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RE: Smart Light Bulbs
Smart Plugs:
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/4191cJa%2B3QL._SL1000_.jpg height=200
Kasa Smart WiFi Plug w/Energy Monitoring by TP-Link - Reliable WiFi Connection, No Hub Required, Works with Alexa Echo & Google Assistant (HS110)
https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-HS110-Monitoring-Required-Assistant/dp/B0178IC5ZY/
Put the KASA app on your phone, add the Smart Plugs and set up a schedule. Done. Turns your lights and appliances off and on plus keeps track of how much electric is used.
thanks.
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rk911
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01/20/20 09:08pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Smart Light Bulbs
My neighbor has those. Yes, if the power gets interupted they go nuts and need reprogramming.
In his case he was on vacation in Hi when someone turned the light switch of and back on. The lights flashed for 2 days till he got home.
hmmm. thanks.
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rk911
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01/20/20 07:54pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Smart Light Bulbs
Ohh one second last point - I programmed the Honeywell to turn on/off with a offset from sunrise and sunset. So dumb LEDs and smart switch and I'm a happy camper - er homeowner.
thought about smart switches but most of the lamps i have on timers aren't powered by a wall switch.
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rk911
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01/20/20 07:53pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Smart Light Bulbs
Why would anyone buy smart bulbs to use in timer controlled lamps?
The harshness is due to the "temperature" of the bulb. 4000k is neutral. If you want a warmer light, get a bulb closer to 3000k. If you want a bright blue/white bulb buy a 6000k bulb. You need to understand those figures to select the right bulb.
The app on you phone is used to control the schedule on smart bulbs and turn them ON/OFF.
Power outages won't effect the schedule. Smart bulbs (and all smart devices) rely on an internet connection. Lose it and you lose control of the bulb but it will still turn on/off according to the schedule you programmed.
Try a search on Amazon for 3 way LED smart bulbs and the other features you're wanting to know about.
i'm looking to ditch the timers and instead use smart bulbs in those lamps.
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rk911
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01/20/20 07:37pm |
Technology Corner
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Smart Light Bulbs
i'm considering dumping my old style light timers replacing them with wifi smart bulbs. lots of questions i hope others can answer.
- most of the smart bulbs will be in fixtures that are on timers year round but some of the smart bulbs will be in other fixtures that are occasionally used on an as-needed basis. will the smart bulb also function as a "regular" bulb? will it lose its programming if turned off at the wall switch or fixture? if it holds its programming how long will the bulb's programming be retained when the bulb or fixture is off?
- we have a planned momentary power outage each week when our stand-by generator tests itself under load. will these momentary outages (~5-seconds) disrupt, alter or cancel the bulb's programming? does the programming reside in the bulb or on the PC? the PC at home is on a UPS so there is zero interruption to it.
- i don't care for or need smart bulbs that can change hue or color. prefer soft white especially in the lamps that will see occasional use. LEDs are notoriously harsh. can anyone recommend a brand that's not so harsh?
- do smart bulbs come in 3-way wattages such as 60/100/150 (equivalent)? can i get single wattage bulbs in the equivalent of 25 or 40-watts?
- the upfront expense is ok but i sure don't want to be replacing them often. for those that have them what has been your experience in terms of longevity? not looking to go cheap nor am i wanting to take out a mortgage. looking for good value.
- do the bulbs come with an app for my iphone/ipad? do i program them with those devices or with my PC?
- any other opinions, cautions or words of wisdom would be appreciated.
thanks.
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rk911
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01/20/20 06:44pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Heated Mattress Pad
we’ve been on the road for just over a week now and we love the heated mattress pad! my side is at ‘4’, hers us at ‘6’. i have it between the bottom sheet and another mattress pad. we don’t feel the wires...very comfortable. a big thumbs up! :B
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rk911
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01/18/20 09:29pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: The Trinity Site
....
Do it, you won't regret it. And for those who have not been to White Sands add a couple of more days to your trip and spend there. Another amazing place in the "Land of Enchantment". Enjoy your trip.
second the notion of seeing White Sands. there are two White Sands...the missile range/proving grounds museum and the new national park, the museum is also on an active military base. you WILL need photo id's for everyone in your party, a background check will be conducted and your vehicle WILL be searched. took us about 30-minutes to gain entry but, IMO, it's well worth it.
http://www.wsmr-history.org/index.htm
https://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm
the two facilities are about 30-min apart.
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rk911
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01/18/20 05:47pm |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Lane Closures I-10 Westbound at Atchafalaya Basin Bridge
We used 190 to avoid I-10 thru LA going east with class A towing, thought it was a decent road, but many of the complaints on here we don't find to be accurate for us. We don't mind 2 lane or 55mph.
we don't either but I don't want my teeth knocked loose either. we'll be taking 190 and i'll report on it's condition late Sunday or on Monday.
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rk911
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01/17/20 10:58am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: The Trinity Site
Wow Williebago! That does sound interesting but is it possiple to do? They are in opposite directions and miles apart. We figured a day for each.
unless something has changed all you’ll need at Trinity is an hour or so. the VLA is about a 90-min drive.
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rk911
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01/17/20 05:44am |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Lane Closures I-10 Westbound at Atchafalaya Basin Bridge
That would be 415 rather than 412. I feel it is not as bad as around Lake Charles. I am not aware of road conditions of 190 west of l49. Possibly someone else's can help. You are right I once thought that the highway from Gadsen to Fort Payne was the worst in country.
sorry, yes, 415.
we're from illinois and i thought our roads were horrible. when we came south from chicago I-57 and I-55 were, surprisingly, very good. a few stretches here and there but overall very good. I-10 in LA is another story.
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rk911
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01/16/20 07:49pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Lane Closures I-10 Westbound at Atchafalaya Basin Bridge
Have you a choice to use or not use the detour during the repair? Not everything needs to be known in advance...let the spirit of adventure abide in you!
you may not be familiar with I-10 between Lake Charles and Beaumont, TX. one of the worst stretches of road...ever. been there, done that.
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rk911
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01/16/20 07:43pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Lane Closures I-10 Westbound at Atchafalaya Basin Bridge
Good route for any size rig. The road surface is somewhat rough for a few miles right before Port Barre and the last mile on 190 before l49. Otherwise normal US highways..
we were on EB 190 between I-49 & LA412 2 -yrs ago and thought it was very bad. i guess condition is subjective. we're planning on staying on WB 190 to LA 12 and then TX 12 returning to I-10 at Vidor TX. is 190 west of I-49 in about the same condition as east of 49? trying to avoid the construction and terrible road bed around Lake Charles.
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rk911
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01/16/20 04:51pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Lane Closures I-10 Westbound at Atchafalaya Basin Bridge
Looks like it's overnight in the weekends, I don't think you'll be impacted, especially if you prefer daylight travel.
the way i read it the lane closure runs continuous from 9pm on Friday until 6am on Monday.
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rk911
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01/16/20 04:45pm |
General RVing Issues
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Lane Closures I-10 Westbound at Atchafalaya Basin Bridge
ran across this quite by accident a few minutes ago. Anyone familiar with the detour...ok for 40’ class A towing Jeep SUV????
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Important Details: There will be a single lane closure on I-10 westbound during the weekends from 9 p.m. on Fridays to 6 a.m. on Mondays. Motorists are encouraged to use a detour route using La. 415 to U.S. 190 to I-49 back to I-10. Call 511 or visit www.511la.org for additional information.
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Full Story:
ST. MARTIN PARISH — The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LaDOTD) announced a rehabilitation project to replace the existing bridge deck surface on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge in St. Martin Parish from the Whiskey Bay exit to mile marker 125.
The contractor, Gibson & Associates, will mill the existing deck surface and replace it with a modified latex concrete pavement.
A portion of the bridge deck was damaged following a multi-vehicle crash involving a vehicle fire in August 2019 that caused spalling to occur, resulting in some of the surface concrete to crack and flake off.
The bridge was deemed structurally sound after a thorough bridge inspection.
Construction is set to begin Jan. 17 and is anticipated to be completed Jan. 27, weather permitting.
There will be a single lane closure on I-10 westbound during the weekends from 9 p.m. on Fridays to 6 a.m. on Mondays.
Motorists are encouraged to use a detour route using La. 415 to U.S. 190 to I-49 back to I-10.
Call 511 or visit www.511la.org for additional information. Out-of-state travelers may call I-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511).
Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website atwww.dotd.la.gov, by selecting MyDOTD, or by visiting the DOTD Facebook and Twitter pages.
source:https://www.kaplantoday.com/news/exp...s-basin-bridge
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rk911
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01/16/20 03:18pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: good Sam VS AARP.
there’s no chance we’d give one red cent for anything to AARP. reasons are totally political which i will not detail. suffice it to say IMO they do not have the well being of the typical senior in mind.
we belong to Good Sam (although we don’t do many 1-night stays these days) as well as KOA and AAA. on the very rare occasion we stay in a hotel the AAA card provides a discount. the typical CG/RV Park will provide a better discount for weekly and monthly stays.
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rk911
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01/16/20 02:35pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Propane vs Electric Heating
i should've added that in general i think the better long-term strategy is to conserve consumables when there are other options. elec vs lp, city water vs your tank although the latter is more easily refillable.
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rk911
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01/14/20 07:34pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Full Hook-ups or no?
Having power is important if the weather is hot or cold. Having water & sewer onsite is a non issue. Prefere a back in also.
Don't understand why so many CG operators look at us & assume that we will want a FHU pull through.
prob becuz most do.
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rk911
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01/14/20 06:17pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Propane vs Electric Heating
we're always on hookups so we mainly heat with electric...fireplace and a small portable space heater. we have a new heated mattress pad for cool nights. we don't usually use the rooftop heat pumps due to the noise. other than the first few nights of our snowbird trek we avoid traveling in very cold weather.
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rk911
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01/14/20 10:58am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Full Hook-ups or no?
in the beginning...1986. a couple if newbees starting out in a year old 25' class A. no clue on what to expect but how hard could it be? what could possibly go wrong? lots, actually..lol. there was lots of no-hookup camping and some W/E or electric-only camping mostly in state/local/national parks and forests. did that for many, many years and had a blast.
over the past 36-seasons we have transitioned from campers to travelers. our MH is our hotel room. i can't recall the last time we were without hookups. "but the parks are so crowded, everyone is so close and you usually need reservations". same thing applies to condos and hotels. camping or traveling by RV....it's all good.
and that's ok, we make no apologies. whatever works for you.
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rk911
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01/14/20 10:50am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Residential Refrigerator – Good or avoid?
OK, we are on the hunt for a 5er’ to not only facilitate a relocation but we are planning on getting back into RV travel and adventure. We are looking at some used units, including several Lifestyle RV’s. I see a few with “residential refrigerators” and inverters. I am curious what the thoughts are from experienced owners. I have considered some differences, these include;
Plus – More room, usually ice and water in door, more visually appealing, probably better for full time operation / reliability
Minus – Expensive to purchase / replace, required removal of slide to replace, requires narrow range of models for fit and application.
Thoughts?
OJ
depends on the type of camping/RVing you plan to do. mostly boondocking: traditional RV fridge. mostly full hookup parks and resorts: residential.
your cons are not necessarily accurate. replacing an an RV fridge can be more $ than a resi depending on size. removing the doors on our resi allows it to be removed from our MH.
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rk911
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01/14/20 10:08am |
General RVing Issues
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