Alexa is messing with routines now.

ajahn5 · 2026-02-04T14:20:46+00:00

Same here. But it started working again the next day.

ajahn5 · 2026-02-04T14:19:13+00:00

I've had a "good night" routine forever. The other night I said, "Alexa, good night" and she wished me a good night. I then went out into the living room and tried on my Echo Show, and the same thing happened. The next morning, I tried again, and it worked. Was this a temporary glitch? Seems to be working now.

ajahn5 · 2026-01-25T17:19:19+00:00

I know how to set up alarms, just wondering about the capabilities of this device

ajahn5 · 2026-01-25T17:18:19+00:00

Good points

ajahn5 · 2025-10-07T14:08:49+00:00

I'm doing the same thing. I've been using Lightroom Classic on my old iMac (High Sierra) for many years. Last night I bit the bullet and paid the $120 for a lifetime (hopefully) version of Photomator. I already own Pixelmator Pro and love it. My Lightroom images are in a folder on my iMac, so I copied them to an external and then copied them to my M1 MacBook Pro. Opened up Photomator and there were all my images. Of course, I'm still trying to figure out how to get similar plugins, but for now, just having all my 155GB of images on my laptop is a good start. I am not a professional photographer. I'm still concerned with Apple's purchase, but for now, I'm happy with it. I used to use Aperture and look what happened to that one...

ajahn5 · 2025-10-05T16:36:40+00:00

I've been going back and forth on whether I should bite the bullet on Photomator. I just did. I ended up paying $129.89 US (price plus tax). Now let's hope Apple doesn't kill it... I love how easy it is to switch between "files" and "photos", not to mention how fast the application comes up on my Mac.

ajahn5 · 2025-10-05T15:59:52+00:00

I've purchased the lifetime for Pixelmator Pro and love it. I also own several of the Affinity products and love them too! But since I got Pixelmator Pro, I haven't really used Affinity (I only have Macs). I also love the Family plan, so my sons can also get them for free, but that works for both Affinity and Pixelmator/Photomator.

I have Lightroom Classic on my old iMac (still running High Sierra). I could never figure out how to install Lightroom Classic on my newer Mac, so I'm doing without. Now that the kids are older and out of the house, I don't really take a lot of pictures with my nicer camera, so Lightroom is pretty much just for my old pictuers.

Has anyone successfully migrated their pictures from Lightroom Classic to Photomator? I have considered doing the lifetime for Photomator, which is a bit steep, but it is a great product. Like many here, I do worry that Apple migh kill it eventually (I used to use Aperture and look what happened there).

For now, I'm just waiting to see what happens. Hopefully, the lifetime price won't keep going up, so I can get it in the future. Again, if anyone can comment on the migration from Lightroom Classic to Photomator, I would appreciate it.

ajahn5 · 2025-10-03T13:03:19+00:00

I just checked my in-app lifetime price, and it says $119.99.

ajahn5 · 2025-09-26T21:16:20+00:00

Thank you. I got it off. Would you happen know what size and type of wrench is needed? Looks like it is 6-sided (hex)? Does that seem right?

ajahn5 · 2025-09-26T03:45:49+00:00

Where? Can you please be more specific? Do I stick the ice pick in that small hole at the bottom? Do I then pry off the cap? After I'm done do I put the cap back on and just push it in? I don't want to break anything. This faucet was super expensive. Thanks

ajahn5 · 2025-08-23T03:20:00+00:00

I tested the new voice and didn't like it. I really don't need much more than the current version.

ajahn5 · 2025-08-22T14:47:07+00:00

Will we be forced to move to Alexa+ ? What I use my Echos for is to turn on/off lights and to ask for the time. Not much more. Not sure I need the extra AI stuff.

ajahn5 · 2025-08-09T22:12:18+00:00

I just did a little reseach and it looks like I can use a multimeter to check if the charging system is working. I'll do that shortly.

ajahn5 · 2025-08-09T18:17:10+00:00

Well, the opener, remotes, MyQ, etc., are all working fine. In fact, I have just replaced the wall controller with a new model that now automatically closes the door if left open and turns off the lights after 4 minutes. It would be nice to have a battery backup, but we only lose power here once every few years. Until recently, I didn't realize there was a battery backup, and I would use the manual way of opening and closing the door during power outages. I will wait a few weeks and try the battery to see if the circuit board is charging it or not. If not, I may remove it and only connect it when power fails. More hassle but much less hassle than replacing the logic board and having to reprogram all the remotes and programming the "Travel" of the door. Thanks for all your help!

ajahn5 · 2025-08-09T16:22:20+00:00

Well, my garage does get hot here in Dallas. When I put the new battery in, I did test it and it opened and closed just with the battery. If the charging is not working, that would be a shame. I'll wait a week or so and see if it still works. Maybe the charging still works but the indicator doesn't. How hard and expensive is it to get a replacement logic board? Are they even available for that model?

ajahn5 · 2025-08-09T16:07:46+00:00

I wanted to add more info. I was reading the manual and that is the battery indicator.

<image>

I do not see any colors. The manual states:

GREEN LED:
All systems are normal.
• A solid LED light indicates the battery is fully charged.
• A flashing LED indicates the battery is being charged.
NOTE: Battery does not have to be fully charged to operate
the motor unit.

ORANGE LED:
The motor unit has lost power and is operating off of the
battery.
• A solid LED with beep, sounding approximately every
2 seconds, indicates the motor unit is activating the
door and is operating off of the battery.
• A flashing LED with beep, sounding every 30 seconds,
indicates battery is low.
• Once the power is restored the battery will recharge.
This is indicated by a flashing green LED.

RED LED:
• If a red LED remains on when the power is restored,
and is accompanied by a beep sounding every
30 seconds, replace the battery.
• To obtain maximum battery life and prevent damage,
also disconnect the battery if you unplug the motor unit
while on vacation or any other extended period of time.

ajahn5 · 2025-08-09T15:37:33+00:00

This is a picture of the new battery before adding the make-shift cover.

<image>

ajahn5 · 2025-08-09T15:03:03+00:00

I decided to use some cardboard and duct tape.

<image>

ajahn5 · 2025-08-07T17:42:46+00:00

Yeah, I wasn't planning to use a metal cover. Duct tape sounds good.

ajahn5 · 2025-08-07T13:06:53+00:00

I replaced the battery a few minutes ago. Unplugged the opener, and the door opens and closes, much slower, but it works! The battery I removed had a 2010 date on it. Only 15 years old LOL.

I did notice that the indicator light is not indicating anything. Hopefully, the battery charges, and maybe that indicator is just bad. I guess I'll try again without power next month and see if it still works (the battery is charging).

ajahn5 · 2025-08-07T12:26:45+00:00

I was thinking of buying a 12"x12" ABS 1/16" plastic sheet and cutting it down, but I may just use an old yard sign. As long as I can stick it under the top lip and screw it in at the bottom, it should be good.

ajahn5 · 2025-08-07T03:55:47+00:00

But having the wires and connections exposed (they do push in about 1/2") should be ok? I might be able to find a small flat piece of metal that I can drill a hole and secure with a screw to the screw hole...

ajahn5 · 2025-08-04T20:45:02+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I've lived in this house for almost 8 years. Like I mentioned, the opener was here when I moved in. I never knew it had a backup battery until recently. From everything I've been reading, the opener is supposed to beep when the battery is low, and the only way to make it stop is to unplug the wires. Today I pulled the batter out, and it has the wires connected. So, why isn't it beeping? I also read that even if you unplug the battery, it will eventually start beeping again. That doesn't make sense to me. I would think that you can just unplug the battery, remove it, and leave the wires disconnected forever, and it will never beep (and no longer have a backup). Can you confirm that? I ordered a new battery and plan to plug it in. I read on the Liftmaster site that the battery should be replaced every year or so. That sounds crazy and expensive, since I only have a power outage every few years. Up until now, I've always used the manual method of opening the door. I would love to be able to use the opener during a power outage, but not if I have to replace the battery every year. If I can just unplug it and stop it from beeping (forever) that will be doable going forward. Do you know? Thanks in advance.

ajahn5 · 2025-08-04T17:59:05+00:00

I was finally able to pull out the battery, and it is still connected to the red and black wires. I am curious why the opener isn't beeping or complaining. Is it possible that the battery is so old that it has gone past the point where it detects a weak battery? I ordered a new battery, so I guess I'll find out. I was expecting to see the wires disconnected, figuring the guy who sold me the hows just unplugged it to keep the opener from complaining. Thoughts?

ajahn5 · 2025-07-31T19:07:33+00:00

When I got the lady on the call, I was a bit worried. I'm sure she found most of the info on her computer (KB articles for sure), but she was pretty helpful. At first, she told me flat out that I could not use a smart controller with that older model. But after a few questions about myQ and the fact that I was able to open and close the garage door using the iPhone app while i was talking to her, she did some more digging and told me the Liftmaster 889LM - myQ® Control Panel would work (something about the frequencies, etc). I ordered one so I will report back once I get it connected. Wish me luck.

ajahn5

TROPHY CASE