mws

Some Mutants Are Really Tricky ANGST

or as my cop buddy says: "That behavior is self correcting, no need to step in...."

Hmmmm.... My Portugese is quite poor.... But if I was to guess, the name of that clip was "Cleansing the Gene Pool".

Hmmm... That is a good question! After all of 15 seconds of analysis, assuming they are of EXACTLY the same design, I would think the 100 amp capacity will be slightly more efficient at putting out 30 amps than the 50 amp as it should be running cooler. Electronics and conductors tend to lose efficiency as temps go up due to internal resistances. But we're probably talking about a difference from 8% to 8.1% energy conversion efficiency!

If it is actually producing the higher output, yes, it requires more energy. An alternator converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. And not at a terribly impressive efficiency, either. To put out more electrical energy, you need to input more mechanical energy. That's why a slightly loose or glazed belt squeals worst right after start up - it has to ramp up it's output to high levels to recharge battery. As the battery recharges and demands less, the alternator output decreases and requires less mechanical energy, so it is easier to spin and slips less. I had a friend in the engineering program do his senior project with the intent to try to increase the efficiency of an automotive charging system enough to where it could be human powered - basically a bicycle powering an alternator. He made great strides - by the end, a person could actually keep a light bulb (a SINGLE) light bulb powered for a minute or two minutes before they became exhausted. We brought in a couple Cat 1 riders, and they could keep it going for about maybe 10 minutes.... Flick on a second lightbulb, and they ground to a halt within a few seconds - just couldn't turn the cranks hard enough. One mutant sprinter broke a chain trying to do it.

AARON! How you be? We miss you!

That is textbook psychopathic behavior.... We WILL be hearing about him again. Hopefully he will not escalate to humans before he is old enough to be stopped....

Dependence is a fundamental clue.

What you say here is very important and something to be sensitive to. Domestic violence leaves deep emotional scars, and they are always going to be on the alert to protect their loved ones to assure they never, ever have to be exposed to it. That is one of the side effects of love. Assuming you have never done anything to indicate that you are someone who could protentially endanger their child, then their fears are misplaced. As they continue to get to know and love you, the fears will diminish. The fact of the matter is, it is not the alcohol that makes a person abusive. It is an abusive person that uses alcohol as their excuse. But they have not made that connection yet. From the way you worded your sentence, maybe the entire family has not? May be something for you all to talk about. So, what do I have for you personally? - Be thankful she has that protection net. Security is the single most critical human need. Your wife has lots, that is a good thing. And one bit of advice: It would be in your best interest to try to understand and respect their fears. They are humans, with human limitations. Help them manage their fears, and they will respect, trust, and love you more.

Everyone's opinion is different. The one that really matters is yours, closely followed by your loved ones. Here's a different perspective... Are you an addictive personality, or a non-addictive personality? If you haven't heard that term, think about all the friends you've known. Some people seem to get "hooked" on anything and everything they find pleasurable and go wayyyyy overboard. They smoked dope once, and then were smoking it 3 times a day for years.... Give them a prescription for any kind of legal pain killer, sedative, or whatever, and they will take every last one and continue to say the condition is still there and they will try to get more. Then there are those that take as little as possible. They have thrown away at least half of every prescription they've been given. They smoked for a year and then quit because a new partner didn't like it. They snorted coke - a few times, but could take it or leave it. Dropped X or acid a couple times. Hey, that was fun, but don't need to do it again. They would have to be forced to accept morphine if in severe pain... Most of us are in between somewhere. Analyze yourself. If your past indicates you have a somewhat addictive personality, your behavior would indicate you ARE at risk. If your past indicates you are absolutely a non-addictive type, then far less. It's when you feel you NEED it, or CRAVE it so much that you will do things you'd wish you hadn't to get it, then be careful. And if you will put your health, family, loved ones, job at risk - BIG warning. If you violate trust, respect, honesty with others, warning.

Every night, just one yodel! YODEL

Spamming prick opening retarded threads!!! DEATH!

I haven't tried the noslip yet, but based on descriptions only, I think the noslip would be better for a daily driver. Last I checked with Richmond, they were only offering the Lockright for the Hitachi, and had no plans to produce a noslip. I have the Lockright and have adapted to driving with it. I also suspect this is some kind of error on Rocky Road website. The noslip is more complex and usually more expensive than lockright.

Unfortunately, the road is curving....

Get thy hands on a motorcycle and ride the perimeter. Definitely catch a sunsrise.

Only when I want to break things and wake up with major regrets.

Outstanding work, grasshopper! But WTF did you do to the paint???? Little black had finally reached that beatiful patina that only comes from years of neglect and aversion to soap and wax!

Thought so....

That's an incredibly generous offer! Good on you! I'd gladly accept the parts and they'd get used on one of the family's fleet, but I don't "need" them. Let's see... who does the most for this site??? And has a real need? A couple years ago, I'd quickly nominate Slick, but now she is in the feast phase of employment... The pezster is unemployed, but she has Simon... and an R50. How about Simon's newer WD?

I have wanted a 427 Cobra kit car since I saw one... But California REALLY cracked down on kit cars a few years ago. A new one requires extensive documentation and expense to get legally registered in CA. I'll have to look into it again. Maybe if I buy an old one? I did see an ollllld Manta Mirage (remember those???) sitting under some trees up in the hills. Looks like it's been there for years. How ludicrous would it be to stuff a SB Chevy in a Super 7? Yeah, I thought so. Unfortunately, Chevy has not paid CARB to certify the specific HT383 configuration, so it is not technically legal in CA. Yes, CARB requires a SEPARATE file and payment for each and every single engine configuration to be legal. That's why I am particularly interested in pre '76 vehicles. Red, I'll put your suggestion on the list, but ummm..... don't hold your breath!

So my wife is very happy with Booger, our F250 tow vehicle. It rides surprisingly nice, and has 4WD so it works really well for hauling quads and trailer out onto the dunes. Heck, I'm happy with it as well. So... It looks like she will be staying. Which means Frankenvan needs to go. For those too new hear to have heard about it, that is my '87 ultimate tow van project. The body and running gear are pretty much complete, but interior and wiring is barely started. Due to family issues, I had to put the project aside a couple years ago. I could finish her and put her up for sale, but the value of a full size van, no matter how capable, is borderline nothing. So instead, I will likely just part it out. I am just now able to say that without starting to tear up. I have many, many hours into it. But oh well, things change, have to move on. Many of the parts I'll just put on Craigslist... Like the 14 bolt full floater with locker and vented disk brakes with El Dorado calipers with parking brake! Part of the running gear is a barely broken in HT383 crate engine with a super-beefed up and customized TH-700 trans. There is no way I could ever get even close to what they are worth, so they ain't goin'. They'll be sealed up and stashed in the garage. So what should I do with them? I have years to make final decision. What would you do? COST IS AN ISSUE! An all metal deuce hiboy or a Pantera with twin turbos would be sweet, but ain't gonna happen. Ideally, it would be something I could put the engine and trans, about $5K, and a couple years sweat equity into and have a fun but semi-practical rig that could be street legal and have some re-sale value. One consideration is a pre-'70 El Camino. I've always admired the body style. They're relatively inexpensive. They are pre '76 so smog legal.

Don't you just love the smell of meth in the morning?

Welllllll??????????

Sure, I'll chime in! In general, you want your tongue weight to be at least 10% of the total weight to maintain stability. If tongue weight is too low, the trailer can become unstable under certain conditions and begin swaying back and forth (side to side). In severe cases, this instability can be severe and each oscillation gets worse and worse until the entire rig tips over or goes out of control. I've seen it happen, and it is frightening. There is really nothing the driver can do. Sometimes stabbing the trailer brakes (if electric with a controller in the cab) will snap it back in line, but that is assuming you can catch it in time. At some point, the whipping is so severe you won't be able to reach the controller... A good sway control system will help prevent this, but will not do enough to save a really poor set up. I really, really like airbags for towing. Airlift makes bags that fit within the rear springs. They work very well and do not cost much. When you need more load capacity, you pressurize them with compressed air and the load capacity is greatly increased. Properly installed and pressurized, it will bring vehicle back to level.

Yeah, they are. I miss mine. A lot. Sounds funny, but I swear I can still feel him next to me everytime I dive into a project, you know? He left a LOT of himself in me. He is the one who taught me to at least TRY it myself. And to be patient with myself as learning takes time. And to forgive myself when I have "valuable learning experiences". I used to call them mistakes, but not anymore. And to research as much as I can before I start. I try to pass on those teachings to all those I can.