RichC | July 31, 2006
I’m looking for a light reading book for my upcoming vacation. Geoffrey Nunberg’s book, Talking Right, might just be the ticket. It looks humorous enough to keep the reading light, but topical enough to hold my interest. I’m open for opinions and will offer a few tidbits if they are worthy after our family vacation. […]
RichC | July 30, 2006
Its about as tense as it has been since the start of this conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. Sunday was a most brutal day for people still in Qana, a city in southern Lebanon, as a building was struck by Israeli air forces which was suspected of being a launch or storage area for Hezbollah […]
RichC | July 30, 2006
As mentioned in previous posts (a, b, c), the diesel powered Jeep Liberty CRD will not be offered in 2007 and according to the PBS program Motorweek, production at the Toledo, Ohio plant as already ceased. For those of us that are ‘pro-diesel’ (and biodiesel) this development has bee disappointing. On the plus side, Jeep […]
RichC | July 29, 2006
I read several articles today highlighting a Texas company called Valence Technology who has come up with a way to “throttle the explosive properties” of charging and discharging batteries. This technology makes the lithium ion batteries that are used in notebook computers and cellphone available in larger sizes. My first thought is to use bigger […]
RichC | July 28, 2006
For those of you using Mozilla Firefox, you will want to check your browser version and be sure to update it to the latest 1.5.0.5 version. There have been a couple of security issues with previous versions and those running the Firefox browser would be advised to update as soon as possible. According to HD […]
RichC | July 27, 2006
Cummins has indicated that they will begin producing a light-duty diesel engine in a press release today. They will be working with “a major automotive manufacturer serving the North American market.” They will not announce the partner, but indicated that the high performance light-duty diesel will be used in vehicles under 8,500 pounds. Most assume […]
RichC | July 26, 2006
I’m posting this particular Volkswagen TDI “How To” video clip here before I send it to Jim at DieselGeek or post to the CinciTDI website in hopes to have a couple extra eyeballs checking it out. I’m not all that concerned about filmmaking criticism (my ego can’t take that), but I want to make sure […]
RichC | July 25, 2006
ox·y·mo·ron n. pl. ox·y·mo·ra or ox·y·mo·rons A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined. Ok so its a stretch to call this and ‘oxymoron, nevertheless I saw this photo that AutoblogGreen posted from Flickr images and chucked as I thought of the internal conflict some environmental groups might have when supporting biodiesel, […]
RichC | July 24, 2006
I’ve considered a protest pout today in refusing to write a post announcing the first day of AirVenture 2006 since I am not able to join the gang from my EAA Chapter 284 … but that would be childish. Monday July 24 kicks off the aviation week as the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA) marks the […]
RichC | July 23, 2006
eFlybook is on sale for pilots at myairplane.com for $899.00 which includes a 6 month update subscription to charts and data. It is one of the first ‘electronic paper’ products out this year. The much ballyhooed Sony Reader has made its way around trade shows, but is not available to the public just yet. ARINC […]
RichC | July 23, 2006
Don’t get too worried that I’m switching automotive brand loyalty just yet, but with Honda eventually entering the US diesel game I’m going to be taking a close look. (within 3 years we’ve been told) A recent article in the Atlanta Constitution discussed three models most likely to receive the oil burner — starting with […]
RichC | July 22, 2006
Although I am a VW TDI ‘diesel‘ owner, I do keep my eye on the hybrid world too. This weekend in Madison Wisconsin the 2006 Hybridfest is being held. It is an event where vendors and owners show off their products and cars in what is called “the nation’s largest hybrid car festival.” Bill Robbins, […]
RichC | July 22, 2006
Dylan Ratigan of CNBC hosted a special last week that I recorded
RichC | July 21, 2006
Correction: On September July 29th New Zealand’s car owner and driver Maurice O’Reilly is going to attempt to show just what is possible with a diesel tuned for perfomance. He will attempt to break a speed record for a 1.9 liter turbocharged diesel in a 2001 Volkwagen Jetta TDI. The car is coupled to a […]
RichC | July 20, 2006
DaimlerChrysler’s new pitchman, Dieter (Dr. Z) Zelsche has been promoting the Jeep diesels even as the Liberty CRD is being discontinued. I found the ads remenicent of what Lee Iacocca did for Chrysler some years ago. Zelsche is obviously the new face for the company and about every television advertisement, public display (see racecar above) […]
RichC | July 19, 2006
A couple of days ago I commented that after donating our minivan to a family in need of a car and that we were need to replace it with something? I was not happy with my options since there were no commonsense ‘efficient’ diesels in vehicles with extra room; both my wife and I have […]
RichC | July 19, 2006
Quite the busy day today and I knew that there wasn’t going to be much time to post … so I’m posting this simple video clip from YouTube in advance. I found the mixing of video and song to be quite impressive while including a relevant message through song. (sad state of the world we’re […]
RichC | July 18, 2006
I’ve been saddened by the destruction and killing taking place in Israel and Lebanon while slowly coming to the conclusion that a negotiated peace is not possible. It is interesting to compare what is happening in the middle east to what is proposed by those in the US with a more ‘liberal’ point of view […]
RichC | July 17, 2006
The space shuttle Discovery landed safely at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 9:14 AM after a successful 13-day mission and hopeful return to future flights. NASA has been overly cautious since the 2003 Columbia disaster. The mission demostrated the success of the new ‘arm’ that can reach all parts of the shuttle while […]
RichC | July 16, 2006
Although I didn’t comment about the explosion and death at a Biodiesel Production Facility in Idaho, I’ve been following this accident on the Biodieselnow forum. The investigation that followed determined that the cause was the use of a torch in attaching a vent pipe onto a tank. The tank contained about “30 to 40 gallons […]
RichC | July 15, 2006
That was painful. I upgraded both my server and my version of WordPress blog software this weekend. Hopefully there will be a slight speed improvement as well as some added functionality. I’m maintaining the same ‘theme’ for simplicity and my ease of use. For those attempting to access this weekend … my apology.
RichC | July 13, 2006
We’re semi in the market for a new vehicle to replace the family Goobermobile (Chrysler Town & Country Minivan) that we’re donating to a family in need of a car. Although I’m struggling to get a grip on new car prices, I realized that anything replacing my all-wheel drive Limited Edition van is going to […]
RichC | July 12, 2006
Here’s a “what I did over my summer vacation” summer camp type story … only it wasn’t me. (my life is a bit dull in comparison to my teenage son) 🙂 My high school son was privileged to go on a military oriented leadership camp this summer up in the Green Mountains of Vermont. This […]
RichC | July 11, 2006
Diesel car lovers in the US are going to have a lean year in 2007 before several manufacturers have their North American ready diesels figured out. Volkswagen, the number one diesel car manufacturer announced that it will not be producing a TDI for 2007. The new common rail diesel will replace it and will not […]
RichC | July 10, 2006
Tobia Bucknell of BloggingOhio posted on biofuels in Ohio and how they fit in with our agricultural heritage. Considering Ohio is one of the top ten states in both corn and soybean production, we have much to gain in “growing” (pun intended) the biodiesel and ethanol markets. Mr. Bucknell highlighted several articles from Ohio farming […]
RichC | July 10, 2006
Frank Giovinazzi pointed out in CarBuyersNotebook, an automotive website I read regularly, that the term “biodiesel” has made it into the 2006 Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, the 11th edition. I’m not sure if ‘making Webster’s dictionary’ is the definition of success, but at least everyone will know how to spell it correctly. 🙂 As for Webster’s […]
RichC | July 9, 2006
I’ve been battling a storm water problem since we built our house and every year tweak my existing water routing plan contemplating new ways to deal with it. I spotted a “This Old House” video clip that offered a solution … a few more dollars than I want to spend, but I appreciated the engineering […]
RichC | July 8, 2006
I’m cheering for a group of students from University of Minnesota who will be racing their entry, Borealis III on September 17th in the World Solar Rally. Last year they took 2nd place in a 2005 race from Austin Texas to Calgary, Canada and have rebuilt and modified their vehicle in order to compete in […]
RichC | July 7, 2006
As a boy, the first movie I ever saw was “The Love Bug” at the Skyline drive-in theater in the back seat of my dad’s Chevrolet Corvair. (actually I think it was it “Born Free” not that it matters.) In an article sent to me by a VW TDI driving friend, German engineers at Volkswagen […]
RichC | July 6, 2006
Southwest Windpower has introduced a new residential small wind generator called the Skystream 3.7â„¢ that can produce 4,800 to 6,600 kWh of energy to the average home. The unit is designed to be affordable costing around $10,000 and is intended for ‘on the grid’ power users. In average installations the residential unit should pay for […]
RichC | July 5, 2006
Biodiesel Magazine published an article their April 2006 issue titled “Simple, effective B100 quick field test available.” CytoCulture International has developed “a practical tool for use throughout the entire biodiesel supply chain.” It is a handy field test, available now (see below), that according to the author is “effective and simple.” The test, called the […]
RichC | July 4, 2006
Happy Birthday America! What an outstanding way to celebrate Independence day. STS-121 and the Shuttle Discovery made a near picture perfect launch today at 2:35PM lifting a heavy weight from anyone associated with the Space Program. The crew of seven are now in space and during this 12-day mission will continue evaluating new safety procedures […]
RichC | July 4, 2006
While our country and its citizens have enjoyed “Independence” for 230 years now, let’s be sure to stop and thank those who earned it, maintained it and fight to keep it. Thank you America, and those who have fought and continue to fight, to keep it free and secure. On a personal note, I’ve made […]
RichC | July 3, 2006
Senator Joseph Lieberman dropped a bombshell today as he made a calculated move to ensure his name will be on the ballot either as a Democrat or and Independent this fall. Under Connecticut law, one can be put on the ballot if he has 7,500 signatures by August 9th — so just in case Lieberman […]
RichC | July 3, 2006
Nasa’s Space Shuttle program waits once again as the experts analyse new photos taken overnight of foam damage possibly due to rain water leaking near the fueling/defueling connection. If water was able to seep in and freeze to be warmed later by the daytime heat, that could be the reason for this small fracture. STS-121 […]
RichC | July 2, 2006
Biodiesel Magazine had an update on JatroDiesel, a Mason Ohio based company, in its June 2006 issue. The facility under construction in Miamisburg Ohio, just outside of Dayton, is nearly completed and has some biodiesel buyers already in place according to Rajesh Mosali, chief executive officer of JatroDiesel. JatroDiesel’s process is somewhat unique as their […]
RichC | July 1, 2006