Sunday, October 21, 2018

HOGS

Before it started raining, I had about 8 snares set at hog crossings of fences.  Normally, I would try to check them daily.  With the wet, I was not able to get out there to check snares for about two weeks; did so today.  Found TWO hog remains and about four snares that had to be reset.  When a hog dies trying to escape the snare, he ruins the snare.  SO, I just ordered three more dozen snares.  About $3 each but well worth it for a high catch rate. 

Added later.  The first photo shows sparse remains of a hog.  The second shows a snare set and ready to catch.  The third shows a large hog that about 20 vultures had been working on when I approached this afternoon.  Yesterday, the hog was much bigger and did not stink.



M3DP first drive

I went to Flatonia to make sure it has SuperCharging.  It does.  115kw, up to 450 mph.

I need to configure a "AutoPilot Buddy Knockoff".  I'll try lighter than the other two I've done.

I looked pretty diligently but did not find where to turn off navigation voice.

The window sticker says "P" but there is no marking on the car to so indicate.




Thursday, October 18, 2018

Envoy monitoring

With some luck, these will be links to my three Enphase Envoys:
RV Building Envoy
Public RV Building Envoy
PV Shed (Guest House) Envoy
Public PV Shed (Guest House) Envoy
House Envoy
Public House Envoy


Sadly, apparently not "clickable" links.  <Fixed>

SolarBridge microinverter replacement.

I just had my SolarBridge microinverters replaced with Enphase after both SolarBridge and the installer, Longhorn Solar, abandoned them.
You may be able to find my Yelp review of Longhorn here:
https://www.yelp.com/biz/longhorn-solar-austin-3

I have 39 nine of them; at the last time I was able to monitor, about a year ago, 38 were working.  At the time of replacement, power output seemed normal.




10/23/18
This project is near completion.  Labor was about $3k.  39 Enphase inverters about $1.5k.  Trunk cable about $600.   A bit over $5k total. One broken panel not yet replaced.  One new microinverter not producing.  I now have 37 (out of 39) panels producing on the roof, 12 producing on the hitching rail, 6 on a mount near the pool.  All monitored by a single Envoy.  I expect two more to be producing after we get some dry weather.

Lets see if this will show my Yelp review of Longhorn Solar:
https://www.yelp.com/user_details_reviews_self?userid=uCCfd8XxQ00WGXh0kfcffQ
Not "clickable"; you'll have to copy and paste if you want to read it.

Sunday, October 14, 2018

Scanning film negatives

I found a treasure trove of photos that I stored away several years ago.  I now wish to get digital versions of many.  My first choice is to get the negatives scanned.  I googled around a bit and was surprised at prices; generally $.50 each or more.  I eBayed around a bit looking for hardware and decided I don't know enough to make an informed purchase.  Suggestions solicited.

Other alternatives are to get prints scanned or to use an "archive" app on an Android.  I've done quite a bit of that Android archiving with mixed results.

Negatives seem to be mostly APS format; many commercial places do not list that format.

Saturday, October 13, 2018

Stolen Tablet

In reviewing "Albums", I noticed these old photos that were taken by a lowlife that stole one of my tablets in about 2013.















Hog Snaring

While out spraying weeds in pastures with my golf cart, I've noticed quite a number of hog fence crossings.  Fences make ideal places to set snares.  I just set eight.  Let's see if I can post a photo of an example......

Nope, can not figure out how to get to a cloud stored photo unless it is in an "album".

To get it posted, I had to turn the single photo into an "album" and "share" it.

Google+ abandoned by Google

Will Blogger be a replacement?
https://plus.google.com/+WillieMcKemie/posts/V4rx5Pj66W4

I do have some non-trivial trepidation about investing much effort on another Google product since they have abandoned
1) bookmarks.google
2) finance.google
3) and now Google+

First Post Selling Christmas Trees

12/2/18  I've stopped selling trees.  I am toying with the idea of saving a few and selling some ~9' trees next year.

Selling Christmas Trees
Rather poorly cared for trees up to about 8' tall,  appropriately and attractively price at $15, your choice.  "You pick it, I'll kill it".  Zoom in on the sign in the photo to get my email address.
https://plus.google.com/+WillieMcKemie/posts/V4rx5Pj66W4


11/14/18  The Christmas Tree train is rolling!  Thanks to Donna's FaceBook posts.  I continue to think of FaceBook as a lightly bubbling cauldron of idiocy.  But, I'll take the sales!

I'll post here stuff customers and potential customers might find useful.  As they come to mind.  That is, randomly organized.  I'll be adding more information as I go.  You may post a question/comment though you may need a Blogger account to do that.  Or, maybe just a Google account.

1) Tomorrow, I'll place some flagging material over there so that customers can flag trees in my absence.  You may come out without an appointment.  Place your name on a tag and place it high in the selected tree.  If I don't run short of trees, I'll resist selling flagged trees, but do not guarantee they will not be sold unless they are pre-paid.  PayPal to the address you have.
1b)  11/15  Flagging material is in place just inside the gate through which you enter.  Sharpie marker in soda bottle.  Write your name on a piece of flagging tape and attach as high as you can manage to the tree you select.
The twine is in the box on the ground.  I will eventually put some cutting implement with it.  The ground in the area of the trees should be pretty firm just a few hours after a rain.

1c) I've placed a 10' joint of conduit in the tree patch.  Marked at 8' and 6'.  To be used in judging tree height.

2)  Before I start cutting trees, I will place some twine over there so trees can be secured.  In years past, I've tied trees on tops of cars.  Or, stuffed them in vans/SUVs.   Do what you like.  Pickup trucks are best.  I am willing to deliver on a trailer within 5 miles of Dale for $5.  Or, 10 miles (to Lockhart, for example) for $10. 

3) I've had quite a few queries and expect to sell trees briskly.  That is, I set the price too low :-).   It is now clear I need to set some "I'll be here" hours.  For the first weekend following Thanksgiving, those will be 2pm-3pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  I'll be in the Christmas Tree patch during those hours, and likely longer.    I've had some poor experience with customers keeping appointments; these fixed hours will replace appointments.  You may visit the tree patch at anytime to inspect the trees but you should not expect to buy a tree except during stated hours.

4) For seekers of more professionally grown local Christmas Trees, I recommend:
Just outside Luling.

5) To early queries, I've provided a maps.google link that shows exact location of the tree patch.  It is 1 mile north of Dale on CR165.  Right side of road as you come from Dale.

6) Trees will have an accumulation of prior year needles in the interior.  That stuff is best removed before taking the tree into the house.  Importers of trees recommend cutting an inch or two off the butt end to facilitate uptake of water.  That is un-necessary for a tree that has been cut only a few hours.  All sorts of potions are suggested to put in the tree's water in order to prolong life.  My opinion is that water only is sufficient.  It is important to keep the cut end wet.  Check daily.
Trees will eventually dry out and drop needles.  They will dry slower in a cooler location.  That is, it is best not to place the tree near your heat source.    If you wish to store your tree after it is cut but before you put it up in the house, leave it outside, in the shade, in a bucket of water.

7) Requested photos with some references.  
 I guess it is lost in the low resolution, but there is a pole saw leaning up against a tree near the golf cart.  The saw is about 6' long.  Several trees in the area are about 7'.
5 gallon bucket near a string of pretty nice trees; the trees are about 8'.

8) We are into the cutting season; as of 11/20, I've cut 5.  I configured a tree height gauge and left it out for customer use; as near as I can tell, no one has used it.  A caution: trees always look bigger once they are in the house.  For 8' ceilings, you want a tree that is about 7'.  The trees do not cut down well.  That is, you will have difficulty turning a 8' tree into a 7' tree.

9) I have placed some advertising ornaments near the gate, near the tags and tie down twine.  If you wish, pick one up on the way out.  The ornaments have my phone number on them.  I will not answer the phone or return calls.  But, I will see any voice messages left.

10) Sales for the weekend following Thanksgiving were slower than expected.  Therefore, I will be open the following weekend: Saturday and Sunday, December 1 and 2.  Both days starting at 2pm.

Photos of early customers: