https://community.element14.com/members-area/personalblogs/en-USTelligent Community 12https://community.element14.com/members-area/personalblogs/m/managed-videos/151791Sun, 13 Sep 2026 22:07:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:6e6f4c86-5bb3-4f3a-ab2e-6d6711af1a4fralphjyhttps://community.element14.com/members-area/personalblogs/b/ralph-yamamoto-s-blog/posts/time-fliesSun, 13 Sep 2026 21:28:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:c43b3214-3170-4c6a-aed3-b7fb0aaa6409ralphjyI was busy working on a roadtest yesterday when my wife told me that one of the downstairs smoke alarms had beeped once. I usually check the batteries at the start of Daylight Savings Time each year and attach a physical date label to the outside so that I can verify when the batteries were changed. I have 4 alarms, two smoke only with AC/battery power and two combo smoke/CO alarms that are battery only.. When I looked at the labels, I realized that I had not checked the batteries this year - labels were dated 3/2/25. So, I decided to change all of the batteries and test the alarms. The two wired alarms were not working. Seemed like an odd coincidence, so I checked the manufacture dates and to my horror the dates were in 1995 and 1999. The older one must have been installed originally when the house was built and the other one must have replaced one that failed (I don't recall). I guess I have probably been wasting batteries for quite a few years. To be fair, these alarms are redundant - I had left them when I switched to combo alarms because they were wired. Modern alarms are pretty good about telling you when they have reached their expiration date (usually 5-10 years depending on the type of sensor). Amazing how fast time goes by... Took one of them apart just to see the guts - no planned autopsy. Looks like something built in the 90's. On that note, my Wii Fit Plus is still working but is starting to develop dementia. Today I reached my 6400th day since I started using it. But recently, it starts every day with a fun fact. Never changes the day - it's always 4100. Reminds me of older people I know and I am quickly becoming one of them. I hope this is not a sign of imminent demise...Smoke AlarmWii Fit Plushttps://community.element14.com/members-area/personalblogs/m/managed-videos/151563Sun, 09 Aug 2026 17:29:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:35f90d1d-73e6-4cf7-900c-708ada9482b7beacon_daveThis year I’m trying something a bit different. When I was younger, I struggled to make things properly, but never had problems coming up with ideas of what to make. But from the emails I get, I realise that many technically skilled people complet...https://community.element14.com/members-area/personalblogs/m/managed-videos/151562Sat, 08 Aug 2026 21:12:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:f44d0c91-081d-4c17-852d-d54091b4f993beacon_daveOne of our VIBs sent in this amazing video of a bee he found in need of a little energy boost. Seeing that amazing tongue is fantastic! Head to our website to get your own bee revival kit - https://www.beevive.com/