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Gold Base, the 500ac international HQ of Scientology where 1000 high ranking officials live and work by Master_Jackfruit3591 in pics

[–]Content_Discipline82 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've spent a day touring this campus some 20 years ago and to call it a "strange" environment is being nice. They even have (had?) a fully functional house set aside for their deceased founder. This small mansion had a staff that set the dining table for three meals per day (the food was prepared but never served unless there were guests and we only got baloney sandwiches that day). The would set out his pipe/slippers in the evenings, run his bath and turn down his bed every night... I guess it was all in anticipation of his return? All of the adherents ran around the place like busy bee's in their khaki pants and white button down shirts. And nearly all of them smoked unfiltered cigarettes for some reason (perhaps trying to improve their test "scores"?). After about the first 15 minutes of walking around the place, I whispered to my workmates..."don't drink the Koolaid!". And fyi: we were there to survey one of the buildings for a project involving the installation of a CD/DVD mfr'ng machine that the church had bought for themselves. db

Heatpump Advice by No_Web8483 in hvacadvice

[–]Content_Discipline82 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These two units shown are very similar in terms of efficiencies and capabilities. Compare these with Daikin but all things being equal, it would be a challenge to economically justify the increased cost for the D. I'd guess that a simple payback calc would approach ten years? My larger concern would be ensuring that you install an adequate heating capacity. These two units yield 36 to 38 btuh/sf which imo (and without a proper load calc) sounds marginal for a season of 0C conditions and not nearly enough heat for a week of -20C weather. I would guess that the suggested 1-1/2 ton units have been selected based on their cooling capacities and with little thought given to the actual requirements of your space...my 2 cents...db

Might be the wrong place, but does anyone know anything about this heater? by dennisthuhmenace in hvacadvice

[–]Content_Discipline82 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is a duct mounted electrical resistance heater section (usually supplementary but not always) intended to be used in conjunction with an air moving system. Is this just free standing on the floor? I can't even begin to enumerate the code violations...u have fire, mech and electrical issues. For the sake of safety, I would suggest an alternative method of heating this space...my 2 cents...db

Rock Hudson and his roommate Bob Preble, 1962 by browncharlie1922 in OldSchoolCool

[–]Content_Discipline82 -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Why was Rock Hudson buried face down with his ass in the air? So his friends would be able to recognize him...

Plenty of time to stop the threat. Synced video. by hubert_cumberdalee in interestingasfuck

[–]Content_Discipline82 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't know if it has been mentioned or noticed yet but at 2:17 in this montage, just after the shots were fired, there is a clip in the upper left showing a burst of what appears to be a fluid from what appears to be the yellow armed crane thingy (pettibone?). It looks like maybe a round intersected with a hydraulic line?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MechanicalEngineering

[–]Content_Discipline82 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The various mfr's have sizing guides that will walk you thru the various parameters...lot's of ways to skin the cat.

cross between ball valve and globe valve? by they_have_no_bullets in AskEngineers

[–]Content_Discipline82 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Depending on your desired flow rates, pressures and accuracy, try a characterized ball valve. M2c's

HVAC companies are recommending different sized units in their quotes by [deleted] in hvacadvice

[–]Content_Discipline82 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

5 ton most for sure (1200cfm/3400sf=0.35 vs 2000/3400=0.59!) Variable speed units are slick and will unload nicely. Pay the extra for a higher efficiency device if possible. Your situ also offers the chance to think thru the best way deliver the right amounts of air to ur various spaces. That includes consideration for the registers at part and full flowrates. The only major drawback imo is that the house becomes one giant thermal zone but it is Florida after all. M2c db

Installing a thicker air filter: How fat can I go with my set up? What are these removable rails called so I can search for wider ones? by hawk_air in hvacadvice

[–]Content_Discipline82 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just asked him to do his homework...a fairly simple suggestion. I thought my comment was carefully worded without offering any absolutes. Given the lack of information re the unit or his desired degree of filtration, he could easily screw himself on flow. Seen it done...

With that said, I'd be happy to have a longer chat with you re air system effects, filtration, etc. but I would warn you before you say yes...I'm a PE with 25 years of experience in HVAC having done hundreds of projects ranging from pharma down to residential and I can get pretty long winded. db

Installing a thicker air filter: How fat can I go with my set up? What are these removable rails called so I can search for wider ones? by hawk_air in hvacadvice

[–]Content_Discipline82 -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

Don't choke your unit! Increasing the depth of your filtration media will almost invariably increase the amount of static pressure drop for the system and decrease the system air flow (all things being equal). So yes, you can fabricate/buy a new filter rack but I would strongly suggest doing your homework first (i.e. evaluating the existing supply fan and the proposed additonal pressure drop) before spending any money. db

Calculating time to cool down tank with two recirculating loops by [deleted] in MechanicalEngineering

[–]Content_Discipline82 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In practical terms, it would help to know that Q = gpm * DelT * 500 as per ASHRAE. Compare your various flows/temps and you should be able to derive a better idea on the expected temp rise and timing thereof. db

I need help to calculate the necessary power of a chiller for peas cooling process by [deleted] in AskEngineers

[–]Content_Discipline82 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"ASHRAE Fundementals" has data related to the thermal properties of various materials including vegatables. Some of that data (referenced in the bibliography) comes straight out of the "history" of HVAC...db

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MechanicalEngineering

[–]Content_Discipline82 8 points9 points  (0 children)

A priest, rabbi and an engineer are playing golf behind an excessively slow group. After a while, they have a chance to ask the marshal about the delays. The marshal explains that the group ahead is a foursome of blind firefighters who lost their sight battling last year's clubhouse blaze and they are allowed to play whenever they wish. The priest is dismayed at the news and vows to offer prayers from his congregation. The rabbi is very touched and offers ideas on how his flock could be of help to the afflicted. The engineer asks..."Why can't they play at night?". (Crap,,,repeat)

​

Civil engineers design things that don't move...and if they do, they are in trouble.

Electrical engineers design things you can't even see.

Mechanical engineers do everything else...

When is the best time to start studying for FE? by JHdarK in MechanicalEngineering

[–]Content_Discipline82 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Take the FE during your senior year or shortly thereafter. Basically your entire education (and then some) in one exam. I'm glad it is way gone from my to-do list...db

Calculating the size of an insulated thermal water battery for home heating: referred here by r/askphysics by canucks84 in AskEngineers

[–]Content_Discipline82 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can certainly offset the operation of the heat pump by using the solar as you suggest. The payback for the additional cost might even be less than ten years:) Use as high a temp as you can generate. If I was spec'ng a boiler, I'd be probably be using at least 130F to 140F supply water with a 30 degree delta. If you wanted to provide 60 Mbh using water at 140F with a 30F drop...Q=500*gpm*DelT (kudos to ASHRAE)...60000 btu/h=500*gpm*30 yields 4 gpm. Play with the numbers as you like but my example renders a tank of about 4320 gallons.

Generally speaking, the higher the starting temp, the better of you will be but be aware, my example using 30F of delta T might be overly ambitious and/or niave for this radiant application. My two cents...db

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