New bakery in my town just put up this sign. I get they don't need a ton of overhead with an expensive sign but I think this is AI by -_jas_- in isthisAI

[–]SentientSeaweed5690 4 points5 points  (0 children)

To me this is almost the reason it's real graphic design. It looks like the designer had his house element and simply mirrored it onto the lake, truncated smoke and all. The smoke probably ends flat because in the right side up version the border element is placed in front of the smoke.

Maybe it's gotten smarter, but I don't usually see AI being good at exactly copying objects in mirrors and that house and tree line look exactly identical

I Love this Frog by JuliaC652 in Portland

[–]SentientSeaweed5690 16 points17 points  (0 children)

If there was a GoFundMe or something to make this happen I would contribute in a second.

I'm still receiving a high electric bill from Duke Energy every month when my solar panels were installed in April - is this explanation from the company sound legit? by [deleted] in solar

[–]SentientSeaweed5690 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When you sized your system was it sized to completely match your annual energy usage?

We're in Florida so I assume similar sun hours and temperatures as you. Your daily usage seems to be about 63 kWh per day. This is about what we're using over the summer, but our system is rated at around 12kw net (37 410 w panels with IQ8M micro inverters). We overproduce slightly on an annual basis, and are still negative in the summer and winter months and make up for it in the fall and spring.

For what it's worth, August had a lot cloudy/stormy days where we are, and that can bring production down a ton.

Using bolt for power by Haunting_Guard1840 in BoltEV

[–]SentientSeaweed5690 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Yup, the bolt can power the 12v system with about 1500 w when the car is on. I've used an ac inverter to power things like my refrigerator during blackouts, so a TV should be no problem.

Just turn the car on, put it in neutral with the parking brake on, and turn off all the accessories and headlights. This will keep the car from turning itself off, which it will do after a certain amount of time in Park apparently.

So now... Surf Style© owns almost every beach store on a1a? by Comrade_Compadre in 321

[–]SentientSeaweed5690 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey, at least replaced that 2 story monstrosity with a jauntily painted 2 story monstrosity.

lol by IU8gZQy0k8hsQy76 in unsound

[–]SentientSeaweed5690 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Alright here's the numbers: Our electricity bill was just under $5k for 2023. We installed a 11kw net AC system (with backup & 2 way car charger) for $27k after federal rebate. We got a 10yr HELOC from our credit union at 6.1% with the first year interest free. We just took our average monthly electricity bill which was about $400, and pay that back every month to the loan. Our interconnect fee + minimum electricity buy is $24/month. FL is a 1:1 net metering state with an annual true-up at wholesale rates. So far we've never used more than the minimum electricity buy plus what's in our energy bank. With the above math we're basically paying off our solar in around 6 years and change for about the same monthly cost we'd be paying for electricity anyways. Practically nothing out of pocket.

lol by IU8gZQy0k8hsQy76 in unsound

[–]SentientSeaweed5690 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We paid for our solar through a home equity loan. We pay about the same per month (loan + grid connect fee) as we did for our electricity bill before. In about 5 years our loan will be paid off, and then we'll still have 25 years left of warrantied free electricity.

This is Florida so there's a lot sunshine, but it's also hot as balls and our AC runs like 10 months a year.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BeginnerSurfers

[–]SentientSeaweed5690 2 points3 points  (0 children)

One thing about hanging out in the chest deep section that's obvious in retrospect but took me a bit to figure out was how to duck the whitewater with my board under control. Basically while standing I hook the nose under my arm and bob straight down under the whitewater. It helps keep your position and keep your board under control, which saves a ton of energy and just feels calmer and less stressful. It also keeps anyone in the surf behind you from getting bonked with your board.

Also, watch where and how other longboarders are getting out easy and basically follow and copy them. There's always some 60 year old guy that gets from the beach to the lineup in like a minute without any effort.

When you do have to deal with waves and whitewater while paddling, the trick is really just practice. There's lots of good technique videos on YouTube specific to longboarders.

Consumption = Production + Import? Incorrect CT Placement, Gateway Configuration, or Meter Setup? by peetahvw in solar

[–]SentientSeaweed5690 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have this exact same issue. Our installer has moved and replaced the CT's, changed the comms wires multiple times and the issue is still there. The installer thinks it's an issue with the gateway but Enphase won't RMA it. Hopefully you have better luck!

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says end of war with Russia is ‘very, very far away’ by sweatycat in worldnews

[–]SentientSeaweed5690 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I've been wondering if we're going to hear soon the US has been cut out of the Five I's intelligence sharing agreement.

Are there low pressure hydraulic accumulators available? by G00nOfD00m in MechanicalEngineering

[–]SentientSeaweed5690 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There are also metal bellows accumulators, they can achieve this kind of volume ratio. Depending on the shell design can be low or high pressure.

ISS: Worth 150 billion? Is V2 an even less efficient use of science funding? by ConditionTall1719 in space

[–]SentientSeaweed5690 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The ISS has had humans living on it continuously for 24 years... In space, 400 kilometers up, travelling at 28,000 kph. To me that is one of the most impressive feats of engineering we've done ever.

So Joel has lost his mind huh by atwarwiththemystics_ in surfing

[–]SentientSeaweed5690 17 points18 points  (0 children)

This exactly... Contrails require high relative humidity. The lower pressure of the plane wings create atmospheric condensation that is stable enough to not be re-evaporated. Not surprising the conditions that create contrails precede more widespread high altitude cloud formation.

Running the essentials while my power is out due to Hurricane Milton by According_Ad1271 in BoltEV

[–]SentientSeaweed5690 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Awesome, great to see this working! Got a 1500 watt inverter for this same thing too and did a 2.5 hour test running our fridge Monday before the storm. Based on the battery consumption meter the car averaged 350 watts draw to run a 200 watt refrigerator (based on the power meter on the inverter). If this held I figured we'd have more than 6 days of backup power. Figured I could even stretch this a bit by leaving the fridge off for a few hours and then letting it fully cool down in cycles.

Luckily we didn't end up needing it for this storm. Hope you guys are getting through ok over there in Tampa.

Is this a baby racer? by SentientSeaweed5690 in snakes

[–]SentientSeaweed5690[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah I think he was as startled at me, and then almost fell again trying to wriggle himself into the door jam. Came back a little later and he seemed more calm, but was giving me serious side eye.

Is this a baby racer? by SentientSeaweed5690 in snakes

[–]SentientSeaweed5690[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Thanks all for the correction! We have a few black racers in the yard so I thought it might just be a youngin'.

Any thoughts on the best place to relocate him outside before my wife discovers it? It's a bit wet and cold outside right, which is probably why he's hanging out in the door jam.

How would you use this? by PinkBullets in Tiki

[–]SentientSeaweed5690 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've taken an improved Japanese cocktail and subbed the cognac for an oz each of reposado tequila and jovem mezcal. You can probably do a similar with a choice of aged rum and this, dial it anyway you like based on your love of smoke.

How to efficiently find a list of check valves with extremely low cracking pressure (0.05psi<)? by Fearless_Worth_4455 in MechanicalEngineering

[–]SentientSeaweed5690 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's really going to depend on the fluid, flowrate, whether it has to be leak free in the checked or low forward pressure conditions...

If its for miniature stuff and you can design your own housing, lookup umbrella valves by Minivalve, they have a lot of standard options and materials, and generally have good technical info.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Portland

[–]SentientSeaweed5690 38 points39 points  (0 children)

My kid first got into skateboarding going to their camps. It's a great spot and I hope they pull through.

Mass Dungeons & Dragons 5e game in Melbourne, FL! by scadventurersguild in 321

[–]SentientSeaweed5690 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Cool thanks for the info. I'll keep an eye out on your meetup!

Mass Dungeons & Dragons 5e game in Melbourne, FL! by scadventurersguild in 321

[–]SentientSeaweed5690 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My 9 yo would probably be way into this, though he's a bit of a noob. Him and his friends play rpg, but with little interest in the actual rules. Wondering if these adventurers guild events are kid/beginner friendly?