We made it back to Austin yesterday. The bus has issues. NO power. We had the problem since Slab City, so much trouble shooting was done along the way. Still No power and extremely slow acceleration. 0 - 55 in about 10 minutes. Every incline we had to climb dropped our speed down, sometimes down to 25-35 in an 80mph zone.
I'm going to take it in for an oil change on Monday and ask them about it.
Showing posts with label the unexpected. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the unexpected. Show all posts
Friday, February 27, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Emergency Stopping Only
Yesterday we learned something about the bus. ... there's a fuel shut off safety mechanism that turns off the gas peddle. We found this out during the part of rush hour on the Ventura freeway just before the traffic slows down... ie 57 miles an hour in a sea of 70mph speeders and 5 lanes of traffic.
I was able to pull off the road and ran down a check list of things that could be wrong.. It was some what traumatic but eventually I was able to analyze it and found the shut off thingy that I had no idea existed just before the highway service truck was about to force a tow on us. .. yeah!
I was able to pull off the road and ran down a check list of things that could be wrong.. It was some what traumatic but eventually I was able to analyze it and found the shut off thingy that I had no idea existed just before the highway service truck was about to force a tow on us. .. yeah!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Dharma's Lost in the Rubble
Upon recieving a tip from a friendly police offer that I should go HERE and check out the damage, myself and a local worker who fashions himself a citizen journalist headed down there.
While filming the debris of a house we were warned that we could be shot for looting and told that the police were being called. Since we had not touched anything or even approached the house in question further than a few feet onto the driveway to get a better angle.. I continued filming. The guy who rode down there with me was more interested in eating the 6 Red Cross dinners he scored us and while I filmed some of the other houses he proceded to spill 2 of the dinners on the bus seats and LET DHARMA ESCAPE. (no, he wasn't drunk or high... just stupid). He had asked Red Cross for 2 meals and they gave him 6 to run up their numbers since no one in this well to do neighborhood wanted to eat the shitty food they hand out.
The police eventually showed up threatened to arrest us if I did not allow them to search the bus for the items the lieing resident had said that he saw us take. I consented, filmed the search, the cop said on camera "no, that stuff's not here" and then got bent out of shape we he realized I had filmed him performing his duty as a public servant. Ran us for warrants and told us to leave. I told him we would have been gone long ago if the cat had not escaped and we were hoping he'd come back. He said leave or be arrested. Gave us a Trespass WARNING and said if we came back we could be arrested. I informed that I would be back the next day in the afternoon to allow my cat to come home. He said that would be ok in the afternoon but if I was there after dark I'd be arrested for trespassing.
I returned this afternoon and did NOT leave the bus at all for fear of being shot or arrested. I'd been parked there on the public street NOT under any curfew for about 3 1/2 hrs waiting... Dharma did not return. With about an hour of daylight left the same cop showed up and informed me that he had been called once again because I was seen trespassing. I had not set foot off the bus. I told him that. He said leave or be arrested. I told him I didn't want to be there, I was just waiting for my cat. He told me to get off the bus and go look for him, I had a 1/2 hour to leave or be arrested. I told him I didn't think that me wandering around in this neighborhood looking for my cat was safe. He repeated his directive to leave or be arrested.
I stepped into the middle of the street and yelled for the cat for about 20 minutes and then left.
Tommorrow morning I'm going to the police station and demand that I be able to sit in my bus on the public street and wait for my cat to return.
HERE's the video that helped save him.
Thanks to all how called to vouch for me. Dharma came back 4 hours into being allowed to stay there after dark.
While filming the debris of a house we were warned that we could be shot for looting and told that the police were being called. Since we had not touched anything or even approached the house in question further than a few feet onto the driveway to get a better angle.. I continued filming. The guy who rode down there with me was more interested in eating the 6 Red Cross dinners he scored us and while I filmed some of the other houses he proceded to spill 2 of the dinners on the bus seats and LET DHARMA ESCAPE. (no, he wasn't drunk or high... just stupid). He had asked Red Cross for 2 meals and they gave him 6 to run up their numbers since no one in this well to do neighborhood wanted to eat the shitty food they hand out.
The police eventually showed up threatened to arrest us if I did not allow them to search the bus for the items the lieing resident had said that he saw us take. I consented, filmed the search, the cop said on camera "no, that stuff's not here" and then got bent out of shape we he realized I had filmed him performing his duty as a public servant. Ran us for warrants and told us to leave. I told him we would have been gone long ago if the cat had not escaped and we were hoping he'd come back. He said leave or be arrested. Gave us a Trespass WARNING and said if we came back we could be arrested. I informed that I would be back the next day in the afternoon to allow my cat to come home. He said that would be ok in the afternoon but if I was there after dark I'd be arrested for trespassing.
I returned this afternoon and did NOT leave the bus at all for fear of being shot or arrested. I'd been parked there on the public street NOT under any curfew for about 3 1/2 hrs waiting... Dharma did not return. With about an hour of daylight left the same cop showed up and informed me that he had been called once again because I was seen trespassing. I had not set foot off the bus. I told him that. He said leave or be arrested. I told him I didn't want to be there, I was just waiting for my cat. He told me to get off the bus and go look for him, I had a 1/2 hour to leave or be arrested. I told him I didn't think that me wandering around in this neighborhood looking for my cat was safe. He repeated his directive to leave or be arrested.
I stepped into the middle of the street and yelled for the cat for about 20 minutes and then left.
Tommorrow morning I'm going to the police station and demand that I be able to sit in my bus on the public street and wait for my cat to return.
HERE's the video that helped save him.
Thanks to all how called to vouch for me. Dharma came back 4 hours into being allowed to stay there after dark.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Mobile Broadcast News Bus Harassed by Police
This afternoon the bus was repeatedly harassed by St. Paul police. We were notified by our lawyers who were on the scene while we were attempting to cover the Poor People's March. Eyewitnesses reported that they attempted to open the door both by hand and CROW BAR. They attempted to film inside the bus and claimed they were concerned about "liquids". Our bus is legally parked in a paid lot with permission from the Parking lot. 2 private buses have been confiscated in St. Paul 1 bus carrying a marching band of activists have chosen to leave town. The police came by 3 times each time with more squad cars and equipment. At this time the bus, inhabitants and property are safe... and insecure. Much more about this later.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Glass Bead Collective Targeted Equipment Stollen By the Police
You may want to watch for a 4pm press conference regarding police stealing video activists equipment in Minneapolis. I have no specific details about where this will turn up... but the National Lawyers Guild and Glass Bead Collective will be holding a press conference regarding being targeted for their work defending our rights with video in NYC.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Chance Veggie meeting
After a long hot soak in the hot springs we headed to the local bars and got plowed last night. At the end of the evening we met a guy that I'd met in the Casino parking lot in Reno after Burning Man last year. I had showed him my fledging veggie bus and he was very interested.
He had stumbled into this bar with his mother, who he was giving a tour of this part of the rockies IN HIS BRAND NEW (1985) VEGGIE BUS. We showed them the way back to the campground for the evening and they've moved on to Shopping for western wear in Leramie, WY. We plan to visit him later on our way to Denver.
He had stumbled into this bar with his mother, who he was giving a tour of this part of the rockies IN HIS BRAND NEW (1985) VEGGIE BUS. We showed them the way back to the campground for the evening and they've moved on to Shopping for western wear in Leramie, WY. We plan to visit him later on our way to Denver.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Pack'n up & Heading for the Hot Springs
We're headin' out from the Gathering today. We've picked up a rider, Asaf. Turns out Asaf knows alot of my friends and he's considering sticking around for the conventions. But for now we're all heading off to the hot springs to soak up some clean & warmness.
We've got about a 250 mile drive after we pack up and the 1st 20 miles is on some rough dirt road.
The clean up process at the Gathering has been a little disturbing not for the lack of people staying to clean up but for the idiots that left a lot of crap out here in the pristine wilderness. We saw a 30 inch television sitting by the road waiting to hauled out... It is quite telling of our society when someone decides they need a 30 inch television to commune with nature and god...
We've got about a 250 mile drive after we pack up and the 1st 20 miles is on some rough dirt road.
The clean up process at the Gathering has been a little disturbing not for the lack of people staying to clean up but for the idiots that left a lot of crap out here in the pristine wilderness. We saw a 30 inch television sitting by the road waiting to hauled out... It is quite telling of our society when someone decides they need a 30 inch television to commune with nature and god...
Friday, July 4, 2008
Out of Nebrask and into the Pan
We're out of Nebraska.
Drove about 200 miles today on veggie oil, great drive and the bus ran better'n ever.
BUT
when we pulled in to park for the night we discovered that the diesel return line had melted in 2 on the muffler and we'd left a trail from the exit ramp to the parking spot... we were pouring diesel fuel out of the hoses.
So I have a project for tomorrow...
Turns out the fuel pump was NOT the problem so on top of the $750 labor bill from the 3rd mechanic and 2 weeks down time...
I now have a $350 fuel pump I don't need.
The good news is that Shane at RoverHybrids.com said he'd only charge me 50 bucks if I could get the new one back to him in a week, so we'll be doing that tomorrow too.
We can now also release the stories we were afraid to release while broken down due to fear of reprisal. :)
Drove about 200 miles today on veggie oil, great drive and the bus ran better'n ever.
BUT
when we pulled in to park for the night we discovered that the diesel return line had melted in 2 on the muffler and we'd left a trail from the exit ramp to the parking spot... we were pouring diesel fuel out of the hoses.
So I have a project for tomorrow...
Turns out the fuel pump was NOT the problem so on top of the $750 labor bill from the 3rd mechanic and 2 weeks down time...
I now have a $350 fuel pump I don't need.
The good news is that Shane at RoverHybrids.com said he'd only charge me 50 bucks if I could get the new one back to him in a week, so we'll be doing that tomorrow too.
We can now also release the stories we were afraid to release while broken down due to fear of reprisal. :)
Sunday, June 29, 2008
4 hours of testing
After 4 hours of testing various aspects of the Bus's fuel delivery system we know a lot about what is NOT wrong. The shop closed at noon yesterday and now we are enjoying the sites of lovely Scottsbluff Nebraska until Monday morning. We are quite happy to at least be 100 milles closer to Denver.. in a different county... dealing with professionals.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Escape From Chadron
We were able to get towed out of Chadron Nebraska today. We are at a large truck repair facility. There will be much more to tell once we are actually mobile again. We are safer now and tomorrow I'll begin explaining all the guess work and wasted effort that has already been done to my engine... to people who will know how to diagnose and fix it. THAT is a huge step forward. Let's hope they don't freak out when they find out they've agreed to fix a veggie bus. ;)
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Total Lose of Control
8 Days ago a power supply wire slipped off the the fuel pump. We had a sudden lose of power on the step hill we were climbing and the bus slowed and died. I immediatly recognized the symptom as is was identical to the problem I had we hooked the pump up the 1st time; with only 1 poewr supply. So after looking for spewing fluids in the engine I looked at the wiring for the pump, discovered the loose wire and put it back together.
We were over an hours drive from any town with more than 1 diesel mechanic. The 1 local guy came out and insisted that the loose wire could not have damaged anything and then dismantled the veggie fuel lines so that he could understand what was going on with the engine.... His help was cheap but then again he did more damage than good.
We crawled 70 miles over the next 3 days with the longest stretch of driving being about 10 miles; most attempts would net us a couple hundred yards before the engine would die and we would have to let it "rest" before moving again. The 1st mechanic also rewired our back up fuel pump (which we knew was not strong enough for the bus and had forgotten that it had been collecting dirt for about a hundred miles of dirt roads we had traversed on the reservation). Using it spewed dirt into the fuel filter further slowing our progress. He wired it to run directly off the alternator... which meant that each time the engine would die we would have to jump out of the bus and throw the hood up and physically rip the wires apart to stop the fuel pump... and tape them back together we we started back up.
The 3rd day an angel named Terry held our hands for most of the day. He was a diesel mechanic for the railroad and we tried a few more things each time the bus died, but nothing changed our fuel starvation issue. Terry ended up towing us the last few miles just so we could get to Chadron before dark.
The local bar patrons suggested 3 mechanics and we called each of them our 1st day in the WalMart parking lot...none had time, all were turned off by the use of vegetable oil for fuel. We then found an interested gas mechanic who guided me through several other process of elimination type procedures... nothing changed the performance of the bus.
Tuesday we vacationed for fixing the bus by filming a meeting of the Republic of Lakota and interviewed Russel Means.
After 4 days in the WM parking lot the mildly mentally deficient "greeter" came out to inquire about how long we were planning on staying... We had run out of things to try so we chanced being able to drive it across the street to the guy who had been helpful's shop. It died on the street in front of the shop as we were discussing where to park it. Today we tested the main fuel pump (which I had feared was now dead) and it appears to be working properly. Which means that the problem is still unknown but the possibilities are getting scarier. It now appears to be a blown injector pump or clogged injectors or .. something.
These problems are all over the head of the gas mechanic who has been helping us. The team at the shop is supposedly calling the diesel mechanics in town this evening .. on our behave, trying to find us appropriate help.
It's been 8 days since the wire slipped off.. We can't leave Chadron until somebody here steps up and fixing this. EVERYONE in town knows us by now.. knows where we're parked.. knows enough about what we're doing to like us OR NOT...
We were over an hours drive from any town with more than 1 diesel mechanic. The 1 local guy came out and insisted that the loose wire could not have damaged anything and then dismantled the veggie fuel lines so that he could understand what was going on with the engine.... His help was cheap but then again he did more damage than good.
We crawled 70 miles over the next 3 days with the longest stretch of driving being about 10 miles; most attempts would net us a couple hundred yards before the engine would die and we would have to let it "rest" before moving again. The 1st mechanic also rewired our back up fuel pump (which we knew was not strong enough for the bus and had forgotten that it had been collecting dirt for about a hundred miles of dirt roads we had traversed on the reservation). Using it spewed dirt into the fuel filter further slowing our progress. He wired it to run directly off the alternator... which meant that each time the engine would die we would have to jump out of the bus and throw the hood up and physically rip the wires apart to stop the fuel pump... and tape them back together we we started back up.
The 3rd day an angel named Terry held our hands for most of the day. He was a diesel mechanic for the railroad and we tried a few more things each time the bus died, but nothing changed our fuel starvation issue. Terry ended up towing us the last few miles just so we could get to Chadron before dark.
The local bar patrons suggested 3 mechanics and we called each of them our 1st day in the WalMart parking lot...none had time, all were turned off by the use of vegetable oil for fuel. We then found an interested gas mechanic who guided me through several other process of elimination type procedures... nothing changed the performance of the bus.
Tuesday we vacationed for fixing the bus by filming a meeting of the Republic of Lakota and interviewed Russel Means.
After 4 days in the WM parking lot the mildly mentally deficient "greeter" came out to inquire about how long we were planning on staying... We had run out of things to try so we chanced being able to drive it across the street to the guy who had been helpful's shop. It died on the street in front of the shop as we were discussing where to park it. Today we tested the main fuel pump (which I had feared was now dead) and it appears to be working properly. Which means that the problem is still unknown but the possibilities are getting scarier. It now appears to be a blown injector pump or clogged injectors or .. something.
These problems are all over the head of the gas mechanic who has been helping us. The team at the shop is supposedly calling the diesel mechanics in town this evening .. on our behave, trying to find us appropriate help.
It's been 8 days since the wire slipped off.. We can't leave Chadron until somebody here steps up and fixing this. EVERYONE in town knows us by now.. knows where we're parked.. knows enough about what we're doing to like us OR NOT...
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Broke Down in the Bad Lands.. sort of..
The 2nd power supply for the fuel pump slipped off after driving on rough gravel roads for awhile... We fixed that. But there's another, unknown, problem that seems to have been caused by those wires disconnecting while we were trying to climb a fairly steep hill.
We're safely parked in a turn out by an old schoolhouse about 20 miles from Hot Springs South Dakota. We don't have cell phone service, but the Broadband internet card works here. We have #'s for a few local mechanics and will be calling them on a loaned phone in the morning.
The Mobile Broadcast News polo shirts arrived: they were delivered to us while we were working on the engine on the side of the road. They look fabulous.
We're safely parked in a turn out by an old schoolhouse about 20 miles from Hot Springs South Dakota. We don't have cell phone service, but the Broadband internet card works here. We have #'s for a few local mechanics and will be calling them on a loaned phone in the morning.
The Mobile Broadcast News polo shirts arrived: they were delivered to us while we were working on the engine on the side of the road. They look fabulous.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Batteries Not Included
Well, the satellite system and oil collection system have arrived and so far both seem to be missing parts. The satellite set up instructions are by far the worst instructions I've ever read. I did actually read them because I was told repeatedly how important that was...
We were able to find a satellite for about 15 seconds yesterday.. cloud cover seems to be a problem. I'm updating you from a hotel lobby... 150 dollars in internet connection fees per month.. and I'm still sittin' in a hotel lobby...
We were able to find a satellite for about 15 seconds yesterday.. cloud cover seems to be a problem. I'm updating you from a hotel lobby... 150 dollars in internet connection fees per month.. and I'm still sittin' in a hotel lobby...
Monday, April 7, 2008
Lofty Bunk Fest
Worked on my bunk/loft today between lugging full oil drums and uploading a video that's to be shown at the NYC Anarchist Film Fest April 11th.
I'll be sleeping between 2 booth seats tonight though...
I scavenged a double pallet from one of Gordon's grease restaurants to use for the loft bed in the bus and had to cut it shorter. I didn't cut it short enough. It's wedged in the bus, not flat, not likely to come out without breaking something... else (slight window damage getting it in). I'd show you a picture but the cord i need is at the bottom of the pile of stuff in the middle of the bus right now. Tomorrow I'll have to cut more off the end of the length wise boards while in the bus inorder to get it flat and on the legs.
I'll be sleeping between 2 booth seats tonight though...
I scavenged a double pallet from one of Gordon's grease restaurants to use for the loft bed in the bus and had to cut it shorter. I didn't cut it short enough. It's wedged in the bus, not flat, not likely to come out without breaking something... else (slight window damage getting it in). I'd show you a picture but the cord i need is at the bottom of the pile of stuff in the middle of the bus right now. Tomorrow I'll have to cut more off the end of the length wise boards while in the bus inorder to get it flat and on the legs.
Monday, March 31, 2008
My First Bus Fire
My computer power supply shorted out and briefly caught fire Saturday night. I've ordered a new one and it should be here tomorrow. I've currently got 18% battery life don't expect email responces or new posts until the new power cord shows up. I'm taking the down time to reorganize the bus interior and plan for the bunk building that will soon occur.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Mud Stuck Bus
I tried to move the bus across the lot @ Bio Liberty today so I could fill up with oil & Biodiesel and head into NOLA for Mardis Gras and...
Bayou Liberty soil testing confirms large amounts of roots, water, clay, and 8 inches of mud under the grassroots. After several attempts to remove soil tester more soil testing was done and more clay and water were found. Reinforcements were called in. This is a not so mobile broad cast... Thats not news. (comments & photo by Gordon)
To appreciate the Depth of our soil testing; take a look at the mud flap resting on the ground behind the tire. Currently the bus is about 6 inches deeper than the photo with the tail pipe about 3 inches from the ground. It's been raining a little everyday since I've been here. Today was sunny and nice but tommorrow it's a 70-80% chance of rain. Wenches and a Bobcat are expected in the AM.
Bayou Liberty soil testing confirms large amounts of roots, water, clay, and 8 inches of mud under the grassroots. After several attempts to remove soil tester more soil testing was done and more clay and water were found. Reinforcements were called in. This is a not so mobile broad cast... Thats not news. (comments & photo by Gordon)To appreciate the Depth of our soil testing; take a look at the mud flap resting on the ground behind the tire. Currently the bus is about 6 inches deeper than the photo with the tail pipe about 3 inches from the ground. It's been raining a little everyday since I've been here. Today was sunny and nice but tommorrow it's a 70-80% chance of rain. Wenches and a Bobcat are expected in the AM.
Friday, January 18, 2008
I'm a Burn Out
Looks like I've hit the wall so to speak.
I'm in South Carolina and having NO LUCk with finding the campaign events and finding parking close enough to them to cover them. ALSO, i've been hit with a strong wave of "why am i doing this?" As someone who knows the voting system IS fraudulent... as someone who knows that both parties are representing the corporations regardless of what they say publicly... basicaly, I don't know why I here; so the motivation necessary to overcome the daily hurdles .. just isn't there right now.
I was to attend a Huckabee rally this morning but couldn't get the bus parked anywhere near the resort and if i had there would have been issue with "walking" onto the resort... I don't even have questions for these clowns that will get an answer out of them anyway. Imagine: "Mr. Huckabee. You don't believe in evolution, you want to quarentine AIDS patients and re write the constitution to reflect YOUR gods law... What The Fuck's Wrong With You, Sir?! and How the Hell Could You be a Front Runner with Such Views?!"
i dunno.. it might be fun... but is it worth it?... i dunno.
The cold is probably at fault with my attitude. I'm still sick from New Hampshire. It snowed on me yesterday for the first time.. (South Carolina). I'm ready to be warm .. maybe northern Florida will be better.
I was fairly disappointed with the number of views the New Hampshire videos got ..But it appears someone is trying to fuck with my websites again (which is always a good sign of doing something right). I picked up 1,600 new email subscribers YESTERDAY. it's bullshit.. either a glitch in the rss feed system OR Someone Signed up 1,600 people to recieve emails that they DIDn't Want.
However, if you google New Hampshire Primary Vote Fruad... guess who ya find..
One more item in this string ramblings...
I just found out that the $1,500 donation processed trough Deep Dish Tv at what was suppose to be 3% which turned into 6% and took over a week to put in the bank has .. are ready for this?... IT BOUNCED! ta daaaahhhh! I have 30 dollars 1/4 tank of diesel and 15 gallons of oil.
I think it's time to go to the beach.
I'm in South Carolina and having NO LUCk with finding the campaign events and finding parking close enough to them to cover them. ALSO, i've been hit with a strong wave of "why am i doing this?" As someone who knows the voting system IS fraudulent... as someone who knows that both parties are representing the corporations regardless of what they say publicly... basicaly, I don't know why I here; so the motivation necessary to overcome the daily hurdles .. just isn't there right now.
I was to attend a Huckabee rally this morning but couldn't get the bus parked anywhere near the resort and if i had there would have been issue with "walking" onto the resort... I don't even have questions for these clowns that will get an answer out of them anyway. Imagine: "Mr. Huckabee. You don't believe in evolution, you want to quarentine AIDS patients and re write the constitution to reflect YOUR gods law... What The Fuck's Wrong With You, Sir?! and How the Hell Could You be a Front Runner with Such Views?!"
i dunno.. it might be fun... but is it worth it?... i dunno.
The cold is probably at fault with my attitude. I'm still sick from New Hampshire. It snowed on me yesterday for the first time.. (South Carolina). I'm ready to be warm .. maybe northern Florida will be better.
I was fairly disappointed with the number of views the New Hampshire videos got ..But it appears someone is trying to fuck with my websites again (which is always a good sign of doing something right). I picked up 1,600 new email subscribers YESTERDAY. it's bullshit.. either a glitch in the rss feed system OR Someone Signed up 1,600 people to recieve emails that they DIDn't Want.
However, if you google New Hampshire Primary Vote Fruad... guess who ya find..
One more item in this string ramblings...
I just found out that the $1,500 donation processed trough Deep Dish Tv at what was suppose to be 3% which turned into 6% and took over a week to put in the bank has .. are ready for this?... IT BOUNCED! ta daaaahhhh! I have 30 dollars 1/4 tank of diesel and 15 gallons of oil.
I think it's time to go to the beach.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Speed Bumps
Apologies for not being in South Carolina yet.
I'm currently Stuck in NYC waiting for a very large tax deductible donation to be deposited ... the donation came in over a week ago and Deep Dish TV has neglected to deposit it for me after saying they'd do it the next day... repeatedly.
If you need to donate through the tax deductible 501c3 please inform me or contact the MBN staff. The tax deductible links on the website will soon disappear and I'll be looking for a new sponsor.
I need to wait to fill up with pre filtered veggie oil here before heading to the South Carolina Primaries... hopefully I'll get there before they're over.
Luckily the "city" didn't get the foot of snow it was suppose to last night, it just rained.
I'm currently Stuck in NYC waiting for a very large tax deductible donation to be deposited ... the donation came in over a week ago and Deep Dish TV has neglected to deposit it for me after saying they'd do it the next day... repeatedly.
If you need to donate through the tax deductible 501c3 please inform me or contact the MBN staff. The tax deductible links on the website will soon disappear and I'll be looking for a new sponsor.
I need to wait to fill up with pre filtered veggie oil here before heading to the South Carolina Primaries... hopefully I'll get there before they're over.
Luckily the "city" didn't get the foot of snow it was suppose to last night, it just rained.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
New Hampshire is cold
last night 4 blankets 2 sleeping bags gloves scarf and 4 layers of clothing... sleeping with my computer, camera, and hard drive between my legs.... it's f'n cold.
Tonight's not so bad.
I put out my 1st New Hampshire Primary video. .. now I'm going to sleep for 2 hours and do it all again tomorrow.
Tonight's not so bad.
I put out my 1st New Hampshire Primary video. .. now I'm going to sleep for 2 hours and do it all again tomorrow.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
My 500 dollar Fuel Pump Doesn't Suck
... But it's suppose to. There in lies the rub.
Sorry about yesterdays vague cry for help.. I'm pretty much at my wits end with the bus, because it has cost me so much time and money in the last 2 months that it is now threatening to derail the project. I cannot handle another break down without breaking down myself as was demonstrated on Sunday when I thought everything was working great and headed off down the road to Austin... I got a whole 1/4 mile before slowing to a stop. When I tried to start it back up it wouldn't.. because I was freaking out so much that I'd left it in Drive instead of putting it in neutral. (it only starts in neutral).. Gordon came out with the Bio Liberty tractor to tow me off the road (that's when I realized it was still in drive).
The FASS pump installed made the bus top out at 25mph. Fuel starvation. This pump is built specifically for WVO, Bio Diesel and of course diesel yet they designed it to Push more than pull (suck) even though Most Veggie conversions are configured to suck the fuel through the filters instead of push it through. ANYway, since the crappy 100 dollar pumps I've blown up along the way were able to suck it through (for a limited time); the FASS pump was expected to suck at least as well only last considerably longer. That line of thinking was far too rational for reality. I replaced the fuel filters to solved the problem (wasted money). Then we thought it was the fuel lines being too weak to handle the pressure of this monster pump and replaced them (wasted money). I was about to put the damn thing up for sale and in my anger .. reconnected the (truly piece of shit) fuel pump that brought me to Slidell .. Guess what? Everything worked great. I was back up to my normal 57mph in 1 minute flat. But this one won't pull veggie and is 45psi too low even for diesel; which makes it too scary to leave Slidell on.
So what does this mean? I think it means we have to redo the FASS pump to push through the filters which means adding another 3 port valve and small screen filter prior to the pump.. mo money, mo time, mo uncertainty... At this point I think I would have been better off just paying for fucking diesel.
Thanks to those who called. I got a mechanic to "look" at it and gave me things to try which eliminated some of the variables leading to reconnecting the old pump just see if the bus was fucked or not. He'll help with remodeling the conversion later this week...
~~~
disclosure: the pump itself was not 500, the pump, the wasted filters and wasted hose was well over 500... another week of my life... priceless.
Sorry about yesterdays vague cry for help.. I'm pretty much at my wits end with the bus, because it has cost me so much time and money in the last 2 months that it is now threatening to derail the project. I cannot handle another break down without breaking down myself as was demonstrated on Sunday when I thought everything was working great and headed off down the road to Austin... I got a whole 1/4 mile before slowing to a stop. When I tried to start it back up it wouldn't.. because I was freaking out so much that I'd left it in Drive instead of putting it in neutral. (it only starts in neutral).. Gordon came out with the Bio Liberty tractor to tow me off the road (that's when I realized it was still in drive).
The FASS pump installed made the bus top out at 25mph. Fuel starvation. This pump is built specifically for WVO, Bio Diesel and of course diesel yet they designed it to Push more than pull (suck) even though Most Veggie conversions are configured to suck the fuel through the filters instead of push it through. ANYway, since the crappy 100 dollar pumps I've blown up along the way were able to suck it through (for a limited time); the FASS pump was expected to suck at least as well only last considerably longer. That line of thinking was far too rational for reality. I replaced the fuel filters to solved the problem (wasted money). Then we thought it was the fuel lines being too weak to handle the pressure of this monster pump and replaced them (wasted money). I was about to put the damn thing up for sale and in my anger .. reconnected the (truly piece of shit) fuel pump that brought me to Slidell .. Guess what? Everything worked great. I was back up to my normal 57mph in 1 minute flat. But this one won't pull veggie and is 45psi too low even for diesel; which makes it too scary to leave Slidell on.
So what does this mean? I think it means we have to redo the FASS pump to push through the filters which means adding another 3 port valve and small screen filter prior to the pump.. mo money, mo time, mo uncertainty... At this point I think I would have been better off just paying for fucking diesel.
Thanks to those who called. I got a mechanic to "look" at it and gave me things to try which eliminated some of the variables leading to reconnecting the old pump just see if the bus was fucked or not. He'll help with remodeling the conversion later this week...
~~~
disclosure: the pump itself was not 500, the pump, the wasted filters and wasted hose was well over 500... another week of my life... priceless.
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