Good morning!!!!

[KilroyJC]

Good Morning!

God has given us another chance to get it right (or at least not screw up too badly)…

57.2 F going to upper 70s, partly/mostly cloudy day.

Located a leak in the hot tub, I don’t know if it is the leak from winter, it is on the output line from the main pump. I think it is a new leak, because the twin would drain down to a certain point an no lower, yet this is at the lowest point in the tub and it should have caused it to drain down completely. . L

Wo later today I will drain down the tub, it is due for a water change anyway, fix this leaky joint, then refill and see what happens next.

But today starts with Senior dog getting an early drop off at the vet for a dental cleaning, so we will have two days of a recovering dog that will need extensive cuddling (and protection for the attentions of Harry).

I hope everyone has a happy healthy safe blessed day!

 

[riptides]

59 outside this AM. Heading to mid 60's. 97% humidity.

Ran to the pool store yesterday to get the closing chemical brews... then started the process of the final cleaning.

Maybe later this week, close it down. Summers over, , new record for pool use this year...one time. ONE.

Next year will be different. Less projects, more fun and relax time. LOL.

Hope all have a great day. Be safe to those traveling and working. Positive health vibes for those ailing.

Till later....GM crew.

 

[Popgadget]

Good Morning
It’s 57 out there with a high of 59 and more rain. Our 3 day total is 2-3/4”.

Yesterday started with taking pictures of an airplane to sell it for the widow of my friend that died. There are multiple prospective buyers, but I need an appraisal in this crazy market. Then it was back in front of the computer until I went out to lunch.
After lunch it was back to the computer until FedEx delivered my sharing station. That was a pretty easy install, as everything was prepped for its arrival.

So all I need now is the car to plug it into.

When I was at the airport taking the pictures,

I stopped in at the office, they had a contractor there repairing the runway lights, which are a new installation with LED lights. There was about a dozen lights out, the contractor said it was probably a lightning strike. Out of curiosity I took one of the failed lights home and removed the light assembly from its power supply, and connected it to the power supply on my bench. It worked, which supports the theory that the driver board was fried by lightning.

It’s an interesting system, there is a single high voltage (4kv) loop around the runway. Each light has a step down transformer with the primary windings in series, the secondary supplies ~120vac to the light assembly above ground. That is converted to low voltage DC to operate the lights.

I apologize for sharing my geekiness with those that might not be interested, but I bet I’m not the only geek here.

Today will start with breakfast with the professor, possibly wife and oldest son will join us.

Then back home to meet a couple of FAA inspectors auditing maintenance records. After that back to the computer and TSA, hoping to be interrupted that my car is ready to be picked up.

Zoe is asking for some attention now, so I’m going to indulge her..

 

[daugen]

Kilroy, come fix mine when you're done please...

was looking at google maps, my next stop is about a mile away from Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Edgewood Arsenal, and the Army's biological weapons facility, all located in an aptly named town of Gunpowder Md.

somehow I don't think they would like me flying my drone anywhere near there...

many years spent boating in upper Chesapeake and you could not take your boat over in this area, basically had to stick to channel leading up to Havre De Grace. Whether on the Bohemia River or the Sassafras River, one could hear the booms from across the Bay.

and now comes the drive I'm not looking forward to, getting around DC and Baltimore. Trying to stay on the byways, coming up 17, 301 and 40

 

[kenmbz]

Morning all, 58 going up to 59 and light rain
Got pool cleaned, snake not found, so must have made it's way out since I did not find any parts.
That was all I could get done without resting.
Hopefully tonight I will get back to putting up strips and sheetrock.

Dr said he called me, but got no calls, said he put in prescription, went to pharmacy and they heard nothing from Dr. - very upsetting

Popgadget - sounds like what I would do with the light. seems there would be quite the loss with so many step downs from 4kv.

I am working through the heating system flow and operation. This boiler has some interesting options and I am looking to see if any are useful to set. I am looking up each part and section to see what they do. 2 circulators, one to push hot water out, one for internal loop. extra senors for external storage to figure out differential temps so it does not fire too often.
Been hearing it long cycle mostly as it should, but every now and then it short cycles. So one is most likely answering heat calls, and the short cycle is due to the differential being a bit off.
Need to think more about this, wonder if the manufacturer would be willing to discuss, they aren't too far away.

All my ripening tomatoes are bursting due to the heavy rains. still got a few more and some more figs. Will need to trim the sage back as it is really too large, will be the third trim for this year. It's too happy. Some more blackberries are coming in too.


Be well,

 

[Popgadget]

Popgadget - sounds like what I would do with the light. seems there would be quite the loss with so many step downs from 4kv.

More geek stuff-

The 4kv loop is fed from a constant current ferroresonant transformer with a step down to 120 at each light to ensure a consistent voltage to each fixture. Then that 120 is dropped with another transformer at each light and rectified to provide the 18-24vdc for the lights. The intensity is controlled at the ferroresonant transformer variable current output.

 

[scott_vt]

The best on your hazmat test tomorrow Scott.

Good Morning Guys,
Thank you Thomas and Kyle, passed the test, the computer said I passed by question 26, so I believe I answered two incorrectly ! You were allowed to get 6 wrong to pass.

So thats the big news for today !

Ct,48 to start going to 62 with yet more drizzle ! Tomorrow finally looks like some nice weather ! To date at this location we have gotten over 8 plus inches of rain just this month !

So I kind of think we dont need anymore in the near future ! Going for my morning walk now, about 3 miles and then maybe disassemble the pool filter and clean, and then cover everything up with a tarp, heater, pump, filter etc,,, !

Hope all have a blessed and safe day !

BTW, did I ever mention I hate the DMV !

 

[Buppies]

Glad you passed test Scotty drizzling here too but not near the amount of rain you have had. Maybe it is a sign for you folks and snow this winter

 

[Buppies]

Hope rswyan is ok have not seen him recently

Drew safe travels

Ken if we ran our work the way doctors do we would be out of work. August need lots of tests one done last week one consultation for skin cancer removal November another one Monday for consultation for parathyroid removal wow

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Good Morning!!!! 62F in Yankee Hill @ 9:30AM. Partly cloudy skies. High around 80F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.

Glad folks that need it are getting some rain, and temps are cooling off from the summer highs.

Another uneventful trip back north in the van yesterday, with a stop in Chico for some groceries and errands. Gas was $6.39/gallon down south; I found it for a dollar less once I got over the hill into the valley on I5, and at $5.19 in Chico.

Heard a smoke alarm chirping as soon as I walked into the house, the water was off because of that leaking toilet valve, and the mouse trap in the kitchen needed emptying, so not all bad. Got the garbage can moved up to the cul-de-sac and covered a firewood pile in preparation for 0.13" of rain that fell overnight. Not much, but it's a start. No more rain in the 10-day, but no hundreds, either.

Got a couple chores for this morning, then start putting the engine back together on the red bike. Wanna get that moved south on the next trip.

 

[sodamo]

67°F and .26 inches rain

Looking like a great day to get my mowing finished a full day ahead.

Very nice Happy Hour gathering. Joined by a new couple embarking on their building adventure. Almost 8 acres, a bit closer to town, coming from the Keys. Friends of our former Cottage tenants, they bought the land 2 trips ago and now knee deep in the planning and permitting hoping to have the house in another 18 months. A fine addition to the group.

Prayers for all
Be safe
Have a great day

 

[sodamo]

Too funny Drew. Back when building the house County tax lady showed up one day to verify sqft etc. She walked to front of house and proclaimed, “Wow, that’s a million dollar view”
I immediately responded, “No Marilyn, only 137.5” referring to what we paid. Then we both laughed.

 

[Buppies]

That’s funny David slow easy day today due to rain

 

[sodamo]

Congrats passing test, Scott

 

[txdon]

View attachment 823312

It looks just like Texas if you can picture the land flat or slightly uphill instead of down hill, and the ocean as a dark bank of clouds coming from the North bringing the first real cold front in the Fall.

 

[daugen]

today's drive was challenging and not much fun once I left the Virginia country and got into suburban/urban Virginia and Maryland.
But nothing broke and gas was relatively cheap, filling up for 3.39 for regular. I topped off with premium when I got here since it was under 4 bucks.

The V10 Ford engine makes an odd noise I'm hoping is not detonation. I've tried every kind of fuel in it, makes the same noise, so the heck with it, might as well use regular. It's what they call for. I need to ride with a mechanic. It's under what I think is full vacuum. Vacuum is making something make a funny noise and when I either speed up or take my foot off the gas it goes away. like a hissing, pulsing noise, but not a mechanical tap or knock. EGR valve? Engine runs fine. But maybe it could run better.

Boom
Boom
Boom
pretty cool here, this area is pretty secluded since most folks don't want to live near the serious military installations here, unless they work here. There is all kinds of nasty stuff going on here.
zoom in on these pictures. And lots of big booms

my rv is the white circle over blue dot on far left of second pic
The Aberdeen proving ground has its own peculiar buildings.
I think if Popgadget landed his plane on either of these runways, he would need more than a lawyer. We'd all have to make bail...

 

[daugen]

it's that pulse radiation facility not far away that gives me the willies
hope they aim their ray guns out into the Chesapeake...

 

[scott_vt]

Looking like a great day to get my mowing finished a full day ahead.

Good Afternoon Dave,
Some amazing photos of all the mowing, wondering how many acres you have to mow and how often?

I have it pretty easy, only mowing about 7 or 8 acres of field, the rest is lawn, and even with the 5ft brush hog, kind of wish it was a 6ft mower on those hot humid days !

 

[sodamo]

It looks just like Texas if you can picture the land flat or slightly uphill instead of down hill, and the ocean as a dark bank of clouds coming from the North bringing the first real cold front in the Fall.

Ahhhh, imagination…

 

[sodamo]

Good Afternoon Dave,
Some amazing photos of all the mowing, wondering how many acres you have to mow and how often?

I have it pretty easy, only mowing about 7 or 8 acres of field, the rest is lawn, and even with the 5ft brush hog, kind of wish it was a 6ft mower on those hot humid days !

Scott, we have 21 acres, but not all mowable. I once tried to calculate and figured around 17.
Here is a rough map

My neighbor who just got the Scag last weekend found this app, John Deere Mower Plus. ‎MowerPlus
Works to map/track mowing even non Deere. It calculates acres cut so I will be checking. I’m using today, but on a rain delay.it reports I got 1.6 acres this morning with Sophie’s BX.

Mowing frequency varies with wx. I’d say monthly, but it could be 2-3 weeks or 5-6 weeks. Of course it is a quicker cut if I don’t let it go too long.