ArizonaRanch

  New Security Cameras by rdpecken on Jun.02, 2020, under Communications Some time in the past year, our grey-market Hikvision security cameras stopped sending emails to us when they detected motion. We traced this problem down to virtually all major email providers requiring a new method to send emails in order to improve security of their email system.   Front Porch Because these were grey-market cameras, we could not update the firmware in them to implement the new security protocols. So, for $75, we bought two new security cameras that supported the new cctv protocols. They work fine so far, but we need to play with the settings a bit to get them to only send pictures when there is serious movement, rather than any minor change.   West Side We also found that the WiFi router we have had up there for many years is starting to flake out, so we have a new router to install on our next trip, as well. It’s not a problem for the cameras, but the WiF...

  Ceiling Insulation for the LittleHouse by rdpecken on Jun.02, 2020, under Insulation Wow, it’s been a while since we’ve done any work at the ranch (other than normal maintenance, such as battery maintenance…) Now that we have finished our kitchen remodeling at the house down in Mesa, we have the time and resources to begin work again at the ranch. The first major project to start back up is finishing the insulation inside of the LittleHouse . We started work on the ceiling insulation in April, and continued in May.     Foam Insulation Board Installed At the start of the project, there was just the bare sheathing under the roof to make up the ceiling.     Bare Sheathing   The first step was to install rafter venting panels, to allow the hot air to rise up from the bird boards to the peak of the roof. This should keep the ceiling cooler in the summer, and prevent moisture buildup in the winter. They were kind of difficult to install, due...

  Plumbing Maintenance by rdpecken on Oct.26, 2018, under Plumbing Selfie at the Ranch Tara & I made a trip up last fall (Oct 2017). While we were there, we noticed that when the outside faucets were turned on, they leaked from various places . On the West end of the house, water would gush out of the anti-siphon valve on the top of the faucet. On the East end of the house, water would trickle out of the valve stem, near the handle.   Leak spots We returned to Mesa, and attempted to find replacement parts. There were none to be found locally. I was looking for replacement anti-siphon valves and replacement o-rings for the valve stem (or packing bushing). I was not able to find anything that would fit. I went on Ebay and found the correct anti-siphon valves. They were installed and worked well. But I was still unable to find the correct size rubber o-rings for the faucets. I even went so far as to buy another faucet (but not freeze proof) to see if the o...

  May 2018 Visit by rdpecken on Oct.26, 2018, under Area With about a 2-hour drive from our Ranch, there is a beautiful place to visit. The Havasupai Indian Reservation is north of Peach Springs. With a bit of hiking, you are immersed into a Sangri-La atmosphere of blue waters and 200 foot waterfalls.  It is well worth the trip, if you are up to it. The only way in and out is to hike 11 miles each way, or take a helicopter. In early May, Tara, Jessica and I went up to hike to Havasu Falls. We spent 3 days hiking in, around and out of the area at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. It is an amazing trip, and was well worth the effort to get there.    Ready to go down On the way down, we followed along the bottom of Havasu Canyon. It is a beautiful walk.   Tara & Jessica     Shady Spot     Cottonwood Tree   At about 6 miles in, we came across Havasu Creek. Beautiful blue water.   Havasu Creek We stayed in the lod...

  Tractor Maintenance by rdpecken on May.09, 2018, under Ranch Maintenance Last fall, I went to Tractor Supply and got some oil to change into the Ford tractor. After making the trip up to the Ranch, I found that the tools I brought with me were not able to get a good enough bite on the oil drain plug to remove it. I tried borrowing a different socket from our neighbor up the hill, but that one didn’t work, either. So I ended up making a second trip a couple of weeks later, this time bringing my impact wrench and a good 6-sided socket. That did the trick, and I was able to complete the work. Here is the oil filter on the side of the tractor…    Oil Filter on the Ford 2000 I bought a replacement cartridge. So, I had to remove the outside case, replace the rubber gasket, and replace the cartridge inside. It was a little tricky getting it back mounted without the gasket slipping out of place, but I eventually got it. For the next time I change the o...

  April 2018 Visit by rdpecken on Apr.26, 2018, under Communications I came up in April to get the Littlehouse ready for the warmer weather. When I checked my tractor, I found that the darned packrats had eaten the battery cable again!    Packrat Damage! I got some better rat poison on my next trip, and didn’t have further problems through the summer. Then I got a more permanent solution, which I will reveal in a couple of posts down the road… I also installed my weather station that I received as a Christmas gift in December. I placed the main sensors (Rainfall, Wind Speed, Wind Direction) out on the post that hold up my vertical antenna when it is not in use.  It has worked well this year, we are right at 12.73 inches total precipitation for the year. (I preloaded it with the current rainfall total up to April, since I was installing it late. I just averaged the totals from other stations nearby.) It’s nice to be able to log in real-time ...

  Screen Door Repair and Other Maintenance by rdpecken on Jan.18, 2017, under Insulation, Plumbing, Ranch Maintenance Sometime last year, the mice or birds chewed a hole through the screen on our screen door. We brought up some new screen and spline from Home Depot to make a repairs. We started by removing the screen door from the frame. This involved adjusting the rollers on the bottom of the door for as little pressure as possible, the prying the door up and over the bumps which the rollers run on. We set the screen onto our floor to work on it. We started by locating the end of the spline, and pulling it out of the channel to release the screen material.   Removing the Spline Then, we laid the new screen over the door, as square as we could get it, and started pressing the new spline into the channel to secure the screen material to the door, using a roller spline tool.    Installing the new screen material After trimming the screen around ...