The DisFort's Chit Chat Cafe

[Sjm9911]

I had the direct tv streaming for years untill last year. We cut off the cable like services to save $$$. It's good, sports can be iffy depending. Quality is the same as the other and depends on the conections. You'll like it.

 

[jbrostek]

Yeah, we like the no contract and maybe someday we might cut that out. I had DTV Sat service till 2018 at the old house, streaming services was only to watch your DVR remotely then. We watch enough random stuff that it offsets the need for multiple streaming services. If it wasnt for my want for IMSA and F1 coverage I would not even have Peacock. We mostly watch D+ or Hulu if we are not watching our live TV service.

 

[jbrostek]

First plus of DTV stream, watched opening ceremonies and first thing I noticed was the stream was comming in at 1080P, checked the stream from Peacock and same level. Co-worker was watching on FiosTV (traditional cable style) and his feed was at 720.

I know DTV is defintely a premium service compared to others, however, the fact that I can use it easilly in the RV at the same time is a bonus for us.

I know I have not mentioned the puzzle wall in a few months. We have been working on it and slowiy "gluing" the back of each puzzle as I prepare the wall for this. At the same time we are soaking in our time before our oldest DD heads off to college. The project will get some updates and photos soon I promise.

On the RV side of things I am working this weekend to replace the 4 year old failing FLA battery and replacing it with a pair of 100AH LifePo4 (lithium) batteries and adding a Victron shunt to see state of charge (and its compatible with my RV whisper so I can see it all in one panel.) I do have to replace my converter and I hemmed and hawed over adding a victron inverter charger, however, I just could not justify the extra 900+ cost of doing so when we rarely boondock. I probably don't even need the 200AH, but I got the pair of batteries from my friend after we replaced his 3x12v setup in his golf cart and replaced it with a single 38v 100AH battery that has a much better BMS for golf cart applications.

I will snag some pictures as I work on it. Right now the only thing I am wondering is if I find a new battery box or make my own. more for just keeping them protected since I store things in the same cabinet then having them in their own vented box.

 

[Sjm9911]

Just got 2 new batteries for the camper. Last trip, no power. So I was lucky the electeic toung jack broke. I rarely go places that don't have electrical hook ups, so 2 costco group 24 batteries it was.

 

[jbrostek]

@Sjm9911 frustrating no doubt. I was just going to go buy an AGM battery, but then I managed to get two lithium batteries for 250 bucks, soooooooo. Upgrade time.

In other news, today my youngest nephew was born. Carter Michael was born at 8:12 this morning weighing in at 8lbs and measuring 20 inches. This made me feel young since its a nephew and not a grand kid. I am 12 years older then my BIL/SIL, at the same time my oldest nephew turns 41 in october (I been an uncle since I was 9 years old, my sister is 7 years older then me....yes she was young.) Momma, baby and even dad are doing well. His older sister Cora cannot wait to meet him. "I been waiting fooooorever" was what she said on facetime earlier today.

 

[jbrostek]

Today is was HOT, which was a perfect day to change out batteries in the RV. Really I just needed to make it happen. Took a few hours only because I had to make a few decisions on how I wanted to mount it the batteries, the shunt, and even the same for the converter. I did not take any pictures of the converter swap, it was tight spaces and hot by then. But I went with a PowerMax P3 which does support lithium. I just needed to adjust the static voltage to ensure it was running ok.




mid process and before I cleaned all the dust and dirt off from them from being in the golf cart.



On thing left is to get it to pair up with my RV Whisper. For some reason it keeps refusing to do so.

 

[jbrostek]

Well its now synced with my RV whisper. So now I can see my state of charge on the batteries. I have not played with much since then. I will be camping Labor Day weekend, and then alter in September for parents weekend at JMU. After that, I think the next camping is Disney and winterize on the way home.

 

[team bradfield]

Gizmo's cancer has returned, surgery in the morning, keep him in your thoughts, he's only 7yo

 

[FtW Mike]

Thought and prayers for Gizmo and the Family. We went thru something similar several years back. For me The Serenity Prayer and remembering some sage advice a good friend gave me pulled thru it.

 

[Paulaparm]

So sorry about Gizmo. Lots of well-wishes headed your way!

 

[team bradfield]

He got some attention today, made the local news pet pics

 

[garneska]

Good luck Gizmo. Whisky is sending all sorts of good vibes (and so am i).

 

[team bradfield]

thanks for all the thoughts and prayers, surgery went well, Gizmo on his way home now. Hopefully this is his last surgery

 

[team bradfield]

I think they used a hand grenade to remove his tumor

 

[Sjm9911]

Wow. With all that I can't even imagine. Hoping it goes smoother for the recovery.

 

[team bradfield]

He's not very happy

 

[jbrostek]

@team bradfield Wishing Gizmo a smooth recovery. That look slike a bit of work to remove the turmor.


On our side of the world, today was a long and somewhat emotional one. Today we moved out oldest DD into her dorm room at JMU. She got early move in for participating in DMAD (Dukes Make A Differnce) which is a service orientated programe for college students to give back to the local community. She and her roomate who happens to be her bestie are helping with cleaning up the grounds at schools this week. Then the rest of the move in madness happens over the weekend which they can hide in their room to avoid. Classes start next week.

Our youngest DD, is starting as a freshman in HS next Monday and got her schedule today which she's been chatting with her friends about as they see who they might have together.

 

[team bradfield]

According to my vet tech DD, those slices are for the skin to stretch, they removed a lot of mass

 

[garneska]

Go Gizmo. No belly scratches. give him some butt scratches or ear scratches.

 

[MrsPAHunter]

Go Gizmo. No belly scratches. give him some butt scratches or ear scratches.

Oooh, Reba says 'we like butt scratches!'