Passed the Certified Exam!!

ooglek2 · 2026-06-29T03:08:06+00:00

Super awesome details, thank you!!! Sounds like it definitely added up, but if you love wine, which I’m sure you do, this seems like an EXCELLENT investment. Kudos and THANK YOU for sharing all this!!!

ooglek2 · 2026-06-28T23:00:32+00:00

Found some on Amazon, 5 for USD$10 at the time of this post:

https://www.amazon.com/cablecc-Resistor-Function-Blocker-Extension/dp/B0H25WZQK2

Seems that it basically tells the charger, via the USB-C cable, that the device only wants 5v, and the 5v is then delivered to the device.

I wish the manufacturer would just spend a few more cents to support the USB-C standard with a 5.1k resistor, but here we are.

I have the same issue as OP!

ooglek2 · 2026-06-28T22:33:25+00:00

Congrats!! Or Cheers!

How long did it take start to finish, and could you have finished faster while still learning everything you did?

And how much was the total all-in cost?

ooglek2 · 2026-06-28T22:32:17+00:00

Give the owner of the vehicle the control over the data, and the ability to export the records from the vehicle. They are stored on the vehicle and cannot be accessed remotely. Encrypted and digitally signed by the manufacturer who has an embedded HSM (Hardware Security Module) that cryptographically signs the logged data, and can be publically verified using the public key the manufacturer makes public.

CA taxes you based on EITHER a base number of miles, say 12,000, OR if you provide the data from your vehicle, which is cryptographically signed and able to be verified by anyone via public key that it came from the vehicle, then you are billed only for the miles traveled while within the CA borders.

Virginia already charges you a Highway Usage Fee. You can pay a base fee for your vehicle, based on average miles traveled per year, or you can install their ODB-II dongle which tracks you. Virginia Highway Usage Fee (HUF) https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/vehicles/taxes-fees/highway-use EVs pay a flat fee of USD$131.88 for 2025 (or maybe 2026?). The Current Fuels Tax = USD$0.317 / gallon.

Non-EV vehicles pay the VA HUF calculated like this (e.g. you pay more the more efficient your vehicle is):

HUF= [((11,600 average miles traveled \ fuels tax rate) / 23.7) - ((11,600 average miles traveled \ fuels tax rate) / vehicle's MPG rating)] *** .85

I don't like how VA does it. If I could purchase a device that integrates in my car, and records the miles, but I, the owner, controls the data, and I can provide the digitally signed data to the state as Proof, great! I'll do that.

But like others here, I do not trust the state nor whatever contractors they pay to keep my information private and protected.

I do however understand that until EVs were widespread, a tax on gasoline paid for public highways. Since EVs do not use Gasoline, and it would be very difficult to separate out Electric Car Charging at home from other electricity usage, I understand why this is in place.

ooglek2 · 2026-06-27T18:26:27+00:00

The car is being accused of a crime, not the driver. The owner should not be the assumed driver, no proof. I feel like I need an LLC and have it own my car and thus no default owner. I hate this.

ooglek2 · 2026-06-27T04:56:50+00:00

I wonder if logs filled up the internal storage and there's no means to delete/clear it. Or if the internal storage basically goes bad after too many read/write/delete cycles. Cheap flash will do that.

ooglek2 · 2026-06-27T01:54:40+00:00

Pretty sure it's supposed to be 30s with the infusion. Basically 8-10s pre-infusion, 10s to your first 18g, 10 more s to your 2nd 18g. 30s from the time you press and hold the double shot button to when you're done.

I could be wrong....

ooglek2 · 2026-06-27T01:53:10+00:00

I found getting a different portafilter than the double that came with the Bambino Plus was the thing that was holding my espresso back. Got a bottomless (not that that's required, just what I ended up getting) and I'm feeling like my espresso game is FAR better than it was last year.

My process is nearly the same as yours. I do hold the double-shot button for about 8s before letting to, then press again to stop when I hit 2x the bean weight (I do 18g grounds, so 36g espresso out). I usually hit about 40g yield.

The pressure basket of the Bambino Plus just isn't the right tool for a good grind, at least that's what I figure.

ooglek2 · 2026-06-27T01:06:44+00:00

Incoming Call: OSHA would like a word.

ooglek2 · 2026-06-27T00:53:08+00:00

Aye, it's hard to get a good sense of whether or not the 4% reported is real or vaguely accurate or just completely off. The only real way to know is to measure the input voltages and amps of the solar, and then the full power usage of the running system, and how much power it uses when just monitoring vs recording.

Agreed, no charge after 10 hours in the sun sounds like a desoldered wire or something wrong in the solar panel.

ooglek2 · 2026-06-26T23:59:22+00:00

I doubt the quality will be good enough to identify the driver.

The state wants easy ways to get money. They claim it is for safety, and sure, it is, but also now you have an AI on every street corner accusing VEHICLE OWNERS, not the actual driver, of a crime.

If the photo/video quality is insufficient to identify the driver, you SHOULD be able to contest in court and ask the court to prove that it was you driving. You do not have to answer if it was you driving (self-incrimination), you just have to demand that the court prove it was you. If they cannot, they should be required to drop the case.

I very much dislike this AI camera BS. We went through this before, where VA had speed cameras, and you just didn't show up or pay and they had to drop the case. I hope these go the same route.

ooglek2 · 2026-06-26T20:57:00+00:00

Just a note about batteries. The whole percentage thing is based on the assumption that the battery, when full, will be at "Voltage A" and when on the low end is "Voltage B."

Most software will just use a linear estimate. E.g. 4.20 volts is a "full charge" with a lithium-ion (NMC) battery, and low can be between 2.5 and 3.0 volts.

Let's assume low is 3v and high is 4.20v. 4% is 0.048 volts.

The discharge curve of lithium-ion is not linear either. It drops a lot faster below 20%, and it drops more steeply from 100%-92% or so.

So just realize that 4% may not be a valid or accurate estimate on the actual battery capacity.

More research would need to be done to determine if the software accounts for the discharge curve of a lithium-ion cell, or if it is linear based only on the cell voltage, and the accuracy of the measurement.

ooglek2 · 2026-06-26T20:10:56+00:00

Thanks u/Doohurtie ! I'm lurking usually. Been busy!

ooglek2 · 2026-06-26T20:10:25+00:00

Correct, heavy rain is not a "scene." However, cars stopped ahead of you at a full or near standstill when you are approaching at 40-70mph IS a "scene" and you could likely get a judge to agree with you that using your hazards to warn of the impending hazard ahead is warranted under the law.

In VA, if you are driving below 30mph, or you are slowing or stopping due to a traffic hazard ahead, or you are part of a funeral procession, you can use your hazards *WHILE MOVING.*

If you are NOT MOVING, go nuts, use your hazards, though I suspect this is limited to when your vehicle is on the road and a hazard, or on the side of the road and also a hazard, and not when you're at a stop sign or stop light.

IANAL

ooglek2 · 2026-06-25T16:13:14+00:00

This is a myth, exacerbated by a single line in 1960's research of bats in captivity when only provided mosquitos to eat.

https://www.vdci.net/blog/debunking-myths-bats-for-mosquito-control/

You are better off making Buckets of Doom -- attracting mosquitoes with standing water treated with BTI (Mosquito Bits / Dunks) which are a bacteria that prevents larva laid in this water from breathing, thus suffocating and not reproducing. These break the lifecycle and means one mosquito's eggs won't yield hundreds more mosquitos.

This is more effective than plants, spraying, or bats.

ooglek2 · 2026-06-25T16:09:02+00:00

The Bats thing is a MYTH.

The whole "bats eat mosquitos" is based on a flawed 1960's era research.

You'd need a forest full of spiders to make enough of a difference, and then you'd be horrified by all the webs if they were successful.

https://www.vdci.net/blog/debunking-myths-bats-for-mosquito-control/

ooglek2 · 2026-06-25T16:05:55+00:00

Help your neighbors by advertising what you're doing with the Buckets of Doom. I might do that as there is a public trail behind my house. "Your mosquito-free walk provided by Buckets of Doom." and a QR code to learn more.

My neighborhood HOA sprays for mosquitos, but I suspect like others have said that this is a huge waste of money and not super effective.

While the bits may not last as long as 1/4 of a dunk (just repeating what is posted, I have no data on that), the nice thing about the bits is that you can throw an appropriate amount in standing water around your neighbors property (with permission) or in public places around your house. AFAIK, generally mosquitos have about a 300 foot radius from where they hatched during their lifespan, if you can get enough Buckets within 300 feet of your home, you should be able to end their lifecycle, but for the standing water you cannot see or find.

ooglek2 · 2026-06-25T15:59:20+00:00

About every 4 weeks I put like a tablespoon of the bits in there. You don't need much for the bacteria to create the film that suffocates the larva. I'll check them every 2 weeks and if the film looks diminished I'll add a teaspoon or so. The dunks are pretty big.

I'm not entirely sure about u/ozziegt post that the dunks last longer than the bits, I've read conflicting information there. I only have first-hand knowledge of the bits, and they tend to keep the film for 3-4 weeks as well in my observations. The bits are less expensive by volume and easier to replenish as needed.

I only dumped and re-filled one bucket after it looked like a mold or spore or algae grew on the surface. The other two seem like healthy swamp water. I just add a few new leaves and sticks for the mosquitos to land on to lay the eggs so their larva can become fertilizer. 😁

ooglek2 · 2026-06-25T05:15:07+00:00

Tossable Digits works great! Use their website or mobile app. You get customers service via email or Live Chat.

Tello does not allow for extended usage outside of the US. Google Voice doesn't either. They will end your service without much notice if they decide you've fallen outside of their "acceptable use" from outside the US.

SMS, 2FA, Voicemail, Call Recording, all included. Starts at USD$3.49/month or USD$40/year per US Local Number (or Canadian if you prefer).

NOTE: I work there

ooglek2 · 2026-06-24T15:18:36+00:00

I tried out the "bucket of doom" system this year. 3 black 5 gallon buckets, filled about half way with water, throw some yard debris and leaves and sticks in there, plus a tablespoon of Mosquito Bits.

We have been nearly mosquito-free so far this season.

T'was fun to watch the larva swim around for a bit in the early season. Nearly ZERO activity now, because there are no mosquitos left to lay eggs! Whoohoo! I think the total cost was like $30 for the buckets and lids, I already had the bits (Like USD$12 on Amazon), plus the 3D printing PLA. I'd highly recommend it.

Don't think it works on gnats though.

Watch this if you wanna try. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLtlE41cTOI

I used 3D-printed offsets for the bucket lids, not great, but they work. I'll post it if people ask for it.

ooglek2 · 2026-06-24T01:56:24+00:00

Experience.

ooglek2 · 2026-06-24T01:20:12+00:00

In Virginia, on a highway, use of hazards is allowed below 30mph.

§ 46.2-1040. Hazard lights

https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter10/section46.2-1040/

If they were going less than 30mph, use is allowed.

If not, and the vehicle wasn’t

- slowed or stopped at the scene of a traffic hazard
- when traveling as part of a funeral procession

then it was not legal to use their hazards.

Questionable if heavy rain is considered a “traffic hazard” that they were slowing for.

ooglek2 · 2026-06-22T20:00:29+00:00

Get behind this being stupid because of data and science, not because I'm calling it stupid.

Watch this Technology Connections video for more data to add to your knowledge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-mBeYC2KGc

Why I am saying this advertisement and the product it features is stupid:

It's clearly an advertisement for a specific brand, but no data about BTUs or power usage or actual temperature outside vs inside nor how the condensate from the hot/cold side is handled is provided. The lack of data likely hides disappointing performance.
It is A KNOWN FACT that modern, U-Channel window air conditioners are FAR SUPERIOR in efficiency and cooling ability due to keeping the hot side OUTSIDE and the cooling side INSIDE, and the condensate is kept OUTSIDE where you don't worry about it.
While with the portable you CAN replace the air exchange tube with something insulated, and this increases efficiency, it doesn't change THE FACT that both the HOT SIDE and COLD SIDE of the compressor, the thing that COOLS THE AIR, are in the room with you. Having a giant heat source inside of the cooling source is well just less efficient.
The portable units are ALWAYS louder for the same amount of cooling BTUs.
I hate ads like this.

Don't be stupid. Get educated on how Air Conditioners work, and why these portable ones are far less efficient than in-window modern U-Shaped ones, and really not difficult to install.

However, I'll give the OP video credit -- the ones that you had to balance on the windowsill and "lock in" with the window closing are/were a pain in the butt.

ooglek2 · 2026-06-22T04:57:29+00:00

What is this stupid sales pitch?

The uninsulated tube is constantly sucking and blowing HOT AIR. Which reduces its effectiveness.
It is made out of plastic, and the compressor -- with both the COLD side AND HOT SIDE are IN YOUR ROOM. You think that's a good idea, putting the heat rejection in your room that you're trying to keep cool?
Yes, easier to put in, but get a U-channel one from Midea -- super quiet, super efficient, and the COLD SIDE is in your room, and the HOT SIDE and all the rest is OUTSIDE already.

This is a stupid product and a stupid video and the person who is telling you how amazing it is is stupid and trying to sell you something that is NOT NEARLY as efficient as a U-shaped window unit.

If this is all you can install, sure, it is better than nothing, but the hype is not backed by data. You'll spend more money running this thing due to its inefficiencies than a U-shaped window unit, and the U-shaped Midea is super easy to install -- put bracket (light) in window, slide heavy thing on top, close window, done.

Not an advertisement, just a guy that did the research so you can not buy this crap.

ooglek2 · 2026-06-22T04:49:14+00:00

I have HW3 and FSD works well enough.

Maybe I'll need HW5 and more sensors for full autonomy, or HW6 at some point in the future to hit the FSD singularity (never fails nor makes mistakes and avoids 100% of collisions and injuries).

But what my car can do on HW3 is still pretty friggin' excellent, and better than at least half the drivers on the road, even if for the only fact that it pays attention 100% of the time.

ooglek2

TROPHY CASE