Cassidy got this GE French Door 28.7 Cu. Ft. refrigerator (PGE29BYTBFS) for free and gave it to us summer of 2023. We kept in in the garage. Only lasted a year. Just before the year warranty was up it stopped cooling and GE replaced the condenser. A month later it stopped working again. I had purchased a service contract with Assurant for only $270 for 3 years! They replaced a unit that directed the cool air between the 3 sections. It did not take. When we tried fixing it again, Assurant after a visit by a technician decided it was not repairable because we were violating the T&Cs having it in the garage. I cancelled the contract and got a partial refund. Posted the fridge on NextDoor (for free) and someone picked it up a day later.
The refrigerator in our kitchen is a small 21 Cu. Ft. Whirlpool (WRS571CIHZ01). This size is the only one that fits our kitchen.
The following week we purchased this 2nd refrigerator which is “Garage-ready”. Speced to work in temperatures between 32-110 degrees.
Our Samsung 75in blew up last night. Right in the middle of playing Gears of War Horde there was a very loud mini-explosion and the TV went dead. Does not turn on. Something blew! I looked into having it repaired but a visit to determine the problem was $180 and labor to replace any parts would be $120 so before ordering parts I would be in $300. I was told parts could run between $300 & $1000! I passed. I ordered this Hisense 75in (75U7N) on sale at Best Buy for Black Friday. Got it for $900. For $65 I am having the Samsung hauled away. The 75U8N model is better and brighter but I decided it wasn’t worth the extra $400 since I’ll be using it in our dark media room. The Hisense has a 144Hz refresh rate! The Samsung was 120Hz which was actually enough for gaming.
Why did I wait so long to enhance my new TVs with a Soundbar? I haven’t had good sound from our TV since we lived on Santee Drive in Lake Pointe. Moving into our very first home we had it wired for surround sound. Now what to do with my old Denon component system and speakers I’ve been holding on to.
Did some quick research and settled on two different bars. One for our primary living room 65′ TV and one for our downstairs media room with the 75 TV. Ordered them from Amazon this past Sunday and the first came in one day
VIZIO SB36514-G6 36″ 5.1.4
The VIZIO SB36514-G6 36″ 5.1.4 Premium Home Theater Sound System with Dolby Atmos and Wireless Subwoofer was $350. It was easy to setup, came with 26ft wires for the back speakers. Installed a phone app for it and had it setup pretty quickly. Sounded great. Not only sports, shows and movies but this system is going to make playing on the XBOX rock!
SAMSUNG 3.1ch A650 A Series
The SAMSUNG 3.1ch A650 A Series Soundbar – Dolby 5.1/ DTS Virtual: X (HW-A650, 2021 Model) was a bit more modest at $298. No back speakers but 3 primary along with the subwoofer. I didn’t want to mess with back speakers in a well trafficked area in our living room. The instructions were horrible, no app. Still fairly easy to setup and with the subwoofer connecting wirelessly, I had it up an running quickly as well. It sounds great and I’m happy with both purchases
Samsung Bluetooth Pairing: Press Source until BT Ready appears. Hold down for 5 seconds until BT Pairing appears. You can now pair with device.
Checking back on Amazon to copy the full name of these soundbars, I notice that the Vizio Soundbar I purchased is now going for $500!
Our Bullfrog model A7 Spa was delivered this past Thursday. We had ordered it back in June and initial delivery date was October but due to Covid it was delayed until now.
With 5 custom removal JetPacks and 8 total seats, the party house is now complete!
New favorite way to watch sports!First big challenge
The guys from Southern Leisure Spas got the job done. Watch THIS 45 second video of how they handled this special installation.
Modes of operation:
Away – NO USAGE – Temperature drops 20 degrees from set point at all times. Use when on vacation or plan not to use for at more than 2 weeks
Standard – Beginner – ALWAYS USED – Set temperature maintained at all times (Can use only for on-demand use during the day. Never leave this way)
Energy Saver – EVENINGS, WEEKENDS – Temperature drops 20 degree during the day. Set point maintained evenings and weekends
Super Energy Saver – EVENINGS – Temperature drops 20 degrees during the day. Set point maintained evenings only, every day.
Weekender – WEEKENDS – Temperature drops 20 degrees weekdays. Set point maintained all day on weekend.
Cartridge Replacement (Video) Replace Grey Smartchlor cartridges every 3-4 weeks (setting at 3-4) Replace Blue Mineral cartridge every 4 months (setting at 4) Place grey cartridge facing inside of spa
Filter Care Replace filter every 1-2 years Clean filter every 3-6 weeks spraying with garden hose Deep clean by soaking overnight in filter cleaning agent
Adjustments Alkalinity (80-120): Add 4tbsp Increaser per 25ppm To Lower Alkalinity, the two most popular chemicals available to help you lower the Total Alkalinity in your hot tub are muriatic acid and sodium bisulfate (also known as dry acid). After you’ve added muriatic acid, dry acid or another alkalinity decreaser product, be sure to check the pH level in the hot tub, as the pH level may have dropped as well. PH decreaser will also decrease alkalinity. About three quarters of a cap to 1 capful will bring it up or down by a color block when using the pH increase or decrease. That depends on the size of your hot tub as well but typically that’s a roundabout measurement. PH (7.2-7.8) 2.5 capfuls == 2tbs < 7.2 -> 6 tbsp of Increaser 7.2 -> 4 tbsp of Increaser 7.3 -> 2 tbsp of Increaser 7.6-7.8 -> 2 tbsp of Decreaser 7.8-8.0 -> 4 tbsp of Decreaser 8.0-8.4 -> 7.5 tbsp of Decreaser Calcium Hardness (150-250) If > 250 drain 6 inches, refill with low-calcium water If <150 add Calcium Increaser
Shock Oxider – add 3 tbs (capful) weekly, for heavy use apply twice weekly. After this (non-chlorine) shock, wait 10-15 minutes before entering tub. (1oz per 300 gallons. 1 oz = 2 tbls. 434 gallons takes 1.45 oz or 2.9 tbls)
Things such as drinks, soap, laundry detergent, deodorant, makeup, cosmetics, hair products, body lotions or oils, shampoo and conditioners can cause foamy hot tub water.
Bathing suits fresh out of the washing machine and dryer will be loaded with laundry detergents in the material. The best thing to do is just rinse your hot tub bathing suits with fresh water and then let dry. If your brave enough and have your own private backyard oasis, no swimsuit is always an option!
Seems I just bought a 55″ not long ago. My latest TV purchase for the media room in our new home is: Samsung – 75″ Class – LED – Q60 Series – 2160p – Smart – 4K UHD TV with HDR. Paid $1500 with free delivery. Technology advancements in TVs are amazing. Integration with my Google Nest Network works nicely. I can turn the TV on/off from my home and I have a remote on my phone for it.
Don’t buy the cheapest extension cord you can find. Here is a good explanation of what you should look for (from ChainSawJournal):
Typically, outdoor extension cords will have a number on the packaging or in the listing that looks like this: 12/3. The “12” represents the gauge wire rating (or wire diameter), and the “3” means it has three wires (or conductors) inside. Sometimes the wire gauge might be referred to in a more formal manner, such as, the American Wire Gauge (AWG). The AWG system has been used since 1857.
Whoever came up with gauge ratings made things very confusing for the average consumer. The lower the gauge number the thicker the conducting wire(s) inside the extension cord and thus the greater flow of electricity. A wire’s thickness directly affects the amount of current (or amps) it can carry. Choosing a slightly lower gauge (thicker wires) will ensure electricity flows freely through the outdoor extension cord.
So, you’re better off with a slightly smaller gauge (thicker wire, greater electricity flow) than a slightly larger gauge (thinner wire, less electricity). If you’ve ever had an outdoor extension cord that feels hot, it’s because the conducting wire inside was too thin (high gauge) and electricity couldn’t flow freely due to resistance from an inadequate wire that couldn’t handle the full current for your chainsaw, or other power tool or device.
Important points to follow
Only buy an outdoor extension cord with the UL symbol (or the recognized symbol from the country you live in). This indicates that the cord has been tested by Underwriters Laboratories and has received their official stamp of approval.
Exposure to outdoor conditions can cause cords to deteriorate over time, so store your extension cords inside when you’re not using them.
Only use extension cords marked “For Outdoor Use”. It should have a “W” designation. Quality outdoor extension cords have connectors molded onto them to prevent moisture from seeping in, and outer coatings that are designed to withstand damage from being dragged along the ground.
Buy only the length you need. The shorter the better.
Never plug an extension cord into another to extend your reach. Just use one.
Never use a damaged cord. Whether it’s frayed, cut, or flattened. Toss it out and buy a new one.
Keep the cord away from any moving parts of your power tool, including, chains, blades and anything else that spins, rotates or cuts.
Always unplug an extension cord when not in use. The cord continues to conduct electricity while plugged in, which makes it a safety hazard if kids or pets chew on the cord or stick sharp metal objects into the exposed end. Serious injury could occur and it’s easily avoidable. Just unplug and store indoors
