Instead of spending a lot more dollars on an expensive monitor (like the LINK 2000-R and Xantrex Inverter that we have on Encore) for a battery bank powering a back up inverter when I add our new grilling, greenhouse, generator and porch space, I’ve added a cheap $18.75 shunt and meter from Amazon. I’ve used a 4-wire phone cord to connect the display to the shunt and added a plug to the back of the meter. When installed in the permanent location, additional phone cord can be use and it is easily moved to an easy to monitor location.
The display gives a quick snapshot of power use (ie. 822.9 watts in testing the new 1000 watt inverter) as well as ability to keep and I one the voltage left in the battery bank and current draw. One of the "tracking" components is a meter to keep and eye on just how much energy over time is being used from the batteries (ie. 43 watt hours so far from my old BMW X5 battery).
Who isn’t impressed with the incredible engineering and artistic beauty from a spider? The ability to weave such useful beauty over night is astounding! Proof that form doesn’t always have to follow function!
Speaking of function, Brenda unpacked a few more of my mom’s kitchen items she brought back from Sidney … and the memories came rushing back when I saw the little stainless steel spoon rest. It is worthless to most, but can remember it on my mother’s stove as far back as I can remember. I sure others have those same kinds of memories?
And finally, just another personalized license plate that caught my eye … VWVWWVW!
Photo on Cincinnati-Dayton Road and Princeton in Liberty Township, Ohio
One of the home/yard updates last week were new tires on our 30 year old John Deere 330 diesel lawn tractor. It has been a great small tractor and the 16 HP Yanmar diesel has performed flawlessly year after year. I’ve rewired and “plumbed” (rubber hoses with Viton) the fuel system do to an electrical fire a decade or so ago and replaced the original diesel fuel filter setup due to cost with a cheap throw-away (still concerned about filtering to small enough microns).
The recent project was to replace the front tires … I plugged them so many times that they looked like swiss cheese and leaked about the same. I was hoping to find 4-ply, but due to price opted to replace with the orignal 2-ply (Kendra this time).
I’ve also revisited the old add on generator head for the John Deere after working on the generator/inverter project for the new grill/greenhouse plans. I ordered a heavier duty 5/8″ x 20″ belt and plan to weld up a new mount for the generator head so as to be able to handle a few more watts.
Bears aren’t the only ones interested in the pricey Yeti coolers … so think twice before buying one and a third time before leaving it unattended while boating this Labor Day weekend … or on your camping outing, picninc or trip to the beach.
… Yeti coolers have cult status among outdoors enthusiasts who swap stories and videos online about their Yetis. Some fans call the Yeti the “Redneck Rolex.” …
A sad day for those of us who appreciated the efficiency and longevity of a small VW TDI diesel. 🙁
Volkswagen won’t try to revive its position as a leader in diesel-engine technology in North America, says the recently appointed head of the company’s operations. The technology needed to bring the engines into compliance, along with the tainted reputation for the TDI brand, mitigates against a revival, while market forces and regulators both compel a pivot toward electrified propulsion systems.
Drywall is relatively simple to install and easy to repair. It’s also easy to repair badly, which can leave a lumpy mess that declares “shoddy” to anyone who enters the room.
My brother and I closed our final chapter of "Our Life in Sidney, Ohio" this week after finalizing the sale of my parents home. The "young" new owners have some great plans for their first house and I’m sure will be very happy; it is a great place. They will return life back into the house as it has been sitting dormant since my dad moved out due to his declining health at the beginning of 2015.
Ron and I thought dad might just need to be with someone a couple months during the winter, but soon realized he was not able to be alone. After he fell in my brother’s garage requiring a longer rehab stay, we ALL (including dad) decided he needed full time assisted living help. He was in good spirits and enjoyed the new Lane Park facility in Sidney right up until the end. I enjoyed visiting with him each week and I know he enjoyed visits from friends and family too. Often we would just spend a couple hours talking about his favorite subject (cars), looking at photos and running out to Bob Evans for breakfast or the Spot, Dairy Queen or Culvers for lunch or dinner — Dad’s weakness was ice cream so we generally pick a place to eat based on that kind of dessert.
It took us a while to get our act together after my dad’s funeral, but eventually we slowly sifted through my parents belonging, weekend after weekend last winter. By the time spring of 2016 rolled around we were ready for the estate sale — thank you Brenda (my wife was awesome). The house went on the market in June and within a month we had a fair offer. After a little negotiating, the deal came together.
The final chapter done … fini [fee-nee] … the "Our Life in Sidney, Ohio" book closed.
My son-in-law Drew shared a really impressive Phatom3 movie clip on YouTube after his July 2016 vacation in Michigan. There were some incredibly beautiful views, sunsets and shoreline video … of course it didn’t hurt that the weather was perfect for Katelyn and Drew’s vacation at his parent’s “cabin” (as they call it). Although I’ve traveled to that area several times over the years, I do not remember Lake Michigan being that gorgeous. The video is so well done, I’m thinking Drew may have missed his calling? (it is worth watching FULL SCREEN)
EDIT: Posted the wrong video — correct as of 9/2/2016
By DANA WECHSLER LINDEN Aug. 29, 2016 9:00 a.m. ET
New research raises the intriguing possibility that eating more fruit during pregnancy could boost the intelligence of a normal, healthy baby.
Researchers found that each additional daily serving of fruit that pregnant women consumed corresponded with an increase in cognitive scores for their children one year after birth. The study, at the University of Alberta, analyzed data from 688 children in the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development, or Child, study.
The findings, published in the journal EBioMedicine in April, are preliminary and best seen as a suggestion for future studies on mammals and in randomized human trials, experts say. Still, the study is striking. Only one other food—fish—has been linked to enhanced cognitive development in normal, healthy offspring, experts say.
There may still be a few wanting a return to traditional values and morals … or at least I still believe Americans know there is right and wrong deep in their hearts. Our country is heading down a dark path, one that we seen throughout history, at least by most who have studied the Old Testament or pondered the Biblical prophesy for our future. Food for thought when given the opportunity to vote on issues or for a candidate who “may” strive to support Biblical values.
powering a back up inverter when I add our new grilling, greenhouse, generator and porch space, I’ve added a cheap $18.75 shunt and meter from Amazon. I’ve used a 4-wire phone cord to connect the display to the shunt and added a plug to the back of the meter. When installed in the permanent location, additional phone cord can be use and it is easily moved to an easy to monitor location. 
