Appreciation post: That old security guy who set me straight about panel placement

Had a conversation with this retiree who used to install for ADT back in the 80s. He stopped by my job site last Tuesday while I was mounting a panel in a closet. He said "son, you put that thing where grandma keeps her winter coats and you'll be back here every time the battery beeps." I kinda brushed it off at first. But then I thought about it later that night. He was right, I was being lazy and putting it in a spot that looked clean but was a pain to service. Now I always think about access before aesthetics. Has anyone else had an old timer drop some simple wisdom that actually stuck with you?

2 comments

2 Comments

taylor3051mo ago

Man, old timers always have the best stories. I had a similar thing with a retired electrician who saw me running wires in my house. Told me "leave yourself a pull string, kid. You think you're done but you won't be." I thought I was hot stuff, didn't listen. Went back six months later to add a new outlet and had to tear out drywall. Never again. That old guy saved me a ton of grief after that. Now every time I run a wire I leave two pull strings. Crazy how something so simple sticks with you.

the_charles1mo ago

Learned that one the hard way too. Now I leave three, just in case.