Subj : Solar TV Battery Test To : Nancy Backus From : Barry Martin Date : Tue May 05 2020 10:45:00 Hi Nancy! BM>> True. You know people have been isolated too long when they start BM>> chit-chatting with the telephone spammers! NB>> Not there yet, thankfully.... I have noticed, though, that NB>> there have been fewer of the spammer calls.... apparently they NB>> aren't considered essential businesses... BM> They couldn't arrange their boiler rooms to comply with the BM> 6' rule! But yes, have noticed a lot less spam calls. NB> I had a darker thought on them... perhaps they've fallen prey to NB> the virus, since they couldn't distance, and were packed into NB> small spaces.... probably the callers themselves are considered NB> expendable... and the bigwigs there are just laying low for the NB> time being... Planning even more sinister spams! And I had a strange thought on robbers: now with just about everyone wearing masks do the thieves have to have the faces exposed? BM> The one in particular we've been getting is the same male recording BM> but from scattered telephone numbers: Dubuque, IA, Lansing, MI, BM> ...GA, WI. Probably several more. Maybe they bought the same Earn BM> Money Quick package and instead of re-recording the message to BM> customize it they just used the example?! NB> More likely it's one guy that spoofs the numbers to avoid being NB> tracked down by the authorities... even if one reports the number NB> to the watchdogs, it isn't really a valid number so they can't do NB> anything to cut him off.... That's a possibility too -- probably a probability. Was scanning through an article indicating random 'correct' local numbers coming up on Caller ID are due to the spammers buying pre-paid phone cards. Apprantly somehow triggers a valid number to display. The whole getting-around-the-computers is interesting and baffling! BM>>> And counselling ad alleviating concerns can take a while: need to BM>>> break down what the other person built up. NB>>> Exactly... and/or allow enough time for it all to spill out so NB>>> that it can be worked on.... :) BM>> And their normal isn't the same as anyone else's normal: "it's not BM>> normal to be yelled at/slapped/hit?" (Semi-extreme example.) NB>> There is that, too... lately more just a calming of paranoias and NB>> such, though.... BM> Focus moved to a different target. One thing the local NBC-affilate BM> (TV) has done is air aa lot of one-minute calming spots: puppies and BM> kittens playing, scenic wonders, etc. Also 30-second spots with the BM> message "it's normal to feel overwhelmed and confused, here's how to BM> handle it". NB> Our Public Radio has been doing the 30-second spots with an NB> announcer or three from the station giving the guidelines for NB> staying safe and healthy and ending with "we're all in this NB> together... together..." And playing mostly calming music... :) No 'William Tell Overture'?! Yes, good to be reminded it is normal to be confused, annoyed, overwhelmed, etc. It is not the normal we're used to. It was a sudden change. And if I may say so Americans are not used to being told what to do: stay home! Wear a mask! Don't touch! IMO there are times for freedom and there are times to strictly follow the government rules. (There isn't much freedom in a box six feet underground.) BM>>> Iowa taxes so I've have my IRA distribution taxed and then so far 100% BM>>> refunded. With the new distribution going into effect in a few months BM>>> (old one expires) I'm going to ask about having that changed. NB>> You mean, you've been having taxes withheld from your NB>> distributions...? As long as you get it back, that's not too bad... :) BM> Yes on the withholdings and refunds. I do recall asking when started BM> and he said federal and state (IA) generally require, though could be BM> lessened or none at all. At the time it seemed better just to 'go BM> with the flow' and have the customary amount withheld. The short-term BM> policy is expiring in a couple of months and the new one will start -- BM> have to go down and do the paperwork; thinking having the withholding BM> amount changed. NB> Having some withheld is probably good insurance... probably NB> enough variant factors that it isn't a cut-and-dried type of NB> thing, anyway... :) Yeahhh.... I'll have to do a bit of research but I think most of it has been done: tax person (with a large company) initially suggested no withholding and then thought around half a good idea based on inheritance. At this point I don't see why my financial advisor would disagree when I activate 'Part 2' of my IRA -- plan on switching to half but have an open mind for why it may not be in my best interests. BM> probably do as distributions rather than lump sum as better for me. BM> Get to play '20 Questions'with the financial advisor and the tax prep BM> company! NB> I've recently been through all of this, settling my mother's NB> estate... but rules can be different from state to state... NB> Anything with you as co-owner will just go directly to you and NB> not go through probate or be subject to tax... Beneficiary, it NB> depends on what it is... insurance payouts are not taxed, but NB> income (like the IRA) probably is... Just as well to go over it NB> with your advisors... ;) Right: they know, or at least are much better informed than I am. And dealing with Iowa may be one thing, dealing with Iowa and New Hampshire (wheer my Mother lives) another. ...Good thing we got rid of the land in Slovakia and just have to deal with small stuff in Austria! BM>>> ...There's talk of a $1,200 stimulus check because of the COVID-19 -- BM>> FWIW I received mine on April 13th -- everyone else is jealous because BM>> they haven't seen their accounts being deposited yet. I'm guessing BM>> done in Social Security Number order and mine begins with 0? NB>> We didn't get ours yet... but I don't think it's in SS# order, as both NB>> of ours also begin with 0 too... I've heard of some other people that NB>> have gotten theirs already... Did you e-file your taxes this year and NB>> have the payment or refund taken care of electronically from/to your NB>> bank account....? BM> Yes to both parts of the question. Also filed in February. NB> That's probably why you got yours so early.... the combination of NB> all three.... :) Works for me! :) ...The initial announcements of the stimulus checks implied all would be sent out approximately the same time. NB>>>> From what I've seen, it shouldn't be considered income to be taxed, NB>>>> and as long as your income is less than $75000 ($150000 joint) you'd NB>>>> be getting $1200 each... Maybe it counts more like a tax refund, or NB>>>> is like a household credit.... BM>>> I hope they phrase it as a gift as Iowa taxes the federal refund! BM>>> (It's not like the taxes are horrible here, they just like to get money BM>>> to run the state properly.) NB>>> Most likely it would be treated as a refundable credit, not taxed at NB>>> all... BM>> That seems to be. Not that I'm trying to look at the dark side but BM>> more of being slightly prepared for potholes in the Road of Life. NB>> It's not like it's all that large an amount, anyway, as far as being NB>> taxed is concerned, though... :) BM> True, and have read in other sources it is not taxable. Not trying to BM> be pessimistic about it, just if I was running real tight with my BM> money would want to set aside a bit in case of a surprise. NB> The good news is that if that bigger stimulus comes through, that NB> won't be taxable, either.... And I might be at the beginning of that line too! :) BM>> Local news had an interview with a finanacial advisor -- from the same BM>> company my broker is with (private firm). Was sort of funny as the BM>> advice was to spend the money and not pay off bills, etc. 'Funny' BM>> part was he commented normally he'd advise paying down credit cards, BM>> bills, etc., with this kind of money but in this instance would be BM>> better to spend. NB>> Well.... the point of it is to put money into people's hands in order NB>> TO spend, so as to stimulate the economy.... Just have to figure out NB>> what's still open in order to spend money at... ;) BM> True! The local TV stations are putting up ads for what is open and BM> how to contact. The station I usually watch for news has maybe a BM> 30-second spot with mini-ads of random lengths: some are cell phone BM> videos of a bakery "we're open" and a quick contact info; other BM> mini-spot might be a local restaurant taken with a camera. The BM> stations also has a webpage where businesses can list they're open and BM> contact information. IIRC the webpage is free, not sure about the BM> price of the TV mini-ads but other information indicates they're either BM> very cheap or free as a PSA type of thing. NB> Haven't seen or heard of anything like that happening here, but NB> then I don't watch TV, as you know... ;) Mostly we just keep our NB> eyes open to see what might be still open when we drive by NB> places... and if we particularly need something, take a chance NB> that something might be open... generally it has been.... NB> apparently we only need necessities as defined by the NB> strictures... And it would be probably difficult to do that sort of listing on radio, probably even more so on public radio as the "we're" open announcements would sound like a commercial. Actually ther _are_ commercials, just real short and frequently shot with a cell phone, but still commercials. BM>>> As for storing, thinking I might 'store out in the open': dawned on me BM>>> to use the TV as a monitor for my Raspberry Pi weather station. Of BM>>> course have a But First but that was expected! NB>>> That's a thought... :) BM>> Haven't done too much -- other 'ends and odds'. NB>> And But Firsts, no doubt... BM> Yeahhhh. Got a semi-major But First with the 'security' cameras not BM> working properly: can see the recordings but not real time. Plus I BM> had created a back up machine when I switched the CPU heat sink and fan BM> on this one. I had never swapped the 'heat sink holder' before: always BM> was whatever came with the motherboard. Swap went fine, so far is BM> keeping the CPU to a maximum of 112øF vs. the old 180øF and shut down. NB> Those both sound like worthy uses of your time... Good that NB> the swap was successful, too... :) Yes -- as for swapping the CPU Heat Sink not like I haven't done before -- heat sink part is fine but the fan froze -- just never had swapped in a totally different - in this case monster - heat sink. And was suckered in by the original one being "AMD approved" -- well, that means it should be right and do the job, right? As for the cameras, got that working. No idea why the real-time failure with the original software, and appears for whatever reason the new/updated software either isn't an energy efficient or because it does more and so the processor does more work ==> heat and current draw. Ended up putting in a metal case with extensions inside which contact the CPU, etc., and so draw the heat of better than the original heat sinks. (The metal case is warm to the touch!). That seems to have been the problem. BM>>>> Figuring the same potential issues with the solar cell power project: BM>>>> overcast is producing low voltage while a bright sunny day could BM>>>> produce too much voltage, NB>>>> I suppose that is a possiblility.... Does the buck-boost work NB>>>> with the solar cell setup, too, then....? BM>>> It can, and read where it has been used with solar cells. Now to get BM>>> my Round TuIt on that project... Overcast today, plus Autumn, plus a BM>>> But First. NB>>> Eventually you'll get to that again... on a nice sunny day.... ;) BM>> True. OTOH don't want a too-sunny day as will skew the experiment and BM>> make any ol' placement look right. ...It'll get done. NB>> Dunno... one could run the experiment on a variety of variously NB>> sunny days, and see if it makes much (or any) difference... ;) BM> Yes, see what happens on a fully sunny day which would be running BM> under ideal conditions and so find out what my maximum voltage would BM> be. Lesser sunny to overcast days would have less solar output and so BM> need to tweak the solar cell's positioning to make the best of what is BM> available. NB> All seems like workable situations and all... ;) Yes, eventually back to that project. I haven't been down in the basement for a while; some stuff up here in the Computer Room, some Spring yard work..... NB> ... Murphy's Philosophy: smile -- tomorrow will be worse. May as well enjoy today! ¯ ® ¯ Barry_Martin_3@ ® ¯ @Q.COM ® ¯ ® .... If our service is not up to your standard please lower your standard. --- MultiMail/Win32 v0.47 þ wcECHO 4.2 ÷ ILink: The Safe BBS þ Bettendorf, IA --- QScan/PCB v1.20a / 01-0462 * Origin: ILink: CFBBS | cfbbs.no-ip.com | 856-933-7096 (454:1/1) .