Cool and damp leading to rain later?\u00a0\u00a0 We are forecast for possible rain and thunderstorms… but as always, we’ll see.\u00a0\u00a0 It was a bit overcast most of yesterday but then did get sunny later.\u00a0 I believe the highs were in the mid 80s F.<\/p>\n
And once again I found myself outdoors.\u00a0\u00a0 This time I was fixing the vacuum breaker for the sprinkler system.\u00a0\u00a0 It’s almost summer, and we need to start irrigating soon.\u00a0 The VBP had “popped” during the freeze and was fountaining when my neighbor saw it and shut off the water.\u00a0\u00a0 Good neighbors.\u00a0 For some reason we weren’t home when it broke.\u00a0\u00a0 I’ve let it be until I could get a replacement.\u00a0 Since they are $140 in the store, I waited and several showed up in the auctions.<\/p>\n
So I got the one I won and headed out to see what I was going to have to do to replace the bad one.\u00a0\u00a0 The thing is about 10 pounds of brass or bronze, and very sturdy.\u00a0\u00a0 The part that broke is plastic.\u00a0 Hmmm.\u00a0\u00a0 The replacement is the exact part that is installed, and I’ll have to cut PVC pipe and splice the new one in… unless….\u00a0\u00a0 yes, the broken parts are meant to be replaced.\u00a0\u00a0 The 15 or more year old one didn’t want to be removed.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It’s marked “Hand tight only” but it was very secure.\u00a0\u00a0 My huge pipe wrench didn’t budge it, even after liberal application of Kroil.\u00a0 I test the new one and yep, the plastic parts do come out.\u00a0\u00a0 So.\u00a0 I ended up cutting the plastic part out of the threaded socket, and breaking all the pieces out.\u00a0\u00a0 The guts of the new part went in easily enough, and worked.\u00a0\u00a0 Hooray.\u00a0 Didn’t have to cut any pipe or glue any splices.<\/p>\n
Started testing the zones.\u00a0\u00a0 Realized I’ve got 7 zones, but can only find 5 valves.\u00a0\u00a0 Hmmm.\u00a0\u00a0 That’s a problem for another day.\u00a0\u00a0 I got the two zones in the front yard checked before I ran out of time.\u00a0\u00a0 Kids had stuff to do after school, and I was the one tasked with enabling that…\u00a0\u00a0 All in all, pretty straightforward for a plumbing project.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I might even order the parts kit and put the ‘new’ one back together, but that will wait for a while.\u00a0 I’ve got another bronze one for the BOL system from the same auction, so there isn’t any rush.<\/p>\n
Today I’m headed to\u00a0 my client’s house.\u00a0\u00a0 I will work on getting the ethernet over coax installed and tested.\u00a0\u00a0 There may be digging involved.\u00a0\u00a0 If it’s pouring rain, I’m going to be cancelling and finding something else to do.\u00a0\u00a0 The other project there (replacing another bit of dead gear) is delayed by shipping.\u00a0\u00a0 The part was supposed to be here by now, but is currently showing delivery for tomorrow .\u00a0 So if I can’t work outside, there isn’t much point in me driving out there.<\/p>\n
For what it’s worth, the part is an interface box from Crestron and part of the AV control system.\u00a0 I bought it on ebay when my search finally alerted on a new item listing. \u00a0 It’s been unavailable from the manufacturer, and un-fixable under warranty for MONTHS. \u00a0 This part is definitely grey market and I hope it works. \u00a0 It’s listed as new in box but who really\u00a0 knows. \u00a0 It’s a $450 gamble that I hope pays off and gets the system back to 100%.\u00a0 [cor blimey, that’s a lot of declarative statements in a row, someone should take me to task for that!]<\/p>\n
Ah well, I’ll probably never be a New York Times Best Selling Author…<\/p>\n
I will be stacking stuff though.\u00a0 Lots of stuff. I better get to it.<\/p>\n
nick<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Cool and damp leading to rain later?\u00a0\u00a0 We are forecast for possible rain and thunderstorms… but as always, we’ll see.\u00a0\u00a0 It was a bit overcast most of yesterday but then did get sunny later.\u00a0 I believe the highs were in the mid 80s F.<\/p>\n
And once again I found myself outdoors.\u00a0\u00a0 This time I was fixing the vacuum breaker for the sprinkler system.\u00a0\u00a0 It’s almost summer, and we need to start irrigating soon.\u00a0<\/p>\n