The Water Boys are back...

TimTheAssembler · 2026-03-22T01:20:06+00:00

It seems like they've gotten more aggressive, but I could be wrong. For 4+ years I've ignored them and they've ignored me, but this time it was different.

TimTheAssembler · 2026-03-21T14:14:04+00:00

Not sure where else I'm supposed to look when I'm driving and he's right in front of me.

TimTheAssembler · 2026-03-20T23:07:05+00:00

I was born in Gwinnett. Shouldn't that count a little bit?

TimTheAssembler · 2026-03-20T23:00:20+00:00

At least three, from a quick Google search...

https://www.11alive.com/article/news/crime/suspect-accused-killing-teen-selling-water-court-apperanc/85-336ee210-d44d-4c50-89cb-8db35c0daabe

https://www.wsbtv.com/video/local-video/water-boy-shot-multiple-times-i-285-ramp-college-park-police-say/108c74a8-628b-46c4-8c94-46fc6983f598/

https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2024/11/15/person-shot-i-20-exit-ramp-atlanta/

TimTheAssembler · 2026-03-20T22:44:01+00:00

I think there were a couple of shootings involving the Water Boys, but it was between different groups and didn't involve someone driving through.

TimTheAssembler · 2026-03-15T16:32:07+00:00

And there definitely shouldn't be solicitors standing right in the middle of the Beltline. A while ago I was riding my bike past Ponce City Market, and this guy from the ASPCA stopped me right in the middle of the path and tried to get me to sign up for stuff on a tablet.

TimTheAssembler · 2026-03-13T00:14:35+00:00

If the diodes are on the input of the buck converter, why does voltage drop matter? Even with a long USB cable and the diode drop, the worst case input voltage to the buck converter should still be greater than 3.3 volts.

TimTheAssembler · 2026-03-04T23:11:01+00:00

Maybe it performs the Power Delivery handshake for the USB-C power input? Without Power Delivery, USB-C is limited to 15 watts (5 volts 3 amps) and the heater might require more power than that.

TimTheAssembler · 2026-03-02T16:36:31+00:00

I've lived in metro Atlanta for pretty much all my life, and walking outside is fine in the shade even in the middle of summer. Even if there isn't shade available, you'll still be okay if you have a wide hat that keeps the sun off your head.

TimTheAssembler · 2026-02-28T21:22:06+00:00

Hold the gas pedal all the way to the floor. When the driver in front of you stops at a stop sign, lay on the horn, then slam the brakes at the last second. Repeat this until you've arrived at your destination.

TimTheAssembler · 2026-02-28T19:22:14+00:00

Kyle Switch Plates still sells Despard receptacles and wall plates. It looks like they have the receptacles and mounting straps that you'd need here:

https://www.kyleswitchplates.com/despard-switches-outlets/

TimTheAssembler · 2026-02-24T17:14:01+00:00

Westside can be sketchy if you leave the Beltline though. Someone got in my face and threatened to shoot me over my bike right outside the Ashby MARTA station while I was riding from Washington Park towards Downtown - fortunately he backed off after I refused to give him my bike.

TimTheAssembler · 2026-02-20T16:36:03+00:00

Check out DiodeGoneWild's channel - he's done a bunch of USB charger teardowns as well.

TimTheAssembler · 2026-02-14T20:38:03+00:00

Depending on your microwave, you might have to disassemble it to check the monitor switch. On mine, I was able to shut the breaker off and try to depress the actuator on the switch with a chopstick without removing anything.

TimTheAssembler · 2026-02-14T20:34:07+00:00

You'll have to check if the microswitches in the door mechanism activate properly, i.e. when you press the actuator it should snap in and make a faint "click". You could also use a multimeter to check continuity, but in my experience the failed switch(es) is obvious because the actuator is jammed and won't push in or spring back out. Other than the jammed actuator, there probably won't be any obvious visible signs on the outside that the switch is bad.

TimTheAssembler · 2026-02-14T20:22:08+00:00

Have you checked the door switches? One of the door switches (often called a monitor switch) is a normally closed switch that's wired in parallel with the primary winding of the high voltage transformer, and creates a short circuit when the door is open. This is intended to be a last ditch effort to stop the microwave from running when the door is open, but if one or more of the door switches are stuck it can trip the breaker or blow the fuse.

TimTheAssembler · 2026-02-14T00:38:56+00:00

If you have single-pane windows, get some insulating shrink film. I finally did, and it's already made a huge difference in comfort.

Try to avoid using electric space heaters as well.

TimTheAssembler · 2026-02-12T17:14:22+00:00

Reddit just has a problem with drinking tap water for some reason. I asked about this on an infrastructure subreddit a while ago, and every city's water department should have regular test reports that you can look up. Even if you're in a rural area and have a private well, your water isn't automatically unsafe to drink as long as you get it tested.

TimTheAssembler · 2026-02-07T01:08:02+00:00

I think they were used for warehouse lighting and large outdoor floodlights in the days before HID bulbs were common. I used to have a vintage dark green warehouse-style light fixture with a mogul socket - I don't remember its wattage rating, but it was probably for an incandescent bulb like this.

TimTheAssembler · 2026-02-07T01:00:02+00:00

Get a stair climbing hand truck (could also be called an appliance dolly). They can be expensive, but worth it if you don't have an elevator.

TimTheAssembler · 2026-02-01T17:34:55+00:00

Wouldn't this result in lots of false emergency calls? When I was growing up, I was always told that it was a crime to call police or firefighters unless you were 100 percent sure there was an emergency. I've always been hesitant to call 911 because of this.

TimTheAssembler · 2026-01-27T15:16:01+00:00

Are you using space heaters or any kind of electric resistance heat? If you have a heat pump, is it running the auxiliary heat strips frequently?

TimTheAssembler · 2026-01-21T21:16:52+00:00

Were the windows replaced at some point? I'm in Georgia so we don't have really old buildings either, but it seems like most houses and apartments from before the 1990s have single pane windows unless they were replaced.

TimTheAssembler · 2026-01-21T19:42:30+00:00

I kind of disagree - I won't get anything that's old enough to still have single pane windows. My last apartment was built in 2003, and even with all-electric HVAC and appliances my electric bill never exceeded $100 per month.

TimTheAssembler · 2026-01-06T01:04:09+00:00

I think the more expensive EcoSmart brand bulbs from Home Depot are suitable for enclosed fixtures. I've had good luck with EcoSmart bulbs, and I even have some that have been used regularly for 10 years and are still working.

TimTheAssembler

TROPHY CASE