ms60ocb

3 hours ago, RV_ said:

 I agree with all of the above except saying real generation, renewable energy isn't real power production?

Distributed power production is also less susceptible to hacking. Oh sure one residential or small town renewables could be hacked but it would be much harder to hack a million distributed power plants however large or small. That is way oversimplified but eliminates the drawbacks of current power production.

My definition of Real Generation is Generation that can run anytime. We don't have to wait the sun to shine, snow to melt or the wind to get above 7 MPH.

Centralized power plants vs Distributed power plant are both important. I like to think of the Electrical System being like the Railroads. Centralized power is like the railroads 100 years ago Distributed power is the Future. We aren't there yet but have most of the building blocks. Railroads carries a lot of freight, the distributed moving of freight and people is the individual planes and trucks.

Electricity has come a long way since about 1879 when George Westinghouse and LL Nunn attached a Hydro Generator to the mine.  The AC power was 133 cycles. The 2.3 (?) mile  power line was supported by tree holding bottles as Insulators. This distance was not possible with Edison's DC generation. 

Clay

Battery plants have a purpose but limited application. They can shave the peak or be used quick take over of a matched size load for a short time to allow rapid start generation to come on line up to speed (typically 10-15 minutes) This is used in Alaska where often village can be easily isolated from the larger power source by a single power line.

It has has been a few years since I involved with generator/power source rating. Then most rating was based on the ability to generate for 4 continuous hours . If you had a 100 Mwatt plant it would be require to have a net generation of least 100 MwHours each hours or be de-rated to a practical number.

How much Energy (Mwhr) would the Tesla Battery plant put out continuously for 15 minute, one hour or 4 hours? Thus these are special application generators and difference rating apply

Going on, wind/solar generator, Man is not control of their output, Nature is. As a result the generation output was acknowledged until connected to the grid for X minutes (10?) and then only counted as X% (5-7) actual output. An Example would be a 100 MW wind farm generating 50 Mw per hour (50 Mwhr's) may be only be given 3 Mw towards their on line generator and the other 47 Mw would be have be spinning on other prime generators or backed up with quick start generation (Jet engine or the like of Tesla Battery Plant.)

The most secure Generation is where the Fuel is stored at the power plant. Nuclear is the most reliable in that category. Coal is next best but dealing with frozen coal can be a problem. Can Natural Gas supply be guaranteed, the utility I worked for had dual fuel Jet engines generators for backup and peaking, Quick start was always on oil as it was required, the gas company would have be called to increase the gas pressure and give the OK to continue generation with a cheaper fuel.

Weatherization is not the whole answer but having real generation to back-up the the lost of renewables is a must or lights out.

Clay having worked in both WSCC and MAIN regions.

On 2/18/2021 at 10:55 PM, Ray,IN said:

The answer is obvious, no electricity to run the sorting machines.

And I might add "either the machine/system can't be restarted or has lost its memory".

In the last 8 days I have sent two priority mails to Texas. On message of tracking says "Feb 23, In Transit, Arriving Late. Your package will arrive later than expected, but is still on its way. It is currently in transit to the next facility.

The second item has the standard "USPS is now in possession of your item as of 1:41 pm on ............... IL " but no acknowledgement of leaving the originating PO. bu neither did the first mailing

I have a UPS operation here but just FedEx drop off. The only difficulty both business uses a PO Box.

What other options are available with the Covid-19 and Doctors orders to stay put.

Clay in NW Illinois

I vote for the small battery minder/float charger. Does a perfect job except when parked to far from a the electric source. My unit is mounted on the frame and is weather tight. Can't tell you the brand but 6 years old now and working fine.

This winter solar would not have been a good source as of yesterday I still over 12 inches of ice and snow on the roof

Clay

It has been a few years since I was involved with Electric System reliability so I my not relate what the world uses today. The amount of generation required connected the grid would be 107%+ (a complex formula to get 7%+ called reserve.) of your load connected to the grid. Certain types of generation qualify to be quick start and get on line and generating at full load to be a part of the 7%+. Jet engines (fueled by Natural Gas and/or Diesel) and Hydro are 2 common types.

The Renewables come a different favor. Above generators if rated at 100 units counts as as 100 units towards your generation and reserve. Renewable generation is given a difference number. In the past 5% is being kicked around and could be used if the renewal source was connected to the grid. If a wind farm had a 100 unit farm generating but only producing 40 units you could 2 units as filling the 107%.  The above is talking Real Time, not a hourly or Day Total.. Some of the numbers I have read has me confused

Also ERCOT as I knew it from the WSCC area (many years ago) has or had several ties to the East and West Systems. These ties had limited capacity but were realable. The equipment converts the AC power to DC (no batteries) and back to AC. 

That is what many RV have with batteries. Convert AC to charge the batteries and use an invertor run your AC household equipment.

I just looked up Illinois as they are have 25% renewables in 2025 ( I think that is energy not Demand.

( i prefer some other names but to keep simple but I used a few terms )

Clay retired 33 years in both Operating and Maintenance + contract years

I suspect the panels are glued but looking at a picture on line it looks a raceway for more a water line. I betting the leak is coming from a water line tee.

Call customer service as I they have been there

Clay

I lost my wife suddenly after 44 years. One of the bucket list items was a take 5-6 week to the NW. I couldn't do it until 2 Years later. Another item on the bucket list was help High School Classmates put write a Reunion Book without any "NO REPLIES" , NO RESONSE" or "I'M AT _____".'  I made contact with about 30 people. A couple weeks before the reunion, I contacted a few to question why they wasn't attending any events going on locally or gathering for the reunion. I lived 420 miles away from the reunion site so I arrived a day early to knock on doors. One lady hadn't attended for 30 years. I got her to attend an event. Some classmates talked her into attending the main event. Little did I realize she sparked me. We married 5 years later.

If I wanted to stay Home and drink coffee with the guys, I would not have got to know this lady. The point is travel while you can, attend events you like. Others are there with your likes. There are a lot of Positive things in your to talk about.

Still Healthy - Clay   Impacted by Statements made on "Living Life"

I have been in parks that want you leave a faucet to drtp. Your choice whether you leave your grey tank open.  The faucets where not protected.

Clay

4 minutes ago, fpmtngal said:

Texas supplement plan is Humana and Banner MD accepts it.

Like wise I have Humana as my supplement and I'm under the impression it is good anywhere Medicare is accepted. In May we left Texas (my legal resident) about a month earlier than planned because of my cancer diagnosis. We left Texas because we didn't want to spend the hot summer there. Little I expect to spend the winter in NW Illinois, They are forecasting  a warm up to 32 degree in 9 days.

My wife is a legal resident of Illinois so last week we got our first Covid-19 Vaccine shot. Did go to WI for the shot as no one is administering locally to walking  seniors (still working nursing and teachers). Many winter Texan friends tell me they may have to go home for the shot except for Veterans. I'm glad to hear the Veterans are being treated right althou another Veteran tells me his wife can not be included.

Clay

I had good luck going to an urgent care facility and asking for a list of doctors. The lady was real helpful, of course most were connected to the local health system. I was impressed with both picks i used from the list. For Dentists, my wife talked to others in the RV park.

Clay

2016, I brought a truck in Harris ? county, the truck was registered with my Polk county address. When I renewed the plate, I receive and brand new plate because the original was not Polk county issued. Does it make sense to me , no, but is wasn't any hassle on  part.

Clay

9 hours ago, noteven said:

Hi ms60 - NW of you at approx N53 W110 it is clear, -34C, winds NW 20km/hr = wind chill feels like -48C. Coffee hot. Over

I put you between Saskatoon and Edmonton. I also had plans a year ago to return to  Kerrville but for Medical reasons and Covid-10 we haven't returned to Texas. I'm not a motorcycle man but grew up in the hills and like the Hill County also.

Chalkie. I grew here in NW  Illinois but did live 18 years in Colorado and loved the climate, lower humidity says alot. This is my first winter to spend this much time here in 61 years and it affirms why I stayed away except visits. For some reason I always felt Ft Collins was the coldest place in Colorado.

Clay

On 2/7/2021 at 8:38 AM, Sculptor said:

n the year we have owned it.  I have forgotten the date on them but suspect it’s time to replace anyway.

Seeing your DRV is a 2014 I'm going assume. you have 17.5 tires and Moryde suspension.  GoodYear had some 2014 and 2015 G114 tires with ply separation. I have a Oct 2015 built DRV that two such failures in lest 4 years. Date codes are important as you Alignment could be ok. Moryde suspension alignment people used to be few but check around or call Moryde 

Clay

A good idea but a bit of a small package. I like the idea but -2 this morning does not sound inviting. Best application may be "the kids have school virtual today, so lets go to the beach. 

https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/nissan-concept-office-pod/index.html

Clay

Canada must be doing something right because the wind stopped. 7PM temp was -7 but it has warmed to -4 or ( -20 C). I woke up to -18 and light wind but I don't worry wind chills as it only effects one side.

From NW Illinois

Clay

It seems the US Mail Service is some what back to normal. The last two weeks my priority mail has left Livingston on Tuesday to arrive on Friday. Tracking through Chicago is less than 24 hours compared to 5 days just 4 weeks ago. I did receive a First Class Christmas card from the Eastern MD in five weeks but a granddaughter'S Christmas Card also from Eastern MD is over 6 weeks in travel to destination. Must be a few trailers to sort yet.

Local service is Great, no matter wind, rain, ice, snow and Covid-19.

Clay

Randy I agree with your Math. Even if the under 18 age group equals 25% of 333 million people, that leaves  250 million people to vaccinate or 500 Million shots. Nearly 17 months at million shots per month.

Of course, I hear Johnson & Johnson may require only one shot to be effective. Then judging the limiting factor is till a million shot a day the time remaining could be cut in half.

I used the states population at 333 million people that worked to 250 million adults

Clay

Feed Back. Dec 31 I put a garbage bag over the Pathway but temperatures and moisture did not test the idea until the last couple days when the temperatures warmed to 32 degree.  I did notice a during one snow the bag with a rumpled surface would hold snow at different amounts and loose signal. Just changing satellite used would drop the dry snow and everything was ok. This morning it appeared the Pathway was looking straight up. I started a new set-up to see the pathway wound up in the plastic bag which tied is down to prevent flying away and snow blowing in.

I wish I had a 100 gallon bag rather then the 50 gallon bag. Next attempt is use some small weigh to secure the bag.

But the Pathway always moved as opposed the moisture freezing in the moveable joints

Clay

2016 my Polk County Absentee Ballot supposedly made it to Livingston 77351 but never made it to Livingston 77399. Location still unknown so that being said , the Mail Eating Monster must be still alive in the swamps.

This past Dec, Priority Mail getting through Chicago (and I'm sure other large cities) could take a week moving from one sorting center to another each day.

I'm told it is the lack of drivers showing for work, Covid-19 family issues.

Clay in NW Illinois

From a Illinois Dept of Public Health official, the state of Illinois in one of the leaders in the nation of getting the vaccine distributed and shots given. Last nights news backed that a little telling of CVS was giving the shots in a larger senior care and nursing home center. Beyond first responders, medical staff and senior centers I have no idea what the next level of vaccine may be, but in less than two weeks the second round of shots have to go out. I hope that can go smoothly.

One question I have. For a home bound people (with high risk) and low risk spouse who is the care taker, can they both receive the vaccine at the same time?

Clay wishing to be in Texas out of the ice and cold.

Sounds like you have a gear problem. I would be looking for 25 cent a pin sheared between a gear and shaft.

Disconnect the power cord and continue remove your power reel assemble to the point you look inside end with the motor.

Clay

I going with Comcast as the Verizon HotSpot just don't do it by its self. When I go over 25 GB it is $15 /GB. Comcast has mentioned the 1.2 TB over fee to maybe $10 for 50 GB.

I suppose Kirk as well I wonder how long how our early computers would have to communicate using dial-up with a down load up to 56K. 

Clay   First home computer was 1980, Radio Shack Tandy Model III  16K

Chalkie That may work

Thanks

First the Covid-19, then medical problems which us has staying in the cold country. 

My problem is we get a little liquid moisture and it freezes. Sometimes it freezes the Pathway solid resulting in one satellite being visible. Other times maybe nothing or some limited rotation. I can take Windshield De-icer to melt the ice but that was required 5 of the last 8 days.

Anyone have a solution. I have thought of using a Glycol product but the Turkeys frequently the area. I forced to use the Eastern Arc due to trees or I would use my Trailgater. Jan 1, is suppose to warm to 32 degrees with sleet. I guess I need a plastic bubble???

Best guess I have 7 weeks before going south.

Thanks Clay from NW Illinois

2 hours ago, Jinx & Wayne said:

When we first began RVing a few years ago both the RV dealer and truck salesman assured us that a diesel F-250 with a 50 gal auxiliary fuel tank was more than adequate for towing a fiver with a GVW of 16,830#, and a loaded pin weight of 3450#. 

 

  As i look around at RV/truck combo ads and folks in the parks around me I see people towing with all sorts of trucks that appear to be too little truck for the job - they appear to be undertrucked.  This leaves me with several questions.

 

Thoughts?

You made two points the sales people tell you this and the Buyer most likely had drove some parks, and said to their-selves "I have enough truck to that". 

I had a little Class C and was just starting to look at Fifth Wheels when going down a somewhat winding highway. I was following a fifth wheel when all of a sudden the truck and FW made a quick move to the left to avoid being hit in the side. Had his tow vehicle been anything but a dually, I think the tail would wagged the truck but everything was in control. It made a believer out out me

Several years ago I made a believer out out my wife. A fellow with a Class A pulling a car, run a stop sign and I had no to go but stop. All 34,000 pounds slowed immediately under control.

My line of work stressed Safety #1 and protection of equipment #2 so people could home each night