I came across a 50 inch plasma TV in the trash and some how got the 150 pound fucker home. I did some research online to see what I could do. When I turned the TV on it would give me a green light, then go out and give me 6 fast red blinking lights and 3 clicking noises. When I checked online they said that model had a power supply problem. Little bit more searching later and I found that the company who sold it, panasonic, gave free power supplies and free repairs. Today I drove 40 miles and got the sucker fixed. So I now have a 50 inch plasma TV.

Whats YOUR best dumpster dive find?

Wow, nice one! Never ceases to amaze me how little effort people put into an item when it breaks, they just throw it out. People talk all this "green" bullshit, but don't think twice about throwing a few hundred pounds of toxic TV out instead of getting it fixed.

My best find probably won't be fully appreciated by the non-audio geeks here, but it's a Pioneer SX-1250 receiver. It's one of the most sought-after hi-fi monsters from the 70's...weighs in at about 70lbs! A good one probably sells for about as much as that TV would if you put it on ebay.

It was probably some rich faggot that threw it out.

I found an oscilloscope. Works perfectly.

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Stalker: sentenced to life.

Honestly if I couldn't have fixed it I didn't care. I was going to take it to my buddies house and shoot it with my 38.

I like yer attitude!

Lucky sonuvabitch

Only time I've ever really been dumpster diving was for old computer parts my school threw away. Ended up getting mostly several older ATX and really old AT power supplies. Mostly used them for parts, though I need to find a good way to charge the capacitors I got out of them (200V 470uf).

I want more power to my coilgun, no more photoflash caps!

I have found a lot of computers. Got a $300 Ergonomic Desk chair that had a broken wheel (easy fix). Used that fora long time, it's now gone though. found a working mini-fridge, a Kensington Wireless USB Keyboard/Mouse. Lots of random computer parts and many tools.

RDP

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Contact me at:
RDProgrammer (AIM)
RDProgrammer@hotmail.com (MSN)

wow nice. what kind of trash was it? residential?

i can only dream of something like that. The best thing i found in the trash was a whole lot of laboratory glassware. most were broken, but there were a few in working order, including a liebig condenser and other distillation equipment. There were also thermometers in there.


by the way, ive always wondered, where do shops in shopping malls dump their trash? ive never seen one

This may be a noobish question, but I've always wondered if dumpster diving is legal or not?

I haven't been able to find anything that gives me a straightforward answer to it, and there might not be one, but I was hoping the fine folks at totse might enlighten me?

I've been a dumpster diver for many years - there are few things in my house that arent salvage. It depends on where you live to some extent, but in the US it's my understanding that it is not legal. The dumpsters are technically property of the waste management company and because they do post warnings to stay out, you could probably get some misdemeanor trespass charge. Not to mention that often dumpsters are placed on private property, especially if it's a chain store or a strip mall.

That's IF somebody wanted to do something about it, or if you really make a mess or a disturbance. On the other hand, there are some dumpsters i've gone to often enough that the people would start leaving out the stuff they thought i'd want. Whatever i didn't, i threw in the dumpster.

Most likely somebody will just yell at you. Just apologize and walk away. Have fun!

Edit: Oh and this might be obvious but be careful - some homeless dudes can get kind of territorial over certain spots. I always carry a lockblade knife. Other handy tools are gloves, disposable or heavier garden gloves, needle nose pliers / wire cutter, handkerchief, disposable handi-wipes, a flashlight or better yet a headlamp . . .