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Learn how to get intense, saturated color in tie dye by using concentrated dyes and controlled application methods. Includes a real example with orange and yellow gradients for maximum brightness. How do you get really bright color with tie dye? The most important elements of bright tie dye color are: using natural fiber shirts, presoaking in soda ash, using enough dye, and letting it fully set. I love vibrant color, and recently I have experimented with simple dye application methods that prioritized color saturation. In that experiment, I used concentrated orange and yellow dye colors to deeply saturate a shirt with a really simple gradient design, in a plastic bin. The bin snuggly fit around the shirt and the amount of liquid didn’t go much over the top of the shirt. I let it sit for about 24 hours. It was pre-soaked in soda ash solution before applying dye. When I first posted about it, some people were annoyed, thinking I was trying to claim the most basic methods as my own. What I think is actually happening, is we forget the simple basics in pursuit of more complicated and complex designs. We are spending hours doing intricate folds and tie work, and forget that just having a really bright orange shirt can be delightful. My return to something considered fundamental and basic is only meant to bring your attention back to an easy way to get vibrant color. It doesn’t need to be complex or time consuming to be breathtaking. Whenever I go out in one of these bin style gradient shirts, people always comment on how nice the color is. I probably get more comments on simple bin dyes than I do on geode style shirts. This page was last updated on Feb 6, 2026

Before ordering a dyed shirt, this chart can be used to confirm which Bella Canvas shirt size will work best for you. Bella Canvas Size Chart This is for the Bella + Canvas 3001C blanks, in cotton jersey, which is a unisex t-shirt fit. Sizing If you are preparing to order a dyed shirt and want to make sure that the shirt will fit the way you like you can use this chart to compare with one of your favorite shirts. Measure your shirt Lay your shirt flat and measure the WIDTH from armpit to armpit and then find the shirt width on the chart that matches your number. Then confirm that the shirt HEIGHT is long enough from the shoulder to the bottom hem. Order a shirt You can order a pink shirt or a blue shirt in this shirt style. This page was last updated on Jul 10, 2026

Fabric paint needs to dry fully and then be heat set to bond to the fibers. Let the paint dry, then cure it with a dryer, iron, or heat press following the temperature guidelines for the paint. How to set fabric paint Fabric paint is usually set by letting it dry completely and then applying heat, which bonds the pigments to the fibers. You can heat set it with a clothes dryer, an iron, or a heat press depending on the fabric and the paint instructions. Let the fabric paint dry fully I mixed Lumiere metallic fabric paint with another Jacquard color to get the grey dots on the yellow sweatshirt. After applying the paint, I let it air dry until the surface was fully dry and no areas felt cool. Most fabric paints need complete drying before heat setting so the binder can attach to the fibers. Use heat to set the paint After the paint dried, I set it in the home dryer. Medium to high heat for 20 to 30 minutes is enough to cure most textile paints on cotton and other natural fabrics. The dryer works well for metallic or layered paints because there is no direct contact with the surface. Other ways to heat set fabric paint You can also use an iron by placing a pressing cloth between the iron and the fabric and keeping the iron moving. A heat press works too if you follow the temperature guidelines listed on the paint label. Aftercare Once the paint is heat set, it becomes flexible and washable. Most brands recommend waiting at least 72 hours before the first wash. This page was last updated on Feb 6, 2026

Inside the box you’ll find the outdoor air conditioner unit, the interior plenum, and all required hardware, filters, and gaskets. It’s a complete installation kit with nothing extra needed. What comes in the box with an AC heat pump unit? The box includes the main outdoor air-conditioning unit, the plenum assembly for inside the RV, and all necessary mounting hardware and filters. Everything needed for a standard installation, bolts, brackets, gaskets, and screws, is included. Standard System Installation Parts List Main parts: BELAIRE air-conditioner outdoor unit ×1 Outlet gasket ×1(In A3501/A3800 modes, the outlet gasket is fixed to the outdoor unit) Outlet air duct ×1 Plenum mounting bracket ×1 Return air filters ×2 Plenum assembly ×1 M8 × 120mm hex head bolts ×4 (T3500)M8 × 180mm hex head bolts ×4 (A3501/A3800) Metal clamping bars ×4 Large M8 washers ×4 Truss head tapping screws ST4×10 ×8 Plenum screw – ST4.2×19 pan head screws ×4 Countersunk head self tapping screws ST4.2×16 ×6 This page was last updated on Feb 6, 2026

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 6, 2026

Dye Tutorials How it's made! This is a collection of dye projects with photos and info on each step. Metallic Accents Flowy Brown Melt Speed Black Ice Dye Bold Color

If your RV water heater isn’t working in cold weather, the water may be too cold to heat. Use heat tape on the inlet line to prewarm the water and restore normal function. Why is my RV water heater not working? If temperatures drop near freezing, and your RV water heater suddenly stops working, the heater probably isn’t broken, it just can’t heat water that’s nearly freezing as it enters the system. Applying heat tape to the incoming water line is necessary in cold climates. If your RV water heater stopped working in cold weather This usually happens when outdoor temperatures drop to around 35°F (1–2°C). At that point, the water supply line often isn’t frozen, so water still flows normally. That makes it feel like the heater suddenly failed. In most cases, it didn’t. What’s actually going on RV water heaters can only raise water temperature by a limited amount. When the incoming water is near freezing, the heater can’t bring it up to operating temperature fast enough. Many units will either: Shut down to protect themselves, or Run but never produce hot water This is a cold-inlet issue, not usually a broken heater. Check Before assuming the heater is defective: Stop trying to restart it repeatedly If the unit is in a protective shutdown, forcing restarts won’t help. Check your exact heater model Look up whether it has cold-weather limits or freeze protection. Many tankless RV heaters do. Confirm the recommended cold-weather setup Manufacturer or dealer support can tell you whether this model requires inlet water warming in low temperatures. Heat tape Some RV owners prevent this issue by keeping the cold-water inlet line warmer in cold weather. If you do this: Use heat tape rated for exterior plumbing Apply it only to the cold-water supply line Do not apply heat tape directly to the water heater or hot-water line Add insulation over the taped line for efficiency Plug into a grounded outlet If you’re unsure, skip this step and contact a professional. Some tankless RV water heaters are not designed to operate reliably in sustained freezing conditions without additional winterization or enclosure heating. In those cases, the solution is environmental, not mechanical. If your RV water heater stops working during cold weather, it’s often reacting to very cold incoming water, not failing outright. This page was last updated on Feb 6, 2026

A chart to determine how many layers of absorbent fabric to cut, for sewing your own cloth menstrual pads. Layer chart for cloth pad core fabric Here’s a chart to figure out how many layers of fabric you need to cut for the core of your cloth menstrual pad. You can use the chart below as a starting point to know how many absorbent layers to cut for your cloth pad. If the fabric is thick like sweatshirt material, you'll want to use two layers of that for a heavy pad. This page was last updated on Feb 6, 2026

Known for its Olive burgers and standard fast food menu, this location in Sturgis Michigan is the last remaining Hot n’ Now restaurant. Is Hot n’ Now still open? There was one remaining Hot n' Now location in Sturgis, MI, but recently a second location has been opened, in Wayland, MI. A few months ago, a friend asked me if I’d ever been to Hot n’ Now. I said no, and he was appalled. So we immediately drove from Elkhart to Sturgis Michigan. He got the famous Olive burger, which is in the picture above and I got a normal cheeseburger. We also got fries and onion rings to share. The crispy fried foods were exactly as you would expect and lifted my mood as intended. It seems like they stayed consistent with the branding and menu, even though they now operate independently. I noticed in the drive-through they had Hot n’ Now merch that they were selling. This is a very nostalgic fast food place for a lot of people because when I posted about it on Facebook, it went kind of viral locally. This page was last updated on Feb 6, 2026