China Romance
General Discussion and Useful Links => The Campfire => Topic started by: rockycoon on March 08, 2010, 12:37:05 am
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Here are a few pics of what I can do with a backhoe Vince. :icon_cheesygrin:
Old ranch house, is getting rebuilt, everything must go, so with the
help of a backhoe, I saved the carpenters (and my pocketbook) many
hours of labor. Will keep you updated on the renovation. So far,
Home Depot is VERY happy with me, and I have many deliverys yet
to come. Now if I can get the carpenters off their A** I might be
able to get some thing done.
Who else is a handyman, and what have you done lately or what are
you doing now? Show us your handy skills.
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Though I haven't gone to that extreme, Here's a few photos from the job. Some of it is already being put back together.
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Don,
Why would you tear down your house? Did I miss something?
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Vince, you have a major restroration on your hands 4-bunks of sheet rock...that's a lot of rocking, noticed the green -- gotta be for the bathroom and shower/tub. Got yer wires hanging, will you be using exsisting wiring or install new? Also noted that the fart-fan
exaust is 6 or 8 inch, must be for "heavy duty" action..:icon_cheesygrin: looks like you got some wiring to do and don't forget the
mess the sheetrock leaves - hire laborers with brooms for clean up. Otherwise, great pictures Vince, wish I was there to help, but unfortunatly I have a previous engagment...heh heh :icon_cheesygrin:
I will be looking for more pictures as the work progresses, as I will take more of mine for you to check out. Went to home
Depot to get another truckload of supplies...they love me there. On the way back, shifting on the new truck got a little wierd, so
went to trans shop and found out 2 bands broke and 2500 bucks of repair. What a day, went to give the guy money for the new
backhoe and found out his wife forgot to make me a bill of sale and noterize it. So now that's on back burner till tomorrow. Storm
hit us today and yesterday, now project is shut down due to extream mud. And everyone wonders why construction people
drink....haha :icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin:
Shaun, for those of you in the egg business...Vince and I are compairing notes on our building ablities...feel free to add your comments. By the way, I am remodeling my home from the ground up and that means everything goes. Don't want to buy
someone elises (spelling) problem, want to design and build the
way I want it. Roll yer own, so to speak. Besides if I bring a lady
home, I don't want to scare her when she see's it. I was only going
to remodel the kitchen and things got out of hand.,..:icon_cheesygrin: So will keep you updated...
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Electrical is almost done. I had a few days of laughing at whoever did the wiring before? (Dave 50 if your reading this you'll love it) First floor rear bedroom had a ceiling light and switch, or so I thought? The switch did nothing? and then I found the wire in the ceiling box didn't go to the switch? Screw it ( I said) I ran a new line and took off the "2 hots" on the switch. OK the lights working now. Continuing with the second floor wiring. There's a light in the attic next to the A/C unit (service light?) I take the light fixture off to trace wires. ?? no wires to this light fixture? No switch, nothing? But there is another wire running under the insulation? I follow it and guess where it goes? Yep! to the downstair rear room? So I could only conclude that to turn that rear bedroom light on was to go upstairs to the closet and turn the switch on from there? Who the F*** wired this? But it was just the start of stupid crazy wiring in the place. So the answer to the question, am I leaving the original wiring.... Hell No!
And yes I have a couple of guys doing the rocking, spackle and paint. I'll do the other stuff. But I make sure they do what I want. Got to do it my way. :icon_biggrin:
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Now that is a funny electrical story....if you turn on the sink, does the toilet flush ?....:icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin:
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that was ripped out before I started. In fact when I first went to check the job (before I had it) it was just patching sheetrock and it was more of a paint job then anything else. 2nd time I went it was bare to the bone. Redoing the plumbing to so no turning on the sink upstairs to flush downstairs? :s
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that was ripped out before I started. In fact when I first went to check the job (before I had it) it was just patching sheetrock and it was more of a paint job then anything else. 2nd time I went it was bare to the bone. Redoing the plumbing to so no turning on the sink upstairs to flush downstairs? :s
And I was only boiling a few eggs!!!!!!!!
Willy
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Man,Did the earthquake just happen in both of your hometown.Hehe.
I think if a man can built his own house is a very pround thing.
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Man,Did the earthquake just happen in both of your hometown.Hehe.
I think if a man can built his own house is a very pround thing.
If I said this was my London Home what would you say.
Willy
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Get back to the throne after all of them eggs and let it rip because you are full of.........
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I always suffered from delusions of grandeur!!:angel:
Willy
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chen yan, Building homes, I use to do this for a living. I stopped doing this and did accounting / bookkeeping. But because this field has much trouble getting work I went back to remodeling homes for now. And yes. I have rebuilt a few of my own homes. It's a good feeling to have.
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Willy,
Your Highness, ....of course!!!
David....
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Vince , you know .. from 1969 to 1973 in Upstate New York , this is exactly what I did back when . I remodeled many Homes and turned Restaurant's into Living quarter's . This of course is a great help now having my own Home . Do everything myself ... inside and out . The biggest project of mine was , run 220 V wire about 90 feet to my backyard for the Spa ( two feet underground ) and do the Slap's ( 6" ) for it .
Nobody in their right Mind want's to be a Mechanic in New York . Need a Torch and Hammer to remove anything because of the Rust on everything . That was not me , so into Construction I went . Good thing , saves me a Bundle of $$$$ now .
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Willy
that is why Angel wants to do all the cooking lol
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I would be building right now, but its snowing and a blizzard outside and you can't find anything and another delivery of
wood and building materials on the way. Looks like they will have to delay a while longer on the delivery, can't get in.
Chen,
I would build, but the weatherman lied and I'm stuck with it. It is a good feeling until snow covers your wood and it gets
wet.
My finishing date has been cancelled and now I will have to stay in this little motel room another month...yuk.
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OK so now I re-read my comment at the top of this page. I thought I was being funny and now it just looks like I was being a jerk.
Willy, if I offended you please accept my apology.
Shaun
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Today was finishing the electrical and started the plumbing while the other 2 did the rocking. Tomorrow it's reframing a outside wall so I can continue plumbing. 20 days to finish? Hope I gave myself enough time?
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This is just the traditional from my hometown.You need to help others when they were building a house,so they need to remember who and how many days people work for them. Then they will come to help you when you need to build a house. It is kinda like labour exchange.
So all of the houses are build by the local who lives there .
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Chen, first I owe you an e-mail. Second, I wish it was like that here, but everywhere else people expect to be paid for their work, as
they have to make a living also.
Actually, the people who are working on my house are professionals (well some of them) and are out of work. So with so few jobs
here, I would rather hire them. Although they are neighbors and would do this for free, I feel that paying them helps out their
family's and helps them along the way. It also helps out our small town, because that is where they spend the money. So it works
out all the way around for everyone.
By the way, your labor exchange is a great idea, wish it was like that here, sometimes it happens, when neighbors come over and work
on your place without being asked, and you don't owe them anything, they just do it out of friendship and because you are their
neighbor.
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Don, There are small pockets of that here and there.
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The two guys helping me at this job are actually pro painters. Their jobs slowed up and I'm giving them steady work for the month. Home owners are paying them. They insisted, so I make my money. Good deal.
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I like helping out people, makes me feel good inside.
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Well? I'm in the home stretch of finishing. Last day of painting rooms. Just doors and trim to paint, install the interior doors and finish up the wall tile in the bathrooms. then install the fixtures and on to the finishing touches.
How about you? Any walls up yet? I have a couple more jobs after this. But maybe I could come out there and get things done also? :icon_biggrin:
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Thanks Vince so much, but the foundation is finally done and the framing is going fast now. Damn foundation work was so slow,
but it's done now and we are moving along with the sticks now. I will be on time for my trip to china. When are you leaving for
China ??
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Rocky.
when are you leaving for China? are you coming to GZ to see
Xiang? just wondering how its going for the two of you?
Ted
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Several reasons why things are up in the air currently but I'm hoping on July +/-?
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Ted
Will PM you.
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Gee Don. Keeping secrets? Guess you do not want the papers to follow you. :icon_cheesygrin:
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Rocky,
Did you have a problem digging your foundation because of...
Dave C
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i just hope we dont have to see pics of the furniture when Rocky gets back.:icon_cool:
how about what the house looks like with the touches made by the chinese wife who has
now moved to the new place and has put her touch on the western house. that would be
more interesting. just a thought:icon_cheesygrin:
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Rocky is buying furniture for the house. I bought a new couch, love seat and chair, showed it to Peggy and she does not like it. I think I will wait until she gets here before I spend any more money on furniture.
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what was wrong about it that she didnt like Shaun?
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They were black. She wanted brown or teal. Plus she didn't like they style. So I said, OK I own a furniture store we can change what you want when you get here.
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Shauns first mistake, buying furniture BEFORE the little lady gets here, second mistake; telling the little lady he owns a furniture store...:icon_cheesygrin:
That's ok shaun, I'll have a spare room for you to stay in, or the dog can move over...hahaha lol
Bee, that is really close to the problem...LOL
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sewer finally backed up eh?
Told you that you ought to put a new septic system in a mile or two further down the road.
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gotta stop eating those burritos...or was it the Oysters ??? hummmm. Thought that 55 gal drum was big enough....haha
:icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin: I don't use
it very much as you can see, gotta be the gas...:icon_cheesygrin:
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Walls are going up guys, god this thing is gonna be huge. Didn't realize it until I saw the walls. Guess I could put in a strip mall...:icon_cheesygrin:
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Skipper,
Keep your clothes on. :icon_cheesygrin:
Thurston III
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Today was suppose to be the last day on that remodel? He called last night saying to meet today with a punch list? Add ons? Now we play the game of "Not getting paid until"
Two more remodels (1 store) after this... I'm ready to retire? :s
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Hey Vince,,, I am retired and look at me working on a home....LOL
It's in the blood.....:icon_cheesygrin:
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Tragic accident happened today. A visitor accidently got hit in the head with 5 shovels, and recieved severe brain damage. It is
unlikely he will live through the trama. Athoritys are looking for his relitives at this moment so that they can be with him, in this
important hour of need. His last words were "Holy Sheet - Hissss". Services for the dearly departed won't be held, but you can
send money or beer. His name was PEPE' and was a part of my homeland security team. Pepe' will not be missed.
(http://)
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poor PEPE.....he was just misunderstood
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Don you should have fired up the grill and had Pepe steaks. ;D
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Doing the finishing touches on this last job.
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Very nice Vince.
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Wow, that is a super job Vince, very nice... ;D
Love the track lighting...and the beams, nice touch...I like exposed stained beams. Guess the English like them also, got plenty
of them in their construction, think it's called "Tudor" look ???
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Ok Shaun, the house is coming along nicely although we have had a few set-backs...as you can see below... :o
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Good, good Don, maybe you could get a job working for Vince. ;D
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Does Vince do quality work like this ???
I don't know, he may want to steal my idea's and the plans...LOL ;D
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Vince? What do you think? Look at his photos!!!!
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Looks like his level bubble is a little off? Plumbed the walls in heavy wind? ;)
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I can agree Don's bubble is off a little... But I don't think it has to do with construction... :D
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I don't know Vince, it was the one Shaun sold me, said he'd been using it for years.... ;D ;D ;D
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Don, Didn't I tell you....
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Hah, It was made in Mexico , not China , that is the problem , regards Robert .
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I finally got the water going, but it flows at a 45 degree angle when you turn it on, you have to fill the glass when its on its side,
and I'm not going to even mention how the washer works....LOL but you have to open the window to drain it.....lol
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Guy's, don't ask him how the toilet works. He might tell us.
There was a crooked man,
who walked a crooked mile,
He found a crooked sixpence,
upon his crooked stile.
He bought a crooked cat,
which caught a crooked mouse.
And they all lived together,
in a crooked house.
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Rocky , look at it this way ... the leaning Tower of Pisa is very famous and attract's a lot of Tourist's . So .. one day your House will most likely be equal to that Italian Tower . Going price to View is now about 150 Yuan ( RMB ) if it was in China , so don't short-sale yourself .
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Shaun, the toilet is out back and away from the house (arrrr matey, just in case of "thar she blow's...) LOL LOL LOL I'll let your
imagination do the rest ... lol ;)
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Actually, we use a Johnny can on work location. The toilet will be installed after the damn roof gets on, if it gets on as my
workers took a 3 week vacation and are not back yet. Got the plates in the floor and all the plumbing is ready. We tested the
water lines and they held- no leaks (that we could see) however when tested with air, they would not hold it, but did hold water,
perhaps PEX is not airtight or what?''[
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OK Don, I was tracking with you until you said PEX. I don't know what this is. Is it like PVC?
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PEX stands for cross linked polyethylene.
So your putting in Radiant Heat? or are you using it for the potable water too? As for air leaks? Depends on the pressure put into the line? All piping is limited to some amount of pressure.
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When I was working for a plummer back in the early 90's. Ark plumming code.Said that it had to hold 5 pounds of air for 15 minutes.If it doesn't you have a leak somewhere.What we used to do if we couldn't get it to hold air.Was run it up to about 15 pounds.And just listen for the leak.
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5 pounds of pressure? Avg. water pressure is around 30?
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Yes 5 pounds per square inch.I don't know why Ark picked that number.It was just that number.We ran a gas line, water, and sewer.In a ketchup factory.On one job.We kept loosing air on the gas line.It took us about 3 hours to find the leak.We found it right in the middle of the factory.It was leaking from the coupling comming out of the ceiling.
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I don't know what your normal water pressures are in the States, but most of Europe would normally want to see at least 1.5 to 2 bar of pressure on any domestic cold water faucet/tap. They normally pressure test a new installation at 4 bar for 24 hr. Domestic hot water lines normally run at lower water pressures, unless of course the installation is a pressurised system. In that case both hot and cold water lines will run at similar pressure values.... Which is exactly what i have here in Cyprus, and my system runs at around 3.5 bar.... ( 15 psi = 1 bar )
David......
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Vince wrote : PEX stands for cross linked polyethylene.
I'm a little confused now, as my understanding is that, XLP is abbreviation for ''cross linked polyethylene''
Unless it's some sort of common used trade name for a particular type of plastic type piping??
David....
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We used a spray bottle of dish soap and water and look for bubbles. Hence, we pumped it up to 30 lbs, which is usual city water
pressure (although it can go up as much a 60 lbs, depending on the city's water system). We watched as the air went down rather
quickly. Being concerned, I had a guy pump it up and keep it at 30 pounds while I went to every connection and sprayed and
sprayed. No bubbles anywhere. So I was a little concerned about this agian, as the air was going fast and I did not get any bubbles
anywhere. So we then used 30 to 40 pounds of water pressure. No leaks. I felt good about this, but the pump is automatic with
an air bladder in it. So the plumbing was holding but now the water pump is going off and on like crazy. It should have shut off.
After a lot of thought, I found that the damn water pump has an air filler on the back of the bladder assembly and requires 19 pounds
of pressure to be put into it (new pump, we don't read instructions.. ::)). So we pumped the air into it and damn if it didn't keep
doing it >:( ), so after much thought and a couple of beers, I came to the conclusion that it was because we just used a garden hose
to supply water, and the pump needs a one-way valve to keep it from bleeding pressure back through the water line...(dumb :o )
So I figure that since the PEX is holding water, I don't need to test further, but will proceed and when I put in the water pump I will
install a one-way valve which will cure the problem.
af
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This is my new porta potty, works good, ease of use, excellent clean up, can be moved from job site to job site, keeps employees
working longer - fewer breaks, cost effective.... ;D :o ::)
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Oops my bad guys.It was 15 pounds not five.And yes it had to hold for 15 minutes.Rocky are you on well water or City water? If your on well water.What you need to get is called a accumulator tank.It will keep your water pump from switching on and off all the time.According to the diagram i'm looking at it needs to go in line after the watr pump.Before the water heater.
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Rocky,
Ummmm, not to sound sick or anything here but what have you been eating lately??? :o :) :o ??? :o :-\ Not sure what I see in the bag there. And who's job is it to change the bag? Do they get hazard pay? ;D ;D
Dave C
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Diagram? I'm not seeing any diagram?
It sounds like well water? Because you say you have a pump. So going with that... disconnect the pump and put pressure in the line. Use colored water, food dye, I've used windshield washer fluid, and pump up the pressure (try a air compressor). I'd take it to 50 lbs for the hell of it. Then you know the lines are holding. By pass the water heater if you have it installed already? Just make a temp connection line.
Yes, air pressure has to be put into the bladder? lol But that is for air pressure in the incoming line. As for the "one-way valve to keep it from bleeding pressure back through the water line" ? Are you meaning a "Check Valve"? This keeps the water from leaking back in the line, it won't keep pressure from leaking back (to a certain amount, it's rated).
But first check for leaks.
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We have this type of system at the house my parents have up north here. It sounds like Rocky is talking about a well system. I thought the pump had a setting for the pump to come on at a set low pressure and stop when it reached a set higher pressure? if these two are set too close together the pump will cycle like crazy. If I remember right theirs was set at 15 and 30 lbs respectively. I think there was an adjustment for this on the pump. I would check this first if the pump is cycling like crazy.
Dave C
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Guys, that was just for a test of the water system. The water system is a tank above the house (further up a hill) and it gravity
feeds down to the house. We have to haul our own water from town, and the tank is 1200 plus gallons. My water hauling trailer
is 600 gallons, so when the main tank gets about half empty its time for another trip into town. Everyone around here hauls water
and the town is set up for it. Not to many of us can afford to spend 25k or more to drill a well and it would be around 1100 feet
deep to get to the aquafier. I'm just happy that the PEX held and by the way I tested it at 40-50 lbs as that little shallow well pump
can put out the pressure at times. It's a 1" pump, and can supply the whole house at anthing up to 50lbs, although I have it set to
30lbs for regular home pressure. You guys living in the city are spoiled...LOL. It will be set up with all the goodies for the plumbing
and right now I am debating on wether to use a Bosch instant hot water heater w/ 1/2" line or one that I looked at yesterday, that
is half the size at 1/2" and does the same thing with propane (yes I use propane). The Bosch is excellent, although it runs on natural
gas. There is no conversion kit to propane for it, so I would have to hook it up for propane and use it like that. Propane burns hotter
and the only difference is that you have to adjust the flame or the air to the propane so you would get the flame burning right.
The correct way is adjust the air so you have a blue flame not a yellow flame. I believe propane takes a smaller oriface than natural
gas does (its all in the oriface size ;) ). The small one I was looking at, is killer! works like the big brother and supplies all the hot
you can use.
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Guy's, we are up to putting on the roof now. (with shingles)
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Rocky did you get the accumulator tank.For your water.If you didn't you are going to burn your water pump up.I checked with a buddy of mine who does this kind of work.He said the accumulator tank is a necessity.For your kind of system.It will keep pressure on the valve.And keep the pump from cycling off and on all the time.
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The pump come's with one attached. I am assuming your talking about the pressure tank, and it does come with one with an
auto shut off. It only comes on when the water pressure is low (or leaking :( )
I am now putting on the beams for the roof. Next is the trusses and finally the osb for the roof and paper and shingles. We have
what I believe is more beam support than I really need. I mean, hey were using 2x6 for the trusses and the way they have it,
we don't have any leanth more than 8 feet that isn't supported by a 4x8 beam. Alright it is HOME DEPOT lumber and grows when
you stick it in the ground, but hey I ordered KD so that once set in place and nailed, won't hurt a bit.
It's lots of work, but we are getting there. Just want to get it dried in, so I can start on the inside. It's a large roof to build by the
seat of your pants, but hey, it's just like building a shed roof --- only bigger. ..... ;D ;) ::)
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I am getting the Three Stooges short of them building their honeymoon house in my mind now... Why would that be happening? :o ;D :o
Dave C
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Mmmmm but? ahhhh ??
Yeah I'm picturing it too.
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Around here it's more like Laurel and Hardy building a house......with the help of the three stooges.... ;D ;D ;D
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Hey Rocky,
Arre you gonna post some pictures for us to see your progress? 8)
Dave C
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Yes I'll post some pictures, damn thing is god awful huge for a 2 bedroom. They are still working on the roof and its not
even dried in yet. (wait, wait, wait, wait), (tapping toes). Got to get a couple of small walls up, so I can install windows and doors
and do electric (err...solar power), and also shorten up a giant walk-in closet to put the solar outfit in. Cells on the roof, battery's,
and charge controller and inverter down in the room. Along with a nice square-D 400 amp service box with breakers (I already have
the box, just thought I would use it - overkill?) puts the whole damn mess in one room where it will be insulated and warm in the
winter.
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This is only 1/2 of the roof up.
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I just want a small place to retire, a couple of rooms, easy to clean, with low utilities, central heating, and a fireplace... ;D ;D ;D
Just a small place in the country, where I don't have too many neighbors close-by. A small fishing pond (around the outside).
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Frank will sell you his in france when he decides to move to china
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I see why it is taking you so long Rocky, everybody seems to be sitting around! ::)
Dave C
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Yeh, and that ain't soda pop in their hands. But its after work in the photo, so (soda pop) is allowed. But the roof is 52 feet by 52 feet and a bitch to put up by hand. Specially by hand.
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HEY GUYS.................................................THE ROOF IS ON...............................YEH...................... ::) ::) ::) ;D
Now for the wiring..................zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzztttttttttt...POW, CRACKEL, POP...................... ;D :o :o
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Howdy folks, I finally got the roof on and more or less dried in (wait till it rains) so I'll be off line for a week, thanks for all the support. I'll be moving in
today and tomorrow (I hate moving >:( ) So will talk at you when I get connected agian (about a week). Don
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well at least your not moving all that stuff to china now that would be a job and a half
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Rocky,
Good luck with the move. I hope all goes well for you.
Dave C