Sunday, November 22, 2015

Home generator

Every year I read of a section of the country that has lost power due to extreme weather.  In some instances the power loss goes on for weeks.  Our civilization is based on electricity and without it, we cannot function long as a modern society.

If you are so inclined, the time to procure an emergency generator is not after the power is knocked out and is not expected to be back on for days ( or weeks); the time to prepare is before you need power.

This is not intended to be a primer on home emergency generators; the subject is somewhat complex and the use of a generator requires grounding, positioning of the genset so that fumes from the engine do not enter your house, and determining how much power you need to run essentials.  Do your research on the internet from credible sources.

What I will caution is that if you buy a generator, be sure that it produces 'clean' power as opposed to 'dirty' power.  Clean power gensets cost more but will not damage electronic devices in the house, dirty power will damage anything with an electronic circuit board which is just about every appliance these days.

http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/clean-electricity

I recently traded off my 20 year old 5,000 watt Generac dirty power generator for a North Star 4,500 watt clean power generator.   The Honda engine is quieter than the old Briggs and Stratton engine on the Generac, something my neighbors will like!   We have a circuit panel installed for the generator to plug into that runs many of the circuits in the house.  No need for extension cords snaking everywhere in the house, just be sure not to start the microwave, hairdryer, and electric iron at the same time!  4,500 watts will handle just about everything in the house that needs to be on to maintain comfort and health.


Land Rovers of the British Isles

While on our recent trip to the UK and Ireland I kept my eyes open for off road vehicles.  I only saw three Jeeps:  two Grand Cherokees and one SWB JK.  Land Rover Defenders as expected were in much greater supply.  I didn't always have my camera handy but here are some that I saw.

I noticed that soft tops were not in evidence - either the weather or the threat of break ins seemed to keep that configuration sidelined.  Almost all of the Defenders were in very nice shape. I only saw a couple that exuted 'character' from every battered body panel.

Here we go!



Outside of Windsor Castle

Edinburgh Scotland

Dublin Ireland

Dublin Ireland

The telephone repairman at Gurnsey Island

Buckingham Palace

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Mojave Desert Trip - October 2015

Bundu Trek headed out to the Mojave in October for a one day quick tour of some mining sites.  We were accompanied by our close friend in his lifted JK Rubicon, thus we followed the cardinal rule of never, ever venturing off road in a single vehicle.  

Our friend had previously visited the mining sites that were our destinations for this trip so with a minimum of fuss we headed off road.

The weather was picture-perfect, sunny with only an occasional light breeze.  The temperature was in the low 80s and the bugs and flies were all on vacation somewhere other than where we were.  It was a great day to be in the desert!


The start of our trip, leaving from Garlock road.

Checking out the BLM notice board
Someone doesn't care for the BLM's policy of closing more and more of the desert to motorized access!

Our two vehicle group, ready for some sightseeing.

My co-driver and radio woman for the day

Now, this is taking things too far!  Speed limit signs on an off-road trail?

The BLM is busily dragging off the detritus of mining operations of the past.  Wonder how these cars got way back here?





Our lunch stop that turned into a couple hour gab fest.

Looking down on our lunch spot from the mine up on the hill above.

The mine itself: dark, low ceiling, and probably unstable.  Just what we were looking for!  You may ask, why the rifle?  There could be zombies in there !














A mining claim marker.  The paperwork in the can attached to post showed that it was filed in 2012.







A mysterious installation in the Mojave



We pulled over to let the traffic coming up the steep trail to pass on by

The semi-ghost town of Randsburg on the far side of the valley