What non automotive projects and repairs are you doing?

[matthew1]

Last month I went to actually do something about this and finally get my step lights working. I procrastinated all summer, so it was time to get busy...

So my house came this way. I began looking for the underground low voltage lines that were rumored to be there hooked up to the step lights, but not hooked up to power.

This was the only info I had on the situation, and it was something the previous owner said at the closing table to me in 2018.

In other words, the step lights had never worked, not for me, not for anyone.

After getting the grilles off and LED light brackets out, I discovered the lines aren't actually run to the boxes. There is a line going all the way to the back of the house from the sidewalk, and there are boxes, but they don't meet.

I didn't know about the construction standard of using conduit, so it took me poking around to find... conduit. I thought lines would just run up to the boxes under the concrete steps.

I bought a $37 daylight sensor/120->12v DC box for this.

In these photos you'll see my work, from in-situ proof of concept, to dealing with two screws that sheared off at their base (ugh), to shrink-wrapping the wiring with my new $25 heat gun, to completion.

The lights come on at night by themselves because the AC->DC box has a daylight sensor. There are other modes, but this is the mode I want. It plugs into an outlet at the back of the house, under the electrical panel.

[volvolugnut]

Last month I went to actually do something about this and finally get my step lights working. I procrastinated all summer, so it was time to get busy...

So my house came this way. I began looking for the underground low voltage lines that were rumored to be there hooked up to the step lights, but not hooked up to power.

This was the only info I had on the situation, and it was something the previous owner said at the closing table to me in 2018.

In other words, the step lights had never worked, not for me, not for anyone.

After getting the grilles off and LED light brackets out, I discovered the lines aren't actually run to the boxes. There is a line going all the way to the back of the house from the sidewalk, and there are boxes, but they don't meet.

I didn't know about the construction standard of using conduit, so it took me poking around to find... conduit. I thought lines would just run up to the boxes under the concrete steps.

I bought a $37 daylight sensor/120->12v DC box for this.

In these photos you'll see my work, from in-situ proof of concept, to dealing with two screws that sheared off at their base (ugh), to shrink-wrapping the wiring with my new $25 heat gun, to completion.

The lights come on at night by themselves because the AC->DC box has a daylight sensor. There are other modes, but this is the mode I want. It plugs into an outlet at the back of the house, under the electrical panel.

An illuminating project!

volvolugnut

[abscate]

Installed by Lucas

[abscate]

Yes. Just no printing. Only processing the film, which is very easy and has low hardware demands.

From there I scan it, one long strip, no cutting the film.

Meant to ask you what the scanning solution looks like

I have lots of BW and color negs in storage

[Sveedy]

Your step light job was quite a bit of work, but I think well worth it. Good job !
I'm one who likes any kind of neat lighting. Used a lot of rope lighting in my house, just for the effect.

[matthew1]

Yes. Just no printing. Only processing the film, which is very easy and has low hardware demands.

From there I scan it, one long strip, no cutting the film.

Meant to ask you what the scanning solution looks like

I have lots of BW and color negs in storage

I got a Nikon Super Coolscan 4000 from a friend for free. Included: the rare uncut roll takeup attachment hardware. It's a circa 2001 era machine. I don't think anyone makes scanners any longer because that era is over... when people had thousands of slides/negs. That aggregate requirement bell curve is well finished now.

Whatever the case, you want to find a Firewire machine like mine, not USB. You'll spend the rest of your life waiting for scans to move from the scanner to your PC/Mac if you buy a USB machine from that era.

[matthew1]

Your step light job was quite a bit of work, but I think well worth it. Good job !
I'm one who likes any kind of neat lighting. Used a lot of rope lighting in my house, just for the effect.

Thanks! It was very rewarding. 12V DC is absurdly easy to work with.

[BlackBart]

Nice work, nice entry.

[volvolugnut]

My 44 year old Ford truck and trailer made a 12 mile trip to get 2 tons of gravel for my driveway. No problems encountered. Although I will have to shovel the gravel off, this is better than having a truck deliver it in a big pile. Then I would have to shovel into a wheel barrow and haul to the areas where the drive needs gravel. About a third of the gravel has since been placed on the drive.
volvolugnut

[volvolugnut]

Several decades ago a neighbor next to us planted some bamboo at the property edge. This type of bamboo was very invasive and soon spread under my drive way and across my property. In a normal winter it does not winter kill. Last year's low temperature of about minus 11 did kill all above ground growth, but not the roots.
I have started once again to remove this obnoxious weed. I had much of it removed several years ago, but then did not keep it mowed down for a couple years. When it is small and tender, the sprouts can be cut at ground level with a shovel. When it gets a bit larger, it can be cut with branch lopping cutters. After it gets larger, I used a chain saw to cut the stalks close to the ground. Then, the larger stalks have to be hauled off as they do not rot for a long time.
The bamboo will grow back from the extensive root system for about three years, even if cut back each year. Realistically, I may never get the bamboo all removed, but I will continue the battle.
volvolugnut