LANParty Weekend and finally mowing.

Last weekend I was at the LAN, and didn't get a whole lot done.  Before I left, my new UPS came in.  If you think it looks an awful lot like a power bank, you would be correct.  Unlike my UPS, this should run things for more than a few minutes should I lose power.  I can also use it as a power bank if needed.  I have some solar panels to test, but haven't gotten there yet.

I thought the cables it came with were kind of weird, but it is correct according to the user manual.  It comes with MC4 splitters (MC4 is the most common solar panel connector), but it doesn't come with the MC4 to XT60 connectors (what is on the unit) to plug the panels in.  So it comes with solar splitters, but no way to get that solar into the unit.  

Here are some pictures from the LAN.  The drive through Vermont to get there was quite pretty.

Hot tub.

While there, I did a little bit more research on trailers.  I found a couple that would work for my purposes: https://alumaklm.com/products/utility/tandem-axle/8200wbdof-series/ and https://www.fthr.com/product/utility-trailers/open-utility/model-3110/ though while they were recommended by Arnett's in KY, I would order them in NH (so I can avoid several hundred in sales tax).  I also came up with a more polished floorplan.  I am still struggling with weight balance and the distribution of utilities.

At one point I forgot to turn my fan off before going to bed.  It made it through the night on high, though it was a rather short night since I was staying up late but still getting up at my normal time.  You can't tell because the picture sucks, but the fan was still at 15%.

I rolled over 100k on the way there.

 

When I got home, it was quite chilly in the house.

 

So I figured what better way to warm the place up than to test the power bank UPS.  Turns out my air fryer is within 100W of the output limit on it, so I just used that to test it.  All went well.

 

Tuesday I went up to UNH (University of NH) and their IOL (InterOperability Lab) for some testing on a board for work.  I discovered on the drive there there is a store in Concord that sells rare and more exotic meats, the Healthy Buffalo (https://healthybuffalo.com).  They are only a little over an hour away too.  They were unfortunately closed on Tuesdays, but might be worth paying them a visit.

Wednesday I came back to the office to a borked computer.  It took ICT most of the day to at least get it booting again (and is why I didn't write this yesterday).  

 

When I got home however, it was time to do oil changes.  I should probably check the plugs, but I didn't.   It took a little bit for me to remember, but I did remember the trick to draining the tractor.  I hate that stupid plastic drain thing, but oh well.  

 

I checked the oil in the pushmower, and it was still clear, so I just left it.  I only used the push mower a couple of times all last year.  So while the tractor was draining (the stupid plastic thing is slower than death), I fired up the pushmower and mowed with it.  It surprisingly started second pull.

 

My yard was bad.

 

I got a few loops done with the push mower, then went to finish the tractor.

 

I got the tractor to fire up too.  It still is definitely not running right, but it runs and mows for the most part, so I don't care. 

 

I managed to get most of this side knocked down and mowed before it was getting dark.  

 

This morning before coming in, I finally got around to taping the decking support together.  I just need to finish attaching the other support pieces, and cut the plywood for the bed.  Unfortunately I won't get to it today at work (my lunch is consumed with paying property taxes and whatnot), and as long as the rain holds out, will likely be mowing when I get home. 

 

Hopefully the weather holds out, there is currently only a chance of rain on Saturday and it is supposed to be nice on Sunday, so I can finish up the excavator.  If it does rain on Saturday, I might just finish digging the trench by hand.  The hope is to have a bed platform cut for the CR-V and the excavator working by next week.

 

Available Projects and annual tasks:

• Dunks and bug repellent.
• Clean up yard
• Take scrap metal away
• Finish cleanup on the pile in the back 
• Do something with the trailer.
• Fix excavator
  
• Finish drainage
• Build deck
• Push back trees
• Install concrete pilings
• Install landscape fabric and gravel underneath
• Build frame
• Lay decking
  
• Set up hot tub and pool
• Build insulated platform for hot tub
• Put down pool sand to level spot for pool
• Get water delivered for both
  
• Fix mowers and equipment
• Get tractor serviced
• Build travel station for CR-V/prep CR-V for travel
  
• Move carport
• Build the roof extension over to the rocks
• Fix front stairs 
• Test travel options (rent u-haul and test that, rent trailer and test that)
• Install storm doors
• Build overhangs for windows
• Insulate the water lines
  
• Front yard drainage
• Fix snowblowers (broken grease fitting on big snowblower, gas leak on small one)
  
• Gravel/hardpack driveway
• Fix grade to the shed
• Level a spot for a lean-to up the hill
• Build a small lean-to for off-season equipment
• Make shed mouse-tight 
• Create walking trails (put up markers, maybe put down some gravel).
• Clear and level a spot for orchard
• Build a bridge over the creek
• Build a gazebo or something on the other side

 

Busy day

As an addendum to my last post, the unusually good gas mileage I had seen previously on the CR-V was not an anomaly; going and dropping off the PC to uncle I got 31.4mpg, which is exactly what the computer calculated. 

I took a radar screencap of that storm I drove through from the last post.  It was angry.

 

During my lunch break yesterday, I went up and vacuumed out the car.  I still need to wipe off the vinyl and plastic surfaces with a lysol wipe or something, but the baking soda appears to be out of the carpet.

 

After work, I went and picked up a cheap portable AC unit.  It is very unlikely I can get my heat pumps fixed before the next heat wave.

 

Last night was shopping night, and I still got that done, so I can head out tonight to grab another unit (one AC will not cool the house).

 

Today at lunch it was surprisingly nice out (it wasn't supposed to be), so I decided to get the first round of flooring cut for the CR-V.  This is now good to go: I still need to cut smaller pieces and glue them to the underside to fix the unlevelness, but this was the first step.  At this point I just need to build up the lower levels and glue them to the pieces that are now cut.  I will tape these together too so it ends up as just a single

 

The car actually felt level while I was crawling around in the back, so it shouldn't matter where I put my head.  It is nice to have the option.  

 

I am not sure I will have this complete by the LAN this weekend, but at any rate there is enough there for me to sleep in it if needed.  If I stay this motivated, I might have the conversion in there this weekend though.

 

Available Projects and annual tasks:

• Dunks and bug repellent.
• Clean up yard
• Take scrap metal away
• Finish cleanup on the pile in the back 
• Do something with the trailer.
• Fix excavator
  
• Finish drainage
• Build deck
• Push back trees
• Install concrete pilings
• Install landscape fabric and gravel underneath
• Build frame
• Lay decking
  
• Set up hot tub and pool
• Build insulated platform for hot tub
• Put down pool sand to level spot for pool
• Get water delivered for both
  
• Fix mowers and equipment
• Get tractor serviced
• Build travel station for CR-V/prep CR-V for travel
  
• Move carport
• Build the roof extension over to the rocks
• Fix front stairs 
• Test travel options (rent u-haul and test that, rent trailer and test that)
• Install storm doors
• Build overhangs for windows
• Insulate the water lines
  
• Front yard drainage
• Fix snowblowers (broken grease fitting on big snowblower, gas leak on small one)
  
• Gravel/hardpack driveway
• Fix grade to the shed
• Level a spot for a lean-to up the hill
• Build a small lean-to for off-season equipment
• Make shed mouse-tight 
• Create walking trails (put up markers, maybe put down some gravel).
• Clear and level a spot for orchard
• Build a bridge over the creek
• Build a gazebo or something on the other side

 

Soggy weekend

Friday was nicer than it was supposed to be, so I went up to the US Army Corps and updated my park pass (you may recall mine was expired when I went to Fort Stanwix).  I didn't get any good pictures (I went up at lunch and didn't stop for pictures), but the place is right on the Contoocook dam, and it was actually quite pretty up there.

 

One downside of Friday being nicer than expected though: it was a lot warmer than expected.  I also discovered that my only remaining mini-split doesn't cool anymore; I changed it to cool mode, and it did nothing but circulate air.  Sigh.  I will definitely need to get someone out here to fix these pieces of crap. I might just replace them.  I have had three failures in a little over a year.  Do I really want to rely on these units?  Replacing them is really expensive though.

 

The storms started late Friday afternoon, so I didn't do much else.  Saturday I was dodging storms most of the day, but I  did get a few bits done.  So I started removing the seats in the CR-V.  It was surprisingly simple, only 4 bolts in each seat under a plastic cover with tabs.  Side note on this picture, the panel in the back is actually a shelf for the CR-V.  I didn't realize that, and it is actually kind of cool.  There is another layer there so you don't get into the spare tire well.

It quickly became clear that the detailing shop didn't clean under here.  

If Aunt needs it, I found their Dunkin' receipt from 2011.  Just in case.

 

Most of the bolts came out without issue, but the last one was rusted in.  I ended up taking it out with vice grips.  They were supposedly 13mm bolts, but my 13 didn't fit very well.  

 

I did a quick test fit.  I will need to improve my flexibility, getting in was a pain, but once in I fit without issue. My feet didn't touch the passenger seat, and I was far enough in t hat the tailgate would close.  

I can sit up without smacking my head too, as long as I don't make the bed too thick.  I have about 3 inches or so of headroom.

 

All that was left is to clean up the back, so I went into town for some baking soda.  My plan is to put down baking soda to deoderize the back and then vacuum it up since this area wasn't cleaned.  As soon as I left though, the storms arrived.  Made for an interesting drive in on flash flooded roads.

 

I succeeded though, I got some baking soda and some pads to put down so I am not sitting directly on the sending unit of the gas tank.

 

Sunday morning I somehow woke up before the storms moved in, and went out to Otter Brook.  The water was high.  

There were also a couple of trees down blocking paths.  

 

Considering the park opens next week, I was a little surprised at how unready the place appears.  

Happy tree.  

When I finished the short loop (the long loop had trees down), you could see that the storms were coming.

 

I did quickly vacuum out the car when I got home.  My regular vacuum was more accessible than my shop vac.

 

I also got the baking soda put down with thunder rumbling as I did so.  I have no clue if I did it correctly.  I have read that if your vacuum filters and seals aren't up to the task it can do bad things to the vacuum (baking soda particles are small enough to slip in and damage the motor), so I will be doing the vacuuming at one of those car wash places.  I do my shopping on Monday, so I will just head to the car wash place before doing my shopping.

 

I also pulled out a spare PC and got it booted, Uncle has been having PC issues of late, and this was just sitting in a box after I fixed it (this used to be Dad's PC).  I took a quick trip out and delivered it.

 

My next couple of weekends are taken up already (next week is the LAN, and I am visiting Tim and possibly testing the CR-V setup the following weekend), so I am going to try to get the excavator started during the week, though I also need to pick up a portable AC or two since apparently neither mini-split is working at the moment.  Hopefully the excavator just needs the charger tossed on it, I did run it a couple of times during the winter, but I would prefer it be dry when I am playing with electronics outside.  I also need to change the oil in the mowers, my yard is shin deep, and deeper in spots, and get moving on that.

Available Projects and annual tasks:

• Dunks and bug repellent.
• Clean up yard
• Take scrap metal away
• Finish cleanup on the pile in the back 
• Do something with the trailer.
• Fix excavator
  
• Finish drainage
• Build deck
• Push back trees
• Install concrete pilings
• Install landscape fabric and gravel underneath
• Build frame
• Lay decking
  
• Set up hot tub and pool
• Build insulated platform for hot tub
• Put down pool sand to level spot for pool
• Get water delivered for both
  
• Fix mowers and equipment
• Get tractor serviced
• Build travel station for CR-V/prep CR-V for travel
  
• Move carport
• Build the roof extension over to the rocks
• Fix front stairs 
• Test travel options (rent u-haul and test that, rent trailer and test that)
• Install storm doors
• Build overhangs for windows
• Insulate the water lines
  
• Front yard drainage
• Fix snowblowers (broken grease fitting on big snowblower, gas leak on small one)
  
• Gravel/hardpack driveway
• Fix grade to the shed
• Level a spot for a lean-to up the hill
• Build a small lean-to for off-season equipment
• Make shed mouse-tight 
• Create walking trails (put up markers, maybe put down some gravel).
• Clear and level a spot for orchard
• Build a bridge over the creek
• Build a gazebo or something on the other side

Excavator one step closer.

I stopped by Barry's after work yesterday.  We got the cylinder all reassembled and when I got home I put it back on.  

 

I watched a few videos first, it didn't look like I needed to do anything special to bleed the air out, so I went to fire it up, and sure enough, the battery was toast.  

Kind of a shame, the ditch was almost dry (it was dry enough to dig) and I awoke to the patter of rain today.  

The battery on the excavator is kind of a pain to get to, but with any luck I can get the battery charger on it this weekend.  I went and looked at Barry's pile of fill, and it wasn't nearly as large as I recall.  I will need to go and look at cost of rock though, I will need to buy fill, likely regardless of which route I go with the deck vs patio.

 

Available Projects and annual tasks:

• Dunks and bug repellent.
• Clean up yard
• Take scrap metal away
• Finish cleanup on the pile in the back 
• Do something with the trailer.
• Fix excavator
  
• Finish drainage
• Build deck
• Push back trees
• Install concrete pilings
• Install landscape fabric and gravel underneath
• Build frame
• Lay decking
  
• Set up hot tub and pool
• Build insulated platform for hot tub
• Put down pool sand to level spot for pool
• Get water delivered for both
  
• Fix mowers and equipment
• Get tractor serviced
• Build travel station for CR-V/prep CR-V for travel
  
• Move carport
• Build the roof extension over to the rocks
• Fix front stairs 
• Test travel options (rent u-haul and test that, rent trailer and test that)
• Install storm doors
• Build overhangs for windows
• Insulate the water lines
  
• Front yard drainage
• Fix snowblowers (broken grease fitting on big snowblower, gas leak on small one)
  
• Gravel/hardpack driveway
• Fix grade to the shed
• Level a spot for a lean-to up the hill
• Build a small lean-to for off-season equipment
• Make shed mouse-tight 
• Create walking trails (put up markers, maybe put down some gravel).
• Clear and level a spot for orchard
• Build a bridge over the creek
• Build a gazebo or something on the other side

 

Soggy Week

Most of the week last week was soggy, so I didn't really push to get much done, mostly catching up on sleep and stuff.  Saturday mirrored the sogginess, so I decided to go see the damage for the deck.  I am reviving the debate about whether to build a deck, or maybe try doing pavers and make a patio.  Given that most boards are up about 50% since I last looked, the patio idea is gaining steam just because of the cost aspect.  I basically only need fill and pavers.  It is a lot more work though.  I was lazy and didn't have a complete BOM done yet though.  But at the very least, the deck boards have gone from just under 6 dollars to 10, and they will be the most common board.  

Sunday however wasn't rainy.  Given that it has rained the past week so everything was soggy and it started off chilly though, I didn't get around to doing much until after lunch.  I started off my getting the gasket on.  My set didn't have one that was perfect, but it had one that I am pretty sure was close enough.

 

I started to get the cylinder reassembled.  I will get a hold of Barry and finish getting that reassembled this week.  

 

I also brought out my new laser level, to continue that thought of how bad would it be to do pavers instead of a deck, and started measuring that out, but quickly realized that I can't read the laser at the far end.  Not in broad daylight, it just isn't bright enough.

So instead I grabbed my shovel and started to clean out the trench so it would drain better.

 

I got ditch about 6" shallower.

 

After taking a short break, I also decided to start swapping out the winter and summer equipment.  Much to my surprise, the snowblower started immediately.  

 

I had forgotten that it was leaking gas like a strainer though.  I ran it up the hill anyways.

 

While it was running out of gas, I brought down the chipper and riding mower.  The push mower stayed in the carport all winter.  I got the battery charged on the riding mower, which was surprisingly not that bad.  I actually disconnected the battery for the winter though, which I don't normally do. 

 

While that was charging, I went and checked all the tires in the CR-V since it was blinking TPMS at me on my trip.  All of them were perfect.  

 

While I was packing things away, I realized that the jar I got from Hicks (it had applesauce in it) actually had marks in it for 1/2c, 1c and 1.5c.  Might be worth bringing it along in my minimal kitchen setup for the CR-V camper then since I can use it to store food and I can use it as a measuring cup, which I forgot to bring on my last trip.

 

After the cleaning up was done, I went out and tried to fire up the mower, and much to my surprise it started surprisingly quickly.  It smoked a bit, which is common for the first start of the season, but it fired right up.  I only had about a cup of gas left in my gas can, so it didn't run long, but maybe I can punt the fuel problems to later, since my yard disappointingly already needs mowing (last year I didn't mow until June).

 

While all this was going on, the snowblower was up running itself out of gas.  I noticed that it is running really poorly.

 

I was having trouble sleeping last night, so I took a foray into the backyard, and you can see the laser level lines crystal clear at night.  

I determined that the bulk of the backyard was as bad as I thought for level.  Up by the house was 26" in the picture above, was 22.5" over by where the hot tub would be, and 19" by the bare rock.  7" is an awful lot to make up with just fill.  I do still have a source of fill from Barry, but I don't think there is that much over there.

 

It also becomes a major problem when you get near the rock "ledge" which isn't really a ledge it turns out.  I only measured 10" by the rock ledge.  

I thought the laser made for an interesting picture.  

Available Projects and annual tasks:

• Dunks and bug repellent.
• Clean up yard
• Take scrap metal away
• Finish cleanup on the pile in the back 
• Do something with the trailer.
• Fix excavator
  
• Finish drainage
• Build deck
• Push back trees
• Install concrete pilings
• Install landscape fabric and gravel underneath
• Build frame
• Lay decking
  
• Set up hot tub and pool
• Build insulated platform for hot tub
• Put down pool sand to level spot for pool
• Get water delivered for both
  
• Fix mowers and equipment
• Get tractor serviced
• Build travel station for CR-V/prep CR-V for travel
  
• Move carport
• Build the roof extension over to the rocks
• Fix front stairs 
• Test travel options (rent u-haul and test that, rent trailer and test that)
• Install storm doors
• Build overhangs for windows
• Insulate the water lines
  
• Front yard drainage
• Fix snowblowers (broken grease fitting on big snowblower, gas leak on small one)
  
• Gravel/hardpack driveway
• Fix grade to the shed
• Level a spot for a lean-to up the hill
• Build a small lean-to for off-season equipment
• Make shed mouse-tight 
• Create walking trails (put up markers, maybe put down some gravel).
• Clear and level a spot for orchard
• Build a bridge over the creek
• Build a gazebo or something on the other side