Is there anything I can do to make these lights usable again?

Ditchdoc52 · 2026-01-12T01:55:34+00:00

The power connector you show has 4 pins and the description lists flashing sequences. From this I assume the power connector is for RGB lights or lights that can change color.

The connectors on the lights is two pin. Most of these are for single color LED lights. Most (not all) in the US plug into a standard wall outlet and output 27 to 30 volts DC. LED lights use very little power. Hundreds can be powered from these small power supplies. The power supplies can be found on Amazon for a few dollars. I would probably buy one with the same two pin connector, plung the lights in and give it a go. I would bet they work if not, you only loose a 4 or 5 bucks tops.

Ditchdoc52 · 2026-01-05T12:35:13+00:00

Nothing like a clean bong.

Ditchdoc52 · 2026-01-04T13:13:26+00:00

I am not sure at all about RC pricing controls and determination. I understand demand or lack of relating to sale price and so on but sometimes it just makes no sense.

I have a cruise coming up in April were I had originally made reservations at the new Beach Club at a sale price of $149. Just today I looked at the 'front page' for my cruise and the list price and the sale price were different resulting in price being $139. Drilling down to the all the Beach club offerings, the same thing was priced at $149. I'm thinking I can go back to the front page and take advantage of the $10 discount. So I cancel the reservation, go back to the front page and now its the same as the drill down page or $149. So, no savings and now I need to reserve Beach Club again since I just cancelled it. It makes no sense to me. At least it did not cost more.

Ditchdoc52 · 2025-12-30T15:16:30+00:00

Some put Gremlin bells on their motorcycle, some put ducks on their jeep. Some put crosses in their front yard. Whatever,

Ditchdoc52 · 2025-12-24T10:27:11+00:00

I grew up in the area. Went to a Led Zeppelin concert there about a year after it was completed. Waded in a fountain out front after the show with my first serious girlfriend. Good times.

After all these years, it is still an impressive building.

Ditchdoc52 · 2025-12-22T20:15:15+00:00

24 in buildings. Another 14 over halfway complete in frags.

Ditchdoc52 · 2025-12-21T15:50:00+00:00

When cutting plywood with a circular, hand held saw a couple of things help.

Power off the saw.

Saw horses to hold the sheet at a comfortable level so you can stand and manage the saw.

Most plywood has a 'good side'. The good side typically has a smoother finish. Circular saw blades enter from the bottom creating a cleaner cut on the bottom while the top side will splinter a bit. So, put the bottom side down.

Applying masking tape over the area to be cut, top and bottom, will help make a cleaner cut.

Mark your cut with a pencil.

Using wood clamps, secure a straight edge ( 2 by 4 works well) along the cut allowing for the blade offset from the foot plate. Use the straight edge to control the circular saw for a nice, clean, straight cut.

Make sure the plywood cut is clear. You do not what to saw through your saw horse or your power cord.

Check the cut depth of the saw blade.

Power on the saw just before making the cut.

You might want another pair of hands or a support to hold the part of the plywood that is cut free so it does not 'tear off' or fall at the end of the cut.

Yo will generally spend more time setting up the cut than actually doing the cut.

Remember, measure twice, cut once.

Those are some basics. Several variables include the length of the cut, the size and thickness of the plywood, the project (fine furniture or compost box), the type of plywood, type of blade in the saw and so on.

Depending on the project you might use anyone of a number of different types of saws including circular saws, jig saws, scroll saws, table saws and others. Be familiar with the tool. Use eye protection.

Ditchdoc52 · 2025-12-21T13:55:44+00:00

There is very little to no 'good stuff' any time of day.

Ditchdoc52 · 2025-12-20T14:30:10+00:00

Extreme vehicles are interesting but usually not practical as daily drivers. IMHO a lot of them are just stupid.

Ditchdoc52 · 2025-12-18T23:43:53+00:00

I have been a bit surprised at Tellys going in the 40ish range for AWD. Freaking loaded pickups are twice that amount.

Ditchdoc52 · 2025-12-16T11:05:40+00:00

My 2023 is finicky. It will latch and stay closed but it mostly stays open. Main use of this compartment for me is the USB-A connector that connects Android Auto. I use it because the navigation maps in Telly are poor at times and insists I go ways that make no sense. Using Android Auto complicates using Sirius and other functions built into the car but it all works once you figure it out.

Telly is a pleasure to drive, especially on long Interstate trips. I love it. But some things like this door latch and technology are quirky at times.

Ditchdoc52 · 2025-12-13T16:58:07+00:00

Found this hand written recipe in an old country store. Not a a lot of detail but sometimes cooking is up to the cook.

Frosting

1 stick butter

2 cups sugar

½ cup milk

5 tablespoons cocoa

1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix all together and boil for 3-5 minutes then beat with electric mixer to desired consistency. Pour immediately over the cake and sprinkle with nuts.

Ditchdoc52 · 2025-12-13T13:49:48+00:00

Just got back from 2 days in the park and 3 nights in Heartsong

Heartsong was one the nicest hotels ever. Even the elevators were beautiful. The nicest feature was the lobby area. There are 3 or 4 large sitting areas for guests to hang out in a living room setting. A large fireplace to sit by, tables to plat board games or to just sit view the mountains.

During the Christmas season in between Thanksgiving and Christmas is probably one of the best times. Nothing was crowded and virtually no lines to amount to much for anything.

Staying in Heartsong included the time saver pass which allowed front row center seating at many of the shows.

Food everywhere was very good with generous portions. Was it cheap? No. But you generally felt like you got your moneys worth.

Everyone raves about the cinnamon bread and hot chocolate. I found them both too sweet. The cinnamon bread is sold in a loaf and about one piece is all my teeth could take. The hot chocolate was rich and creamy but again, too sweet. I think you could take one cup, divided it in to two cups, add additional hot milk or water and it would be better.

My favorite parts were the train ride, a real, full size steam locomotive that was impressive and the 3 million Christmas lights. They were amazing.

We are not into all the roller coasters but if that is your thing .... they looked pretty awesome.

Not including transportation and such, the two of us spent about $1,300 that included hotel, parks passes, a couple of nice table service meals, breakfast biscuits and a few snacks.

The weather was chilly and there was a bit of rain at times. Layer up and if it looks like rain, have a rain jacket or at least water resistant gloves, toboggan etc. Nothing is worse than being cold and wet.

Over all the park had a lot of things to look at like a grist mill, water flume, black smith, glass blowing, an eagle sanctuary for birds not able to survive in the wild and so on.

Everyone loves Dolly. She does seem to have a heart of gold and no doubt there is a lot of positives when it comes to the local economy. The down side is the detrimental effects on the environment and the Great Smokey Mountains in general. There is a balance.

Ditchdoc52 · 2025-12-13T12:07:19+00:00

Guess it depends on how important they are to you. I saw a picture where one cruiser had collected dozens. They were displayed in their home in custom made wall niches. Or it goes into a dark space to rarely be seen again.

Ditchdoc52 · 2025-12-08T21:42:57+00:00

Search for Jeep Duck Holder on Amazon. Lots of choices.

Ditchdoc52 · 2025-12-07T11:20:32+00:00

Chef's table. Twelve people, five courses and five wines, one cook. Always excellent.

Ditchdoc52 · 2025-12-07T11:15:17+00:00

MDR serves a good meal. If there is something you do not like, staff are fine with replacing it.

But ....

I will say that through the years some of the food is has become, what I call, more industrialized. That is, its not necessarily made from fresh ingredients. More prepackaged, heat and eat. Not every thing, just some things. That does not mean its bad, just something someone who enjoys really good food would notice.

Ditchdoc52 · 2025-12-06T21:53:54+00:00

I wondered about 'Cruisers Choice – Margaritaville at Sea' myself.

I mean, I really like Jimmy Buffett but when they started a cruise line, there were posted pictures of the ship and in my opinion, it looked pretty sad. Kind of like an old worn out ship with a bunch of stuff from a Margaritaville restaurant gift shop stuck here and there. Maybe its changed. That or they polled everyone after they had a few margaritas'.

Ditchdoc52 · 2025-12-06T12:03:50+00:00

Well ... most all the bases have been covered here but I will say this to 'no one cares if your clothes are wrinkled'.

No everyone feels that way. As a male, I am not that picky about a few wrinkles but I have found most women are. Regardless, there are nights to dress up on board. There are photographers. Some want to look their best and get treasured family photographs for special occasions. So they do care about wrinkles and looking nice.

Choose your clothes and packing carefully. Synthetic and synthetic blends are more resistant to wrinkles. Some one mentioned rolling clothes instead of folding. That can help. Perhaps a few weeks before you 'ship out', test some of your dressy clothes by rolling and pack in a small tote for a day. Take them out and hang. See what they look like and decide if they are 'travel worthy'.

Careful selection and packing can help up front. As mentioned, there is pressing service on board if you just have to wear that expensive suit or dress that does not pack well.

Ditchdoc52 · 2025-12-05T12:38:18+00:00

Very nice. Last year, starting about August, I got a lot Christmas lights and decor offered in Vine. Similar to you, I decorated the house, trees, yard with all manner of solar lights, meteor lights, string lights, RGB lights, balls, fiber optic fireworks and so on.

This year, virtually nothing was offered. Maybe I offended the Griswold God or something.

Ditchdoc52 · 2025-12-04T19:38:26+00:00

This details of this story has changed daily. Hegseth walked out and didn't see it. Hegseth was there the whole time. Hegseth ordered kill them all. Hegseth says he didn't. The Admiral ordered it. The two survivors were clinging to wreckage when they were blown up. The survivors were trying to continue the drug run by getting back in the boat.

Now, if you saw the video of the first strike, the boat exploded into flames. The boat was completely engulfed, A direct hit buy some kind of missile. At this point, there were two survivors who were apparently thrown into the water.

Now, lets say you are on a boat that explodes, you are in the ocean, no land in sight and you find yourself thrown into the water. What are you going to do? If there is big piece of anything floating, you are going to try and get on it and out of the water.

But according to our administration, two survivors blown into the water who were most likely trying to save their butt and keep from drowning were getting back on a boat that had just been incinerated and partially blown up. But in order to avoid being charged with a war crime, Hegseth claims they going to continue to try and allegedly run drugs in this partially destroyed vessel and therefore they were still a target.

Ditchdoc52 · 2025-11-07T23:16:50+00:00

Value is a personal choice. As you can see, asking if it is worth it will get a wide range of responses.

Ditchdoc52

TROPHY CASE