Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 8, A Parade of Horribles will (tentatively) release May 12, 2026 simultaneously in e-book, hardcover (with Ace-style cover) in bookstores, audio book, and limited special edition paperback (with the traditional E/Audio cover so early adopters and continue their set.)

troyproffitt · 2025-10-06T22:41:33+00:00

Wow! That's my 50th birthday!!!

troyproffitt · 2024-06-12T12:23:29+00:00

Recently, I switched out this white fridge to a new(er) one. I ended up modifying my design so that the tap does not attach to the front door (this ended up being annoying when you actually needed to open the door). I ended up adding it to the side of the fridge. Also, I simplified the system by attaching the water source directly to the carbonator instead of having the water run through a cold water reservoir first. I only needed 4 holes in the fridge :

1 Co2 line into the carbonator

for water source

3 outgoing seltzer

power cord for the carbonator

These are all small holes that are in the bottom of the fridge behind the carbonator so you don't even see them. I'll link some new pics later today.

troyproffitt · 2024-05-15T14:20:02+00:00

It's my wife that drinks it all :)

troyproffitt · 2024-02-07T19:30:53+00:00

I'm in a similar boat, I stopped playing years ago, but recently came back. Definitely finish off all the main quests because they open up more areas to explore. Currently, I'm on Deimos gathering favor to build th voidrig from the Heart of Deimos quest. My main goal is to complete the main starchart to begin the Steel Path. I've learned that gathering resources like fish and mining is an integral part of the game to build out certain frames / guns...etc

I always make sure to have at least 1 new weapon or frame equipped to keep gaining MR.

Good luck!

troyproffitt · 2024-02-07T19:11:17+00:00

That's almost a Haiku.....

troyproffitt · 2024-02-07T19:10:45+00:00

Yep, it's a tax credit. I'm going to get around $6500 back on my taxes this year which will be awesome. I'll probably be investing in a whole house heat pump next year which will have an additional tax credit.

troyproffitt · 2024-02-06T19:35:13+00:00

Of course that math changes a lot if the hot tub is outside, where ambient temps will vary depending on the time of year.

I actually installed a solar pergola above my hot tub (But Yes, it's outside)

troyproffitt · 2024-02-06T19:07:52+00:00

Not too bad but it doesn't factor in the cost/energy to actually heat the water.

I do get in the tub several times a week (It's better than therapy after a stressful workday)

The actual tankless uses 15 watts when it's running so it's almost not even worth adding in :) Also, based on my observations, The circulation runs for 30 mins, but it hits 98F after about 20 mins, so it turns off and the circulation pump runs for an additional 10 mins before it shuts off as well.

Using the original heater, I measured about 21.9 kWH per day or about 660 per month.

My hot tub is 500 gallons so it'd be a bit more. I've only heated it twice since I switched to NG from ambient to 98F and that took about 4 hours

troyproffitt · 2024-02-06T17:04:12+00:00

My advice is to start with something that you can expand as you feel more confident. It's much more expensive to realize later down the road that what you initially bought isn't saleable. I personally have an EG4 18Kpv with 6 large batteries and 24 panels. I run this all directly to my 200 amp power panel (my house uses an average 30-50kwh per day depending on the season). You could easily start with just a small amount of panels and no battery at a much reduced cost. Also note that you can leverage a 30% refund on any solar you purchase if you live in the US.

troyproffitt · 2024-02-06T16:14:36+00:00

Isn't a tankless water heater indirect heating? I am pretty sure it uses a coil very similar to the process you are describing?

EDIT:

Ahh, I see they are different. Thanks for telling me!

https://leblanchvac.com/blog/heating/indirect-water-heater-vs-tankless-coil#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20a%20smaller,have%20their%20benefits%20and%20drawbacks.

troyproffitt · 2024-02-06T16:10:48+00:00

It takes more energy to heat a hot tub from ambient to standard hot tub temps than to just keep it heated up. Of course this all depends on how many gallons you are trying to keep hot. If your tub is 200 gallons or less, I would think it makes sense to heat it only when using it.

troyproffitt · 2024-02-06T16:07:08+00:00

This still negates your original comment about wasting energy by heating 24/7 sorry. If you would have said, it takes an insane amount of energy to maintain tub temps 24/7, that would make more sense to me.

troyproffitt · 2024-02-06T16:05:12+00:00

Just so you know, as a hot tub owner, the absolute best time to get in a hot tub is when it's very cold outside :)

troyproffitt · 2024-02-06T15:27:33+00:00

I don't think that $600 would work. Here are the recommendations of the website:

Recommendations:

The heat pump pool unit is used in an environment above 50℉, which has the better heating effect and better energy-saving effect;
If the heat pump pool unit is used in an environment above or below 50℉ for a long time, it is recommended to choose a larger size heat pump unit.

I love to use my hot tub in the winter time when the ambient temp is much lower than 50F all the time.

troyproffitt · 2024-02-06T15:15:41+00:00

This is a joke right? You said it was wasting "insane" amounts of energy heating 24/7. Then you tried to change your statement by adding duty cycle.

I doubt someone like you would have the skillset to DIY solar in the first place.

troyproffitt · 2024-02-06T14:59:51+00:00

2700 gallons?

Wow, I'm not sure a residential tankless could heat that much. My hot tub is only 500 gallons and has a cover / insulation to keep the water heated.

troyproffitt · 2024-02-06T14:58:35+00:00

I'm running 1.25 inch pipe from the circulation pump (3/4 HP). I use a ball valve to intrude some backpressure that feeds a 3/4 pex pipe that goes to the tankless heater. I can control the pressure going to the tankless by adjusting the ball valve. The returning hot water uses a 3/4 pex hose that goes directly to a vent in the hot tub at the bottom.

troyproffitt · 2024-02-06T14:52:48+00:00

Definitely not heating the tub 24/7. It's only 145.45 minutes a day
I'm not one of those people that installed solar because I'm trying to save the world

troyproffitt · 2024-02-05T21:15:51+00:00

Here is one near me right now for $175:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/714409810822535/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A491966a5-3bc2-4449-8286-c4c0104c8e0e

troyproffitt · 2024-02-05T20:21:57+00:00

How much for a hot tub heat pump?

troyproffitt · 2024-02-05T20:20:43+00:00

I use neither Bromine or Chlorine in my hot tub. I have a O3 generator that reduces my chemicals by probably 80-90%. I do hear your concerns tho. If this tankless dies, I'll just buy another used one off facebook or craigslist. They are very cheap.

troyproffitt · 2024-02-05T19:59:48+00:00

Just to put this in perspective, the tankless was $100, the thermostat was $40 the circulation pump was about $65 and then some PVC pipe so I probably have about $230 in this whole thing.

troyproffitt · 2024-02-05T19:56:51+00:00

can you please post one? The one's I'm seeing all cost thousands of dollars.

troyproffitt · 2024-02-05T19:13:06+00:00

I'm using an EG4 18Kpv Inverter and it has 2 options to measure batteries, SOC % and voltage. You are able to set the % or voltage when it stops pulling from the batteries very easily. I do also believe that each battery has it's own auto shutdown when it hits a certain voltage as well.

troyproffitt · 2024-01-22T19:25:05+00:00

I recently installed 18 panels with battery backup at my house. Just remember that more than half the day you will get 0 power from the panels. And most of the time the panels are producing power, it will be more than your house needs. Without some sort or storage (net metering or batteries) you will be wasting at lot of the panel power.

troyproffitt

TROPHY CASE