Off On A Tangent: 2023

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Scanning QR Codes Made Easy: A Step-by-Step Guide to Scanning from Your iPad

1. Press on the QR code

2. SELECT 'QR Code' in the pop-up

3. SELECT 'Open'.

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Sensibo Air devices control my Mitsubishi mini-splits

I installed four Sensibo Air devices to control my Mitsubishi mini-splits. Installation was a breeze, and now I can control each mini-split individually via the Sensibo app or via the Google Home app. It’s a very nice integration.

It also lets me monitor the temperature in each room remotely.

Thursday, November 16, 2023

Assessment panel for MASSACHUSEETS state seal, motto disbanded. A FAILURE ONCE AGAIN.

The Boston Globe:

Assessment panel for state seal, motto disbanded.

Report suggests a revised working group be formed to ‘carry forward’ its work

“The state commission originally faced an October 2021 deadline to produce recommendations, which it missed amid a series of logistical hurdles and questions over its mission. The Legislature then gave it three separate extensions — and $100,000 in funding — ultimately setting a Wednesday deadline for it to produce its recommendations.

The Legislature ultimately would have to approve any changes to the seal, motto, and flag."

NO. ANOTHER PANEL SHOULD NOT BE CREATED.

We should just use this FLAG from ‘Flags for Good’ and move on.

Tuesday, November 07, 2023

You CAN NOT EXPORT your Minted Address Book!

I used Minted for Holiday Cards after cardstore went away.

"Can I print or export my address book?
You have the option to print your contact list from your Address Assistant. You can select your entire address book, or just include certain contacts.
We are unable to support exporting your Address Assistant as a file format (.xls, .xlsx, .doc, .docx etc.)"

FAIL!

Now it's over to Shutterfly.

Sunday, November 05, 2023

Charging on the Go: Mastering Payment Methods at Electrify America Stations with Your Credit Card or App

I’m going on a long trip with my 2023 Volvo XC40 and wanted to test the high-speed charging capabilities of the Electrify America station.

I downloaded the app and set up an account. I also added Electrify America to my Apple Wallet.

At the station, I plugged the high-speed adapter into the car outlet, then tapped my phone where the credit card reader it. No matter what I did, It would not recognize the phone, telling me that there was an error, and to try again.

I tried a few times and then gave up.

CREDIT CARD

I ended up swiping with a credit card, which activated the station and started charging.

After I finished this first test, I ended the session and removed the charger.

SECOND TRY

Then I plugged in the charger again to try to get the app to work.

Only then did I realize that I had to tap UNDER the credit card payment box against the charger where it says, "Members: tap here to pay with plan". That user interface needs a lot of improvement.

After I tapped there, the charging started once again.

Without a plan, you have to pre-load at least $10 into your account. I did that.

When I looked at my recent credit card transactions I saw a $50 charge from Electrify America. I had to search online to see why that happened and it is a temporary charge that verifies your credit card account that is supposed to go away once the charge from your charging session completes. I'll be watching that to make sure the $50 charge goes away.

UPDATE: It looks like I was at an older charger with an old design. Here’s a photo of a newer charger. Makes more sense.

Saturday, November 04, 2023

Scan and Visit: Accessing a URL from a Saved QR Code on Your iPhone

Open the QR code image in your iPhone photos

CLICK the recognize icon at the bottom right

CLICK the photo

CLICK OPEN IN SAFARI

YOUTUBE VIDEO: https://youtu.be/FjmAxO5I2Q8?feature=shared

OTHER OPTIONS AVAILABLE ARE:

- Add to reading list

- Copy link

- Share…

Friday, October 20, 2023

Tesla Universal Wall Connector is Energy Star Certified

I was waiting for the Tesla Universal Wall Connector to show up in the Energy Star database to enable me to apply for an installation rebate.

When recently I looked a the record for the Tesla Wall Connector, I saw that the Tesla Universal Wall Connector has been added to that record, at the bottom of the page.

Thursday, October 12, 2023

Tesla Universal Charger installed

Tesla Universal Charger installed by Steve Wallace. Now charging at 30 mi/hr.

That’s twice as fast as using the clothes dryer outlet with an adapter.

Saturday, September 23, 2023

Charging an Electric Car via a Clothes Dryer Outlet Adapter

I'm using a clothes dryer outlet adapter to connect to my Volvo XC40 Recharge charging cable. I set the 'Current Limit (amps)" setting to 24. It charges at a rate of 15 miles per hour.

My electrician says, "It is safe to go to 24 amps, fyi. You will be good. 20 will work fine with that adapter. You can go 80% of the load, which is 24 amps."

Please discuss this option with your electrician.

Volvo XC40 Recharge EV doesn’t have an AM radio!

Volvo XC40 Recharge EV doesn’t have an AM radio, but you can get AM radio like WBZ-AM via apps like iHeartRadio and TuneIn.

First At-Home Electric Car Charge

First at-home charge.

I used the supplied Volvo charger to connect to the standard plug in my garage.

“Domestic Outlet/Home Charging (Level 1):

A standard three-prong outlet with 110V/120V doesn't charge an electric vehicle at great speeds, but it's good for plugging your car in overnight so that it's charged in the morning. With level one charging, you can usually expect about 24 hours for a full charge to be complete.”

8 hrs = 24-40 miles. At best 5 mph.

I wasn’t ready to buy or lease an electric car, so I subscribed to one.

Volvo lets you subscribe to a car at a fixed price without a long-term commitment.

That was perfect for me because while looking for a new car, I wasn’t ready to commit to an electric vehicle, but when I found out that I could subscribe to a car with a minimum five-month term, I decided to do it.

We got a 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge TWIN AWD Ultimate. It’s all-electric. The subscription includes insurance, tire coverage, dents and dings coverage up to $1,000, maintenance, and 24/7 roadside service.

After five months, you can return the car, buy the car, or continue leasing it for a total of two years.

Now begins my personal experience with owning an electric car.