Help me NOT burn down my church…

Will D

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Indianapolis, IN
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Will Doublestein
I take care of the floors at my church and am realizing that my high speed buffer is melting outlets… Probably not a good thing…

It’s got a super thick 14/3 cord on it, is that not enough? What should I replace it with?

Thanks!

IMG_5090-compressed.jpeg IMG_5088-compressed.jpeg IMG_5089-compressed.jpeg
 

Mikey P

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The outlet in the image appears to be overheating due to a few potential issues:
  • Loose wiring or connections: Over time, the wires connected to the outlet can become loose, leading to increased resistance and heat generation.

  • Overloaded circuit: Plugging too many devices into the same circuit can cause it to overload, leading to overheating.

  • Faulty outlet: The outlet itself could be damaged or faulty, causing it to overheat.

  • Oxidized plug blades: Dark and oxidized plug blades can create resistance and heat.

  • Improperly inserted plug: If the plug is not fully inserted into the socket, it can cause arcing and overheating.
It's crucial to address this issue promptly to prevent a potential fire hazard. It's recommended to have a qualified electrician inspect and repair or replace the outlet. Additionally, consider using a power strip with a built-in interrupter to avoid overloading the circuit.
 

Will D

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Is there more than one outlet showing signs of over heating?

Yes this is the second outlet it’s happened to, which is why I figured it must be the machine. Never used to have this problem. The church is only five years old- I wonder if it’s the plug blades. I'll try swapping out the plug, though the outer insulation on the cord has ripped in a couple places so I should probably just replace the whole thing.
 

Mikey P

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Yes this is the second outlet it’s happened to, which is why I figured it must be the machine. Never used to have this problem. The church is only five years old- I wonder if it’s the plug blades. I'll try swapping out the plug, though the outer insulation on the cord has ripped in a couple places so I should probably just replace the whole thing.
What are you using that machine for?
 

Will D

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What are you using that machine for?
Buffing the tile floor (or is it called polishing? Not sure of the proper lingo...). I'm using Betco One Step high speed cleaner and restorer with a beige pad to get the scuff marks out and make it look nice between scrubs. Can I use the Phoenix with the same pad for this until I get the cord swapped?
 
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Kenny Hayes

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The cord is adequate for that machine. It looks as if you might have a short in it, maybe where it’s stripped. If you have a bare wire, it will certainly do that. If you can’t find it, you probably need to take it to a repair person.
 
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BIG WOOD

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you might just have a loose wire inside that plug. take it apart and see if those screws are loose. Just a little wiggle can create a spark which will create the problem
 
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they live

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My Bane use to do that. The plug even started on fire once or twice near the machine.
The machine is drawing too much amperage or something. Not really sure but I was replacing plugs fairly often. I had my vacuum set so tge machine would not down if I kept it locked on too long.
You need to replace the machine I'm suspecting.
 

Mikey P

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What percentage of people of faith, any faith, do you think actually tithe?
The percentage of regular churchgoers who tithe (give 10% of their income) varies depending on denomination, region, and how “regular” is defined, but here are the general statistics based on U.S. data:

📊 Estimated Tithing Statistics:

  • Only about 5–10% of regular churchgoers tithe a full 10% of their income.
  • Around 17–25% give consistently, but less than a tithe.
  • A majority—over 50% of church attendees—give little to nothing on a regular basis.

🧩 Factors That Affect Tithing:​

  • Age & Income:
    Older generations tend to tithe more regularly. Higher-income households tithe less often by percentage, though they may give more in total dollars.
  • Church Type:
    Evangelical and Pentecostal churches tend to emphasize tithing more strongly than mainline Protestant or Catholic churches.
  • Teaching Emphasis:
    Churches that regularly teach and model stewardship principles often see higher participation in tithing.

💡 Interesting Note:​

Those who do tithe tend to also give above and beyond—often supporting missions, charities, or special church projects. They are also more likely to be actively engaged in other parts of church life (volunteering, small groups, etc.).
Would you like info on how churches can increase engagement or giving without making it awkward?
4o
 
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Kenny Hayes

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My late 30 yr pastor who I grew up as young adults said, yeah everyone wants the cool young families, and I do too. But, they owe and are po, so I want to mix a lot of old ones in with em😂
 

Kenny Hayes

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I would say the above is accurate assessment. I would also say when the rubber meets the road, that would keep people out of any church on a long term basis.
 

hogjowl

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What percentage of people of faith, any faith, do you think actually tithe?
I read a Southern Baptist report on this a few years back. The premiss of the study was to determine just how Christian American society actually was. Two factors were determined to be key in identifying true faith within members. 1) Sundays School (not preaching) attendance and 2) tithe paying. To make a long story short, I think it was something like 3% of members met these two criteria.
 
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