What did you do today?

[8ntruck 6,969]

16 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Seriously, even in a new-ish home this can be way less than a good idea.

Unless you know every piece of wire and every connection point in that circuit and you can prove that it can handle the higher load, you might be violating code and making your house uninsurable not to mention dangerous to you occupants.

That breaker swap was planned to have new, #6 wire installed between the box and tankless water heater.

 

Since the breaker did not fit, I took a closer look at the box.  There were empty knock out holes that suggested that it is used.  Per the label on the box, max wire size is #8.  The box specs N1 type breakers, which were superseeded about 1965.  The main breaker is 100 amps.  However, the lake house is small enough that I would expect it to have 60 amp service.  This raised a question in my mind about the possibility of the PO replacing the original 60 amp main breaker with a 100 amp breaker to 'upgrade' the service.

 

I also started to think about the largest possible load  we could see.  4 burners and the oven on the electric range, 3 window air conditioners, the refrigerator,  maybe a hair dryer, and the tankless water heater  would come close to maxing the system out.

 

Combining all of the above caused me to postpone the tankless heater install until after upgrading to bigger service and a new load center are installed.

[8ntruck 6,969]

Sorry, triple post.

Edited September 17 by 8ntruck

[8ntruck 6,969]

Sorry double post.

Edited September 17 by 8ntruck

[Beap52 782]

I suppose today was "help my neighbor day".  

 

A friend fell 20 feet last February on a construction site and busted up both ankles badly.  He is just now walking short distances with the help of a cane.  Otherwise  he uses a mobility scooter.  Today I used the line trimmer for almost two hours cutting the weeds and grass around his place.  When I mentioned I was to to model train show Friday,  he showed interest. Looks like I'll have a companion at the train show.  The sad part is that his wounds are not healing, the bones are not mending correctly,  He faces another surgery mid October to rebreak and reset the bones.  

 

My next door neighbor is on hospice.  He had fought a good fight against cancer but in the end, it catches up with us.  I sat with Joe an hour and half while his wife took care of business in town. I don't think he ever knew I was there.  Morphine keeps pain at bay.

 

I am blessed that even though I'm almost ten years older than both of these men,  I am able to help them in time of need. 

[Pullstart 62,706]

On 9/15/2024 at 7:05 PM, 8ntruck said:

We've been getting the rotten egg smell from the hot water in the lake house this summer.  I picked up a new anode rod, but when I went to install it, I could not find where the original was mounted.  OK, probably time to replace it.

 

We ended up getting a 13kw electric tankless heater.  Simple, right?  Swap out the circuit breaker for the higher amperage breaker the thankless needs, rip out the water heater, mount the new heater, and re-plumb a little, re-wire some, and you are done.

 

Wrong!  The breaker box is old.  It is calling for breakers that went obsolete about 1965.  My new breaker looked like it would fit, but would not. I saw how to make it fit, but kludging  a 2 pole 60 amp breaker did not seem right - or safe.  We've been thinking about upgrading the electrical service for a while as well.  This was the final straw.  It will be scheduled for next spring.

 

In the meantime, the rotten egg smell will be handled with flushes of the water heater.

 

If this hasn’t been addressed Bill, look into bleaching your well, and treating your water system.  Call me tomorrow if you’ like to chat more.    It’s a bacteria in your water source. 

[wallfish 16,958]

On 9/15/2024 at 7:05 PM, 8ntruck said:

We've been getting the rotten egg smell

Typically sulfur is the cause. Best to have a current water quality sample done and analyzed

Radon systems that aerate the water will also remove sulfur. We have installed quite a few but not just for sulfur only yet. The least expensive system we install is a MCIS Aerator E99. It's the easiest to self install too. More expensive systems are Bubble Up. They contain a pump so most of time it will increase water pressure too depending on the current well pump. Airwell is a system that works directly in the well.

[8ntruck 6,969]

2 hours ago, wallfish said:

Typically sulfur is the cause. Best to have a current water quality sample done and analyzed

Radon systems that aerate the water will also remove sulfur. We have installed quite a few but not just for sulfur only yet. The least expensive system we install is a MCIS Aerator E99. It's the easiest to self install too. More expensive systems are Bubble Up. They contain a pump so most of time it will increase water pressure too depending on the current well pump. Airwell is a system that works directly in the well.

 

Thanks for the tip - you too @Pullstart.  Plenty of time to do research this winter.  The sulfer smell does not happen until the water has been in the heater tank for a week or 10 days.  Longer, if the hot water is used regularly.

[Pullstart 62,706]

This is from my experience:  The bacteria in the water system (well included) feed off hydrogen, a byproduct of anodes breaking down.  The smell you experience is their feces, hence why you smell it in the hot faucet most.  A gallon of bleach right down the well is sufficient.  Run all cold faucets until the bleach smell is realized, then the same for the hot.  It takes a while, to mix it through the water heater tank, then to the faucets.  Once the entire system smells of bleach, let it sit for 8 hours minimum.  This is a great time to sleep.  After a good period, 8-12 hours, drain the water heater and flush the water system until the bleach smell is gone.  Wha-la!  

[Mickwhitt 4,569]

I thought I had finished with my plumbing efforts having two bathrooms that are perfectly fine.

But father in law is too weak to use the bath tub so we decided to rip it out and replace with a shower cubicle.

So out came the tools and I made a start building a stud wall to house the pipes and sorted the waste and water feeds. 

The tray needed raising up because the waste outlet is higher than it should be so I had to pack it up with marine ply.

I'm not tiling it, I'm using upvc wall cladding panels which are pretty good for the job. Certainly easier than me trying to tile the wall. 

Waiting for delivery of the panels on Tuesday and then I can build the glass cubicle and finish the job. 

 

[ebinmaine 67,143]

Been a ridiculous level busy couple days and we still have one more. 

 

We brought this snowblower to @Maz91 on the way to my mom's house Thursday evening.

 

 

 

 

Helped her all day Friday. Got some SERIOUS cleaning up done. 

 

My parents lived lives that were pretty traditional in the sense that he did "boy stuff," and she did "girl stuff."

 

His garage and yard were his domain and hers the house, for the most part. 

 

Also, they were never what I'd call wealthy, but they always had a little money left over. 

That's great and all but my father was a hoarder of sorts and also not inclined to be well organized and also not inclined to search more than about 2 seconds for a tool or supplies he couldn't find in his mess. 

 

Sooooo.....

 

While cleaning out the garage and trucks (both work and personal), the folks helping have found at LEAST half a dozen sets of tools scattered everywhere.  

One wrench here/the rest of the set there... etc....

 

Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. 

 

 

Trina and I were down there with my father's brother Ron and his wife. Margo is a "Friggin cyclone", So named by her own grand daughter. 😅

 

My mom has named my other half "Perpetual motion" and "Energizer Bunny."

 

Combined.... those two are a force to be reckoned with. 

 

 

We did a BUNCH of work getting things rearranged and redistributed and just plain tossed in the dumpster. 

 

Again, we brought home a vehicle full of tools and shop stuff we'll actually use.

This Pilot is FULL of treasures again. 😅

 

Then yesterday afternoon we went apple 🍎 pickin. 

 

 

 

Today.....??

 

[Maz91 202]

Aside from receiving a snowblower and a visit from Eric and Trina (great, great people) I finally got my Raider 12 down to the frame! Time to let the color fly and start reassembling after I clean this thing up. 

i also have been practicing a bunch of songs on guitar in anticipation for today. Trying to get a rock cover band going here in the southwest NH area to play at all the festivals and breweries. Hopefully just sticking to all the “best songs of all time” is something people would enjoy. Can’t wait to get playing again. 

Edited September 22 by Maz91
Left something out

[ebinmaine 67,143]

1 hour ago, Maz91 said:

guitar

Didn't know you played. 

Very cool.  

My uncle Ron lives right near you and plays for folks in a Country Western band. 

 

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,276]

  Haven’t biked in close to 7 weeks (usually get out 3-4 times a month). So this morning before I mowed my brothers lawn and my mother in laws lawn I got in a ride. 
  Really hammered down and made good time with a good average speed…legs were not happy with me at all 

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,143]

7 minutes ago, Sparky said:

got in a ride.

 

Well done mister!

[adsm08 1,970]

I took the youngest dog out for some collar training, finally. I should have started months ago, but between the weather and my bum leg it just hasn't been a reality.

 

Had to walk him about 3/4 of a mile to get him to settle a bit, and then let him off leash. We walked for about 45 minutes after that and by the end he was dog tired, but  seemed to be getting the idea to stay where I could see him, and within about 150 feet or so. I think it helps that we have them on an invisible fence at home, so he already knows the zap means he's going somewhere I don't want him.

 

The next big thing is to teach him to sit when the collar beeps. He knows sit well, so that should just be treat training with both things until he makes the association between the tone and the command.

[8ntruck 6,969]

We officially christened our new deck today by hosting a brunch for family.  We originally had invited 19 people, but only 15 were able to attend.  All had a good time, despite the light rain.

 

We had a waffles with a variety of toppings, scrambled eggs, Monte Cristo sandwiches, loaded the Blackstone up with bacon, sausage patties, link sausage, and ham.  

 

The idea was floated that we should get together again next July.

[ebinmaine 67,143]

Trina's newly restored stove is AMAZING!!

The thermostatic fan works wonderful. 

The draft is excellent. 

 

Certainly the best stove we've had on the main floor. 

 

She started it, got it going well, added ONE stick after that. 

We'll let the temp fall for the night now.  

 

HUGE difference compared to the other two stoves that have been here. 

 

 

 

 

 

[MainelyWheelhorse 350]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

Trina's newly restored stove is AMAZING!!

The thermostatic fan works wonderful. 

The draft is excellent. 

 

Certainly the best stove we've had on the main floor. 

 

She started it, got it going well, added ONE stick after that. 

We'll let the temp fall for the night now.  

 

HUGE difference compared to the other two stoves that have been here. 

 

 

 

 

 

@ebinmaine Just in time for Fall.

[Maz91 202]

20 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

Didn't know you played. 

Very cool.  

My uncle Ron lives right near you and plays for folks in a Country Western band. 

 

That’s cool! Great to get out and play as a band. It’s like a team sport. Luckily our jam worked out awesome yesterday. Played a bunch of stuff from the eagles to the foo fighters. Been playing with the drummer for a while and we were having some trouble finding others. Yesterday met with a bass player and a singer/guitarist for the first time and everything was pretty spot on so now it looks like we have a full band 🤘🏼

[Ed Kennell 37,967]

Cleaned out the runs and stocked the remaining trout.   Last stocking till 2025.

 

A nice  20" brown.

 

While stocking from the railroad, I spotted this injured deer.    I'll post a video in my 2024 deer tails post.

 

[Handy Don 12,100]

9 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

Cleaned out the runs and stocked the remaining trout.   Last stocking till 2025.

Do any of the fish you stock into the stream remain or do they all get caught, migrate, or die off?

[Ed Kennell 37,967]

3 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Do any of the fish you stock into the stream remain or do they all get caught, migrate, or die off?

In the spring and early summer stockings, the human fishing pressure is heavy and most get caught.   The bald eagles and great blue herons also get their share.

An eagle followed the stocking train this morning.  I swear they listen for the train whistle to know when we are stocking.    Some of the fish in the remote sections (require a 5 mile hike) live for several years.  Most of the fishermen that walk that far release the fish unharmed.    During high flood stages some trout do get washed downstream out of the creeks onto the river.

Migrate?, I see no evidence of a reproductive migration.  During low warm water periods, some do move upstream to smaller spring runs in search of cooler water.

Most of the fish stocked this morning will be there till the spring season opens in April.

[adsm08 1,970]

32 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Do any of the fish you stock into the stream remain or do they all get caught, migrate, or die off?

 

 

I know at least some make it out there quite a while. I've seen paliminoes laying in some holes I fish well after the last stocking, and I know those are stocked because they don't exist in nature.

[Achto 27,484]

My small garden (11 potted plants) did very well this year so for the last few weekends I've been canning like a mad man.

 

Made 13qts of spaghetti sauce, 18pts of salsa, 24 1/2pts of sliced jalapeno's, & some ranchero sauce. I still have a lot of stuff to take care of but I'm starting to run out of ideas.

 Earlier this week I made some Habanero Hot Sauce. This has a fantastic flavor and then..... about 45 seconds after putting it in your mouth, you get slapped up side the head with the heat. 

 

So that took care of my Habanero's and a couple more tomatoes but I still have a very bountiful crop of Jalapeno's to use up. Today I picked 30 Jalapeno's ( this still didn't put a dent in my bounty )  to make some Jalapeno hot sauce. 

 

This hot sauce turned out with a great flavor and again it has a delay before the heat gets to you. The heat is no where near as intense as the Habanero sauce.

 

My friend was complaining that he had a lot of peppers that he didn't know what to do with so I asked if I could experiment with them. He agreed so one more round of hot sauce to get going. The peppers that he gave me was a mixture of Habanero, Scorpion, Ghost, & Carolina Reapers.

  

 

I took this mixture of hateful heat makers to concoct a sauce that has been dubbed "Paranormal Hot Sauce".  My plan for this sauce is to ferment it first, so it will be a week or 2 before it is finished.

 

I still have a bunch of Jalapeno's and Poblano's to deal with. If any one has any ideas, I'd welcome them.

 

Edited September 30 by Achto

[WHX?? 48,710]

3 minutes ago, Achto said:

If any one has any ideas,

Buy stock in a toilet paper company along with a fire extinguisher outfit ...