Running Bear's July 2023 Coffee Shop

[santafewillie]

I'll guess that peeing & shooting off the back deck is frowned upon too?

That's why I like my HOA. I am the only member and I am the President. Skinny-dipping in the pool is also tolerated.

 

[TLOC]

Any pics of the booth, new or old? I'm about to embark on building a larger one.

Troy. No pictures yet and delivery/install is now supposed to be Sunday morning. The HVAC guy custom built it for me based upon a no longer made unit. I saw this unit at a professional Model builders shop outside of Rockford, Il. a few months ago. I wanted something 48” long to accommodate the structures I build, paint and weather but the needed fans took the price to where I was uncomfortable. So, instead of 48”the 36” unit will be 8 longer then the paint booth I had and sold for pickup tomorrow.

 

[chadbag]

I was referring to the emissions of one electric vehicle. There is a multitude of emissions created in the manufacturing and transporting of any vehicle, electric or other.
America will always have a need for fossil fuels. No way around that. I think there is no clear advantage to electric cars, just a trade off.

But even the electricity used to charge it every day gives off emissions in most cases. Fossil fuels are still the major source of electricity generation in the US. So driving the Tesla down the street, unless you have your own totally self contained electricity generation system you always use, involves emissions. You've just geography and time shifted them a little.

 

[chadbag]

There is no upside of electric vehicles...because all that you listed on downside are in fact fossil fuel emissions. The whole idea of battery powered vehicles belongs in RC cars, that's it. Not in full size machines where there is real mass of 1:1 scale vehicle carrying human beigs and their belongings.

Au contraire. There are lots of reasonable use cases for electric vehicles. For those who've gone self-contained with their own solar, wind, etc. and don't draw from the grid.

And if we can get our heads out of our *sses and build the nuke plants (supplemented by other sources), then things like local delivery trucks, working trucks, etc. suburban commuting, etc -- lots of special cases -- could make perfect sense. Not as a general replacement for the family car but specific use cases make sense. If I were commuting daily 30 miles each way I'd want an EV for that. And a PHEV for my family car so around town could be done with EV and long distance the normal way.

Note I am not advocating for large scale ecological disaster with huge PV and wind farms etc for grid generation. That makes no ecological sense and also eneergy sense as that generation is not constant and on demand. But PV on the house or business roof for local consumption with excess helping stabilize the local grid makes a lot of sense. I'm putting 34 panels on the house we're building and will put more when I can and need to. (I could probably fit 150 panels when all is said and done space-wise ).

 

[chadbag]

What is even more scary is that the problem of same kind of batteries on B787 Dreamliner has never been actually solved. At the introduction of service there were already two fires. Turns out same problem exists and what was eventually done, was to encase the airliner batteries in special casing that trapps and prevents (supposedly) the fire from spreading outside the casing.

Seeing as that was 10 years ago that those issues happened and we've not heard of a raft of issues with them since, I think that they've probably adjusted not only the battery installation and storage, but also perhaps the batteries themselves to make them more resilient.

 

[troyphoto]

Interestingly, the USA gets only about 60% of its power from fossil fuels.
18% from Nuclear
20% from renewable sources.
(numbers rounded)

Looking at some of the upcoming offshore energy leases about to go on the auction block, and some of the past sales of such (not DRILLING, but wind farms), that sector is gearing up for growth.

What is U.S. electricity generation by energy source? - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

www.eia.gov

 

[kbkchooch]

We just need to harness all the methane from our cattle farts. We can save the planet and have plenty of energy to cook the burgers with....its a win - win -win, unless you are a beef cow.

 

[Boris]

Bottom line is electric cars are another way of government control.
I think if someone lives in big city and commutes 10 to 40 miles to work each day, an electric car would be a solution to pollution. But for me I also would have a gas powered vehicle in case I wanted to take a 1,000 to 1,200 mile trip.
But thats just me.

Upside of electric vehicle : no fossil fuel emissions.

Downside of electric vehicle : Initial cost.
Costs of replacement batteries after 20 +/- years. Usually far exceeds value of vehicle.
Disposal of old batteries. Not much to recycle here, just toxic chemicals.
Lack of new power plants to provide increased electricity demands.
Lack of charging stations plus time wasted waiting on charging.
Diesel emissions/fuel for operating generators to provide electricity at charging stations off grid.
Battery explosions more likely in an accident with electric cars.

This should really stir up a hornets nest in Coffee Shop. Rave on...........

Why, these are well known facts. We are totally unprepared for an all electric future. I agree with Willie, that free enterprise should do its job, but currently, capital is obsessed with cost containment, and is not willing to spend to expand infrastructure. Government is only concerned with over regulation to satisfy someone's agenda, primarily because they don't have a clue how to fix the problem, so they click their heels, wave a magic wand, close their eyes and wish with all their might. There, problem solved.

 

[NYC_George]

unless you have your own totally self contained electricity generation system

They do have those generators you drop in a stream.
Swal

 

[McLeod]

Actually, I'm all for going back to the old ways for transportation.

On a more serious note. I truly believe passenger transporting drones will overtake attempts to introduce EV's on a grand scale. I believe the future has us going up, rather than horizontal. The development of the 'Family Drone' is more feasible considering the quantum issues involved with mass EV development.

 

[Boris]

Good evening y'all. still 84° after a high of 96°...we survived Weather Armageddon....and to my knowledge no over hyped TV weatherperson had to be hospitalized for an anxiety attack. 95° tomorrow, then storms to break the heat late. Speaking of storms, one is passing now, according to radar.

MIL is out of the Hospital, and back in assisted living. Diagnosis: Constipation and slow bowel, resulting from insufficient fibre in her diet. All she wants is pain pills...Discharge was delayed, by a social worker who wanted confirmation that her prescription had been received and filled by the facility...The prescription was for Vitamin B-12....yeah that stuff, available OTC everywhere. Just the social worker unnecessarily making peoples lives miserable. It's what they do the best.

The communications problem, all caused by the MIL. She told the staff at the AL Facility not to bother my wife, then told the admissions people at the hospital she had no family to contact...

 

[chadbag]

Actually, I'm all for going back to the old ways for transportation.
View attachment 172172

On a more serious note. I truly believe passenger transporting drones will overtake attempts to introduce EV's on a grand scale. I believe the future has us going up, rather than horizontal. The development of the 'Family Drone' is more feasible considering the quantum issues involved with mass EV development.

 

[Bruette]

Free enterprise is good at one thing, profit! Any beneficial impact from free enterprise is a side effect.

Shell Oil's own scientists warned of global warming in the early 80's. Shh, no quick profit in that!

It's been about fifty years since the energy crisis of the 1970s and we can still buy new big SUVs that get 15mpg. I see these big SUVs and other inefficient vehicles commuting on I95 every day.

We the people must lend a guiding hand. The problem with that is getting us to agree on anything is next to impossible in these polarized times. Being in the "middle" I'm attacked by both sides. Why can't we stop attacking and start talking?

I'm also an advocate of nuclear power and I backed that up by voting for John McCain. His plan was to build fifty new nuclear power plants.

I worry for my grandsons, but at this point I feel unable to do anything but my little part each day.

That is why I pay more attention to baseball than I do to the news.

 

[Bruette]

MLB Gameday: Yankees 0, Orioles 1 Final Score (07/28/2023)

Follow MLB results with FREE box scores, pitch-by-pitch strikezone info, and Statcast data for Yankees vs. Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards

www.mlb.com

 

[MilwRoader_Steve]

Greetings all,

Up early on a Saturday morning because I have to work. I'll let you guess as to what I put my hand this morning.

I bought a book in Kalmbach's recent sale: "The Railroading Handbook" by Jeff Wilson

Your One-Stop Train Hobby Store: Trains.com Store

Explore a world of model trains, train sets, and railroading accessories at Shop Trains. Your ultimate train store for hobbyists and collectors.

kalmbachhobbystore.com

It is GREAT!! I am learning so much basic knowledge about locomotives, rolling stock, steam, diesels, etc. Well-written, concise with gorgeous illustrations. I am really enjoying this book. No doubt the rivet-counters will find all kinds of fault with his choice of detail, and I am confident he summarizes to the point of excluding all sorts of important trivia (intentional oxymoron), but for me at my point in the hobby and knowledge of prototype railroading, it has been a Godsend.

It is answering lots of my middle-of-the-night questions, like "When did passenger cars electrify, and how did they get their juice?" And whaddyaknow, the solution I tossed and turned on for an hour or so was basically correct.

ANyways - - sorry to interrupt, but enjoying learning from this book. Glad I got it at 50% off, but do recommend it to anyone who wants to learn the essentials about trains. Carry on!

Steve J

PS: been working on a caboose reclamation project and happy with the results so far. As soon as the decals arrive from Microscale, and I glue in the last of the 'windows,' I'll post some pics.

 

[Sirfoldalot]

Well -- Happy Saturday to all. Rather warm 72 to start the day and, once again, the advertisement is for 98 later - but, but, but the high yesterday was only 94 and with low humidity it was very nice out - excepting standing in the direct sun.

Been up for an hour already. Had a scrumptious Rib-Eye with air fried potatoes and a salad.
WOW - It was delish.

For some unknown reason WALDO likes the garage and if the side door is left open during the day we know where to find him. NOW we have to be careful when we raise the garage door if the side door has been open and not monitored. Life is so difficult!

The Padres had some "wild colored" uniforms last evening that reminded me of Howard Johnson and his 28 flavors?

Ill be back for coffee in a while?

 

[JeffH]

I got nostalgic about that old turntable I had in college, and found a video on YouTube about it.

It was pretty cool to be able to program it, but it wasn't always accurate when parsing an album into each song.

 

[kbkchooch]

Good morning gang!

Took the kids truck to work with me today to service it before he goes back to school in 2 weeks. Oil change, fluids topped off. At 6 a.m. it was getting it's twice a year bath. I moved it last night then promptly had to put my foot in his rear end as the inside of the truck was a pig sty.
I give him a car and he hogs it out, just frosted me! Worst part is, he parks right next to the trash hopper!!It's not like it is an imposition to locate a trash can!

In other news, I did get some of the mainline cork laid last night!! Baby steps!

BBL

 

[Sirfoldalot]

I moved it last night then promptly had to put my foot in his rear end as the inside of the truck was a pig sty.

I swear that there is a host of animals living in the Spousal Units car!
This is from a woman who fusses at me for leaving a coffee cup sitting on the counter!
Just bewildered?

 

[troyphoto]

Well -- Happy Saturday to all. Rather warm 72 to start the day and, once again, the advertisement is for 98 later - but, but, but the high yesterday was only 94 and with low humidity it was very nice out - excepting standing in the direct sun.

Been up for an hour already. Had a scrumptious Rib-Eye with air fried potatoes and a salad.
WOW - It was delish.

For some unknown reason WALDO likes the garage and if the side door is left open during the day we know where to find him. NOW we have to be careful when we raise the garage door if the side door has been open and not monitored. Life is so difficult!

The Padres had some "wild colored" uniforms last evening that reminded me of Howard Johnson and his 28 flavors?

Ill be back for coffee in a while?

Sounds like a good door to put a swing open baby gate. Waldo proof it.