Running Bear’s April 2026 Coffee Shop

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Espeefan said:
If I'm having a slow day I engage those guys. I lead them on for fifteen minutes or so then ask "Does you mother know you're a thief?" or something more colorful if I'm in the mood. Every minute of theirs I waste is a minute they're not scamming someone else. I've managed to irritate more than a few, which I find rewarding. 😁
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Yeah, I used to do that. There used to be a scam that they'd tell you a scary story about your Windows computer and how they could fix it. You had to go into the registry and do a bunch of stuff they would guide you through to fix it. Of course it was opening up holes for them to exploit. I didn't have Windows but I would pretend I did and I found an explanation of the scam online so I could tell them what I was seeing at each step.

I could drag it out 10-15 minutes. It would eventually get to a step which was not generic and you couldn't bluff past (unless you were some super Windows internals guru) and that's when I would ask them why they were trying to rip people off.

They'd call our office phone and ask for someone or they'd call my phone and ask for me. Sometime's I'd say,"hold on, I'll get them" and use set the phone down and leave it for several minutes. Then I'd come back. Sometimes they were still there so they'd get a loud noise blast.

Lately with no landline and cell phones that give callerID based on my contacts etc I usually don't answer...
 
troyphoto said:
We're talking about getting a chest freezer for the basement. But I don't have an open breaker that I could use right now to run a dedicated outlet.
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In my experience those sorts of freezers don't actually draw a lot most of the time. In our pantry we put a dedicated circuit in for a refrigerator (an old 2001 one) and a standup dedicated freezer from a few years ago. I don't remember their draw but together they don't get anywhere near the circuits capacity.
 


I knew if I got the mower out to cut the front yard I'd end up cutting all of it. That's what happened. Everything all nicely trimmed too. I guess it beats doing it on a Friday. I'll try for that haircut tomorrow and then swing by the package store.

Boy, am I sleepy. I think a nap might be order.
 
trailrider said:
Not to be political, but it is amazing how many people reportedly doesn't want the war with Iran. They'd rather have them develop and launch a nuke on the East Coast somewhere! Need to either find and pick up those tanks of UFl6 or maybe pump some liquid Boraxo into them. (Boron absorbs the neutrons produced by the U235.)
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What a lot of people don't realize, or forget, is that these Third-World countries seem to always put the cart before the horse. Some have, may have, or are trying to develop nuclear weapons, but most don't have a launch vehicle capable of reaching the US. The Middle East and Europe is plenty scared though.

Having one if fine and dandy until you realize you can't deliver it where you'd like to.
 
chadbag said:
In my experience those sorts of freezers don't actually draw a lot most of the time. In our pantry we put a dedicated circuit in for a refrigerator (an old 2001 one) and a standup dedicated freezer from a few years ago. I don't remember their draw but together they don't get anywhere near the circuits capacity.
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Correct. Except for the initial startup, they draw less than 2 amps most of the time. Startup can be 4-6 amps for around 15 minutes. By comparison, refrigerators draw 7-8 amps all of the time.
 
Tom O - Although I rarely chimed in, I did read nearly every post on the freight car weathering thread. My only gripe is that it was locked without explanation on that thread. I had to read it here in the Coffee Shop. While I believe that most of the responders there are also in the Coffee Shop, I have not seen all of those members here.
 
Hey Coffee Shop friends:

I'm trying to de-clutter and have a box of scenery stuff I can either throw in the trash or let someone here have a great deal.
The scenery mats would be great for background coverage in both HO and O scale. The hydrocal crates & stuff were from Downtown Deco if IIRC.
The other stuff is just misc. stuff.
Everything for $20 and whatever shipping is.View attachment 263176View attachment 263177View attachment 263178View attachment 263179View attachment 263180View attachment 263181
 
trailrider said:
Howdy, All! We've been in drought conditions along the Colorado Front Range. Only two snows amounting to almost nothing the whole winter! Supposed to be in the 70's the first part of the day, but maybe a hard freeze and a couple inches of snow Friday.
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It's snowing in the salt Lake Valley so that's a good guess.

Its 30F at my house and has been snowing for a few hours but just dusting since the ground is warm.
 
troyphoto said:
Well howdy there internet peeps, and those who enjoy talking to marketing reps from other countries

It's troy again

And I just hit the "Report Spam" icon on every call and text and email. They still get through, but they have to run through all their numbers.

Hit the grocery this morning, along with Menards for some dove "dark" chocolate candies with almonds. Read the label, and they're actually a blend of dark and milk chocolate.

Did some stocking up at the grocery. By downsizing the armies for my games, I'm freeing up shelves in the utility room. So I'm purchasing ahead on food and cleaning stuff. With the current situation shutting down the Strait, fuel prices are going up up up, and that means fertilizer will as well. I figure now is a good time to expand the pantry as things come on sale.

Adding the vacuum sealer and bags to the pantry cupboard made things tight. So I found a shelf board that would fit well. I had grey paint out for the fascia, so that's what I painted it. why dirty another roller?
View attachment 263151

And I was able to turn the shelf at the very bottom of the pantry, where all the big cutting boards and BBQ tubs were stored, into a filter and trash bag storage station.

We're talking about getting a chest freezer for the basement. But I don't have an open breaker that I could use right now to run a dedicated outlet. However, I do have some breakers that aren't in use (that I know of) Outlined in purple. There is NO basement heat unit. But there used to be some baseboard heaters. And there was a Kiln down here for a pottery hobby many years ago... Plus the bottom one for the Jacuzzi was disconnected when we had the bath remodel a couple of years ago.

View attachment 263152

So, I looked up Bryant breaker panels... wondering how easy it would be to find new breakers?

View attachment 263158

We're not having issues, but an electrical fire isn't something I want to mess with.

I called our maintenance and grounds guy, and got the name and number of the electrician he uses. Think it's time to see what it would cost to replace the panel.

Here's your other piece of advice for today:
View attachment 263159
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We had the same issue with Pacific breaker box. We have lived in this house for 43 years with no issue. I found out about the hazard when looking to replace a weak breaker. Like you, we decided it was better to change it out. The house next door was forced to replace the Pacific gear before they could sell.
 


Well hi again you RAPSCALLIONS hrhehe new big word i understand yay

How is everyone doing. As if trains werent enough of a money pit i decided to get into table top war gameing and so far i have a bolt action army built just needs paintted and im looking at joining the dark side and getting into warhammer. But i need to finnacially recover from my bolt action army first

Then on the train side of things all my engine are sent being worked on in all the scales i do so i have nothing to run other than n scale and even it doesnt run correctly i need to get more power to my layout as what i normally do the engine slows down to a snails crawl when it hits the back of the layout now granted all i have is 2 fold up card tables i run on so.


Anyway hope yall dont mind the blabbin how every one is dry or atleast slightly moist hehehehe i wish all of you many blessings
 
Good evening all!

Turned out to be a not half bad day. Temps were in the mid 70s and the humidity dropped significantly from this morning. Worked
outside for several hours cleaning up the landscaping beds. Its amazing how many leaves from fall can blow around and get caught.
I also got all the leaves and debris that blew up against the inside and out of the fence this winter. Gas is all run out of the snow
blower and ready to put in the back shed tomorrow or this weekend.

Now I have ribs on the grill for my daughter and I and a chicken breast for the wife. I'm also making a rice pilaf and a steamer bag of
sweet corn.

If you need me I will be in the basement playing with trains after dinner.

Have a great rest of your night!
 
with regards to refrigerators. This is the Google AI reply when I searched

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AI Overview



A typical modern household refrigerator (120V) draws between 3 to 6 amps (360–720W) while running. Energy-efficient models may draw as low as 1.5–3.5 amps. While the average running wattage is roughly 100–400 watts, it can spike to 1,000–2,000+ watts during a 2–3 second startup surge.

Key Considerations for Current Draw:
  • Operating Draw: 3-6 amps.
  • Startup Surge: The compressor creates a high, momentary surge, sometimes up to 3 times the running watts.
  • Efficiency: Modern Energy Star-rated,18–22 cu ft bottom-freezer refrigerators typically use 4–6 amps, while smaller or more efficient models may operate closer to 1–3 amps.
  • Components: Items such as ice makers and defrost heaters can briefly increase amperage draw.
Typical Amperage by Refrigerator Type (120V):
  • Mini Fridge/Compact: 0.5–2.5 amps
  • Modern Top-Freezer: 0.8–2.1 amps
  • Side-by-Side/Large: 1–2.5 amps (running), 6–8 amps (operational)
  • French Door (Feature-heavy): 1.25–2.9 amps (running), 6–9 amps (operational)
For the most accurate measurement, check the [EnergyGuide label] or the technical data plate located inside or on the back of your specific refrigerator, as noted on this appliance advice page.
 


chadbag said:
with regards to refrigerators. This is the Google AI reply when I searched

----

AI Overview



A typical modern household refrigerator (120V) draws between 3 to 6 amps (360–720W) while running. Energy-efficient models may draw as low as 1.5–3.5 amps. While the average running wattage is roughly 100–400 watts, it can spike to 1,000–2,000+ watts during a 2–3 second startup surge.

Key Considerations for Current Draw:
  • Operating Draw: 3-6 amps.
  • Startup Surge: The compressor creates a high, momentary surge, sometimes up to 3 times the running watts.
  • Efficiency: Modern Energy Star-rated,18–22 cu ft bottom-freezer refrigerators typically use 4–6 amps, while smaller or more efficient models may operate closer to 1–3 amps.
  • Components: Items such as ice makers and defrost heaters can briefly increase amperage draw.
Typical Amperage by Refrigerator Type (120V):
  • Mini Fridge/Compact: 0.5–2.5 amps
  • Modern Top-Freezer: 0.8–2.1 amps
  • Side-by-Side/Large: 1–2.5 amps (running), 6–8 amps (operational)
  • French Door (Feature-heavy): 1.25–2.9 amps (running), 6–9 amps (operational)
For the most accurate measurement, check the [EnergyGuide label] or the technical data plate located inside or on the back of your specific refrigerator, as noted on this appliance advice page.
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I have one circuit for the basement. Everything down here is on it. Including a 1990s fridge, my TV, all of my computer stuff, and the lava lamp (as well as the "Major Award")

After learning that the Bryants circuit panels and breakers are on the "You really should replace them list" I've made the call to the electrician. We'll see how soon he can get us in the schedule to get the panel replaced. Once that happens, I'll add a second circuit for the basement and get the lamps on their own circuit. Don't want them blowing the breaker when I turn on the trains. :p
 
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