Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT The "Glendora Garage"
- Thread starter Dan in Pasadena
- Start date
Workspaces sized between 265 and 485 squarefeet.
OP
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
I'll have to drill a larger hole than I would like because of the size of the plug itself. I suppose I'll also need a grommet while the Christmas bows are there to keep bugs out of the lantern. I'll go to Home Cheapo and find the right sized rubber plug BEFORE I drill.
I'll order the Amazon parts and post pictures of all this in another week or two.
kaymccampbell
Well-known member
Most zip wire plugs have a sort of lip around the perimeter. If you're careful, you can trim a bit off around the edge of the plug to make it more compact.
That would be a huge hole.
You might consider using a plug with a pigtail. You'd have to cut the plug off your decoration but could then just feed the wire through a small hole and connect with wire nuts. Or, attach a plug *after* it's fed into the lamp housing.
You might consider using a plug with a pigtail. You'd have to cut the plug off your decoration but could then just feed the wire through a small hole and connect with wire nuts. Or, attach a plug *after* it's fed into the lamp housing.
OP
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
“Zip wire plug”? No idea what that is.
OP
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
I’d prefer not having to manipulate the plugs. I’d like “plug ‘n play” if all it will cost me is a bigger rubber plug on the bottom of the lantern housing. I suppose that’ll depend on the availability of big rubber plugs or stoppers.
kaymccampbell
Well-known member
Zip wire is what they make 2 wire extension cords and most Xmas lighting with. The plugs they cast on them usually have a bit of a flare at the base that can be rounded/trimmed, to let them go through smaller holes.
Now, if the cord end has fuses, then there's not much you can do. You drill the bigger hole.
kaymccampbell
Well-known member
You measure your plugs. Drill your hole. Give it a test. Then order the appropriate plugs off Crapazon. Sometimes Ace or other hardware stores carry them. Make sure to order twice as many as you drill holes. You'll need one bored and slitted for the cord, and another to be the off season cork.
Do you have any larger step drills? If not, HF sells the warrior yellow ones rather reasonably. They're good for things like you're intending.
OP
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
Yes, I have step drills but not big enough for the size plug that has to go through these holes. Thanks for the HF recommendation. Something I'll probably use for these three lanterns and never again! Oh well, can never have enough tools, right?!
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
bugnut
ALLIANCE MEMBER
May be making this too hard. If one of the frosted panes is removable, a piece of acrylic could be crafted split in two and the cord place thru. I recall a few of the outdoor porch lights had plastic type panes.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I built an outdoor light fixture a few years ago out of aluminum angle with "frosted seeded glass" panels. 1/8" plexiglass "seeded" with an awl, and a couple of different size sharpened nails. I "frosted" it with a DA sander. This was a big outdoor chandelier over our front porch, itcmatched the smaller garage sconces we had put up a year earlier perfectly.
It would be a lot easier to pop in an acrylic panel with a mouse hole on one edge for the cord to pass through than modifying the fixture. Glass could go back in the off-season.
Bugnut's idea for the win
OP
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
I like the replacement panel idea. These lanterns have glass and though I’ve not tried removing one I’m sure it’s doable.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Usually just little soft metal tabs that bend over the glass.
larry4406
Well-known member
Those light bulb to plug adapters - where does the ground prong connect? The light bulb socket is only black and white.
I think this was on the WTF thread recently.
I think this was on the WTF thread recently.
OP
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
Right. You mean the ones that SNAP OFF after a couple uses?! Lol
I'll remember to rotate which side panel comes off. that way those tabs will last a little longer (or until I'm too old to give rip about these decorations.
OP
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
"We don need no STINKIN' ground prong!"
OP
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
I went to start my '55 truck a couple days ago... no dice. Battery was dead. I'd taken the truck off the trickle charger it's usually on a few weeks ago and not replaced it. It's an Optima gel battery and it's over 7 years old. "Too old" by conventional standards.
Did a quick YouTube search for resuscitating a deeply discharged AGM battery and came up with a video advising to hook up a good battery in parallel with the Optima then attach a conventional charger for an hour. According to the video this "tricks" the charger into charging the discharged Optima. Athen pparently chargers (other than AGM specific chargers) won't charge if it senses less than 10.5 volts(?) News to me. Then I can just keep the battery charger on it til it's over 12 volts and switch it back to the trickle charger thereafter.
QUESTION: Is there any reason I cannot/should not use one of the two deep cycle marine batteries I use on my boat to do this? They are currently sitting on my workbench. I'll make sure they have 10.5 to 12 volts before I try this operation. The charger doesn't "know" the battery is a deep cycle or that it's for a boat so this should work, right?
Did a quick YouTube search for resuscitating a deeply discharged AGM battery and came up with a video advising to hook up a good battery in parallel with the Optima then attach a conventional charger for an hour. According to the video this "tricks" the charger into charging the discharged Optima. Athen pparently chargers (other than AGM specific chargers) won't charge if it senses less than 10.5 volts(?) News to me. Then I can just keep the battery charger on it til it's over 12 volts and switch it back to the trickle charger thereafter.
QUESTION: Is there any reason I cannot/should not use one of the two deep cycle marine batteries I use on my boat to do this? They are currently sitting on my workbench. I'll make sure they have 10.5 to 12 volts before I try this operation. The charger doesn't "know" the battery is a deep cycle or that it's for a boat so this should work, right?
OP
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
Doing this^^^ now. Once it was out of the truck (pita, mount behind seat in "special" for Optimus battery tray!) it registered a bit over 10 volts. But the deep cycle marine is about 12.7 volts so the conventional battery charger is bringing up the Optimus battery now. Should only take about an hour. - according to the Youtube video. I'll wait til its about 11}+ volts before reinstalling and putting the trickle back on it.
OP
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
Today's project: Rat exclusion & cleanup
Searching for why exterior speakers around the pool stopped working - rat damage!
We have a Sonos stereo receiver and amplifier under our brick bbq island. Under cabinet access is stainless doors in stainless frames so it's sealed good - I thought. Mini fridge was just in an opening so I closed off access to the rest of under island w/tile backer board years ago. The rats chewed a corner of the board to gain access - strong teeth! I also found a 4" conduit that brings in the gas line coming up thru concrete floor. I don't know where it originates but I sealed it anyway.
Removed the backer board and replaced w/diamond plate with two openings for electrical. One for power to the fridge. The other is Liquatite to an exterior box. The holes are the very smallest possible tightly fitted round the conduits. I filled the 4" conduit carrying the gas line with #3 steel wool then covered with HD screen and zip tied the whole mess (yeah, it looks like **** but is tight) and spread poison rat pellets around under the island.
I already had 2 poison stations hidden in the flower beds. I refilled with fresh bait as well as an electric rat trap I have. SWMBO wants two more bait stations.
Searching for why exterior speakers around the pool stopped working - rat damage!
We have a Sonos stereo receiver and amplifier under our brick bbq island. Under cabinet access is stainless doors in stainless frames so it's sealed good - I thought. Mini fridge was just in an opening so I closed off access to the rest of under island w/tile backer board years ago. The rats chewed a corner of the board to gain access - strong teeth! I also found a 4" conduit that brings in the gas line coming up thru concrete floor. I don't know where it originates but I sealed it anyway.
Removed the backer board and replaced w/diamond plate with two openings for electrical. One for power to the fridge. The other is Liquatite to an exterior box. The holes are the very smallest possible tightly fitted round the conduits. I filled the 4" conduit carrying the gas line with #3 steel wool then covered with HD screen and zip tied the whole mess (yeah, it looks like **** but is tight) and spread poison rat pellets around under the island.
I already had 2 poison stations hidden in the flower beds. I refilled with fresh bait as well as an electric rat trap I have. SWMBO wants two more bait stations.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Dan, I enclosed the back and underside of my outdoor refrigerator with 1/4" mesh galvanized hardware cloth when I discovered that packrats liked the ambience of the compressor and coils.
OP
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
EXCELLENT Idea. I didn't even think of that. Blocking off access to under the bbq island will hopefully work but it never occurred to me to do what you've done. I already have the 1/4" galvanized hardware cloth and some self-drilling flanged screws so that will be an easy addition. That cloth is what I used to block that 4" conduit (looks bad but I HOPE it works!)
I keep assuming they get into under the Ila through that conduit or through the hole they chewed but hadn't really considered what to do aa bout the fridge compressor and coils. Thanks for the great suggestion. Pics later today.
OP
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
PD - I just told my girlfriend about your suggestion and she asked if you put the hardware cloth UNDER the coil/compressor space too? Rodents could still get in from under there. I had only thought to put it on the vertical sides of the coil/compressor area.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I put it underneath and up the back side. Molded it to fit around the frame with a little rubber mallet. The little rat bastards are tricky and will find any opening to get into a comfortable nesting space.
OP
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
Adding to the menagerie of animals in our neighborhood we saw an Egret for the first time today!
Add to:
Coyotes, Bobcats, Opossums, Raccoons, Skunks, Rabbits, Ducks, Squirrels, Crows, Hawks, Parrots, Peacocks, Deer
and, Frogs - yes, Fifi found a BIG one in our backyard in the summer. She didn’t hurt it but was enthralled by it hopping around near pool.
We’ve seen all of these and there are mountain lions and bears near too but so far - thankfully - we’ve had no visits.
Add to:
Coyotes, Bobcats, Opossums, Raccoons, Skunks, Rabbits, Ducks, Squirrels, Crows, Hawks, Parrots, Peacocks, Deer
and, Frogs - yes, Fifi found a BIG one in our backyard in the summer. She didn’t hurt it but was enthralled by it hopping around near pool.
We’ve seen all of these and there are mountain lions and bears near too but so far - thankfully - we’ve had no visits.
Last edited:
OP
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
Home from the weekend camping trip in Kernville, CA. Overnight Fri-Sat it rained like hell but was beautiful Sat & Sun with heavy rain was forecasted. We WERe staying til Wed but I decided to pack it in and drive home yesterday. I got soaked to the skin packing (yes, wearing a rain coat) and it was a slow trip on wet rural roads while towing.
Had some excitement Sunday night. Sitting around the campfire there was a massive explosion nearby. Turned out a propane cylinder exploded in a guy's "used-to-be-a-trailer". It physically blew him out but fortunately he isn't badly hurt - miracle - and the trailers on either side of him were minimally damaged. The explosion went straight up. Lit trees on fire. FIre Department was there in just a couple minutes and put it out. But the entire campground was lit up like a Christmas tree. We could only get this close:
Had some excitement Sunday night. Sitting around the campfire there was a massive explosion nearby. Turned out a propane cylinder exploded in a guy's "used-to-be-a-trailer". It physically blew him out but fortunately he isn't badly hurt - miracle - and the trailers on either side of him were minimally damaged. The explosion went straight up. Lit trees on fire. FIre Department was there in just a couple minutes and put it out. But the entire campground was lit up like a Christmas tree. We could only get this close:
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Mobile meth lab? 
OP
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
That occurred to us but this explosion happened in the "residential" portion of a campground so if someone had drug money they certainly weren't using it to live a lavish lifestyle. But still there are those that have a big addiction problem and make drugs in order to support their habit. At least that's my understanding. I really know zero about drugs, drug makers, users and sellers ....thankfully!Mobile meth lab?
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Did you happen to see either of these guys lurking around?
kaymccampbell
Well-known member
Looks like Buttvis n Beavhead.Did you happen to see either of these guys lurking around?
OP
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
It's truly pathetic what people will do to themselves.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
OP
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
SWMBO held a family birthday party for me - a couple days too early but it was VERY appreciated. I turn 70 soon. My granddaughters wrote this message to me with their chalks. I am touched, they are such good little girls.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Dan, hard to believe you're turning 70 already. You were only like...68 when I met you at Don Long's birthday party. 
Make it a great one...
Make it a great one...
Last edited:
bugnut
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Happy birthday Dan.
And he didn't look a day over 68 then!
And he didn't look a day over 68 then!
Dan, hard to believe you're turning 70 already. You were only like...68 when I met you at Don Long's birthday party.
Make it a great one...
Swanny1953
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Happy Birthday, Dan!! Make it a great one!!
Jayman17
Well-known member
Happy Birthday Dan! Take that truck out for a drive...
Ford52PU
Well-known member
Happy Birthday to you!!