                      is the fuse blown?
                      i would look for a shorted zener.

                      Comment

                      • mrs sumner
                        New Member
                        • Sep 2009
                        • 8

                        #12
                        Re: Electronic spider repeller not working

                        The fuse looks ok, and there's no resistance testing it end to end on the board.

                        Are zeners always a browny orange colour (like the ones I've boxed in green)? I would say there's three or four of them on the PCB. Then there are the black diodes I've boxed in yellow. They are not zeners are they?

                        Thanks for all your help, by the way.
                        Attached Files

                        Comment

                        • Krankshaft
                          Badcaps Legend
                          • Jan 2007
                          • 2328
                          • USA

                          #13
                          Re: Electronic spider repeller not working

                          Through hole zeners are almost always in glass bodies and orange.

                          Unlikely the bridge rectifier blew then it would have blown the fuse.

                          To test diodes set the meter to diode check don't use the resistance function. Reading in only one direction around 0.700 for GP diodes is fine.
                          Elements of the past and the future combining to make something not quite as good as either.

                          Comment

                          • ratdude747
                            Black Sheep
                            • Nov 2008
                            • 17136
                            • USA

                            #14
                            Re: Electronic spider repeller not working

                            forget it. its a waste of power and time. get an exterminator or home bait kits and go from there.

                            besides, spiders keep the bugs down. they are your friend.
                            sigpic

                            (Insert witty quote here)

                            Comment

                            • Topcat
                              The Boss Stooge
                              • Oct 2003
                              • 16955
                              • United States

                              #15
                              Re: Electronic spider repeller not working

                              Originally posted by ratdude747
                              besides, spiders keep the bugs down. they are your friend.
                              Tell that to the people who have been permanently scarred and disfigured from brown recluse bites....
                              <--- Badcaps.net Founder

                              Badcaps.net Services:

                              Motherboard Repair Services

                              ----------------------------------------------
                              Badcaps.net Forum Members Folding Team
                              http://folding.stanford.edu/
                              Team : 49813
                              Join in!!
                              Team Stats

                              Comment

                              • momaka
                                master hoarder
                                • May 2008
                                • 12164
                                • Bulgaria

                                #16
                                Re: Electronic spider repeller not working

                                Originally posted by Topcat
                                Tell that to the people who have been permanently scarred and disfigured from brown recluse bites....
                                I doubt those bites are from spiders. More like bed bugs or something else like that.

                                I have one small spider in my room and I never kill it or remove its web. It tends to catch a lot of gnats and other small bugs. Occasionally I clean up the dead bodies that it accumulates .
                                There's also one spider in the basement that caught a mid-sized centipede - and those just look nasty. Of course if it's one of those spiders with big, hairy and round bodies, I won't keep it either (I still don't kill it though).

                                Worst bugs are roaches. If you have those don't count on some electronic gimmick-of-a-gizmo to get rid of them. Call an exterminator immediately. Same goes for termites.

                                Comment

                                • ratdude747
                                  Black Sheep
                                  • Nov 2008
                                  • 17136
                                  • USA

                                  #17
                                  Re: Electronic spider repeller not working

                                  yeah... i meant orb spiders and such. not black widows or b.r.'s. but the box is snake oil, so not worth fixing.
                                  sigpic

                                  (Insert witty quote here)

                                  Comment

                                  • Topcat
                                    The Boss Stooge
                                    • Oct 2003
                                    • 16955
                                    • United States

                                    #18
                                    Re: Electronic spider repeller not working

                                    Originally posted by momaka
                                    I doubt those bites are from spiders. More like bed bugs or something else like that.
                                    HUH?!? Umm, google the effects of a brown recluse bite and its venom, its not pretty. They're kinda like wasps in the sense that it doesn't affect everyone the same, and not everyone is allergic to them. Some people, it won't harm....while others have severe reactions.....which include severe muscle deterioration (rotting) around the site of the bite and illness. I don't know about Virginia, but brown recluses are very common around here.

                                    Roaches are one of the most destructive household insect, second only to termites. Roaches are also just plain gross. The stink, shit all over your food and food preparation areas, and will ruin anything they touch (especially electronics). No electronic dohickey will rid your home of them, definitely call an exterminator for any insect infestation regardless of what it is.
                                    <--- Badcaps.net Founder

                                    Badcaps.net Services:

                                    Motherboard Repair Services

                                    ----------------------------------------------
                                    Badcaps.net Forum Members Folding Team
                                    http://folding.stanford.edu/
                                    Team : 49813
                                    Join in!!
                                    Team Stats

                                    Comment

                                    • kc8adu
                                      Super Moderator
                                      • Nov 2003
                                      • 8832
                                      • U.S.A!

                                      #19
                                      Re: Electronic spider repeller not working

                                      for anyone who doubts the danger of the brown recluse just do a google search for brown recluse bite.
                                      click on images at the top then turn safesearch off.weak stomachs need not apply!
                                      as for the spider repeller box we all know its a fraud.the o.p came here to troubleshoot it.we will try to help.

                                      Comment

                                      • Krankshaft
                                        Badcaps Legend
                                        • Jan 2007
                                        • 2328
                                        • USA

                                        #20
                                        Re: Electronic spider repeller not working

                                        Brown recluse bites are rare as they are not outwardly aggressive most bites occur when it's inside clothes or bedding (pressed against the skin) and necrosis (whats shown in those pics) is even less likely only around 10% of all bites become necrotic. Most peoples reactions to the bites are minor.

                                        But damn it's suprising what damage that little thing can do given the right circumstances. Incidentally I watch too many zombie movies so I'm desensitized to the pics.

                                        Back on topic I see they scratched the part numbers off the ICs I guess they don't want the competition stealing their snake oil .

                                        That aside if you have any more circuit questions post back.
                                        Last edited by Krankshaft; 09-06-2009, 08:37 AM.
                                        Elements of the past and the future combining to make something not quite as good as either.

                                        Comment

                                        Related Topics

                                        Collapse

                                        • MMH3
                                          Dell Optiplex 5050 SFF - strange behavior and service_mode jumper not working anymore
                                          by MMH3
                                          Hello,

                                          i have many 5050sff. all of them, and how i experienced over many years for all about 250 DELLs goin through my hands, are fully flashable and can be serviced in any way when the service_mode jumper is set.
                                          Never ever i experienced problems with that.

                                          Now i have one 5050sff machine, where this jumper isnt working at all.
                                          I do not get the normal messge that the jumper is set when booting and a short test with FPT just confirms this. Everything is locked -->> EVEN for reading !?

                                          The history of the machine is that i used it in my office...
                                          03-23-2025, 09:28 PM
                                        • DynaxSC
                                          GIGABYTE X299 AORUS ULTRA GAMING - SATA PORTS 4-7 NOT WORKING ???
                                          by DynaxSC
                                          Hi,

                                          I have the above mentioned bord after repair, which was related to a lot of missing smd devices on the back of the board.
                                          There were almost 20 devices missing, caps, resistors and some diodes/mosfets.
                                          The board is generally working now, all PCIe ports are working, Windows installs normally.

                                          However I have a problem with SATA ports 4-7 (the board has 8 SATA ports) - disks are not beeing recognized by the BIOS neither by Windows (which is usually normal in case BIOS does not recognize them).
                                          The SATA 4-7 driver network is quite simple chipset<->buffers/drivers<->SATA...
                                          03-10-2025, 12:27 PM
                                        • obelix24
                                          Macbook Air 2020 (a2179) - touch id not working
                                          by obelix24
                                          Hi i have one Macbook Air 2020 where touch ID is not working (it's not scanning fingerprints). Touch ID was working before, there is no error message during scanning fingerprint it's just not scanning on screen you can see only fingerprint but there are no red updates as when it's working. Power button is working fine.

                                          I've checked boardview and also schematics but i'm not able to find anything related to TouchID ... i have similar issue on a2338 where there was problem with PP3V0_TOUCHID​ and after replacing UT610 it was working but here i'm not able to find anything related to...
                                          02-09-2025, 12:57 PM
                                        • hopkok
                                          Lenovo Legion 16ITHg6 NM-D721, keyboard not working, LEDs too
                                          by hopkok
                                          Hi masters, I need your help.

                                          I am working on Lenovo Legion 16ITHg6
                                          Motherboard number NM-D721, no BV, no schematic but I am attaching very closes ones.

                                          INPORTANT: My motherboard version is with IT8258 IC, that is controlling keyboard and RGB LEDs.

                                          My problem is on UI142, +3VALW_AG is not stable, floating from 0V to 3,3V.
                                          AGKB_PWR_EN_N signal is floating too (that is why+3VALW_AG not stable).
                                          Power LED is not working as well, power button working well.
                                          UI26 ??? is there any firmware too? Powered by +3VALW_AG.

                                          Motherboard...
                                          05-04-2025, 09:35 AM
                                        • bociub
                                          laptop freezes, usb 2.0 not working, usb 3.0 working
                                          by bociub
                                          Hi there,

                                          It is sunday and I got a faulty hp pavilion 15-cs1006na. No available schematics on the entire world. It flashed 5 long 4 short and no post then I discovered the usb 2.0 2. pin in one of the usb-a socket bent backwards and been shorted to 2. and 3. pin of the 3.0. after removing this short in the port the laptop came alive.

                                          Now the laptop freezing randomly. The webcam, the built in mic and according to the device manager one more thing not working which are connected to usb. If I connect anything what have usb 2.0 plug that wont work if i plug anything what...
                                          08-25-2024, 03:44 PM
                                        • Loading...
                                        • No more items.
                                        Working...