A VERY successful and well attended event! I am heartened that the EV revolution has finally hit the tipping point where a recurrance of the sabatoge perpetrated by GM and partners in the early 1990s is not possible. There was an EV1 on display which I hope will push the attendees to educate themselves on EV history. A good starting point:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_encumbrance_of_large_automotive_NiMH_batteries
https://insideevs.com/news/398686/audi-e-tron-tows-gm-ev1/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=RSS-all-
Actor turned YouTube pod caster, Rodney Llewellyn, in his current incarnation of
https://fullycharged.show was the driving force behind the event. Chelsea Sexton (/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_Sexton) was one of the panel moderators.
I was attending mainly to learn more of one of my speculations, a Finnish charging infrastructure company: https://www.parkingenergy.com/. On arrival, I found the plans for shuttling attendees the ~1.5 miles from the parking lots to the event building were overwhelmed by the volume of attendees. So, I jumped in helping other Tesla drivers in the shuttling service. I just moved all the junk in the back of my car rearward and folded the rear seats up. I did get one favorably comment that I probably had the dirtiest Tesla on the COTA grounds. Other Tesla owners tend to be obscessive about car cleanliness. I still have some Candadian gravel road mud on my car (from an August 2019 trip). I returned the second day, Sunday, to do more shuttling. Though attendance the second day was a bit down. Maybe something to do with the SuperBowl conflict. I found the shuttling more comfortable than roaming the exhibits and sitting through presentations.
Quite a few EV test drives were being given by several manufacturers including the Audi Etron and Chevrolet Bolt. Many individuals gave test drives/rides in their Teslas (including Roadsters). Though the Tesla company was absent there was a large Tesla owner presence. Two Xs were displayed with camper trailers in tow. Quite a few very nice conversions were displayed.
Test rides were not associated with the shuttling service but I had one couple request a demo as they were being returned to the parking lot. I kicked it out of "chill" mode and exited the COTA facility. Just at the exit, I was presented with about 1/4 mile of empty road so I did the acceration demo up to about 80 mph. Then, on down the road to demonstrate AutoPilot. Likely, another Tesla sale made for about 10 miles of test ride.
Probably the major attraction was the Rivian pickup truck and SUV. They were not driven, only on display. I asked one of the Rivian people manning the exhibit if the cars had been driven to the event. "No", they had been trucked in. So, I don't know how functional the cars are. Rivian had offered 50% discount on event tickets to reservation holders. That was a major reason for the heavy attendence.
While shuttling, I was able to survey the reasons for attendence and the locations represented. The Austin area was not overwhemingly the home. Perhaps Austin was less than half. A good fraction of the attendees I asked had come to see the Rivians. I did not fail to mention that, compared to the CyberTruck, the Rivians have a charging problem for long trips.
Much of my chatting with riders contained questions like: "When did you get your car?" "How far have you driven it?", "How do you like it?" "Have you had any trouble with it." Answers included "I bought my first S in early 2013; it now has ~130k miles on it. One no cost battery replacement. This car is a little more than a year old. Odometer is approaching 30k miles. I drove it this summer one charge beyond Edmonton. I more recently circumnavigated the Grand Canyon. I have not encountered a Tesla owner who is not in love with his car. Every Tesla owner is a Tesla salesman." "This is one of the very rare 3s with SuperCharging."
One of my riders was a very well versed but new 3 owner. He demonstrated how to use voice control which I had admitted to not using much. "Turn dome lights on". "Set climate to 65 deg". "Turn air conditioning off". All worked well despite a new voice not well positioned and with some background noise.
Ticket demand was so high that they closed Saturday sales a few days before the event; Sunday ticket sales continued.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/mpag5Lev7torm3LWA
Photos:
1) Audi Etron; several were offered for test drives.
2) and 3) The first show event in the larger of the two "theaters". There were about 17 rows of 18 seats. 300+ seats. The seating area was lined on three sides with people standing about three deep and there were people sitting on the floor. Another 200+. In 3), Chelsea Sexton is on the left on the stage. This room, rather misnamed "Giga Theater", hosted quite a few indoor exhibits as well as the stage. Across an entrance hall, was the "Mega Theater" which I did not enter; it hosted parallel concurrent presentations.
4)-6) The Parking Energy exhibit.
7) Some of the outside displays. This is the starting point for test drives.
8)-11) The Rivian display of their pick up truck and SUV. Further down: more photos before the Sunday event start.
12)-13) Conversions were well represented. Including from EVWest.
14)-21) Inside displays including the EV1. The Taycan was not driven.
22)-25) Valence has been resurrected as LithiumWerks (https://lithiumwerks.com/). Like Valence, they have little interest in selling small quantities.
https://youtu.be/Z56qQjoPGB0
Saturday, February 1, 2020
Thursday, January 30, 2020
PV pricing
http://renvu.com
Is offering $30 off of panel plus micro inverter pairs.
Their lowest cost pair is a 260w panel plus an Enphase IQ7 for a price of $261.76. Less $30 would be $231.76. $.891/watt. Likely plus shipping. And maybe some cabling.
My recent installs have cost about $100 per 245w panel plus micro inverter.
$.408/watt. That includes shipping and cabling. Prospects are for string inverter hardware cost to be about $2150 for 6000 watts. $.358/watt. I THINK the 6kw inverter will handle 3675 watts (15 245w panels) in east facing panels plus 3675 watts in west facing without energy loss. That would put the cost at $.292/watt.
Is offering $30 off of panel plus micro inverter pairs.
Their lowest cost pair is a 260w panel plus an Enphase IQ7 for a price of $261.76. Less $30 would be $231.76. $.891/watt. Likely plus shipping. And maybe some cabling.
My recent installs have cost about $100 per 245w panel plus micro inverter.
$.408/watt. That includes shipping and cabling. Prospects are for string inverter hardware cost to be about $2150 for 6000 watts. $.358/watt. I THINK the 6kw inverter will handle 3675 watts (15 245w panels) in east facing panels plus 3675 watts in west facing without energy loss. That would put the cost at $.292/watt.
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Thursday, January 23, 2020
SpaceX Launch Facility at Boca Chica
https://photos.app.goo.gl/4WsTUBB6Dwm2gygh8
Not that I know anything about rocket launching, but this doesn't look promising as a Cape Canaveral competitor. There seems to be a lot of private property in the area that would be needed as a safety buffer. The developed site is in the middle of an apparently failed retirement/vacation community. OTOH, maybe SpaceX is already making good progress on acqusitions.
Teslarati pretty closely follows SpaceX:
https://www.teslarati.com/category/spacex/
There are two Sprung structures pictured and a largish more permanent structure. It took me a while to figure out what "RGV" means. That's in the sign on the permanent structure.
I think I've read that the rocket structure under construction is supposed to be a real useable rocket though it looks more like a mock up to me. I believe I've read that they start with the top, jack it up, and add lower sections one by one. I believe this is the "Starship", not the functioning Falcons. Likely, the thing in the photos is to be used and probably destroyed in testing.
The first photo is approaching the facility from the direction of Brownsville.
The second shows a security pickup that was just sitting there until he started chasing me.
The third is the permanent structure; by zooming, you can read the sign.
Four through seven are of the Sprung structures and the under construction rocket shell.
Eight is apparently tracking radar units.
Nine is a ground mount PV installation.
Ten is looking back toward Brownsville from a residential road just past the facility.
Eleven is one of several of the residential streets. Many houses delapidated and vacant. Some, occupied.
Twelve, looking back at the facility from the edge of the group of houses in eleven.
Thirteen, tax foreclosure sign on property near the facility.
Forteen and fifteen, occupied house on the Brownsville side of the facility. The security pickup is near the house. He had stopped me from approaching the house even though there was no restricted access signage.
Sixteen through eighteen: I had a very nice supper at Mambo's in McAllen . Mambo started in Houston and now has several sites.
https://www.mamboseafood.com/
2/12/2020
A really great article about the real estate situation in Boca Chica:
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/02/space-x-texas-village-boca-chica/606382/
Not that I know anything about rocket launching, but this doesn't look promising as a Cape Canaveral competitor. There seems to be a lot of private property in the area that would be needed as a safety buffer. The developed site is in the middle of an apparently failed retirement/vacation community. OTOH, maybe SpaceX is already making good progress on acqusitions.
Teslarati pretty closely follows SpaceX:
https://www.teslarati.com/category/spacex/
There are two Sprung structures pictured and a largish more permanent structure. It took me a while to figure out what "RGV" means. That's in the sign on the permanent structure.
I think I've read that the rocket structure under construction is supposed to be a real useable rocket though it looks more like a mock up to me. I believe I've read that they start with the top, jack it up, and add lower sections one by one. I believe this is the "Starship", not the functioning Falcons. Likely, the thing in the photos is to be used and probably destroyed in testing.
The first photo is approaching the facility from the direction of Brownsville.
The second shows a security pickup that was just sitting there until he started chasing me.
The third is the permanent structure; by zooming, you can read the sign.
Four through seven are of the Sprung structures and the under construction rocket shell.
Eight is apparently tracking radar units.
Nine is a ground mount PV installation.
Ten is looking back toward Brownsville from a residential road just past the facility.
Eleven is one of several of the residential streets. Many houses delapidated and vacant. Some, occupied.
Twelve, looking back at the facility from the edge of the group of houses in eleven.
Thirteen, tax foreclosure sign on property near the facility.
Forteen and fifteen, occupied house on the Brownsville side of the facility. The security pickup is near the house. He had stopped me from approaching the house even though there was no restricted access signage.
Sixteen through eighteen: I had a very nice supper at Mambo's in McAllen . Mambo started in Houston and now has several sites.
https://www.mamboseafood.com/
2/12/2020
A really great article about the real estate situation in Boca Chica:
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/02/space-x-texas-village-boca-chica/606382/
Monday, January 20, 2020
2020 Electric Bills
Bill dated 1/20/2020 is -$174.05
Prior bills, in 2019, were -$157.20, -$204.19, -$185.81, -$200.90. Earlier, generally less magnitude than -$100. One year ago, the bill was +$67.50 which is the "connection fee" on the three meters. Prior to about April 2019, all meters were on the old rate schedule which resulted in annual crediting of over production; about April, I converted one meter to the new rate schedule which resulted in monthly credits. The monthly crediting started covering my "connection fees". More than covering.
January was a pretty bad month with short days and much cloudiness. So, I still look forward to ~-$200/month. Or more.
I had quite a bit of damage due to a wind storm in mid January. But, I lost no more than 10% of my production. I'm gradually putting things back in order in addition to working on more installs and conversion to steeply sloping E/W panels. I just need more time. And, more stamina/energy.
3/17/2020
Bill dated 2/18/2020 is -$154.06
The annual "banked" credits from the legacy rate structures were additionally credited totaling just under $1k. Into the future, only one of my meters remains on the legacy rate. Total credit is balance is -$1916.98. I can either spend that credit on Bluebonnet upgrades or take a cash payment; a cash payment would be a taxable event.
3/19/2020
Bill dated 3/18/2020 is -$269.93
A new one month sales record! A not particularly good month. Mid length days and quite a bit of cloudiness.
Woohoo! I'm on my way! I can see ~$500 near year end. Or more.
4/20/2020
Bill dated 3/19/2020 is -$192.50
Primary reason for decline is cloudy rainy weather. Secondary reason is two days of lost production across the road due to transformer upgrade disruption. Cost of the transformer upgrade was covered by accumulated credit, about $2k.
Plotting for increased production continues.
5/18/2020
Prior bills, in 2019, were -$157.20, -$204.19, -$185.81, -$200.90. Earlier, generally less magnitude than -$100. One year ago, the bill was +$67.50 which is the "connection fee" on the three meters. Prior to about April 2019, all meters were on the old rate schedule which resulted in annual crediting of over production; about April, I converted one meter to the new rate schedule which resulted in monthly credits. The monthly crediting started covering my "connection fees". More than covering.
January was a pretty bad month with short days and much cloudiness. So, I still look forward to ~-$200/month. Or more.
I had quite a bit of damage due to a wind storm in mid January. But, I lost no more than 10% of my production. I'm gradually putting things back in order in addition to working on more installs and conversion to steeply sloping E/W panels. I just need more time. And, more stamina/energy.
3/17/2020
Bill dated 2/18/2020 is -$154.06
The annual "banked" credits from the legacy rate structures were additionally credited totaling just under $1k. Into the future, only one of my meters remains on the legacy rate. Total credit is balance is -$1916.98. I can either spend that credit on Bluebonnet upgrades or take a cash payment; a cash payment would be a taxable event.
3/19/2020
Bill dated 3/18/2020 is -$269.93
A new one month sales record! A not particularly good month. Mid length days and quite a bit of cloudiness.
Woohoo! I'm on my way! I can see ~$500 near year end. Or more.
4/20/2020
Bill dated 3/19/2020 is -$192.50
Primary reason for decline is cloudy rainy weather. Secondary reason is two days of lost production across the road due to transformer upgrade disruption. Cost of the transformer upgrade was covered by accumulated credit, about $2k.
Plotting for increased production continues.
5/18/2020
Bill dated 5/17/2020 is -$489.51 and includes a "capital credit" of $85.31. My production credit, then, is just over $400 as expected. Generally we had pretty good production weather slightly countered by the billing period being only 28 days.
I continue to work on adding production but progress has been slowed due to trouble getting new string inverters working. Though I continue to expect/hope for significant improvement in the near term. Both the 37.5 and 50kva transformers are peaking at 20-25kw so there is significant head room for growth in both. Prior to upgrades, peak powers were limited to 16-17kw.
Sunday, January 12, 2020
Cedar Choppers
I recently saw a promotion of this book on the TV:
https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-culture/cedar-choppers-once-ruled-texas-hill-country/
I've been intending to get a copy.
From the time we moved to Austin about 1952 until Austin became terminally gentrified about 1980, cedar choppers were a feature in Austin society. In junior high through college, it was widely held common knowledge that you don't mess with cedar choppers. Especially the ones you might encounter in beer joints. They were especially physically fit. And not necessarily even tempered.
There used to be a string of semi-rough beer joints along North Lamar; Threadgill's being one. In college, I remember one project one night was to see how many of those bars could be visited, drinking one beer at each. I don't remember how that came out. As I recall, there were similar beer joints on Congress, just north of the river. Out the Jollyville Road (183) there was a notable bar, "The Cap Rock", at the top of a hill. I can still identify the location. A church or somesuch. A memorable high school geography teacher first enlighted me on the significance of the west Texas Cap Rock. The Cap Rock beer joint was perched on the top of a ridge somewhat similar to the real Cap Rock.
All the area NW of Austin was "cedar chopper country". Jollyville, Spicewood, etc. They lived in modest to marginal self built homes up and down the roads. You would see well worn single axle stake bed trucks parked at the houses. Loaded with the very durable local cedar posts destined for fence construction through out the state.
Cedar choppers were not well integrated. If I went to school with any of the kids, I am unaware. I'm not aware of any running for elected office. Before this book was published, I was unaware of their social history. Something like gypsies but more clustered and geographically stable.
As well as having the reputation of being extreme tough and strong, and sometimes irrascible, cedar choppers had the reputation of being honest and honorable.
https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-culture/cedar-choppers-once-ruled-texas-hill-country/
I've been intending to get a copy.
From the time we moved to Austin about 1952 until Austin became terminally gentrified about 1980, cedar choppers were a feature in Austin society. In junior high through college, it was widely held common knowledge that you don't mess with cedar choppers. Especially the ones you might encounter in beer joints. They were especially physically fit. And not necessarily even tempered.
There used to be a string of semi-rough beer joints along North Lamar; Threadgill's being one. In college, I remember one project one night was to see how many of those bars could be visited, drinking one beer at each. I don't remember how that came out. As I recall, there were similar beer joints on Congress, just north of the river. Out the Jollyville Road (183) there was a notable bar, "The Cap Rock", at the top of a hill. I can still identify the location. A church or somesuch. A memorable high school geography teacher first enlighted me on the significance of the west Texas Cap Rock. The Cap Rock beer joint was perched on the top of a ridge somewhat similar to the real Cap Rock.
All the area NW of Austin was "cedar chopper country". Jollyville, Spicewood, etc. They lived in modest to marginal self built homes up and down the roads. You would see well worn single axle stake bed trucks parked at the houses. Loaded with the very durable local cedar posts destined for fence construction through out the state.
Cedar choppers were not well integrated. If I went to school with any of the kids, I am unaware. I'm not aware of any running for elected office. Before this book was published, I was unaware of their social history. Something like gypsies but more clustered and geographically stable.
As well as having the reputation of being extreme tough and strong, and sometimes irrascible, cedar choppers had the reputation of being honest and honorable.
Monday, January 6, 2020
Web Journey
I was again looking at information about Leander McNelly:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leander_H._McNelly
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7677129/leander-harvey-mcnelly
I have long thought that Cpt McNelly does not have the recognition that he deserves. I've visited his grave a couple of times. One of the FindAGrave "flower" comments gives the story of how the rather impressive monument was constructed shortly after McNelly's burial.
Note that, in addition to his Louisana Civil War exploits, McNelly was part of the ill fated invasion of New Mexico and the arduous retreat.
I noticed Cpt McNelly's widow lived long after he died. By following FindAGrave links, I found her in Austin's Oakwood Cemetery. Being next to downtown, anyone in Oakwood is "old Austin". I found she married second Thomas Wroe. Recognizing the Wroe name, I found her stepson is Hiram Wroe who is father to Ed Wroe Sr, and grandfather to Ed Wroe Jr. All three in Oakwood. The two Ed Wroes were operators of American National Bank in Austin and much in the news.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/austin-tx/ed-wroe-8211425
http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=164839
So, Ed Wroe Jr is step great grandson of Cpt McNelly! Or, maybe it should be
"step step great grandson".
That's what idleness, internet access, and inquistiveness will do to you.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leander_H._McNelly
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7677129/leander-harvey-mcnelly
I have long thought that Cpt McNelly does not have the recognition that he deserves. I've visited his grave a couple of times. One of the FindAGrave "flower" comments gives the story of how the rather impressive monument was constructed shortly after McNelly's burial.
Note that, in addition to his Louisana Civil War exploits, McNelly was part of the ill fated invasion of New Mexico and the arduous retreat.
I noticed Cpt McNelly's widow lived long after he died. By following FindAGrave links, I found her in Austin's Oakwood Cemetery. Being next to downtown, anyone in Oakwood is "old Austin". I found she married second Thomas Wroe. Recognizing the Wroe name, I found her stepson is Hiram Wroe who is father to Ed Wroe Sr, and grandfather to Ed Wroe Jr. All three in Oakwood. The two Ed Wroes were operators of American National Bank in Austin and much in the news.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/austin-tx/ed-wroe-8211425
http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=164839
So, Ed Wroe Jr is step great grandson of Cpt McNelly! Or, maybe it should be
"step step great grandson".
That's what idleness, internet access, and inquistiveness will do to you.
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