Marc's Products:
Almost to a fault, i fix everything and keep it working after most others would replace it. So, in general i don't
think of myself as a big consumer. However, there are a few products i really like, many of which help me keep me
and my
stuff ticking...
-
Alexa Home Automation related:
I've found the following items useful and fun in automating my
home
via seamless integration into the Amazon Alexa ecosystem.
- Several Kasa Smart Plugs which allow you to say
"Alexa, turn on the
TubeAmp" (which the Amazon Echo Dot has a BT
connection to, enabling great HiFi stereo via which you can play
PrimeMusic-- included w/your AmazonPrime subscription, Pandora, Spotify, etc in your home), and "Alexa,
turn on the Mr. Coffee at 6:15a" after you've
setup the coffee pot the evening before.
- Several Kasa Smart Light Switches which allow you
to say
"Alexa, turn on the DenLight", to set the porch light to go on at Sunset & off at Sunrise, via a timer
rule, and allowing "Alexa, after 15min turn off the BathroomFan" when you get out of the shower.
- A TREATLIFE Smart Ceiling Fan Control and light
dimmer which allow you
to say "Alexa, turn on the CeilingFan"
- A Sengled Smart LED multicolor bulb which allow
you to say "Alexa, turn on the MagicLight" or "Alexa, MagicLight 20%" or "Alexa, MagicLight red"
- A Refoss Smart WiFi Garage Door Opener which allow
you to say "Alexa, close the garage door" or to open/close it from your phone.
- A Fire TV Stick 4k so you can cut the cord and
have voice command over your existing set... or if you're due for a new TV, perhaps the 65" Omni Series 4K UHD smart TV or the 55" Omni QLED Series 4K UHD smart TV.
- A Sharp ZSMC1469HS Microwave Oven which allow
you to say "Alexa, microwave my frozen peas for 5min." fwiw, not saying you should buy a new microwave
SO that you can say that, however if you were going to get a new microwave this might fit the bill, and
the home automation theme. It does keep its time in sync (and resets time after power failures)-- so you
can really use it as a kitchen clock on school days. I find it actually works quite well, though i do
get some side eye from other
family members when speak to the micro...
I have a Samsung (Model #NE63BG8315SS) stovetop/oven in the kitchen as well, and can similarly
turn on/off the oven light via Alexa, along w/keeping its clock sync'ed.
Ahh... the IoT. Yeah... the Internet, it's gonna be big someday.
-
Go Bucket for the Truck
Some gotta-have-it gear when heading out... i keep them it in a 2.5gal
bucket i bring with me in the truck like a portable glovebox:
-
Other tools you should probably have on hand, or otherwise around the house
Some items for the
garage
bench, your wrist, on or
under your
counter, etc. I'll leave it to you when and where you use them.
-
Must haves for the nerd bench
OK... must haves are an overstatement, though this is some fun
gear to geek out with.
-
The Commode
it deserves its own section.
- I'm a single piece Toto Ultramax Elongated 1 Piece
Toilet MS854114SG#01 Cotton White fan, which should come with a Toto soft close lid.
- Between that lid and the bowl, you should have a simple bidet. The LUXE Bidet NEO 185 is a good choice in my book.
- A motion sensing, color LED night light for the
bowl is
entirely
unnecessary... butt there are far worse ways to flush $5.
- Finally, in a more traditional tool sense... to the extent you want or need
to replace an old, multi-turn gate valve to shutoff supply for your toilet (or sink), in favor of a
working, modern 1/4 turn ball valve (maintaining
OG style internal copper compression fitting),
and in the process of attempting to reuse the old nut and ferrule find it seeping or worse
due to mineral deposits or other corrosion needing remediation prior to new refitting...
you will need a US threaded
(hard to find-- i bought 2 other tools first which had foreign/metric threads, despite claims to the
contrary, before settling on this one)
1/2" compression fitting nut and
ferrule puller. This one is a winner.
These are simply some things i find useful and enjoy putting to use. I've been thinking of hosting a Marc's
Products
page for
years; finally got around to it.
Hope you'll find some of them interesting as well.
Note: This page contains affiliates links for hours of quiet games
fun. So yeah, as official disclosures go, so you know... "As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying
purchases."