Dad's Toy

[dadstoy]

Originally Posted by crazeevw

Hi Dean,

Wondering, can the 280 handle the weight of the enclosed trailer with the ATV's inside? Hook up to DadsToy, leave pickup behind? Have a feeling pickup fully insured??? Just a thought....

Great to hear from you,

Derek

Hi Derek. Nope. My 20' enclosed trailer is probably near 6000lbs loaded. My F150 is at its limit in towing it. Even with a weight distribution hitch, it is a chore! Yup, I do have full coverage on my "old" pickup.

[dadstoy]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

Every time I watch the news, you guys are in my prayers. Steve posted some pics of the fire near his home on his thread. Up here it's B.C thats burning down.

Other than floods, fire is nasty.

Keep safe Dean.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

Hi Tony,


I saw Steve's pics yesterday. Its like the whole state is on fire! Just saw on the news that Seattle is smoked in from the fires in Calif and Oregon.

[dadstoy]

I have a question for those that have done PEX water pipes...


I started putting together the cold water manifold. I've tested all the connections using the "go/no go" gauge and all are good. Issue is that I can, without too much force, rotate the fittings in the pipes. I can't imagine that this is ok and won't leak.



(why the red pipe on the cold water manifold? I left the house in such a hurry last Friday that I forgot most of my plumbing parts)

[Smartstream]

I used the other type of crimp and the fittings do rotate in the tubing with no ill effects.

[dadstoy]

Originally Posted by Smartstream

I used the other type of crimp and the fittings do rotate in the tubing with no ill effects.

Thanks Dan

[mehes]

I started putting together the cold water manifold. I've tested all the connections using the "go/no go" gauge and all are good. Issue is that I can, without too much force, rotate the fittings in the pipes. I can't imagine that this is ok and won't leak.

I re-plumbed my 345 with Pex and the same copper rings you seem to have used. I too wondered about the easy rotation of some joints which checked OK with the GO/NOGO gauge. It's been about four years and not a drop of leakage. I wouldn't be too concerned. If possible pressure test before they are inaccessible.

[RandyNH]

I used one of these for mine

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Apollo-3...4PTO/301573938

All pex connections rotate, no worries, so long as you're over the ribs on the connections and crimped tight it's all good. I actually used a bunch of shark bite connectors too

[dadstoy]

Originally Posted by PeterH-Airstreamer

Dean, here is a suggestion for you:
If you are connecting new PEX to the original gray lines, use this thread sealer, when using a crimper or pincher for the connection. I had issues even with the sharkbite pincher connections, since the old lines have hardener considerably. Another less desirable way is to carefully heat the shark bite ring with a lighter as you are clamping it down.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RectorSe...1630/203490732

I'm going to give this a try. Thanks Peter.

[dadstoy]

Originally Posted by mehes

I re-plumbed my 345 with Pex and the same copper rings you seem to have used. I too wondered about the easy rotation of some joints which checked OK with the GO/NOGO gauge. It's been about four years and not a drop of leakage. I wouldn't be too concerned. If possible pressure test before they are inaccessible.

Thanks!

[dadstoy]

Originally Posted by RandyNH

I used one of these for mine

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Apollo-3...4PTO/301573938

All pex connections rotate, no worries, so long as you're over the ribs on the connections and crimped tight it's all good. I actually used a bunch of shark bite connectors too

Thanks!

[dadstoy]

Taking some time off and headed up to the motor home today. The weather is finally changing. Its a bit chilly but I have the furnace on and drinking a cheap bottle of wine! All snug and cozy!



Couldn't see more than a few blocks down the street this morning in the Bay Area with the smoke in the air. The ranch is a bit north and west of Paradise/Chico so it is fairly clear here. Supposed to get rain on Wed/Thur so maybe it will put the fires out and clear the air. However, I'll take the smokey air any day over having my home and town burned to the ground. Can't help but think about the thousands and thousands of folks that lost everything. And just think, the twitter in chief paid a visit on Saturday and suggested that we do a better job "raking" the forest floors! Oh what the people here have to continue to endure! Just f'ing insane.


I brought up some more plumbing supplies, so hopefully tomorrow I will tackle the "broken" water pipes yet again in the motor home. The frig and freezer are cooling down quickly. Amazing how that works when it isn't 110 degrees outside!



It's amazing how my list of work is growing after letting the motor home sit for 3 years! DAMN!

[Isuzusweet]

Originally Posted by dadstoy

Taking some time off and headed up to the motor home today. The weather is finally changing. Its a bit chilly but I have the furnace on and drinking a cheap bottle of wine! All snug and cozy!



Couldn't see more than a few blocks down the street this morning in the Bay Area with the smoke in the air. The ranch is a bit north and west of Paradise/Chico so it is fairly clear here. Supposed to get rain on Wed/Thur so maybe it will put the fires out and clear the air. However, I'll take the smokey air any day over having my home and town burned to the ground. Can't help but think about the thousands and thousands of folks that lost everything. And just think, the twitter in chief paid a visit on Saturday and suggested that we do a better job "raking" the forest floors! Oh what the people here have to continue to endure! Just f'ing insane.


I brought up some more plumbing supplies, so hopefully tomorrow I will tackle the "broken" water pipes yet again in the motor home. The frig and freezer are cooling down quickly. Amazing how that works when it isn't 110 degrees outside!



It's amazing how my list of work is growing after letting the motor home sit for 3 years! DAMN!

You, and all those that perished, or were in peril, are in our thoughts.

Enjoy the break, and the wine.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

[dadstoy]

Installed a new anode rod in the water heater this morning. I think this is the third one since I installed the water heater...oh how time flies! We have sulfur "something" or "something" sulfur in our water wells here so time for a new filter as well.


I've removed the internal (original) water pressure valve so I use the external type on the hose. Only problem is that they really cut the pressure down too low. Anyone using one that they like that doesn't reduce the water to a trickle?

[sheriff1]

Anode with a built in drain! Never seen one before!

[TG Twinkie]

Originally Posted by dadstoy

Installed a new anode rod in the water heater this morning. I think this is the third one since I installed the water heater...oh how time flies! We have sulfur "something" or "something" sulfur in our water wells here so time for a new filter as well.


I've removed the internal (original) water pressure valve so I use the external type on the hose. Only problem is that they really cut the pressure down too low. Anyone using one that they like that doesn't reduce the water to a trickle?

Looks like an Atwood water heater. Aluminum tank. No need for an anode.

[dadstoy]

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

Looks like an Atwood water heater. Aluminum tank. No need for an anode.

I don't have the knowledge to argue one way or another except to say that the old ones, when I replace them, are completely eaten away.

[bobmiller1]

In my opinion for what it’s worth is I believe the water problem in California is due to the fact that you guys waste it trying to put all those wild fires out.....now that brings up another subject of forestry, which I studied while going to college in Durango, CO. Where are all the fire lines that were once used in the 1970’s. Correct me if I’m wrong, but you stopped using them because they disturbed the breaking ground for some wildlife that I never heard of.....in any event I think the reason for the sulfur in your water is because your water table has been drawn down so low over the last 20 years or so that there is not much left....,I mean look at the lakes that provide water to California....,enough said.....enjoy your wine ! Regards, Bob

[dadstoy]

Originally Posted by bobmiller1

In my opinion for what it’s worth is I believe the water problem in California is due to the fact that you guys waste it trying to put all those wild fires out.....now that brings up another subject of forestry, which I studied while going to college in Durango, CO. Where are all the fire lines that were once used in the 1970’s. Correct me if I’m wrong, but you stopped using them because they disturbed the breaking ground for some wildlife that I never heard of.....in any event I think the reason for the sulfur in your water is because your water table has been drawn down so low over the last 20 years or so that there is not much left....,I mean look at the lakes that provide water to California....,enough said.....enjoy your wine ! Regards, Bob

Bob, the problem with opinions is that they are rarely based in fact. So, lets see if we can shed some light.



Latest report tonight is 79 people confirmed dead, 699 missing and 17,148 structures destroyed (12,947 residences, 483 commercial and 3,718 other buildings). Over 151,000 acres burned so far. This is just the Camp fire in Northern California. Rain is moving in around 3am tomorrow which will greatly hamper the effort to find and identify the dead. The rain will also create sever risk of mud and debris flows which will also endanger life.


Now since I have lived in California since 1967, I can attest to the fact that we do face grave issues due to climate change. This is not just an opinion, but is fact based. We are now year after year facing warmer temperatures and far less rain then we used to get.



Maybe some forest facts are in order at this point...


There are 33 million acres of forest(ed) lands in California.
Federal ownership is 19 million acres = 57%
State and local agencies (including land trusts) own 3%
Privately owned forest lands are 13.3 million acres = 40%
Industrial private owners are 4.7 million acres = 14%
Non-industrial privately owned forest lands are 9 million acres = 26%
Non-corporate private forest lands are 7.9 million acres


The fire that leveled the town of Paradise and multiple other surrounding towns started on private land and burned mostly private land. The origin of the fire is unknown, but will probably be due to power line issues. The fire spread at a rate of a football field every 1 to 2 seconds due to the extremely high winds in the area the day the fire started.



It would be fairly arrogant of anyone, especially someone living across the country to make assumptions about how forested areas here in California are managed. Yes, let me correct you about your fact-less statement of non existent fire lines. I will pass on to anyone I can find who lost a home, business or loved one in one of these fires, your suggestion to not use water to put these fires out. But actually, most fires here are contained and put out via the use of fire lines, back fires, aerial drops of fire retardant chemicals and a tremendous amount of dangerous backbreaking work by thousands of highly dedicated fire fighters.




Now, you did get one thing right, well sort of. The water table through the central valleys of California have dropped considerably over many decades. However, this is due to the farming here in this state. I think it is time once again for some facts...


The Central Valley is one of the world's most productive agricultural regions. More than 230 crops are grown there. On less than 1 percent of the total farmland in the United States, the Central Valley produces 8 percent of the nation's agricultural output by value: $43.5 billion


It should also be known that most of this farm land is owned by republicans as I can personally attest to by the political campaigning that recently took place here. Which simply means that there aren't any radical liberal agendas or conspiracies leading to all of our water being wasted putting out wild land fires.


Now as far as the sulfur in the water here on my property, it definitely is not due to the over use of water. First and foremost we are located not down in the valley, but up in the foothills just below the forest tree line. Our wells are fed by rain water run off in the mountains just north and west of us. And since we are located in a hydro thermal area, Mt. Shasta to the north and Lassen to the east, the sedimentary rock here contains minerals that produce hydrogen sulfide which is what I believe is actually in our water. So as you see, this has nothing to do with over using water to put out wild land fires.



Well, it has just been reported that two more bodies have been found. Actually, there is nothing left resembling a body, it is just ashes mixed among the ashes of burned out homes. At least two more families can rest knowing what happened to their loved ones. Maybe we both should just go back to fixing issues on our motor homes and due what we can to provide comfort to those affected by these devastating and deadly fires. When I head down the mountain and into town tomorrow to buy a new BBQ, I will also pick up a forest rake so I can help out raking the forest floors of California.


My cheap bottle of wine is gone so I'm going to have to enjoy some cheap bear tonight! Take care Bob!


Dean

[bobmiller1]

Nice hat, Regards, Bob......and beverage cooler

[Mattirs]

Originally Posted by bobmiller1

In my opinion for what it’s worth is I believe the water problem in California is due to the fact that you guys waste it trying to put all those wild fires out.....now that brings up another subject of forestry, which I studied while going to college in Durango, CO. Where are all the fire lines that were once used in the 1970’s. Correct me if I’m wrong, but you stopped using them because they disturbed the breaking ground for some wildlife that I never heard of.....in any event I think the reason for the sulfur in your water is because your water table has been drawn down so low over the last 20 years or so that there is not much left....,I mean look at the lakes that provide water to California....,enough said.....enjoy your wine ! Regards, Bob

Actually our water problems come from the LA blob stealing and shipping the water south so we north of them have to dig our wells so deep we are starting to pick up some of the brimstone of the underworld.