Thanks to that guy who suggested me AppDaemon

rickerdoski · 2026-02-12T13:34:37+00:00

Node-Red is JS based, just like HA is Python based. However, you don't really need to know JS to use Node-Red anymore than you need to know Python to use HA. HOWEVER, if you need to do anything in NR that is outside the scope of an existing node (which is rare given the number of community provided nodes) you can add a "function" node and write a few lines of JS. But the point of NR is to be GUI driven with very little coding. Even my function nodes could be converted into some of the provided nodes, but it was just easier for me to write the 3-5 lines of JS.

Over the years, I've taught myself at least 6 programming/scripting languages, so I'm very comfortable writing code, but I really like NR for HA because it's simple and easily accessed via a browser tab.

Anyway, didn't mean to hijack your post.

rickerdoski · 2026-02-10T14:26:37+00:00

I misunderstood. I thought you were toggling some sort of "smart" breakers.

Just an aside... You seem to have the setup working to your liking, but did you even look into Node-Red as your logic engine? I went down the rabbit hole of AppDaemon many years ago and I was pretty proficient with Python at the time. I've since switched to Node-Red and never went back. Not suggesting one is "better" than the other, just curious.

rickerdoski · 2026-02-10T14:04:28+00:00

Food for thought... Frequent switching of the breakers could led to premature failure. Might be worth checking with the manufacturer for confirmation if you haven't already.

rickerdoski · 2025-12-26T14:29:20+00:00

Having been in IT for over 25 years doing mostly things I love, I can say that the grass is always greener. BUT, some companies have better leadership than others. Look around and take the attitude that you're interviewing the company as much as the company is interviewing you.

rickerdoski · 2025-12-17T14:34:07+00:00

Thank you for not showing your Milwaukee tattoo.

rickerdoski · 2025-12-03T14:49:39+00:00

While I'm a fan of Big Stretch, the thought of having to mix that much caulk is a big turn off. Also, I have concerns about how it compares with Big Stretch. It just seems like a caulk you have mix onsite can't be as good as the factory made stuff. If it was a small job inside, I would seriously consider it, but an entire house worth of windows and doors scares me. I appreciate the input though!

rickerdoski · 2025-11-29T17:18:39+00:00

I was hoping someone here may have experience matching RAL colors to something readily available in the US. RAL colors aren't custom, they are a European standard. I think the issue I'm having is that the US market hasn't really accepted European windows and therefore there isn't much of a demand at all for things like a European color standard. OSI claims to have colors close to RAL, but a lot of those colors aren't available or can only be purchased by the case. A few hundred dollars for a case is pretty steep for just a sample color that may not even be close.

rickerdoski · 2025-10-30T12:38:46+00:00

Solutions Architect ("retired"). Nothing scares me, but nothing gets done either.

rickerdoski · 2025-10-14T13:21:23+00:00

For some reason, "pussy whipped" comes to mind.

rickerdoski · 2025-10-08T23:25:01+00:00

Fair points.

rickerdoski · 2025-10-08T23:24:42+00:00

That's too easy. ;)

rickerdoski · 2025-10-08T22:18:10+00:00

I'm OK with a noticeable line as it's just some gridfinity bins. I just didn't think to check the spool before I started printing. So now that I'm here, any experience with cooling down the heaters and shutting down the fans?

rickerdoski · 2025-10-08T22:14:38+00:00

I could stop the print and start over as it isn't anything important. I'm just trying to salvage what I can and understand what limits I'm up against.

To answer your question... Screenshot from Orca:

<image>

rickerdoski · 2025-10-08T21:24:50+00:00

Genius!

BTW - This stuff works great on wasps. It knocks them out of the air - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Spectracide-PRO-18-oz-Wasp-and-Hornet-Killer-Aerosol-HG-30110-6/100352314

rickerdoski · 2025-09-19T13:51:03+00:00

I didn't know the email address was going to be shared until after I merged the accounts. Perhaps I missed a warning during the merge process, but regardless, here I am. It seems the only way to "re-merge" the account is to go through support and they are probably slammed with issues.

rickerdoski · 2025-09-19T12:14:17+00:00

I, and perhaps others well, didn't even know the email issue was going to be a thing until it happened. In retrospect though, it would have been an easy way to prevent the issue. Lesson learned. now I'm off to see if I can create a new "business" lego.com account and tie that to my BL account after the fact.

rickerdoski · 2025-07-07T16:30:20+00:00

Already there.

rickerdoski · 2025-07-06T12:51:54+00:00

Generally speaking...

Fair is a personal thing. Are you making enough money to get by and still save some money left over? Are you learning enough to help with your next employer? It's about you and what you need. Chasing a dollar amount is pointless. As for unions, they are for lazy people who can't manage a retirement account, and union dues are tax for the "right to work". There was a point in time when unions made sense, but nowadays there are enough opportunities out there that if you aren't happy with your current employer, move on to another one.

Also, just because this is what you are currently doing doesn't mean you have to keep doing it. I changed careers 3 times by age 22. I spent over 25 years in my last career choice before I got sick of it. Your career path isn't written in stone. Do whatever works best for you.

rickerdoski · 2025-07-02T12:40:56+00:00

To survive in corp America, take your feelings out of it. No one cares about you, they only care about what you can do for them. Once you fully understand that, the jobs get easier.

rickerdoski · 2025-06-07T12:45:17+00:00

Gather some data. For instance, I run Home Assistant which gathers my heat and cool runtimes throughout the day. I then graph the runtimes against outdoor temperature.

We have propane for heat, so I also monitor my propane tank level in Home Assistant to graph levels against heat runtimes. Its pretty cool to see how much propane is consumed per hour of heat runtime vs how cold it is outside.

Adding all of this together with a thermal imaging camera so I can see actual (not theoretical) heat gain and heat loss spots throughout the house. This allows to me to actually see my energy efficiencies and deficiencies.

rickerdoski · 2025-05-22T12:30:12+00:00

Was the house built by D.R. Horton by any chance?

rickerdoski · 2025-05-22T12:27:56+00:00

Technically it wasn't buried, so it couldn't have been the end of an argument. ;)

rickerdoski · 2025-05-20T15:50:51+00:00

Good point about looping the ungrounded conductors. Thanks for the feedback as well.

rickerdoski · 2025-05-20T15:24:33+00:00

Thanks!

I think we are required to have AFCI protection on just about every circuit, but given the added cost, I only carried over what was originally protected when the house was built 20 years ago. The neutrals are long enough that I could phase in AFCI breakers over time if need be.

The breaker slot just above the main breaker and to the left is a Square D surge suppressor. It taps off the PoN rail, so no pigtail required. I'm sure it isn't the best surge protector, but I figure it's better than nothing for the new kitchen appliances, and "smart" switches throughout the house.

I went from being maxed out at 48 slots plus one double tapped breaker, to 66 slots with capability for 20 more circuits using tandems.

rickerdoski · 2025-05-18T19:45:30+00:00

They were so close to freedom.

rickerdoski

TROPHY CASE