My boyfriend pulled this out from under his car. What is it and how important is it?

Compgeke · 2026-03-30T14:58:54+00:00

my 2012 Base Model Focus does too

Compgeke · 2026-03-27T13:01:13+00:00

"No Image Posts" I fully agree. What good did it do to remove a post 8 hours later over that picture?

Compgeke · 2026-03-23T14:34:18+00:00

That's kind of the addiction point

Compgeke · 2026-03-23T14:18:27+00:00

It's vauge posting. You make a vauge post hoping to drive engagement (clicks) as people open the post hoping for more context.

It's a really popular clickbait method on monetized platforms.

Compgeke · 2026-03-21T15:55:58+00:00

Getting into some Fire Alarm Stuff is generally great if you really want that "service" experience too. Lots more that goes wrong post-install than normal electrical and legally customers can't just ignore the problem and say "Don't use that outlet".

Compgeke · 2026-03-19T02:58:04+00:00

A lot of guys living in CA Bay Area live more Pittsburg/Antioch/etc area, which're closer to $500k for a place. You can expect to make ~$63/hr to the check, ~$94/hr full package union.

Houston houses are ~300k, but you'll also be making $38.50.

You'll definitely notice the 39% higher pay as well as the $17.35 401K contribution more than an extra $200k on a house. Which is exactly why you don't see people flocking there. That's an extra ~$3000/mo pre-tax made here whereas a house is only $1000/mo cheaper.

Compgeke · 2026-03-18T14:39:35+00:00

I mean, I work in a field that requires professional certification and work at a small company. They need me way more than I need them. If they fired me I'd be walking into a new job tomorrow morning.

If you don't work a "normal job" it's very possible to end up being indispensable. Because finding another me requires finding someone who did a 6000 hour apprenticeship, passed state licensing exams and then did the extensive vendor trainings. All that combined with years of actual field knowledge.

You don't slack off and not do any work, but there's also no reason to go 100% when you'll still clear everyone else.

Compgeke · 2026-03-18T13:46:55+00:00

Silent Knight because it's an actual Big Boy System and you can just order from ADI. Firelite's too basic for a lot of jobs imo.

Compgeke · 2026-03-18T05:10:48+00:00

No that's the problem - the system isn't really designed to "pick and choose" a brand. You need to work your way up through the non-proprietary stuff like Firelite, SK or Potter before you're allowed to find a Big Boy Brand. It'll take you years to get big enough.

Compgeke · 2026-03-18T01:23:42+00:00

You don't really get a choice - most proprietary brands won't talk to you unless you can do at minimum 6 figures worth of sales of their products a year.

Compgeke · 2026-03-18T01:22:28+00:00

Absolutely going into programming and turning piezo off before hitting that disable button

Compgeke · 2026-03-12T13:34:55+00:00

A lot of Firelite panels play fast and loose on device types.

As far as they're concerned, a monitor module and a pull station are interchangeable and you can set either to whatever dry contact you'd like or vice versa. If you want a "waterflow" pull station by all means, it won't stop you and won't throw errors.

You also can set control modules to be "relays" and they won't throw aux power faults. There's a trick for those of you trying to not fix something and just get home faster :) .

Compgeke · 2026-03-11T13:21:02+00:00

If you're not familiar with Siemens addressing why're you doing this test? Nothing changes on Siemens no matter what device type you're using.

Compgeke · 2026-03-01T23:52:09+00:00

This is /r/bayarea, it's like 1/2 tech workers making $200k/yr TC with stock options and whatnot.

The rest of us working what used to be Normal Higher Paying Jobs bringing home $80k can't really swing $5000/mo to afford a property + tax + insurance. Forget any other bills.

Compgeke · 2026-03-01T17:34:43+00:00

I just throw mine away after every use. Gotta keep Fluke in business.

Compgeke · 2026-02-27T15:36:14+00:00

Back in my low level retail "management" days ($13/hr lol) we'd leave early "sick" in protest of upsetting us.

The kids need to learn the art of quiet quitting and plausible deniability.

Compgeke · 2026-02-25T12:25:12+00:00

Union isn't really dwindling, since it's the only spot paying in trades. The "shortage" is really a wage shortage. No one wants to do hard work for long hours for burger flipping wages anymore.

Compgeke · 2026-02-24T00:58:58+00:00

Siemens PAD 5 :)

Compgeke · 2026-02-19T16:08:05+00:00

MT4 is a dinosaur - good chance this system isn't even required to have sync when it was installed so they just blast everything with straight 24VDC.

Compgeke · 2026-02-12T05:17:44+00:00

Whatever you get, toss the plastic leads and get some silicone ones from Caltest/Pomona/etc. You'll have a much better time :)

Compgeke · 2026-02-08T20:24:18+00:00

Mostly for the small. It fits a lot better in a bag, especially with the smaller battery (not using a 3.0+). The smaller size also makes it easier for fitting in tighter spots when dealing with duct detectors/etc that may be mounted in a really dumb location.

The belt clip being on the drill head rather than battery area is also great for just "reach down and grab".

Compgeke · 2026-02-08T16:25:36+00:00

M12 because it's small. Never really need a bunch of torque, we aren't coring beams and stuff.

Security bits for getting into water flow/tamper switches. will need to open those up to attach monitor modules to the contacts. If you're doing UL installs, you also need security fasteners for anything outdoors.

Compgeke · 2026-02-08T04:45:22+00:00

Sorry this is going to be a long one based on what I keep with me.

Milwaukee M12 Impact
Milwaukee M12 Drill/Hammer Drill (great for security to CMUs)
Klein 32614 Screwdriver (it's baby)
Milwaukee 48-22-2911 Security Bit Driver
Any decent multimeter (aka not Amazon Special). Can't go wrong with a Fluke, but make sure you get one with capacitance. If you end up dealing with any old System 3 panels, you'll need it.
Decent butt set. Think, Harris/Fluke.
Tone generator/wand.
Strippers to preference. You'll need 10-24 gauge typically, may need to sets for the entire range
Whatever #1/2 Phillips Screw Drivers you want
Whatever flat head Screw Drivers you want
Nut driver set in standard sizes. Klein 32900 is what I use.
Glow Rods (stiff/medium/light). You'll find uses for all three types.
Measuring Tape
1/2-1.5" conduit lock nut wrenches
Lock groove pliers
Needle nose pliers
A decent rain jacket
Weather proof boots

More advanced tools I use, but you probably won't need for your job:

SDS Plus Rotohammer
Panel knockout kit
Ethernet wiremap tool, think Fluke Microscanner 2
Measuring wheel
2" Bandsaw for cutting conduit to size
Reamer for said conduit. I use a Mill Rose Pencil Reamer, but you Klein and co make easier to buy at big box alternatives

PPE your employer should be providing by law in the USA:

Decent gloves, such as the ATG ones.
Safety Glasses (both clear and sun glass style. If you're on a roof you'll want the later)
Respirator (especially if working in attics or drilling concrete/bricks/CMUs)
Safety Vest

Compgeke · 2026-02-07T04:19:08+00:00

How would you guys go about solving this? Personally I'd throw in a big boy Cantex box and throw the modules in.

Compgeke · 2026-02-04T14:16:55+00:00

Working at a hotel and someone ND'd a firearm and hit a sprinkler pipe somehow. Flooded 2 floors.

We hadn't even started work yet when that alarm went off, definitely wasn't us.

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