Replacing the power switch of a Living Pure Heater (8756)

The power switch on Rachel's Living Pure Heater (8756, I believe) exploded (springs and what not flew about) last year and I've put off fixing it because it's at her place and I don't have a soldering iron there.  But, after prying the old switch out of the back of the heater a few weeks ago, I saw that the switch replacement wouldn't need my iron so long as I got a switch that had terminal connections.

I found a near perfect replacement on Amazon for $2.49.  Red Light 4 Pin DPST ON/OFF Snap in Rocker Switch 15A 250V AC.

If I had to do it again, I would probably buy this one: DPST Black Button Rocker Switch.  The switch that is currently installed has a little led in it.  It's not a big deal, but it will use up electricity over time.  This switch is slightly smaller than the red switch, so I'm not 100% that it will fit perfectly.

This is a pretty boring post...but I hope that it will show up if anyone needs to fix the power switch of their heater.  It was super easy.  The wiring connections were exactly the same as the switch that was taken out.  And from the look of it, broken switches are not that uncommon on these heaters.

What's Brewing?

Well, here is what is currently brewing in my bedroom:

1. 3 Gallons of Blackberry Pinot Noir
2. 1 Gallon of the same
3. 3.5 Gallons of Blackberry wine, soon to be blackberry port
4. 5 Gallons of a Belgian Tripel Beer

When I started brewing, I don't think that I ever imagined that it would require so much chemistry.  But, the more that I learn, but more that I want to make sure that the sugars, acids, and sulphites are all in balance.  And trust me on this one, it's not easy.  Well, sugar is.  But acidity?  You have your TA and your Ph.  And the two kind of move in unison, but kind of don't.  And then you learn that the very chemicals that you use to test acidity actually degrade over time.  And then you learn that you can test that chemical using another chemical.

Maybe I'll write more about this someday, possibly just to get all of my thoughts in one space.  As it stands, I now think that I know how to standardize the sodium hydroxide that is used in the tartaric acid test kits using potassium hydrogen phalate.

So that leaves SO2.  I have a meter for that.  So here's hoping that it works well.

Tonight I'm going to test the blackberry pinot for Ph and SO2 content.  I'll make any necessary adjustments and then rack them into new carboys.

Tomorrow I will hopefully rack the Blackberry Port and add .5 gallons of 190 proof everclear to fortify it and kill any yeast in the must.

And Saturday I'll rack the beer into a secondary where it will sit for 2-6 weeks before bottling.

Earthquakes in Nicaragua

Earthquake In Nicaragua

I guess I picked a good time to come home.  It seems that on Thursday there was a 6.1 quake, followed by a 6.6 on Friday.

Las Isletas and Volcan Masaya

Oh my goodness. So I'll start with the good stuff. I went on a wonderful tour of the 365 islands that were created when Mombacho erupted a long long time ago. It as peaceful and beautiful out on the lake.

Then, after splurging on some artwork, I went on a tour of Masaya, and more active volcano. It was a landscape out of another world. I loved it. We also went into a bat cave and witnessed millions of bats flying out of the opening.

After returning to the hostel, I was beat, and stumbkled to a restaurant for a nice steak.

After returning to myself hostel and getting ready for bed, a terrible central American fear was realized. Bed Bugs! Nooooooooo! It was 10:30, and all I wanted to do was to collapse into the bed in my private room. Instead, I had to grab everything and, in the dark, transport it to the dorm.

Needless to say, I didn't sleep well. Instead of spending the night as planned, I'm going to return to Managua to share a room with Jill and Kathy, whom I've been travelling on and off with since Leon.

At the lookout

At an overlook overlooking Matagalpa.

Travel to Granada

As the title implies, today I am traveling to Granada. I splurged and broke backpacker code by hiring a private ride.
I leave at 9 and should arrive around noon.

Some words

Words to accompany the post of pictures.

Yesterday I went with Jill and Kathy to Selva Negra, a coffee farm, restaurant, hotel, nature preserve.

It was beautiful, and I learned more about coffee and tasting coffee.

I also went on a wonderful hike. After that, I visited the post office. Then I went on a night hike. I saw a cicada hatching! Oh, and I saw a red eyed tree frog.