Category Archives: How To (How I Did)

For some, the usage of a John Wayne can opener needs no instructions, for others they may need to be shown how to use a P-38 can opener.

Either way, these tools are quite useful.  I have never had one wear out, and only one rust.  Sitting on my keychain it gives those in the know a bit of a hint about military service.  It seems that only vets, shooters, or preppers keep them on their key chains.

I typically buy these in bulk (like the 20 piece set shown in the picture to the left).  That way I have them to give away when asked.

John Wayne Can Openers

These handy compact can openers came from the military and have the nickname as a “John Wayne”.  Any serviceman from the c-rations era remembers the P38 can opener.

My Dad was a Vietnam era Marine and he is the one that taught me about the P-38.  Rumor has is that it got its name because it takes 38 punches with this can opener to open a C-ration can.   I doubt that as there were huge amounts of fake knowledge people memorized for promotion boards (like how many holes in a MRA cracker and what they stood for).

They make a larger version for big cans but don’t bother with them as the smaller opener fits perfectly on my keychain.

How to Use a P-38 Can Opener

• Unfold the can opener.
• There is a notch on the handle under the blade portion. Slip this notch under the lip on the outside of the top of the can
• Place the blade on the inside of the lid of the can.
• Then twist.  You will push the blade down so that it cuts into the can.
• Move the point of the can opener so the point is at the edge of the first hole and twist again.
• Ensure that the notch on the side of the handle is hooked firmly on the lip, otherwise the blade will pull the handle forward instead of cutting the lid.
• Repeat until only a small tab of metal holds the lid to the can.
• At this point you can either finish cutting and let the lid drop in the can.  I typically pull it up as I don’t have a lot of patience.

I had a lot of fun showing my son William Tell how to use a P-38, he is very interested in the military, even if he doesn’t like John Wayne.

I learned about trick on how to charge a fully discharged AGM battery from the official Optima website.  The process shown in the video above mirrors the process recommended by the actual manufacturer.  You do need to be careful, but this is not something I cooked up in the basement.

AGM batteries are a little different than regular batteries, even deep cycle batteries should not be fully discharged.  Most battery chargers have electronics that prevent them from dangerously recharging bad batteries.  Completely dead AGM batteries can’t produce voltage to operate this safety device unlike deeply discharged traditional batteries.

What this method does is to trick your charger into thinking it is topping off a good battery while it is actually recharging a old dead one.

This does not always work, these batteries are not designed to be fully discharged and if they sit to long in this state there may be too much internal sufination to allow the electricity to recharge the battery.

Equipment Needed:

• Battery charger
• Jumper cables
• Good battery (it doesn’t really matter what type as long as the voltage is the same – AGM or flooded cell just make sure both are 12 volt)
• Deeply discharged AGM battery
• Multimeter
• Timer

Procedure:

• Hook up the good battery and deeply discharged AGM battery in parallel
  • In parallel means connect positive to positive and negative to negative.
  • Do not have the charger connected to the battery yet
• Hook up the good battery to the charger.
• Turn on the charger.
• Let charge for an hour
• Check the AGM batteries.  If they seem hot to the touch their may be something wrong with the batter. Batteries normally become warm during charging so a little warmth is not something to be alarmed with.
  • Also discontinue the process if you hear the battery a hissing sound coming from the safety valves.
• With your voltage meter, check to see if the AGM battery has charged to 10.5 volts or above. This should take less than two hours.
• Once the “bad” battery reads 10.5 or more, disconnect the charger
• Connect the “bad” AGM battery to the charger.
• Turn on the charger and continue until the AGM battery reaches a full charge

In most cases, but not all, this will charge a fully discharged AGM battery.  There are professional AGM battery service centers that may be able to do more.  This is important to me as these batteries are very expensive.  I have three doe my solar set up and they cost over $300 a piece.

In the video above I will show how you can easily connect your iphone to TV for under $15.  All you need is the cable, an iPhone, and a TV with a USB and HDMI port.

All you need is a cable

It is really simple actually.  Once I learned that you could do it, I needed no instructions or help.  I just needed to search for the right cable.

The cable linked to the left is the cheapest cable I could find on Amazon.  Apple sells and adapter, but it is five times the price of the cable I show.

I bought this to use with my mini portable projector so I have a backup when I am out doing firearm instructor classes.

Be careful it can get you in trouble

This turned out to be a cool item that my boy really liked – unfortunately it also caused him to get a permanent ban on the use of his momma’s cell phone.

Yesterday she was going to run to the store and told him that she did not like to leave the house without her cell phone, but my boy asked nicely so she allowed him to continue to use her phone attached to the TV.  Well as luck would have it her car would not start at the store, and when my mom borrowed a phone from a nice lady in the Aldi parking lot he would not answer the call, my wife then called her parents so they could keep calling, but he silenced their calls also….

My phone is kept on silent because I can’t hear anyway, and it always rings when I am teaching  so no luck getting a hold of me either.  Lets just say that when my wife got home she was MAD….  We are also in the market for a newer car…. I am also I a permanent ban on silent mode on my phone….