Jack Edmondson

Joylynn,

Sorry for the short response.  I was at work.  Tonight if you can pull the battery and take it to your local parts store.  Have them bench test the battery.  Ask if they can do a load test and determine if there is a bad cell.  A damaged cell in the battery can cause the trickle discharge you mentioned.  When one cell is bad the surrounding cells in the series will try to balance the charge.  This causes a loss of charge.  The store will tell you if it is capable of holding a charge after they run it back up and do a load test.  A good tester will also identify if a cell is bad.  If the battery passes the load test, then your alternator needs to be bench tested (or replaced) next.  The same shop can do a bench test but it will have to be off the vehicle.  

If the battery is good (before you pull and test the alternator) ask if they will hook up their scanner.  They can pull the code and tell you what it means from the internet.  a Google search for the code will give you a lot of information.  It will save you some time.  

If the code comes back as a non electrical issue, then my guess would be to check your transmission fluid level and smell the dipstick for any burnt or foul smell.  ATF usually is strawberry/cherry red with a sweet smell.  Dark, black specs or smelly indicates a problem.  Low level just means it needs more fluid to in the torque converter to transmit power.  Let us know what you find and we can go from there.

Can't remember...standard or auto trans?  Gas or diesel?

Auto trans could be low fluid level in the torque converter.  

Low volts could be causing an issue with fuel injectors, but those usually just won't fire at all if below a certain volt level.  I have had an Accord that did that to me once due to bad battery.  Pulled out into traffic and it could not get out of its own way.  If a fresh battery does not fix it, it is likely in the fuel delivery system; but let's not get ahead of the curve.  

I should also mention that if it is due to a bad battery, the alternator is also suspect at this point.  It should be producing enough charge to keep the car performing.  Check to make sure it is generating a sufficient charge.  It may jut be the battery is a weak link in the system and the charge is getting derailed between alternator and fuel injector.  Replace the battery first.

Two steps.  First immediate.  Tractor with a subsoiler.  Rip down open the soil at the bottom of the trench.  Second over time.  All the organic matter you can find.  Wood chips, moldy hay bales, cardboard, leaf litter, grass clippings.  Get the soil the carbon it needs to help the microbes live and start breaking down the clay into plant food.  

Scott,

I would like to encourage you to build on your own.  There are a lot of resources on the net to pull from.  A 14'x42' is perfect for an additional dwelling.  You are correct.  The prices contractors are charging now is outrageous.  My older brother and I built his home where he has now retired, in 1987.  It was a two car garage 'kit' that he had them expand 8 feet on the back to accommodate a second bathroom.  I think he was all at less than $20k, well plumbing, electrical house and a/c.  He has never had a mortgage.   It was a first time for both of us; but we got it done.

You don't have to do it all yourself, electrical and plumbing can be contracted; or anything else you feel is not your skill set.  However, long rectangles are really easy to frame.  The foundation is already poured.  You are further along than one might think.

If you are willing to explore that possibility more, there is a lot of knowledge on here willing to help and support.  Is there anything in particular that would keep you from doing a simple one level home?

I am not sure it will be much of a deterent in the Bay Area, but one could always go Appalachian and post:  Private Property!  Trespassers will be violated.  

Small engine parts:  https://www.jackssmallengines.com

Automotive when I don't need them NOW:  https://www.1aauto.com

electrical wire:  https://www.wireandcableyourway.com  (when I need that sort of thing)

Plumbing and electrical:  Local Ace Hardware

If the door was manufactured and not fabricated on site, the likelihood that it is not square is small, especially one with a glass insert.  Take a string and run it diagonally from corner, diagonally, to corner.  The measurement will confirm if true or out of square.  (opposite diagonals of a rectangle will have exact lengths.)

Typically what happens when a door is not square is it is not been mounted properly in the frame and not the door itself 'out'.  I learned a trick from a home inspector a long time ago that stuck with me.  If you have ever seen a 'wonderbar', it is a framer's crowbar.  Take the end of the wonderbar and insert it under the frame on the side of the door that is 'low'.  step on the bar until the frame raises to 'level' with a spirit level.  It does not have to be perfect, just within your tolerance of sqaure.



With a tiny house the larger issue might be the foundation is not level causing the house frame to flex.  If you find other doors that are not square of windows that are 'sticky', you may need to level/shim the foundation.  

Do you have a grill or a smoker?  4 hours of smoke at low heat will give it great flavor.  Since it is completly cooked it should go quickly.  If it is sliced, spread on foil over the rack and put some hardwood chips on a few coals.  After fried turkey smoked is the best way to prepare.  

I like the 'pot pie' idea.  I will  have to try that.  I always pick up a bird after the holiday as they get marked down for later in the year.  I will have to try a 'pie'.  

James Bradford wrote:
If you guys have any suggestions for fruit bearing plants/trees that will do well in Houston climate ...I'm all ears.

Figs, any variety.  most will give 2 harvest per year.  Low chill hour peaches.  Any citrus trees.  You will lose the crop some years, but have abundance in others.  Banana trees but give them shelter.  The fruit does not make it many years, but it is still cool to see bananas on your trees some years.  Persimmons.  Look in the bottom lands and woods for native strains.  Pawpaw if you can find.  Grafted pecans.  Mulberry, white and red.  Strawberries, but protect them when it gets cool.  Blackberries, raspberries.  There are a few avocado species that are being refined to stand the 8b climate zone.  ask your extension agent for contacts at Texas A&M for information.  

The greater Houston area is around 500-600 hours.  Use that to shop for trees and research.  fruit with a rating over 500 are questionable but may produce some years.  The lower the number the more probability of success over the long run.  Houston Garden Center will have trees marked with chill hour ratings.  The Arboretum Society may also be able to help.  They have a tree sale once a year.