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It's is a beautiful day here in Orem, Utah. Our inspection schedule is still strong but my health is very weak. This past weekend left me in my bed wondering if a trip to the hospital was in order. My fear was walking pneumonia, and all the signs were pointing that direction. I have to admit that I am very poor at laying in bed doing nothing. The workload just continues to back up and I have a very hard time with that.
As you are receiving this MMM I will be once again heading to Evanston, Wyoming for another EIFS Moisture Intrusion Evaluation. The last one was such a hit that the same agent is calling upon my services again. As to the last deal in Evanston my report blew the deal out of the water. I don't think it was my report so much as it was a "Policy In Progress" on the part of the Relocation Company. I think that we will start to see more of a "Hands Off" policy by Relocation Companies nationwide.
After the EIFS evaluation this particular Relocation Company said that their client could go ahead and buy the home, but they did not guarantee that when they were relocated in the future that the relocation company would take on the property. In other words....... "You can buy it, but you may be stuck with selling it on your own when you get transferred in the future." This scared the Buyers into looking for another home and killed that deal after the Buyers had already invested about $1,000 in inspections. I feel strongly that the relocation companies should just tell their clients this up front and save them the money on the EIFS Moisture Intrusion Evaluation.=:}
The little birdie has whispered in my ear that 3D Inspection Systems will be releasing their 3D CE module to the general public this week. This is great news for those of you that have been waiting for the arrival of the software for the little machines.
The CE module will work on many of the CE computers. You have read my words regarding the Palm PC machines, but for those of you that think that the tiny fonts on the little machine may be too much for your eyes, there are bigger CE machines that resemble checkbooks and laptops, but still have the pen driven feature. I don't dwell on those machines too much here in the MMM because it has always been my dream to perform the inspections in the palm of my hand.
The 3D CE module is $149.00, but can only be used with the full Windows software. Please don't think that $149.00 gets you out the door. If you are excited about this news, please contact me for more details. I have been amazed how many of the MMM readers have computerized in recent months. I encourage all of you to make the leap.
Last week's Photo Challenge #6 was an interesting photo. The responses pointed out several issues. I gave you the following hints last week... "If it makes any difference, the picture was snapped outside of the old kitchen pantry that was converted to a service closet. The room was big enough for an avocado green forced air heating system and one of 3 electrical subpanels."
Roy Brown from Washington responded.....
I'm a little weaker than I would like to be on electrical, but it seems obvious that the feed conduit should not be routed in front of the panel, nor should the furnace be installed in front, blocking anyone's ability to work on the panel. The wiring looks to be a mess, indicating that the work was not done by a licensed electrician. There appears to be 12 breakers with no main. I would call evaluation and repair by a licensed electrician immediately and before purchase. Roy Brown - WA
Roy was right on the conduit blocking the panel..... That is definitely an interesting No-No. The issue of the 12 breakers and no main is really not an issue because this is one of 3 subpanels. Here in Utah we usually have a main panel on the exterior that contains the main shut off. Roy has good eyes and spotted the sloppy wiring too.
Jim Corbin also from Washington shared.....
Hi Michael, This appears to be an open electrical panel; no visible main disconnect for the number of circuits (4 in our area); no cover plate; judging from the random wires, there is probably double lugging and probably no continuity of ground; there appears to be a bare "guard bar" in front of and attached to the open panel which would "burn" whoever touched it should there be a short; the ductwork suggests ventilation of some sort, but they are in close proximity to an open electrical panel...no free space clearance; most likely there are unprotected wires running here and there with little regard to proper panel exit protection or protocol. Looks like a "...recommend complete review and repair of the electrical system by a licensed electrical contractor." I think it is a condition generated by less than professional installation. Jim Corbin, Bow, WA
This electrical subpanel just made me step back and scratch my head. If you notice the panel cover plate is still attached by the upper left screw because the installation has placed the panel so close to the heater's plenum that you can't get a standard length screwdriver onto the screw head. If you look closely you will see the avocado green heating unit that was retrofitted into this kitchen pantry. The wiring was atrocious. Double lugging was abundant and the grounds and neutral were connected to the same bus bar. The bent conduit was the electrical wiring for the heater..... Why anybody would think that this installation was safe is beyond me. This was only the tip of the electrical nightmare that resulted in the following recommendation...... "It is recommended that a licensed Electrician further evaluate this system. The vast amount of electrical miswirings and amateur workmanship has created an unsafe system = Consideration should be given to a full Electrical upgrade.
This past week I had the chance to put the Compaq Aero 1530 to the test. My first out of the box thoughts of the machine were....
The Compaq Aero 1530 is the LED screened palmtop machine that boasts easy outdoor screen vision, 14 hour battery life, more onboard software, and half the thickness of the color screened Casio unit that I have currently been using.
NOTE 1520 & 1530: Be careful if you purchase the 1530 that you are actually getting the 1530. The 1520 is what most retail stores currently stock. After failing to find a 1530 locally I had to go to the internet and specify the 1530 when I ordered my unit
If this unit had been in my hands before I had ever experienced the Casio E-100 this review would be much more positive. But since the Casio is my benchmark, my comments here will be in direct comparison with the Casio.
Out of the box I was very impressed with the included accessories. It included both an A/C and D/C charger, while the Casio only came with the A/C charger. The Compaq comes with a cradle as well as a synchronizing cable for use without the cradle. The Casio only includes the cradle. The onboard software with the Compaq is very good. There are programs that are not part of the Casio package. The most interesting software was the File Explorer. This allows you to do more with the files on the machine such as SAVE AS and DELETE. This type of File Explorer for the Casio is only available from third-party vendors....... I'm wondering if I can load this software onto my Casio????
My first onsite experience was filled with highs and lows. The first inspection went well and synchronizing the file with the laptop was very smooth. Here are my Compaq likes....
The second inspection is where things went whacko. Here is where I will share my dislikes....
MODEL
SPEED
COMPAQ 1530
70 MHz
CASIO E-100
131 MHz
With that major glitch I lost my heart for trying to give the Compaq unit a fair chance. The Compaq system is not set up with enough error warning messages. My feeling is that they lull you along until the machine freezes up. The Casio however, will immediately warn you if things are not right. Instead of looking at the screen and finally realizing that the thing is frozen, the Casio let's you know. I have yet to have the Casio freeze up.
I shared this information with 3D and I felt like a woman trying to tell a male mechanic what is wrong with her car. I was met with.... "That's strange, we haven't had that happen here." I sent 3D one of my form sets for them to try and test and I have yet to hear back whether or not their machine also froze up.
CONCLUSION: Although the Compaq Aero 1530 has an excellent outdoor screen it was disappointing during the 85% of the inspection that is done in the shade and indoors. The backlighting system is awful and they say a patch is soon to come that will resolve the lousy backlighting feature. The machine refreshes slowly and freezes up at will. The lightness of size is wonderful and this is the size that all Pocket PC's will eventually be. The Compaq unit is about $100 to $150 less than the Casio, but you will be giving up performance, speed and reliability in an attempt to save money. I don't believe that the ease of reading the screen outdoors justifies the other concessions. On the otherhand, I have proven the reliabilty and dependability of the Casio E-100.
This week's AII™ Photo Challenge comes from Ken Ives. It will require an incredible eye. I have not been told what Ken wants us to see...... Ken says.... "There is a reportable condition that would probably escape many inspectors." Is it the tree? Is it the antenna? Is it the flashing? Is it the attic vent? Is it the DWV system? Is it the shingles? Is it the flue height? By the way..... What kind of Heating/Cooling system is that???? We don't see the roof mounted systems here in Utah. I presume that this photo was shot in the Sacramento, California area. "What do ya think?"
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DATES: APRIL 28-30, 2000
PLACE: AIRPORT HOLIDAY INN - PORTLAND, OREGON
SPOUSES: We also encourage you to bring your spouse. We have a policy that spouses may attend at no additional fee - just let us know when you register if your spouse is going to join you.
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