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Archive through January 02, 2013Old_guy30 01-02-13  09:51 pm
         

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Bluzm2
Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2013 - 12:01 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hmm,
Just finishing up on a complete kitchen remod, cabinets, granit counter tops, floor, travertine back splash, new trim, etc. Stripped the kitty litter off the entire ceiling, leveled the crappy seams and did a knock down finish. In the process of fabricating the light fixtures.
Also starting the forms for the cast concrete table top for the kitchen eating area. Base will be fabricated from rectangular box tube with the bends at the lower part sectioned and tig welded like a header.
Installed a hand framed bay window. Floor to ceiling, still need to repair the ceiling in the lower level... I hate sheet rock work.
Working with a friend who does remodeling on plans for the third garage stall...
Wife gets new kitchen, Brad gets a very badly needed 3rd stall. I need somewhere to make all those darn flowers....

Brad
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D_adams
Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2013 - 07:50 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I tore out most of the drywall ceiling in my garage last night, 3/8" drywall on 24" centers hanging just doesn't cut it. It was sagging a little, so it's all coming out. There's no insulation in the garage, so once the old drywall is out, it will be getting the full treatment, new insulation and 5/8" drywall. I can't see putting up 3/4" drywall, it's too damn heavy. I'm hoping it keeps it a little warmer in the garage, it's been 15-20 degrees out there for the last week or so and it's just too cold to work out there even with 2 heaters running.

Once all that's done, then on to the walls, but I'm not in that big of a hurry for those, I have a lot of stuff to move out of the way to get at them. I think I need a small dumpster to get rid of some junk and construction trash.
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Cataract2
Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2013 - 09:20 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

LED lights are good any place a CFL will work, only better. Just another example of where the government backed the wrong technology to dump huge amounts of funds into.

I really didn't want that super white light in my exterior lighting that people have come to associate with LED lights. I tried a single one at first and was very happy to see that the color was incredibly close to that of my existing incandescent lamps.


LED and CFL's are both good choices for energy efficient lighting. It just matters where you place each. Now, LED can be used in all placed CFL can be used in, but the expense would be insane. I use a mixture. LEDs in closets, hallways, bathrooms, and any other place that the light is going to be turned on and off quickly. As CFL doesn't like that and will die early. CFL gets used in places where the light gets turned on and stays on. If you want to use it outdoors then you need a CFL designed for cold usage.

As for LED and color. As others have made note of. You need to check the light temp to ensure you are getting the light color you want. There are tons of choices now for what you want. Heck, my aquarium LED lights are 10,000k and I get an amazing shimmer effect with them.
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Gschuette
Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2013 - 09:44 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Best mod was when I sold that damn boring money pit, moved into a cheap rental and had more money for motorcycles, motorcycle mods, and motorcycle trips.

Best mod ever!
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Sifo
Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2013 - 10:26 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

LEDs in closets, hallways, bathrooms, and any other place that the light is going to be turned on and off quickly.

That's a great place for a cheap incandescent bulb. Poor efficiency is of little consequence with a bulb that is lit for only minutes per month.

CFL gets used in places where the light gets turned on and stays on.

This is where efficiency matters and paying the high price of an LED will pay off in the long run, even over CFLs. LEDs will continue to become cheaper as time goes on. It's a shame the government banned something that still makes sense and had no hazardous disposal issues, and backed a technology that is inferior to it's competitors and has serious disposal hazards.
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Pwnzor
Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2013 - 12:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I have replaced the exterior lighting at my house with LED's, and I have them turned on.

My experiment is to see how long they will last without ever turning them off. Total wattage is 21 for three lights. They put out plenty of light over the garage, front and rear entry doors.

I'll post again in about 10 years.
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Airbozo
Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2013 - 05:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Scottorious:

I installed an on demand WH several years ago and have never regretted it.

I installed the outdoor Bosch model due to space issues (my house is small). Since we lose power several times a year and I need a hot shower before work, I opted for the model that provides it's own electricity for a spark to ignite the burners. Simple technology. Turning on a hot water faucet starts the water flow, which spins a wheel to generate enough electricity to create the spark. That thing gets the water so hot I had to turn it down most of the way. In the winter it heats the water enough to scald you if you are not careful. Our water is cold too. The supply pipe runs over a large creek with no insulation and the water temp can get really close to freezing.

I envy you guys with garages to mod. The shed I built for my motorcycles is full of stuff after our kitchen remodel. I am working on cleaning it out so the 2 wheelers don't have to sit under the car port...
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Cataract2
Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2013 - 07:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)



That's a great place for a cheap incandescent bulb. Poor efficiency is of little consequence with a bulb that is lit for only minutes per month.


I believe in getting efficiency where ever I can get it. Even in those places. Screw incandescents. Old tech that has been surpassed. If you want them, great, but I have moved to LED and CFL.



This is where efficiency matters and paying the high price of an LED will pay off in the long run, even over CFLs. LEDs will continue to become cheaper as time goes on. It's a shame the government banned something that still makes sense and had no hazardous disposal issues, and backed a technology that is inferior to it's competitors and has serious disposal hazards.

When you look at the wattage and LED and CFL use for the same light output. They tend to be very close. So, overall I say it comes down to personal preference. Considering CFL is on the low point of price right now and LED it still a bit high, least for my taste, I choose to go with CFL for a lot of things. (Outdoor light is LED though.) I am very interested to see where LED goes. I'm waiting for LED bulbs for drop in headlight replacement.
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Danger_dave
Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2013 - 08:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

>>I'll post again in about 10 years.<<

That just made my day. :-P
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Sifo
Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2013 - 08:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

When you look at the wattage and LED and CFL use for the same light output. They tend to be very close. So, overall I say it comes down to personal preference.


I just grabbed specs for a couple of 25 watt equivalent bulbs for comparison. If you've got better comparisons, feel free to post them.
http://1000bulbs.com/category/3000k-25-watt-equal- led-light-bulbs/
http://www.buylighting.com/Compact-Fluorescent-Lig ht-Bulbs-5-Watt-s/445.htm

The LED... 245 lumens at 3.5 watts.
The CFL... 225 lumens at 5 watts.

Even without correcting for the fact that you are getting more light from the LED, it uses 30% less electricity. I realize that "very close" is not an exact thing, but 30% less power consumption and more light doesn't fit that in my book. Add in the longer life, easier legal disposal, no threat of contaminating my house with mercury, no long list of steps to take, published by our government, to clean up after a bulb breaks. That list BTW includes cutting out affected areas of carpeting. Let's just say, I do have a personal preference.
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Cataract2
Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2013 - 10:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Well, if you want to play baseball with your lights then I guess the small amount of mercury could be a problem. Otherwise take them in when you take your cans or oil in for recycle.

Going a step further.

http://www.buylighting.com/12-Watt-Compact-Fluores cent-2800K-Warm-White-CFL-p/b509012.htm
http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/led-globe/ 9-watt-360-degree-a19-globe-bulb/883/

About 2-3 watts difference. I say that for that small amount of difference for the same lumens then it's not enough. Considering the LED is $24.95 and the CFL is $4.95. The CFL is rated for 8000 hrs of life and the LED is rated for 40,000 hrs of life. You could by 5 CFLs to get the same hours of the LED, yet you end up coming to $24.75 total for them. I think the energy saving you get for the LED would maybe, MAYBE, make up for the difference, but it is small. If you like saving some change (depending on your energy rates of your area) then go for it. I tend to work like that, but I do have a line I draw. Most CFL's have lasted me for well over their rated lifespan in the applications they work well at. So...

As I have stated. I have nothing against LED lighting and I use it myself in many applications throughout my house. Use what you like and enjoy it. Hell, I just got LED lights for my aquariums and I am blown away with how great the lighting is over the florescent ones I used. Just pointing out that CFL isn't a bad option if used correctly.
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Sifo
Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2013 - 11:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Just pointing out that CFL isn't a bad option if used correctly.

Are you sure about that?
Study: Environmentally Friendly Lightbulbs Cause Cancer
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Cataract2
Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2013 - 11:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Sounds to me like more testing is required. I get it though. You don't like them. Either because the gov put money into them for research or whatever. You argue with me like I somehow said LEDs suck. I said nothing of the sort. Just that a mix isn't a bad idea, but if you want to use all of one or the other, have fun.

Sifo, I think you just like to argue.
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Sifo
Posted on Friday, January 04, 2013 - 12:02 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I do like truth. I'll admit that I don't like the government dumping money into CFLs. The part that really pisses me off is that they dumped money into a technology that could be seen back then to not be a winner. Bottom line is CFLs tend to be no better, and in many ways, worse than LEDs. If LED had the same government backing, we would see better and cheaper LEDs right now. Had the government left the playing field level, LEDs would still be the winner.

I'm all for a mix of technologies. I have four types of bulbs in various areas of my house. I haven't even mentioned the light quality of LEDs or the way some of them have burst into flames. Oh, I guess now I have. The cancer thing was just something in the news yesterday. You don't have to be an informed consumer. I choose to be.

And I like to argue.
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Cataract2
Posted on Friday, January 04, 2013 - 07:30 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

That you do. Cancer thing is new. From what I gathered from the article it sounds like a test showed a possible link. Nice clarifier used in that article hm? No definite. Get back to me when they link it.

I already pulled out the math on how they are close to each other in the long run.

I will agree. If the gov put their money behind LED then yes. We would see better tech. It's still coming forward though and I expect good $10 bulbs soon enough and when that happens CFL will start to be surpassed as the break even will be large enough to justify them overall for many, myself included. As it stands, it only justifies itself for the applications I use them for.

BTW, if you rail against CFL I suspect you rail against normal florescent strip lighting. Both are the same tech.
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Wolfridgerider
Posted on Friday, January 04, 2013 - 09:09 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I also installed a LED in my shower can light.
I bought it at The Depot for 39.99. I had used a couple of CFL's in the same can light and they would only last 6 months or so.
The light was crappy so I though I would try the LED. The packaging said it could also be used with a dimmer. What I like best is it completely closes the can light off. The bottom of the LED is solid and comes with gasket to keep heat from venting into your attic. The light it produces is like a incandescent. I plan on installing them in all my can lights that go into my attic to help save a little on the heating bill. The next couple will be installed on a dimmer switch. I let you know how that works



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Sifo
Posted on Friday, January 04, 2013 - 10:17 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

That you do.

As my dad always said... It takes two.

Cancer thing is new. From what I gathered from the article it sounds like a test showed a possible link. Nice clarifier used in that article hm? No definite. Get back to me when they link it.

I'll be happy to not volunteer for that cancer study. Thanks anyways.

BTW, if you rail against CFL I suspect you rail against normal florescent strip lighting. Both are the same tech.

Not really. The ballast in the strip lighting is built into the fixture, not the bulb and they aren't known for bursting into flames. They also aren't put into lamps that kids or pets are likely to knock over in your home dumping mercury into your home. If they were the same technology, they would have not needed government backing to be developed. It's kind of like a gas engine vs. a diesel engine. Both are internal combustion engines and operate in a very similar fashion. There are many details that make them different though.
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Cataract2
Posted on Friday, January 04, 2013 - 10:23 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Talk about an apples and oranges comparison. Both use ballast. Both use mercury to light. Applications are similar, other than the fixtures. The tech for CFL that got the gov backing was fixing the heat issue with them that caused light output to drop. Hell, both CFL and strip lighting use induction to light themselves as it needs to cause the mercury to flash and create the light. Sounds like the only difference between the two is one is a V6 and the other is a V8 gas engines. Same tech, different design. One goes in a sports car and the other goes into an econo car.
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Lemonchili_x1
Posted on Sunday, January 06, 2013 - 06:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

We're always doing stuff to our house... or meant to be! The renovations/extension we started in 2009/2010 are still not 100% finished, but it's so close now that we're planning some new stuff like paving some of the back yard as a BBQ area.

The only things that I can think of that has worked out better than expected is the translucent roofing on our back deck. There are six or seven corrugated roof sheets, two are translucent and the rest are steel. When I saw the results (heaps of light) I wished I'd ordered some for the garage. I managed to get a section of clear ridge capping for the garage which lets in a little light.

Wolf - I really like the LED outdoor light in your OP, I'll have to see if I can find something in 240V. I have a light for the back yard that's very high and it would be nice not to have to change it for that many years : )
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D_adams
Posted on Sunday, January 06, 2013 - 07:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Done for now except for hang 2 more lights. I will end up doing the walls later, I'm beat from this part of the project though.



All I had left was 1/2 a sheet of 5/8" drywall and these scraps.

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Wolfridgerider
Posted on Monday, January 07, 2013 - 09:14 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

one cool house mod I would like to do is a whole new to me house.
Need to down size and get something a little more cost effective (less to heat/cool and taxes)
We are on the hunt
Owning 4 dogs kinda puts the hinky on most but I'm sure the right on will pop up if we keep hunting
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Guell
Posted on Wednesday, January 09, 2013 - 12:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Wolf, just make sure to.get dimmers that are for led lights. They sell specific ones. They work just fine, we have put them in many clients homes
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Aesquire
Posted on Wednesday, January 09, 2013 - 09:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

First thing I did when I moved into my new ( to me ) house was change the 6, 100 watt old school bulbs in the basement for equiv. CFL's @ 26 watts each.

I have probably 2 incandescents in the whole house, the rest are Halogen ( kitchen, bathroom, where color and power are premium ) ( yes I know they are an Incandescent bulb ) CFL's in usual places, and a few LED's with more to come as the tech improves, and the price drops.

The CFL's have been a mixed bag. Lifespan nowhere near promised, in some cases very slow to start, and in cold applications, you either leave them on, or use a different kind.

I'm more than annoyed at govt. interference, especially when it is kinda obvious who bribed who to give us bad answers to our needs.

But I have changed all the bulbs in the house at least once to improve efficiency, because I'm cheap. I'm looking for good LED exterior lighting, floods, etc.

Are they there, yet?

Cancer? Duh.

A little known study, years ago, did a cancer study on cancer studies. The student found 2 things. One common brand of rat food caused cancer. Rats in cages closer to fluorescent lights got more cancer.

The result was an invalidation of billions$$$$ in cancer studies, and while a few protocols quietly got changed, mostly it was ignored. It's not like they could get the funding to test all that crap all over again so there is generations of bad science left on the books.

CFL's were SUPPOSED to use better coatings to reduce the UV that penetrates the glass and glow layer. Compared to old style Fluorescents. Since the Chinese sell poison toothpaste, dogfood, babyfood, and make lead based toys, We can assume the New Capitalist Pigs cheaped out on UV blocking coatings as well.

(ps. Cancer studies.... If you fed a rat the amount of sugar equiv to the cyclamates they fed them, they would die in minutes of diabetic shock. Fresca would still taste good, and millions would not be obese. Unintended consequences and bad science. You lose. You die. )
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Oldog
Posted on Wednesday, January 09, 2013 - 11:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hey Chilli.
many led fixtures I am seeing ( light and power supply ) are wide voltage ( 90 to 250 )
so it may be a non issue, the deal is here they are expensive

we are testing 2 high bay fixtures at work that replace 400W halide, and several that replace smaller fluorescent / or work lights
one we are looking at is equal to 500w QH for light output with 60w or so usage, the fixture is huge and heavy ( big heat sink )
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Wolfridgerider
Posted on Thursday, January 10, 2013 - 11:26 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I liked the first LED spot/flood light so much I just replaced 2 more on the back of my house.
1 of them is a 3 light that I pointed 1 of the lights up my driveway from the BACK of my house.
I can see pretty clearly to the end of my driveway. (its about 350ish feet)
Just one more to replace on the front of the house and my neighbors will have to wear sunglasses at night
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Ridesinnm
Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2013 - 07:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Wolfridge,

Where did you get the LED spot/flood lights?

Thanks,
Brad.
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Ourdee
Posted on Monday, January 14, 2013 - 12:31 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)




Removed 16' of wall. Moved cabinets, sink etc. to opposite walls. Added can lights etc. Recessed fridge.
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Wolfridgerider
Posted on Monday, January 14, 2013 - 08:43 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I picked them up at the Depot.
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Fahren
Posted on Monday, January 14, 2013 - 11:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Fresca never tasted good.
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Kyrocket
Posted on Sunday, January 27, 2013 - 09:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hopefully if all goes well we'll be trading in our 3 bed 1.5 bath 1800 ft for a 4 bed 3 bath 3400 ft with a 4 car attached and a 30 x 60 detached. We've long ago outgrown this one but it was great when it was just the two of us now five and a dog just isn't cutting it. Wish us luck! My wife says we can do it, I guess I'm just against change.
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Mikef5000
Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 - 11:43 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Made a BB Gun range in the basement/crawlspace.


At 18 feet long, it's good enough for basic pistol practice.

I can shoot a years worth of BB's and CO2 for the price of an hour or so at a real range shooting 9mm.
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