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Messages - LowGear

#1
The Jeep and Toyota make sense to me - kinda.  There's just something about a F250 3 cylinder pickup that just doesn't quite add up to me.

What's the HP and RPM range of one of these work horses?
#2
General Discussion / Re: maybe cogen is resurging?
February 20, 2021, 08:36:37 AM
Hi Ron,

I can remember when my cogen project turned 10.  I lamented "Ah, To only be 4 years old again."

https://honolulu.craigslist.org/big/hvo/d/honaunau-bio-diesel-plant/7273154841.html

"Selling or giving something away is almost the same thing as finishing it."

Casey

I expect to spend the loss on double padded cotton socks.
#3
General Discussion / Re: maybe cogen is resurging?
February 18, 2021, 08:52:14 AM
Quote
I wonder if there would be an interest in the off grid camping community to have a cogen unit that mounts in the back of a pickup bed and than run quick disconnect lines to a camping trailer that which is connected to a coil with a fan to help heat the trailer during winter months.
In a sarcastic moment I thought "That almost sounds like a motorhome". 

I am surprised we haven't heard more about kerosene heater and camp stove tragedies.  And now so many homes have a propane barbeque.

I'm also wondering if there aren't low temperature versions of propane and natural gas mechanisms that just aren't distributed in the southern states? That would apply to wind turbines as well?

It's 40F in South Seattle where I spend a few months a year during the milder weather.  40F isn't that bad unless you're used to early morning  lows of 67F.
#4
General Discussion / Re: maybe cogen is resurging?
February 17, 2021, 09:58:59 AM
-21 degrees.  I don't think I've been anywhere below zero F.  Amazing.  You know it's cold when the NG mechanisms fail. 

Good Luck
#5
Pretty amazing videos.  (Maybe a new section for postings?)

The Caddie front end is just what the VW project needed.  I was hoping for a couple of burn-outs though.

Really neat to watch a master of the hand craft.  The softness of the copper was really dramatic after it was heated up for the solder removal.  Too bad the two repair plants couldn't exchange videos.  I'd hope they both would hold each other in high regard.

#6
General Discussion / Re: maybe cogen is resurging?
February 16, 2021, 03:40:54 AM
Setting over here in Kona at 1000 feet elevation I can't quite feel your pain even when it plunges down into the 67Fs or even the 66Fs.  Of course I've got my emergency co-gen socks on so that may be the barrier to brotherly empathy.

I'm still fascinated with your co-gen programs.  Humans are such cleaver animals.  No plan for a move to more forgivable climates?  Hmmmmmm.
#7
It looks mammoth for only 1400 pounds.

Shouldn't it have a condensation radiator?
#8
General Discussion / Breaking The Old Man's Rules
January 24, 2021, 06:39:39 PM
I've decided to break one of my father's rules.  "Never buy a new car!"

But he didn't say three wheeled motorcycle.  Have any of you seen the Aptera?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNjUdTJjiNk
#9
The really good news is that these guys run absolutely smooth when kept in their designed speed range.

Pun alert!  When it's cold a bit of propane really sparks their interest.

#10
Wall and roof / Re: Build a Lego home
December 29, 2020, 10:48:47 AM
Thanks for the video.  A couple of finished product moments would have been nice.

I wonder how these would do in a hurricane?  I also keep wondering how the outside walls were going to be wired?

Neat idea.  To be 13 and build one of these?  Heaven.  Simply Heaven.
#11
Thanks

Come on 2021.

Mele Kalikimaka and Hau'oli Makahiki Hou
#12
Members Projects / Re: Masonry Heater
December 04, 2020, 11:24:06 AM
I used to run small wood stoves and wood was the most important decision.  I got pretty hooked on vine maple.  Not easy to find but fantastic heat.

Are these masonry furnaces as well choosy and what are the fuels of choice?
#13
Congratulations Tom,

I'm sure you're aware of all the great features of these engines.  Made in the USA and the giant oil tank are what pushed me over the edge.  I picked up a scanned copy of the owner's manual and under fuels was: "Use No Crude" as in crude oil I presume.  Now that's "Roughy - toughy" talk if I've ever heard it.

You have a bit of work ahead of you so please keep us posted.  Does it turn over?

Casey
#14
Members Projects / Re: Masonry Heater
December 02, 2020, 12:42:25 PM
What an absolutely wonderful home.  I'm sure we all feel some envy for the outcome of your hard work.

Aloha,
#15
Wow!

Now this is an adventure.

Can you open burn?

Good Luck