Search this site

Noticing your RV battery stops around 80%? Learn how to set the RecPro converter’s dial for lead-acid or lithium batteries, what the LED flicker means, and why smart charging mode protects battery life. Why is my RV battery not fully charging? If your RV battery stops charging around 80% when using a RecPro converter, it’s usually working as intended. Most RecPro converters ship in four-stage smart charging mode, which limits charge to protect lead-acid batteries and extend their lifespan. Understanding the Converter Dial On RecPro converters, there’s a small adjustable dial called a potentiometer. It controls both the charging mode and the voltage level. The sticker beside it can be confusing, but here’s how to read it: The left side of the dial controls four-stage smart charging, designed for lead-acid batteries. The right side of the dial is intended for lithium-ion batteries or for powering appliances directly in your RV. Once you’ve chosen the correct side for your setup, you can fine-tune the voltage: Lower voltage: turn the dial toward the top. Higher voltage: turn the dial toward the side you’re using. Factory Default Settings Converters are typically shipped in four-stage smart charging mode (the left side of the dial). If you’re not sure which mode yours is in, you can tell by watching the LED light indicator while turning the dial with a screwdriver. When the LED flickers, that means you’ve crossed over to the other side of the dial, switching between smart charging and lithium/direct power modes. Fine-Tuning and Voltage Adjustment For a more precise setup, you can use a multimeter to check the output voltage while adjusting the potentiometer. This helps confirm you’re within the proper range for your specific battery. Keep in mind that different battery types require different voltage targets for optimal charging. You should always check the manual or specifications for your battery brand to confirm the best settings, especially for lithium batteries, which can vary in chemistry and built-in protection systems. If you’re just trying to get oriented with the dial and make sure your converter is working correctly, these general guidelines will help you get in the right direction. Why It Stops Around 80% If your converter seems to charge your lead-acid battery only up to about 80%, that’s usually by design. In four-stage smart charging mode, the converter is programmed to stop before hitting full voltage to prolong the battery’s lifespan. Fully charging a lead-acid battery every time can cause unnecessary stress and shorten its life.Lithium batteries may charge differently and reach higher levels depending on how the converter and BMS are configured. In Short Left side of the dial: smart charging (lead-acid) Right side: lithium or direct power mode LED flicker: indicates switching between modes Multimeter: use to fine-tune voltage 80% charge: normal for smart charging mode Always check your battery manual: ideal voltages vary by type If your converter is working correctly but your battery isn’t quite reaching 100% it doesn’t mean something’s broken, it’s probably doing exactly what it should. This page was last updated on Feb 5, 2026

Grams per square meter. Describes how thick or heavy a fabric is. GSM weight fabric Grams per square meter. Describes how thick or heavy a fabric is. Tie dye links See all glossary items See tutorials for flowy ice dye and geode tie dye .

Tall ice pile held with cardboard, magics tracks or other ingenuity. Ice mound process A tall pile of ice built over the fabric to slow melting and create complex, layered color effects as dye travels through the melt. Tie dye links See all glossary items See tutorials for flowy ice dye and geode tie dye .

Learn how to care for a Thai Constellation Monstera indoors, including light needs, watering habits, and potting tips. I share how I keep mine healthy in northern Indiana without overwatering or burning the variegated leaves. Monstera Thai Constellation Care The Monstera Thai Constellation grows best in bright, indirect light with moderate watering and chunky soil. Finding a Thai Constellation I went to the Tinley Park Reptile Expo and got this Thai Constellation Monstera for $25, which is wild considering how it used to go for around $600 online. I remember seeing that on Steve’s Leaves. They’re a plant seller in Texas and an awesome place if you want to check them out. Why Prices Dropped Now Thai Constellation Monsteras are everywhere. You can find them in Lowe’s, Walmart, other big box stores. They’ve just gotten easier to reproduce because of new propagation methods, so the price dropped a lot. Light and Burn Risk I’ve had two of them. The one I have now has a leaf big enough to start fenestrating. The other one is smaller with no fenestrations yet. I don’t have a long history with variegated Monsteras, but I’ve had regular green ones and those were super easy to care for. I assume this will be similar. From what I know about variegation, you just have to be careful about light. Too much light on the white parts burns them. If you put this plant in a southern window for hours of direct sun, you’ll probably get brown patches on the pale areas, especially on a new leaf that’s still hardening off. When to Repot I’m planning to keep this one in its 4 inch pot until it’s really ready to move up. I like to see it a little root bound first. I personally kill things when I pot them up too early. In my environment in northern Indiana, with big north windows and normal house conditions, I wait longer than most people to repot. The cooler temps and lower light here make tropical plants more sensitive to overwatering. If the pot is too big, there’s too much soil staying wet too long. That’s when roots suffocate or rot. Soil, LECA, and Root Health I’ve grown Monsteras in chunky mixes with bark, perlite, and peat moss, and I’ve also done it in straight LECA, those expanded clay balls that wick up moisture from the bottom. I liked LECA. You don’t have to worry about the soil compacting and the roots get good airflow. Don’t Overthink It Overall, Monsteras tolerate a lot. Honestly, don’t fuss. Most people kill plants because they love them too much. Same with Hoyas. They mess with them constantly, and in my experience as someone who kind of neglects plants, you’ll kill them faster by hovering. This page was last updated on Jul 10, 2026

Align the plenum bracket with the roof opening, insert the M8 bolts and clamping bars, then torque evenly to 7 N·m until the bracket is tight and fully seated. How do you install a plenum mounting bracket? To install the plenum mounting bracket, align the M8 bolts with washers and metal clamping bars through the four corner holes. Push the bracket upward into the square roof opening and tighten the bolts evenly until the bracket is secure and fully seated. Securing the Plenum Mounting Bracket Overlap the M8 bolts (#7) with washers (#9) and metal clamping bars (#8), inserting them through the four corner holes of the plenum mounting bracket. From inside the RV, push the bracket upward so it fits securely into the square roof opening. Start tightening the bolts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Use a torque wrench to tighten the M8 bolts evenly to 7 N·m, ensuring the plenum bracket connects firmly with the outdoor unit. Finally, verify that the bracket is fully seated and flush within the opening before proceeding. This page was last updated on Feb 5, 2026

A Josh’s Frogs employee offers water to a chameleon during the NARBC Tinley Park reptile expo. A calm, close-up look at reptile care in action. Josh’s Frogs at NARBC As I was passing the display, for Josh’s frogs, at the Tinley Park Expo, I noticed a delightful interaction. A chameleon happily catching drops of water from a paper towel being squeezed. At the Tinley Park Reptile Expo, in October of 2025, I saw this adorable animale care moment. The employee at the Josh's Frogs booth was giving the cameleon water by squeezing a wet paper towel above it's mouth. It was nice to see the animal behaving comfortably around the care of the empolyee. This page was last updated on Feb 5, 2026

The process of tie dyeing a shirt with grey fiber reactive dye. Color names and link to process video. Grey Tie Dye Shirt The process of dyeing a shirt with low immersion, for a crinkle dye pattern. Process This shirt was dyed with fiber reactive procion dye, from Dharma Trading Co. The shirt was pre-soaked in soda ash water, and then spun out before adding dye. This is a cotton shirt since tie-dye requires natural fiber, fabrics. You can also use this kind of dye on fibers like rayon, hemp, silk, and linen. Colors: seafoam & better black 1/2 teaspoon of dye powder per color Results I prefer the way the results look on the inside of the shirt. Next time, I don't turn the shirt inside out before dyeing it, and I would use more dye powder. Video See the full process in the YouTube video . This page was last updated on Feb 5, 2026

How to choose an event photographer by understanding your event type, goals, and how the photos will be used for promotion, vendors, and future events. How to choose an event photographer How to choose an event photographer starts with knowing what your photos need to do. This guide helps you pick the right photographer based on your event, your goals, and how you will use the images. Event Type When thinking about how to choose an event photographer, start with what the event is and what the photos are going to be used for. Is this a one time event, or something that happens every year? Recurring Events If it is recurring, the photos are not just for memories. You will likely use them for next year’s promotion, press coverage, and to attract sponsors. In that case, it becomes very important to have someone who can cover the event in an aesthetically pleasing way and who understands your goals. The feel of the photography acts as a filter for who the event is for and who it attracts. Pre Event Photos If it is a one time event, it can still be important, but maybe not for sponsors or long term promotion. In that case, you might want your photographer to come ahead of the event to help promote it. Photos of the location can be very useful. front entrance where to park where the bathrooms are what the space looks like Guest Experience This helps people understand what to expect and can make them feel more comfortable attending. It is especially helpful for people thinking about accessibility, navigation, or unfamiliar spaces. Then on the day of the event, think about what you want documented. Vendor Coverage Are you just trying to remember the event, or are you using the photos to represent the people involved? Vendors often get overlooked. If you have vendors, it helps to tell your photographer that you want them featured. That can include booths, products, and interactions. When vendors are shown clearly and tagged afterward, it makes them feel appreciated and gives you more content to share. Social Plan A photographer with experience in this will often gather names or social handles while shooting and have a plan for how the images will be used afterward. Photo Use Photography is no longer just about taking photos. It is about what the photos are for and where they will end up. photo album Google Business profile Facebook page story or post ad campaign Photographer Type You may hire a different photographer depending on those answers. A wedding photographer will shoot an event differently than a commercial photographer who is thinking about representing a business or selling something. If you think through your goals before reaching out, it becomes much easier to choose someone who fits what your event actually needs. This page was last updated on May 5, 2026

Crested geckos reach an average length of about 8 inches from head to tail, with some adults growing up to 9 or 10 inches. Their body alone, without the tail, measures around 4 to 5 inches, about palm size. Juveniles start much smaller and grow steadily through their first year, reaching full adult size between 12 and 18 months. How big do crested geckos get? Adult crested geckos usually grow to about 8 inches long from head to tail, though some reach up to 9 or 10 inches. Their body without the tail is roughly 4 to 5 inches, about the size of an adult’s hand. Over the past two years, I’ve gone to several reptile expos, including the Tinley Park Reptile Expo three times, and the Goshen Reptile Expo . Crested geckos are a very common reptile to see at these events, and vendors who bring them will often get one out to show people or have them sitting on a perch just hanging out. They’re so chill that they don’t try to take off or escape. In all of these instances, the geckos I’ve seen are usually palm-sized. When they still have their tail, it can extend past an average man’s hand, but their head and body fit comfortably within an adult’s palm. The gecko in the first image was a young one, probably a juvenile, seen at the Tinley Park Reptile Expo. This page was last updated on Feb 5, 2026

How to photograph the northern lights with an iPhone. Recommended Night Mode settings, focus tips, and exposure adjustments, with an example image taken near Paw Paw Michigan at 9:43 PM. iPhone camera settings for northern lights? These settings work on recent iPhones and help pull in the color and structure of the aurora, even when it looks faint to the eye. This image taken on an iPhone 12 Pro Max by Robin Ravenscroft. Near Paw Paw, MI, around 9:45pm, Nov 12 2025. Recommended iPhone settings for photographing the northern lights Night Mode exposure • Use the longest Night Mode exposure your phone allows • Handheld: usually 3 seconds • On a solid surface or tripod: 10 seconds This increases the camera’s chance of capturing vertical pillars and color separation. Robin’s photo used a 3.4 second exposure. Lens choice • Use the 1x wide lens • Avoid the 0.5x ultrawide unless the aurora is extremely bright The wide lens has better low-light performance and cleaner color. Focus and exposure lock • Press and hold on a distant light or star until AE/AF LOCK appears • Tap the ± icon and drop exposure to –0.3 to –1.0 This keeps the sky from blowing out and helps maintain detail in the beams. Stabilization If you don’t have a tripod, lean the phone on your car window, hood, or a fence Any vibration will blur the light pillars. Robin’s image shows clean edges in the red and green zones because the phone stayed still for the full exposure. Capture in RAW if possible Settings → Camera → Formats → enable Apple ProRAW RAW gives stronger color recovery later, especially when the aurora is faint to the eye but intense to the sensor. Do not zoom Digital zoom turns aurora colors into noise If you need a tighter crop, do it in editing afterward. Keep the lens clean Even one fingerprint can create haze or glowing edges around the aurora. This is especially noticeable with red arcs. Why iPhones capture stronger colors than your eyes The phone stacks multiple low-light frames and pushes color saturation to reveal wavelengths your eyes can’t fully see in darkness. Robin’s shot near Paw Paw shows bright red pillars and a soft green base, colors that often look muted in person but appear vivid on the sensor. See what the northern lights looked like the same night, further south, in Elkhart, IN. This page was last updated on Feb 5, 2026