Gary Is Online » garysorensen

Too Hot Baby!

garysorensen — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 00:14:15 +0000

It has been SO hot over the past week in Colorado. July and August are terrible months for me, especially in a state that claims so much sun.

On top of that we have had no air conditioning in the car. Driving around town with the blistering heat has been insanely miserable! So we had to do something.

Thursday I made a decision. We are not going another day until this car blows cold air. We drive a 1994 Buick Regal. Dad and I put in a good effort but no cold air. Saturday came and I did some more searching on Google and found the series of steps that finally fixed it. So in case you stumble on this post looking for an answer to your older model Buick’s air conditioning compressor not kicking in, I’ve included our steps to cool below.

Troubleshooting Steps:
1) The problem was, the compressor wouldn’t kick in…even to pull in the new freon (134a).
2) We checked the fuses everything was fine.
3) Somebody said to short out the low pressure sensor switch (found on the drier cannister). We tried that…still no compressor.
4) In that case we thought it might be the compressor relay. Nope. Bought a new one. Same problem.
5) Turns out…the low freon pressure in the system caused the car’s computer to kick out the compressor.

Solution Steps:

1) With the car off, but the AC on MAX and blower on full.
2) Hooked up the new freon can/gauge to the system and opened it up.
3) Shorted out the low pressure sensor switch with a paperclip.
4) Disconnected the battery. Probably about 5 minutes. (long enough to pee)
5) Reconnected the battery.
6) Started the car with AC full blast.
7) POW! The compressor started and pulled in the freon and blew cold air.

So I hope our steps help somebody in the same boat. Because a hot car is absolutely miserable!

Google Fiber and the Battle of the Trenches

garysorensen — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 05:59:14 +0000

One of the geeky things I’m curiously watching is Google fiber. Apparently in February they made the announcement and had asked communities around the US to volunteer to be beta testers of sorts. That’d be cool as long as it is my neighborhood. They are boasting 1 gigabit per second internet speeds. We could get technical but let’s just say that is UBER fast. About 100 times faster than what even the luckiest surfers are using now-a-days.

The challenge of fiber to the home has always been the cost and logistics of the “last mile”…from the main drag to the door. So in Google style they had a contest. Who can micro-trench straightest, fastest, 9 inches deep and clean up the mess? Does the winner get the contract? I’m not sure, but they did get some flowers.

Singing the Summer Blue Sky Blues

garysorensen — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 01:03:52 +0000

I wait for the spring storm season with so much excitement. Then it seems like it’s over so fast. It’s always hard for me as we start getting into mid July. The temperatures go up and the storm intensity goes way down.

We caught several funnel clouds and some distant tornadoes, but this year I feel let down and wanted much more.

So…into the summer we go. And being one who can’t stand the sun and the agonizing heat, I am on the hunt for something to do indoors from July through September. It needs to be exciting and challenging. Not like checkers or square dancing.

July 4th – It’s a Little Bit About the Fireworks

garysorensen — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 14:25:33 +0000

I have always loved fireworks! Growing up in Iowa we got into some real trouble messing around with m-80′s, bottle rockets and lots more. But fireworks were illegal in Iowa and that drove me up the wall!

I couldn’t wait to make the drive from Iowa to Missouri. The stands were right on the border and it was instant explosive bliss.

Now in Colorado and all grown up, things aren’t much different. Most every firework is illegal here…if it’s fun…meaning it leaves the ground or explodes. In Denver you can’t even have sparklers. Come on.

So what do I do about it as an adult? Drive to Wyoming of course! Explosive Bliss…