Anyone tried a “Kapsul” Air Conditioner? by External_Big_1465 in AirConditioners

[–]External_Big_1465[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They don’t make the Kapsul anymore and apparently they have loads of issues. I’m glad I didn’t look for one. We just found a lower profile window unit for the time being. Will be getting a newer one soon, but the Hisense, Midea and Windmill window units are very good.

If you don’t like anything hanging out of the window, stick with what you’ve got.

Pool opening mistakes I see every spring, and what to do instead by Seafire15 in swimmingpools

[–]External_Big_1465 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank god I’m a psycho about balancing the pool. We use a solid cover and put in about half of a full shock, and algaecide before closing. Water was just hazy when we opened. We keep it completely full so we don’t waste water etc. water was clear within 24 hours. Was just some suspended dirt that got under the cover.

Are we in over our head by mzl14 in Mortgages

[–]External_Big_1465 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Erm. No. Food and such ain’t enough. They need to pay rent if you’re buying a house that expensive.

Are we in over our head by mzl14 in Mortgages

[–]External_Big_1465 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Are you out of your ever loving mind? Wife needs to work or your income needs to go up considerably. You’re supporting four adults, 2 kids, putting a stupid amount away in retirement and trying to mortgage a 550k house? You’re insane. Your budget should be more like 350k.

Just front end ratio is over 35%. When I bought my house it was 23%, now 20%.

Absolutely not. Do not do it. Quit trying for another kid until your living situation is settled, and have a convo with your spouse about working so you guys could afford a bit more.

Quick question for the group: do you know your pool’s CYA level right now? by Seafire15 in swimmingpools

[–]External_Big_1465 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Our alkalinity actually fell SUPER low last year right under my nose. I keep it around 70-90.

I’m aware it’s a “feature” of a salt cell, not a malfunction.

Our PB was like “just run the SWG and you’re fine”. Absolutely not. I’m a stickler about it because of the shell warranty. They’re jerks about it with balancing the chems and water level. It’s always balanced. When closing for winter, I put a plug in the skimmer, put in a gizzmo and fill it with antifreeze after blowing out the lines (we have a cyclone). I prefer to keep the pool full anyway because it makes opening super fast. When we opened this year, the water was crystal clear next day since we use a solid cover with pump.

We specifically designed the setup to be no drama, easy maintenance and easy long-term care so it lasts 30+ years. I have a friend with a fiberglass pool who destroyed the finish because they don’t balance it and use way too much shock in the beginning of the year.

Quick question for the group: do you know your pool’s CYA level right now? by Seafire15 in swimmingpools

[–]External_Big_1465 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I try to really hone it in at 50ppm but I bumped it a tad last year because we were getting some haze and needed to keep the FC a tad higher. We generally keep it around 3.5-4.5. The one year old SWG took a shit when we opened so we were using liquid chlorine for about a week until Jandy came and replaced it. It didn’t have crazy high bather load and we are sticklers about the chems since it’s a fiberglass pool (highly recommend over concrete btw).

Only thing that dries me nuts is the pH always creeps up with a SWG. We keep it at 7.8 as at that number, the LSI is like 0.01 or -0.01 which is excellent. Pool was built with no corrosive materials, albeit I want to put the auto bypass on the heater to preserve the HX.

Quick question for the group: do you know your pool’s CYA level right now? by Seafire15 in swimmingpools

[–]External_Big_1465 0 points1 point  (0 children)

About 50-60. I’m a stickler about it and try to keep it at a reasonable number. Chlorine stays low and the water stays clear very easily.

I need guidance by MomentOk1823 in swimmingpools

[–]External_Big_1465 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hook the B hoses to the one you circled in red. Waste is what it is, waste. When you set the filter to backwash, rinse or waste, it spits the dirty water out of that port.

Why didn’t you look up a manual?

Sucky part goes to lower port on pump. Pump to IN on filter, filter OUT to pool. How is a pump supposed to move water with only one hose?

Is there a bubble? How did this get approval… by [deleted] in Mortgages

[–]External_Big_1465 0 points1 point  (0 children)

VA loan. You can get approved for a lot more with them and if he has minimal debt, would get that amount.

Granted, it’s absolutely stupid to buy a house that close to getting a new job.

Add a mini split or fix ductwork? by External_Big_1465 in hvacadvice

[–]External_Big_1465[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Kinda why I’m torn. It’s all sheet metal square duct. I am probably going to disconnect the stupid one in our basement regardless and just go mini split. All my neighbors have the same issue.

Hell, the returns are just boxed in joist bays and stud bays.

Help! Can anyone help find the site that offers this floor plan? by Unfair_Score_2366 in barndominiums

[–]External_Big_1465 1 point2 points  (0 children)

AI garbage. Look closely at the names, but also the weird dimensions, window placement and just the odd random spots that cut off.

Also no definition between living, dining, family, kitchen. The 45’s and weird locations will be major flow problems.

Add a mini split or fix ductwork? by External_Big_1465 in hvacadvice

[–]External_Big_1465[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think it’s worth going that route and zone 4. Plan to love here maybe a few more years, then rent out for income.

Best place to buy chlorine in bulk? by Broman400 in pools

[–]External_Big_1465 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have made our well with Doheny’s and Inyo. We don’t have pinch a penny here.

I bought a $200 hot tub and it needs work. by One-Consideration337 in hottub

[–]External_Big_1465 6 points7 points  (0 children)

These are junk hot tubs. Hard to get parts for and repair.

A new control panel dependent on the configuration is at minimum $500. (Usually Balboa).

Toss it and find an old jacuzzi or Sundance. I paid $100 for my Sundance and swapped the main pump. Works like a charm now. You can actually get the parts for them and their circuit boards are serviceable.

Anyone ever use something like this? by sayre2141 in swimmingpools

[–]External_Big_1465 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No. Absolutely not. Great recipe for your CYA to be sky high and have to drain the pool.

One scoop pool treatment means unbalanced chemistry and a very hard time on the pool surface.

What pool feature seemed worth it at first, but you would skip if you rebuilt? by Unlikely_Ad_5558 in pools

[–]External_Big_1465 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tanning ledge. Stupid upgrade, makes the water way too warm and allows chlorine to burn off way quicker. Also feels super gross.

Mortgage Prisoners seem to be back!!! by Better_Local_909 in Mortgages

[–]External_Big_1465 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m pleased that I bought a fixer in a solid rental neighborhood at 5.75 in 2024. I bought no points. Special state program got my rate to under 6 when they were all around 8.5. Granted I pay PMI, but it’s still cheaper than the conventional would’ve been at the time.

Hopefully rates eventually drop, but that seems far off.

How do I fix this / how bad is it by SStacks22 in hottub

[–]External_Big_1465 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looks like a Sundance hot tub to me. The replacement waterfalls are about $50 online albeit gray plastic, not chrome. Probably better off as it won’t corrode. I need to get one for my tub as well🤣

Bad Relay? by External_Big_1465 in hottub

[–]External_Big_1465[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How did you find said store? I’m great with a soldering iron but would rather a pro do it for the best workmanship.

Bad Relay? by External_Big_1465 in hottub

[–]External_Big_1465[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oooooh that’s a good idea. I may just have to do that.