| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: Bio diesel and Algae
I just spent about two months researching the Biodiesel industry from an economical viewpoint and in a nutshell the following are my conclusions.
1. Cost of production, before any profit, is too prohibitive to
sustain economic viability. Starting with feedstock, cost to the
pump is in round figures $4.80 per gallon before application of
the $1.00 per gallon manufacturing subsidy from Uncle Sam and that
$1.00 is in the form of a tax credit to be applied to any profits
generated from the product. At current fossil fuel pricing I don't
believe the consumer is willing to pay that cost at the pump. The
result of the above says the likelihood of ever taking advantage of
that tax credit are real slim.
2. As of August 2009 70% of the manufacturing capacity in the U.S.
was sitting idle with no market for the product.
3. Europe put large tariffs in place to stop dumping of U.S.
biodiesel into their market last spring.
4. Most feedstocks are soy, tallow or corn and that market keeps
rising driving production costs even higher.
5. Algae as a feedstock is, at the least, 5 years out to be
economically viable.
6. At this stage most every Biodiesel facility in the country is
subsidized to about 90% with federal tax dollars through energy
loans or grants to tune of several billions of dollars to date and
they are going into bankruptcy at a horrendous rate.
7. A check into the banking industry reveals not a single taker to
lend money for a venture into Biofuels and the same response came
from the venture capital people.
8. As far as I can determine there has been very little to no funding
this year (2009) to this industry from the Federal coffers as the
politians would like us to believe. These fund were to be
available through the America Recovery Investment Act of 2009.
In addition in 2007 Congress passed law under the RFS (Renewable
Fuels Standards) decreeing 500,000,000 gallons of biodiesel be
blended into the fossil diesel supply by 2009 calling for
increases in each following year projected out to 36 billion
gallons per annum by 2022. To date (October 2009) those mandates
have not been implemented by the EPA due to internal bickering.
All my information came from the following sources:
National BioDiesel Board
Biodiesel Magazine
Forbes Magazine
Wall Street Journal
Researching multiple sources within the international BioDiesel Industry
Roger
|
rchonly
|
11/11/09 04:43pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Keeping mice and chimpmunks from under hood
I bought a product on line a couple of years ago called "Liquid Fence" to keep my to puppies from digging up my irrigation system and making chew toys out of the parts.
It's all natural and stinks.
I just sprayed on the areas in question.
The good news is it worked on the dogs, they quit their nasty habit.
The better news is it works on, mice, Kangaroo Rats ( a desert type chipmunk ), rabbits and any other critters that like to get into engine compartments, vehicles, etc. and do nasty things with wiring, fabric and other things that tweek their fancy.
I just spray the stuff around the garage and side doors a couple of times a year and around the vehicles, and 5th wheel and in the engine compartments of the vehicles that sit outside and in the garage. So far, it's been two years since I started this routine and I haven't had a critter invasion.
Just enter "Liquid Fence" in your Browsers search box and it will come up.
Happy critter chasing.
Roger
|
rchonly
|
11/08/09 11:12am |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Metal or aluminum rims
I replaced the steel/chrome wheels with aluminum on my TV a few years back because the steel wheels developed slow leaks at the welds on two different rims that were about 5 years old.
When you consider the pressures we run on the trucks and the trailer tires the solid cast aluminum wheels with the higher weight ratings make a lot of sense to me.
That's my nickles worth.
Roger
|
rchonly
|
11/06/09 08:47am |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Dental work
Dr Luis Horigome, 261 Ave B suite 5, Algodones B.C. Mexico. U.S cell phone is 1-760-222-0616 or his LL in country is #011-52-658-51-77311.
He speaks just enough english and I just enough spanish that we get along just fine.
I leave the RV in the Sleepy Hollow RV Park about 100 yards from the border and walk across. Go 2 blocks turn right on Ave. B and go about a block, he's on your right on the 2nd floor above a pharmacy.
I also get my eye exams and glasses done every couple of years in Algodones.
Be sure when you cross the border you have your Passport with you because U.S Customs will ask for it upon your return to our side.
Happy tooth repairs.
Roger
|
rchonly
|
11/03/09 01:51pm |
Around the Campfire
|
|
RE: Dental work
I've been having dental work done in Algodones for several years and have never seen a price difference between summer and winter seasons.
The price has always been around 25 cents on the dollar to U.S. prices and is based mainly on the exchange rate of the Peso to the Dollar. I find the facilities and quality of work to be comparable and find many of the dentists in the area are graduates of U.S. dental schools in addition to universities in Mexico.
Roger
|
rchonly
|
11/02/09 02:21pm |
Around the Campfire
|
|
RE: Round About Route, NW WA to Casa Grande, AZ
I just came back home to Kingman on the 25th from Anacortes, WA.
This trip we took I-5 to Redding then 44 east up around Lassen to Old Station then 89 south to Susanville and picked up 395 to Reno. Then 80/50 east to Fernley. 50 to Fallon and 95 down to Vegas. At LV we went south on 95 to the Laughlin/Bullhead exit then over to Kingman. In your case I'd head on down to Needles and pick up 40 east then 95 down through Lake Havasu to 10 then east to the valley. Once you get on the two lanes life gets much better the roads are in better shape, less traffic and good scenery.
I avoid 93 over the dam right now because they are making that 20 mile two lane stretch from the dam south into a four lane to tie into the new bridge. It's doable it just has some long delays every once in awhile.
We go up to the NW a couple of times a year and frequently come down the coast and take various routes east. The only one I would avoid as stated above is 36 to Red Bluff as it will wear you out.
I was amazed at the lack of traffic on this trip and most of the RV parks were lucky to be 20% to 25% full.
Small world, I was in Marysville from 65 to 69 working for First Western Bank, I'll assume you were stationed at Beale.
Enjoy
Roger
|
rchonly
|
10/28/09 12:59pm |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: heating your 5th wheel
We have one small (PELONIS) electric ceramic heater that we keep set at around 72F 24/7 when were are wandering and it keeps the 5'r comfortable most of the time. A week ago we were in Twin Falls, ID. and our O/S thermometer said it was 17F and it was windy when we awoke. The gas furnace set at 65F was running and doing it's job in addition to the little Pelonis.
Most of the time that little ceramic heater keeps things nice and comfy.
Roger
|
rchonly
|
10/17/09 10:49am |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: 5th Wheel Hitch Recommendation
I've been using the B & W system for a little over 2 years and about 25,000 miles without a single problem.
It's not the cheapest setup, but I think it's one of the better ones.
Enjoy your new rig.
Roger
|
rchonly
|
10/17/09 10:24am |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Aux Tank with external Pump???
I've got a 105 gallon auxillary set up just as you describe with a GFI Pump and after about 35,000 miles I don't consider the manual transfer of fuel a problem.
I usually find it to be a short rest and diversion from driving for maybe 10 minutes to transfer 30 plus or minus gallons of fuel.
You'll also find you'll lose the extra weight at about 200 plus pounds per transfer or about every 300 plus miles.
I'm currently on the road in the N.W. and had to fill up today after 1,354 miles. Took on 119 gallons at a Safeway store just 'cause they had the best price after my $.10/gallon discount.
I guess it all depends on whether you have a problem with pumping your own fuel or having it done for you.
No matter what system you get figure out a way to install 10 micron or smaller fuel filter with a water separator as most of these tanks will generate condensation just from being partially empty and temperature changes.
Roger
|
rchonly
|
10/11/09 10:25pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: The "story" behind the photo...
Probably an Auto Focus Digital. A few years back on a river cruise down the Rhein I took many photos through the windows of a river boat and on busses in rain storms and have wonderful crystal clear shots of raindrops on glass with fuzzy backgrounds.
The closest object wins every time.
Roger
|
rchonly
|
08/15/09 11:38am |
Around the Campfire
|
|
RE: Route 95 Between Reno and Las Vegas
I run that route 2 to 3 times a year and it is 387 miles from Fallon to Las Vegas.
With that said and your MPG you may be wise to think fill up in Tonopah (182 +-) leaving (205)to LV or be safe and fill up again in Beatty.
You'll like the run it's a pleasure to drive.
Oh Yeah, I second the choice of the Sun Rise RV Park in Mina it's a neat small park about 40 miles south of Hawthorne. Good shade, well maintained and owned by a nice guy.
Roger
|
rchonly
|
08/09/09 11:54pm |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: 2001 dodge 3500 trans rebuild cost
I guess it depends on how far you want to go with the update.
I lost my transfer case due to a out of balance front drive shaft which in turn partially ate the overdrive, once they were in that far I told them to start at the flywheel with a new billeted torque converter, rebuild the tranny to fit the weight I was towing, pull all 3 drive shafts have them balanced, replace all the U-Joints, a new carrier bearing and drain, clean and replace all the fluids in both differentials.
My thinking was once they were in that far they might as well do the entire system just because I didn't want to have something else break down the road.
The total for all was in round figures $5,300.00. Before I had them go forward with the rest of the job I was into them about $2,500 anyway so my thinking is you can't be partially pregnant.
Find the right company and go for it.
Roger
|
rchonly
|
08/09/09 03:34pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: crossing the golden gate bridge
I was raised and lived in the SF and Peninsula area until I was in my late twenty's and travelled over the GG for years with my old 32' Class A towing a Jeep Cherokee. I still have relatives and friends around there and go through and stay there a couple of times a year and currently do it pulling my 33' Fifth Wheel and never had a problem.
There are also some nice ways around the congestion of SF from the GG Bridge.
Roger
|
rchonly
|
08/09/09 10:34am |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: Alignment of fiver
I go to a heavy truck Frame and Axel shop every couple of years or if I find a tire is wearing uneven and have the axels realigned. Well worth the $200 +/- spent.
It beats having the tire blowout and resulting body damage.
I notice that if you mention tire wear to a RV dealer as a rule they will tell you that they need to replace your axels to the tune of about $250 to $300 per axel if they do it. The problem is most of them don't have the equipment to align the new axels, so you still have axels that are not aligned and will result in scrubbing off your tires.
Roger
|
rchonly
|
08/08/09 09:11am |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: You set the Doctor's Salary Survey
If it weren't for a very good team of doctors back in 2001 I wouldn't be sitting here participating in this forum.
Then a different team of doctors in a different part of the country in 2004 to fix another malfunction of me body.
My only concern at the time was that they knew what they were doing to take me apart and put me back together.
What they made is relevant to what they knew to make me well again.
I don't resent most people who have trained themselves to be the best in their chosen profession being compensated accordingly.
My exception to that is the compensation within the sports and celebrity fields, but if we're dumb enough to support sports and entertainment to the extent that many do then shame upon us.
And, for that reason I guess I'm in the minority and the odd man out, because I have not been in a movie theater or to a professional sporting event in over 30 years as there is not a movie or sporting event that is worth the exorbidant prices of admission to me. Sports and entertainment to me are things that I participate in one on one.
Roger
|
rchonly
|
07/29/09 10:34am |
Around the Campfire
|
|
RE: Protecting China Cups
Go find some liquor boxes and take out the dividers, cut them to the height you want them at, set them in the cabinets on nonskid shelf lining and you will only break them when you drop them. (he he)
We've been using that method for about 10 years now and only had one margarita glass break and me wife thinks it was her fault. I'm not about to agrue with her because she's always right.
We also have always used real china dishes stacked with nonskid shelf liner between each plate, bowl etc.. We lost two bowls on a recent trip, but I had found a hole in the road that really jarred my teeth and in turn made those bowls fly.
Here's to fine china and glassware and roughing it.
Roger
|
rchonly
|
07/11/09 02:22pm |
Beginning RVing
|
|
RE: 5th wheel chucking
I find that it's weight distribution with my Alpenlite.
I run with the fresh water tank nearly full and found with the black and bath tanks about half full or better I get a smoother ride. Mine has a rear kitchen with the tank in the tail end and I try to remember to keep it empty when towing.
When I run totally empty it lets me know it's back there. So as a matter of habit I only dump the black tank when it indicates 3/4+ full and usually the bath tank is about the same for the after flush. It works for me.
The Chucking is not going to totally disappear because road surfaces cause a good percentage of it, but the weight distribution helps quite a bit. Do some experimenting with the tanks and see what works for you.
Roger
|
rchonly
|
07/08/09 10:11am |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: san francisco to reno on hwy 80
I came across 80 from Duncans Mill to Fernley east of Reno about 10 days ago pulling my 5'er and yes there is lot's of consruction and the old roadbed is rough but very doable. Just pay attention and don't be in a hurry.
I can remember when that stretch of 80 was brand new and just like me it is showing it's age.
Roger
|
rchonly
|
07/06/09 12:01pm |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: auxiliary fuel tanks
I run with a 105 gallon aux tank and with the 35 gallons the truck tank carries that gives me a range of 1,400 to 1,500 miles between fillups at 11 MPG. Mine uses a GPI external transfer pump that pumps 12GPM so it don't take long to transfer 25 to 30 gallons of fuel when the occasion arises.
It adds about 700# when the tank is full but it goes away rather rapidly when on the road at the rate of about 250 to 300# per day.
The convenience and being able to choose where, when and at what price I fill up is well worth it.
Roger
|
rchonly
|
07/06/09 11:43am |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Another of those Tire questions
Here's an observation for what it's worth.
At 10,000+ miles this past year I just replaced the two front axel tires on my 5th wheel because they had worn the outside tread on both to almost being bald.
I keep them inflated to 80# all the time, very seldom have I ever towed over 60MPH so I've never had a blow out. Most of my travels are on roads less traveled usually two lanes and in many cases into rural areas with lots of switchbacks tight turns.
That creates a lot of side scrubbing of the front axel tires which explains the wear. I presented this theory to a few tire dealers over the years and they confirm the wear pattern to the use.
The rear axel tires will most likely run another 8 to 10,000 miles.
I also have my axels realigned ever couple of years at a commercial frame and axel shop just because they can get tweaked from tapping curbs dropping into ditches etc.
I'm currently running my second set of Made in China tires and have not had any problems with them (although Murphy is still out there).
None of the LT or ST tires are rated for speeds over about 65 and I see many people towing heavy TT and 5'ers well in excees of these speeds and that can lead to failures, no matter who makes the tire.
Roger
|
rchonly
|
07/06/09 11:09am |
Fifth-Wheels
|
