Some people think electric bug zappers do a great job of keeping insects from raining on your party, but others think they kill too many valuable bugs. If you trust your bug zapper and want it fixed before the winged beasts congregate near your patio, here are a few things to try. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Unplug the electric bug zapper.
2. Remove the bug catcher tray at the bottom. Don't spill the contents all over the place.
3. Remove the screws along the body. Depending on the make and model, there are between four and six screws. These screws may be difficult to remove because manufacturers prefer that you purchase a new unit. Replace the original screws with easier-to-use ones.
4. Remove the bug zapper's top cap to reveal the electrical components.
5. Look for wires. Take your screwdriver and place the tip across the capacitor terminals. Make sure your hand touches only the insulated part of the screwdriver. This releases any residual charge within the capacitor. There may be a small spark, so be careful.
6. Vacuum the remaining debris within the bug zapper.
7. Look for the small circuit board. On or near it is the starter, which is a small tube of clear or silver-colored glass. Cut the starter's wire leads as close to the bulb as possible. Throw the starter away and bend the cut wires out from the circuit board. Use wire strippers to remove about one-quarter inch of insulation from each lead.
8. Connect the new electronic starter to the two leads using the barney clips. It doesn't matter which terminal gets connected to which lead because starters are non-polarized.
9. Step away from the unit and plug it in. The zapper should illuminate.
10. Unplug the zapper and discharge the capacitor again. Remove the barney clips and carefully solder the new starter to the wire leads.
11. Reassemble the bug zapper.
Tags: barney clips, circuit board, starter wire, starter wire leads, wire leads