Archive for February, 2011
Milking a Jersey
Boy, the milk is good, and lots of cream. Next time the stainless bucket will have a cleaner outside.
After 16 hours, pretty well all the cream has risen. Jersey’s are known to produce this nice cream-coloured cream, and a fair whack of it. Wikipedia says 6 % butterfat (compare with Holsteins at 2.5 – 3.6 %).
Icebergs at Campbell River
Phil Z. took these shots a few days ago. Global warming, feh 🙂
Vanagon ignition switch
Posted by albell in syncro specific repairs, vanagon, vanagon mods on February 24, 2011
It has been “discovered” that the Vanagon ignition switch is a weak design. Why? Well it switches a fair bit of current and the contacts seem just adequate for the job. All right, I admit I have no real data to present to prove this, but maybe it is wise to have OCD and switch off accessories (heater fan, wipers, lights) before starting the van. If these loads are present then contacts in the switch have to handle a bigger current, and the resulting sparking will degrade the contacts over time. Mind you, the actual switch is relatively cheap ($20 – $40), so this really does fall under the category of Vanagon nerdom.
Excerpt from manual showing switch:
David B.’s photograph of dissected used switch:
I must be so bored to resort to posting such a flimsy entry 🙂
Update: Maybe its not such a flimsy entry after all, Jay Brown sells a relay package to reduce switch load.
Also, headlight relays on there own will reduce load on the ign. switch.
ATA – close ups of the Catalina
Posted by albell in aircraft, around the airport on February 24, 2011
Got lucky today and had the chance to get some quick up close snaps of the PBY 5. I even peeked inside… a lot of unpadded corners in there. Why that struck me I don’t know, maybe I am a closet Health & Safety officer. Anyway, word is that it will be flying again in the spring.
You have to watch this, Rick Mercer visiting Buffalo Airways HQ in Yellowknife, and in the winter.
Syncro and Ohio winter
Brett H. sent me this picture of his syncro. Its a good looking van, must ask him about the aux light mounts.
ATA – its all about the sky
Posted by albell in aircraft, around the airport on February 21, 2011
Usual spot, nothing much of interest except the busy sky.
