Recent content by Mark_K5LXP

A big unknown here is how much you can count on solar. One cloudy day turns just enough solar into not even close. Unless you camp on a barren plain, shade from trees limits your daily net. Yes, a portable panel mitigates that but only if you are there to move it around and ensure it doesn't...

Lithiums have a similar cycle life vs DoD curve as lead acid does, just that the numbers are greater. So, if lithium doesn't suffer cycle life 'harm' down 90% DoD, PbA doesn't either... No question lithium delivers more Ah at higher terminal voltages. 2x 100A lithium @ $600 vs 210Ah FLA @...

If you're seeing a ~2V disparity between converter and battery there's either a boatload of current flowing, wire's too thin or a bad connection. You'd expect some drop in the path but it would be a tenth or two of a volt. Can't explain the overvoltage, my first check would be a 2nd meter to...

Bear spray can be useful for 4 and 2 legged attackers so is handy to have around. Mark B. Albuquerque, NM

Barring any attendant damage, worst case would be a bad element which is something user serviceable. The "safety" is a sacrificial element. You could pull it out to check/replace but how about putting some water in and giving it a try? It wouldn't be boiling unless there was some water there...

For that infrequent a need, seems hiring that out would be most economical. Mark B. Albuquerque, NM

I've always thought about one of the flexible roof coatings would mitigate some of the UV damage that happens, but at this point mine's BER and haven't tried it. There are those metal shields you can buy that goes over them but they cost as much as a whole awning. Seems there'd be a solution...

Growing up in WI, 41 was the only major highway from MKE to green bay. Have relatives in green bay and my family made that trek regularly. I got to take 43 on my motorcycle from MKE to door co. the year it was finished. Man, that was money from home compared to 41, which didn't become I-41...

Kind of reminds me of silica gel beads but I've never seen colored ones. Another thing that comes to mind is they're stuffing for something, like a kid's toy or a craft item and it fell, or was emptied out in the sink. Mark B. Albuquerque, NM

Seems anyone that doesn't have the aptitude to install an accessory like that also has limited skill and experience to determine how other tasks are completed as well. Reason number four why I do all my own work. It shortens the list of people I have to go through to get the job done right...

I guess it depends on where you want to end up after MKE. I probably wouldn't want to slog through downtown during rush hours but unless there's construction (how long did the zoo interchange take, like 4 or 5 years?) I-43 would be better than most any other route. Right at I-43 and Hampton is...

The other way to look at it is it's the same time, money and upkeep whether you drive it or not. Tires go bad, brakes rust, fuel systems degrade. Seems a newer 5th wheel with a fraction of the moving parts would make more sense. Or, maybe renting an apartment... Mark B. Albuquerque, NM

I've got a buddy that has a photo album with polaroid pictures (that should date it right there) of his TV set. The low VHF channels experience sporadic E propagation, and with a beam antenna he could pick up stations hundreds of miles away when conditions were right. In order to confirm...

You're going to need the "half million mile" antenna for that one. :-) Mark B. Albuquerque, NM

Starlink approaches that distance but you're not picking that up with a TV set. It works out that line of sight pretty much is it when determining range. I can hear a satellite 120 miles up that's transmitting with half a watt but that same setup at ground level would be good to get more than...