I had some time to spend on the EV, so I decided to get cracking. I have some ideas of how I’m going to solve the problem of the broken transmission, but it’s difficult to know if they’ll work without getting in there and measuring clearances and such. The first thing I need to do …read more
After a long hiatus, I decided to get back into hang gliding. I paid for all of the lessons and bought the equipment, it’s a shame to let it sit unused. But, before I’m ready for Kagel again, I’m going to need to practice at the sand dunes of Dockweiler. Decent launches and landings are …read more
Previously I had skipped over the second step in my “How to Make a Rubens Tube” series. I needed to get a chuck key for my drill press, but that’s all sorted out now. Step 2. Drill. I set up my tube on a homemade jig. Basically it is a wooden V that allows me …read more
After a prolonged bout with the DMV in Sacramento, I finally got my vehicle registered with the original black plates. It’s a long story involving repeat inspections, a letter to a dead guy, and unanswered phone calls. But all of that is behind us. A year after starting the process Sparkfire is registered! I was …read more
Hopefully I’m starting a new habit. I got up and exercised for the third time this week. And the week ain’t half way done yet. I realized that I wasn’t getting the same amount of exercise as I was a year ago. I used to bike 3 miles to work roughly 4 times a week. …read more
For the past few months I’ve been driving the EV Spitfire stuck in 3rd gear. “What?!” I can hear you say? “How do you do that?” You say this because you’re probably used to driving a normal gasoline powered vehicle. Let me explain… Internal combustion engines (ICEs) are much different than electric motors. Engines need …read more
Years ago I bought a 6″OD, 20ft steel tube, with the intention of making Rubens tubes out of it. I hacked off 5 feet and put together a tube. However I wasn’t really satisfied with its performance. The tube never really resonated with the notes of the music, it only would pound with the bass. …read more
Now that Southern California has had it’s last rainstorm until October, it is time to remove the hardtop and feel the wind in my hair again. I took it for a spin around town this morning and it was simply fantastic. I just love this car.
Every month or so, it’s time to water my lead acid batteries. It’s not particularly difficult to do this maintenance. It’s not even dirty. But, it does take about 30 minutes. Lead acid batteries have an electrolyte of sulfuric acid. The chemistry between the lead and acid stores and releases the electricity that makes the …read more
Finally, the internet can now find out about projects that I’m working on and thoughts I’m having. Readers can expect everything from posts about finished projects, ideas, brainstorming, or just blather about daily life. I’ll even upload photos and videos if I get around to it. I’m in the process of learning this blog software, …read more