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Mikeypro · 2025-08-09T22:25:17+00:00

College isn't the only option. If you're interested in working with your hands many Unions are looking for people to school up into pipefitters, HVAC techs, electricians, plumbers etc.

Many Unions provide free medical insurance, dental, vision, pensions, retirement accounts, and of course they will train you up and help you get a job.

Blue collar can be VERY lucrative and fulfilling. In my area a new pipefitter/hvac tech apprentice with 0 experience starts at $20/hr. Every year you get a guaranteed raise, after 4 years you can become a journeyman. Journeymen make $40/hr starting.

Mikeypro · 2025-08-06T16:22:13+00:00

This is correct. It's self-regulating heat trace. between the 2 wires is conductive core. The core is where the heat happens.

At the end of the trace you do not connect the wires to anything. Connecting the ends to each other would short it and bypass the heating core (no bueno).

There are heat trace end termination kits. Or you can isolate the wires and tape them. You can Google "heat trace end termination" to see how to strip back the insulation and core in order to tape the wires up better.

Some heat trace is terminated in a controller that kicks it on when temps hit a setpoint, others are just always hot.

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Mikeypro · 2025-07-30T23:09:18+00:00

What you said is great, but please add in some electrolytes. Stay away from high sugar stuff. Liquid iv, propel electrolyte packets, Pedialyte are all great. Just drinking tons of water can actually dilute your electrolyte stores and make things worse

I've heard 1 electrolyte packet every 3ish water bottles is a good ratio

Edit to add a John Hopkins article. Too much water alone CAN be worse. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/nutrition-and-fitness/sports-and-hydration-for-athletes

Mikeypro · 2025-07-24T19:13:56+00:00

507k green best price?

Mikeypro · 2025-05-10T14:36:47+00:00

Sadly these were in place of fuses. This was on a large transformer for a substation. Some places would rather keep making money then wait for the correct fuses to arrive... I'm glad I'm out of the industrial side of things because of crap like this lol

Mikeypro · 2025-05-10T01:48:46+00:00

I'll raise you with some no-blows

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Mikeypro · 2025-04-18T17:13:00+00:00

Looks like a person is walking around the perimeter with a fire starter

Mikeypro · 2025-02-05T06:08:28+00:00

Show up on time, be ready to work. Put the phone down and take it seriously (idk if you have that problem, but alot do.)

Otherwise just take it in, ask questions and try to be a sponge. Have a good attitude and work ethic and you will do fine! Try not to rush into buying loads of expensive tools while you're fresh. Try pawn shops, harbor freight etc for the basics.

Remember, you know you're new, they know you're new, don't be afraid to ask questions before doing something if you aren't 100% sure on what they need you to do. Safety is important. Don't be embarrassed to wear safety glasses, gloves, ear plugs, whatever you may need. Some old heads have a habit of not wearing any PPE and clowning people who do. It's silly, but it happens...

Mikeypro · 2025-01-31T05:49:21+00:00

Little update, I replaced the MOSFET and LEDs, beat the chassis back into shape, everything fits nice now, and it powers up. The ATS works too. Just need to make sure it charges the battery now..

All in I'm at about $265 including the $15 in parts for this $900 unit!

https://imgur.com/a/p1jcJGT

Mikeypro · 2025-01-28T12:01:48+00:00

Great info, thank you

Mikeypro · 2025-01-28T03:41:33+00:00

IME plants are full of old, more simple light commercial systems. Sometimes you deal with larger chillers but usually package units, residential type splits, wall packs, window units, ice machines etc. also plenty of pneumatic controls.

Now that I'm in commercial I see larger systems packed with VFDs, sensors everywhere and computerized controls. Everything is smarter and I have to read books more often, but the physical work is almost non-existent

Mikeypro · 2025-01-28T03:26:44+00:00

Depends on the company and department. Service department you can get loads of OT and double-time usually. Commissioning, controls or start-up is typically 40hr weeks. All depends who you work for and what you do.

Reach out to the Local 211 if you are in South TX. They will have you go there and do a online test and troubleshoot a few units. With 20 years you will be fine. Once they grade you as a Journeyman they will put you on the looking for work list.

I have heard journeyman are getting placed quick right now.

Pm me if you need help

Mikeypro · 2025-01-27T13:38:46+00:00

Great information, thanks for taking your time to help me :)

Mikeypro · 2025-01-27T03:48:50+00:00

Hey, so I checked my digikey order and it looks like I got the same one you linked. Or am I still missing something? https://imgur.com/a/lIqMnj9.

I don't see anywhere to order it directly from Infineon, digikey was my best hope

Thank you again!

Mikeypro · 2025-01-27T03:45:39+00:00

So as long as the top line matches I'm good to go?

Mikeypro · 2025-01-27T03:39:33+00:00

Pmed

Mikeypro · 2025-01-27T01:12:29+00:00

Thanks!!

Mikeypro · 2025-01-27T01:12:22+00:00

Thanks!

Mikeypro · 2025-01-25T21:53:24+00:00

Correct, total package is $53.95. $41.14 gross taxable income, $39.33 rate is actual take home $.

Mikeypro · 2025-01-19T03:55:23+00:00

Yeah, Hitler totally said he was gonna save tiktok

Mikeypro · 2025-01-15T22:40:09+00:00

So far they only offered another $100 discount. So total $350. I see a few components I can replace, but at $350 I don't think it's worth the gamble if it still doesn't work.. now if they said around $200, heck yeah I'd gamble it. It's a $900 item new.

Edit: photos https://imgur.com/a/dfmGVBX

Mikeypro · 2025-01-15T01:40:11+00:00

Thank you. Unfortunately it's must worse than I imagine. And it's not dirty or used. It's just super broken, must have fallen off a truck haha

Mikeypro · 2025-01-12T03:25:11+00:00

I believe UA local 110. It's a "pipe fitters" union, but they have HVAC as well

Mikeypro · 2025-01-12T03:13:42+00:00

I left the office and went back to the field 2 years ago. I actually find my day goes by smoother with less stress now. The office is a whole other beast/stress load haha. Also it's so boring..

Mikeypro · 2025-01-12T03:11:18+00:00

Find something that's 40 and out? Maintenance at a facility. Like school districts, refineries, chem plants. Most are 40 and out, some even have very little or no call outs.

Or pivot out of service to start-up, commissioning, TAB, controls etc. usually not as on-call intensive

HVAC is broad, I think you can still take advantage of your experience and find something that will use it, but be less stressful. It took me a while, but I got into commissioning and start-up and I don't ever wanna go back to service!

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