Payroll Person

And remember the jamborees of the 70’s? 

My fav part? Being instructed to rule only on admitted evidence and testimony. Made me annoyed at opening and closing since we knew to ignore the JD speeches. I appreciated the honesty of  couple of witnesses. The prosecutor was less than good. They called a witness who made the case for the defendant, and did not ask proper questions during the jury selection - which would have excluded me. I ended up being the one of the twelve who initially voted to acquit. Just like 12 angry men, I had to win the eleven over.

The case was based on a probation search, which was proven to be an improper search even a first day blue should have known not to do. Worse yet, the watch supervisor approves this planned in advance search.

The homeowner (who was not the probationer) tried to refuse the search, and was tried for resisting the search among other things. The probationer had not resided there in years, which was known to the pd, which means the pd needed a warrant and the homeowner had the right (duty) to refuse. 
 

The rest of the story is I was in the same position and refused to let the pd in any non common space in my home as I had studied the specific rule.

And finally, we NEED people with now uncommon sense to serve. It irritates me to read complaints about serving. Would you want you or yours sitting before 12 who are there only because they could not game the system and get excused?

Verizon is public about priority. First responders, business accounts, then others, with the resellers likely last iirc.

I have a business Verizon. Even when there are 50k folks at a music store vent les than a mile from me, I don’t have an issue. They do bring portable towers, but my Verizon is snappy, while my consumer level att os less responsive.

Starlink at home is reasonable in speed. Near what they advertise. Just tested at a large high cost campground over the 4th. Many others with SL. Not bad, but Verizon was faster since we were on a busy corridor. 

I rarely tell people irl what I do or what I have done. When I share my skills, I do not want it to be an obligation. I relearned this issue when I pointed out how unsafe the back of mh’s are and the driver has to act like the only safety feature. Now that our granddaughter can ride facing forward, she can ride, and goes in the front seat (which is subject to federal standards) - since the back - even where I added my own safe belt system - is worse. (Racing background so I know how to install belts properly.)

I carry a dog bone in case one outlet looks better than the other (30a /120v rv).

1 hour ago, D&J said:

That is caused by loose neutrals in your panel, it starts with one then overheats all of them around it, it's a good idea because of road vibration to check all connections every few years. In all my years being a electrician sence 1969 I've seen it many times.

Denny

Always start there. Same with the ground(s) on the vehicle systems. I got to teach this to one son. He was doing work in a semi and called me after an hour or two trying to find an intermittent issue. I said look at the batt grounds first, then all others. The batts were loose in their box and ground wire was bad. 

5 minutes ago, RV_ said:

had no idea about the extension cord prejudice. Thanks for the heads up on expecting that.

Yet one can buy an auto switcher for dryer outlet, and an extension cord (considered it if I had needed more charging speed). Many wall chargers can do the same in pairs (effectively share one circuit for 2 evs).

I simply unplug the rv and plug in the ev. The ev mobile charger has a quality third party outlet sensing tt30 adapter which limits the amps (although I self limit).

2 minutes ago, oldjohnt said:

sparky chatting with you, take care, Happy Independence Day

Likewise. Me, jack-of-all, but able to find the knowledge I don’t have or remember.

I gave up trying to argue online back in the bbs days. I try to share my opinion when appropriate, but know it is worth what I charge.

I hide my autoformer rather than argue the merits. Same with my voltage protection.

I was contemplating adding a tt30 on the rv (from gen) as a backup charge for the car, but we rarely sit at less than 100mi range left. 

1 hour ago, oldjohnt said:

Hey there Payroll, great tips. if your RV cord (likely 30 or 50 Amp rated ??) has adequate ampacity and insulation type/integrity suitable for the location to conduct your EV's charger current, I don't understand any flaming ??????? Of course, you wouldn't use a 30 Amp rated cord to carry over 30 Amps WELL DUH you already know that .........

 John T

 

Ev keyboard warriors say no extension cord, period. Yet they talk about rv parks as a backup charging option on long trips, even if they have to claim they are camping.

In my case, our rv is 120v / 30a, so that is the outlet we have, and ev charger we setup as well. We can fully charge in two overnights, off peak. We are also within 10 minutes of three different superchargers, and have free L2 charging downtown. At home, I limit ev to 20a to account for any extra heat by using an extension. (24a is the max continuous from a 30a outlet.)
 

Our home power is at max already. Household stuff, a/c, spa, and swim spa. The ev, spa, and swim spa are all set for off peak, staggered. The A/c pre cools to 64 before peak, and “rides” well for the evening. We actually pay less for energy, including adding the ev, because of eligibility for ev tou rates. (We drive one charge or less during the week.) Yes, we drive ev with a negative energy cost.

Solar home is a money loser in CA, and will likely be even for early adopters when the new rate structure comes online in the next year or so.

I also get lit up when I point out the LFP batts in the ev can be charged fully at all times, same as the lfp in our MH, with little life loss in their practical lifetime. I am not one to spend time managing and predicting charge to get some additional life 15 or 20 years down the road. We specifically got a M3 with Lfp for the lack of need to limit charging. 

And test/inspect your extension cords as well. Ends, and run your hands along the entire length to look for bends, cuts, nicks, etc. 

While I get flamed on ev sites, I trust and use my rv designed extension, if needed, for ev too. 

8 hours ago, palmeris said:

Need clear views of sky to the north.  It doesn't like trees 

Be aware. Does not always orient north. Left coast it may orient north west. East coast may orient north east. This mainly concerns static installs but is something to be aware of. 

This issue is also coming to the front for those installing outlets for ev charging. Same with understanding a 50a outlet should be limited to 40a continuous. 

The LEO wants a safe outcome. Start with hands visible, such as 10 and 2. No sudden movements. In my case, I ask/tell the LEO what I am going to do. Example is step out with keys to get papers from lock box under seat (wrangler). I get stopped now and again because the rear plate is old and faded. Also because it is stored over winter and sometimes the tag expires before I get smog test.

Most importantly, I declare whether the lock box has a weapon in it or not. Usually the LEO is on pass side so they can see the content of the lock box before I reach in. 

I use my phone and an app called Splashtop to access and control my surface pro, especially when it is not within my reach! Also allows me to keep the surface secure but still available. 

For us, the wires which move with the slide are ones I checked as soon as we brought it home. Poorly secured and were already showing signs of wear.

36 minutes ago, rynosback said:

Insurance companies do ask how many miles are you from work and what you drive annually. The policy price does vary. At least USAA asked me. 

Not in every state. We used to pay less because we drove less than most (per vehicle).  CA, iirc, did away with such a discount.

what can be offered is controlled by the state of “garage”.

As an adult, I came to learn my relatives fought on both sides of the civil war, one set essentially conscripted off a reservation. My own grandfather volunteered at the end of WWI, and again at the beginning of WWII. He tried again for Korea, but was deemed too old as he was in his early 50’s. As a boy, I remember him telling me he served and saw enough for me and my kids. I never knew the full story until I found one of his WWII dog tags amongst my mother’s keepsakes.

So for this day, we proudly fly the US and Choctaw flags to honor personal heroes as well as those who serve and served us all.

I also remember those who kept their word to the Filipino community, as my other grandfather made the awful decision to return to the Philippines with one of his kids and left his wife and other son in the US (what they called the repatriation act). All 4 of my grandparents were and will always be the greatest generation. 

My son got to visit Normandy. He called me from there and we talked about all the grandparents and great grandparents who protected us. He tells us he remembers that moment every time he volunteers at the VA hospital. 

Those here likely are not in a position where buying an EV, and paying the 150-200 some states are charging to make up for not paying state fuel tax, is an issue.

The next time there is a perfect state or federal tax, will be the first time. 

7 minutes ago, Tulecreeper said:

So, in 2023 you get your vehicle inspected and they record your mileage at 35,000 miles.  Then you come back next year in 2024 for the inspection and they record your mileage at 46,000 miles and the state of Texas charges you for 11,000 miles.  BUT...you were on extended vacation during the past 12 months and 9,500 of those miles were driven outside the state of Texas.  Why should Texas get the mileage tax for the entire 11,000 miles?  Shouldn't the 24 states you drove through during those 6 months of vacation and 9,500 miles get their share?  Yes, yes they should, but who is going to keep track of all that?  It would be a logistical nightmare.

Vagaries of state sovereignty. A great example is OR and WA with sales tax and lack of sales tax. Or filling up with fuel before coming into CA. 

Off peak home .169

Downtown .00

Transit center .04

Supercharger .42

1 minute ago, RV_ said:

PP, what do you mean access fee par vehicle? For electric or like toll roads?

I have an access fee of just ~ $13-15 just to be connected to the grid when we have our solar system installed.

I think fees at registration with the DMV and making weight a factor in the equation might just work.

Something like CA and other states are already doing via registration fee. 

CA utilities (the big 3) are going to a monthly access/connect fee soon, and an estimated 30% LESS per kWh.

IIRC, municipal utilities may already use this model (monthly access fee even is zero kWh net use).

For me, this will be a big savings. For me, it also makes Solar a money losing non starter. I suspect it makes Solar a loser for most in the big 3 territories. 

Once, yes. Usual are kids on bikes, scooters, or just running around. Usually I an a fan of natural consequences, but now when it wakes us up. Plus that is the side with my utilities so running or walking on my hoses and cables is annoying. 

While walking pups, no. Only people, sure, quietly. No pups because they can leave wet spots at a moments notice, plus the empty site may have leftovers on the ground we don’t want them to get at.

Depending on the layout, we often set quasi barriers in our own site to keep out short cutters. Our heads sleep in a slide and in the past, short cutters have woken us up by walking into the slide.

There is a reasonable case made that par vehicle, there should be an access fee. This is similar to what is coming for the big 3 CA elec suppliers (monthly fee to cover things like distribution and maintenance costs and a 30% lower kWh cost). We went this route a long time  ago for water (less per unit but added a monthly fee) since the water companies and common sense were asking for conservation.

But, the reality is those in charge have the same set of cost and desired or permitted profit, and as any factor changes their income (drought, ev, home Solar, etc.) they have to find a way to keep their wheels greased. And since those employed by the government or quasi government entities won’t work for free, and for many cases are unionized, and often work for the better end game (benefits) their costs never go down. (NOT knocking unions, my home has one union adult and one who has lesser feelings for them.)

Then we have the whole “our city had a higher minimum wage than my state” silliness, since it must mean enough voters can still be bought/fooled (like spam exists because enough fall for it to be profitable).

Taxation never equals equitable . I suspect it has always been political, and now we have access to much of the behind the scenes process to prove it.

Never will be as there is an entire industry dependent on figuring out how to play the game  

An example is UI insurance in CA. It does not pay its own way via payroll as no politician wants to update the amount colored for fear of being seen as a tax raiser. So at the end of year, employers have to make up the difference in bulk.