Nonsense Thread

[DEV0 E30]

VRF is kinda confusing. That or multi head mini spits I think will become more popular. Worst case, I want a condenser to be variable so it uses the same inverter tech. Here in AZ the hard kick on of ACs put so much wear on motors and they are why energy spikes cause your bill to go up, but it is only one piece of the puzzle. Insulation like you pointed out is one of the big things people don’t do properly. If the PO’s of our new house did better steps before solar they’d probably not have solar, but it’s in an area where the door to door people did a lot of scammy or unethical things.

I think we have the same mini split haha. Mine is a senville too. Yeah mini splits are seen as too complicated to most hvac installers, it truly is best to diy them and understand that with the money saved, it may require replacement some day. The high end brands can even have parts availability issues like Mitsubishi, the pro is if you do a proper install most of the time mini splits are solid. I’m with you on not wanting heads in every room but when our attics are so ass backwards and the ducting superheats before delivering cold air, it just doesn’t make sense. If I didn’t have the air handler, ducting, furnace (currently gas) and only insulation up there it would make massive energy and cost saving differences. Again, we shall see what we end up with.

[Northern]

I had to look up what a VRF was.

I'm not super gung ho on house stuff. We've slowly done ~90% of the main floor, and a big thing is insulation. They had nothing in the ceiling - the house has a second storey slapped on, which was installed ~4" overtop the old ceiling structure, so it's around 16" thick with nothing against the wall. Basically I throw R12 bats on their side, pin one layer to the rim joist, then leave a second layer sort of loose against that. Also have some halfassed soundproofing efforts between the floors, which seems to work well enough.

I know what minisplit install prices are like around here and it's foolish. They are priced to maximize how much they get from government rebates.
I think a basic minisplit install runs 6-8k CAD, but I installed mine in the garage for <$2k and an HVAC friend evacuated it for me.
It's a 12k BTU Senville Aura (So it's a Midea rebrand and -30degC Arctic rated).

Downside: Manual is shit, and the company doesn't have much technical knowledge. If you have problems, they reportedly throw parts at the issue. They also include a dongle that only works with Amazon Alexa.

Upside: Lots of info on reddit and in other "brand" manuals that explain what features do, how to enter service mode, etc. You can buy dongles from any other "brand" that will work with all of the apps, google home, home assist, etc. So I now have an SK105 dongle that works with the "Nethome" app and gives way more functionality than the remote.

It hasn't really been cold yet, but so far so good, it holds the minimum "heat" set point of 60degF which is comfortable for working, or on the computer in a hoodie.

Mini splits/heat pumps seem great if you have an open space. I don't know what I would do in the upstairs of my house besides have a head in every room. I'll probably throw a 2-head unit on the main floor in a year or two if the garage one works well.

I'm torn on solar. I think I'm going to pass unless the ROI gets to be like 5yr or less, from either the cost coming down or efficiency going up.
I just don't know a lot about it and I think there's a lot of uncertainty with what will be built around me in the next few years.
I have been thinking direct venting my propane boiler, demoing my chimney, and using that vertical cavity for an HRV or ERV (Heat/Energy Recovery Ventilator) unit for the house, because there's currently no ventilation.

[DEV0 E30]

Just realizing - Northern, are you me? Also have a nearly 1 year old. Congrats! It is very different once it is yours. I wasn't sure if a kid was something I wanted, but it truly is magical. Couldn't imagine not having this tiny human in my life.

Simon - Also echoing some of that same stuffs. I'm stay at home dad right now, because of many a reasons but it was all for the better, that's the without going too much into it. Fortunate enough we can do it right now, and while it isn't forever I'm trying to really soak up every moment. I've also tried to take a lot of videos so we can look back on them. Pictures are great, but videos can tap back into that core memory stuff even better. If the work-at-night venture that I took over doesn't pan out, I'll likely refocus and switch up my career into one of my many interests, but we shall see.

On that same vein, topic / nonsense. The new house I mentioned in your garage thread, leads to building science. Word vomit incoming.

Close on the next house soon, and I'm getting an energy audit done pretty much as soon as we are moved in. Then I'll decide whether or not the suggested contractor via the auditor is going to get the work or not. I know how to do the stuff and it isn't hard, but I also have a lot of vaulted ceilings to worry about, no idea if I want to crawl around and air seal every single spot. Again, it isn't hard but I'm not 20 years old anymore. I also need to do more research and exploration. I've only peaked at the living space attic access area during inspection with the inspector. He said insulation level was "adequate" which being someone who knows our code is shit here, knows that's hilarious. Our vented attics need R40 minimum, and air sealing (at the floor of attic) to be worth it. Spray foam for air sealing is a necessary evil, spray foaming the rafters is not something that should be done in most situations IMO... oh boy I'm already sounding like an infomercial.

Anyways, I did spend a few minutes looking around in the other attic access, which is above the attached garage attic via a ladder. Looked like most houses here, aka zero insulation and no sealed barrier separating the garage attic from the living space attic. Newer homes this is becoming a thing, but yeah, let's just say I will be going beyond code for most stuffs (our code here is so outdated and behind it is sad... even brand new homes - which this is not). I watch entirely too many building science videos and research this stuff. Since this next house is going to be likely 8-10 year house (chose it for our nearly 1 year old to grow up in) I want it super efficient and healthy.

We'll see what the budget and my cost saving measures [cheap ass shenanigans?] can do. AC is original, and honestly I may end up installing a VRF, hybrid, or multiple minisplits with a separate fresh air system may even DIY or have friends in those trades help. I have a 12k/1 ton that will go in the garage in boxes, but there are also hybrid solar powered mini splits that are a realllly interesting option now. Imagine only paying for electricity at night? Totes possible. Basically, I want to slash the current power bill to a level to where the solar already on the house (which is leased ... ick) makes it so the house never has a bill, because it still has some which ... it truly shouldn't with said array. Also, may buy out the lease to own or pay off the lease or a portion so they still have to do all maintenance/repairs. I would have rather done solar myself over time... but the house hit all the other checkmarks, so it is what it is unfortunately. /// end

[Reichart12]

Oh a real R3v scavenger hunt

[Northern]

Weird place to ask, but can anyone find that r3v build thread from a few years back, where someone widened their e30 by cutting the bottom of the rocker, around the inside of the wheel well, and trunk pocket to widebody their e30? I think it was a white 4dr and maybe had a livery on it after this was done? I think maybe a tictac livery?

NVM, found it after I remembered the tictac part:

https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/general-forums/members-rides/371611-tictac-m50-turbo-sedan-no-more-tictac-2021-update-1000hp

Unfortunately most of the pics are dead.

[Northern]

I meant to reply and forgot to come back to it.

Congrats on the new job! Hope it's everything you want.
I'm kind of hoping to change jobs in the next few months, but the communication/certainty is sketchy at best, and I have mixed feelings about whether I really want to leave so I'm not chasing it very hard.

Also thank you. Loving this age so far. She already mocks us sometimes, for example when we cough, she'll fake cough at us.
Unfortunately making me bust my ass to finish/fix parts of the house... Easy to not have a railing on the staircase for 10 years, until you have a tiny creature hellbent on climbing the stairs.

Need to do a round of furniture mounting in the next week or two... Just wild how little free time there is with a little minion. Haven't done shit this summer other than re-build half of one side of my fence.

[2mAn]

Last Day of work... trying to think of fun "last day" things to do...

I've already gotten to the label maker.

[2mAn]

Most daycares have closed their waitlists due to demand, but we're lucky we can make things work without it fairly easily for now.
Anyway, she turns 1 tomorrow. Best decision I've ever made. I don't know how to explain it - it just hits different when it's your kid.

Thats great that you have a solution that allows you both to be with your kid, especially at the young age. My wife and I both have to work and put our first kid in daycare when she wasnt even 1 yet, and we have another one on the way so thats 2x the cost of daycare. The grandmas arent close so we have to manage everything on our own 99% of the time. Date nights are quarterly LOL... Luckily I just found a better paying job going back to my old company working for a COO who has my best interest at heart. They will fully support the work like balance and its closer to home.

Congrats on Baby Northern turning 1 and congrats to the two of you for keeping her alive that long! LOL The first birthday is more for the parents than the kid... YOU DID IT!

BTW Wait a few more years when she starts talking shit and imitating you and (especially) your wifes shenanigans. I've been making little videos each year, but now that shes way more active Im going to make like 5 minute videos of her shenanigans. Its on YouTube but its private so my family can see it and later she can see what a wild kid she was... The Tuman Show Part 2...

Good Times.

[Northern]

We waited a long time and overall I'm happy I waited. Wife and I have been together for something like 15 years now, had our house for 11, married for a bit less.
Just stuff never lined up - shitty job, back to school, wife's work, wanted a garage, house was a disaster, etc.

On the other hand, a few family members passed away before she was born, so they didn't get to meet her.
And in the back of my mind, I know that these years we spent not having a kid, equates to years that she won't have with us later on. So yeah, a bit dark, but can't change that now.

and Simon if you want to pay a million dollars in shipping I have some crusty 2.5 cranks lol

[Chilezen]

https://glasstopsdirect.com/pages/round-glass-tops

(my source for glass)

Best decision I've ever made. I don't know how to explain it - it just hits different when it's your kid.

I would like a kid one day. I crave that feeling too. Like no matter what, that kid's life is just the most important thing.

[2mAn]

I still have dreams to turn the busted SSR wheel into an end table for the garage. I would love to have a busted inline6 crank, but so far nobody in the SoCal thread here has offered one up... Might need to start annoying shops that might have one laying around...

I have an old 924 flywheel that I plan to use as a base (cant even remember what stupid pipe dream brought that into my possession). Then just have to get a nice ~16-18" round glass as a topper. bada bing bada boom, end table right?

... right? lol

[Northern]

hahaha I was trying to understand how this could possibly be connected to *that* welding table.
Makes much more sense now.

I get the stacked up projects. Seems to get worse every year. House things have been taking what little free time I have this year, finishing the garage hasn't really happened, and the cars sit.

Otherwise I spend a lot of time with my little one, intentionally and because wife works when I don't, and childcare is fucked here.
Most daycares have closed their waitlists due to demand, but we're lucky we can make things work without it fairly easily for now.
Anyway, she turns 1 tomorrow. Best decision I've ever made. I don't know how to explain it - it just hits different when it's your kid.

[Chilezen]

I've always wanted a pet, but my wife has always veto'd the idea.

Could this have changed now that you're in a single family residence?

Is this for the welding table/wind protection?

Oh, no, the wind protection for my outdoor welding table is now adequate enough to slow down most breezes. What I'm referring to above is an art project, in which I'm building a functional-sculpture that is a table with moving parts. The table aspect is not the most practical, being about counter height, and a round glass surface to top it off. You could put like.. picture frames or a flower pot in it. Whatever the wife wants to justify having a metal monstrosity in the house. She's definitely not going to appreciate the amount of dust it will collect lol

Right now I'm still in the middle of fabricating an exhaust for my car (I'm selling my original one and building a better version for myself). During the summer when it was too hot outside, that's when I was holed up in my room designing the thing you saw. When the exhaust is done, I have another paid project to take on, and then next month begins the holiday season for me with a few birthdays to celebrate, and then actual holidays and a trip to Texas. The art project likely won't get worked on until next year. This assumes my car doesn't keep breaking (last week I had to replace a brake hard line).

[Northern]

Is this for the welding table/wind protection?

[2mAn]

2 cats really isn't more trouble if you are already getting one, so let them have a friend.

I've always wanted a pet, but my wife has always veto'd the idea. She even prefers cats and I find them little troublemakers so I would want a pair. Alas, another day...

This is a section analysis/a cutaway of it, so you can see it better... It's not done yet.. just a sneak peak.

I dont even know what I'm looking at, but excited to see it hit fruition!