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A
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
Too much green coloring, esp on 118 sat?

ok, guys.

Maybe I am just paranoid and need to have my eyes checked. But, I have noticed too much green coloring on some channels (especially 118 sat international, but also on others 110/119 except HD 129). It is more visible when viewing on HD tv or through my PC, but also is a little visible on SD TVs. What I mean by green coloring are either some green shadows in different places or just in general picture has too much green color in some areas or in general. Yes, I checked all the color temperature on my TV, etc. so all the TV settings are fine.

So, is it bad LNBF, bad receiver, too much compression, poor quality of channels being broadcast, etc.?

let me know what you think. Also, do in general channels from 118 satellite have worse picture quality then say 119?

thanks
34 Replies · 3875 views
Scott Greczkowski
Unfortunately thats the way many of the channels are sent over to the USA.

A number of the channels are in the clear and can be received with a Free To Air satellite system, and those look just like the Dish Network feeds.

There is nothing Dish can do about it, garbage in, garbage out unfortunately.
A
Unfortunately thats the way many of the channels are sent over to the USA.

A number of the channels are in the clear and can be received with a Free To Air satellite system, and those look just like the Dish Network feeds.

There is nothing Dish can do about it, garbage in, garbage out unfortunately.

sounds good..I mean frustrating..but nothing can do about it. So, you don't think that blurring is my LNBF or singnal strength/quality of the dish.
D
Keep in mind my friends that many of the internationals were not crap PQ at 148. Some of the Indian channels did have among the worst film prints of movies, but no really bad PQ itself. Italian, Japanese, French, are just some of the channels that were not "crap" in terms of PQ. They looked really good. And this is not the 1970's, the conversion from PAL to NTSC is handled differently today and can look like no conversion took place. BBC World News comes over just fine and can look great, better quality at you local PBS station than Dish with BBCA. The internationals being sent to Dish being sent over quite well, and looked good at 148, but not at 118. Boy did I see the big difference after they installed my free upgrade for internationals: NOW the channels are crap because of Dish. I don't think the crap in crap out whatever gallon whatever is a fair analogy.

I think the OP has a problem with his TV.
A
Keep in mind my friends that many of the internationals were not crap PQ at 148. Some of the Indian channels did have among the worst film prints of movies, but no really bad PQ itself. Italian, Japanese, French, are just some of the channels that were not "crap" in terms of PQ. They looked really good. And this is not the 1970's, the conversion from PAL to NTSC is handled differently today and can look like no conversion took place. BBC World News comes over just fine and can look great, better quality at you local PBS station than Dish with BBCA. The internationals being sent to Dish being sent over quite well, and looked good at 148, but not at 118. Boy did I see the big difference after they installed my free upgrade for internationals: NOW the channels are crap because of Dish. I don't think the crap in crap out whatever gallon whatever is a fair analogy.

I think the OP has a problem with his TV.

what do you think about this. On 1-2 russian channels I have wiered vertical lines visible (something that looks like fish bones, exzcept they are straight)...I checked with other TV, etc and other receiver..same thing. So, I also cheched a different channel on the SAME transponder...and it was FINE. So what do yuo think might be the problem?
highdefjeff
sounds good..I mean frustrating..but nothing can do about it. So, you don't think that blurring is my LNBF or singnal strength/quality of the dish.

There isn't a problem with the OP's tv because he sees this on all tvs and PC.

The green color may be indicative of a receiver problem because it is not a typical response for low signal quality (and since it is seen on all tvs).

The blurriness however, could easily be due to the 50 signal strength that is reported. Get it to 66 or higher and the blurriness will likely go away.

When signal quality is too low, the bitrate suffers. It is called slow data. Two causes are poor cable terminations and low signal strength. That is why Dish increased the buffer size (length of time between channels when changing) when they changed the signal meter. They understand that many of their customers have poorly installed systems and to compensate have increased the buffer size.

When there is not enough data/time available to render the proper picture, the Scalable Video Coding (SVC) extension used in all MPEG 2 and 4 devices allows for the picture to be scaled down. This is called fidelity or quality scaling. The receiver will do the best it can with what there is to work with and the result is a lower quality picture of the same size. This is where blurring comes from.

Either a small increase in signal strength or a reduction in the noise influences are needed. Reduce noise by checking cable quality, terminations, and grounding. Increase signal strength by peaking the dish.

There is enough (barely) signal available with the current dish sizes, but there is little room for error when peaking the dish.
D
what do you think about this. On 1-2 russian channels I have wiered vertical lines visible (something that looks like fish bones, exzcept they are straight)...I checked with other TV, etc and other receiver..same thing. So, I also cheched a different channel on the SAME transponder...and it was FINE. So what do yuo think might be the problem?

That, again, is most likely the quality of the content: how it was recorded, etc. not the PQ being sent to Dish. In other words some Internationals will air the most horrid film prints using really bad telecine, but when they switch to video for ads or promos, BOOM it can look great. Then back to the crappy film print using poor telecine to air the movie. This is quite common on many of the Internationals.

I can tell you that on free preview, the Russian channels looked good, when it was decent video or sports looked really good, but film: lousy print with really poor telecine. Again, it is most likely how the international itself is receiving the feed they send out, not the actual potential quality of the feed to Dish. Perhaps the garbage in does make some sense, but it is garbage CONTENT in garbage out.
It is more the content than the feed to Dish.

TV5 has standards that would never allow it to air poorly telecined film. Everything looks great on TV5--or it used to at 148. Now at 118, it is blurrsville.
D
BTW Icebeg is right about the Ku FSS capaicity issue. He is trying to tell us that is the reason the internationals look so bad. Dish does have to cram them in there. I do think that Dish does feel that the international subs won't notice or care as much about the PQ, and that is how they can "get away" with blurriness at 118. I can tell you that in L.A. many of the same internationals on Dish are available on countless digital sub-channels here and the PQ is quite superior to what we get at 118. In fact, the L.A. OTA sub-channel internationals are sharp by comparison to 118.

Once again, thanks to Iceberg for taking the time to explain this to those on this thread. I think we have all agreed that it is a Dish compression matter, along with a few other things, but one we have to live with, at least for now.
M
BTW Icebeg is right about the Ku FSS capaicity issue. He is trying to tell us that is the reason the internationals look so bad. Dish does have to cram them in there.
if DIsh removes those HD locals they can free up eleven TP's and scatter the INt'l chanels across those too which should help.

I do think that Dish does feel that the international subs won't notice or care as much about the PQ, and that is how they can "get away" with blurriness at 118.
I know on 97W (free to air) there are tons of international channels and some look real bad. Like a youtube movie blown up to full screen (honestly some might be). But I know I installed a dish for someone who wanted "her homeland" channels. And a couple of them look horrible but she was happy to hear (and I guess "See") stuff from her homeland

Once again, thanks to Iceberg for taking the time to explain this to those on this thread. I think we have all agreed that it is a Dish compression matter, along with a few other things, but one we have to live with, at least for now.

no problem. Glad to help out :)
whatchel1
Just shut up

There isn't a problem with the OP's tv because he sees this on all tvs and PC.

The green color may be indicative of a receiver problem because it is not a typical response for low signal quality (and since it is seen on all tvs).

The blurriness however, could easily be due to the 50 signal strength that is reported. Get it to 66 or higher and the blurriness will likely go away.

When signal quality is too low, the bitrate suffers. It is called slow data. Two causes are poor cable terminations and low signal strength. That is why Dish increased the buffer size (length of time between channels when changing) when they changed the signal meter. They understand that many of their customers have poorly installed systems and to compensate have increased the buffer size.

When there is not enough data/time available to render the proper picture, the Scalable Video Coding (SVC) extension used in all MPEG 2 and 4 devices allows for the picture to be scaled down. This is called fidelity or quality scaling. The receiver will do the best it can with what there is to work with and the result is a lower quality picture of the same size. This is where blurring comes from.

Either a small increase in signal strength or a reduction in the noise influences are needed. Reduce noise by checking cable quality, terminations, and grounding. Increase signal strength by peaking the dish. If anyone thinks this is rude sorry but I'm just so tired of the one note flute.

There is enough (barely) signal available with the current dish sizes, but there is little room for error when peaking the dish.

We are so tried of this line highdefjeff. The answer to every question is not too little signal strength. It is your only answer so stop using it for everything.
A
if DIsh removes those HD locals they can free up eleven TP's and scatter the INt'l chanels across those too which should help.


I know on 97W (free to air) there are tons of international channels and some look real bad. Like a youtube movie blown up to full screen (honestly some might be). But I know I installed a dish for someone who wanted "her homeland" channels. And a couple of them look horrible but she was happy to hear (and I guess "See") stuff from her homeland



no problem. Glad to help out :)

yes, thanks man for explaining it so thoroughly
A
That, again, is most likely the quality of the content: how it was recorded, etc. not the PQ being sent to Dish. In other words some Internationals will air the most horrid film prints using really bad telecine, but when they switch to video for ads or promos, BOOM it can look great. Then back to the crappy film print using poor telecine to air the movie. This is quite common on many of the Internationals.

I can tell you that on free preview, the Russian channels looked good, when it was decent video or sports looked really good, but film: lousy print with really poor telecine. Again, it is most likely how the international itself is receiving the feed they send out, not the actual potential quality of the feed to Dish. Perhaps the garbage in does make some sense, but it is garbage CONTENT in garbage out.
It is more the content than the feed to Dish.

TV5 has standards that would never allow it to air poorly telecined film. Everything looks great on TV5--or it used to at 148. Now at 118, it is blurrsville.

the prolem I am seeing has spread to 2 russian channels now, TVCI and RTVI (probably broadcast by the same guys). Unfortunately, it is not dependent on type of content: movies or talk shows...those tiny vertical lines of the color of the feed are visible no matter what..just sometimes more than other times.
One guy on here mentioned that if I get analog like distortions on the digital feed, then it must be broadcast/feed issue assuming that all receivers work the same and it does not happen on all the channels.
So, I assume wha Iceberg was saying all true plus there is some feed issue on the way it is being passed to dish I guess. I have read in some forums that TVCI channel had technical problems before sometime in January when they moved it to 118 (not the problems I am having now, but some other technical issues where the picture was freezing up constantly, etc.).
So, I guess I will try to contact channel admin and dish and see if they are aware of any complaints. The problem with contactin dish will be the usual BS like reset your receiver, etc..which I have done it all already including testing the switch by plugging cables into different ports, trying different receivers and TVs, etc. The only other thing I did not try is try a new 118 LNB or maybe there is a grounding problem (I know they did not ground my dish right). Maybe LNB is bad. However, I have heard somebody say that if the picture is not braking up..no sonstant pixelation, then it is not LNB problem. About the grounding I do not know if this can cause problems I am experiencing.
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne


Get it?


An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
68626 Replies · 2678727 views
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dishstaller
Lonely is the Night - Billy Squier
long_time_Dish
Lonely People - America
H
PEOPLE Are Strange-The Doors
ClarkGable
You're Still A Young Man - Tower Of Power
dishstaller
In the Still of the Night - The Five Satins
Ramy
Supporting Founder
Last reply · posted in The Sports Section
Really excited for this season with Kentucky having a new coach and some really exciting recruits. Probably won't last long, but here's hoping this season is great.
172 Replies · 2444 views
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Y
You mean other than Miami being in the final last year... and Indiana being the only bye team to win a game?
Jimbo
You mean other than Miami being in the final last year... and Indiana being the only bye team to win a game?
No, I was actually referring to outside of the Top 8, but should have been Top 12 ...

I guess I should have looked at the bracket from last year first ...

I'm more thinking about them trying to expect a 15 to beat a 5 seed or there abouts .
AZ.
AZ.
And no teams deserve a bye! Injuries are the largest part of the game that you cant practice for them. Any team can suffer the worst injury at any position on any play. No favorites.
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Y
And no teams deserve a bye! Injuries are the largest part of the game that you cant practice for them. Any team can suffer the worst injury at any position on any play. No favorites.
While the bye can help the top four teams and those the Cartels would like to protect in the playoff, I think the bye is also about making the Cartel championships mean something. One problem with a playoff is it does diminish the conference title a bit.
Jimbo
While the bye can help the top four teams and those the Cartels would like to protect in the playoff, I think the bye is also about making the Cartel championships mean something. One problem with a playoff is it does diminish the conference title a bit.
Once the 24 gets here, there won't be anymore Conference Championships .... or so they say.

Oh what the hell, we really don't need Conferences anymore either ...:coco:(
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Ronnie-
I'm more thinking about them trying to expect a 15 to beat a 5 seed or there abouts .
I mean you get upsets all the time.

Just a couple of weeks ago. Unranked Florida knocked off number 7 texas. Unranked Auburn beat number 1 Georgia.

This week unranked Cincinnati beat number 8 texas Tech. Unranked UCF beat number 2 BYU.

No reason to think similar upsets wont happen in the playoffs where a low seed can upset a higher one.
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AZ.
AZ.
I mean you get upsets all the time.

Just a couple of weeks ago. Unranked Florida knocked off number 7 texas. Unranked Auburn beat number 1 Georgia.

This week unranked Cincinnati beat number 8 texas Tech. Unranked UCF beat number 2 BYU.

No reason to think similar upsets wont happen in the playoffs where a low seed can upset a higher one.
Yep, wonder why we rank the top 25 in 2 poles still? Do the ranking change much if they are unranked or have many loses? They sure do, any given day never take your opponent as a cake walk.....
Jimbo
I mean you get upsets all the time.

Just a couple of weeks ago. Unranked Florida knocked off number 7 texas. Unranked Auburn beat number 1 Georgia.

This week unranked Cincinnati beat number 8 texas Tech. Unranked UCF beat number 2 BYU.

No reason to think similar upsets wont happen in the playoffs where a low seed can upset a higher one.
Correct, you Do get upsets from time to time ....however .
You Don't get teams UPSETTING teams for 5 weeks in a row.

They are trying to make this Basketball and its a far cry from the way that is played.

How long till they go to 32 teams ? Then they will say, well, the NFL is 32 teams, we can make more money that way .... except the NFL is 32 teams, that are a set number of teams and divisions, you don't have that in College ... oh but they will try.

They would have to choose what teams they would want in and thats it.
Hopefully that NEVER happens.

I can see the NCAA going away and the CFP taking that portion over and a Collective Bargaining agreement coming in the not to distant future.
rvvaquero
The problem with rankings and playoffs is that they are designed to hype the game and make money. Period.

The only reason that BYU and Texas Tech were upsets is that they were hyped up in the standings in the first place. I love watching BYU and Bear Bachmeier. They are a fun and talented team, but not nearly so strong, fast, big, and skilled as a true top ten team. Does anyone truly believe they could compete with the likes of Georgia, Ohio State, Indiana, Alabama, etc.? Yet, they were ranked above those teams.

Each year, there are 10 to 12 teams who truly could compete for the championship if it depended on winning more than one game in a playoff. Including teams like James Madison, Tulane, BYU, etc. in a playoff has nothing to do with determining a national champion. It's just about money.
TRG
TRG
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in Local Radio Discussion
16 Replies · 526 views
Phil T
I am an old time radio DXer. Always liked to listen to distant stations on car radio and local news while traveling.

Recently bought a Tesla without an AM radio. Thought I would miss AM more then I do.
During 4000 miles of road tripping this summer I found most major cities have AM stations on FM translators.
Granted, a lot of them are low power.
Found most AM stations are available on Tune-in.
FM stations do have EMS and received several weather alerts through them.

The Tesla FM takes some getting used to. You can directly input a frequency if you know it, but the radio mainly will show Icons or stations it can receive. It's different but very useable.

I find myself usually listening to XM or other sources since the sound system is so good.
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Juan
I am an old time radio DXer. Always liked to listen to distant stations on car radio and local news while traveling.

Recently bought a Tesla without an AM radio. Thought I would miss AM more then I do.
During 4000 miles of road tripping this summer I found most major cities have AM stations on FM translators.
Granted, a lot of them are low power.
Found most AM stations are available on Tune-in.
FM stations do have EMS and received several weather alerts through them.

The Tesla FM takes some getting used to. You can directly input a frequency if you know it, but the radio mainly will show Icons or stations it can receive. It's different but very useable.

I find myself usually listening to XM or other sources since the sound system is so good.
There is a phone app called " tune in" that streams most am and fm radio stations
N5XZS
Streaming is nice but by cheating, a no no!!😁

Better to do true DXing by mother nature!!😎👍 :hatsoff2
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harshness
There is a phone app called " tune in" that streams most am and fm radio stations
There are thousands of miles of roads that have no practical broadband access. That's why they invented satellite radio.
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meStevo
Was curious about timing and carve-outs, via Claude:

Yes, the bill has a few carve-outs and softening provisions:
  • Small manufacturers get extra time. The rule can't be applied to manufacturers that made 40,000 or fewer passenger motor vehicles for sale in the U.S. in 2022, at least not on the same timeline as everyone else — they get extra compliance time. house
  • An "interim" workaround exists. Until the final rule takes effect, automakers can still sell new vehicles without AM radios — they just have to clearly and conspicuously label those vehicles to inform buyers that they lack AM broadcast reception, rather than being barred from selling them outright. senate
  • Sunset clause. The mandate isn't permanent — it comes with a sunset provision of eight years (trimmed down from the ten years originally proposed) so Congress has to revisit it as technology evolves. Radio World
  • Study requirement, not a full carve-out. For self-driving/autonomous vehicles, there's no outright exemption, but the House Energy and Commerce Committee added a requirement that the Department of Transportation study potential safety and innovation issues around AM reception in new vehicles with autonomous driving systems. Radio World
The Senate version (S. 315) is Markey and Cruz's companion bill and carries essentially the same exceptions as the House bill — they're near-identical texts, which is why they've been advancing in parallel. Specifically:
  • Small manufacturer carve-out. Same threshold as the House version: manufacturers that made 40,000 or fewer passenger vehicles for sale in the U.S. in 2022 get more compliance time — most manufacturers would face a 2-to-3-year compliance window, while smaller manufacturers would get at least 4 years. policyrisk
  • Interim labeling option. Same as the House bill: until the DOT's rule takes effect, manufacturers could sell vehicles without AM as long as they clearly label that the vehicle lacks it, and they can't charge extra for AM access once it's required. policyrisk
  • No-fee requirement. AM access has to be standard equipment, not a paid add-on — same as the House version.
One difference worth noting from committee reporting: the Senate Commerce Committee's report on S. 315 found the mandate would have a "minimal impact" on automakers, with the Congressional Budget Office estimating the cost at a few million dollars annually industry-wide, and the law bars automakers from passing that cost on to consumers.

As of now, S. 315 has cleared the Senate Commerce Committee but hasn't had a full Senate floor vote yet — after the House passed its version on September 15, 2026, the Senate received the House-passed bill, read it twice, and placed it on the legislative calendar, where it's awaiting further action. So the two chambers still need to reconcile which version (or a merged one) actually goes to the President. yourNEWS

On timing:

Nothing takes effect yet — the bill still needs to pass the full Senate and get signed into law. But once it's enacted, here's the timeline baked into the bill:
  • Rulemaking deadline: The Secretary of Transportation has to issue the actual rule within 1 year of the bill being signed into law.
  • Rule's effective date: The rule itself then takes effect 2 to 3 years after it's issued.
  • So in practice: For most manufacturers, that's roughly 3 to 4 years after enactment before AM radio is actually required as standard equipment.
  • Small manufacturers (40,000 or fewer vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2022) get extra runway — at least 4 years from enactment.
  • In the meantime: Any new vehicle sold without AM radio during that gap just has to carry clear, conspicuous labeling saying it lacks AM reception — it's not banned outright until the rule kicks in.
  • Sunset clause: Once in force, the mandate itself expires after 8 years, unless Congress acts again to renew it.
So best case, if the Senate passed it quickly and it were signed into law soon, you'd be looking at somewhere around 2029-2030 before the requirement is actually binding on most automakers — and that's assuming no further delays in the legislative process, which given this bill's multi-year history is not a given.
Jimbo
I am 1 that wants the AM to Stay ....
That said, since '08 I have had Sat radio available to me ... I think I have turned on AM 3 or 4 times, just to see if its still there.

Fwiw, if theres a Major disaster or bad weather or whatever, the chances of me finding out about it by going to the AM side of the radio is SLIM and None.
Even FM, I haven't really had on since '13ish, I may turn it on from time to time, just to see if its still there.
JSheridan
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
I know HipKat said that they were working on conversions but we got the official news yesterday right from Dish that starting next month all DMA's will be on the western arc, and all customers will be assigned to that. That's gonna mean a lot of customers around here aren't gonna get Dish unless there are exceptions. Too many mountains and trees.
171 Replies · 4820 views
MikeD-C05
I don't know why DISH doesn't just start a streaming version of DISH and then if you can't see the western arc you go with streaming versions and then they could keep customers if they had good internet speeds. I mean Sling TV could be changed to Streaming DISH TV if they wanted since both companies are under Echostar. Then you would still be able to use your ota antenna with Air TV devices like I do with Air TV Anywhere with 4 ota tuners.
Scott Greczkowski
I don't know why DISH doesn't just start a streaming version of DISH
I have the same wish.
S
Even if you are broadcasting old SD-only shows, I would think advertisers would still want their commercials to look good.
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Jimbo
Even if you are broadcasting old SD-only shows, I would think advertisers would still want their commercials to look good.
Advertisers on SD channels are probably Far and Few, very hard to find, they have very few viewers to watch them.
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Mister B
Advertisers on SD channels are probably Far and Few, very hard to find, they have very few viewers to watch them.
I watch mostly SD channels (H&I, Start and ION, etc.). There are plenty of advertisers, this time of the year it is mostly Medicare Advantage plans, auto extended warranties and the occasional walk-in-tub. They know who is watching.
S
I watch mostly SD channels (H&I, Start and ION, etc.). There are plenty of advertisers, this time of the year it is mostly Medicare Advantage plans, auto extended warranties and the occasional walk-in-tub. They know who is watching.
can't forget the little blue m&m's
charlesrshell
can't forget the little blue m&m's
That's what my wife calls my Viagra!!
B
I have the same wish.
Why?
A lot of people do not have fast internet.
That is why they use satellite
NYDutch
Why?
A lot of people do not have fast internet.
That is why they use satellite
DISH will happily sell them a Starlink system and service.
T
Why didn't Charlie end up launching starlink
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Foxbat
Why didn't Charlie end up launching starlink
Because he didn't have a fleet of reusable rockets. Starlink works because SpaceX is able to launch hundreds (thousands?) of their Starlink satellites for what a single geostationary Internet satellite costs to build and launch on a disposable launcher.
T
But how is it reusable if it's disposable
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S
That's what my wife calls my Viagra!!
My gf is 29 years younger than me :shh
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
RIP dude. Always liked his music. He was 83


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH5Arbm47IQ
1 Replies · 35 views
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
· posted in The Chit Chat Club
This video was put up shortly after I was able to take my family out to Yosemite in 2011. No AI.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6-2fVsFV8E
0 Replies · 19 views
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Love this guy's channel. Looks like Walmart has thrown in the towel when it comes to conventional car batteries.

I bought a new AGM battery from Walmart about a year ago, it is already needing replacing. I thought about just buying a regular battery but from what I've read, that might not be a smart move. Might check my Forscan program and see if I can change the battery type from AGM.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awe7kY5nvdU
18 Replies · 210 views
harshness
When you need a battery, you need a battery.

If you can wait, new technologies are on the not-too-distant horizon.

You're probably doing something wrong if you're only getting a year out of an AGM battery. Heat and infrequent charging both significantly reduce lifetime.
dishstaller
You're probably doing something wrong if you're only getting a year out of an AGM battery. Heat and infrequent charging both significantly reduce lifetime.
Huh? How can I be doing something wrong.....I took out the original battery, that was 6 yrs old and put in a new one.....kinda hard to screw that up. I figure it was just a bad battery....it happens.


The biggest takeaway I got from this video was the Walmart batteries only had something like 85% of battery life left even though they were brand NEW. The ones from O'Reilly all tested 100% of life left.
Jimbo
Huh? How can I be doing something wrong.....I took out the original battery, that was 6 yrs old and put in a new one.....kinda hard to screw that up. I figure it was just a bad battery....it happens.


The biggest takeaway I got from this video was the Walmart batteries only had something like 85% of battery life left even though they were brand NEW. The ones from O'Reilly all tested 100% of life left.
And the Walmart ones mostly had very little warranty.

My last AGM (using now) I got from O Rielly's, its the Super Start ... I got the Platnium, they had several to choose from.
T
He sounds like he's trying to sell me a pocket hose.

I just had to replace a car battery this week and thought I'd look into LiFePo4. Amazon has plenty of them, but all have top posts and only one 'also' has side connections (Group 75).Then I read that they're really lousy in the cold. So, an AGM, but again, almost nothing with side terminals instead of top. In researching that, I read that most mfrs in recent years have dropped side terminals and gone back to the old top posts, which is surprising to me since those are more corrosion-prone, cause the battery to need more space and are generally more hazardous. Finally I just threw up my hands and bought a regular lead-acid at Sam's Club. They had a Group 75 "Duracell" with side terminals only. It was virtually the only such battery with side posts on their shelves
arlo
Had a Die Hard in my folks cellar for over 6 years. Pulled it out, slapped it on a charger for a day. Put it in my 'Cuda and drove it around for a week of my vacation. Next year, the same. But my dad kept it topped off for me.It was a mid 80's battery in early 1990.

Flooded acid batteries like a float voltage of around 13.5-13.8 voltage.
AGM needs a float of 14.2 volts. So if you slap an AGM in where a flooded was. It never gets a full charge.
"Why do they die so fast?" Question answered. There are folks who sell voltage regulators for alternators that are designed to boost float voltage for AGM batteries.
The other way around? Flooded will gas-off a little at 14.2 volts. But seems to tolerate it pretty good.

Lithium car/bike/atv batteries. After 3 batteries in my Harley. The OEM flooded and two AGM's (before the 14.2 volt float requirement to let them live was learned). I bought a lithium for it. 4 year, no gripe warranty after having it tested by an approved store.
The thing started like Thor himself sent a bolt from the sky. Except......try to start it around freezing? Nope. Needed a heating pad.
And I usually like to park it around events in the evening with the parking light on. Looks cool like that.
We could traipse around for a few hours no worries. Hop on, fire it up, and go putt around.
Lithium? A Dakota Lithium at least. The BMS shuts it right down if it discharges below <something>.
Come back. Parking lights off. Won't start. And you know the rest. But it lasted 6 years. A lot better than 'new every two'. And the fact that powersports batteries are warranted for six, maybe nine months. Ludicrous.

I called Noco. Asked all of the right questions. Great warranty. Save some bucks ordering directly, faster service that the wally world alternative.
They addressed (or claimed over the phone) that the shut down was addressed. Sure. The BMS keeps it form being damaged. But if it is shut down because it does become low. Shut down any load (key on, parking or headlights left on) for 10-15 minutes and you get a second try to start your rig. Not a bad thing if it really works. Right?!

Exide, Interstate? Be very afraid. They ain't what they used to be. In Florida my '70 Cutlass had an Interstate (early 90') that lasted 6 years until it dropped its plates at an intersection and boiled over. In Florida, mind you. The last Interstate.....done in 2. Guys down there would suck out the acid and put water in shortly before the warranty ran out. Make it to the auto parts, get them tested. And get a new one pro rated. No more pro rating.
You can't beat an Odyssey. Napa, AC Deco (the better ones). Yup.
The mom and pop Car Quest only sells Die Hard. For a reason, the old man says. So they convinced that a Die HArd Platinum was the hot ticket for me. l will see. Stand by!

You can't cut Mr. Project Farm down. He does great tests of all sorts of things. Not sponsored and pressured to slap a little sugar on his comparisons and reviews. Compared to the Brits and Aussies with their constant overzealous and same sounding (Dave from EEVblog) rant. I like P-Farm a lot. Of course I like AvE (Boltr) too.
Reminds me to beware when wearing shorts around the garage vice.


Opinions may vary.
harshness
And the Walmart ones mostly had very little warranty.
The days of the 84-month warranty appear long gone, regardless of brand or where you acquired it. Warranties tend to be shorter, with much greater dependence on quick prorating.

The big problem for lead-acid batteries (whether flooded or AGM) is that the US no longer produces lead (the last smelter closed in 2013) and must import it.

Recycling covers a good chunk of the need (~70%), but it isn't free.
EarDemon
I've always got regular OEM Ford Motorcraft batteries from the dealership and have never really had an issue. On my old Lincoln Aviator (the SUV from the early 00s, not the CUV of today), I had some phantom drain and went though a few batteries, but that was an anomaly and with the standard warranty I got free replacements. Taking the Aviator out of the picture, I've bought two batteries in my 24 years of driving. One battery replacement in my Mountaineer, one in my Navigator. But I probably would have had another one had I kept it around longer. Didn't have the Bronco long enough, and so far still on the factory battery for my Expedition.

I run more than the average bear. Dash cam, two radar detectors (yes, I'm aware that can be problematic when using simultaneously), laser jammers and a police scanner. I'm in Buffalo, 90 degree summers and 0 degree winters. Once in a while in the dead of winter I'll get an alert from the Ford app saying remote features have been disabled to conserve battery, but it starts right up.
dishstaller
I run more than the average bear. Dash cam, two radar detectors (yes, I'm aware that can be problematic when using simultaneously), laser jammers and a police scanner.
warrior.webp
dishstaller
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Bobby
Rest in peace. Together again with Spock, Doc, Uhura, and Scotty...
long_time_Dish
Rest in peace, Checkov, and Bester too...
FTA4PA
Rest In Peace 😢
Foxbat
Rest in Peace…