Quoting Barry Martin to Nancy Backus on 02-Feb-2020 14:19 <=-
Finally semi-tested the recharging of a 12v UPS battery using a solar
cell charger. -- Overall the run a TV off a 12v battery when the
power fails project.
In a word: failed. Also have to add there are a lot of known details working against. The project could work, just not here conveniently.
Using an inexpensive 1.5 Watt solar battery charger; different one
from the one in the basement window (will go down and continue that
clean up project later). Temporarily mounted it to the south-facing window up here in the Computer Room. A bit hazy out, but otherwise bright. Sun being filtered a bit through leafless tree branches. Measured ~4 volts -- we want 12 v! And the manual says up to 24 volts!
(I can build something to regulate down; technically I can up-convert
too but there's other losses.)
Later the Sun moved and essentially unobstructed: 7 v at noon. Still insufficient.
Several problems with the test setup:
-- The window has 'UV Block'. So do all the other windows in the
house except for the ones in the basement.
-- Going through a window screen. Keeps bugs out but doubt does that
much to sunshine. Using this position because there's a screw
hole at the window frame from the window air conditioner's side
flaps: used a wire clamp to keep the solar panel in position. (Did
test later: moved to the top window: glass only, no screen. Got
less voltage [!] but also the Sun had moved.)
Didn't try outside: warm enough today but in winter quite possible
well below freezing, could freeze and therefore break the battery.
Solar cell outside, run wires to inside.... Thinking this is more of a now-emergency than something planned and semi-permanent.
So appears the throw-it-together solar charging isn't going to work
here. Do want to state I think solar works, just needs to be outside
and properly aligned. The manual for this little portable critter
even says may need to realign 10ø. Will discontinue the solar charger option; will have to semi-plan ahead and maintain a battery or two to
be charged a different way, right now electricity.
... Useless Invention: Solar powered night light.
Finally semi-tested the recharging of a 12v UPS battery using a solar
cell charger. -- Overall the run a TV off a 12v battery when the
power fails project.
In a word: failed. Also have to add there are a lot of known details working against. The project could work, just not here conveniently.
Well, at least now you know... :)
Using an inexpensive 1.5 Watt solar battery charger; different one
from the one in the basement window (will go down and continue that
clean up project later). Temporarily mounted it to the south-facing window up here in the Computer Room. A bit hazy out, but otherwise bright. Sun being filtered a bit through leafless tree branches.
Measured ~4 volts -- we want 12 v! And the manual says up to 24 volts!
(I can build something to regulate down; technically I can up-convert
too but there's other losses.)
Later the Sun moved and essentially unobstructed: 7 v at noon. Still insufficient.
Several problems with the test setup:
-- The window has 'UV Block'. So do all the other windows in the
house except for the ones in the basement.
That will do it... all on its own... means that the solar
charging isn't going to get through... Richard had a similar
problem with using a security camera at church... the UV and IR
blocks on the newer windows are useful for some things, but not
for cameras in the IR range and charging from the UV range.... :)
-- Going through a window screen. Keeps bugs out but doubt does that
much to sunshine. Using this position because there's a screw
hole at the window frame from the window air conditioner's side
flaps: used a wire clamp to keep the solar panel in position. (Did
test later: moved to the top window: glass only, no screen. Got
less voltage [!] but also the Sun had moved.)
I wouldn't think that the screen would have much effect...
Didn't try outside: warm enough today but in winter quite possible
well below freezing, could freeze and therefore break the battery.
Solar cell outside, run wires to inside.... Thinking this is more of a now-emergency than something planned and semi-permanent.
And might be that you'd do better to test that aspect come later
spring through summer and early fall.... In warmer weather, you
could try doing it just through the screen... I'd think that
you'd also need to protect it from the elements...
So appears the throw-it-together solar charging isn't going to work
here. Do want to state I think solar works, just needs to be outside
and properly aligned. The manual for this little portable critter
even says may need to realign 10ø. Will discontinue the solar charger option; will have to semi-plan ahead and maintain a battery or two to
be charged a different way, right now electricity.
For now, it's good you have other options... ;)
... Useless Invention: Solar powered night light.
Not necessarily useless... if it can store up enough during the
day when the sun is shining, it could last the night as a night
light... ;) After all, that's what those solar lights that one
puts along the sidewalk or driveway do... soak in the power
during the day, and when it gets dark, shine the lights....
Quoting Barry Martin to Nancy Backus on 07-Feb-2020 08:57 <=-
In a word: failed. Also have to add there are a lot of known details
working against. The project could work, just not here conveniently.
Well, at least now you know... :)True. LIS later in that reply or in an interim message the only
window here without the UV Block that gets Sun is the one in the
basement. Now can get to it (clean-up project coming along!),
workbench a bit crowded -- will hold off a little longer as no big rush and keep things focused.
Even if the power failed right now there are
three batteries available which should run over three hours each. Not planning on keeping that many charged: one is the battery from the UPS that failed because the second battery was bad. Second is from a UPS right now is a spare (not for too much longer!), and the third was a spare/replacement battery.
Several problems with the test setup:
-- The window has 'UV Block'. So do all the other windows in the
house except for the ones in the basement.
That will do it... all on its own... means that the solar chargingFor every action there is an opposite reaction! <g> ...Could set up outside -- temporary would probably be dealing with freezing
isn't going to get through... Richard had a similar problem with
using a security camera at church... the UV and IR blocks on the newer
windows are useful for some things, but not for cameras in the IR
range and charging from the UV range.... :)
conditions and burst batteries. Running wires to inside -- has possibilities.
Didn't try outside: warm enough today but in winter quite possible
well below freezing, could freeze and therefore break the battery.
Solar cell outside, run wires to inside.... Thinking this is more of a
now-emergency than something planned and semi-permanent.
And might be that you'd do better to test that aspect come laterHmmm: now that's a possibility! Thanks! At this point not sure if the solar charger is sufficiently weather resistant to stay outside permanently....
spring through summer and early fall.... In warmer weather, you
could try doing it just through the screen... I'd think that you'd
also need to protect it from the elements...
So appears the throw-it-together solar charging isn't going to work
here. Do want to state I think solar works, just needs to be outside
and properly aligned. The manual for this little portable critter
even says may need to realign 10ø. Will discontinue the solar charger
option; will have to semi-plan ahead and maintain a battery or two to
be charged a different way, right now electricity.
For now, it's good you have other options... ;)And now re-open later for the between the screen and window
consideration. May end up simply maintaining a battery on electricity
-- the battery I snagged from the UPS (the other battery had failed)
also appears to be slightly damaged (or maybe just because older) and doesn't seem to hold a charge quite as well as the other two
batteries. Does hold a charge for at least a couple of weeks....
... Useless Invention: Solar powered night light.
Not necessarily useless... if it can store up enough during the dayRight: when working I had in my pocket a small flashlight where the
when the sun is shining, it could last the night as a night light.. ;)
After all, that's what those solar lights that one puts along the
sidewalk or driveway do... soak in the power during the day, and when
it gets dark, shine the lights....
coin cell battery inside was recharged by a small solar panel. That
also barely recharged through the window because of the UV Block. I
had purchased three or four -- inexpensive and gave one or two away. Still have two: theoretically alike but one somewhat charges inside
(dim) and the other not at all. Outside both charge to full
brightness.
In a word: failed. Also have to add there are a lot of known details
working against. The project could work, just not here conveniently.
Well, at least now you know... :)True. LIS later in that reply or in an interim message the only
window here without the UV Block that gets Sun is the one in the
basement. Now can get to it (clean-up project coming along!),
workbench a bit crowded -- will hold off a little longer as no big rush and keep things focused.
Probably just as well to try to stay focused... and
theoretically, when you finish your workbench cleanup, you'll
still have access to that window... ;)
Even if the power failed right now there are
three batteries available which should run over three hours each. Not planning on keeping that many charged: one is the battery from the UPS that failed because the second battery was bad. Second is from a UPS right now is a spare (not for too much longer!), and the third was a spare/replacement battery.
So for now, you have plenty of backup anyway... :)
Several problems with the test setup:
-- The window has 'UV Block'. So do all the other windows in the
house except for the ones in the basement.
That will do it... all on its own... means that the solar chargingFor every action there is an opposite reaction! <g> ...Could set up outside -- temporary would probably be dealing with freezing
isn't going to get through... Richard had a similar problem with
using a security camera at church... the UV and IR blocks on the newer
windows are useful for some things, but not for cameras in the IR
range and charging from the UV range.... :)
conditions and burst batteries. Running wires to inside -- has possibilities.
That sounds like a warmer weather type of experiment, though....
Didn't try outside: warm enough today but in winter quite possible
well below freezing, could freeze and therefore break the battery.
Solar cell outside, run wires to inside.... Thinking this is more of a
now-emergency than something planned and semi-permanent.
And might be that you'd do better to test that aspect come laterHmmm: now that's a possibility! Thanks! At this point not sure if the solar charger is sufficiently weather resistant to stay outside permanently....
spring through summer and early fall.... In warmer weather, you
could try doing it just through the screen... I'd think that you'd
also need to protect it from the elements...
Something else to get more data on in the meantime... :)
So appears the throw-it-together solar charging isn't going to work
here. Do want to state I think solar works, just needs to be outside
and properly aligned. The manual for this little portable critter
even says may need to realign 10ø. Will discontinue the solar charger
option; will have to semi-plan ahead and maintain a battery or two to
be charged a different way, right now electricity.
For now, it's good you have other options... ;)And now re-open later for the between the screen and window
consideration. May end up simply maintaining a battery on electricity
-- the battery I snagged from the UPS (the other battery had failed)
also appears to be slightly damaged (or maybe just because older) and doesn't seem to hold a charge quite as well as the other two
batteries. Does hold a charge for at least a couple of weeks....
Just need to keep them charged regularly so that they'd be
available in case of need.... :)
... Useless Invention: Solar powered night light.
Not necessarily useless... if it can store up enough during the dayRight: when working I had in my pocket a small flashlight where the
when the sun is shining, it could last the night as a night light.. ;)
After all, that's what those solar lights that one puts along the
sidewalk or driveway do... soak in the power during the day, and when
it gets dark, shine the lights....
coin cell battery inside was recharged by a small solar panel. That
also barely recharged through the window because of the UV Block. I
had purchased three or four -- inexpensive and gave one or two away.
Still have two: theoretically alike but one somewhat charges inside
(dim) and the other not at all. Outside both charge to full
brightness.
Maybe the coin cell batteries need replacing....? I have a small calculator that has the solar cell panels on the front... it
seems to work either in good light or not so, so obviously it
also has a battery internally... But I'm sure the solar feature
would keep the internal one from going bad so quickly... :)
... Behind every good computer - is a jumble of cables!
... Behind every good computer - is a jumble of cables!
Can only do so much wireless!
... Behind every good computer - is a jumble of cables!Can only do so much wireless!
That is the ONLY rats nest that's good...especially in light of
what I've been dealing with since October...and still am.
Quoting Barry Martin to Nancy Backus on 14-Feb-2020 08:44 <=-
A little chilly out there this morning: -8ø and the weather report
said a 30-below wind chill. The local TV news anchors were joking
because it's Valentine's Day hug someone - anyone! - for warmth.
Now can get to it (clean-up project coming along!), workbench a bit
crowded -- will hold off a little longer as no big rush and keep
things focused.
Probably just as well to try to stay focused... and theoretically,Have relatively easy access now - so the cleanup project is
when you finish your workbench cleanup, you'll still have access to
that window... ;)
progressing. :) Still holding off as want to stay focused, where I'd
put the battery and meter for testing on the bench still has some in-progess boxes
Even if the power failed right now there are
three batteries available which should run over three hours each. Not
planning on keeping that many charged: one is the battery from the UPS
that failed because the second battery was bad. Second is from a UPS
right now is a spare (not for too much longer!), and the third was a
spare/replacement battery.
So for now, you have plenty of backup anyway... :)Yes. And with the temperatore below zero if the power fails I have
more to be concerned with than what's on TV!
For every action there is an opposite reaction! <g> ...Could set up
outside -- temporary would probably be dealing with freezing
conditions and burst batteries. Running wires to inside -- has
possibilities.
That sounds like a warmer weather type of experiment, though....<chuckle> Especially at eight-below!!
Didn't try outside: warm enough today but in winter quite possible
well below freezing, could freeze and therefore break the battery.
Solar cell outside, run wires to inside.... Thinking this is more of a
now-emergency than something planned and semi-permanent.
And might be that you'd do better to test that aspect come later
spring through summer and early fall.... In warmer weather, you
could try doing it just through the screen... I'd think that you'd
also need to protect it from the elements...
Hmmm: now that's a possibility! Thanks! At this point not sure if the
solar charger is sufficiently weather resistant to stay outside
permanently....
Something else to get more data on in the meantime... :)Yes, though may sacrifice the unit just because it is old. Would
provide some sort of protection from rain, snow, etc., but if the
plastic case gets brittle and breaks no great loss.
And now re-open later for the between the screen and window
consideration. May end up simply maintaining a battery on electricity
-- the battery I snagged from the UPS (the other battery had failed)
also appears to be slightly damaged (or maybe just because older) and
doesn't seem to hold a charge quite as well as the other two
batteries. Does hold a charge for at least a couple of weeks....
Just need to keep them charged regularly so that they'd be availableRight. The battery from the pair of UPS batteries where one failed doesn't hold a charge as well as the spare battery -- half-expected, though could be from age.
in case of need.... :)
... Useless Invention: Solar powered night light.
Not necessarily useless... if it can store up enough during the day
when the sun is shining, it could last the night as a night light.. ;)
After all, that's what those solar lights that one puts along the
sidewalk or driveway do... soak in the power during the day, and when
it gets dark, shine the lights....
Right: when working I had in my pocket a small flashlight where the
coin cell battery inside was recharged by a small solar panel. That
also barely recharged through the window because of the UV Block. I
had purchased three or four -- inexpensive and gave one or two away.
Still have two: theoretically alike but one somewhat charges inside
(dim) and the other not at all. Outside both charge to full
brightness.
Maybe the coin cell batteries need replacing....? I have a smallThe bettery seems to be fine: when that flashlight was charged outside
calculator that has the solar cell panels on the front... it seems
to work either in good light or not so, so obviously it also has a
battery internally... But I'm sure the solar feature would keep the
internal one from going bad so quickly... :)
it went to full brightness and held the charge.
... Behind every good computer - is a jumble of cables!Can only do so much wireless!
And you'll probably end up with at least one remaining mouse on your BM>desk!
A little chilly out there this morning: -8ø and the weather report
said a 30-below wind chill. The local TV news anchors were joking
because it's Valentine's Day hug someone - anyone! - for warmth.
Nice joke... ;) We didn't get quite that cold... only to about
1ø, and wind chills maybe to about -10 or so... Of course, that's
bad enough.. ;)
Now can get to it (clean-up project coming along!), workbench a bit
crowded -- will hold off a little longer as no big rush and keep
things focused.
Probably just as well to try to stay focused... and theoretically,Have relatively easy access now - so the cleanup project is
when you finish your workbench cleanup, you'll still have access to
that window... ;)
progressing. :) Still holding off as want to stay focused, where I'd
put the battery and meter for testing on the bench still has some in-progess boxes
Good enough reasons still.... ;)
Even if the power failed right now there are
three batteries available which should run over three hours each. Not
planning on keeping that many charged: one is the battery from the UPS
that failed because the second battery was bad. Second is from a UPS
right now is a spare (not for too much longer!), and the third was a
spare/replacement battery.
So for now, you have plenty of backup anyway... :)Yes. And with the temperatore below zero if the power fails I have
more to be concerned with than what's on TV!
Except for ongoing weather reports and alerts... <G>
Didn't try outside: warm enough today but in winter quite possible
well below freezing, could freeze and therefore break the battery.
Solar cell outside, run wires to inside.... Thinking this is more of a
now-emergency than something planned and semi-permanent.
And might be that you'd do better to test that aspect come later
spring through summer and early fall.... In warmer weather, you
could try doing it just through the screen... I'd think that you'd
also need to protect it from the elements...
Hmmm: now that's a possibility! Thanks! At this point not sure if the
solar charger is sufficiently weather resistant to stay outside
permanently....
Something else to get more data on in the meantime... :)Yes, though may sacrifice the unit just because it is old. Would
provide some sort of protection from rain, snow, etc., but if the
plastic case gets brittle and breaks no great loss.
Unless by some fluke, it actually works before it goes flooey...
;)
... Useless Invention: Solar powered night light.
Not necessarily useless... if it can store up enough during the day
when the sun is shining, it could last the night as a night light.. ;)
After all, that's what those solar lights that one puts along the
sidewalk or driveway do... soak in the power during the day, and when
it gets dark, shine the lights....
Right: when working I had in my pocket a small flashlight where the
coin cell battery inside was recharged by a small solar panel. That
also barely recharged through the window because of the UV Block. I
had purchased three or four -- inexpensive and gave one or two away.
Still have two: theoretically alike but one somewhat charges inside
(dim) and the other not at all. Outside both charge to full
brightness.
Maybe the coin cell batteries need replacing....? I have a smallThe bettery seems to be fine: when that flashlight was charged outside
calculator that has the solar cell panels on the front... it seems
to work either in good light or not so, so obviously it also has a
battery internally... But I'm sure the solar feature would keep the
internal one from going bad so quickly... :)
it went to full brightness and held the charge.
Ok, that sounds promising, then... ;)
... Behind every good computer - is a jumble of cables!Can only do so much wireless!
For sure... :)
And you'll probably end up with at least one remaining mouse on your
desk!
I've actually got one for the desktop and one for the laptop.
With the way my hand moves the mousepad, one of the other
eventually falls to the floor. Thankfully, they don't fall that
far, so little damage results.
Quoting Barry Martin to Nancy Backus on 19-Feb-2020 09:37 <=-
A little chilly out there this morning: -8ø and the weather report
said a 30-below wind chill. The local TV news anchors were joking
because it's Valentine's Day hug someone - anyone! - for warmth.
Nice joke... ;) We didn't get quite that cold... only to about 1ø,After a while it gets cold enough it doesn't seem to make any
and wind chills maybe to about -10 or so... Of course, that's bad
enough.. ;)
difference in one's mind if it gets any colder. I suppose
physiologically it does - exposed body parts get frostbit in 10 minutes instead of 30 -- but to the average person just thinks -- or tries to because their teeth are chattering so bad under five layers of
clothing!
Now can get to it (clean-up project coming along!), workbench a bit
crowded -- will hold off a little longer as no big rush and keep
things focused.
Probably just as well to try to stay focused... and theoretically,
when you finish your workbench cleanup, you'll still have access to
that window... ;)
Have relatively easy access now - so the cleanup project is
progressing. :) Still holding off as want to stay focused, where I'd
put the battery and meter for testing on the bench still has some
in-progess boxes
Good enough reasons still.... ;)Yup. Did straighten up here some -- did get rid of stuff on a bottom shelf so might be able to get a Bankers Box there or equivalent.
haven't quite decided what should go there: want to keep like things together. More cleaning and disposal and something will make sense.
Even if the power failed right now there are
three batteries available which should run over three hours each. Not
planning on keeping that many charged: one is the battery from the UPS
that failed because the second battery was bad. Second is from a UPS
right now is a spare (not for too much longer!), and the third was a
spare/replacement battery.
So for now, you have plenty of backup anyway... :)
Yes. And with the temperature below zero if the power fails I have
more to be concerned with than what's on TV!
Except for ongoing weather reports and alerts... <G><chuckle> Oh yeah: forgot that's the original reason! <g>
<solar charger - maybe to outside>
Didn't try outside: warm enough today but in winter quite possible
well below freezing, could freeze and therefore break the battery.
Solar cell outside, run wires to inside.... Thinking this is more of
a now-emergency than something planned and semi-permanent.
And might be that you'd do better to test that aspect come later
spring through summer and early fall.... In warmer weather, you
could try doing it just through the screen... I'd think that you'd
also need to protect it from the elements...
Hmmm: now that's a possibility! Thanks! At this point not sure if the
solar charger is sufficiently weather resistant to stay outside
permanently....
Something else to get more data on in the meantime... :)
Yes, though may sacrifice the unit just because it is old. Would
provide some sort of protection from rain, snow, etc., but if the
plastic case gets brittle and breaks no great loss.
Unless by some fluke, it actually works before it goes flooey... ;)I'd prefer it not to go flooey (haven't heard that one in ages!) but
do realize is a possibility as not built for continuous use outdoors. OTOH should last long enough to tell me if the project is worthwhile or
go with the charging/maintaining from the wall outlet (electricty).
Right: when working I had in my pocket a small flashlight where the
coin cell battery inside was recharged by a small solar panel. That
also barely recharged through the window because of the UV Block. I
had purchased three or four -- inexpensive and gave one or two away.
Still have two: theoretically alike but one somewhat charges inside
(dim) and the other not at all. Outside both charge to full
brightness.
Maybe the coin cell batteries need replacing....? I have a small
calculator that has the solar cell panels on the front... it seems
to work either in good light or not so, so obviously it also has a
battery internally... But I'm sure the solar feature would keep the
internal one from going bad so quickly... :)
The battery seems to be fine: when that flashlight was charged outside
it went to full brightness and held the charge.
Ok, that sounds promising, then... ;)For the solar charging of TV's battery? Yes. As I implied, mount in
a place in full sun but protected, or some protection from the elements over it. Running the wires may almost be the harder part of the job: pretty much have to be hidden or else!
... Behind every good computer - is a jumble of cables!
Can only do so much wireless!
For sure... :)And they do like to intertwine!
... Feb.18: National Battery Day. Appreciate conveniences batteries provide.
After a while it gets cold enough it doesn't seem to make any
difference in one's mind if it gets any colder. I suppose
physiologically it does - exposed body parts get frostbit in 10 minutes instead of 30 -- but to the average person just thinks -- or tries to because their teeth are chattering so bad under five layers of
clothing!
It does make a difference too how acclimated one has become to
the temps... people in Alaska and the Yukon would find our temps
downright balmy... <G> When it was around 0F here, I finally
used my winter jacket for a couple of days... usually it makes me
too warm...
Yup. Did straighten up here some -- did get rid of stuff on a bottom shelf so might be able to get a Bankers Box there or equivalent.
haven't quite decided what should go there: want to keep like things together. More cleaning and disposal and something will make sense.
Indeed.
Even if the power failed right now there are
three batteries available which should run over three hours each. Not
planning on keeping that many charged: one is the battery from the UPS
that failed because the second battery was bad. Second is from a UPS
right now is a spare (not for too much longer!), and the third was a
spare/replacement battery.
So for now, you have plenty of backup anyway... :)
Yes. And with the temperature below zero if the power fails I have
more to be concerned with than what's on TV!
Except for ongoing weather reports and alerts... <G><chuckle> Oh yeah: forgot that's the original reason! <g>
Stay focused...! <G>
<solar charger - maybe to outside>
Didn't try outside: warm enough today but in winter quite possible
well below freezing, could freeze and therefore break the battery.
Solar cell outside, run wires to inside.... Thinking this is more of
a now-emergency than something planned and semi-permanent.
And might be that you'd do better to test that aspect come later
spring through summer and early fall.... In warmer weather, you
could try doing it just through the screen... I'd think that you'd
also need to protect it from the elements...
Hmmm: now that's a possibility! Thanks! At this point not sure if the
solar charger is sufficiently weather resistant to stay outside
permanently....
Something else to get more data on in the meantime... :)
Yes, though may sacrifice the unit just because it is old. Would
provide some sort of protection from rain, snow, etc., but if the
plastic case gets brittle and breaks no great loss.
Unless by some fluke, it actually works before it goes flooey... ;)I'd prefer it not to go flooey (haven't heard that one in ages!) but
do realize is a possibility as not built for continuous use outdoors.
OTOH should last long enough to tell me if the project is worthwhile or
go with the charging/maintaining from the wall outlet (electricty).
Possibility... ;)
... Behind every good computer - is a jumble of cables!
Can only do so much wireless!
For sure... :)And they do like to intertwine!
Togetherness... ;)
... Feb.18: National Battery Day. Appreciate conveniences batteries provide.
That was an appropriate one, both topic and date.... ;)
... Major University Scientific Report says you need to buy Our
Product!
Quoting Barry Martin to Nancy Backus on 25-Feb-2020 09:39 <=-
Well, the Beeg Schtorm they were semi-panicking about didn't
materialize here -- this morning is off to the south by around a
hundred miles. We might get some rain out of the system.
After a while it gets cold enough it doesn't seem to make any
difference in one's mind if it gets any colder. I suppose
physiologically it does - exposed body parts get frostbit in 10 minutes
instead of 30 -- but to the average person just thinks -- or tries to
because their teeth are chattering so bad under five layers of
clothing!
It does make a difference too how acclimated one has become to theYes: everything's relatve. I put on a winter coat a little above
temps... people in Alaska and the Yukon would find our temps downright
balmy... <G> When it was around 0F here, I finally used my winter
jacket for a couple of days... usually it makes me too warm...
freezing -- I don't like being hot but don't like being cold either.
Did see a guy wearing shorts and a lighterweight shirt -- looked
something like he came from or was going to a Rugby or soccer
practice. Everyone else wearing warm clothes.
Yup. Did straighten up here some -- did get rid of stuff on a bottom
shelf so might be able to get a Bankers Box there or equivalent.
haven't quite decided what should go there: want to keep like things
together. More cleaning and disposal and something will make sense.
Indeed.Rearranged some yesterday afternoon. Created a medium-sized hole. :) Right now wasted a bit of space with the condensing/re-arranging but thought of how to move a few things around and should solve that.
Even if the power failed right now there are
three batteries available which should run over three hours each. Not
planning on keeping that many charged: one is the battery from the UPS
that failed because the second battery was bad. Second is from a UPS
right now is a spare (not for too much longer!), and the third was a
spare/replacement battery.
So for now, you have plenty of backup anyway... :)
Yes. And with the temperature below zero if the power fails I have
more to be concerned with than what's on TV!
Except for ongoing weather reports and alerts... <G>
<chuckle> Oh yeah: forgot that's the original reason! <g>
Stay focused...! <G>Squirrel!! <g> Did charge two batteries for the TV yesteday morning
in anticipation of the storm. The one I removed from the UPS that 'failed' (the other battery had died) doesn't seem to hold a charge as well as it should -- still good for experimenting and would probably powere the TV for two or three hours.
The second battery (different one from the one that failed in the UPS
- previous paragraph) has been holding its charge -- was pretty much at full charge and hasn't been charged in a couple of months. Seems like this one is the normal and expected standby.
<solar charger - maybe to outside>
Yes, though may sacrifice the unit just because it is old. Would
provide some sort of protection from rain, snow, etc., but if the
plastic case gets brittle and breaks no great loss.
Unless by some fluke, it actually works before it goes flooey... ;)
I'd prefer it not to go flooey (haven't heard that one in ages!) but
do realize is a possibility as not built for continuous use outdoors.
OTOH should last long enough to tell me if the project is worthwhile or
go with the charging/maintaining from the wall outlet (electricty).
Possibility... ;)So that sub-project will wait for a little while longer: can easily
get to the basement window now (yea!!), though some stuff in the way as far as counterspace for meters, etc. No rush, so better to leave alone for now.
... Behind every good computer - is a jumble of cables!
Can only do so much wireless!
For sure... :)
And they do like to intertwine!
Togetherness... ;)The other day I pulled this computer to air dust the CPU's heat sink;
did un-braid some of the cables back there while the computer was out. They were all run neatly originally - honest!!
... Feb.18: National Battery Day. Appreciate conveniences batteries
provide.
That was an appropriate one, both topic and date.... ;)<chuckle> It was semi-randomly selected: hit 'r' to jump to a random tagline, select or 'r' again. I think it was selected on the second
'r'.
... Major University Scientific Report says you need to buy OurSounds like good marketing to me!
Product!
Well, the Beeg Schtorm they were semi-panicking about didn't
materialize here -- this morning is off to the south by around a
hundred miles. We might get some rain out of the system.
Sounds like our weather.... except that I think that the storm
grazed a little closer to us than yours did to you.... ;)
After a while it gets cold enough it doesn't seem to make any
difference in one's mind if it gets any colder. I suppose
physiologically it does - exposed body parts get frostbit in 10 minutes
instead of 30 -- but to the average person just thinks -- or tries to
because their teeth are chattering so bad under five layers of
clothing!
It does make a difference too how acclimated one has become to theYes: everything's relatve. I put on a winter coat a little above
temps... people in Alaska and the Yukon would find our temps downright
balmy... <G> When it was around 0F here, I finally used my winter
jacket for a couple of days... usually it makes me too warm...
freezing -- I don't like being hot but don't like being cold either.
I don't like being cold either... especially when it's indoors
and the house just isn't warm enough... Outside, I can stand it
for a little, as long as it's pretty quick from warm to warm....
;)
Did see a guy wearing shorts and a lighterweight shirt -- looked
something like he came from or was going to a Rugby or soccer
practice. Everyone else wearing warm clothes.
Or maybe was an Alaskan native just there on a trip... <G>
Yup. Did straighten up here some -- did get rid of stuff on a bottom
shelf so might be able to get a Bankers Box there or equivalent.
haven't quite decided what should go there: want to keep like things
together. More cleaning and disposal and something will make sense.
Indeed.Rearranged some yesterday afternoon. Created a medium-sized hole. :) Right now wasted a bit of space with the condensing/re-arranging but thought of how to move a few things around and should solve that.
It's still a work in progress... :)
Even if the power failed right now there are
three batteries available which should run over three hours each. Not
planning on keeping that many charged: one is the battery from the UPS
that failed because the second battery was bad. Second is from a UPS
right now is a spare (not for too much longer!), and the third was a
spare/replacement battery.
So for now, you have plenty of backup anyway... :)
Yes. And with the temperature below zero if the power fails I have
more to be concerned with than what's on TV!
Except for ongoing weather reports and alerts... <G>
<chuckle> Oh yeah: forgot that's the original reason! <g>
Stay focused...! <G>Squirrel!! <g> Did charge two batteries for the TV yesteday morning
in anticipation of the storm. The one I removed from the UPS that 'failed' (the other battery had died) doesn't seem to hold a charge as well as it should -- still good for experimenting and would probably powere the TV for two or three hours.
So you'll want to charge that one up just prior to expected
use... and use it first... ;)
The second battery (different one from the one that failed in the UPS
- previous paragraph) has been holding its charge -- was pretty much at full charge and hasn't been charged in a couple of months. Seems like this one is the normal and expected standby.
Now that's a very good thing... that one can be there for the
unexpected emergencies as well... :)
<solar charger - maybe to outside>
Yes, though may sacrifice the unit just because it is old. Would
provide some sort of protection from rain, snow, etc., but if the
plastic case gets brittle and breaks no great loss.
Unless by some fluke, it actually works before it goes flooey... ;)
I'd prefer it not to go flooey (haven't heard that one in ages!) but
do realize is a possibility as not built for continuous use outdoors.
OTOH should last long enough to tell me if the project is worthwhile or
go with the charging/maintaining from the wall outlet (electricty).
Possibility... ;)So that sub-project will wait for a little while longer: can easily
get to the basement window now (yea!!), though some stuff in the way as far as counterspace for meters, etc. No rush, so better to leave alone for now.
It's not going anywhere in the meantime... <G>
... Major University Scientific Report says you need to buy OurSounds like good marketing to me!
Product!
Only if it actually produces the sales of the product.... ;)
Quoting Barry Martin to Nancy Backus on 01-Mar-2020 09:06 <=-
Well, the Beeg Schtorm they were semi-panicking about didn't
materialize here -- this morning is off to the south by around a
hundred miles. We might get some rain out of the system.
Sounds like our weather.... except that I think that the stormIt's supposed to be in the low 60's this afternoon! (Sunday, March
grazed a little closer to us than yours did to you.... ;)
1.) Around thirty degrees warmer than yesterday. Rest of the week
warmer than normal but not quite to t=day's warmth!
After a while it gets cold enough it doesn't seem to make any
difference in one's mind if it gets any colder. I suppose
physiologically it does - exposed body parts get frostbit in 10 minutes
instead of 30 -- but to the average person just thinks -- or tries to
because their teeth are chattering so bad under five layers of
clothing!
It does make a difference too how acclimated one has become to the
temps... people in Alaska and the Yukon would find our temps downright
balmy... <G> When it was around 0F here, I finally used my winter
jacket for a couple of days... usually it makes me too warm...
Yes: everything's relatve. I put on a winter coat a little above
freezing -- I don't like being hot but don't like being cold either.
I don't like being cold either... especially when it's indoors andPart of it may be psychological: outside halfway expect to be cold (or hot) whereas inside have been spoiled by being able to control the
the house just isn't warm enough... Outside, I can stand it for a
little, as long as it's pretty quick from warm to warm.... ;)
indoor climate with the furnace and air conditioning.
Yup. Did straighten up here some -- did get rid of stuff on a bottom
shelf so might be able to get a Bankers Box there or equivalent.
haven't quite decided what should go there: want to keep like things
together. More cleaning and disposal and something will make sense.
Indeed.
Rearranged some yesterday afternoon. Created a medium-sized hole. :)
Right now wasted a bit of space with the condensing/re-arranging but
thought of how to move a few things around and should solve that.
It's still a work in progress... :)Though hasn't progressed too much lately; have worked on some stuff
which takes time but doesn't really show, mainly scanning a bunch of papers so I can get rid of the physical paper, which will make room.
So for now, you have plenty of backup anyway... :)
Yes. And with the temperature below zero if the power fails I have
more to be concerned with than what's on TV!
Except for ongoing weather reports and alerts... <G>
<chuckle> Oh yeah: forgot that's the original reason! <g>
Stay focused...! <G>
Squirrel!! <g> Did charge two batteries for the TV yesteday morning
in anticipation of the storm. The one I removed from the UPS that
'failed' (the other battery had died) doesn't seem to hold a charge as
well as it should -- still good for experimenting and would probably
power the TV for two or three hours.
So you'll want to charge that one up just prior to expected use...Right. Do need to find a permanent home for the TV and associated
and use it first... ;)
parts; batteries and charger....
The second battery (different one from the one that failed in the UPS
- previous paragraph) has been holding its charge -- was pretty much at
full charge and hasn't been charged in a couple of months. Seems like
this one is the normal and expected standby.
Now that's a very good thing... that one can be there for theYes. Plus could remove the battery from a UPS or two -- some power computers which are in occasional use so the UPS battery would be essentially fully charged.
unexpected emergencies as well... :)
<solar charger - maybe to outside>
Yes, though may sacrifice the unit just because it is old. Would
provide some sort of protection from rain, snow, etc., but if the
plastic case gets brittle and breaks no great loss.
Unless by some fluke, it actually works before it goes flooey... ;)
I'd prefer it not to go flooey (haven't heard that one in ages!) but
do realize is a possibility as not built for continuous use outdoors.
OTOH should last long enough to tell me if the project is worthwhile or
go with the charging/maintaining from the wall outlet (electricty).
Possibility... ;)
So that sub-project will wait for a little while longer: can easily
get to the basement window now (yea!!), though some stuff in the way as
far as counterspace for meters, etc. No rush, so better to leave alone
for now.
It's not going anywhere in the meantime... <G>Right, and the semi-urgency has passed: the winter blizzard which sort
of started the whole thing, the season is passing. Summer can have
some rather nasty weather so don't want to get too lackadaisical. Plus the power could fail for a non-weather-related reason.
... Major University Scientific Report says you need to buy Our
Product!
Sounds like good marketing to me!
Only if it actually produces the sales of the product.... ;)They think my money is better in their pocket than mine!
Well, the Beeg Schtorm they were semi-panicking about didn't
materialize here -- this morning is off to the south by around a
hundred miles. We might get some rain out of the system.
Sounds like our weather.... except that I think that the stormIt's supposed to be in the low 60's this afternoon! (Sunday, March
grazed a little closer to us than yours did to you.... ;)
1.) Around thirty degrees warmer than yesterday. Rest of the week
warmer than normal but not quite to t=day's warmth!
IIRC, our weather was similar... this week's been rather an
intense one, so things get all smooshed together in my memory...
;)
in anticipation of the storm. The one I removed from the UPS that
'failed' (the other battery had died) doesn't seem to hold a charge as
well as it should -- still good for experimenting and would probably
power the TV for two or three hours.
So you'll want to charge that one up just prior to expected use...Right. Do need to find a permanent home for the TV and associated
and use it first... ;)
parts; batteries and charger....
A place to tuck it all away when not needed to be in use...?
The second battery (different one from the one that failed in the UPS
- previous paragraph) has been holding its charge -- was pretty much at
full charge and hasn't been charged in a couple of months. Seems like
this one is the normal and expected standby.
Now that's a very good thing... that one can be there for theYes. Plus could remove the battery from a UPS or two -- some power computers which are in occasional use so the UPS battery would be essentially fully charged.
unexpected emergencies as well... :)
A nice backup.... :)
<solar charger - maybe to outside>
Yes, though may sacrifice the unit just because it is old. Would
provide some sort of protection from rain, snow, etc., but if the
plastic case gets brittle and breaks no great loss.
Unless by some fluke, it actually works before it goes flooey... ;)
I'd prefer it not to go flooey (haven't heard that one in ages!) but
do realize is a possibility as not built for continuous use outdoors.
OTOH should last long enough to tell me if the project is worthwhile or
go with the charging/maintaining from the wall outlet (electricty).
Possibility... ;)
So that sub-project will wait for a little while longer: can easily
get to the basement window now (yea!!), though some stuff in the way as
far as counterspace for meters, etc. No rush, so better to leave alone
for now.
It's not going anywhere in the meantime... <G>Right, and the semi-urgency has passed: the winter blizzard which sort
of started the whole thing, the season is passing. Summer can have
some rather nasty weather so don't want to get too lackadaisical. Plus the power could fail for a non-weather-related reason.
Right... if you'd not come up with those last two, I'd've
mentioned them... ;) Winter's not the only time one could lose
power...
... Major University Scientific Report says you need to buy Our
Product!
Sounds like good marketing to me!
Only if it actually produces the sales of the product.... ;)They think my money is better in their pocket than mine!
But you can keep it in your pocket if you aren't swayed by their rhetoric... ;)
Quoting Barry Martin to Nancy Backus on 07-Mar-2020 10:00 <=-
Well, the Beeg Schtorm they were semi-panicking about didn't
materialize here -- this morning is off to the south by around a
hundred miles. We might get some rain out of the system.
Sounds like our weather.... except that I think that the storm
grazed a little closer to us than yours did to you.... ;)
It's supposed to be in the low 60's this afternoon! (Sunday, March
1.) Around thirty degrees warmer than yesterday. Rest of the week
warmer than normal but not quite to t=day's warmth!
IIRC, our weather was similar... this week's been rather anAs I mentioned in an earlier message it's been warmer this past week
intense one, so things get all smooshed together in my memory... ;)
and a definite on those March winds! They have issued fire bans; not
sure where it was but semi-locally someone was doing a burn, thought
the fire was out, went inside. Neighbour noted later a section of
woods was on fire.
in anticipation of the storm. The one I removed from the UPS that
'failed' (the other battery had died) doesn't seem to hold a charge as
well as it should -- still good for experimenting and would probably
power the TV for two or three hours.
So you'll want to charge that one up just prior to expected use...
and use it first... ;)
Right. Do need to find a permanent home for the TV and associated
parts; batteries and charger....
A place to tuck it all away when not needed to be in use...?Right. Right now thinking ideally in the basement where I'd like to
have the solar charger (in the window) - also store the battery-
operated lanterns in same area (those batteries need charging also!).
The second battery (different one from the one that failed in the UPS
- previous paragraph) has been holding its charge -- was pretty much at
full charge and hasn't been charged in a couple of months. Seems like
this one is the normal and expected standby.
Now that's a very good thing... that one can be there for the
unexpected emergencies as well... :)
Yes. Plus could remove the battery from a UPS or two -- some power
computers which are in occasional use so the UPS battery would be
essentially fully charged.
A nice backup.... :)Yes - now to see if all the little plans really work out!
<solar charger - maybe to outside>
It's not going anywhere in the meantime... <G>
Right, and the semi-urgency has passed: the winter blizzard which sort
of started the whole thing, the season is passing. Summer can have
some rather nasty weather so don't want to get too lackadaisical. Plus
the power could fail for a non-weather-related reason.
Right... if you'd not come up with those last two, I'd've mentionedKnow that all too well! :)
them... ;) Winter's not the only time one could lose power...
... Major University Scientific Report says you need to buy Our
Product!
Sounds like good marketing to me!
Only if it actually produces the sales of the product.... ;)
They think my money is better in their pocket than mine!
But you can keep it in your pocket if you aren't swayed by theirAnd I have! Also have been swayed but on checking out reviews is
rhetoric... ;)
barely useful.
I may be a bit sketchier than usual for a while... I've started
in on figuring out my taxes, and have a few other things pushing
at me as well... but I'll try for at least a minimal presence...
;)
As I mentioned in an earlier message it's been warmer this past week
and a definite on those March winds! They have issued fire bans; not
sure where it was but semi-locally someone was doing a burn, thought
the fire was out, went inside. Neighbour noted later a section of
woods was on fire.
Now that would be scary... When I was at lunch with my sister
Monday, she got a fire risk alert on her phone.... her stepson is
a volunteer fireman, and he'd explained to her before that this
time of year there's more oxygen in the air, which makes fires a
lot more likely with just a little warmth, dryness and
inattention... And the March winds just make it spread
quickly....
in anticipation of the storm. The one I removed from the UPS that
'failed' (the other battery had died) doesn't seem to hold a charge as
well as it should -- still good for experimenting and would probably
power the TV for two or three hours.
So you'll want to charge that one up just prior to expected use...
and use it first... ;)
Right. Do need to find a permanent home for the TV and associated
parts; batteries and charger....
A place to tuck it all away when not needed to be in use...?Right. Right now thinking ideally in the basement where I'd like to
have the solar charger (in the window) - also store the battery-
operated lanterns in same area (those batteries need charging also!).
That seems reasonable... :)
... Major University Scientific Report says you need to buy Our
Product!
Sounds like good marketing to me!
Only if it actually produces the sales of the product.... ;)
They think my money is better in their pocket than mine!
But you can keep it in your pocket if you aren't swayed by theirAnd I have! Also have been swayed but on checking out reviews is
rhetoric... ;)
barely useful.
I tend to be mostly impervious to advertising.... unless I'm
already considering something, and have been already checking it
out, their rhetoric doesn't get to me... :)
Quoting Barry Martin to Nancy Backus on 15-Mar-2020 08:09 <=-
I may be a bit sketchier than usual for a while... I've started inOK - you can use the messaging as a mental coffee break!
on figuring out my taxes, and have a few other things pushing at me
as well... but I'll try for at least a minimal presence... ;)
As I mentioned in an earlier message it's been warmer this past week
and a definite on those March winds! They have issued fire bans; not
sure where it was but semi-locally someone was doing a burn, thought
the fire was out, went inside. Neighbour noted later a section of
woods was on fire.
Now that would be scary... When I was at lunch with my sister Monday,I didn't know about the extra oxygen. It would make a little more
she got a fire risk alert on her phone.... her stepson is a volunteer
fireman, and he'd explained to her before that this time of year
there's more oxygen in the air, which makes fires a lot more likely
with just a little warmth, dryness and inattention... And the March
winds just make it spread quickly....
sense if the trees were starting to releave (photosynthesis). Know
wind will fan a fire, effectively giving it more oxygen.
As for the woods catching on fire, always a good thing for people to
be a little nosy and at least glance out the windows to check. Or at least admire Mother Nature for a couple of seconds!
We had about an inch of snow yesterday (March 14th); didn't need to go anywhere plus the forecast was for it to melt in the afternoon.
Originall forecast was for snow in the morning; pretty much snowed all day, sometimes heavily. As I type this morning 30ø, looks like about
had melted away overnight.
Do need to find a permanent home for the TV and associated parts;
batteries and charger....
A place to tuck it all away when not needed to be in use...?
Right. Right now thinking ideally in the basement where I'd like to
have the solar charger (in the window) - also store the battery-
operated lanterns in same area (those batteries need charging also!).
That seems reasonable... :)Now to do it!
... Major University Scientific Report says you need to buy Our
Product!
Sounds like good marketing to me!
Only if it actually produces the sales of the product.... ;)
They think my money is better in their pocket than mine!
But you can keep it in your pocket if you aren't swayed by their
rhetoric... ;)
And I have! Also have been swayed but on checking out reviews is
barely useful.
I tend to be mostly impervious to advertising.... unless I'm alreadyBut-but-but: it's New _and_ Improved!! <g>
considering something, and have been already checking it out, their
rhetoric doesn't get to me... :)
I'll tend to glance at the electronics (more computer) advertising,
sort of to see what's out there, sort of for planning future computer builds/expansions.
As for the insurance ads - some are entertaining! More what perks up
my ears is the "you could save up to", which did get me to consider
and eventually change my insurance -- ten years ago?! Right now
still at a reasonable rate, no dissatisfaction, so no need to
consider switching. Will probably do a review again in a year or two.
As for clothing, food, ...furniture.... Don't really need anything.
Well, food on a regular basis but satisfied with Hy-Vee; do check
their ads for sale items.
I may be a bit sketchier than usual for a while... I've started inOK - you can use the messaging as a mental coffee break!
on figuring out my taxes, and have a few other things pushing at me
as well... but I'll try for at least a minimal presence... ;)
As long as the brain wasn't too frazzled... <G> Taxes are
finally all figured now, but not quite finished yet.... And I
keep getting long phone calls from people (or calls that I
initiate that end up being long calls, too), especially in this
time of social distancing... :)
As I mentioned in an earlier message it's been warmer this past week
and a definite on those March winds! They have issued fire bans; not
sure where it was but semi-locally someone was doing a burn, thought
the fire was out, went inside. Neighbour noted later a section of
woods was on fire.
Now that would be scary... When I was at lunch with my sister Monday,I didn't know about the extra oxygen. It would make a little more
she got a fire risk alert on her phone.... her stepson is a volunteer
fireman, and he'd explained to her before that this time of year
there's more oxygen in the air, which makes fires a lot more likely
with just a little warmth, dryness and inattention... And the March
winds just make it spread quickly....
sense if the trees were starting to releave (photosynthesis). Know
wind will fan a fire, effectively giving it more oxygen.
Possibly there's more ozone production from the sun, too... I
hadn't known about it before either (that I remember, anyway)...
one can keep learning new and useful things... ;)
As for the woods catching on fire, always a good thing for people to
be a little nosy and at least glance out the windows to check. Or at least admire Mother Nature for a couple of seconds!
That's for sure... :) And as well, not to be too sure that one
has totally extinguished a fire too quickly.... I've seen fires
that just were tamped down and burst into flame again later,
despite a night of heavy rain on it.....
Do need to find a permanent home for the TV and associated parts;
batteries and charger....
A place to tuck it all away when not needed to be in use...?
Right. Right now thinking ideally in the basement where I'd like to
have the solar charger (in the window) - also store the battery-
operated lanterns in same area (those batteries need charging also!).
That seems reasonable... :)Now to do it!
Yup. ;)
... Major University Scientific Report says you need to buy Our
Product!
Sounds like good marketing to me!
Only if it actually produces the sales of the product.... ;)
They think my money is better in their pocket than mine!
But you can keep it in your pocket if you aren't swayed by their
rhetoric... ;)
And I have! Also have been swayed but on checking out reviews is
barely useful.
I tend to be mostly impervious to advertising.... unless I'm alreadyBut-but-but: it's New _and_ Improved!! <g>
considering something, and have been already checking it out, their
rhetoric doesn't get to me... :)
And.........??? <G>
I'll tend to glance at the electronics (more computer) advertising,
sort of to see what's out there, sort of for planning future computer builds/expansions.
That somewhat makes sense... not so much planning on buying as
keeping abreast on what might be happening...
As for the insurance ads - some are entertaining! More what perks up
my ears is the "you could save up to", which did get me to consider
and eventually change my insurance -- ten years ago?! Right now
still at a reasonable rate, no dissatisfaction, so no need to
consider switching. Will probably do a review again in a year or two.
I look at the print ads sometimes, but not been inclined to check
anything out yet.... I've noticed that the company we're with
tends to have the least savings by switching, which tends to
reinforce my idea that we're probably best off where we are... :)
As for clothing, food, ...furniture.... Don't really need anything.Likewise... :) Wegmans doesn't have food ads anymore, as
Well, food on a regular basis but satisfied with Hy-Vee; do check
their ads for sale items.
such... but I do keep an eye out in the store at things we buy
regularly to see if they go on sale, and if so, if one should get
it a little early to take advantage of the sale.... and I
regularly check out the digital coupons for anything I might be getting.... :)
Quoting Barry Martin to Nancy Backus on 27-Mar-2020 11:39 <=-
OK - you can use the messaging as a mental coffee break!
As long as the brain wasn't too frazzled... <G> Taxes are finallyMy Mother said she had called a few people earlier this week she
all figured now, but not quite finished yet.... And I keep getting
long phone calls from people (or calls that I initiate that end up
being long calls, too), especially in this time of social
distancing... :)
hadn't talked to in a while. Our people are either local, somewhat of
a distance but talk to regularly, or in my case on the other side of
The Pond and so e-mail or talk to every so often.
Glad your taxes almost done -- hopefully a bit of a refund after all
that work!
...There's talk of a $1,200 stimulus check because of the COVID-19 -- will be nice for the now but I'm thinking will be counted as an income next tax season (so don't spend all of it!). Maybe was a good thing I ended up postponing donating my books until this year: can counter-act
the stimulus check tax!
I didn't know about the extra oxygen. It would make a little more
sense if the trees were starting to releave (photosynthesis). Know
wind will fan a fire, effectively giving it more oxygen.
Possibly there's more ozone production from the sun, too... I hadn'tLearning and experiencing new things is good! :) Even a 'variation
known about it before either (that I remember, anyway)... one can
keep learning new and useful things... ;)
on a theme' ==> new way to do an old thing is good.
As for the woods catching on fire, always a good thing for people to
be a little nosy and at least glance out the windows to check. Or at
least admire Mother Nature for a couple of seconds!
That's for sure... :) And as well, not to be too sure that one hasWhich I guess is one reason why firefighters stay on the scene even
totally extinguished a fire too quickly.... I've seen fires that just
were tamped down and burst into flame again later, despite a night of
heavy rain on it.....
though it appears the fire is out.
Do need to find a permanent home for the TV and associated parts;
batteries and charger....
A place to tuck it all away when not needed to be in use...?
Right. Right now thinking ideally in the basement where I'd like to
have the solar charger (in the window) - also store the battery-
operated lanterns in same area (those batteries need charging also!).
That seems reasonable... :)
Now to do it!
Yup. ;)Side-tracked myself while I was waiting for a part; ordered a few as inexpensive for some other potential projects. "Buck-boost" regulator which cuts (so 'bucks') a high input voltage and boosts a low input voltage. (Cheaper to buy than build!) Will be set so the output
voltage (powering the TV or other project) will be 12.0 volts
regardless of if the input voltage is 15 volts or 5.
One thing I didn't like was a freshly-charged 12-volt battery could
put out 14 volts which is waaaaay over the usual 10% tolerance -- don't want to fry the TV! Relatively easy way to correct the overage. Then
we have the problem of if not paying attention and allow the battery to discharge too much - TV would probably work until it fried itself the other way. (I'm trying to avoid being too technical,)
Figuring the same potential issues with the solar cell power project: overcast is producing low voltage while a bright sunny day could
produce too much voltage,
But you can keep it in your pocket if you aren't swayed by their
rhetoric... ;)
And I have! Also have been swayed but on checking out reviews is
barely useful.
I tend to be mostly impervious to advertising.... unless I'm already
considering something, and have been already checking it out, their
rhetoric doesn't get to me... :)
But-but-but: it's New _and_ Improved!! <g>
And.........??? <G>And?! But it's 'New' and 'Improved'!!' What more could one want?!! <g>
I'll tend to glance at the electronics (more computer) advertising,
sort of to see what's out there, sort of for planning future computer
builds/expansions.
That somewhat makes sense... not so much planning on buying asThe 'buck/boost' device idea derived from a 'technical advertisement'. Will admit it took a few postings of the ad to finally catch.
keeping abreast on what might be happening...
As for the insurance ads - some are entertaining! More what perks up
my ears is the "you could save up to", which did get me to consider
and eventually change my insurance -- ten years ago?! Right now
still at a reasonable rate, no dissatisfaction, so no need to
consider switching. Will probably do a review again in a year or two.
I look at the print ads sometimes, but not been inclined to checkThat would seem logical. Not a bad idea to have a review every five
anything out yet.... I've noticed that the company we're with tends
to have the least savings by switching, which tends to reinforce my
idea that we're probably best off where we are... :)
or ten years: things change. You might have purchased a ...ummm... (y'know being relatively easily satisfied has drawbacks when trying to come up with examples!).... Aw, jacuzzi! Maybe you thought was covered under homeowners but isn't, or barely is and for a few dollars can get
a decent rider.
As for clothing, food, ...furniture.... Don't really need anything.
Well, food on a regular basis but satisfied with Hy-Vee; do check
their ads for sale items.
Likewise... :) Wegmans doesn't have food ads anymore, as such... butHy-Vee announced last week they were temporarily discontinuing their
I do keep an eye out in the store at things we buy regularly to see if
they go on sale, and if so, if one should get it a little early to
take advantage of the sale.... and I regularly check out the digital
coupons for anything I might be getting.... :)
print ad because they couldn't guarantee sufficient stock due to
COVID-19 issues. Did have the on-line ad, at least for this week (effective date March 25), though IMO wasn't much in it; I probably
would have skipped if it wasn't for me being across the street for the cards, etc., at Dollar General and needing a few things which rarely
go on sale.
Will be interesting to see what next week's electronic ad offers.
OK - you can use the messaging as a mental coffee break!
As long as the brain wasn't too frazzled... <G> Taxes are finallyMy Mother said she had called a few people earlier this week she
all figured now, but not quite finished yet.... And I keep getting
long phone calls from people (or calls that I initiate that end up
being long calls, too), especially in this time of social
distancing... :)
hadn't talked to in a while. Our people are either local, somewhat of
a distance but talk to regularly, or in my case on the other side of
The Pond and so e-mail or talk to every so often.
A number of the longer calls have been to local people I can't go
out to lunch with at the moment... And then there are the almost
daily long calls from one local gal I'm a counselor to....
sometimes more than once in a day, too, depending on what she's obsessively worrying about....
Glad your taxes almost done -- hopefully a bit of a refund after all
that work!
The state will be a decent refund, as it always is now, since we
are having a chunk withheld from Richard's pension, but then we
found out that our state doesn't tax Soc.Sec. at all, and allows
20,000 of each person's pension(s) to stay tax-free.... so we can
cover what's left of taxable income with either the standard
deduction or the itemized one, and owe no tax at all, getting
everything back that was withheld... Federal, on the other hand
isn't nearly so generous, and taxes part of the Social Security
based on whatever other income (including tax-free) one might
have.... so we've ended up owing quite a bit more than was
withheld from his pension...
...There's talk of a $1,200 stimulus check because of the COVID-19 -- will be nice for the now but I'm thinking will be counted as an income next tax season (so don't spend all of it!). Maybe was a good thing I ended up postponing donating my books until this year: can counter-act
the stimulus check tax!
From what I've seen, it shouldn't be considered income to be
taxed, and as long as your income is less than $75000 ($150000
joint) you'd be getting $1200 each... Maybe it counts more like a
tax refund, or is like a household credit....
As for the woods catching on fire, always a good thing for people to
be a little nosy and at least glance out the windows to check. Or at
least admire Mother Nature for a couple of seconds!
That's for sure... :) And as well, not to be too sure that one hasWhich I guess is one reason why firefighters stay on the scene even
totally extinguished a fire too quickly.... I've seen fires that just
were tamped down and burst into flame again later, despite a night of
heavy rain on it.....
though it appears the fire is out.
Indeed. And is part of why they tear apart things so much...
when we had our attic fire many years ago in a January, the
contractors came in early March to repair the roof and all....
and when they tore off shingles from the roof, some of them burst
into flame as they got oxygen.... was really a scary thought to
know that that had been sitting there over our heads for a couple
of months and we never knew that the fire could have
restarted.... fortunately, it hadn't, and the rebuild went
fine.... But we got an enhanced respect for the power of fire...
Do need to find a permanent home for the TV and associated parts;
batteries and charger....
A place to tuck it all away when not needed to be in use...?
Right. Right now thinking ideally in the basement where I'd like to
have the solar charger (in the window) - also store the battery-
operated lanterns in same area (those batteries need charging also!).
That seems reasonable... :)
Now to do it!
Yup. ;)Side-tracked myself while I was waiting for a part; ordered a few as inexpensive for some other potential projects. "Buck-boost" regulator which cuts (so 'bucks') a high input voltage and boosts a low input voltage. (Cheaper to buy than build!) Will be set so the output
voltage (powering the TV or other project) will be 12.0 volts
regardless of if the input voltage is 15 volts or 5.
Those do sound helpful... Did you get them yet....? (So now can
you get back to figuring out where to store the stuff...?) ;)
One thing I didn't like was a freshly-charged 12-volt battery could
put out 14 volts which is waaaaay over the usual 10% tolerance -- don't want to fry the TV! Relatively easy way to correct the overage. Then
we have the problem of if not paying attention and allow the battery to discharge too much - TV would probably work until it fried itself the other way. (I'm trying to avoid being too technical,)
And the buck-boost would protect the TV either direction....
Figuring the same potential issues with the solar cell power project: overcast is producing low voltage while a bright sunny day could
produce too much voltage,
I suppose that is a possiblility.... Does the buck-boost work
with the solar cell setup, too, then....?
Quoting Barry Martin to Nancy Backus on 05-Apr-2020 10:04 <=-
And I keep getting long phone calls from people (or calls that I
initiate that end up being long calls, too), especially in this time
of social distancing... :)
My Mother said she had called a few people earlier this week she
hadn't talked to in a while. Our people are either local, somewhat of
a distance but talk to regularly, or in my case on the other side of
The Pond and so e-mail or talk to every so often.
A number of the longer calls have been to local people I can't go outThat makes sense: if can't talk in person the phone is one way to get around.
to lunch with at the moment... And then there are the almost daily
long calls from one local gal I'm a counselor to... sometimes more
than once in a day, too, depending on what she's obsessively worrying
about....
And counselling ad alleviating concerns can take a while: need to
break down what the other person built up.
Glad your taxes almost done -- hopefully a bit of a refund after all
that work!
The state will be a decent refund, as it always is now, since we areIowa taxes so I've have my IRA distribution taxed and then so far 100% refunded. With the new distribution going into effect in a few months (old one expires) I'm going to ask about having that changed. I'm thinking because of the eventual upcoming inheritance just half the
having a chunk withheld from Richard's pension, but then we found out
that our state doesn't tax Soc.Sec. at all, and allows 20,000 of each
person's pension(s) to stay tax-free.... so we can cover what's left
of taxable income with either the standard deduction or the itemized
one, and owe no tax at all, getting everything back that was withheld.
Federal, on the other hand isn't nearly so generous, and taxes part
of the Social Security based on whatever other income (including
tax-free) one might have.... so we've ended up owing quite a bit more
than was withheld from his pension...
amount withheld (and refunded), just to balance things out.
...There's talk of a $1,200 stimulus check because of the COVID-19 --
will be nice for the now but I'm thinking will be counted as an income
next tax season (so don't spend all of it!). Maybe was a good thing I
ended up postponing donating my books until this year: can counter-act
the stimulus check tax!
From what I've seen, it shouldn't be considered income to be taxed,I hope they phrase it as a gift as Iowa taxes the federal refund!
and as long as your income is less than $75000 ($150000 joint) you'd
be getting $1200 each... Maybe it counts more like a tax refund, or
is like a household credit....
(It's not like the taxes are horrible here, they just like to get money
to run the state properly.)
That's for sure... :) And as well, not to be too sure that one has
totally extinguished a fire too quickly.... I've seen fires that just
were tamped down and burst into flame again later, despite a night of
heavy rain on it.....
Which I guess is one reason why firefighters stay on the scene even
though it appears the fire is out.
Indeed. And is part of why they tear apart things so much... when weWhoa!!! I reread that to make sure I read correctly! Two months is a long time to be smoldering! Not doubting you, but is scary to think a fire could be hiding that long!
had our attic fire many years ago in a January, the contractors came
in early March to repair the roof and all.... and when they tore off
shingles from the roof, some of them burst into flame as they got
oxygen.... was really a scary thought to know that that had been
sitting there over our heads for a couple of months and we never knew
that the fire could have restarted.... fortunately, it hadn't, and
the rebuild went fine.... But we got an enhanced respect for the power
of fire...
Side-tracked myself while I was waiting for a part; ordered a few as
inexpensive for some other potential projects. "Buck-boost" regulator
which cuts (so 'bucks') a high input voltage and boosts a low input
voltage. (Cheaper to buy than build!) Will be set so the output
voltage (powering the TV or other project) will be 12.0 volts
regardless of if the input voltage is 15 volts or 5.
Those do sound helpful... Did you get them yet....? (So now can youGot the buck-boost device -- seems to work as advertised. Not that I doubted as is a commercial device (used in cars, etc.), but I have a variable power supply downstairs and so played: down to around 5v, up
get back to figuring out where to store the stuff...?) ;)
to 20v - output stays at 12v!
As for storing, thinking I might 'store out in the open': dawned on me
to use the TV as a monitor for my Raspberry Pi weather station. Of
course have a But First but that was expected!
One thing I didn't like was a freshly-charged 12-volt battery could
put out 14 volts which is waaaaay over the usual 10% tolerance -- don't
want to fry the TV! Relatively easy way to correct the overage. Then
we have the problem of if not paying attention and allow the battery to
discharge too much - TV would probably work until it fried itself the
other way. (I'm trying to avoid being too technical,)
And the buck-boost would protect the TV either direction....Right: the buck-boost device will decrease the too-high input and
increase a too-low input. I don't intend to run the battery to
exhaustion but at least if accidentally done I'm generally covered and won't damage the TV.
Figuring the same potential issues with the solar cell power project:
overcast is producing low voltage while a bright sunny day could
produce too much voltage,
I suppose that is a possiblility.... Does the buck-boost workIt can, and read where it has been used with solar cells. Now to get
with the solar cell setup, too, then....?
my Round TuIt on that project... Overcast today, plus Autumn, plus a
But First.
And I keep getting long phone calls from people (or calls that I
initiate that end up being long calls, too), especially in this time
of social distancing... :)
My Mother said she had called a few people earlier this week she
hadn't talked to in a while. Our people are either local, somewhat of
a distance but talk to regularly, or in my case on the other side of
The Pond and so e-mail or talk to every so often.
A number of the longer calls have been to local people I can't go outThat makes sense: if can't talk in person the phone is one way to get around.
to lunch with at the moment... And then there are the almost daily
long calls from one local gal I'm a counselor to... sometimes more
than once in a day, too, depending on what she's obsessively worrying
about....
It's not quite the same as meeting in person, but it's much
better than no contact at all... ;)
And counselling ad alleviating concerns can take a while: need to
break down what the other person built up.
Exactly... and/or allow enough time for it all to spill out so
that it can be worked on.... :)
Glad your taxes almost done -- hopefully a bit of a refund after all
that work!
The state will be a decent refund, as it always is now, since we areIowa taxes so I've have my IRA distribution taxed and then so far 100% refunded. With the new distribution going into effect in a few months (old one expires) I'm going to ask about having that changed. I'm thinking because of the eventual upcoming inheritance just half the
having a chunk withheld from Richard's pension, but then we found out
that our state doesn't tax Soc.Sec. at all, and allows 20,000 of each
person's pension(s) to stay tax-free.... so we can cover what's left
of taxable income with either the standard deduction or the itemized
one, and owe no tax at all, getting everything back that was withheld.
Federal, on the other hand isn't nearly so generous, and taxes part
of the Social Security based on whatever other income (including
tax-free) one might have.... so we've ended up owing quite a bit more
than was withheld from his pension...
amount withheld (and refunded), just to balance things out.
Inheritance isn't taxed, though... The only thing you'd owe any
tax on from that would be if you inherited stocks, bonds or funds
that continued to earn for you, and that gain would be taxed, not
the inheritance itself...
...There's talk of a $1,200 stimulus check because of the COVID-19 --
will be nice for the now but I'm thinking will be counted as an income
next tax season (so don't spend all of it!). Maybe was a good thing I
ended up postponing donating my books until this year: can counter-act
the stimulus check tax!
From what I've seen, it shouldn't be considered income to be taxed,I hope they phrase it as a gift as Iowa taxes the federal refund!
and as long as your income is less than $75000 ($150000 joint) you'd
be getting $1200 each... Maybe it counts more like a tax refund, or
is like a household credit....
(It's not like the taxes are horrible here, they just like to get money
to run the state properly.)
Most likely it would be treated as a refundable credit, not taxed
at all...
That's for sure... :) And as well, not to be too sure that one has
totally extinguished a fire too quickly.... I've seen fires that just
were tamped down and burst into flame again later, despite a night of
heavy rain on it.....
Which I guess is one reason why firefighters stay on the scene even
though it appears the fire is out.
Indeed. And is part of why they tear apart things so much... when weWhoa!!! I reread that to make sure I read correctly! Two months is a long time to be smoldering! Not doubting you, but is scary to think a fire could be hiding that long!
had our attic fire many years ago in a January, the contractors came
in early March to repair the roof and all.... and when they tore off
shingles from the roof, some of them burst into flame as they got
oxygen.... was really a scary thought to know that that had been
sitting there over our heads for a couple of months and we never knew
that the fire could have restarted.... fortunately, it hadn't, and
the rebuild went fine.... But we got an enhanced respect for the power
of fire...
Exactly.... I'm still taken aback all these years later,
recounting the story, to think what might have happened.... very scary....
As for storing, thinking I might 'store out in the open': dawned on me
to use the TV as a monitor for my Raspberry Pi weather station. Of
course have a But First but that was expected!
That's a thought... :)
Figuring the same potential issues with the solar cell power project:
overcast is producing low voltage while a bright sunny day could
produce too much voltage,
I suppose that is a possiblility.... Does the buck-boost workIt can, and read where it has been used with solar cells. Now to get
with the solar cell setup, too, then....?
my Round TuIt on that project... Overcast today, plus Autumn, plus a
But First.
Eventually you'll get to that again... on a nice sunny day.... ;)
Quoting Barry Martin to Nancy Backus on 15-Apr-2020 10:01 <=-
Snowed last night! Received just under 2" -- looks nice and clean out
there! The forecast is warming up this afternoon, so probably all
gone by evening. There is a prediction of 2-3" for late Thursday.
A number of the longer calls have been to local people I can't go out
to lunch with at the moment... And then there are the almost daily
long calls from one local gal I'm a counselor to... sometimes more
than once in a day, too, depending on what she's obsessively worrying
about....
That makes sense: if can't talk in person the phone is one way to get
around.
It's not quite the same as meeting in person, but it's much betterTrue. You know people have been isolated too long when they start chit-chatting with the telephone spammers! <g>
than no contact at all... ;)
And counselling ad alleviating concerns can take a while: need to
break down what the other person built up.
Exactly... and/or allow enough time for it all to spill out soAnd their normal isn't the same as anyone else's normal: "it's not
that it can be worked on.... :)
normal to be yelled at/slapped/hit?" (Semi-extreme example.)
Iowa taxes so I've have my IRA distribution taxed and then so far 100%
refunded. With the new distribution going into effect in a few months
(old one expires) I'm going to ask about having that changed.
I'm thinking because of the eventual upcoming inheritance just half
the amount withheld (and refunded), just to balance things out.
Inheritance isn't taxed, though... The only thing you'd owe any taxI half-knew that. Combination of me half-expecting the rules to be changed. The house in NH will be sold, so hopefully a bit of a
on from that would be if you inherited stocks, bonds or funds that
continued to earn for you, and that gain would be taxed, not the
inheritance itself...
profit. Bank accounts and my Mother's IRA. Nothing all that
complicated.
FWIW I received mine on April 13th -- everyone else is jealous because they haven't seen their accounts being deposited yet. I'm guessing...There's talk of a $1,200 stimulus check because of the COVID-19 --
done in Social Security Number order and mine begins with 0?
will be nice for the now but I'm thinking will be counted as an income
next tax season (so don't spend all of it!). Maybe was a good thing I
ended up postponing donating my books until this year: can counter-act
the stimulus check tax!
From what I've seen, it shouldn't be considered income to be taxed,
and as long as your income is less than $75000 ($150000 joint) you'd
be getting $1200 each... Maybe it counts more like a tax refund, or
is like a household credit....
I hope they phrase it as a gift as Iowa taxes the federal refund!
(It's not like the taxes are horrible here, they just like to get money
to run the state properly.)
Most likely it would be treated as a refundable credit, not taxed atThat seems to be. Not that I'm trying to look at the dark side but
all...
more of being slightly prepared for potholes in the Road of Life.
Local news had an interview with a finanacial advisor -- from the same company my broker is with (private firm). Was sort of funny as the
advice was to spend the money and not pay off bills, etc. 'Funny'
part was he commented normally he'd advise paying down credit cards, bills, etc., with this kind of money but in this instance would be
better to spend.
As for storing, thinking I might 'store out in the open': dawned on me
to use the TV as a monitor for my Raspberry Pi weather station. Of
course have a But First but that was expected!
That's a thought... :)Haven't done too much -- other 'ends and odds'.
Figuring the same potential issues with the solar cell power project:
overcast is producing low voltage while a bright sunny day could
produce too much voltage,
I suppose that is a possiblility.... Does the buck-boost work
with the solar cell setup, too, then....?
It can, and read where it has been used with solar cells. Now to get
my Round TuIt on that project... Overcast today, plus Autumn, plus a
But First.
Eventually you'll get to that again... on a nice sunny day.... ;)True. OTOH don't want a too-sunny day as will skew the experiment and make any ol' placement look right. ...It'll get done.
Snowed last night! Received just under 2" -- looks nice and clean outWe had similar, in about the same time period, though we never
there! The forecast is warming up this afternoon, so probably all
gone by evening. There is a prediction of 2-3" for late Thursday.
got more than about an inch at a time.... this past week there
were threats of snow that never really materialized... we've had
rain, though... and more sun than was called for, not that I'm complaining.. <G>
True. You know people have been isolated too long when they start chit-chatting with the telephone spammers! <g>
Not there yet, thankfully.... <G> I have noticed, though, that
there have been fewer of the spammer calls.... apparently they
aren't considered essential businesses... <G>
And counselling ad alleviating concerns can take a while: need to
break down what the other person built up.
Exactly... and/or allow enough time for it all to spill out soAnd their normal isn't the same as anyone else's normal: "it's not
that it can be worked on.... :)
normal to be yelled at/slapped/hit?" (Semi-extreme example.)
There is that, too... lately more just a calming of paranoias and
such, though....
Iowa taxes so I've have my IRA distribution taxed and then so far 100%You mean, you've been having taxes withheld from your
refunded. With the new distribution going into effect in a few months
(old one expires) I'm going to ask about having that changed.
distributions...? As long as you get it back, that's not too
bad... :)
I'm thinking because of the eventual upcoming inheritance just half
the amount withheld (and refunded), just to balance things out.
Inheritance isn't taxed, though... The only thing you'd owe any taxI half-knew that. Combination of me half-expecting the rules to be changed. The house in NH will be sold, so hopefully a bit of a
on from that would be if you inherited stocks, bonds or funds that
continued to earn for you, and that gain would be taxed, not the
inheritance itself...
profit. Bank accounts and my Mother's IRA. Nothing all that
complicated.
With the house, you inherit the basis as of her date of death,
unless your name is on the deed already.... in any case, when
sold, there still shouldn't be more capital gains on that than
what is exempt from taxing, unless it's a very expensive
house.... The bank accounts are purely inheritance, so you won't
have personal tax on those... The IRA, if she's needing to pay
taxes on the distributions, you (or the estate) will need to pay
income tax on what's left... you might be able to set it up to
get as distributions rather than a lump sum, and then the tax
would be spread out over the span of distributions...
FWIW I received mine on April 13th -- everyone else is jealous because they haven't seen their accounts being deposited yet. I'm guessing...There's talk of a $1,200 stimulus check because of the COVID-19 --
done in Social Security Number order and mine begins with 0?
We didn't get ours yet... but I don't think it's in SS# order, as
both of ours also begin with 0 too... I've heard of some other
people that have gotten theirs already... Did you e-file your
taxes this year and have the payment or refund taken care of electronically from/to your bank account....?
will be nice for the now but I'm thinking will be counted as an income
next tax season (so don't spend all of it!). Maybe was a good thing I
ended up postponing donating my books until this year: can counter-act
the stimulus check tax!
From what I've seen, it shouldn't be considered income to be taxed,
and as long as your income is less than $75000 ($150000 joint) you'd
be getting $1200 each... Maybe it counts more like a tax refund, or
is like a household credit....
I hope they phrase it as a gift as Iowa taxes the federal refund!
(It's not like the taxes are horrible here, they just like to get money
to run the state properly.)
Most likely it would be treated as a refundable credit, not taxed atThat seems to be. Not that I'm trying to look at the dark side but
all...
more of being slightly prepared for potholes in the Road of Life.
It's not like it's all that large an amount, anyway, as far as
being taxed is concerned, though... :)
Local news had an interview with a finanacial advisor -- from the same company my broker is with (private firm). Was sort of funny as the
advice was to spend the money and not pay off bills, etc. 'Funny'
part was he commented normally he'd advise paying down credit cards, bills, etc., with this kind of money but in this instance would be
better to spend.
Well.... the point of it is to put money into people's hands in
order TO spend, so as to stimulate the economy.... Just have to
figure out what's still open in order to spend money at... ;)
As for storing, thinking I might 'store out in the open': dawned on me
to use the TV as a monitor for my Raspberry Pi weather station. Of
course have a But First but that was expected!
That's a thought... :)Haven't done too much -- other 'ends and odds'.
And But Firsts, no doubt... <G>
Figuring the same potential issues with the solar cell power project:
overcast is producing low voltage while a bright sunny day could
produce too much voltage,
I suppose that is a possiblility.... Does the buck-boost work
with the solar cell setup, too, then....?
It can, and read where it has been used with solar cells. Now to get
my Round TuIt on that project... Overcast today, plus Autumn, plus a
But First.
Eventually you'll get to that again... on a nice sunny day.... ;)True. OTOH don't want a too-sunny day as will skew the experiment and make any ol' placement look right. ...It'll get done.
Dunno... one could run the experiment on a variety of variously
sunny days, and see if it makes much (or any) difference... ;)
Quoting Barry Martin to Nancy Backus on 26-Apr-2020 10:43 <=-
True. You know people have been isolated too long when they start
chit-chatting with the telephone spammers! <g>
Not there yet, thankfully.... <G> I have noticed, though, that<chuckle> They couldn't arrange their boiler rooms to comply with the
there have been fewer of the spammer calls.... apparently they
aren't considered essential businesses... <G>
6' rule! But yes, have noticed a lot less spam calls.
The one in particular we've been getting is the same male recording
but from scattered telephone numbers: Dubuque, IA, Lansing, MI,
...GA, WI. Probably several more. Maybe they bought the same Earn
Money Quick package and instead of re-recording the message to
customize it they just used the example?!
And counselling ad alleviating concerns can take a while: need to
break down what the other person built up.
Exactly... and/or allow enough time for it all to spill out so
that it can be worked on.... :)
And their normal isn't the same as anyone else's normal: "it's not
normal to be yelled at/slapped/hit?" (Semi-extreme example.)
There is that, too... lately more just a calming of paranoias andFocus moved to a different target. One thing the local NBC-affilate
such, though....
(TV) has done is air aa lot of one-minute calming spots: puppies and kittens playing, scenic wonders, etc. Also 30-second spots with the message "it's normal to feel overwhelmed and confused, here's how to handle it".
Iowa taxes so I've have my IRA distribution taxed and then so far 100%
refunded. With the new distribution going into effect in a few months
(old one expires) I'm going to ask about having that changed.
You mean, you've been having taxes withheld from yourYes on the withholdings and refunds. I do recall asking when started
distributions...? As long as you get it back, that's not too bad... :)
and he said federal and state (IA) generally require, though could be lessened or none at all. At the time it seemed better just to 'go
with the flow' and have the customary amount withheld. The short-term policy is expiring in a couple of months and the new one will start -- have to go down and do the paperwork; thinking having the withholding amount changed.
I'm thinking because of the eventual upcoming inheritance just half
the amount withheld (and refunded), just to balance things out.
Inheritance isn't taxed, though... The only thing you'd owe any tax
on from that would be if you inherited stocks, bonds or funds that
continued to earn for you, and that gain would be taxed, not the
inheritance itself...
I half-knew that. Combination of me half-expecting the rules to be
changed. The house in NH will be sold, so hopefully a bit of a
profit. Bank accounts and my Mother's IRA. Nothing all that
complicated.
With the house, you inherit the basis as of her date of death, unlessRight, and thanks! Kept as guidance; all those little tax details are
your name is on the deed already.... in any case, when sold, there
still shouldn't be more capital gains on that than what is exempt
from taxing, unless it's a very expensive house.... The bank accounts
are purely inheritance, so you won't have personal tax on those...
The IRA, if she's needing to pay taxes on the distributions, you (or
the estate) will need to pay income tax on what's left... you might
be able to set it up to get as distributions rather than a lump sum,
and then the tax would be spread out over the span of distributions...
one reason I'm sort of keeping the tax preparation company on my
'payroll' so they have a history of me and I'm an established client,
not just some deadbeat off the street asking for advice. Know most if
not all of the records have me as co-owner, beneficiary, etc. Will probably do as distributions rather than lump sum as better for me.
Get to play '20 Questions'with the financial advisor and the tax prep company!
...There's talk of a $1,200 stimulus check because of the COVID-19 --FWIW I received mine on April 13th -- everyone else is jealous because
they haven't seen their accounts being deposited yet. I'm guessing
done in Social Security Number order and mine begins with 0?
We didn't get ours yet... but I don't think it's in SS# order, as bothYes to both parts of the question. Also filed in February.
of ours also begin with 0 too... I've heard of some other people that
have gotten theirs already... Did you e-file your taxes this year and
have the payment or refund taken care of electronically from/to your
bank account....?
From what I've seen, it shouldn't be considered income to be taxed,
and as long as your income is less than $75000 ($150000 joint) you'd
be getting $1200 each... Maybe it counts more like a tax refund, or
is like a household credit....
I hope they phrase it as a gift as Iowa taxes the federal refund!
(It's not like the taxes are horrible here, they just like to get money
to run the state properly.)
Most likely it would be treated as a refundable credit, not taxed at
all...
That seems to be. Not that I'm trying to look at the dark side but
more of being slightly prepared for potholes in the Road of Life.
It's not like it's all that large an amount, anyway, as far as beingTrue, and have read in other sources it is not taxable. Not trying to
taxed is concerned, though... :)
be pessimistic about it, just if I was running real tight with my
money would want to set aside a bit in case of a surprise.
Local news had an interview with a finanacial advisor -- from the same
company my broker is with (private firm). Was sort of funny as the
advice was to spend the money and not pay off bills, etc. 'Funny'
part was he commented normally he'd advise paying down credit cards,
bills, etc., with this kind of money but in this instance would be
better to spend.
Well.... the point of it is to put money into people's hands in orderTrue! The local TV stations are putting up ads for what is open and
TO spend, so as to stimulate the economy.... Just have to figure out
what's still open in order to spend money at... ;)
how to contact. The station I usually watch for news has maybe a 30-second spot with mini-ads of random lengths: some are cell phone
videos of a bakery "we're open" and a quick contact info; other
mini-spot might be a local restaurant taken with a camera. The
stations also has a webpage where businesses can list they're open and contact information. IIRC the webpage is free, not sure about the
price of the TV mini-ads but other information indicates they're either very cheap or free as a PSA type of thing.
As for storing, thinking I might 'store out in the open': dawned on me
to use the TV as a monitor for my Raspberry Pi weather station. Of
course have a But First but that was expected!
That's a thought... :)
Haven't done too much -- other 'ends and odds'.
And But Firsts, no doubt... <G>Yeahhhh. Got a semi-major But First with the 'security' cameras not working properly: can see the recordings but not real time. Plus I
had created a back up machine when I switched the CPU heat sink and fan
on this one. I had never swapped the 'heat sink holder' before: always was whatever came with the motherboard. Swap went fine, so far is
keeping the CPU to a maximum of 112øF vs. the old 180øF and shut down.
Figuring the same potential issues with the solar cell power project:
overcast is producing low voltage while a bright sunny day could
produce too much voltage,
I suppose that is a possiblility.... Does the buck-boost work
with the solar cell setup, too, then....?
It can, and read where it has been used with solar cells. Now to get
my Round TuIt on that project... Overcast today, plus Autumn, plus a
But First.
Eventually you'll get to that again... on a nice sunny day.... ;)
True. OTOH don't want a too-sunny day as will skew the experiment and
make any ol' placement look right. ...It'll get done.
Dunno... one could run the experiment on a variety of variouslyYes, see what happens on a fully sunny day which would be running
sunny days, and see if it makes much (or any) difference... ;)
under ideal conditions and so find out what my maximum voltage would
be. Lesser sunny to overcast days would have less solar output and so
need to tweak the solar cell's positioning to make the best of what is available.
... Ship carrying yo-yos was hit by a typhoon and sank twenty-three
times.
True. You know people have been isolated too long when they start
chit-chatting with the telephone spammers! <g>
Not there yet, thankfully.... <G> I have noticed, though, that<chuckle> They couldn't arrange their boiler rooms to comply with the
there have been fewer of the spammer calls.... apparently they
aren't considered essential businesses... <G>
6' rule! But yes, have noticed a lot less spam calls.
I had a darker thought on them... perhaps they've fallen prey to
the virus, since they couldn't distance, and were packed into
small spaces.... probably the callers themselves are considered expendable... and the bigwigs there are just laying low for the
time being...
The one in particular we've been getting is the same male recording
but from scattered telephone numbers: Dubuque, IA, Lansing, MI,
...GA, WI. Probably several more. Maybe they bought the same Earn
Money Quick package and instead of re-recording the message to
customize it they just used the example?!
More likely it's one guy that spoofs the numbers to avoid being
tracked down by the authorities... even if one reports the number
to the watchdogs, it isn't really a valid number so they can't do
anything to cut him off....
And counselling ad alleviating concerns can take a while: need to
break down what the other person built up.
Exactly... and/or allow enough time for it all to spill out so
that it can be worked on.... :)
And their normal isn't the same as anyone else's normal: "it's not
normal to be yelled at/slapped/hit?" (Semi-extreme example.)
There is that, too... lately more just a calming of paranoias andFocus moved to a different target. One thing the local NBC-affilate
such, though....
(TV) has done is air aa lot of one-minute calming spots: puppies and kittens playing, scenic wonders, etc. Also 30-second spots with the message "it's normal to feel overwhelmed and confused, here's how to handle it".
Our Public Radio has been doing the 30-second spots with an
announcer or three from the station giving the guidelines for
staying safe and healthy and ending with "we're all in this
together... together..." And playing mostly calming music... :)
Iowa taxes so I've have my IRA distribution taxed and then so far 100%
refunded. With the new distribution going into effect in a few months
(old one expires) I'm going to ask about having that changed.
You mean, you've been having taxes withheld from yourYes on the withholdings and refunds. I do recall asking when started
distributions...? As long as you get it back, that's not too bad... :)
and he said federal and state (IA) generally require, though could be lessened or none at all. At the time it seemed better just to 'go
with the flow' and have the customary amount withheld. The short-term policy is expiring in a couple of months and the new one will start -- have to go down and do the paperwork; thinking having the withholding amount changed.
Having some withheld is probably good insurance... probably
enough variant factors that it isn't a cut-and-dried type of
thing, anyway... :)
probably do as distributions rather than lump sum as better for me.
Get to play '20 Questions'with the financial advisor and the tax prep company!
I've recently been through all of this, settling my mother's
estate... but rules can be different from state to state...
Anything with you as co-owner will just go directly to you and
not go through probate or be subject to tax... Beneficiary, it
depends on what it is... insurance payouts are not taxed, but
income (like the IRA) probably is... Just as well to go over it
with your advisors... ;)
...There's talk of a $1,200 stimulus check because of the COVID-19 --FWIW I received mine on April 13th -- everyone else is jealous because
they haven't seen their accounts being deposited yet. I'm guessing
done in Social Security Number order and mine begins with 0?
We didn't get ours yet... but I don't think it's in SS# order, as bothYes to both parts of the question. Also filed in February.
of ours also begin with 0 too... I've heard of some other people that
have gotten theirs already... Did you e-file your taxes this year and
have the payment or refund taken care of electronically from/to your
bank account....?
That's probably why you got yours so early.... the combination of
all three.... :)
From what I've seen, it shouldn't be considered income to be taxed,
and as long as your income is less than $75000 ($150000 joint) you'd
be getting $1200 each... Maybe it counts more like a tax refund, or
is like a household credit....
I hope they phrase it as a gift as Iowa taxes the federal refund!
(It's not like the taxes are horrible here, they just like to get money
to run the state properly.)
Most likely it would be treated as a refundable credit, not taxed at
all...
That seems to be. Not that I'm trying to look at the dark side but
more of being slightly prepared for potholes in the Road of Life.
It's not like it's all that large an amount, anyway, as far as beingTrue, and have read in other sources it is not taxable. Not trying to
taxed is concerned, though... :)
be pessimistic about it, just if I was running real tight with my
money would want to set aside a bit in case of a surprise.
The good news is that if that bigger stimulus comes through, that
won't be taxable, either....
Local news had an interview with a finanacial advisor -- from the same
company my broker is with (private firm). Was sort of funny as the
advice was to spend the money and not pay off bills, etc. 'Funny'
part was he commented normally he'd advise paying down credit cards,
bills, etc., with this kind of money but in this instance would be
better to spend.
Well.... the point of it is to put money into people's hands in orderTrue! The local TV stations are putting up ads for what is open and
TO spend, so as to stimulate the economy.... Just have to figure out
what's still open in order to spend money at... ;)
how to contact. The station I usually watch for news has maybe a 30-second spot with mini-ads of random lengths: some are cell phone
videos of a bakery "we're open" and a quick contact info; other
mini-spot might be a local restaurant taken with a camera. The
stations also has a webpage where businesses can list they're open and contact information. IIRC the webpage is free, not sure about the
price of the TV mini-ads but other information indicates they're either very cheap or free as a PSA type of thing.
Haven't seen or heard of anything like that happening here, but
then I don't watch TV, as you know... ;) Mostly we just keep our
eyes open to see what might be still open when we drive by
places... and if we particularly need something, take a chance
that something might be open... generally it has been....
apparently we only need necessities as defined by the
strictures... <G>
As for storing, thinking I might 'store out in the open': dawned on me
to use the TV as a monitor for my Raspberry Pi weather station. Of
course have a But First but that was expected!
That's a thought... :)
Haven't done too much -- other 'ends and odds'.
And But Firsts, no doubt... <G>Yeahhhh. Got a semi-major But First with the 'security' cameras not working properly: can see the recordings but not real time. Plus I
had created a back up machine when I switched the CPU heat sink and fan
on this one. I had never swapped the 'heat sink holder' before: always was whatever came with the motherboard. Swap went fine, so far is
keeping the CPU to a maximum of 112øF vs. the old 180øF and shut down.
Those both sound like worthy uses of your time... <G> Good that
the swap was successful, too... :)
Figuring the same potential issues with the solar cell power project:
overcast is producing low voltage while a bright sunny day could
produce too much voltage,
I suppose that is a possiblility.... Does the buck-boost work
with the solar cell setup, too, then....?
It can, and read where it has been used with solar cells. Now to get
my Round TuIt on that project... Overcast today, plus Autumn, plus a
But First.
Eventually you'll get to that again... on a nice sunny day.... ;)
True. OTOH don't want a too-sunny day as will skew the experiment and
make any ol' placement look right. ...It'll get done.
Dunno... one could run the experiment on a variety of variouslyYes, see what happens on a fully sunny day which would be running
sunny days, and see if it makes much (or any) difference... ;)
under ideal conditions and so find out what my maximum voltage would
be. Lesser sunny to overcast days would have less solar output and so
need to tweak the solar cell's positioning to make the best of what is available.
All seems like workable situations and all... ;)
... Murphy's Philosophy: smile -- tomorrow will be worse.
Quoting Barry Martin to Nancy Backus on 05-May-2020 10:45 <=-
As for storing, thinking I might 'store out in the open': dawned on
me to use the TV as a monitor for my Raspberry Pi weather station.
Of course have a But First but that was expected!
That's a thought... :)
Haven't done too much -- other 'ends and odds'.
And But Firsts, no doubt... <G>
Yeahhhh. Got a semi-major But First with the 'security' cameras not
working properly: can see the recordings but not real time. Plus I
had created a back up machine when I switched the CPU heat sink and fan
on this one. I had never swapped the 'heat sink holder' before: always
was whatever came with the motherboard. Swap went fine, so far is
keeping the CPU to a maximum of 112øF vs. the old 180øF and shut down.
Those both sound like worthy uses of your time... <G> Good that theYes -- as for swapping the CPU Heat Sink not like I haven't done
swap was successful, too... :)
before -- heat sink part is fine but the fan froze -- just never had swapped in a totally different - in this case monster - heat sink. And was suckered in by the original one being "AMD approved" -- well, that means it should be right and do the job, right?
As for the cameras, got that working. No idea why the real-time
failure with the original software, and appears for whatever reason the new/updated software either isn't an energy efficient or because it
does more and so the processor does more work ==> heat and current
draw. Ended up putting in a metal case with extensions inside which contact the CPU, etc., and so draw the heat of better than the original heat sinks. (The metal case is warm to the touch!). That seems to
have been the problem.
Figuring the same potential issues with the solar cell power project:
overcast is producing low voltage while a bright sunny day could
produce too much voltage,
I suppose that is a possiblility.... Does the buck-boost work
with the solar cell setup, too, then....?
It can, and read where it has been used with solar cells. Now to get
my Round TuIt on that project... Overcast today, plus Autumn, plus a
But First.
Eventually you'll get to that again... on a nice sunny day.... ;)
True. OTOH don't want a too-sunny day as will skew the experiment and
make any ol' placement look right. ...It'll get done.
Dunno... one could run the experiment on a variety of variously
sunny days, and see if it makes much (or any) difference... ;)
Yes, see what happens on a fully sunny day which would be running
under ideal conditions and so find out what my maximum voltage would
be. Lesser sunny to overcast days would have less solar output and so
need to tweak the solar cell's positioning to make the best of what is
available.
All seems like workable situations and all... ;)Yes, eventually back to that project. I haven't been down in the
basement for a while; some stuff up here in the Computer Room, some
Spring yard work.....
Exactly... it is possible for a product to actually be improved,
in a way that is useful.... ;) But often it's only hype... <G>
Most of it is. I don't go around looking at the darker side of things
but seems most of the 'new & improved' is for the manufacturer's
benefit.
Often merely even a chance to charge more for the same product and get
away with it... ;0
Possibly and probably right: the 'new and improved' isn't the same as
the original and so could be charged at a different rate. OTOH it
might not be too good an idea to change the product and change the
price: I'm thinking a price decrease could be interpreted as not as
good as the original, a price increase interpreted as an opportunity to
explore other brands as if the original had to be improved maybe it
wasn't so good after all.
Likely any price increase would be hidden.... It might be the sameYes: keep the price and container the same but less contents.
price per container, but the net weight or volume has decreased
slightly... thinking that the customer is less likely to notice that
sort of thing... ;)
Wide mouth in a Thermos is great for soup, stews, etc.; remember
reading a 10% increase in the opening of items like toothpaste,
ketchup, etc., caused the consumer to use more, so good for the seller,
not necessarily good for the buyer as caused more to be used when not
necessary.
If one doesn't realize that more is coming out the opening...
eventually the buyer could figure it out, though, and go back to
using the original amount, just squeezing a little less... :)
True, though I'm recalling the study stating the consumer was using
more because of the increased flow, not adjusting back, and so the
sales increased. I'd assume some consumers would realize the flow
change and so cut back, but overall appears most kept the squeeze
constant and so used more.
Maybe after the results of the study came out some more customersI would think a few would do a "so that's why the bigger opening!" and adjust their usage but the majority shrug it off and continue as they were.
changed their usage as well... ;)
<snip>As for the lack of digital coupons, Clorox and the like don't need to
May be better to not entice the average consumer with a sale or
coupon than to deal with the 'negative publicity' of implying the
product would be available at a discount (sale/coupon).
BJ's still has coupons available (although they just shifted to allWhich to me is good: "if we can't get it we can't sell it to you".
done digitally or clipless instead of having paper coupons), but they
have a disclaimer right there with the coupons that due to the current
crisis, there might be disruptions in the supply or not sufficient
goods on the shelves, and that there won't be any rainchecks for the
time being... So they are trying to deflect any negative publicity
issues, obviously...
Not all that great from the consumer side to not have the raincheck but
if the promotion is going on currently the discount is paid for by the supplier; if a raincheck then the discount is probably paid from the store's bottom line and right now they're probably in the red due to
all the other expenses like plastic bags (no consumer re-usables),
masks, extra/specialized cleaning supplies, barriers.....
I was telling someone last week's Hy-Vee digital ad had over 1,000
items while this week's had a little over 400. And their 99› orange
juice (limit two) was sold out. (But I did get the last roll of Angel
Soft toilet paper, plus I had a dollar off digital coupon!!)
Win some, lose some... ;)
Right now I would have preferred the orange juice over the toilet
paper but my mind may change later!
Depending on what you were out of at the time... <G>
That does tend to alter my needs perception! <gg>
Yup... <G>And that reminded me: the coffee-flavourd M&Ms were a restricted-time offering. I was on eBay for something else (ended up not buying
anywhere) and someone was selling just-expired packs (expiry April
17th or something) and someone else had listed packs with an expiry the end of May. Either one would have been OK but I wasn't sure of the quantity: looked like a single pack at $9.99 - so ten dollars. Uh,
no. OK, so free shipping, but still seemed rather high for a little packet. I'm not spending my stimulus check on candy!
... Come to our site: we have Cookies!
As long as that message was getting too long, I decided to move
the solar testing stuff into the Solar Testing II message....
which also had been getting away from solar testing, but, oh,
well... <G>
As for storing, thinking I might 'store out in the open': dawned on
me to use the TV as a monitor for my Raspberry Pi weather station.
Of course have a But First but that was expected!
That's a thought... :)
Haven't done too much -- other 'ends and odds'.
And But Firsts, no doubt... <G>
Yeahhhh. Got a semi-major But First with the 'security' cameras not
working properly: can see the recordings but not real time. Plus I
had created a back up machine when I switched the CPU heat sink and fan
on this one. I had never swapped the 'heat sink holder' before: always
was whatever came with the motherboard. Swap went fine, so far is
keeping the CPU to a maximum of 112øF vs. the old 180øF and shut down.
Those both sound like worthy uses of your time... <G> Good that theYes -- as for swapping the CPU Heat Sink not like I haven't done
swap was successful, too... :)
before -- heat sink part is fine but the fan froze -- just never had swapped in a totally different - in this case monster - heat sink. And was suckered in by the original one being "AMD approved" -- well, that means it should be right and do the job, right?
One would have thought.... but maybe it was approved for some
other job....? <G>
As for the cameras, got that working. No idea why the real-time
failure with the original software, and appears for whatever reason the new/updated software either isn't an energy efficient or because it
does more and so the processor does more work ==> heat and current
draw. Ended up putting in a metal case with extensions inside which contact the CPU, etc., and so draw the heat of better than the original heat sinks. (The metal case is warm to the touch!). That seems to
have been the problem.
Making it work harder and thus generating more heat, does seem to
be a possibility, even in my limited area of knowledge here... :)
Finding a way to dissipate that heat makes sense, too...
Figuring the same potential issues with the solar cell power project:
overcast is producing low voltage while a bright sunny day could
produce too much voltage,
I suppose that is a possiblility.... Does the buck-boost work
with the solar cell setup, too, then....?
It can, and read where it has been used with solar cells. Now to get
my Round TuIt on that project... Overcast today, plus Autumn, plus a
But First.
Eventually you'll get to that again... on a nice sunny day.... ;)
True. OTOH don't want a too-sunny day as will skew the experiment and
make any ol' placement look right. ...It'll get done.
Dunno... one could run the experiment on a variety of variously
sunny days, and see if it makes much (or any) difference... ;)
Yes, see what happens on a fully sunny day which would be running
under ideal conditions and so find out what my maximum voltage would
be. Lesser sunny to overcast days would have less solar output and so
need to tweak the solar cell's positioning to make the best of what is
available.
All seems like workable situations and all... ;)Yes, eventually back to that project. I haven't been down in the
basement for a while; some stuff up here in the Computer Room, some
Spring yard work.....
You'll get back to it in due time... :)
Exactly... it is possible for a product to actually be improved,
in a way that is useful.... ;) But often it's only hype... <G>
Most of it is. I don't go around looking at the darker side of things
but seems most of the 'new & improved' is for the manufacturer's
benefit.
Often merely even a chance to charge more for the same product and get
away with it... ;0
Possibly and probably right: the 'new and improved' isn't the same as
the original and so could be charged at a different rate. OTOH it
might not be too good an idea to change the product and change the
price: I'm thinking a price decrease could be interpreted as not as
good as the original, a price increase interpreted as an opportunity to
explore other brands as if the original had to be improved maybe it
wasn't so good after all.
Likely any price increase would be hidden.... It might be the sameYes: keep the price and container the same but less contents.
price per container, but the net weight or volume has decreased
slightly... thinking that the customer is less likely to notice that
sort of thing... ;)
Or tweak the container just a little so that it's not all that noticeable... ;0
Wegmans is still doing the consumer reusables instead of the
plastic bags... and selling quite a few of them as well... They
are easily enough wiped down after each use, if one desires to be
a little more cautious... But yes, the other sanitizing and
safety measures have got to be costing them, and when they are
out of things, they can't sell them to get any profit there,
either...
I was telling someone last week's Hy-Vee digital ad had over 1,000
items while this week's had a little over 400. And their 99› orange
juice (limit two) was sold out. (But I did get the last roll of Angel
Soft toilet paper, plus I had a dollar off digital coupon!!)
Win some, lose some... ;)
Right now I would have preferred the orange juice over the toilet
paper but my mind may change later!
Depending on what you were out of at the time... <G>
That does tend to alter my needs perception! <gg>
Yup... <G>And that reminded me: the coffee-flavourd M&Ms were a restricted-time offering. I was on eBay for something else (ended up not buying
anywhere) and someone was selling just-expired packs (expiry April
17th or something) and someone else had listed packs with an expiry the end of May. Either one would have been OK but I wasn't sure of the quantity: looked like a single pack at $9.99 - so ten dollars. Uh,
no. OK, so free shipping, but still seemed rather high for a little packet. I'm not spending my stimulus check on candy!
Guess I was right... <G> No, I'd not spend that sort of money
for candy, either... And it appears that maybe some people did
some hoarding there, as well, hoping to make a killing....
sigh....
... Come to our site: we have Cookies!
Fresh-baked.....? <G>
Quoting Barry Martin to Nancy Backus on 10-May-2020 09:25 <=-
As long as that message was getting too long, I decided to move theSounds like a brilliant move!
solar testing stuff into the Solar Testing II message.... which also
had been getting away from solar testing, but, oh, well... <G>
As for storing, thinking I might 'store out in the open': dawned on
me to use the TV as a monitor for my Raspberry Pi weather station.
Of course have a But First but that was expected!
That's a thought... :)
Haven't done too much -- other 'ends and odds'.
And But Firsts, no doubt... <G>
Yeahhhh. Got a semi-major But First with the 'security' cameras not
working properly: can see the recordings but not real time. Plus I
had created a back up machine when I switched the CPU heat sink and fan
on this one. I had never swapped the 'heat sink holder' before: always
was whatever came with the motherboard. Swap went fine, so far is
keeping the CPU to a maximum of 112øF vs. the old 180øF and shut down.
Those both sound like worthy uses of your time... <G> Good that the
swap was successful, too... :)
Yes -- as for swapping the CPU Heat Sink not like I haven't done
before -- heat sink part is fine but the fan froze -- just never had
swapped in a totally different - in this case monster - heat sink. And
was suckered in by the original one being "AMD approved" -- well, that
means it should be right and do the job, right?
One would have thought.... but maybe it was approved for some otherApparently it's job was to be cooling a much lighter capacity
job....? <G>
processor!
As for the cameras, got that working. No idea why the real-time
failure with the original software, and appears for whatever reason the
new/updated software either isn't an energy efficient or because it
does more and so the processor does more work ==> heat and current
draw. Ended up putting in a metal case with extensions inside which
contact the CPU, etc., and so draw the heat of better than the original
heat sinks. (The metal case is warm to the touch!). That seems to
have been the problem.
Making it work harder and thus generating more heat, does seem to be aYes, those chips just don't like to be too warm! Didn't quite make
possibility, even in my limited area of knowledge here... :) Finding
a way to dissipate that heat makes sense, too...
sense why the original hardware wasn't liking the updated software
but.... I had the metal case in stock for another project, and did my "buy two, they're cheap!" philosophy. Actually still have a spare:
did buy two but the original project changed.
Eventually you'll get to that again... on a nice sunny day.... ;)
True. OTOH don't want a too-sunny day as will skew the experiment
and make any ol' placement look right. ...It'll get done.
Dunno... one could run the experiment on a variety of variously
sunny days, and see if it makes much (or any) difference... ;)
Yes, see what happens on a fully sunny day which would be running
under ideal conditions and so find out what my maximum voltage would
be. Lesser sunny to overcast days would have less solar output and so
need to tweak the solar cell's positioning to make the best of what is
available.
All seems like workable situations and all... ;)
Yes, eventually back to that project. I haven't been down in the
basement for a while; some stuff up here in the Computer Room, some
Spring yard work.....
You'll get back to it in due time... :)Yes: when it gets to 90 and 100 outside I'l be looking for an indoor project!
Often merely even a chance to charge more for the same product and
get away with it... ;0
Possibly and probably right: the 'new and improved' isn't the same as
the original and so could be charged at a different rate. OTOH it
might not be too good an idea to change the product and change the
price: I'm thinking a price decrease could be interpreted as not as
good as the original, a price increase interpreted as an opportunity
to explore other brands as if the original had to be improved maybe
it wasn't so good after all.
Likely any price increase would be hidden.... It might be the same
price per container, but the net weight or volume has decreased
slightly... thinking that the customer is less likely to notice that
sort of thing... ;)
Yes: keep the price and container the same but less contents.
Or tweak the container just a little so that it's not all thatThey've probbaly done that to us consumers, I'm sure! Not false advertising as long as they keep the weight display consistent.
noticeable... ;0
Probably could be made smaller in size (the font) as long as
everything else was correspondingly smaller with the new packaging.
...Consumer beware!
Wegmans is still doing the consumer reusables instead of the plasticA hare surprised on Wegmans allowing the use of the consumer resuables
bags... and selling quite a few of them as well... They are easily
enough wiped down after each use, if one desires to be a little more
cautious... But yes, the other sanitizing and safety measures have got
to be costing them, and when they are out of things, they can't sell
them to get any profit there, either...
-- all purchases or just the ones packed by the consumer him or
herself. Hy-Vee is or at least was allowing the reusables if the
customer packed their own groceries.
And that reminded me: the coffee-flavourd M&Ms were a restricted-time
offering. I was on eBay for something else (ended up not buying
anywhere) and someone was selling just-expired packs (expiry April
17th or something) and someone else had listed packs with an expiry the
end of May. Either one would have been OK but I wasn't sure of the
quantity: looked like a single pack at $9.99 - so ten dollars. Uh,
no. OK, so free shipping, but still seemed rather high for a little
packet. I'm not spending my stimulus check on candy!
Guess I was right... <G> No, I'd not spend that sort of money forMaybe not a killing but just buying up end quantities. I didn't pay attention to the vendor so don't know if it was Vinny's Odd Lots or
candy, either... And it appears that maybe some people did some
hoarding there, as well, hoping to make a killing.... sigh....
what.
... Come to our site: we have Cookies!
Fresh-baked.....? <G>As quick as our little electronics can generate!
on this one. I had never swapped the 'heat sink holder' before: always
was whatever came with the motherboard. Swap went fine, so far is
keeping the CPU to a maximum of 112øF vs. the old 180øF and shut down.
Those both sound like worthy uses of your time... <G> Good that the
swap was successful, too... :)
Yes -- as for swapping the CPU Heat Sink not like I haven't done
before -- heat sink part is fine but the fan froze -- just never had
swapped in a totally different - in this case monster - heat sink. And
was suckered in by the original one being "AMD approved" -- well, that
means it should be right and do the job, right?
One would have thought.... but maybe it was approved for some otherApparently it's job was to be cooling a much lighter capacity
job....? <G>
processor!
And now you know... <G>
As for the cameras, got that working. No idea why the real-time
failure with the original software, and appears for whatever reason the
new/updated software either isn't an energy efficient or because it
does more and so the processor does more work ==> heat and current
draw. Ended up putting in a metal case with extensions inside which
contact the CPU, etc., and so draw the heat of better than the original
heat sinks. (The metal case is warm to the touch!). That seems to
have been the problem.
Making it work harder and thus generating more heat, does seem to be aYes, those chips just don't like to be too warm! Didn't quite make
possibility, even in my limited area of knowledge here... :) Finding
a way to dissipate that heat makes sense, too...
sense why the original hardware wasn't liking the updated software
but.... I had the metal case in stock for another project, and did my "buy two, they're cheap!" philosophy. Actually still have a spare:
did buy two but the original project changed.
Funny how that happens, sometimes... :) But handy to have for
the project at hand.... :)
Eventually you'll get to that again... on a nice sunny day.... ;)
True. OTOH don't want a too-sunny day as will skew the experiment
and make any ol' placement look right. ...It'll get done.
Dunno... one could run the experiment on a variety of variously
sunny days, and see if it makes much (or any) difference... ;)
Yes, see what happens on a fully sunny day which would be running
under ideal conditions and so find out what my maximum voltage would
be. Lesser sunny to overcast days would have less solar output and so
need to tweak the solar cell's positioning to make the best of what is
available.
All seems like workable situations and all... ;)
Yes, eventually back to that project. I haven't been down in the
basement for a while; some stuff up here in the Computer Room, some
Spring yard work.....
You'll get back to it in due time... :)Yes: when it gets to 90 and 100 outside I'l be looking for an indoor project!
And a cool basement will be very inviting... <G>
Often merely even a chance to charge more for the same product and
get away with it... ;0
Possibly and probably right: the 'new and improved' isn't the same as
the original and so could be charged at a different rate. OTOH it
might not be too good an idea to change the product and change the
price: I'm thinking a price decrease could be interpreted as not as
good as the original, a price increase interpreted as an opportunity
to explore other brands as if the original had to be improved maybe
it wasn't so good after all.
Likely any price increase would be hidden.... It might be the same
price per container, but the net weight or volume has decreased
slightly... thinking that the customer is less likely to notice that
sort of thing... ;)
Yes: keep the price and container the same but less contents.
Or tweak the container just a little so that it's not all thatThey've probbaly done that to us consumers, I'm sure! Not false advertising as long as they keep the weight display consistent.
noticeable... ;0
Ice cream containers are a case in point where they did do
that... what used to be a half-gallon container is now just 3
pints... they raised the bottom up into the container so the
inside is less, but the outside appears to be the old size... the
correct weight is, of course, on the package, but people rarely
really notice that anyway...
Probably could be made smaller in size (the font) as long as
everything else was correspondingly smaller with the new packaging.
Doesn't even have to have much else changed... people aren't
likely to notice that unless they are routinely comparing with
other products... and when they all change at once, one might not
pick up on it that quickly... ;)
...Consumer beware!
Absolutely... Sugar is now in 4-lb bags rather than 5-lb... cans
that used to be 16 oz are now 15, or even 14.5oz...
Wegmans is still doing the consumer reusables instead of the plasticA hare surprised on Wegmans allowing the use of the consumer resuables
bags... and selling quite a few of them as well... They are easily
enough wiped down after each use, if one desires to be a little more
cautious... But yes, the other sanitizing and safety measures have got
to be costing them, and when they are out of things, they can't sell
them to get any profit there, either...
-- all purchases or just the ones packed by the consumer him or
herself. Hy-Vee is or at least was allowing the reusables if the
customer packed their own groceries.
Richard packs ours... has been right along... I'm not surprised
that Wegmans is staying with the reusables, since they've been
pushing them for almost 15 years... When our state outlawed the
use of plastic bags in stores, Wegmans was ecstatic, as they'd
tried to get rid of them years ago, but customers weren't ready
to do so.... There are still plenty of new reusable bags
available throughout the store and at the checkouts, so one can
have a fresh new one each week if wished for... ;) There is a
sign now at the checkout that states that if the reusable looks
too dirty, the clerk can refuse to load it... but I've not seen
that having to be enforced.... :)
And that reminded me: the coffee-flavourd M&Ms were a restricted-time
offering. I was on eBay for something else (ended up not buying
anywhere) and someone was selling just-expired packs (expiry April
17th or something) and someone else had listed packs with an expiry the
end of May. Either one would have been OK but I wasn't sure of the
quantity: looked like a single pack at $9.99 - so ten dollars. Uh,
no. OK, so free shipping, but still seemed rather high for a little
packet. I'm not spending my stimulus check on candy!
Guess I was right... <G> No, I'd not spend that sort of money forMaybe not a killing but just buying up end quantities. I didn't pay attention to the vendor so don't know if it was Vinny's Odd Lots or
candy, either... And it appears that maybe some people did some
hoarding there, as well, hoping to make a killing.... sigh....
what.
Even if it was just buying up end quantities, that's an
exorbitant price for a package of M&Ms.... :)
... Yeasties eat sugar and whiz into the swimming pool to make
your booze.
Quoting Barry Martin to Nancy Backus on 19-May-2020 11:10 <=-
Yes -- as for swapping the CPU Heat Sink not like I haven't done
before -- heat sink part is fine but the fan froze -- just never had
swapped in a totally different - in this case monster - heat sink. And
was suckered in by the original one being "AMD approved" -- well, that
means it should be right and do the job, right?
One would have thought.... but maybe it was approved for some other
job....? <G>
Apparently it's job was to be cooling a much lighter capacity
processor!
And now you know... <G>Ah! I neglected to to check _which_ one it was approved for!!
(Actually I had and my processor was listed.)
As for the cameras, got that working. No idea why the real-time
failure with the original software, and appears for whatever reason the
new/updated software either isn't an energy efficient or because it
does more and so the processor does more work ==> heat and current
draw. Ended up putting in a metal case with extensions inside which
contact the CPU, etc., and so draw the heat of better than the original
heat sinks. (The metal case is warm to the touch!). That seems to
have been the problem.
Making it work harder and thus generating more heat, does seem to be a
possibility, even in my limited area of knowledge here... :) Finding
a way to dissipate that heat makes sense, too...
Yes, those chips just don't like to be too warm! Didn't quite make
sense why the original hardware wasn't liking the updated software
but.... I had the metal case in stock for another project, and did my
"buy two, they're cheap!" philosophy. Actually still have a spare:
did buy two but the original project changed.
Funny how that happens, sometimes... :) But handy to have for theIf cheap enough spares are handy!
project at hand.... :)
Dunno... one could run the experiment on a variety of variously
sunny days, and see if it makes much (or any) difference... ;)
Yes, see what happens on a fully sunny day which would be running
under ideal conditions and so find out what my maximum voltage would
be. Lesser sunny to overcast days would have less solar output and so
need to tweak the solar cell's positioning to make the best of what is
available.
All seems like workable situations and all... ;)
Yes, eventually back to that project. I haven't been down in the
basement for a while; some stuff up here in the Computer Room, some
Spring yard work.....
You'll get back to it in due time... :)
Yes: when it gets to 90 and 100 outside I'l be looking for an indoor
project!
And a cool basement will be very inviting... <G>True. I haven't been down there for anything but putting away
groceries or 'going shopping'.
Likely any price increase would be hidden.... It might be the same
price per container, but the net weight or volume has decreased
slightly... thinking that the customer is less likely to notice that
sort of thing... ;)
Yes: keep the price and container the same but less contents.
Or tweak the container just a little so that it's not all that
noticeable... ;0
They've probably done that to us consumers, I'm sure! Not false
advertising as long as they keep the weight display consistent.
Ice cream containers are a case in point where they did do that...Right: more trained by size. Have noticed when the opposite happens
what used to be a half-gallon container is now just 3 pints... they
raised the bottom up into the container so the inside is less, but
the outside appears to be the old size... the correct weight is, of
course, on the package, but people rarely really notice that anyway...
the manufacturers loudly proclaim "smaller packaging, same amount!".
They figured out how to make the box smaller so as to get more per
case, or make the case smaller so more cases could be packed into the semi-trailer and cut their costs.
Probably could be made smaller in size (the font) as long as
everything else was correspondingly smaller with the new packaging.
Doesn't even have to have much else changed... people aren't
likely to notice that unless they are routinely comparing with
other products... and when they all change at once, one might not
pick up on it that quickly... ;)
...Consumer beware!
Absolutely... Sugar is now in 4-lb bags rather than 5-lb... cansAnd the latter has screwed up some recipes: "one small can of
that used to be 16 oz are now 15, or even 14.5oz...
Evaporated Milk" -- now doesn't seem to be that small can being sold.
As for the sugar, I remember that one. Bought the usual smaller-of-the-two sizes; may have noticed something was different but didn't pick up what. ...Know here it is stored in a canister set but
the set is unmarked and so sugar doesn't go in a canister designed for five pounds of sugar. I also generally don't use sugar (not saying I don't eat!) so I don't 'play' with the transfer, etc. It did take us a little while before we caught on to the size difference.
Wegmans is still doing the consumer reusables instead of the plastic
bags... and selling quite a few of them as well... They are easily
enough wiped down after each use, if one desires to be a little more
cautious... But yes, the other sanitizing and safety measures have got
to be costing them, and when they are out of things, they can't sell
them to get any profit there, either...
A hare surprised on Wegmans allowing the use of the consumer resuables
-- all purchases or just the ones packed by the consumer him or
herself. Hy-Vee is or at least was allowing the reusables if the
customer packed their own groceries.
Richard packs ours... has been right along... I'm not surprised thatHy-Vee might have decided on an all-or-none option to avoid confrontations: what is considered 'dirty', though probably more as they're trying to avoid contact when handing over someone else's bag
Wegmans is staying with the reusables, since they've been pushing them
for almost 15 years... When our state outlawed the use of plastic bags
in stores, Wegmans was ecstatic, as they'd tried to get rid of them
years ago, but customers weren't ready to do so.... There are still
plenty of new reusable bags available throughout the store and at the
checkouts, so one can have a fresh new one each week if wished for...
There is a sign now at the checkout that states that if the reusable
looks too dirty, the clerk can refuse to load it... but I've not seen
that having to be enforced.... :)
-- who knows what it has been in contact with? While I prefer using reusable bags for the current time it's better to go with the flow.
Oh, and Hy-Vee does allow reusable bags if one is packing their own,
so Richard being able to use might be the reason.
And that reminded me: the coffee-flavourd M&Ms were a restricted-time
offering. I was on eBay for something else (ended up not buying
anywhere) and someone was selling just-expired packs (expiry April
17th or something) and someone else had listed packs with an expiry the
end of May. Either one would have been OK but I wasn't sure of the
quantity: looked like a single pack at $9.99 - so ten dollars. Uh,
no. OK, so free shipping, but still seemed rather high for a little
packet. I'm not spending my stimulus check on candy!
Guess I was right... <G> No, I'd not spend that sort of money for
candy, either... And it appears that maybe some people did some
hoarding there, as well, hoping to make a killing.... sigh....
Maybe not a killing but just buying up end quantities. I didn't pay
attention to the vendor so don't know if it was Vinny's Odd Lots or
what.
Even if it was just buying up end quantities, that's an exorbitantI thought so, so it was a no. Did try to make sure I wasn't
price for a package of M&Ms.... :)
misreading -- weight was about right for a single package, definately
not a box.
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