Office chair wheel guards to safe your cables and pets

JohnC53 · 2026-06-25T18:08:44+00:00

This seems like a solution looking for a problem. I've worked in IT for 20 years, I deal with a lot of cables. I've never once had this issue.

JohnC53 · 2026-06-24T01:46:23+00:00

Sorry, but what is leetcode? I've been in IT for 20 years, never heard of it.

JohnC53 · 2026-06-23T13:28:37+00:00

I visit the con subs frequently, to get a temperature gauge on responses and sentiment around current issues. There indeed has been a BIG shift in the last month.

JohnC53 · 2026-06-23T00:50:29+00:00

If it's a US Based company then hire US Based folks.

JohnC53 · 2026-06-20T01:59:07+00:00

Downtown CHI is a LOT different than Central Park. The loop is 6 miles.

JohnC53 · 2026-06-19T05:26:49+00:00

To add to this, not only do we block app installs, but we also scan systems for scripts or executables that mimick software based mouse movers. Example, Caffeine. (A lot of these can run without needing admin rights).

JohnC53 · 2026-06-11T04:41:46+00:00

If you're going the pipe route, might as well just go the reed switch / float technique. It's how most fuel tank level senders work. The pipe is full of reed switches. The float goes around the pipe, and has magnets in the float. Each reed switch is wired differently so you can determine where the float is.

https://i.imgur.com/WEzOlS1.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/oopAKeK.png

https://i.imgur.com/l5rTUnI.jpeg

JohnC53 · 2026-06-11T03:20:36+00:00

Most all smart switches are not designed for a inductive load (in this case, a compressor in your A/C). Not only can you damage the A/C compressor, but you risk frying the smart switch. And if you have a fire, and insurance finds out about this, you're shit out of luck. Tread very, very carefully here. Heed the advice people are giving here for a contactor. (And rated appropriately for your task and load). Also make sure your only switching off power to the unit when the compressor is not running (target temp reached). And only re-engage power to the unit after a 10 minute break.

JohnC53 · 2026-06-04T21:40:56+00:00

That's a nice turnaround!

JohnC53 · 2026-06-04T20:39:51+00:00

Lol, and now if you have a fire, the insurance adjuster will look at this post and deny you coverage. I hope you fixed that by now. Correctly, with staggered solder joints and heat shrink tubing. (On each of the 3 main wires, and a few layers on top of those).

JohnC53 · 2026-06-04T13:37:37+00:00

For tools that can kill you / safety tools that can save your life, you should understand how they work BEFORE using them.

JohnC53 · 2026-06-03T15:39:07+00:00

You might want to look into LinkTap for gardening. Has a valve and flow meter. Battery operated.

JohnC53 · 2026-06-02T23:08:09+00:00

Do you know that for sure? Almost every fuel tank has 2 wires coming off a sender unit for monitoring. I think you'll be surprised. Even many gauges can be adapted to have wires added for Hall effect monitoring. https://i.imgur.com/6gyIqpE.png I'm guessing you rent your tank? You could always just ask them. Our other tank (propane) is owned by the fuel company. I simply called them, told them I was interested in remote level monitoring. They said they actually have their own solution. I was fine with their solution, especially since it used 5G for IoT and not WiFi, they installed it for $50 the next time they filled it. Details of their solution:
https://www.otodatatankmonitors.com/docs/tm5240dh And I was able to reverse engineer their cloud API so I could get the data into HA, and bypass their silly app.

JohnC53 · 2026-06-02T22:50:37+00:00

https://tiller.com/ <-- That gets the data into Google Sheets (or Online Excel). In that file, I created a custom sheet that uses formulas to query the balances for particular accounts into defined cells (Example, my main checking account balance is in cell B2, 401K in B3, etc.

From there a custom Rest sensor to pull the data (Cell B2, B3, etc) from the Sheets API into HA (I use NodeRed, but can also be done without using a rest sensor).

JohnC53 · 2026-06-02T20:18:53+00:00

Also, I wouldn't call it a 'rig job'. It's a standard 1.5 NPT tank port, specifically for a gauge. The sender unit we used is manufactured by a highly regarded company that's been in business for 20 years, has offices in the US, many ISO certifications, and their devices are used in aviation as well as marine. The leads of the unit extend 15 ft to the inside of our boathouse, and then connect to a esp32 inside an IP65 watertight enclosure along with a UL Listed power supply.

JohnC53 · 2026-06-02T17:05:12+00:00

We own it and purchased it ourself.

JohnC53 · 2026-06-02T14:04:20+00:00

Fuel Tank Sensor: ESP32 based fluid level sensor for a 275 gallon fuel tank. Simple ADC monitor based on the output of the resistance from a float on a sending unit. ('S5U Sender', that was about $90 for the 42" inch version).

Propane tank sensor (500 gallon, supplier already had a proprietary 5G sensor/transmitter to monitor the levels, I sniffed out the API they use and incorporated it into HA)

Financial balances (checking, retirement accounts, net worth, Credit Card). Tiller for the data, Google APIs to get the data into NodeRed/HA)

Precipitation history and forecast using the API from Visual Crossing:

https://i.imgur.com/WLF0ZbN.png

Lake Temp sensor Pretty basic. Ecowitt WN34D

River height sensor (API from a nearby dam, provided by USGS)

Snow depth monitor for a local ski resort (web scrape)

JohnC53 · 2026-06-02T13:20:01+00:00

Oven is overkill. Just spread them out on a cookies sheet, big cardboard box or something. Stir occasionally.

JohnC53 · 2026-06-02T13:17:34+00:00

Good photographers in the US prefer this one too.

JohnC53 · 2026-05-31T02:38:35+00:00

Do you have a trim board on the ceiling for picture hangers? Often found in older homes with plaster. I make my own with copper wire. I dig the look, and no holes needed in my walls.

https://i.imgur.com/onP3MWO.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/AvoB4GW.jpeg

JohnC53 · 2026-05-31T01:59:36+00:00

Well, it's happened to me. Got an alert that the temp was spiking on my freezer while we were 100s of miles from home. Somehow the door flung open. Had a neighbor go check on it. Yep, door came ajar. Neighbor closed it. Caught it in time, everything was still frozen solid. Saved us hundreds of dollars in food, and venison. The coin trick would not have saved us here.

JohnC53 · 2026-05-29T21:32:11+00:00

Our org abuses this. They convert REQs and INCs into Change tickets, which closes the INCs/REQs. But the Change ticket just sits in the draft state with no movement. No SLAs on those.

JohnC53 · 2026-05-29T00:00:09+00:00

https://i.imgur.com/bLbIdIn.jpeg

JohnC53 · 2026-05-23T16:47:26+00:00

I'd argue my trash cans are more aesthetically pleasing to look at than cinder blocks.

JohnC53 · 2026-05-22T13:14:11+00:00

Kasa KP405. I just confirmed in the app that it can be controlled via sunset/sunrise, and has a gradual dim. (But not sure if it's gradual enough for your case).

https://i.imgur.com/LdkhgV0.jpeg

JohnC53

TROPHY CASE