Walked to the bike store today to pickup my new bike, which I had them assemble. It took me 40 minutes to cover the 2.13 miles from home to the store, and my fitness app says I burned 231 calories doing so. The time includes waiting for stoplights and traffic, as will the biking time.
Rode the new bike from the bike store to work. 2.37 miles, done in 16 minutes, burning 106 calories.
That's 8.9mph average on the bike, vs a hair over 3mph walking. One reason the bike burned so few calories is that it's downhill, 131 feet from start to finish. It's 216 feet difference between home and work. I can really feel the difference on the bike, less so walking. On the other hand, I chose my walking route to have less uphill. Google said that the faster route was 2 minutes shorter, but why be more direct if there's more altitude change.
So, the new bike, with a new tail light, new bell, new riding gloves (was using weight lifting gloves), and a new headlight soon. The new bike is more upright, and therefore more comfortable and also less efficient as the forward lean allows me to use more? muscles (gluteus maximus). It will be interesting to see my return trip time tonight vs previous rides on my old bike. Without the headlight, I brought a headlamp with me to work. I also ordered a cheap flashlight handlebar mount, which arrives in two days. Tomorrow is my early day, so I'll be able to ride home in daylight.
Saturday, June 24, 2017
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
PicoBrew
I received my Pico Brew beer making system last Friday. I got it unpacked and setup over the weekend, and read through the instructions (and continue to reread them). The Pico Brew is pitched as the Keurig of beer. All the ingredients are pre-measured and are mainly contained in a grain pak and a hops pak. You put both paks in the machine, add water and let it go. However, unlike coffee, you don't drink the hot result, instead you then add the yeast and let it ferment for a week or two. After that you rack and carbonate it. Only after all that's done, do you have beer to serve.
I started my first beer Monday night, called Buffalo Sweat. It's a stout. I've done the brewing and hopping, and will be setting it up to ferment tonight.
I have a choice of standard fermentation or fast fermentation, and I've decided to go the standard route. It may take longer, but there's less chance of something going wrong.
Next, I have a choice of Forced Carbonation or Keg Conditioning carbonation. I'm not sure which way to go here. I think I'd like the beer better with Keg Conditioning, but it takes a LOT longer- 36 hours vs 3 weeks. I have more beer paks coming, so I may do this one with Forced Carbonation, and use my other serving keg with another beer to keg condition. I assumed that the beer would be in the fermenting keg for the whole time, and only transferred to the serving keg to drink. I have received an extra keg of both, so I think I'll be ok. My original idea was to have one beer being served while another was fermenting. That would work if I force carbonate, but not if I keg condition.
to be continued......
I started my first beer Monday night, called Buffalo Sweat. It's a stout. I've done the brewing and hopping, and will be setting it up to ferment tonight.
I have a choice of standard fermentation or fast fermentation, and I've decided to go the standard route. It may take longer, but there's less chance of something going wrong.
Next, I have a choice of Forced Carbonation or Keg Conditioning carbonation. I'm not sure which way to go here. I think I'd like the beer better with Keg Conditioning, but it takes a LOT longer- 36 hours vs 3 weeks. I have more beer paks coming, so I may do this one with Forced Carbonation, and use my other serving keg with another beer to keg condition. I assumed that the beer would be in the fermenting keg for the whole time, and only transferred to the serving keg to drink. I have received an extra keg of both, so I think I'll be ok. My original idea was to have one beer being served while another was fermenting. That would work if I force carbonate, but not if I keg condition.
to be continued......
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Vegas food intake
Just got back from a two day trip to Las Vegas. Trip was made to see Craig Ferguson, which was great. I scheduled a full day on either side, which turned out to be too long for us. We ran out of things to easily do on the second day early, and then had to waste time until the evening flight.
On this trip food was interesting and varied. I always try to avoid chains when I travel, but will visit ones that aren't local to me or those that I never visit. That said, here's two days of my eats:
Breakfast- only breakfast food place we could find open and not swarmed with people was Smashburger. I had a Egg, Bacon, and cheese sandwich. Very good, with a few kinds of cheese on it.
Lunch- I had made a reservation months ahead so we could eat a Gida's. I had the Turkey Panino, and their weird version of an Arnold Palmer. I had some marinaded olives as an appetizer, which were unique and very un-olive like. It was a good portion for two or three people to eat, too much for one. Loved the sandwich. The drink had muddled strawberries in it. OK, but would rather have had a simple AP, in a much larger portion. The windows were open, which let in a cool breeze, but also loud cars and emergency vehicle sirens.
Dinner- after the show I went to Pinks and grabbed a hot dog and then to the Earl of Sandwich where I got a tuna melt that I ate the next day for breakfast.
Day 2
Breakfast- as mentioned above, a tuna melt from earl of sandwich out of the fridge in the room. Love Earl's tuna melt, I get it almost every time I'm in Vegas
Lunch- Shake Shack. I wasn't too hungry yet, so had fries and a black and white malted shake. I prefer a vanilla shake with chocolate syrup added. Never knew there was a name for it. Good fries too.
Then I started drinking.
Mojito and a Cuba Libre at Casa Fuente
A Unita Dubhe Imperial Black IPA and a strawberry Moscow Mule with a plate of mini lobster tacos at Vice-Versa. Good sized chunks of lobster on the tacos. Not bad, but anytime lobster is mentioned, too expensive.
Shreaded pork nachos at some Mexican bar at the airport with a Crabbies original alcoholic ginger beer. Good pork and chips, cheese was really bad.
On this trip food was interesting and varied. I always try to avoid chains when I travel, but will visit ones that aren't local to me or those that I never visit. That said, here's two days of my eats:
Breakfast- only breakfast food place we could find open and not swarmed with people was Smashburger. I had a Egg, Bacon, and cheese sandwich. Very good, with a few kinds of cheese on it.
Lunch- I had made a reservation months ahead so we could eat a Gida's. I had the Turkey Panino, and their weird version of an Arnold Palmer. I had some marinaded olives as an appetizer, which were unique and very un-olive like. It was a good portion for two or three people to eat, too much for one. Loved the sandwich. The drink had muddled strawberries in it. OK, but would rather have had a simple AP, in a much larger portion. The windows were open, which let in a cool breeze, but also loud cars and emergency vehicle sirens.
Dinner- after the show I went to Pinks and grabbed a hot dog and then to the Earl of Sandwich where I got a tuna melt that I ate the next day for breakfast.
Day 2
Breakfast- as mentioned above, a tuna melt from earl of sandwich out of the fridge in the room. Love Earl's tuna melt, I get it almost every time I'm in Vegas
Lunch- Shake Shack. I wasn't too hungry yet, so had fries and a black and white malted shake. I prefer a vanilla shake with chocolate syrup added. Never knew there was a name for it. Good fries too.
Then I started drinking.
Mojito and a Cuba Libre at Casa Fuente
A Unita Dubhe Imperial Black IPA and a strawberry Moscow Mule with a plate of mini lobster tacos at Vice-Versa. Good sized chunks of lobster on the tacos. Not bad, but anytime lobster is mentioned, too expensive.
Shreaded pork nachos at some Mexican bar at the airport with a Crabbies original alcoholic ginger beer. Good pork and chips, cheese was really bad.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Day trip part 2
I drove the trip from Northern Colorado to Colorado Springs and back.
60-65 degrees the whole time. I kept the car in Insane, and Range Mode.
No A/C or heat on the way down, had it on at 68 degrees on the way back.
As I left home, the car said I'd be at 40% when I got to my
destination, but it was at 45% when I arrived. I assume that extra 5% was due either
to me not using climate control or the car not being used to highway
travel. The estimate adjusts as you drive but I wasn't watching it.
With that extra charge, I decided to forgo charging in Springs or at Park Meadows and instead drove up to the Denver East Supercharger. No other Teslas there. I had 18% charge when I pulled in. Grabbed lunch at UNOs Chicago Pizza, and the car was at 97% when I returned.
I arrived home at 73%, 288 watts per mile for the whole trip of 274 miles. I never see under 300 watts per mile in my normal urban driving (so far). This bodes well for future trips.
I had range anxiety on the way down, but none on the way back to Denver. I regularly drive my ICE car with less than a quarter tank, but I think I'd be nervous about doing that with the Tesla. I think that's because a quarter of a 400 mile range car is 100 miles, while a quarter of 250 mile range Tesla is 62.5 miles. I assume the more types of driving I do, the more I'll begin to trust the computer GPS estimates on range. I'm driving to Las Vegas in late August, and wanted to get a 'long' trip under my belt before then.
One thing I think also kept the watts down was using the adaptive cruise control. In my old car I'd set it for, say, 75mph. If I wanted to keep it activated, I'd need to switch lanes to pass slower cars, and would still need to brake and resume when there was slow traffic in all the lanes. With TACC (traffic adaptive cruise control), I would set it and it would automatically go at the speed i set or slow down if a car in front of me was going slower. It allowed me to relax more while driving, and put me in a mood where I didn't need to be constantly jockeying for position.
With that extra charge, I decided to forgo charging in Springs or at Park Meadows and instead drove up to the Denver East Supercharger. No other Teslas there. I had 18% charge when I pulled in. Grabbed lunch at UNOs Chicago Pizza, and the car was at 97% when I returned.
I arrived home at 73%, 288 watts per mile for the whole trip of 274 miles. I never see under 300 watts per mile in my normal urban driving (so far). This bodes well for future trips.
I had range anxiety on the way down, but none on the way back to Denver. I regularly drive my ICE car with less than a quarter tank, but I think I'd be nervous about doing that with the Tesla. I think that's because a quarter of a 400 mile range car is 100 miles, while a quarter of 250 mile range Tesla is 62.5 miles. I assume the more types of driving I do, the more I'll begin to trust the computer GPS estimates on range. I'm driving to Las Vegas in late August, and wanted to get a 'long' trip under my belt before then.
One thing I think also kept the watts down was using the adaptive cruise control. In my old car I'd set it for, say, 75mph. If I wanted to keep it activated, I'd need to switch lanes to pass slower cars, and would still need to brake and resume when there was slow traffic in all the lanes. With TACC (traffic adaptive cruise control), I would set it and it would automatically go at the speed i set or slow down if a car in front of me was going slower. It allowed me to relax more while driving, and put me in a mood where I didn't need to be constantly jockeying for position.
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Day Trip pt1
Tomorrow I'm going on my first trip in the Tesla that's longer than the car's range. A drive down to Colorado Springs is 127 miles. EVTripPlanner.com says with hills and such, at legal speeds (no speeding), with my weight, on a 65 degree day, it will rated 137 miles of electricity. I can't do a round trip with that, having a range of about 250 miles total. The plan will be to drive down without stopping, a estimated 2 hours and 20 minutes. Have lunch, have the meeting, and drive back to Denver, stopping at Park Meadows to recharge at the Tesla Supercharger there. Go to the OTHER Denver Supercharger, meet a friend and grab dinner. Drive home and plug back in.
That total distance before recharging is 181.3 miles, with a rated distance of 184 miles. Should be no problem at all. Now, if I set cruise control at speed limit + 5 mph, the rated miles goes up to 201 miles of electricity used. Still shouldn't be a problem
If instead I drive back directly to the Denver East Supercharger, it's 199.3 miles, and a rated 193 miles. I am going to do this as it's still easily done given the nice weather expected tomorrow. If the weather had been cold, my mileage goes down, and I'd stop at the Park Meadows Supercharger. If estimates are off and I'm using more power than expected I can stop at Park Meadows.
No idea why EV Trip Planner says my rated miles would be less than the distance as I end up at the Charger as it's 500 ft higher than where I start.
Update after the trip.
That total distance before recharging is 181.3 miles, with a rated distance of 184 miles. Should be no problem at all. Now, if I set cruise control at speed limit + 5 mph, the rated miles goes up to 201 miles of electricity used. Still shouldn't be a problem
If instead I drive back directly to the Denver East Supercharger, it's 199.3 miles, and a rated 193 miles. I am going to do this as it's still easily done given the nice weather expected tomorrow. If the weather had been cold, my mileage goes down, and I'd stop at the Park Meadows Supercharger. If estimates are off and I'm using more power than expected I can stop at Park Meadows.
No idea why EV Trip Planner says my rated miles would be less than the distance as I end up at the Charger as it's 500 ft higher than where I start.
Update after the trip.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Tesla, two weeks in
It's a car. It's my car. It's my daily use vehicle regardless of weather (OK, in warm weather I might ride a motorcycle or bicycle to work). I say this as the most asked question I'm asked about it is: "did you drive it today?"
As far as the vehicle itself: it's a car. That is, I'm not using it any differently than any other car I've owned. I don't expect it to be any different unless I plan on driving more than 200 miles before getting home.
As anything new, it has features that are new to me, and features missing from old vehicles I had.
I use two features more than any of the others, so far.
1- remote preconditioning. I can turn on the climate control for the car remotely from my iPhone. With a software update, I've activated smart preconditioning which is designed to learn my work schedule and automatically do the heat and cooling without me needing to anything. I wonder if my schedule, not being a single set of hours for the whole week (M, TU, TH 12-9; WE 12-5; FR, SA 12-10; SU 12-6), will confuse the system making it fail to work correctly.
2- bluetooth media streaming. It doesn't work as seamlessly as hooking my iPod up to my Dodge, but I don't need to constantly hook the iPod to a PC to download new podcasts or delete listened to podcasts. I'm carrying a iPhone charge cable in the car in case a long trip saps the phone's power, and there's 2 USB ports in the car.
As far as the vehicle itself: it's a car. That is, I'm not using it any differently than any other car I've owned. I don't expect it to be any different unless I plan on driving more than 200 miles before getting home.
As anything new, it has features that are new to me, and features missing from old vehicles I had.
I use two features more than any of the others, so far.
1- remote preconditioning. I can turn on the climate control for the car remotely from my iPhone. With a software update, I've activated smart preconditioning which is designed to learn my work schedule and automatically do the heat and cooling without me needing to anything. I wonder if my schedule, not being a single set of hours for the whole week (M, TU, TH 12-9; WE 12-5; FR, SA 12-10; SU 12-6), will confuse the system making it fail to work correctly.
2- bluetooth media streaming. It doesn't work as seamlessly as hooking my iPod up to my Dodge, but I don't need to constantly hook the iPod to a PC to download new podcasts or delete listened to podcasts. I'm carrying a iPhone charge cable in the car in case a long trip saps the phone's power, and there's 2 USB ports in the car.
Monday, January 05, 2015
Tesla trip planning, the new normal?
100 years ago, you needed to seriously plan a car trip, both because roads weren't in existence, and because the infrastructure of gas stations was sparse. Today, you follow the superslab interstate and there are gas stations every exit. With the Tesla, you still have the roads but need to seriously plan your trip based on chargers, and mainly, Tesla's Superchargers. These are placed so that travel is possible long distance, but because they're designed to handle the S60, they need to be placed closer together than needed for the S85.
Google says a car trip from Colorado to Vegas is 11:15 hrs, 800 miles.
EV Trip Planner says the same trip is 12 hrs 30 minutes.
This can't be right. 6 half hour stops vs 2 ten minute stops. I seem to remember doing it in 11hrs without the time change. If we assume both gas stops are 30 minutes (which they aren't, but it makes math easier), the Tesla should take 2 hours longer to make the trip. That would be 11hrs vs 13 hrs. If we assume 20 minute charging stops, that's an hour less time.
The lower half of the Tesla battery charges three times faster than the upper half.
The Tesla should stop 6 times, only skipping one charger (Glenwood Springs). It could stop less times, but because its batteries charge fastest when empty and slow down as they fill, it's actually faster to fill more times for less charge. However, if I'm stopping for lunch or any other longer break, I'll let it charge and take advantage of the longer range.
The ICE car will stop twice minimum, as range is not 400 miles. It will use 80 gallons of gas round trip, which will cost (at $3/gallon) $240.
It will be a few years until electrics are on par with gas cars in range and recharging rate, but until then this is the new normal for electric car owners.
Google says a car trip from Colorado to Vegas is 11:15 hrs, 800 miles.
EV Trip Planner says the same trip is 12 hrs 30 minutes.
This can't be right. 6 half hour stops vs 2 ten minute stops. I seem to remember doing it in 11hrs without the time change. If we assume both gas stops are 30 minutes (which they aren't, but it makes math easier), the Tesla should take 2 hours longer to make the trip. That would be 11hrs vs 13 hrs. If we assume 20 minute charging stops, that's an hour less time.
The lower half of the Tesla battery charges three times faster than the upper half.
The Tesla should stop 6 times, only skipping one charger (Glenwood Springs). It could stop less times, but because its batteries charge fastest when empty and slow down as they fill, it's actually faster to fill more times for less charge. However, if I'm stopping for lunch or any other longer break, I'll let it charge and take advantage of the longer range.
The ICE car will stop twice minimum, as range is not 400 miles. It will use 80 gallons of gas round trip, which will cost (at $3/gallon) $240.
It will be a few years until electrics are on par with gas cars in range and recharging rate, but until then this is the new normal for electric car owners.
Progress x2
Progress on two fronts today:
Had the electrical charger installed in the garage. Painless, only took about 2-3 hours. They showed up promptly at 9am and were about done at 11 when I left. I gave them a garage remote and a padded box and told them to hit the remote and toss it into the box placed inside the garage. For what I'm paying, I expected this to take longer, but I haven't used an electrician recently, so I don't know pricing.
Received a call from Ben, my delivery specialist, and my car came into Denver on Saturday. Made a Thursday morning appointment to pick it up. It would have been nice to get on Wednesday so I could drive some friends to a hockey game Wednesday night, but I didn't want to schedule it that soon not knowing if I could get someone to drive me down. It looks like I might have, but I didn't want to take the chance.
Had the electrical charger installed in the garage. Painless, only took about 2-3 hours. They showed up promptly at 9am and were about done at 11 when I left. I gave them a garage remote and a padded box and told them to hit the remote and toss it into the box placed inside the garage. For what I'm paying, I expected this to take longer, but I haven't used an electrician recently, so I don't know pricing.
Received a call from Ben, my delivery specialist, and my car came into Denver on Saturday. Made a Thursday morning appointment to pick it up. It would have been nice to get on Wednesday so I could drive some friends to a hockey game Wednesday night, but I didn't want to schedule it that soon not knowing if I could get someone to drive me down. It looks like I might have, but I didn't want to take the chance.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Tesla Christmas Flu
Got a call this morning, that the electrician that was to install my charging station is sick with the flu and that they wouldn't make it. I wish this call would have come the day before, as I woke up early to admit them. They're trying to get a different guy either Friday or Saturday (12/26-27). If they can't, I've been told the soonest I'd see them is Monday, Jan 5. I think that date is holiday related, as in they're off from now until then.
If the Tesla does come in before the charger is installed, that leaves me to use a regular 120V AC wall plug to charge. With that connection, it recharges 3 miles an hour. Even so, that mean I'd be able to recharge enough overnight to easily offset a regular day driving to and from work. If I need more range I can default to my pickup truck, or go to a local quick charger, which should charge about 20-30 miles in an hour. The Tesla superchargers in Denver can do about 170 miles in HALF an hour.
If the Tesla does come in before the charger is installed, that leaves me to use a regular 120V AC wall plug to charge. With that connection, it recharges 3 miles an hour. Even so, that mean I'd be able to recharge enough overnight to easily offset a regular day driving to and from work. If I need more range I can default to my pickup truck, or go to a local quick charger, which should charge about 20-30 miles in an hour. The Tesla superchargers in Denver can do about 170 miles in HALF an hour.
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Tesla Model S P85%?
I just received a call that my Tesla would be arriving without the next generation seats, and was given the option to get the correct seats installed sometime this spring, or get a credit for not having that option. I went with the delayed install.
Back in 1999 I ordered a F-150 Lightning. It was supposed to have all three options that were available, but when it arrived there was no bed cover, so I was credited the difference. I mention this only to demonstrate that this Tesla isn't that unusual.
So, I should be receiving an ~85% complete car when I get it later this month. The car is going through final assembly, they're guessing delivery this Friday, Dec 26, but I expect it a few days later, but maybe before the new year.
Back in 1999 I ordered a F-150 Lightning. It was supposed to have all three options that were available, but when it arrived there was no bed cover, so I was credited the difference. I mention this only to demonstrate that this Tesla isn't that unusual.
So, I should be receiving an ~85% complete car when I get it later this month. The car is going through final assembly, they're guessing delivery this Friday, Dec 26, but I expect it a few days later, but maybe before the new year.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Tesla update and trip planning
Just scheduled the installation of the electric charger in my garage, the day before Christmas, Wednesday Dec 24th. Car was scheduled to be delivered about then, but I read about a delay on the line, so it may arrive later.
Reading an interesting thread on the Tesla board. Trip planning with a Tesla is different than in a gas car for more reasons than I expected. Yes, the first thing is to make sure you can recharge along your route.
What's interesting is trying to minimize the amount of time on the road, or I should say, minimize time charging. As with most rechargeable batteries, the charge rate is greatest when the battery is empty, with the speed being reduced as the battery gets filled. To minimize your charging time you should be as close to empty as possible when you start charging. Therefore, when you do charge, you want to only get enough miles to make the next charger, plus a small safety factor.
There's also the question of speed: does the extra charging that's needed if you drive faster take longer or less time than you gained by driving faster. The Tesla needs 14hp to go 65mph and 26hp to keep 85mph. Going 85 gets you to the next charger 150 miles away, in 1 hour, 52 minutes, while at 65mph it would take you 2 hours 18 minutes. With the 26 minutes saved, you need to charge roughly twice as much power. If it would take 30 minutes to charge enough for the next 150 mile stretch for the 65mph car, would it take 56 minutes to do the same with the 85mph car?
The followup question would be about skipping a charger. Going west from Denver, there's a charger in Silverthorne, Glenwood Springs, and Grand Junction. Then Green River, UT.
90 miles from Silverthorne to Glenwood Springs
86 miles from Glenwood Springs to Grand Junction
101 miles from Grand Junction to Green River, UT
Knowing I need to recharge in Green River, UT, would it be faster to charge at all four or faster to skip one? Looking at the route Tesla took in their cross country ride this past winter, it looks like they stopped at every charger they could.
Reading an interesting thread on the Tesla board. Trip planning with a Tesla is different than in a gas car for more reasons than I expected. Yes, the first thing is to make sure you can recharge along your route.
What's interesting is trying to minimize the amount of time on the road, or I should say, minimize time charging. As with most rechargeable batteries, the charge rate is greatest when the battery is empty, with the speed being reduced as the battery gets filled. To minimize your charging time you should be as close to empty as possible when you start charging. Therefore, when you do charge, you want to only get enough miles to make the next charger, plus a small safety factor.
There's also the question of speed: does the extra charging that's needed if you drive faster take longer or less time than you gained by driving faster. The Tesla needs 14hp to go 65mph and 26hp to keep 85mph. Going 85 gets you to the next charger 150 miles away, in 1 hour, 52 minutes, while at 65mph it would take you 2 hours 18 minutes. With the 26 minutes saved, you need to charge roughly twice as much power. If it would take 30 minutes to charge enough for the next 150 mile stretch for the 65mph car, would it take 56 minutes to do the same with the 85mph car?
The followup question would be about skipping a charger. Going west from Denver, there's a charger in Silverthorne, Glenwood Springs, and Grand Junction. Then Green River, UT.
90 miles from Silverthorne to Glenwood Springs
86 miles from Glenwood Springs to Grand Junction
101 miles from Grand Junction to Green River, UT
Knowing I need to recharge in Green River, UT, would it be faster to charge at all four or faster to skip one? Looking at the route Tesla took in their cross country ride this past winter, it looks like they stopped at every charger they could.
Tuesday, December 02, 2014
The Great Experiment
Around Christmas I'm trading in my Dodge for a Tesla sedan. I've owned an electric scooter (Vespa style, not Razor) since 2008, so I have some idea what I'm getting into.
Range is the overriding concern of people to getting an electric car. However, electric charging infrastructure has gotten to a point that I think one could own one vehicle, all electric, if it's a Tesla, as only Tesla has a 300 mile range. I'll admit that the rate of recharging is still too slow (unless you're using a Tesla Supercharger, and even then it's slightly slower than refueling a gas tank on a car). What most people don't consider is that I'll be leaving the house with a full charge every day, so unless I'd be driving further than 300 miles, I'll just recharge at home that night.
Still, there are different standards for recharging out there, each with it's own plug and speed of recharging:
Level 1: 110v ac, the plug that's everywhere. It's the weakest charger, giving an electric car about 5 miles in an hour.
Level 2: 240v ac, this is the plug you have for an electric dryer, electric oven, a welder, an RV plug, and most charging stations, like ChargePoint. While it's possible to get 70 miles back in an hour, your car needs to be equipped to convert it that fast. A dual convertor Tesla will get about 58 miles, while a single convertor about 26 miles in an hour. 26 miles is also the 'speed' limit paid for by Federal grants, so expect this to be the standard on every public funded charger.
DC fast charging: 240 miles per hour. This should get most to all of the charge back in the time it takes to eat a meal. Downside is the variable plugs, and higher price per mile to charge up (unless it's a Tesla at a Tesla Supercharger, which is free)
That only deals with speed. Every electric car carries a series of adapters to be able to plug into whatever charger is available. For example, there's a DC fast charger near me that has a CHAdeMO plug. My car doesn't come with that adapter, which is the standard for the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi iMiEV. I might get one to take advantage of these "level 3" chargers, but it'll cost me $400 to do so.
Range is the overriding concern of people to getting an electric car. However, electric charging infrastructure has gotten to a point that I think one could own one vehicle, all electric, if it's a Tesla, as only Tesla has a 300 mile range. I'll admit that the rate of recharging is still too slow (unless you're using a Tesla Supercharger, and even then it's slightly slower than refueling a gas tank on a car). What most people don't consider is that I'll be leaving the house with a full charge every day, so unless I'd be driving further than 300 miles, I'll just recharge at home that night.
Still, there are different standards for recharging out there, each with it's own plug and speed of recharging:
Level 1: 110v ac, the plug that's everywhere. It's the weakest charger, giving an electric car about 5 miles in an hour.
Level 2: 240v ac, this is the plug you have for an electric dryer, electric oven, a welder, an RV plug, and most charging stations, like ChargePoint. While it's possible to get 70 miles back in an hour, your car needs to be equipped to convert it that fast. A dual convertor Tesla will get about 58 miles, while a single convertor about 26 miles in an hour. 26 miles is also the 'speed' limit paid for by Federal grants, so expect this to be the standard on every public funded charger.
DC fast charging: 240 miles per hour. This should get most to all of the charge back in the time it takes to eat a meal. Downside is the variable plugs, and higher price per mile to charge up (unless it's a Tesla at a Tesla Supercharger, which is free)
That only deals with speed. Every electric car carries a series of adapters to be able to plug into whatever charger is available. For example, there's a DC fast charger near me that has a CHAdeMO plug. My car doesn't come with that adapter, which is the standard for the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi iMiEV. I might get one to take advantage of these "level 3" chargers, but it'll cost me $400 to do so.
Friday, July 05, 2013
Folly '13 #2
The basis of a folly is that it has to be outside the norm, maybe outside my comfort zone. It usually has unplanned elements and a loose time schedule.
Folly '13 D-Day is next weekend. I'll be dropped off, on foot, alone, with minimum resources. It'll be my job to get back. Weather should be in triple digits.
Folly '13 D-Day is next weekend. I'll be dropped off, on foot, alone, with minimum resources. It'll be my job to get back. Weather should be in triple digits.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
DOMA ruling helps gun owners
This week's Supreme Court ruling striking down part of the Defense of Marriage Act will also aid gun owners.
The next step hurtle for gay marriage proponents is that gay couples legally married in one state aren't recognized in another state. What's expected to happen is that this will be challenged under the Fair Faith and Credit Clause. This is the same clause that allows a drivers license from one state to be valid in every state. If we carry this logic through, even if a state doesn't itself legalize gay marriage, it has to recognize the marriage from another, then gun owners will be able to challenge the lack of reciprocity of concealed carry licenses between states.
The next step hurtle for gay marriage proponents is that gay couples legally married in one state aren't recognized in another state. What's expected to happen is that this will be challenged under the Fair Faith and Credit Clause. This is the same clause that allows a drivers license from one state to be valid in every state. If we carry this logic through, even if a state doesn't itself legalize gay marriage, it has to recognize the marriage from another, then gun owners will be able to challenge the lack of reciprocity of concealed carry licenses between states.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
I am a gunsmith?
I am not a gunsmith. I did, however, assemble my first gun this week (or at least the lower half of one). The recipe is easy: one AR-15 stripped lower, one AR-15 lower parts kit, one AR-15 carbine stock kit.
The stripped lower is a block of aluminum with a bunch of holes and slots in it.
The lower parts kit contains about 40 parts, installed into the lower to allow it to shoot.
The carbine stock kit is 6 pieces and installs onto the stripped lower. It's the butt-stock and recoil system.
The process is about 10 steps, each step using about 4 parts. Following the guidance of a pair of youtube videos, including one by CMMG, the maker of my lower parts kit. The CMMG video was really helpful, as it referenced the parts by the color bag they were shipped in. I was nervous about the pin installation, as you normally use a hammer and a pin punch. However, in the second video the installer uses a pair of Kniplex pliers, which have parallel jaws, to squeeze the pin into the hole. I don't have one of these, but I do have a locking adjustable wrench (Chapman Tiger-Lock) which also keep the jaws parallel. Using it, I was able to install all the pins without needing the hammer or punches. The rest was just making sure I lined holes up and put the pin through them. It was simple.
I have a second stripped lower, but I think I'll go for a higher-end build, with a quality trigger, grip and stock.
The stripped lower is a block of aluminum with a bunch of holes and slots in it.
The lower parts kit contains about 40 parts, installed into the lower to allow it to shoot.
The carbine stock kit is 6 pieces and installs onto the stripped lower. It's the butt-stock and recoil system.
The process is about 10 steps, each step using about 4 parts. Following the guidance of a pair of youtube videos, including one by CMMG, the maker of my lower parts kit. The CMMG video was really helpful, as it referenced the parts by the color bag they were shipped in. I was nervous about the pin installation, as you normally use a hammer and a pin punch. However, in the second video the installer uses a pair of Kniplex pliers, which have parallel jaws, to squeeze the pin into the hole. I don't have one of these, but I do have a locking adjustable wrench (Chapman Tiger-Lock) which also keep the jaws parallel. Using it, I was able to install all the pins without needing the hammer or punches. The rest was just making sure I lined holes up and put the pin through them. It was simple.
I have a second stripped lower, but I think I'll go for a higher-end build, with a quality trigger, grip and stock.
Monday, March 25, 2013
on the road, rest, on the road
Back from Mesa, AZ. 15 hours down (with stops), a day there, and 15 hours back. Shared driving, with 2 hour shifts. Time passed quickly for the most part. Hitting wind and snow in southern Colorado on the way back amped up the stress and brought down the speed.
Had a good time there. Relaxing afternoon at the Muster talking with other attendees. I even got drawn 3 times for the two fixed blades and the pen. Very happy with that. One DDR waved with FRAGGED handle, and a Mick Strider custom in 5160 steel.
Trip back was smooth until the above mentioned snow. Hit it starting in Raton, NM, petered out near Trinidad, started up again at Walsenburg, CO and didn't let up until Colorado Springs. North of there a few flakes, but nothing sticking to the road.
Scooter was delayed, so I didn't miss delivery. Should be here Wednesday.
Had a good time there. Relaxing afternoon at the Muster talking with other attendees. I even got drawn 3 times for the two fixed blades and the pen. Very happy with that. One DDR waved with FRAGGED handle, and a Mick Strider custom in 5160 steel.
Trip back was smooth until the above mentioned snow. Hit it starting in Raton, NM, petered out near Trinidad, started up again at Walsenburg, CO and didn't let up until Colorado Springs. North of there a few flakes, but nothing sticking to the road.
Scooter was delayed, so I didn't miss delivery. Should be here Wednesday.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Follies and synchronicity
It's time for another of my follies, or should I say two. A quick trip 'only' two states away happens to be happening at the same time another folly, a new project scooter, is being delivered.
The scooter is a 1981(?) Honda Motocompo. It's a scooter that was designed to fit a Japanese micro car, the Honda City. It's collapsible to a box shape with the wheels sticking out. It Weighs 100lbs. A modern version of this concept is the DI Blasi. The DI Blasi is only 70lbs and looks like a Honda Rukus crossed with a Honda Monkey. So, I get a better form factor, but give up 100lbs and the modern engine, for about the same price. The DI Blasi says it has sealed fluids so it can be stored on its side, not sure about the Motocompo. They make an electric DI Blasi, which has the same performance and weighs even less, but is much more expensive.
The Plan is to throw this in the trunk and use it as urban transport in downtown Denver or around town. I guess another advantage is that the Motocompo won't lose value, and it MAY be slightly easier to get parts for as it is a Honda and shares an engine with the Honda Monkey, Solo, Jazz, and Gorilla.
Oh, it needs a key to operate, which adds security when I'm away from it. I may use a U-Lock too.
The other folly is a quick three day trip. Drive 900 miles out, a day there, and 900 back. Hope to see a bunch of friends and do some shopping. Gonna be sharing the trip with Ted, so I won't be zonked by all that driving.
Back to the Motocompo, it may end up being delivered while I'm away, so I need to make arrangements for a friend to receive it while I'm gone.
The scooter is a 1981(?) Honda Motocompo. It's a scooter that was designed to fit a Japanese micro car, the Honda City. It's collapsible to a box shape with the wheels sticking out. It Weighs 100lbs. A modern version of this concept is the DI Blasi. The DI Blasi is only 70lbs and looks like a Honda Rukus crossed with a Honda Monkey. So, I get a better form factor, but give up 100lbs and the modern engine, for about the same price. The DI Blasi says it has sealed fluids so it can be stored on its side, not sure about the Motocompo. They make an electric DI Blasi, which has the same performance and weighs even less, but is much more expensive.
The Plan is to throw this in the trunk and use it as urban transport in downtown Denver or around town. I guess another advantage is that the Motocompo won't lose value, and it MAY be slightly easier to get parts for as it is a Honda and shares an engine with the Honda Monkey, Solo, Jazz, and Gorilla.
Oh, it needs a key to operate, which adds security when I'm away from it. I may use a U-Lock too.
The other folly is a quick three day trip. Drive 900 miles out, a day there, and 900 back. Hope to see a bunch of friends and do some shopping. Gonna be sharing the trip with Ted, so I won't be zonked by all that driving.
Back to the Motocompo, it may end up being delivered while I'm away, so I need to make arrangements for a friend to receive it while I'm gone.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
The cost of saving
Jeep is introducing a diesel for the Grand Cherokee this year. It gets roughly 4mpg better than the V6 (21/28 vs 17/24). The cost of fuels today is $3.50 for unleaded, and $4.00 for diesel. If you drive 10,000 miles a year, all at highway MPG, you'd use 357 gallons of diesel, or 417 of unleaded. Multiplying that out, it would cost you $1428 for the diesel and $1460 for the unleaded, a savings of $32. Plus, you have to add urea every 10,000 miles to the diesel vehicle, which more than likely cost more than $32. The cost of the diesel is $2300 over the V8, which itself is $2200 more than the V6 this year, for a total premium of $4500. It'd take 140 years to make up that cost (without including the urea), although you'd get some of it back when you got rid of the vehicle.
Friday, February 22, 2013
The stars align against me this week
Not having great luck this week.
Got some ammo in that turns out to have no powder in them: propellant is the primer only. This gives me the performance of a pellet gun. I don't mind but wonder if they have enough power to cycle the action on any of my pistols or rifle.
Got a package of magazines in that are for airsoft guns not real guns.
Got a knife with a 'custom made sheath' that's not custom made for this knife. Also turns out I paid too much.
Got a knife in with some serious wear. Love the knife, but it may need to have an adjustment done by the maker.
Got a real bad paper cut under my fingernail from the edge of a strip of velcro.
I'm must be tired or something as most of these problems are from a lack of me reading the descriptions and understanding them; I wasn't tricked. I think I need a vacation. Actually, what I need is a good nights sleep.
Got some ammo in that turns out to have no powder in them: propellant is the primer only. This gives me the performance of a pellet gun. I don't mind but wonder if they have enough power to cycle the action on any of my pistols or rifle.
Got a package of magazines in that are for airsoft guns not real guns.
Got a knife with a 'custom made sheath' that's not custom made for this knife. Also turns out I paid too much.
Got a knife in with some serious wear. Love the knife, but it may need to have an adjustment done by the maker.
Got a real bad paper cut under my fingernail from the edge of a strip of velcro.
I'm must be tired or something as most of these problems are from a lack of me reading the descriptions and understanding them; I wasn't tricked. I think I need a vacation. Actually, what I need is a good nights sleep.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Two quick notes
I was cleaning the basement today, and I went to grab an empty bandoleer, or one I thought was empty. Seems a field mouse died in one of the pockets.
New series, Continuum, premiered on SyFi last night. The series will be about our hero trying to stop a group of terrorists. She's good, they're bad. However, in the pilot we get her/their backstory. They've positioned them as anti government, but freedom seekers. Nice.
New series, Continuum, premiered on SyFi last night. The series will be about our hero trying to stop a group of terrorists. She's good, they're bad. However, in the pilot we get her/their backstory. They've positioned them as anti government, but freedom seekers. Nice.
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