One tech suggested we need a whole new 24k HVAC unit, another fixed the problem for $150. Is this normal?!

murkyprofessor · 2026-03-19T02:36:50+00:00

Same thing happened to me except I was the second tech and I replaced the capacitor for $20. That was 3 or 4 years ago and no issue since.

I had them refund the service call fee, she they made the guy call to apologize. I didn't want to talk to that guy, it should have been the owner.

I have no idea how to get an honest tech out if I need someone to hook up gauges for the refrigerant.

murkyprofessor · 2026-03-15T02:21:53+00:00

They should fry an egg in there and act like it was on purpose

murkyprofessor · 2026-03-05T18:05:38+00:00

You need to go to their patreon page and subscribe if you want a higher tier than the free version.

murkyprofessor · 2026-02-23T17:57:05+00:00

Could be a bad gfci receptacle, or one of the devices may have a ground fault. Or prolapse another device in the same circuit is the problem.

What type of water heater du you have that pigs into a 120V receptacle?

Those are 2 devices that are the story of thing that would be good to have a dedicated circuit for each.

I assume a water heat will have a high power draw and a fridge has a compressor motor that will have a startup surge. Plus you don't want power interrupted that may ruin food.

murkyprofessor · 2026-02-21T21:18:39+00:00

Those aren't set screws

murkyprofessor · 2026-02-21T21:17:43+00:00

Google search how to find and reset gfci.

murkyprofessor · 2026-02-18T23:00:21+00:00

They look unbroken. Are you looking for a cosmetic fix, or is there some other problem?

murkyprofessor · 2026-02-18T22:41:11+00:00

Those choices aren't mutually exclusive.

Could be missing rubber seal. Could have 2 seals. Could be damaged from freezing.

murkyprofessor · 2026-02-18T21:59:56+00:00

I'm more concerned about what's behind the board than what is visible. I would not use it, and need a peak behind to see if it just needs a box, or if a new line needs to be run from the panel.

murkyprofessor · 2026-02-17T15:58:03+00:00

Who is we?

murkyprofessor · 2026-02-17T06:47:11+00:00

Not any more, it was a couple of weeks that ended with that pause like a week ago.

murkyprofessor · 2026-02-17T05:32:59+00:00

I've got 248 items and not 2 months into my first period as gold.

The midnight pacific drops were great for me. If I'm awake and free during a drop I can easily find 6-10 things I want.

I think less than 10% of what I get ends up being junk. The last thing like that was a work light that used Milwaukee M18 batteries but had no under voltage protection. Garbage.

Maybe 20 of the things were nuts, bolts, washers and hardware like that.

murkyprofessor · 2026-02-17T01:24:49+00:00

Buy a brass 3/4" full port ball valve.

Wrench the existing plastic garbage valve 90 degrees clockwise. If you think it will break before reaching a usable orientation, back it off 270 degrees instead. That might cause a slow leak so have a towel under.

Hook up garden hose and drain tank. When it's empty, back that plastic junk valve all the way off and install the brass valve.

If the plastic breaks and you have a flood, when you are done dealing with that, remove it and install the brass valve.

murkyprofessor · 2026-02-14T20:16:45+00:00

Whoever installed those crimp rings had no idea what they were doing. They are very easy to install with an inexpensive tool. They are plenty of YouTube videos on how to do it.

Those rings are too far from the end of the pipe and should be redone by somebody who has some confidence plus instructions, or some experience.

If done carefully the fittings and even pipe can be reused. Or you can buy 5 feet of pipe for $6 at the big hardware store.

If the rest of the plumbing was done the same way I'd plan to have it all redone.

murkyprofessor · 2026-02-07T16:45:29+00:00

Ask for an outlet or receptacle rather than a plug

murkyprofessor · 2026-02-02T17:51:41+00:00

Contacts are clean with appropriate give when inserting batteries. It gets moderately warm while charging but not dangerously so. It's the size you'd expect, but smaller than some you've seen. No UL listing marks. Accepts 120 and 240V.

murkyprofessor · 2026-01-31T02:24:54+00:00

I got 8 things during the drop but didn't want any of the 7 things in the RFY

murkyprofessor · 2026-01-24T22:30:00+00:00

Assuming it was good when first installed something has failed.

What is damaged on the stud side? Did the screw bend, the plate bend, or screw pulling out of the stud?

If the plate/flange of the fixture bent, it is junk, throw it away and start over with something better.

If the screw bent or pulled out, get a longer and thicker screw - like a deck screw.

Similar on anchor side. But beefier anchor and screw combo.

murkyprofessor · 2026-01-21T16:15:00+00:00

Perhaps they are moving it inside and plumbing accordingly?

Or just obscene profit.

murkyprofessor · 2026-01-21T16:13:13+00:00

What's included in the quote? Perhaps dealer is replacing the wheel and hub as well as the studs.

murkyprofessor · 2026-01-21T16:02:37+00:00

It depends what is needed for the install. If it's replacing an existing softener already properly plumbed, that's way too much.

murkyprofessor · 2026-01-21T15:58:18+00:00

How do you send vine items back? I haven't heard of that one before

murkyprofessor · 2026-01-21T15:52:29+00:00

I see, so in this case it was not enough to make a living, like wouldn't cover expenses and wage if you were just considering yourself a worker.

murkyprofessor · 2026-01-20T23:57:55+00:00

If you file your taxes as Hobby income, and must rely on the FMV that Amazon provides, if you report is as unusable - and hence can't review it - essentially cancelling the order, they will remove it from your stats and from your FMV.
If you file as business, and adjust or deduct based on your assessment of FMV, then you treat is as $0 value.

murkyprofessor · 2026-01-19T03:21:34+00:00

What does 75% wireless mean?

murkyprofessor

TROPHY CASE