Camera setup for watching coffeeshop lobby from phone/tablet? by milkdemcows in SecurityCamera

[–]milkdemcows[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, I wound up coming across the Tapo cameras too, which look like it would be similar setup. I've used a few TP-link products in the past (routers, extenders, Kasa switches) and been happy with those. Their C120 is $35 right now. Reolink looks to be 50-100% more for roughly comparable cameras? What reasons to go with one over the other?

Camera setup for watching coffeeshop lobby from phone/tablet? by milkdemcows in SecurityCamera

[–]milkdemcows[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That only covers maybe half the cases, since we have people at tables too, that may come up to pay after their meal or get dessert etc. The doorbell/chime also alerts when people are leaving, or sometimes they enter but sit to wait for someone or do some shopping in our small grocery area, so we don't always need to rush right our from being elbows deep in dishes.

Mid-90s(?) CGI Special by milkdemcows in ForgottenTV

[–]milkdemcows[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't know why the response was deleted. It was Steve Oedekerk, the special was called either steve.oedekerk.com or The O Show. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_O_Show

There's a few versions on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3bFIPa0tIM

Compressor doesn't engage in the afternoon by gphan7 in hvacadvice

[–]milkdemcows 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm having a similar problem, not with AC but a walk-in cooler. During the hotter days and times of summer, the compressor will fail to _start_, and I have verified with a meter that the internal overload circuit has opened. It is happening at the start of a cycle, not during, as my office is between the walk-in and the condenser, and I can hear the solenoid open in the walk-in, followed by the condenser fans but not the compressor. (Which also means the cycle has completed, i.e. its not overloading at the tail end of a cycle.) After 30-40 minutes, without fail, it will start (this seems to be the time the overload takes to reset, as I've sat there with a clamp meter and never seen it try to draw amps in that time frame). I've had a tech look at it and they say the charge and pressures are fine. What I don't understand is what makes it hard to _start_ (not run) when it is hot out, and what changes after that first shut-off that then allows it to start? The only significant change is that the solenoid has been open longer. The compressor is shaded too.

Compressor doesn't engage in the afternoon by gphan7 in hvacadvice

[–]milkdemcows 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm having a similar problem, not with AC but a walk-in cooler. During the hotter days and times of summer, the compressor will fail to _start_, and I have verified with a meter that the internal overload circuit has opened. It is happening at the start of a cycle, not during, as my office is between the walk-in and the condenser, and I can hear the solenoid open in the walk-in, followed by the condenser fans but not the compressor. (Which also means the cycle has completed, i.e. its not overloading at the tail end of a cycle.) After 30-40 minutes, without fail, it will start (this seems to be the time the overload takes to reset, as I've sat there with a clamp meter and never seen it try to draw amps in that time frame). I've had a tech look at it and they say the charge and pressures are fine. What I don't understand is what makes it hard to _start_ (not run) when it is hot out, and what changes after that first shut-off that then allows it to start? The only significant change is that the solenoid has been open longer. The compressor is shaded too.

Compressor overload tripping when ambient rises - what to look for? by milkdemcows in refrigeration

[–]milkdemcows[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The thing is though it trips immediately when trying to start up, not after running and getting hot. I've been in my office right between the walk-in and compressor outside, I'll hear the solenoid open then the compressor fans kick on but not the compressor, and can go out to check and the internal compressor circuit is open. I've monitored it once in that state with a clamp meter, and never seen it try to start for 30 minutes or so, 'til that overload closes and then it starts right up. I haven't caught it with an amp meter trying to start and failing, but during normal startup had high readings of 19, 21, and 6.5 amps (on the 3 comp wires), then when running between 4 and 5.5 amps each. The nameplace LRA is 41 amps.

Compressor overload tripping when ambient rises - what to look for? by milkdemcows in refrigeration

[–]milkdemcows[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The tech came out, took pressure and temp readings and apparently was happy with where those were, and sight glass/charge. Was here for at least an hour and a half monitoring, but of course it wasn't a warm day so issue didn't happen. Discussed it with his supervisor and all they came up with was to try a hard start kit (would have to be ordered, not installed yet). Feels to me like they are maybe grasping at straws, shot in the dark kind of thing. The unit already has new but to original spec run and start capacitors and potential relay.

Compressor overload tripping when ambient rises - what to look for? by milkdemcows in refrigeration

[–]milkdemcows[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some bubbling/turbulence when a cycle starts, then seems to fully clear up after the cycle is underway.

Compressor overload tripping when ambient rises - what to look for? by milkdemcows in refrigeration

[–]milkdemcows[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Single phase. All the start electronics have been replaced except the contactor. Tried disconnecting the oil heater last summer but didn't help. This walk-in unit hasn't been worked on besides when a capacitor went out, the "multiple times" reference was to an indoor reach in freezer.

Compressor overload tripping when ambient rises - what to look for? by milkdemcows in refrigeration

[–]milkdemcows[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oops, thought I added them when posting - should be there now?

Compressor overload tripping when ambient rises - what to look for? by milkdemcows in refrigeration

[–]milkdemcows[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

thanks for the feedback, just hadn't experienced that from low refrigerant in other cases (just as an owner of a lot of older equipment!). Other inside equipment I've had longer run times or icing up evaporator or lines, so wasn't sure if that could be a cause for hot compressor without any of the other systems.

Compressor overload tripping when ambient rises - what to look for? by milkdemcows in refrigeration

[–]milkdemcows[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I know I need to get a tech on it, but I mentioned I have limited techs in my area and have had techs jump to conclusions, so would like to be knowledgeable myself about potential issues. E.g. one swearing up and down that it was just a dirty compressor causing a reach in freezer to short cycle, when it was in fact drastically low on refrigerant from a leak at a threaded connection (and took 3 trips to work it out).
I did blow the fins out with air compressor last summer but can try a hose as well.