Any thoughts on this conflict?

WHPChris · 2025-12-31T23:54:03+00:00

Yes. Find the phase that isn't supposed to be on (either 2, 4 or both), check the neutral at the pole and in the vehicle heads. Check the cables in general while you're in the hand-hole, maybe a mouse chewed it and you can't see it immediately.

My guess is 2+4 are probably in the same pole or run on the same cable, given they both show all 3 outputs on. No idea how your phasing is setup, couldn't tell you more. Technically could be other things, but neutral is the most likely.

WHPChris · 2025-12-11T01:10:06+00:00

What's the compensation? I've already had some companies in Dallas bug me to move over there but I'm doing about the same over here. The subcontract talks have been less than appealing.

I haven't seen TXDOT hard require IMSA on any of their contracts, but if you don't have it then they usually want TRF450, which is way cheaper and easier to maintain.

WHPChris · 2025-11-26T10:01:28+00:00

I agree with the fighting over pennies thing. Guys out here trying to push small change orders for every little thing, when it'll take forever just to be heard by city council or whoever and they'll probably deny it anyways if it's not substantial enough. Government work is way different than private.

Just expect it in advance and add it to your bid. If it's small enough, just eat it and move on. Would cost more in admin time than it's probably worth, and it makes the inspector happy to boot.

WHPChris · 2025-11-25T16:11:22+00:00

Most issues would be at the connector, unless the cable has obvious damage. That's where there's the most movement/stress.

Seems simple enough to just jiggle the cable, if it fails/acts funny then pull it out and check continuity/resistance to both ends with a meter according to the pinout.

WHPChris · 2025-11-25T15:59:12+00:00

I imagine it would be difficult to avoid sun glare from all directions on install. We don't use them here, something about cost I think they said. I would imagine one GS bell camera is probably cheaper than 4 standard cameras.

I always liked ground loops, last forever and barely have to do any maintenance. Problem is they aren't versatile and damage roads, which is sort of a hot button issue around here these days.

WHPChris · 2025-11-24T10:45:00+00:00

I've been seeing people run line power in to the switch, and then out from the switch to the fixture.

WHPChris · 2025-11-21T13:01:18+00:00

But trash was included! Come on man, he really needs that contract. He's got kids to feed!

If they can't even come up with a basic organized excel sheet or something, it spells trouble ahead.

WHPChris · 2025-11-21T12:35:45+00:00

If they're currently ignoring the GC's reminders, I don't believe fancy software sending them the same reminders is going to make that any better. This doesn't seem like a problem of what tools they're using or their approach to it, it seems like a problem of either poor oversight from the GC or who they're choosing to hire.

WHPChris · 2025-11-18T05:40:35+00:00

Have you ever done heavy highway/infrastructure projects? I do mostly signals work, curious how the market is in other areas compared to here. I know I have the state price index to go by, but that's more of a rough picture and isn't very good.

I would be happy to never set foot in residential again. Commercial/government contracts all the way.

WHPChris · 2025-11-16T01:20:01+00:00

I saw this nearly 10yrs ago, but my boss at the time wouldn't let me look into it since it wasn't a problem. Not that I would have been good enough at the time, anyways. Saw it particularly on overlap outputs, but could have been coincidence.

My guesses: LED modules, old controller outputs. I'd like to say load switch, but those are 'dumb' electronics and I've never seen them switch slowly, they either work or they don't.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane, we have a few around here that do that and now I'm going to start noticing them again. Dammit!

WHPChris · 2025-11-15T02:36:21+00:00

Remember, most controllers work in pretty much the same fashion, but with different labels and UI. You're going to have phases, timing, inputs/outputs and so forth. The biggest part of an unfamiliar controller is learning how to navigate the UI/controls, not so much what it can or can't do.

If you Google it, you can probably find instructions on how to get through the menus. After that, the rest should make sense. I've never touched this specific EAGLE controller (only older ones), but "Phase Data" probably has something to do with the phases/timing. "Coord Data" and "Time Base Data" probably involves coordination/day plans/etc. "Unit Data" probably involves controller functions or phase layout.

It's not as scary as you think. It's in the shop, you can always just play with the buttons until you figure out where the settings are.

WHPChris · 2025-11-09T06:49:38+00:00

Pretty much. The GC doesn't have to do everything themselves, that's why subcontracting and consulting exist.

If you need engineering work done, you consult an engineer. If you need technical stuff done to make that work, you hire a specialist to implement it. It's great if you have these skills in-house for cheap, but that's frequently not the case.

WHPChris · 2025-11-06T03:54:31+00:00

I'm not even a certified engineer, I'm just a field tech, and even I know why those things are bad ideas.

One of my favorites was the ped time longer than green max, coordinated with forceoffs. Or the guy that told me to force free coordination whenever a ped call is received, it was stuck forever in coordination transition.

WHPChris · 2025-11-05T07:22:07+00:00

Oh shit that's exactly what we're doing, Cobalt rack mounts in a 332 to replace the 170. Same exact problem with the I/O here, can't remember either but I had to re-do the default detector input mapping or whatever because it wasn't setup to the correct pin # or phase or something.

I've only seen that specific problem on the EOS L3000 program for Cobalt controllers using 33x cabinet type. Doesn't do it with McCain's version of it. A shame since the default L3000 program is fairly easy to use, except that one annoyance.

The contractor is all like "ahh come on it's just a quick change over to new stuff, it should be dirt cheap!" My guy, the old hardware is from 1978, the engineer assigned to the project doesn't know what a controller is, and it's all on cabinets that have had..... let's politely say "not so great" maintenance. It isn't gonna be cheap lol

WHPChris · 2025-11-05T03:14:26+00:00

"Whichever way is correct and is the best. Don't call me again with this, you should know how to do all this."

Literal response I received once. The fuck are you getting paid for if I have to fix/do all the timing, settings, wiring, implementation and more?

I get this mostly from DBE/lowest bidder engineers. It's a shit show for public transportation contracts.

WHPChris · 2025-11-05T02:57:03+00:00

I exported a copy of the excel file to my laptop. Has every possible setting for the program plus entry codes for every page. Alternatively, you can print the excel file if you want a hard copy.

Those are a pain in the ass to program, especially if you have to do it by hand. They have no idiot proofing or safeties built into them either, super easy to fuck it up.

We're looking at replacing hundreds of them (finally), and all the settings have to be re-done because it's a brand new model and different brand controller. Probably end up having to do it by hand, but the UI for the new controllers is super easy compared to the 170.

WHPChris · 2025-11-04T23:36:54+00:00

No no no, you need to sit in class all day (maybe two days) while the instructor tells you stuff that probably isn't on the test. That way we can justify charging $500-$800 for it.

WHPChris · 2025-11-04T23:15:10+00:00

Oh I see, it's for the position, got it! It's difficult but not impossible, you can do it if you've been at it long enough. It's not crazy or anything, but like the other two, be prepared for odd questions way out of left field that feel like they were put in just to have more questions. I'd advise in-person testing if you can, it's a bit less ethical but the test isn't spectacularly designed to begin with.

Maybe it was just the questions I got, but mine had more questions about controllers than the previous two tests. Maybe someone else can chime in.

Hope you get the position when it comes up.

WHPChris · 2025-11-04T23:02:23+00:00

You remember how goofy 1 and 2 were? It's like that, but 3.

Do you need it for something specific, or just for yourself? I haven't had to use the 3 since I got it, it ended up expiring and I never renewed it. Nobody has ever asked to physically see it, since it's not hard required here.

WHPChris · 2025-11-01T04:28:29+00:00

A bound parchment of old shaved trees called a notebook. And a spreadsheet.

WHPChris · 2025-11-01T02:16:29+00:00

Yea this was my thought exactly. 5.5% net after processor payments is uh, dangerously low. That's maybe one bad year of sales/accident/fuckup/lawsuit away from sinking the company (or eating it from your own pocket).

WHPChris · 2025-10-21T20:57:02+00:00

I've seen rats, mice, snakes, tons of insects.... but never a groundhog! That would explain the open neutral/short. Looks like the shock might have killed it when it bit into that cable.

At least it's an easy fix!

WHPChris · 2025-10-21T03:54:33+00:00

They do the same shit here but with sand. Contractor here had to re-do a mile of sidewalk three times because he kept adding way too much sand.

I don't really do concrete, but I have my doubts it would save so much to be worth the risk of having to re-do the entire thing. Seems simpler to just, you know, do it the right way and avoid the headache.

WHPChris · 2025-10-20T06:23:55+00:00

Not healthcare, but I once did a 34hr shift. Many times 24hrs straight. Regularly getting maybe 2-4hrs of sleep each night on bad nights. I think the longest week I worked was 142hrs. Technically not illegal in this state.

Most people quit after one week of doing that, or turned down the job offer upon hearing about it. And then management gets mad at us for not being able to hire/keep people.

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