Subj : Solar TV Batt To : Nancy Backus From : Barry Martin Date : Thu Aug 06 2020 08:38:00 Hi Nancy! BM> Oh well. Hope you're feeling better. And of course the first thing BM> just about everyone's mind jumped to on reading "fighting off BM> something" was "COVID-19!!" (which is already capitalized...). Could BM> have been a summer cold, allergic reaction, etc. NB> Still dunno what it was, other than possibly too much heat.... NB> almost definitely not Covid.... SOW, I get to be tested later NB> this month, before having a gastroscopy on the 20th.... Possibly a reaction from too much and too continuous heat, maybe in conjunction with fighting off a tiny infection at the same time. Your gastropic look-see provides a good excuse to be checked. BM> Our heat advisory 'broke' last night: some relatively noisy BM> thunderstorms. This morning a nice 67ø -- ahh! open up for a bit! BM> Bleah!! 89% humidity! NB> Yeah, the humidity can certainly be a spoiler... We're finally NB> having a few really nice days... the window's been open all day NB> today... relatively dry and only 73ø.... :) The past few days have been nice: woke up to the mid-fifties this morning and the last two days! High temp's not too bad: barely into the 80's. This weekend to be warmer but potentiallty stormy. ...My Mother in southern NH just missed the hurricane: she got some heavier rain but the really bad stuff was just north. BM>> The ones left are mainly Raspberry Pi's - some "small computers" BM>> (though some doing big jobs). Some might automatically take on the new BM>> address when rebooted, a couple I know have static addresses so those BM>> will have to be manually updated. Not going to be today as Autumn BM>> coming shortly, though may do a bit of preparing. NB>> Plenty to keep you busy... :) BM> Can't say too often "I'm bored!". NB> No, I guess not... not with that long to-do list that But Firsts NB> keep jumping ahead of.... Yup. %) All the computers have been updated. The subject had something about solar-powered TV so may as well get a little into that a sort of flows here with multiple projects. The solar aspect isn't quite working, at least with the solar panel and placement I experimented. (CYA aside: not saying solar doesn't work, just not working the way I'm doing it.) In the mean time using an old UPS which had failed: charges the battery but no output. Original consideration was keep the charging part and remove the rest. Ends up "the rest' is a transformer but that transformer apparently powers the charging circuit. Ended up taking all of the 'guts out' battery is now charged by a small trickle charger; added a 12 volt buck/boost circuit board to keep the voltage to the TV constant (charger outputs about 14 volts, in use the battery will discharge to 9 maybe 8 volts so build that back up. Had a USB charging board 'in stock' but a little low on the current capabilities; had ordered a 'stronger' one but that wasn't due in until September; was going to use the weaker/in stock one. Would have been sort of a connector hanging out as different mount from the better one. Good news is the better one came a month early - mounted that connected, need to do some soldering but ran out of time. BM>> For the base price of $35 almost can't go wrong -- if of interest, of BM>> course! Probably closer to $100 if need to purchase the wall wart, BM>> video cable, case. Can connect to a TV or monitor, usually have one BM>> or the other. USB keyboard and mouse - I had old spares.... NB>> Not something I'm interested in... and so far as I know, Richard's NB>> not been tempted by it yet... ;) But I do keep seeing people wax NB>> enthusiastic about them.... ;) BM> As always all depends one needs, wants and desires. :) I think to me BM> the Raspberry Pi was of interest because of its compactness: could BM> place it where a computer would not fit. The WiFi option also solved BM> some cable-running problems. NB> So there were definite benefits for you.... :) Yes. Had used a couple of the older Raspberry Pi's for MythTV -- worked fine if plugged in (Ethernet) but choppy when wireless. Current model (4) changed the circuit board wiring for WiFi and removed a few things throttling the speed - now works! Probably helps the processor is a little bit fast too. :) BM>>>> In this instance specifically is a recipe for chocolate pie which has BM>>>> been passed down at least two generations. No size as far as ounces BM>>>> for the evaporated milk other than "one small can", and so the rest of BM>>>> the ingredients have not changed. It also appears the consistency and BM>>>> flavour alters with the brand, even with the correct/original amount: BM>>>> once years ago substituted a house brand of evaporated milk and "close BM>>>> but not right". NB>>>> In that case, one needs the original (and has to hope that the NB>>>> formulation doesn't get changed along the line) brand, and probably NB>>>> some research is in order to figure out what the size of the original NB>>>> can was... and then one would have to buy probably a larger can, or NB>>>> two current small cans, and put in just the right amount.... BM>>> Yes, probably will be the research option to find what the original BM>>> small can size was. It seems the small can option has been BM>>> discontinued and only what was the medium and large sizes are now being BM>>> sold. NB>>> All the more reason to do the research, and note in the recipe what NB>>> the original ounces were.... BM>> Good excuse to teach 'the cook' how to do research via Google, etc.! NB>> Possibly... ;) BM> So far no, but then no chocolate pie either. It's more of a cool/cold BM> weather treat (though maybe that has something to do with constant BM> stirring over a cast iron pan! ). NB> I'd guess that constant stirring would be much more bearable when NB> it was cool, for sure...! ;) Over a cast iron skillet on a gas flame - yes! BM>>>> Hopefully another grocery chain will take over that property. BM>>>> Location for us was handy to "grab a few things". Also is/was the NB> only BM>>>> major-sized grocery store in this part of town. NB>>>> Depends on what might be looking for a toe-hold... ;) Hopefully you NB>>>> get something good, so you can still have your handy place to go... BM>>> A lot of "it depends". I haven't heard any noises of grocery stores BM>>> interested in building in this part of town, and I would guess the BM>>> various expenses associated with COVID-19 may have put expansion BM>>> considerations on hold. NB>>> If they use the existing building, it might not be that big a deal to NB>>> move into the area.... :) BM>> Right. My guess is the shelving would be removed and re-used in other BM>> Schnuck's stores but refrigerated cases probably staying because of BM>> the refrigeration lines. As long as properly moth-balled and not left BM>> idle too long seems like could be re-used. NB>> One would hope... BM> I haven't heard anything more one way or the other. Their shelves are BM> getting bare. NB> Until they finally officially close their doors, perhaps nothing NB> else can be done for replacing them.... Possibly. Guess it's just wait and see. BM>> Pretty much same when I shop and have several at Hy-Vee. Last week BM>> bought 15 containers of Yoplait yogurt (real good sale + coupon off BM>> five) and they were all packed together in a double plastic bag. At BM>> home I separate them into a plastic bag with five each, so used one of BM>> the double bags and one from another package. "Five" is the magic BM>> number as generally have one a day (even when worked) - sometimes skip BM>> a day. When out up here bring up another bag from the basement BM>> refrigerator. NB>> A three week supply, then... ;) BM> And then two more weeks' worth yesterday (10)! Had two weeks' worth BM> stored in the basement refrigerator and so normally would not have BM> purchased more yet but they had Yoplait on sale for 39› each (normally BM> 69›) plus $1 off 10, so down to 29› each. NB> Couldn't pass up a deal like that.... And now down to two containers in the refrigerator so time to buy more. This week's ad has Yoplait on sale again (yea!) just not the fantastic sale the 15 one was (boo!). Back on the good news side there is a digital coupon for buy five get 50› off. ¯ BarryMartin3@ ® ¯ @MyMetronet.NET ® .... Used to work as a tailor but I just wasn't suited for it. --- 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) .