posted 28 April 2017
Security
 For my one bedroom condo, I decided to install a security video doorbell. Video doorbells work like any other doorbell, but are Wi-Fi enabled, include a video camera, speaker, microphone and a motion detector.  The motion detector is triggered anytime someone is outside the door and starts recording video which is stored in the cloud. It also sends notification and streaming video to your mobile phone. You can interact with the doorbell remotely from a mobile phone. If someone  rings your doorbell, you cantalk with them (e.g “sorry I am not interested”, “I am busy”, “leave the package on the door”, etc.).
Comparison
I compared the two most popular brands: “Ring” and “Skybell HD”. Ring is easiest to purchase from the local Home Depot, Lowe’s or Best Buy, while Skybell HD has to be ordered on-line. Both have the same list price, but Skybell was cheaper from Amazon. Each one is available in two colors color (silver or bronze). But the Ring offers two other colors and a deluxe version for $50 with some other features. Here are differences that stood out:
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Skybell HD |
Ring |
| Style |
Round |
Elongated Rectangle |
| Video Quality |
Best |
Good
Not as good as Skybell, but very acceptance |
| Price |
$173.11
(Amazon) |
$178.00
(Amazon) |
| Video Storage Costs |
Free: 7 days cycle |
$30/year: 6 week cycle. Free first year |
| Motion Sensor |
Good
3 modes |
Best
Supports multiple zones |
I selected the round Skybell HD because of it style and its free video storage. It took me ten minutes to install. The Skybell HD kit includes a stucco drill and screw driver. Our Condos electrical doorbell transformers are fully compatible with both.
Very Easy Installation
I only had to hook up two wires and it did not matter which wire went where. After it was installed, I download the mobile App to my phone (iPhone or Android) and it walked me though the internet set  up. By the way, the Skybell has some additional features that the Ring does not. You can turn off all its light or have them glow red and green for Christmas (mistletoe not included). For both bands there are extensive videos on YouTube.
If Stolen?
Both bands offer free replacement if someone steals them from your door.
Note: See related article “Security Cameras Never Worked” ■ |
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posted 31 January 2017 (update 9 Jan 2018)
| Plumbing-Heating Maintenance
Hydronic Heater Suggestions
Recently a member had to replace the coil from the Hydronic Heater system in her condo after it started  leaking. She located a company in Gardena called American Coil who would make a replacement with a five year guarantee for around $455 including tax. She had CJ Cooling & Heating install it with flexible piping with a disconnect.
Easier Maintenance
As originally installed, the hydronic coils were copper solder into each unit making it somewhat complicated  to replace. Upgrading with flexible piping with a disconnect, provides easier service.
What is a Hydronic Heater System?
Each unit at Harbor Vista has a Hydronic Heater system installed in the ceiling attached to a forces air vent system. A Hydronic Heater system consist of a  fan, electronic control system and a radiator coil. The HOA provides circulating hot water from the common boilers through these coils for each unit. Hot water costs are included as part of each member’s monthly assessment. ■
American Coil
1664 139th St,
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 515-1215
CJ
Cooling & Heating
Riverside, CA 92503
951-786-8411
Editor Notes:
- There is a radiator repair company on Beach Boulevard that repairs these coils for about $100.
- If the coil leaks within five years, American Coil will replace it with a brand new unit at no charge. You can also get a cheaper version of the coil without the guarantee (no coating) for approximately $100 less. American Coil will offer $100 off each coil when 10 or more are purchased.
- Hydronic Heaters leak from time to time. Fortunately there are two valves (intake and outtake) located in the ceiling near each system that can be turn off. Each member should be familiar with this emergency procedure.
- CJ Cooling & Heating charged around $250 to install the new coil and even pick it up from the vendor.
- If the coil turn off valves are in good working order, no schedule HOA turnoff is required.
- Replacing the turn off valves will require a scheduled water shutoff by the HOA.
- Also the Hydronic Heater fan motor can also break or just become too noisy. The motor is a FASCO D178 and the bracket is FASCO FM50 whcih can be found on the web.
- The replacement coil is slightly thicker than the original coil and is more rugged. But it does easily fit into the existing condo space.
- See Hydronic Coil Request to be put on a request list hydronic@harborvistanews.com
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original coil |
replacement coil |
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posted 11 September 2016
HowTo
ADDING GARAGE STRUT
A neighbor submitted this anonymously story about his inexpensive solution to repair of his garage door because it no longer closed properly.
Problem
When the wood garage doors at Habour Vista were replaced with aluminum, a top door strut was not part of the upgrade. Over time some doors have buckles  and wears out preventing them from shutting properly. After doing some research, I realized it needed a strut on the top allow my door completely closed. Instead of paying a garage door service $135.00 to drill 6 sheet metal screws into the top to install a new strut, I decided to do it myself.
My Solution
I went to Lowes which didn't have a strut. Instead of throwing in the towel I kept looking and found a 3-5/8 inch X 8-FT 20 gauge Metal stud. Which was exactly the  width I needed. Part number is 131210. I purchased some self drilling metal screws. The only issue was  you need to cut the metal in order to fit in between the rollers on the garage. Simple fix took me about 10 minutes and this was without proper tools. Used a screw driver as my drill wasn't working. Total cost was $9.50. That is how I did it and it works great. ■ |
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updated April 15, 2024
Plumbing Ideas
This page provides comments from owner about their issues and what they did to improve the hot water in their Unit.
General
In most units the hot and cold lines run vertically from the cement slab on the bottom floor to the units upstiars. Hence an upstair unit can be affected by a downstair unit as they are connected.
The bathroom and the kitchen faucets have turn off valves under the sinks so these a simpler to replace. The shower when build did not have turn off vales. So to replace these valves requires that the water be turn off in the whole building. On the Lago-Cabana-Blackbeard side of the Harbour Vista HOA, turning off the water will affect two buildings or fourty of your neighbors. You might consider what a couple of owners have done with plumbing upgrades to have turn off vales installed for the showers/tubs with access through the wall on the other side. In most cases that is the washroom or walk in closet. There are the nice wall access covers for this purpose that once painted match the wall. About $20.00. But a plumber will have to cut the hole and do the copper work--and of couse the water will have to be turned off in the whole building. But any future work in the showers will not require that the water be turn off in the whole building.
Mixet Shower Valves
The Harbor Vista condos were build using Mixet shower valves as with the majority of homes in this area around that time The Mixet valves have issues as they age they will allow cold and hot water to pass over even when they are turned off. Older or maulfunctioning Mixet valves (frozen, leaking, have no stop when turned) should be replace if for no other reason that they may be affecting your neighbor. Mixet shower valves is no long being manufactured and cannot be used for remodeling or new installs as they do meet the current building code. Only Mixet valves replacement parts are available for existing installations. Home Depot and Lowels sells a Mixet replacement cartridge for about $20.00. Performing maintenance of an the existing Mixet valve cartridge in the shower will requires that water be turn off for the whole building unless your condo had an upgrade to your shower with turn off valves installed through and access panel in washroom or closet( 2-3 bdrm). New single level shower valve use something called "presure balance" which do not allow the hot and cold lines to mix. See Mixet Value Problem
Low Hot Water Presure
The recent heater work create problem with sediment release which has clod up some facets and shower valves. This created low pressure. Newer facets have protective screens where they connect to the water lines. Cleaning these screen has fixed several issues with low pressure. Tip a solution to clean the calcium of the screen or enve a showhaed is use CLR. See Video
Heater
The heaters in the unit use a separate line from the boilers. The heaters are simple low cost radiators. Unfortunately, they are prone to leaks. Lasting about two or three years till they leak again. The copper on these heater is very thin. Some owners have removed them and taken them to a radiator shop for repair. Most radiator shop will not repair them as the materials are too cheap. They opt to completely rebuild them out of thicker copper which would last a lot longer. The cost of building a new automobile grade radiator also seems to be most cost affective than installing the older type. At the same some owners have installed disconnect valves, so if they leak they can take them to a radiator shop for repair.
"Install Individual Shutoff Valves
If you ever want to upgrade your shower valve, again the whole building will be shut off. Several owner have elected to have shutoff valves installed on the line to the shower and put in an access panel from either the Washroom and/or the Walk-in closet. When I had a new tub installed, my plumber insisted in putting them in to that he could quickly turn the water back on in my building for the other owners while he worked on installing a new tub. Sometimes the plumbers put in these valves, during remodeling, but after remodeling, there is no access panel. YOu might actually have valves behind your tub if there was expensive remodeling, but no way to access.
This is an example of a bottom unit, where shower/tub shutoff valves to the second bedroom have been installed accessed through the master bedrooms closet.  Note: On this bottom unit, shutoff valves are place for the local lines to the shower/tub valve and do not affect the lines going to the units above. When complete, an access panel wbe installed behind a shelving project for this closet. Manhy new show/tub pressure balance vlves, have cartridges which need clean or replaced from time to time. Therefore this homeowner will not impose on his neighbors, the next time he needs some plumbing maintenance.
Two Bedroom Shower Valve Shutoff
Another homeowner contributes tyhis photos of how he did his in his 2 bedroom bottom floor unit to no interfer with his neighbors about him .
Ice Maker Valve Shutoff
 Here is an example where a plumber put in a recess plate for the ice maker line with a new shutoff valve. This is much nice than the original lines and much more rugged shutoff valve in this case.
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