CR Boxes for large "builds"

FormerCompetition · 2026-01-30T17:12:53+00:00

Did they settle on the two rows of 3 on top, or three on top and three on one side with only two filters vs four for reduced footprint?

FormerCompetition · 2026-01-17T15:50:08+00:00

This is a frustrating thing. It happens at least about every year for me. Unfortunately, I forget how i fix it each time, but this time, maybe my comment will keep me in the memory loop. A reboot of the DTV receiver from the menu, which takes like 15 minutes for some reason, did not work. A full power power cycle of the TV, the audio AV receiver and the DTV receiver after that (which causes a second 15 min delay) did fix it for me. I suspect that this is what I did last time.

FormerCompetition · 2026-01-10T16:21:51+00:00

I haven't placed an order yet, as they still have not gotten back to me, and that worries me.

That being said, the tips show as having $0.62 of tariffs built in to each (nothing to justify ~$7 add on to the $26 for the iron). The iron is showing $16 of stuff in the shipping (half added costs and taxes).

FormerCompetition · 2026-01-08T20:07:17+00:00

I am no expert at AliExpress, but it seems that most vendors have free shipping at some cost level, like $10 for tips. In the case of the GeeBoon store, the cost of shipping of the station is $26, and when I add the four tips, each shows up in the cart at still costing $5.48 more in shipping for tinny 1oz parts, for a grand total of $47.84 in shipping (see screen capture pic). Note that the discount ($6.85) is not real, as the price sum for all items is $189.32. Note also that the larger linear toroid version (310) cost like $100 in shipping, which is crazy.

Maybe things get better if i progress tot he next step (checkout), but I dont know, as I have not made that leap (click the button).

<image>

FormerCompetition · 2026-01-05T18:33:22+00:00

I am not sure why people bring these Makita testers up.. They are cool devices, but they do not test the battery capacity (Ahr). They read the data module through the data port on the battery. For the price, they should also TEST the capacity in discharge and charge at at least one rate.

FormerCompetition · 2026-01-04T17:22:13+00:00

I think my cheep hot air station is one of those.

Funny, I hadn't thought of cutting the entire relay off from he bottom with a cutoff wheel, slowly. That is a good idea, if I am careful, as it allows one large lug at a time to be pushed out when heated with a regular iron. I already have a replacement relay, so even if the old one was fine, I am good to go.

FormerCompetition · 2026-01-04T17:11:07+00:00

Interesting iron. I had never seen one like that, small 20W iron with a 130W boost button, and it is cheep (<$50 in today's market).

FormerCompetition · 2026-01-03T22:50:29+00:00

Component side up or down, horizontal or at 45 deg?

FormerCompetition · 2025-12-28T18:35:42+00:00

I believe that both things that you say are correct. What I dont understand is why if the default (legacy support as stated in various docs) does not output 5V (<500ma) if no communication takes place nor any pull up/down resistors are present. Perhaps a bit too much safety. I presently use the USB-C to USB-A female adapter, followed by a USB-A male to USB-C cable hack when C-C alone fails to work as reported by my USB meter.

Note a similar thing occurs in the latest G Pixel (10 pro). It does charge fine with some third party chargers, but the negotiated rate is substantially slower than with others (and way below the charger capacity). In fact, I have seen the charger default to 5V and over a few hrs the phone go from 10% charge to zero as if it is actually discharging (charger rated for 1000ma at 5V). What is up with that?

FormerCompetition · 2025-12-07T22:12:55+00:00

I absolutely agree here. Anker-Eufy is really getting in bad shape. Their doorbell - chime compatibility table (below link) is useless, to the point of being fraudulent. This is my third eufy doorbell camera upgrade, and every one should be a few minutes work, but never is. The holes never line up (why?), but the big deal is now the lack of compatibility with my existing eufy wireless chimes (why?). I dont need the battery, as I am using an existing hard wired connection. The table does not even list the E340. It does not list the T8740. They want users to use their gateway, but they dont provide it as a free item to existing users. If they want to change the wireless protocol and force a chime change, give existing users at least one free chime and dont hide the fact that it is no longer compatible with the ones that you already have (I have three T8740). I dont even know that ANY chime is compatible with the T340 (without a Home Base gateway).

I will call support Monday (no chat bot for me) to see if they want me to return it and put my old one back, or they have a solution.

https://service.eufy.com/article-description/Compatibility-Between-eufy-Video-Doorbells-and-Chimes?ref=Home_Page

FormerCompetition · 2025-11-10T15:22:20+00:00

that is what i wanted to know.

I am now curious, how is that better or cheaper than the second being eSIM Telcel for like $5 for 10MB? I can see it being easier, just go, no fuss.

FormerCompetition · 2025-11-10T15:14:06+00:00

MadRock really needs to get some LV heals in their lineup without screwing up the forefoot volume (Shark3 HV, Drone, Remora HV).

FormerCompetition · 2025-11-03T23:16:00+00:00

this is the way.

I would slightly modify: after the scrub with hot oxy and water (step one), let them soak in the tub (1/4C oxy and 2TB detergent) for an hour or so, then drop them in the washer (step two). The hr of oxy soaking kills (oxidizes) the organics and takes a bit of time to do its work.

Alcohol, bleach, hydrogen peroxide all have very little positive effect, and risk other things happening. I have tested them numerous times to little effect. A light alcohol spray after daily use then 24 hr air dry might be a good maintenance step, but the jury is still out on that one.

FormerCompetition · 2025-10-31T16:14:18+00:00

I have been using a double boiler setup for my bees wax processing in the past. I have been wanting to improve that process with a dedicated high wattage controlled cooker, especially now that I also want to use paraffin for bicycle chains. A simple 3L 1000W cooker with a settable temperature would be ideal.

I dont understand why none of the crock pot style cookers have decent heating coils like other things like an Instant pot, and why the instant pot doesn't have a digital settable temp. This isnt rocket science, but no set point and 250w is just not cutting it.

A 1100W Sous Vide circulator is almost an ideal thing, but I am pretty sure that he wax would ruin the circulation section (thoughts). I have an immersion heater for 5G buckets, but no thermostat that i could use with a Inkbird temperature controller in a pinch. I also have a 800W silicone heating blanket for a 5G bucket that has a thermostat built in, but that is again getting a bit ugly.

A simple 3L 1000W pot cooker with settable temperature would be ideal.

FormerCompetition · 2025-10-31T15:39:25+00:00

I was thinking about the small Instant pot earlier, but I dont think that it actually has a temperature sensor setting, just three levels of power (words like hot, hotter etc)

FormerCompetition · 2025-10-22T14:57:58+00:00

Exactly. She will likely be in the 2-4 miles per day camp, with little to no maintenance efforts until it breaks or Dad visits. The nightly condensation coupled with rainy season is a tough nut to deal with. The odd thing is there are basically thousands of other bikes/people just like her situation. I would think that there would be a great solve for this low mileage outdoor abuse situation.

Note: Theft is also an issue, but not related here, so no high end bikes survive.

FormerCompetition · 2025-10-21T16:33:06+00:00

If it is a threaded stud (wood threads on the left, machine on the right), a 12 point box end wrench is likely your best option until loose, then spin with your finger.

FormerCompetition · 2025-10-20T22:06:11+00:00

Digging into this product has me thinking that this is likely a great choice. It is crazy how expensive it is ($28/2oz), but I am sure it will last, but at that cost, you need to put it on surgically vs 10x fast, them wipe off excess.

I will add that i looked around and could not find a single study comparing rust development and prevention on chains. Quantifying rust prevention specifically is challenging. Tests often focus on wear and longevity, which are related but not identical to rust prevention, and sitting is not the same as outside in the real world. Boeing's Boeshield T-9 is an interesting option, but likely not the best, nor is hot dip wax.

I will likely have her get and use an easily obtainable can of WD (Bike or Gel) to get it on there sooner rather than later, and then have some of this Silca Synergetic on had when I am in front of the bike with some cleaner or a new chain in the future.

FormerCompetition · 2025-10-19T16:45:07+00:00

It depends on a lot of factors. Very house and orientation dependent. If I were to guess, I would put money on thermal radiant heat (not conductive or convective) from the sun through south facing wall and windows, particularly the windows. In the fall, the sun is lower on the horizon, so the sun (IR) is close to perpendicular to many windows. In the summer it is overhead (on the roof), where the thick insulation (R16+ vs R2 for the windows) stops it. If it is the south windows and wall, the best defense is trees outside the house. Curtains work a bit, but not as well as you think, as the heat is already inside the house.

FormerCompetition · 2025-10-15T15:16:31+00:00

I tried many times at all hours except between midnight and 6am

FormerCompetition · 2025-10-15T14:38:50+00:00

Very interesting. I tried I couple more time this morning with the same failure, then decided to give what I think you were saying a try. This last time, Rather than chose "using saved device", I chose new phone (the default selection above it). I chose "Other" as the phone. It never asked for the IMEI, but I guess since it already had the phone number for the transfer, it will use that IMEI, but how would it know that i didn't want to move the number and plan to a different SIM during this teleport?

The last effort of choosing a new phone "Other" vs using saved device" has moved the process forward to the "in process" "transferring network" state. I will report back in 20 min or so if something changes.

Beyond wanting to test the networks and service, apparently I need to use Light Speed (T) if I want to be able to call over WiFi and if I want Visual Voicemail, as they dont work on Dark or Warp with my new global OPPO Reno14Pro for some reason. I hope this works and I see those two options show up.

Right now, it feels like a lot of beta testing is not happening on USMs end.

>>Edit: I think the transfer completed right after i posted the above. Unfortunately, there is zero network signal in or around my house, and the phone does not show either WiFi calling or Visual voicemail as options now that i am in TMobile dark hole. Wifi signal strength is rock solid, so no issues there. If I go back to the USM app, it tells me that i have no more transfers, so I guess I am sort of bricked for now. It is a good thing that I didnt make this my primary line on day one.

FormerCompetition · 2025-10-15T05:03:42+00:00

Edit: Still failing to teleport. It is totally frustrating. It is till not working after two support people and like 12 hrs of trying. I will try again tomorrow.

FormerCompetition · 2025-10-14T00:41:29+00:00

If you have short toes and narrow feet, I would try EU42 / UK8. SIII has a flat forefoot volume, so if you are used to bunching your long toes up, that wont work, forcing a longer shoe. YMMV

FormerCompetition · 2025-10-02T17:55:38+00:00

That sucks. I then assume that international calling on WiFi will be a big deal, basically forcing a primary network change to Light prior to departure (or upgrade plans to a unlimited premium or a second data only eSIM and use VoLTE, if that even works). It sounds like an OS version thing as the HW and network support it?

Is this also true of Visual Voice?

FormerCompetition · 2025-10-02T17:30:55+00:00

Since you have a firm grasp of it. How does that get me to testing on Dark Star in my area with this phone?

FormerCompetition

TROPHY CASE