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06-21-2017, 11:52 AM
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#1961
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 359
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Seng, yes I did check out a few Youtube videos, but none seemed to be really useful for what I needed to do. The $20 that I spent was half for shrink tube & heat sink compound (which I needed anyway), and half for the Peltier element. I got 5 elements for $11 instead of one for $6 so I have spares if it fails again.
A new cooler would be $40 to $60, and if you read reviews they all tend to fail in a year or two. I like this one (a discontinued model) so I'm hoping to keep it working for a few more years.
It was a gamble - some of my previous diagnostic & repair projects haven't turned out so well!
Edit to add: A Peltier is just two dissimilar metals forming a junction - single (like a thermocouple) or multiple (like the 1.5 x 1.5 inch "elements" this cooler used). They should measure very low resistance when measured with a DC ohmeter, so when I measured infinite resistance I was pretty sure I had found the problem.
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06-21-2017, 06:16 PM
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#1962
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Colorado Mountains
Posts: 3,165
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I replaced the vinyl seal on the garage door. Looked like a chipmunk got stranded in the garage and was looking for a way out. It chewed the seal almost the entire length of the door, but that didn't help because the door sits on the floor. This problem has a familiar ring to it, but I couldn't find the other thread. I have metal garage doors and Hardie (concrete) siding so not much danger of chewing a hole.
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06-21-2017, 07:33 PM
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#1963
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Santa Paula
Posts: 4,076
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My next project is getting a 23 Ton GE switch running again. I volunteer at a railroad society, and we got one as a donation.
One of the main reasons I want to get it running, is I WANT to drive it!
__________________
Retired Jan 2009 Have not looked back.
AA 60/35/5 considering SS and pensions a SP annuity
WR 2% with 2SS & 2 Pensions
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06-21-2017, 08:32 PM
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#1964
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northern IL
Posts: 26,886
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Souschef
My next project is getting a 23 Ton GE switch running again. I volunteer at a railroad society, and we got one as a donation.
One of the main reasons I want to get it running, is I WANT to drive it!
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Tell us more! That's a diesel I assume? What year, HP?
-ERD50
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06-21-2017, 08:37 PM
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#1965
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Santa Paula
Posts: 4,076
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ERD50
Tell us more! That's a diesel I assume? What year, HP?
-ERD50
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The switcher is from 1941, but they replaced the diesel in the mid 70's. I have the original manual, plus the manual for the new diesel. It is a Cummins NHC-250 225 HP, and there are parts readily available for it.
We have to make a presentation to the RR Society board about our plans. I am volunteering to cover the costs for fuel. oil. filters, parts, etc.
__________________
Retired Jan 2009 Have not looked back.
AA 60/35/5 considering SS and pensions a SP annuity
WR 2% with 2SS & 2 Pensions
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06-21-2017, 09:09 PM
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#1966
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 14,404
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BrianB
Seng, yes I did check out a few Youtube videos, but none seemed to be really useful for what I needed to do. The $20 that I spent was half for shrink tube & heat sink compound (which I needed anyway), and half for the Peltier element. I got 5 elements for $11 instead of one for $6 so I have spares if it fails again.
A new cooler would be $40 to $60, and if you read reviews they all tend to fail in a year or two. I like this one (a discontinued model) so I'm hoping to keep it working for a few more years.
It was a gamble - some of my previous diagnostic & repair projects haven't turned out so well!
Edit to add: A Peltier is just two dissimilar metals forming a junction - single (like a thermocouple) or multiple (like the 1.5 x 1.5 inch "elements" this cooler used). They should measure very low resistance when measured with a DC ohmeter, so when I measured infinite resistance I was pretty sure I had found the problem.
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I've been thinking about using Peltier modules to build a little freezer (e.g. to freeze a gallon or so of water) powered by a 100W solar panel. I've heard they are only effective up to a difference of about 50 deg F across the junction, but that the modules can be stacked to get a higher difference (e.g. 95 deg F outside temp and 25 deg F inside the freezer). My next step is to find some charts by manufacturers regarding the expected coefficient of performance in a stacked configuration like this. It would take about 500 watt hours of cooling to convert 1 gal of 70 deg F water to ice , and these Peltier junctions aren't reputed to be especially efficient, so I'm guessing a 100W solar panel probably will only be able to freeze about a quart or two at best per day. It might turn out that a small compressor freezer does the job better--they apparently have a much higher COP than these Peltier coolers.
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06-21-2017, 09:36 PM
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#1967
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northern IL
Posts: 26,886
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Quote:
Originally Posted by samclem
I've been thinking about using Peltier modules to build a little freezer (e.g. to freeze a gallon or so of water) powered by a 100W solar panel. I've heard they are only effective up to a difference of about 50 deg F across the junction, but that the modules can be stacked to get a higher difference (e.g. 95 deg F outside temp and 25 deg F inside the freezer). My next step is to find some charts by manufacturers regarding the expected coefficient of performance in a stacked configuration like this. It would take about 500 watt hours of cooling to convert 1 gal of 70 deg F water to ice , and these Peltier junctions aren't reputed to be especially efficient, so I'm guessing a 100W solar panel probably will only be able to freeze about a quart or two at best per day. It might turn out that a small compressor freezer does the job better--they apparently have a much higher COP than these Peltier coolers.
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The Peltiers are not efficient, and it isn't easy to get them to work well. You need lots of heatsinks, lost of thermal conductivity, and probably a a fan on the heat sink.
They are compact and no moving parts (until you add the fan and/or pumps), but that's about it. I bought a small one to play with for $5-$10 on ebay years ago. Pretty amazing, apply 12 V DC and almost instantly one side gets hot, the other cold! But in another second, the hot and cold sides conduct through the junction, and the whole thing just starts getting warm, same as a resistance heater.
That's why it needs really good thermal management to draw the heat out one side and the cold out the other, or it just takes the path through the junction. It isn't simple.
I'll see if I can find a link, someone sells on, the "Ice Probe" or something? Designed for water coolers, and it was supposed to build up ice all night to get through a day of use, Also for keeping aquariums cool.
Ahh, my memory is not sooo bad:
https://www.amazon.com/IceProbe-Ther.../dp/B001JSVLBO
-ERD50
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06-22-2017, 10:20 AM
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#1968
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Spending the Kids Inheritance and living in Chicago
Posts: 17,086
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We came back from holidays, and the dishwasher didn't work anymore.
It ran if I poured water into it, so I knew it was a water supply issue.
I had used a flood safe connecting line, and somehow it triggered, so I shut off the water for a minute and turned it back on, then it worked.
Now this has me thinking since the dishwasher does a lousy job (new dishwasher) that maybe this flood safe connecting line restricts the flow of water enough to affect the dishwasher ?
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06-22-2017, 11:06 AM
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#1969
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 3,024
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Our Polaris 280 pool cleaner had been dead in the water for a few days. I pulled it up and immediately noticed the rear wheel was very wobbly and not making contact with the middle wheel that drives it. I also knew the tires needed replacing; they're about 12 years old. So I took it to my shop, disassembled everything, and 5 of the 8 wheel bearings were either missing completely or fell apart when I disassembled everything. A few other parts needed replacing as well.
I checked some online pricing... usual tradeoff of OEM vs 3rd party, plus only one of the parts was available on Prime 2-day shipping. So, I reluctantly headed down to the local pool store and got the parts I needed. Surprisingly, the clerk gave me a nice discount that almost met the online price, and these were Polaris OEM parts.
Got home, reassembled everything, readjusted wheel location for the fresh tire tread, and back in the water we go. Turned the pump on and... NOTHING!! It's still not moving at all. At that point I noticed only a small amount of water pressure at the cleaner. It didn't take long to discover that the pressure relief valve where the hose attaches to the sidewall of the pool had blown off and all the water pressure was escaping at that point.
Back to the pool store, picked up a new pressure relief valve, and now we are back in business. The real issue was always the valve, but with new bearings and fresh tires, the cleaner is running faster and cleaning much better. So I'm glad I took the time for that and didn't just change out the valve.
__________________
Retired at 52 in July 2013. On to better things...
AA: 85/15 WR: 2.7% SI: 2 pensions, SS later
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06-22-2017, 02:42 PM
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#1970
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Conroe, Texas
Posts: 18,718
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cobra9777
Our Polaris 280 pool cleaner had been dead in the water for a few days. I pulled it up and immediately noticed the rear wheel was very wobbly and not making contact with the middle wheel that drives it. I also knew the tires needed replacing; they're about 12 years old. So I took it to my shop, disassembled everything, and 5 of the 8 wheel bearings were either missing completely or fell apart when I disassembled everything. A few other parts needed replacing as well.
I checked some online pricing... usual tradeoff of OEM vs 3rd party, plus only one of the parts was available on Prime 2-day shipping. So, I reluctantly headed down to the local pool store and got the parts I needed. Surprisingly, the clerk gave me a nice discount that almost met the online price, and these were Polaris OEM parts.
Got home, reassembled everything, readjusted wheel location for the fresh tire tread, and back in the water we go. Turned the pump on and... NOTHING!! It's still not moving at all. At that point I noticed only a small amount of water pressure at the cleaner. It didn't take long to discover that the pressure relief valve where the hose attaches to the sidewall of the pool had blown off and all the water pressure was escaping at that point.
Back to the pool store, picked up a new pressure relief valve, and now we are back in business. The real issue was always the valve, but with new bearings and fresh tires, the cleaner is running faster and cleaning much better. So I'm glad I took the time for that and didn't just change out the valve.
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Nice job, and it's best to rebuild the whole unit once its apart.
__________________
*********Go Yankees!*********
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06-22-2017, 03:30 PM
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#1971
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 3,024
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I thought about that. There's a complete rebuild kit for about $200. It includes all the parts I replaced (at about $85) plus a lot more that typically fail with age. But I inspected everything as best I could and the other parts look fine, no obvious wear on the gears, etc. Plus I'm getting sort-of good at tearing this thing apart; this was the 3rd time. So it'll help keep me entertained in retirement.
__________________
Retired at 52 in July 2013. On to better things...
AA: 85/15 WR: 2.7% SI: 2 pensions, SS later
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06-22-2017, 04:42 PM
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#1972
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 14,328
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunset
............Now this has me thinking since the dishwasher does a lousy job (new dishwasher) that maybe this flood safe connecting line restricts the flow of water enough to affect the dishwasher ?
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My dishwasher was doing a lousy job then started moaning when the pump was running. Turned out the inlet screen was mostly plugged and the moaning was cavitation.
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06-24-2017, 03:41 PM
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#1973
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 14,404
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ERD50
The Peltiers are not efficient, and it isn't easy to get them to work well. You need lots of heatsinks, lost of thermal conductivity, and probably a a fan on the heat sink.
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Thanks, and I see what you mean, especially about the low efficiency. Just a quick crunching of the numbers indicates I'd be way better off with a regular compressor than with the Peltier systems. Even after losses from the inverter, I could run a tiny chest freezer for many hours per day using a 100-120W solar panel (with a battery assist for starting current), and that same solar panel would perform a lot more cooling than I could achieve with the Peltier setup. Sure, no startup surge so no battery needed for the Peltiers, but the battery serves other uses in my envisioned setup, so it's not a factor in this application.
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06-24-2017, 03:48 PM
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#1974
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: New York City
Posts: 2,838
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Borrowed a 22 foot little big ladder from a neighbor, and had to put down a flap on the dryer vent. It was stuck in the up/open position because i was shooting the garden hose at it to clean out some lint stuck on the exhaust screen. Amazing I didnt fall off the ladder ,I didnt get hurt, I didnt break the item i was trying to fix. I do weigh 12 pounds more than the ladder limit. If this continues I might pursue a handyman second career. OK maybe not.
__________________
Withdrawal Rate currently zero, Pension 137 % of our spending, Wasted 5 years of my prime working extra for a safe withdrawal rate. I can live like a King for a year, or a Prince for the rest of my life. I will stay on topic, I will stay on topic, I will stay on topic
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06-24-2017, 04:54 PM
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#1975
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,470
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Hottest week we have had in years, so I decided to replace the track in our sliding door. 20 years 4 dogs in & out just wore the SS rail covering on the track. Did half the job in the evening 76 degrees at the time, and the other half with the door out in the morning cool but getting some pre monsoon humidity in. $32 from Home Depot did the job shipped to mi casa. A lot easier than You Tube showed.
__________________
For me experiences are not good or bad, just different
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06-24-2017, 05:54 PM
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#1976
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Conroe, Texas
Posts: 18,718
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Re-adusted the park position on the wiper motor for my 1971 VW Beetle. Now they park in the correct spot and don't go off the windshield.
__________________
*********Go Yankees!*********
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06-25-2017, 12:40 AM
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#1977
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Toowoomba, Qld Australia
Posts: 101
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Most recent "avoided" purchase was for a new washing machine. We found water on the floor under and beside the washing machine and noticed it was happening every time we did a load of laundry so decided a new washing machine was in order. I selected the make and model of a new machine and arranged for it to be delivered Tuesday morning.
On the Sunday night we disconnected the power and water to the washing machine, and discovered that it was the tap, not the machine that was leaking.
We saved over $700 by buying a new washer for the tap, instead of a new washing machine.
__________________
Doesn't even own a dryer.
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06-25-2017, 04:51 AM
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#1978
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Conroe, Texas
Posts: 18,718
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Morricol61
Most recent "avoided" purchase was for a new washing machine. We found water on the floor under and beside the washing machine and noticed it was happening every time we did a load of laundry so decided a new washing machine was in order. I selected the make and model of a new machine and arranged for it to be delivered Tuesday morning.
On the Sunday night we disconnected the power and water to the washing machine, and discovered that it was the tap, not the machine that was leaking.
We saved over $700 by buying a new washer for the tap, instead of a new washing machine.
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Excellent! Nothing like not buying an appliance!
__________________
*********Go Yankees!*********
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06-29-2017, 03:12 PM
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#1979
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Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 10,720
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Longest Wall?
So this is not really a "repair", but...
I've finally been "convinced" to put down what she's calling "luxury vinyl plank" in the "kitchen", but that includes laundry and breakfast room.
They stay start on the longest wall. There IS no longest wall! Seems like no matter where I start, I'll need to start in more than one place and meet up. Luckily, it's a floating thing, so I think I'll be able to slide it around.
Anybody ever done anything like this? Where would you start?
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06-29-2017, 03:26 PM
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#1980
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Spending the Kids Inheritance and living in Chicago
Posts: 17,086
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sengsational
So this is not really a "repair", but...
I've finally been "convinced" to put down what she's calling "luxury vinyl plank" in the "kitchen", but that includes laundry and breakfast room.
They stay start on the longest wall. There IS no longest wall! Seems like no matter where I start, I'll need to start in more than one place and meet up. Luckily, it's a floating thing, so I think I'll be able to slide it around.
Anybody ever done anything like this? Where would you start?
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I would start here (photo attached), so you can go right to the wall and left covering a large amount of the entire space.
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