Good morning!!!!

[riptides]

The mini split proposal was a lot more than expected for a 15000 BTU unit. I had expected something on the order of two times the equipment cost but the proposal looks to be three times the equipment cost for half a days work to install and then it did not include the electrical work.

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So wait for my shoulder to improve or go get other proposals? The contractor said that he was 4 weeks out to install so maybe it reflects he is not very hungry for new work?

I am handy, but do not consider myself a contractor. LOL. I also am careful with money, but attempt to balance my time accordingly.

I'd wait until your shoulder gets better and get a DYI unit. Worst case scenario is you hire someone to "fix" the lines and wire the electric. Some HVAC contractors in my area even offer a DYI hookup service.

Pricing is still on the high side for most home improvement work in my area. I get quotes, and some are IMHO, shoot for the moon types.

Good luck in your endeavor.

 

[sodamo]

Already having trouble remembering the day of the week. only have an alarm set for Sunday.

And no Holidays,
No paid sick time
It’s all Personal Time.

 

[sodamo]

40º going to 60º and sunny today. We get a few days to dry out and then about 3 days of rain coming again. All outdoor projects on hold. Neighbor called wanting me to dig her little pond bigger. I went over and looked at it. Gonna have to wait for things to dry out alittle before that can be done. The road looks like it needs more material. We are down to the clay again. When wet this ground just absorbs all the gravel, DG, and crushed concrete, we've placed on the road over the past 20 plus yrs.
Since the material goes into the clay there is no reclamation possible. We have to add more but I doubt my neighbors are going to want to spend any money with the current inflation.

Our soil is like that. Have to put a layer of geo fabric.

 

[sodamo]

Chris, nothing makes me move over more into the ditch than a road painting crew.
that stuff is a bugger to get off your car

Ron, just to make sure....I called Fretz and asked about availability of their Class C rentals.
Newer ones, F450, 7.3, and no rental graphics on outside. They routinely sell them afterwards, I see two used ones for
83 grand. A used rental rv with 43k miles. Probably has all the bugs out of it...
at least their rental is not a bunkhouse but a second fold out couch. Does have overhead bunk, as most do, good place for storage.
I even watched a youtube video on the rental rv. I could do this. Now I need to find out what 2 weeks rental will cost.
And then compare that to cost of train ticket, plus a ton of gas, thankfully regular, and rv campground expenses.

How do you factor in that you’d be totally your schedule and route? Maybe even a bunch of side trips.

 

[IXLR8]

older brother sent me article on Amtrak train stuck on siding due to a rail freight derailment. Pretty sure it was the AutoTrain, not the one
I ride. But could be same track. As long as i have my own room, and bathroom, and they keep feeding me (I for sure bring my own food too)
sooner or later train has to get there.

My neighbors took the Amtrak train from Boston to Seattle. They said the food was terrible, he is ex-military and called the food unpallitable, and they were glad they brought some of their own. The worst was from Boston to Chicago. They took it for a fun adventure, they were miserable and said they would never do it again.

 

[sodamo]

Popgadget, I think the FAA's Chief of Murphyism has arrived.

David, are they LifePo4s?
Epoxied anchor bolts, someone doesn't want to blow away.

Yup, LiFePo4 - SimpliPhi 3.8.

Almost 2 tubes of anchor epoxy for 5/8 bolts - shouldn’t fly away.

 

[sodamo]

My neighbors took the Amtrak train from Boston to Seattle. They said the food was terrible, he is ex-military and called the food unpallitable, and they were glad they brought some of their own. The worst was from Boston to Chicago. They took it for a fun adventure, they were miserable and said they would never do it again.

That’s too bad. A few years ago we rode LA- Sacramento, Sacramento to Wash DC, then DC to Ft Lauderdale. All in sleepers, with another couple, a good time. Food wasn’t gourmet, but good.

 

[ronjhall]

Biggest cost renting a Motorhome is mileage. $$per-mile adds up quick. Plus the cost of Fuel.

 

[Looking4new]

I'm told they hard boil better if they are a little old. How old?
am totally dysfunctional when it comes to boiling eggs. Supermarket wants a buck an egg for hard boiled. Versus 40 cents.
Hmmm, seems I really need to learn how to do this. Lot of home remedies here. One person told me to bake them. ??

Just chuck them into a pan/pot with boiling water in it, let boil for 20 minutes or so and as soon as that is done, drain the pan/pot and put them into a bowl with ice water in it. After the eggs are cold (from the ice water) dry them and store them in the fridge.

 

[txdon]

https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/09/business/gas-stove-ban-federal-agency/index.html

do any of you have grandchildren in modern airtight homes with a gas stove?
might want to read this. Particularly if any of the kids have asthma.

looks like ventilation is important, as in running exhaust fan all the time while cooking.

Have you seen the study behind the proposed ban?

 

[m7040]

I am handy, but do not consider myself a contractor. LOL. I also am careful with money, but attempt to balance my time accordingly.

I'd wait until your shoulder gets better and get a DYI unit. Worst case scenario is you hire someone to "fix" the lines and wire the electric. Some HVAC contractors in my area even offer a DYI hookup service.

Pricing is still on the high side for most home improvement work in my area. I get quotes, and some are IMHO, shoot for the moon types.

Good luck in your endeavor.

I think you are right. Wait until I can do it. Have the tools and a 12000 BTU unit already.

6,600 dollars was the estimate. Figure 2000 dollars for equipment. 4 hours of work , 1100 dollars an hour. And then have to hire electrician for hook up on top of that

 

[Popgadget]

I think you are right. Wait until I can do it. Have the tools and a 12000 BTU unit already.

6,600 dollars was the estimate. Figure 2000 dollars for equipment. 4 hours of work , 1100 dollars an hour. And then have to hire electrician for hook up on top of that

4 hours isn’t anywhere near enough time to mount the indoor unit, do the wall penetration, mount the outdoounit on the wall, pad or stand, run the line set in slimduct, along with the wiring between the outdoor and indoor unit, run the power to the outdoor unit, mount a disconnect and connect everything up.
In addition to the cost of the units, there is wire, line set, slim duct, wall mount, plus supplies like nitrogen and hardware.
Not to mention the $85,000 truck to haul the stuff to job site along with all the tools.

 

[m7040]

4 hours isn’t anywhere near enough time to mount the indoor unit, do the wall penetration, mount the outdoounit on the wall, pad or stand, run the line set in slimduct, along with the wiring between the outdoor and indoor unit, run the power to the outdoor unit, mount a disconnect and connect everything up.
In addition to the cost of the units, there is wire, line set, slim duct, wall mount, plus supplies like nitrogen and hardware.
Not to mention the $85,000 truck to haul the stuff to job site along with all the tools.

The contractor said it was a half days work for his crew. Also the electrical work was excluded except for the control wire from the inside unit to the outside unit that comes with line set. Figure his cost for the unit is 1800 dollars leaving 200 for other materials but if it is 400 it is still very steep. Looking at it differently say 8 ( two people for 4 hours ) hours at 130 dollars per hour is about 1000 dollars which is normal in the auto repair industry and includes markups for facilities and insurance and say 2200 for materials that is 3200 or less than half the proposal. Why should he be entitled to 3,400 dollars on top of that? Except the market is such that he can get away with it. I think a fair price would be around twice the material cost or about 4000 to 4400 dollars
Don't forget I have to hire electrician for electrical supplies and installation likely another 500 dollars or more

 

[Buppies]

Feeling better this afternoon back among the living. High of 50 today low in 30s rain tomorrow

 

[sodamo]

New batteries installed

Took a bit over an hour
Already fully charged

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Reallllyyyy! We don’t peddle here.

I just reported it

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Got to Dad’s this afternoon. . Someone has been sleeping in my bed.

Got the wash going now.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

New batteries installed
View attachment 778849

Took a bit over an hour
Already fully charged
View attachment 778850

But they don’t match.

 

[Wagtail]

Good (Thursday) morning. Overnight Low of 16C and it's presently 25.2C, overcast and calm.

A couple of things accomplished yesterday; transferred the agisted horses to Paddock #5 with water set-up then went and collected 5 large folding tables for the soiree on the 22nd. My Mate pretty much packed his car for his trip home tomorrow. The evening was spent in conversation and DVD watching.

He plans on leaving around noon IOT reach Devonport to catch the ferry to the 'North Island'.

We'll do a tip-run before he goes and then I'll need to do a grocery run to replace items consumed during the wonderful 'Holidays' visit.

That's about it, take care all.

 

[KilroyJC]

Already having trouble remembering the day of the week. only have an alarm set for Sunday.

As it should be