Hi, I am Tristan. Also known as @sccpsteve.

I am an autistic tinkerer and experimenter who obsesses productively over the mechanisms most people ignore. Air moving through fins, water coaxed through valves, and electrons that behave or refuse to behave. I like turning junk drawer problems into working systems with a bit of playful snark along the way.

I care about gear that can be opened, mapped, and brought back to a state that feels intentional instead of barely surviving. Fans, irrigation timers, lighting gear, panels, and odd control boards are the problems that keep me curious instead of stressed.

  • Comfortable with deep dives and hands on repair, from fan overhauls to irrigation tuning and lighting restoration.
  • I design, tinker, and 3D print parts when the market says nope or the official fix does not make sense.
  • PC tinkerer who occasionally battles Windows 11 and wins by changing tactics instead of forcing a broken plan.
  • I like safe power, clear documentation, and wiring that future me will not hate.
Widely known as @sccpsteve Systems and mechanisms nerd Fans, irrigation, lighting, PCs

One thing worth knowing about me: I tend to communicate in a direct, high-trust way. If something is broken, confusing, or unfair, my default is to say it plainly and try to fix it fast, not to sugarcoat it for comfort. That same intensity can read as blunt when I am stressed or moving quickly, especially when I care about a project and feel responsible for it. I do my best to stay respectful and clear, and I am always open to feedback, but I work best with people who value honest signals, set expectations explicitly, and prefer solutions over vibes.

Core interests

A few of the systems I keep poking at, tuning, and occasionally resuscitating.

Fans

Cleaning, re-lubing properly, bushing care, balance, and airflow tweaks.

  • Box, tower, and desk fan rebuilds that bring them back to quiet life.
  • Finding the sweet spot between airflow and noise instead of just cranking speed.
  • Experiments with bushings, bearings, and blade pitch to keep things smooth.
Irrigation

Nozzle selection, pressure balancing, and realistic run schedules for NorCal lawns.

  • Tuning zones so they water evenly instead of flooding one edge and starving another.
  • Building schedules that respect local rules and still keep plants happy.
  • Playing with rain and soil sensors to avoid watering when the ground says no.
Lighting

Fluorescent and HID lighting for the mechanics, not just the glow. Ballasts, cathodes, and the whole vibe.

  • Diagnosing flicker, hum, and hard starts in older fixtures.
  • Restoring shop lights instead of tossing them at the first buzz.
  • Picking lamps for both usable light and long term reliability.
Electrical

Small scale power, safe repairs, and tidy wiring that future me will not hate.

  • Low voltage systems, panels, and controls that can be serviced later.
  • Labeling and routing so the next person does not have to guess.
  • Respecting limits instead of bullying circuits into working.
3D printing

Rapid fixes and adapters when OEM parts play hard to get.

  • Brackets, spacers, and fan parts that keep older gear in service.
  • Quick prototypes to prove an idea before committing to permanent changes.
  • Iterating on designs until they survive real, messy use.
E-bikes

Several e-bikes; repairs, mods, and weather proofing experiments.

  • Keeping drivetrains and brakes alive under daily use.
  • Weather sealing and wiring cleanup for real world riding.
  • Lighting and accessory setups that stay serviceable and not just flashy.