What did you do today?

[zannej]

Went back to the store and got my friend a new dress shirt for the funeral as well as the boots he wanted. They were expensive, but his old boots were falling apart. The manager took pity on him and honored the online price (which was about $10 less than in-store price) for the boots-- still expensive, but I wanted to do something nice for him and he needed new work boots. They are Timberland Pro Boondock 6" comp toe work boots. He said the soles are really cushy and it's like walking on pillows.

On the way up we were mentioning his ex (who is so incredibly stupid that she can't say the word "primary"). I don't remember exactly how it came up, but I decided to ask my friend's 5-year-old daughter if she could say "primary". She pronounced it perfectly and then started saying it over and over because she liked the word. My friend's current girlfriend was laughing her butt off (she hates his ex-- and for good reason). My friend was facepalming because he realized we were laughing at his ex's expense (although she wasn't there, thankfully).

Right now I'm washing some stuff to wear to the funeral tomorrow. Next up is washing some of my mother's stuff. I really hope my pants will still fit. I think I gained weight since I last wore them.

 

[Nick]

Timberland , I have a pair about 30 years old . Only ware them to shovel snow .

Didn't know they still made them . If they are leather tell him to rub Mink oil in them . you can stand in water all day and still be dry ..

 

[zannej]

Timberland , I have a pair about 30 years old . Only ware them to shovel snow .

Didn't know they still made them . If they are leather tell him to rub Mink oil in them . you can stand in water all day and still be dry ..

These ones are waterproof and electric hazard rated. Really nice boots and he loves them. They are heavy, but he's fine with that. http://www.bootbarn.com/timberland-pro-mens-6-boondock-wp-comp-toe-work-boots/050K78.html

It can't make up for him losing his father, but I think it made him feel a little better to get something nice that is useful.

 

[havasu]

It is nice your friend has you as a friend Zanne.

 

[zannej]

Thanks, Havasu. I know he would drop everything and come help if I needed it-- he's just that kind of friend. He's had a rough time the last few years though.

I'm lazy so I'm copying and pasting from my post on the plumbingforums.
Funeral was rough. I hate funerals and I also can't stand country music. Other things, it makes me sad when other people cry-- it makes me cry, and I'm not one for religious ceremonies/sermons. So, there I was sitting in a chapel at a funeral, surrounded by people crying, while they played preachy religious country music. My inner Grumpy Cat had quite the monologue.

It was really heart wrenching when the 5-year-old was brought up to the open casket (Oh yeah, open casket is another one of the things that bugs me-- I want to remember the people when they were alive and can't look at the bodies). She put her favorite My Little Pony toy in the casket with him and said "I wish he could come back to life". That made her great grandmother start crying again. Poor woman wailed and sobbed-- which set off several other family members (hard to keep it together when she's wailing "My baby!" over and over)-- I went through half a container of tissues. My friend's mother held the girl through most of the funeral but at one point when my friend's grandmother started sobbing and my friend started crying, the little girl wanted to go to my friend. She hugged him and cried on his shoulder and then sat back and put her hands on his face and was wiping the tears away. There wasn't room on the front family bench for my friend's girlfriend, so she was seated with me. She kept leaning on me so I held her. I rubbed her back when she doubled over crying, and I did my best to try to comfort her. Poor kid never lost anyone close before so it's tough for her. It also made her cry when she saw her boyfriend cry.

I was slightly bothered that they spent less than 2 minutes talking about the deceased and instead spent most of the time telling everyone they were going to hell if they didn't believe in Jesus-- for almost an hour. None of the family got up to speak about him either-- probably because they were not prepared for it. He was only 46. There are a lot of humorous stories about him that would have been nice if they'd been shared. And of course, nobody was going to mention his struggles with drugs. I don't know if the preachers knew about that part. I did almost chuckle when they described him as "gentle". I mean, he was a really nice guy (aside from the drug thing) but he was also known for busting heads and breaking arms if people crossed him or his family. Someone tried to steal the radio out of my friend's truck, he told his father, and his father intercepted the guy and broke his arm. Before the funeral, my friend told me that one day someone hit his father in the back with a tire iron and his father just turned around, looked at the guy and said "Did you just hit me with a tire iron?" and the guy dropped it and ran like hell. He was a tough guy but he was a big softie when it came to his granddaughter. She was his little princess.

On the way over to the cemetery, other vehicles going the opposite direction were pulling over and stopping (I've been told that is a tradition to show respect that I'd never heard of before-- my mother had never seen it before and was surprised).

Saw a friend that I hadn't seen since his grandmother's funeral (and the last time before that was at his grandfather's funeral) so I said "We have to stop meeting like this!" I hope to see him again soon but under better circumstances. Actually, maybe the last time was at our 89-year-old friend's funeral- last 3 times were funerals. He and one of the pallbearers had to help my friend's grandfather stand up and reach his walker. Also helped my mother get out of her chair.

My friend's grandmother invited my mother to come over and visit for coffee. She wants to spend more time with her since she was also a mutual friend of our aforementioned 89-year-old friend who passed. I'm hoping she'll take her up on the offer because she needs to get out of the house more.
The grandmother gave me a really big hug and thanked me for being there for her grandson and asked me to never leave him and to please always be there for him. He's a good kid so I intend to do so. I let him know that he can call me anytime of the day or night if he needs something-- even just to talk to someone.

Meanwhile, I need to work on more cleaning in the house. I was exhausted after the funeral. I'm really hoping that doubling my thyroid meds will help give me more energy-- although I think this was partially from being emotionally drained (and from being up most of the night working on my mother's laundry).

Time to go give ear mite medicine to 14 kitties. At least I have goggles so it won't get in my eyes when they shake their heads. LOL.

 

[zannej]

Gate opener arrived and we got the lock. Mighty Mule CS said that with the lock it should have a 10w solar panel but the kit came with a 5w. The Mighty Mule solar panel was like $92 but I found another brand for $25. Amazon also recommends getting this regulator but I don't know if it is necessary. Mighty Mule said the control panel has built in stuff to prevent the battery from overcharging. Do you guys think the regulator is necessary or a good idea to get?

 

[highup]

Gate opener arrived and we got the lock. Mighty Mule CS said that with the lock it should have a 10w solar panel but the kit came with a 5w. The Mighty Mule solar panel was like $92 but I found another brand for $25. Amazon also recommends getting this regulator but I don't know if it is necessary. Mighty Mule said the control panel has built in stuff to prevent the battery from overcharging. Do you guys think the regulator is necessary or a good idea to get?

If their product has some sort of regulating system already built in it seems redundance would be a total waste.

 

[zannej]

If their product has some sort of regulating system already built in it seems redundance would be a total waste.

Thanks! That is what I thought, but I wanted to be sure. I wonder if I can power some motion sensor security lights with the 5w panel. I want to find ones that will only come on at night/dark when something or someone triggers the motion sensor. I might later add some more solar panels and try to get some lights set up in front of my house so I can see the ground next to my truck when I'm trying to get into it at night. Sometimes I step in fire ant mounds or holes dug by dogs.

Went to Walmart 3 times yesterday. My bro got himself a new TV from black friday sale. We got it mounted on his stand and then he realized it didn't have coax input (but the dishnetwork signal from the duel receiver only works via coax hooked directly to the TV). Dishnetwork said he needed a coax to RCA converter. Got it and then discovered his TV doesn't have RCA input. It only has HDMI. LOL. We also snagged an inexpensive Serta massage recliner that was leftover from the black Friday sale. I showed Mom a picture and she wanted it-- and it's cheap. LOL.

 

[Nick]

I have the motion sensor lights .. Humps go on in the day light hours if it is a little windy ..

Have 3 sets around the house ..

 

[zannej]

I have the motion sensor lights .. Humps go on in the day light hours if it is a little windy ..

Have 3 sets around the house ..

How much power do they draw? I just want one at the gate that can illuminate the keypad/doorbell and signs. Need one that sits atop the post.

I'm trying to figure out the logistics and everything we need to get to make the gate opener functional.

Absolutely necessary things:

• 12v deep cycle battery >=250CCA (not sure on aH)
• Box to hold the battery that has outlets for the wires but no vents on top that would allow rain in
• 16/2 direct burial wire (found 100' on amazon for $25.22-- cheaper than local stores)
• 5/16"x4" Powerlag Hex Drive washer-head lag bolts at 90¢ a piece to attach the lock to the posts.

Additional stuff I'd like to get

• Wireless doorbell 1300' range w/ 2 receivers (mounted on gate post outside)
• Wireless keypad to unlock gate x2. One from outside (for deliveries/guests), and one mounted on a post inside that people when driving out.
• Lithium ion AA batteries for keypads & doorbell
• 10w high efficiency solar panel (just in case the 5w is insufficient)
• Gooseneck stand for inner keypad
• LED motion sensor light

I ruled out the underground sensor because it could be triggered by my cows.
I should have at least one pole that was used for my old satellite dish-- although I don't know if it is high enough. Not sure how high it should be. I have a couple of old satellite dishes lying around so I can take mounting hardware from them if need be.
Right now the thing giving me the most trouble is finding the right battery and box that aren't too expensive.

 

[Nick]

They take two 150 W bulbs ea . Mine are hardwired . You can adjust the sensor where you want it to look. 10' to 15' is good ..

 

[Ernesto]

I have a driveway motion detector alarm and a game camera plus several closed circuit cameras and motion flood lights around the house. Nothing solar powered.
My Ring doorbell is the bomb!

 

[highup]

How much power do they draw? I just want one at the gate that can illuminate the keypad/doorbell and signs. Need one that sits atop the post.

I'm trying to figure out the logistics and everything we need to get to make the gate opener functional.

Absolutely necessary things:

• 12v deep cycle battery >=250CCA (not sure on aH)
• Box to hold the battery that has outlets for the wires but no vents on top that would allow rain in
• 16/2 direct burial wire (found 100' on amazon for $25.22-- cheaper than local stores)
• 5/16"x4" Powerlag Hex Drive washer-head lag bolts at 90¢ a piece to attach the lock to the posts.

Additional stuff I'd like to get

• Wireless doorbell 1300' range w/ 2 receivers (mounted on gate post outside)
• Wireless keypad to unlock gate x2. One from outside (for deliveries/guests), and one mounted on a post inside that people when driving out.
• Lithium ion AA batteries for keypads & doorbell
• 10w high efficiency solar panel (just in case the 5w is insufficient)
• Gooseneck stand for inner keypad
• LED motion sensor light

I ruled out the underground sensor because it could be triggered by my cows.
I should have at least one pole that was used for my old satellite dish-- although I don't know if it is high enough. Not sure how high it should be. I have a couple of old satellite dishes lying around so I can take mounting hardware from them if need be.
Right now the thing giving me the most trouble is finding the right battery and box that aren't too expensive.

They make marine battery boxes........ I don't think they're all that spendy.
Depending where the battery will be located/hidden/camo'd or disguised ............ might be as well off inside some sort of plastic storage container flipped upside down.......... it's just plastic and the acid or fumes from the battery won't hurt plastic. Sun exposure will make cheap plastic containers brittle in a couple of years. Heck, a $3 styrofoam cooler would probably work fine. Put a small rock on it to keep the lid from flying away and make a couple holes in the bottom so water can get out.

How much wire will you actually need?
How much actual sun exposure will the solar cell receive in it's proposed location? If just light from the sky and no direct sunlight, ya might want to go larger.
LED light sources use a minuscule amount of power, so you may not need a larger panel that the one that comes with the unit for lighting. LED light needs to be 12 volts but I don't think those are hard to find....... or get a 12V to 3V converter and wire up some of those cheap yard lights that you poke in the ground. Get 100 amber colored down facing yard lights and tell everyone to follow the yellow brick road.

 

[highup]

I talked a customer into adding a layer of OSB onto their bedroom floor so the carpet would meet the new tile at the 'correct' level. Ramping it up to meet 15 feet of tile would be kinda hokey. At one end the tile, was 1 7/8" higher than the floor. The other end was 1 1/4" higher. There was new tile installed this fall throughout most of the home and there was a dip in the floor that needed corrections. That's what created the height issue. Customer is happy I talked him into raising the floor, because now, his new base will continue at the same height when going from the tile onto the carpet. Without doing the overlay, there'd be a notch in the base where the tile to carpet transition is, ..........in two places.

 

[Nick]

I'll be doing the same thing in about two weeks .. Hope i can get down on my Knees ..

 

[zannej]

They make marine battery boxes........ I don't think they're all that spendy.
Depending where the battery will be located/hidden/camo'd or disguised ............ might be as well off inside some sort of plastic storage container flipped upside down.......... it's just plastic and the acid or fumes from the battery won't hurt plastic. Sun exposure will make cheap plastic containers brittle in a couple of years. Heck, a $3 styrofoam cooler would probably work fine. Put a small rock on it to keep the lid from flying away and make a couple holes in the bottom so water can get out.

How much wire will you actually need?
How much actual sun exposure will the solar cell receive in it's proposed location? If just light from the sky and no direct sunlight, ya might want to go larger.
LED light sources use a minuscule amount of power, so you may not need a larger panel that the one that comes with the unit for lighting. LED light needs to be 12 volts but I don't think those are hard to find....... or get a 12V to 3V converter and wire up some of those cheap yard lights that you poke in the ground. Get 100 amber colored down facing yard lights and tell everyone to follow the yellow brick road.

I've found the plastic tubs get brittle and fall part even when not in direct sunlight outside. I saw a nice box that was pretty damn expensive: MinnKota Trolling Motor Power Center ($54.98) but I was thinking of getting the UPG Marine Smart Box ($29.99). Boxes locally are about that price and have vents in the top. Amazon recommends getting MightyMax 12v 35AH Trolling Battery $63.99. I'm guessing it fits in that box. I'd like to spend less than that on a battery, but if it is good and lasts long it might be worth it. I've figured out what AH stands for but I saw something that referred to MA for the power needs of the gate opener & I don't know what that stands for.

Highup, sounds like a good idea and I'm glad your customer was pleased!

I've been cleaning most of the day. Interrupted briefly by my unlucky friend wanting company and a lift to the store-- his truck broke down again. My brother actually helped me a little with the cleaning. He held the trash bags while I filled them. We were trying to get a broken wedge corner seat out of the room and I gave him a sledgehammer to tear it apart. He hauled the seat part out the back door and chucked the back through the window. I still have more trash to clean up. I found a friggin' printer lying on the floor behind where the chair had been. LOL. Found the missing remote for the blu-ray player. Found one of the missing phone handsets too.

I'm taking a brief break bc my back started giving out on me and then I'll go back to cleaning and I'll get everything set up for my brother to bring in the new recliner-- a Serta massage recliner that was on a black special. It was a special item the store normally didn't carry that was left unsold and I grabbed it the other day. Was gonna grab one for my friend for xmas but they were gone when I went back. Gonna get a waterproof/pet proof cover for it bc my cat with leukemia doesn't like to use the litterbox.

 

[Floorist]

I'll be doing the same thing in about two weeks .. Hope i get get down on my Knees ..

We are getting too old, Nick.

 

[Nick]

Been to old Floorist .. It's for a friend ..

 

[Nick]

I've found the plastic tubs get brittle and fall part even when not in direct sunlight outside. I saw a nice box that was pretty damn expensive: MinnKota Trolling Motor Power Center ($54.98) but I was thinking of getting the UPG Marine Smart Box ($29.99). Boxes locally are about that price and have vents in the top. Amazon recommends getting MightyMax 12v 35AH Trolling Battery $63.99. I'm guessing it fits in that box. I'd like to spend less than that on a battery, but if it is good and lasts long it might be worth it. I've figured out what AH stands for but I saw something that referred to MA for the power needs of the gate opener & I don't know what that stands for.

Highup, sounds like a good idea and I'm glad your customer was pleased!

I've been cleaning most of the day. Interrupted briefly by my unlucky friend wanting company and a lift to the store-- his truck broke down again. My brother actually helped me a little with the cleaning. He held the trash bags while I filled them. We were trying to get a broken wedge corner seat out of the room and I gave him a sledgehammer to tear it apart. He hauled the seat part out the back door and chucked the back through the window. I still have more trash to clean up. I found a friggin' printer lying on the floor behind where the chair had been. LOL. Found the missing remote for the blu-ray player. Found one of the missing phone handsets too.

I'm taking a brief break bc my back started giving out on me and then I'll go back to cleaning and I'll get everything set up for my brother to bring in the new recliner-- a Serta massage recliner that was on a black special. It was a special item the store normally didn't carry that was left unsold and I grabbed it the other day. Was gonna grab one for my friend for xmas but they were gone when I went back. Gonna get a waterproof/pet proof cover for it bc my cat with leukemia doesn't like to use the litterbox.

He wouldn't be using my chair either . When i had a cat i gave him the baby powder test . I sprinkled it all over the counter tops , and checked for foot prints . He Passed .

 

[highup]

I've found the plastic tubs get brittle and fall part even when not in direct sunlight outside. I saw a nice box that was pretty damn expensive: MinnKota Trolling Motor Power Center ($54.98) but I was thinking of getting the UPG Marine Smart Box ($29.99). Boxes locally are about that price and have vents in the top. Amazon recommends getting MightyMax 12v 35AH Trolling Battery $63.99. I'm guessing it fits in that box. I'd like to spend less than that on a battery, but if it is good and lasts long it might be worth it. I've figured out what AH stands for but I saw something that referred to MA for the power needs of the gate opener & I don't know what that stands for.

Highup, sounds like a good idea and I'm glad your customer was pleased!

I've been cleaning most of the day. Interrupted briefly by my unlucky friend wanting company and a lift to the store-- his truck broke down again. My brother actually helped me a little with the cleaning. He held the trash bags while I filled them. We were trying to get a broken wedge corner seat out of the room and I gave him a sledgehammer to tear it apart. He hauled the seat part out the back door and chucked the back through the window. I still have more trash to clean up. I found a friggin' printer lying on the floor behind where the chair had been. LOL. Found the missing remote for the blu-ray player. Found one of the missing phone handsets too.

I'm taking a brief break bc my back started giving out on me and then I'll go back to cleaning and I'll get everything set up for my brother to bring in the new recliner-- a Serta massage recliner that was on a black special. It was a special item the store normally didn't carry that was left unsold and I grabbed it the other day. Was gonna grab one for my friend for xmas but they were gone when I went back. Gonna get a waterproof/pet proof cover for it bc my cat with leukemia doesn't like to use the litterbox.

Depending on it's age, it maybe time to buy a new battery for your car and use the old car battery for the gate. The battery would still work especially since the battery would be kept fully charged since the gate use is intermittent.
I'm just saying it's probably near the same price for a car battery as that deep cycle battery for a trolling motor. Just a thought.
Deep cycle batteries hold up much better with trolling motors because they can withstand deep and long discharge periods. Regular car batteries don't hold up as well with long continuous discharge times and recharging. Gate is gonna open how many times per day? How long does it take for the gate to open and close compared to running a trolling motor for 2 hours straight? Points to ponder.
Also, if you have a battery charger, you might give the battery a full charge a few times per year to be sure it's topped off.