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Misc Videos
VIDEOS
Astronomy Videos:
The astronomy videos are described on page " Astronomy
".
Bird Videos:
These are videos taken on Hummingbird and Finch feeders behind my house on the California Central Coast.
Drone Videos:
See playlist "Drone Pics". These videos were shot using my Phantom 2 Vision + Drone.
Misc Playlists:
Videos that don't fit into another category. Most are taken near or at my home.
Playlist: "misc videos"
"Pellicans & Paragliders": Shows Pellicans, also shows some paragliders over a restaurant.
"House Close-Up": GoPro video of front of my house.
My Cul-de-sac": GoPro video of end of my street.
"How To Choose And Install A Home Weather Station". Describes choosing and installing a Davis Vantage View home weather station at my home.
"Biography": Narrated slide show autobiography.
"How To Assemble A Sauna": Describes how to assemble the Dynamic 1-2 person infrared sauna.
Playlist: "Copper Pipe Plumbing Project"
Steps to replace hot-water sediment filter in Pelican Water Treatment System (sweated copper pipe)
Playlist: "Recording WIldlife With A Home Security Camera." Show coyotes, opossums,skunk, raccoons, rabbits.
Roadtrek:
Video series showing how to set up and camp in a 2014 Roadtrek CS Adventurous RV. (RV is currently for sale at Sky River RV, Paso Robles, CA.)
ARTICLES
This article was submitted to 2 astronomy clubs I belong to:
(The videos are in the Astronomy playlist described above.)
Living With A Meade 12 Inch Telescope
By Tom Wallace
I’ve been an amateur astronomer for over 40 years. Until retirement in 2004, my telescope was a Celestron 8 inch. Immediately upon retirement, I purchased a Meade 12 inch telescope. After struggling with its weight (73 lbs.) for years, using a “kit” trailer and various Rube-Goldberg contraptions that worked poorly, I finally devised a system that works very well. With it, the telescope can be transported and set up without help, and without lifting it.
Basically, the system uses a garden cart, hydraulic lift table, 2 motorcycle ramps, and a 12-volt winch mounted in my Honda Odyssey Minivan. I’ve made 7 videos: The first 2 show how my system works; the others give construction details for building your own system. Warning:before building this project be sure to watch all the video parts. There are vital construction details given in all the parts.
It isn’t a “cheap” project, but I can now easily take my telescope anywhere and use it without straining my back. The cart and lift table are NOT optional!
Major purchases needed: (check for sale prices on all items):
Garden cart:(Home Depot $80-100.)
Hydraulic lift table: (500 pound capacity, Harbor Freight - $160),
12-volt winch: (2000 lb. pull, Harbor Freight - $70 with wireless remote). You could possibly use a block and tackle, or a come-along, but the winch makes loading/unloading the telescope go very quickly.
Custom Wiring: installation of winch power cable (Drive Customs, SLO, $171) You could possibly do this yourself, but they do EXCELLENT WORK!
Motorcycle ramps: (Santa Maria Harley Davidson - $70 each – you need 2). You could build your own wooden ramps.
Fitbit:
The fitbit Force is a pedometer that monitors you while you walk, climb stairs, or sleep. It was recommended by my doctor, and has greatly improved my exercise regimen. Fitbits come with a
USB dongle you plug into your computer, and a USB charging adapter. When you are within 10-20 feet of your computer, the fitbit software automatically uploads fitbit data to an internet file. You can
see the daily data by pressing the button on its side. Right-clicking the Fitbit icon on the system tray shows daily and 30-day charts of your physial activities (steps, miles, floors climbed,
sleep statistics(in bed, actually asleep, times awakened), calories, etc. Apps are available for smartphones, and Ipad 3 or later. Fitabit sends you an email reminding you to charge it, and the
computer display shows the battery charge. You take it off while showering or swimming and to recharge it every 5 days or so. There are several models.
Warning: The Fitbit wrist-strap models have a stainless steel clasp containing nickel. A few people (me included) are allergic to nickel and develop a rash from 3 to 6 weeks after wearing the fitbit. Fitbit is aware of this problem. I was able to wear the fitbit Charge by putting waterproof medical tape on the inside of the strap. The tape needs to be wiped with a washcloth daily, and replaced every week or so. If you still get a rash, STOP WEARING IT IMMEDIATELY, and contact Fitbit for a refund and/or replacement with a model that is NOT worn on the wrist.
Davis Vantage View Home Weather Station:
This home weather station measures current values for wind speed, humidity, temperature, rain, and barometric pressure. It displays statictics for the high and low values of each parameter. Youtube
playlist "Misc Videos" contains video "How To Choose And Install A Home Weather Station", which describes this station. See page "Non-Computer Stuff".