Ryan McFarland

Tiffany you betch

Originally uploaded by zieak

This seemed funny at the time.

A few people have asked for instructions on how to program a Monitor Heater.  I have the 2400 model (not sure if these instructions will work for different models) and here’s what the instruction manual says…

The Monitor 2400 Heating System is capable of providing up to 4 different temperature settings for 4 different times of each day of the week.  Not all 4 settings have to be used; 2, 3, or 4 settings can be used.  A clear understanding of programming temperatures, time, and day of week from the previous pages is needed before programming the automatic settings.  Also, the present time and the day of week must have been set.

This system is capable of programming Monday through Friday, Saturday and Sunday to same programs as shown in the table or each day can have a different set of 4 programs.  Also this system is capable of programming all 7 days to have the same set.

Suggested weekday and weekend programs are shown below;

Mon-Fri

• 1st - 6:00 AM - 68°
• 2nd - 8:30 AM - 60°
• 3rd - 5:00 PM - 68°
• 4th - 11:00 PM - 58°

Sat-Sun

• 1st - 7:00 AM - 68°
• 2nd - 10:00 AM - 60°
• 3rd - 4:00 PM - 68°
• 4th - 11:00 PM - 58°

Step 1: Setting the 1st program of Monday

Pressing the “SELECT” button will illuminate the “TIMER SET” light.  The “Mon” light will illuminate and flash, and the “TIMER SELECTOR” LED indicator in the display window will show “1″ at this point.

Pressing the “TIME/TEMP” button will illuminate the “:” light in the display window. and then set the first desired time by pressing the “HOUR” and “MINUTE” buttons.  Once the desired time “AM or PM” is displayed, press the “SET” button to lock into memory.

Press the “TIME/TEMP” button again.  Set the desired temperature for the first time setting by using the “UP” and “DOWN” buttons.  Once the desired temp is displayed, press the “SET” button to lock into memory.

Step 2: Setting the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th programs of Monday

Pressing the “1st-4th” button will show “2″ at the “TIMER SELECTOR” LED indicator in the display window.  Follow same steps as above, except for second time/temp.

Repeat third and fourth settings by same steps.

Step 3a: Settng the programs of Tuesday - Sunday (if different than Monday)

Skip to 3b if you plan on having more days use the same schedule as you have now set for Monday.

Pressing the “SELECT” button will illuminate and flash the “Tue” light, and the “TIMER SELECTOR” LED indicator in the display window will show “1″ at this point.

Follow same steps as above, set the programs of Tuesday.  Set the programs of remaining days in the same manner.

Step 3b: Setting the program by using the Copy Function Tuesday - Friday

You can easily duplicate Monday’s program for the remainder of the week, or any group of days, by using the Copy function.

After having set the program for Monday, press the “1st-4th” button until “COPY” flashes in the LED display window.  Note that “Mon” is also flashing in the weekly timer control panel.  To copy Monday’s program to Tuesday, press the “UP” or “DOWN” button to flash the “Tue” light.  Both “Mon” and “Tue” lights are flashing.

Press the “SET” button, and “Tue” is steady, and “COPY” and “Mon” lights are flashing.

Next, press the “UP” or “DOWN” button to illuminate “Wed” and then press “SET.”  “Tue and “Wed” are both steady, but “Mon” and “COPY” are flashing.

Repeat the above sequence for Thursday and Friday.

Then hold down the “SET” button for 3 seconds, or until you hear the “BEEP” and observe that “COPY” stops flashing.  The programs for Tue-Fri are now copied and set.

In about 10 seconds, only “Mon” will be flashing.  Press the “SELECT” button to select the current day, and the TIME will appear in the display window.

Saturday - Sunday

Follow the same steps as above (steps 1 and 2) to set the “Saturday” program.  Press “1st-4th” button until “COPY” flashes in the display window.  Press the “UP” or “DOWN” button to illuminate “Sun” which will flash.  Press “SET” button and”Sun” will light steady.  Then, press “SET” button and hold for 3 seconds, or until you hear the “BEEP” sound and “COPY” light stops flashing.  The Sunday program has been copied from Saturday.

Step 5: Activate Automatic Operation

For the heater to operate on automatic once the settings are in memory, simply press the “AUTO” button on the control panel.  The “AUTO” light will illuminate to confirm the heater is in the automatic operation mode.  The heater will now maintain the programmed temp for that time of day of the week.

IMPORTANT: The heater will not operate in automatic unless the ON/OFF switch is in the “ON” position.

Step 6: Clearing an automatic setting

If you wish to clear any automatic setting, press the “SELECT” and “1st-4th” button to the appropriate setting and press the “CLEAR” button.  A new setting will need to be entered otherwise the old setting will return after 1 minute.

I don’t care who you are — you never get enough back scratching.

When i take apart things i try to come up with ways to reuse the parts. I made a back scratcher out of a stainless rod from an inkjet printer or flatbed scanner and the needle plate from a sewing machine. I didn’t drill a hole n the needle plate. I used a washer and nut that i had in my inventory from other things that have met their fate in my workshop. I’ll switch them to stainless at some point. The only drawback to this back scratcher is that the stainless rod sometimes spins in your hand. I have an idea or few to improve that in the future though.

I told you at the beginning of the month that i was going to follow a regime that claimed to be able to give me the strength to do 100 consecutive push ups.  At that time i could do 20 straight push ups.  Well, three weeks in I can definitely do more push ups.  I just completed today’s set.  I had two minutes to rest in between completing 22, 30, 20, 20, and 28 push ups.  So i just did over 100 push ups in just over 10 minutes.  I’ve noticed some gains in my triceps, shoulders and chest.  I still have three weeks to go before attempting 100 straight but i’m certainly on my way!  Now to find a similar program and goal for biceps and abs!

I use this online stopwatch to set an alarm to remind me to do my next set.  It’s amazing how forgetful i can be if i try and do them without it.

Next week we’ll be on a little trip and will be renting cars.  That means filling them up with gas.  According to NPR earlier tonight, gas prices have dropped 87 cents per gallon in the last month - so our timing is pretty good.  Check out cost2drive where all you need to do is enter your origin and destination location and your make and model of your vehicle and it does the rest.

Quite a while back i stumbled on a LEGO construction project and in it the builder asked for name suggestions for some of the minifigs.  He has photos of each of the characters on the construction crew.  It so happens that the building the crew is constructing is the library on the campus of UAF.  Of course, Palin was present for the groundbreaking.  Thanks Ty!

Well, it looks like I’ll finally be paid for putting an idea on Instructables.  Here is the HowCast that is loosely based on my Instructable about reusing refrigerator magnets.

Diebold election system

Originally uploaded by zieak

I just picked up a new Diebold counter for the paper ballots that Alaska uses. The Pool is the only voting place in Petersburg. I wonder if we’ll be hearing a lot about Diebold in the next few weeks.

Two thirsty kitties

Originally uploaded by zieak

Usually the cats take turns drinking from the toilet.

In two weeks we’re taking a vacation.  It isn’t like last year’s month in Southeast Asia but here’s what we have planned.

Saturday, October 25th we’ll fly to Los Angeles and stay with Kevin Dean.  He’ll have to work the following week but we should be able to go to the beach and hit an amusement park or some of the tourist traps. (Hello Legoland!)

On the Thursday the 30th we’re renting a car and driving to Las Vegas and staying at the Polo Towers via a timeshare swap.  We’ll meet up with Karna and some other folks from Petersburg and Washington and celebrate Halloween in Sin City. I’m sure we’ll ride the rides while there.

On Sunday the 2nd we’ll check out of the hotel and Kevin will drive back to LA while we drive to Taos, NM and visit with Cena’s dad.  We’ll spend time in the area until the 6th when we fly from Albuquerque to LA, spend the night with Kevin, and then fly back to Petersburg on Friday the 7th. I was supposed to play music for a wedding on the 8th but that has been cancelled.

I hope to drive to Philmont while in NM and maybe even hike up the Vaca Trail.  I worked on that trail the summer of 1995 and would love to see what nearly 15 years of time and use have resulted in.  Anyone have any suggestions for other stuff to do in LA, LV, or the Taos area?