On Sun, 30 May 2010 22:20:59 -0600, cjt
wrote:

wrote:
On Sun, 30 May 2010 15:27:12 -0400, "Existential Angst"
wrote:

snip

I just don't know offhand what they're called -- signal tracers, wire
tracers, mebbe.

OK. I'll look for one at HD or Lowe's.

snip

Sometimes they're called "fox and hounds" -- you hook up the fox and
then use the hound to follow the wires; I think they're about 40 bucks
at Lowe's.
I purchased one at Lowe's for $40. Sperry brand - ET4220L "LAN
tracker". It is a strange combination of really well thought out and
poorly implemented. The supplied batteries were leaking in the
package and the plastic parts don't fit well, but it works. You
attach clip leads (or an RJ 11 or RJ 45 or coax connector) to the
known end of the wire and then use the separate receiver to find the
warbling signal. While I haven't found the transformer yet, I have a
strong clue. As suggested by someone else, it may be in the space
just above the cabinets. In this case, that places it in the attic
above the kitchen. I definitely hear the signal up high on the wall.
I can't bring myself to climb up there today since it is hot and
dirty, but the next time I get the urge, I will see what I can find.

To those who suggested replacing the lights with florescents, it would
be just as difficult to install a new circuit as it is to find and
repair this one. I am normally a person who uses energy saving ideas,
but in this case, the fixtures have been used for no more than one
hour total in the past six years since they were installed. It took
us months to notice they didn't work. So, there is no energy savings
to be had. I just hate to have them installed but non-operational.



Pat