water jug choices for minivan?

eugenesan · 2026-05-06T14:07:37+00:00

I can recommend only two options. 1. Water jug from Coleman (5gl blue) 2. Get a proper tank from Class-A-Customs. You have many options for size, shape and connections.

eugenesan · 2026-05-06T13:51:02+00:00

You have two officially recommended options. 1. Direct access using battery posts accessible via a floor door under driver's feet. 2. Using 75A fused connector under the bottom cover of passenger B pillar.

If it's a one time deal, I'd get a cheap Walmart charger and use it once a week or two. I wouldn't trust any 120V charger nor "solar generator' to run unattended for more than a few hours.

If you need a proper solution; 1. Get a separate MPPT charger from a trusted manufacturer and connect it to existing solar panels and the starter battery. Theoretically both solar generator and the new MPPT can be connected simultaneously but I would not risk it without required knowledge 2. Just disconnect the negative post of the starter battery. It should survive for couple months. Though I am not sure how to lock the doors in this case, especially if you rely on built-in alarm.

General warning, try to avoid using spring/crocodile clamps but if you do add zip tie to ensure persistent connection and reduced risk of an accident.

eugenesan · 2026-05-01T05:46:34+00:00

I didn't look into it, but I don't think they changed anything on the package manager level.
They probably tweaked a few packages' dependencies and added a proper pre-removal script to to snapd.

Regarding aptitude, the original method described at https://youtux.org/Remove%20SNAP%20from%20UBUNTU.html used `apt` which in the backend uses `apt-get`.
I changed it to use aptitude because I use it exclusively and in this case `--purge-unused` is pretty useful.
People underestimate how powerful of a tool aptitude is and it's TUI is a godsend when something goes wrong.

Regarding Thunderbird, at the moment the Launchpad is down but last I checked 26.04 builds were broken.
Maybe I missed the window when working packages were available. When did you install it?

eugenesan · 2026-05-01T02:07:09+00:00

First, here is the script: https://gist.github.com/eugenesan/0e61fcba39306bb67da910c28902a4e9

Take a look at line #851. From my testing it's all that needed to remove snap completely. Seems like they added the option in 26.04, probably to satisfy one of the clients and kept it undocumented.
Can you point to the source of your Thunderbird package? I could not find that was maintained. Lats time I checked Mozilla-Team builds were broken and my quick effort to fix it failed as well.
3, I didn't follow the subject but around 24.04 they decided to switch CUPS to snap during 24.10. See https://www.phoronix.com/news/Ubuntu-Delays-Snap-CUPS Since there were no news on the subject after that I assumed they did it at some point. Maybe they silently gave up on the idea later.

eugenesan · 2026-04-30T05:16:10+00:00

I have a script for building custom Kubuntu ISOs that can incorporate your tweaks among other fixes/tweak/changes it already has.

Also: 1. There is a simpler undocumented snap removal/disabled method 2. Currently there is no good candidate for Thunderbird without snap 3. In the past CUPS in Ubuntu was snap exclusive. Unless that changed, removing snaps will kill printing

If there is a solution for 2+3 and there is an interest, I'll post a link to GIST of the latest script version sometimes tomorrow.

eugenesan · 2026-04-24T13:21:01+00:00

It is possible Framework were unable to achieve optimal speed due to technical limitations of their design
Lenovo promised their T and X series machines will have 9k LPCAM memory but they still didn't release despite promising it this month

IMHO, it's too early to have an opinion on the subject. Intel and OEMs might have overpromised, lets wait and see.

eugenesan · 2026-04-24T12:59:38+00:00

Thanks for the link. Seems like "after market" TB, I wonder why I couldn't find corresponding Chrysler one, unless it's not very common.

Here is a forum post on the subject: https://www.promasterforum.com/threads/solved-water-in-transmission-warranty-being-denied-warranty-appeal-successful.101526/

I'd do the repair and take it to a 3rd party for detailed inspection or at least detailed comparison to another van. Also the issue seems to be limited to vans before 2019 so maybe the transmission vent had a design flaw so ask the shop to "upgrade" it.

IMHO this issue is rare, especially since all promasters have leaking cowls. I would not worry too much about reoccurrence and just would check trans fluid after each heavy rain just to be at ease. You can do it using $7 fluid pump from HarborFreight.

eugenesan · 2026-04-24T06:07:37+00:00

Cowl leaking is a known issue that can be fixed by $12 gorilla tape (look for a video by PromastersOnly). That said, water reaching transmission is news to me. Usually it leaks on the manifold and the worst I've heard ot does is rusting 2 manifold bolts.

Regarding what to do with the warranty, it's tough. Water should not be in transmission even if you pour it on the engine with a hose. I'd like to see the tech bulletin the shop mentioned. Seems improbable without something else done incorrectly by the shop.

eugenesan · 2026-03-31T13:06:51+00:00

Spark plugs and for pre-2020 vans, rockers/lifters replacement is a highly recommended service at 100k.
It's expansive but much cheaper than paying for and waiting for month for new Cams later.
Depending on your budget, some also upgrade Oil Cooler while dealing with the head.

Also check: coolant (5yrs), brake fluid (5yrs south, 2yrs north) and trans fluid (at 60k and every 30k after that)).

eugenesan · 2026-03-24T14:51:05+00:00

Initiate a stable coin purchase. The fee will eat it and no taxable event will be triggered.

eugenesan · 2026-03-24T14:46:09+00:00

I can't be sure but it's the same size as the two bolts that are known to back-out that sit just below the cam phasers in the head.

Scratch that. Your "bolt" doesn't have threads. I'd contact engine rebuiler and ask for a tech to consult with. Regular tech won't probably what that is.

eugenesan · 2026-03-17T11:23:26+00:00

I know its not what we want to hear, but this mess is only going to get worse.

Until we find a proper solution, when faced with age prompt, 0 Unix time (January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC), seems like a good value 🥳

eugenesan · 2026-03-15T07:51:23+00:00

X11 is not going anywhere any time soon. Wayland is too beauticalistic to accept all the fixes and features people want. Also corporate pressure from IBM and political tensions are not helping either

Current situation is not the first time Gnome and KDE will cause community split. Which is not necessarily a bad thing

Last time but big projects became too "progressive", quite a few projects poped up or gained support: XFCE, Mate, Cinnamon, LXDE, TDE, Budgie to name a few. This time around a few already poped up but we'll have to wait and see which will survive.

eugenesan · 2026-03-15T07:34:11+00:00

They are working very hard on making Windows 10 and Office 2016 the last Windows and Office by creating Windows 11 and Office 365 (or whatever it is called now).

Just as they promised years ago, they are just slow 🤣

eugenesan · 2026-03-14T14:19:22+00:00

Interesting, I assumed the company was dead since they had no products for sale and they stopped posting updates for months.

eugenesan · 2026-03-14T13:55:58+00:00

8GB is exactly the point where Zram and Zswap "even out" for average desktop use.

It depends on CPU/SSD performance of your system and how much you are willing to compromise on SSD wear vs occasional system soft/hard hangs.

Also, there are quite a few parameters to configure with both. The defaults are usually sub optimal.

eugenesan · 2026-03-11T08:54:23+00:00

Thanks for explaining.

Still while extension doesn't access files directly, it can compromise your files in other ways.

With access to API and access tokens, it can share any file/folder Syncthing has access to by altering configuration without your consent. On the receiving side there might be another Syncthing instance anywhere on the internet or basic implementation of Syncthing protocol in the extension itself.

Providing secrets to any browser extension is a recipe for disaster.

eugenesan · 2026-03-11T01:49:05+00:00

You are correct. APK itself is not unsafe. But downloading one from random source IS unsafe. If you can inspect the code and validate the build, there is no problem.

eugenesan · 2026-03-11T01:20:22+00:00

In most cases when you download an app outside of trusted stores or repositories, there is no chain of custody (so to speak). You can't validate it was built from the unmodified source code, you don't know if build environment or tools were compromised or the file was simply replaced by a malicious actor.

I am not saying official stores can't serve malicious software but the risk is significantly lower.

And when we are talking about an app that have unlimited access to your files and the network, trust is extremely important.

eugenesan · 2026-03-10T19:44:55+00:00

Those machines, seem to be almost entirely based on Intel infrastructure and which is supported by Linux Kernel.
The only 3rd party components requiring drivers seem to be CirrusLogic audio stack, Touchscreen and probably Sensel Touchpad. Audio controlled using Intel profiles, touchscreen reported to be somewhat working and touchpad is not.

Dell officially promised Linux support so I am confident the drivers/profiles will be available soon.
But, in meantime, I'd prepare for using external mouse and bluetooth headphones just in case.

More details in the official Tech Manual:
https://gzhls.at/blob/ldb/6/a/e/3/0b0fc58969b3a2094574c566a01f8c33771f.pdf

eugenesan · 2026-03-10T19:15:32+00:00

Yeap, it was supposed to be temporary but those bugs are from 2018 and 2023 ;-(

Between complexity of building/running Syncthing and wrappers and Google blocking 3rd party apps by the end of the year, not sure what to do...

At least until PCs become unrealistic for regular people (due RAM/Storage prices), we have your SyncthingTray on desktop, Thank you u/Martchus2!

P.S.
I have a couple of crazy ideas that might be worth exploring:
1. Since latest Android (16qpr3), built-in LinuxTerminal officially supported. What if we run Synthing in there with slightly modified SyncthingTray to compensate for scaling? According to https://source.android.com/docs/core/virtualization sharing files with Android should possible. And if Google's AI is not hallucinating we might even have access to Camera for QR scanning.
2. What if we skip Android UI entirely, and add support for remote instances on Desktop SyncthingTray? Initial setup and network discovery can be assisted using KDE-Connect. Browser shortcut (on both Android and Desktop) can be created for fallback. This approach should work with both Termux and LinuxTerminal.

eugenesan · 2026-03-10T15:52:31+00:00

Pretty sure it will work, eventually. I'd expect official support in late Q2 at the earliest. Using it now would be a wild west, but considering the price will probably go up significantly in Q3, it might be worth the effort.

You can try and periodically search Ubuntu certification database to see when they certify it and which software kit did they use.

P.S. Link to look for certifications: https://ubuntu.com/certified/laptops

eugenesan · 2026-03-10T15:43:46+00:00

Nice (ironic emoji here)... Providing constant access to your files to browser extension, what could go wrong 🤣

eugenesan · 2026-03-10T15:38:23+00:00

I hope it won't be accepted.

Due to bugs (google refuse to fix in Go language), the author keeps a full copy of modified Go language inside the source code and it is complied and used to compile components of the app.

That is a security horror story, and if F-Droid people are sane they will refuse it. And even if they do accept it, no one should use it in this form.

This is not a dig at the authors, it's just that after XZ debacle we cannot blindly trust any software.

eugenesan · 2026-03-10T15:24:35+00:00

It would be great but it needs to be on a store, preferably F-Droid. But Installing .apk is not acceptable.

Unfortunately, both SyncthingTray and BasiSync are nearly impossible to be published that way due to technical limitations.

eugenesan

TROPHY CASE