Thursday, May 17, 2012

EV Picnic in Macungie May 5 & a trailer for the 21st Century Automotive Challenge this weekend!

The 4th "and concluding" EV-ent in Macungie went off so swimmingly that we were relieved, here at Bucks County Renewables, of any apprehensions we might have had about barely promoting said occasion, least of all here on the blog.  I was, nonetheless, mightily puzzled today to find that only a blank draft entitled "EV Picnic on May 5!" existed when up till now I seriously believed an entire promotional piece had been composed and posted on April 12.   Sigh, maybe I only dreamed that I wrote it, in one of my horrible realistic dreams. 

Pictures and a write-up of the EV-ent in Macungie were fortunately forthcoming from eco-modder Jeff Haskell, who returned for a 2nd year to the EV-ent and once again saved the day as far as official recording went -- we had 15 vehicles, which was amazing, and so much fun that I am worn out all over again just thinking about it!  Hurray for us!

Skip to the 21st Century Automotive Challenge Trailer if You Don't Want to Read a Lot More Details About the EV-ent

In signature Bucks County Renewables style, I had left everything having to do with towing the Miata to Macungie to the last minute and then some.  Meanwhile Saint Bill was all organized with a tow vehicle for the e-Van (grrrr).  The Miata being not street-legal owing to a personal pathology involving me and filing forms in a timely manner, I could not just drive it there.  Fortunately, the e-Van blew up a battery (considerately not very far away from Bill's house, so he could return on foot) en route to its pre-show clean-up, making a big mess & putting itself firmly on the disabled list.  Ta-da!  With the e-Van out of commission the Miata had a free tow & a friendly driver -- plus I helpfully got my back dirty and everything learning how to hook up chains and tire straps!  So we GOT there, and had a wonderful time.

Did I mention there were fifteen vehicles?  And everybody there was solidly talking to each other, trading tips & learning stuff, or in John Yecker's case lending out parts (an old lead-acid charger to tide over Dan from last summer's workshop, whose charger for his EV is being reprogrammed to take lithium!) or collecting them (the controller we borrowed to make the van go in September).  It was relaxed, fun, & educational!

Our Fearless Leader Anna DiGate and I were so pleased with ourselves that we swore we would do it again.  I also distinctly recollect that Brandon signed on as the Sign Person, and hereby nominate him additionally as Chief Organizer & Official Eye Candy of the Fifth and Not-Final EV-ent in Macungie. 

I was so cross with myself for not having executed the long-promised enhanced safety vehicle inspection the Miata requires to be properly titled as a modified automobile and back on the road 100% legally, that I actually initiated that journey this week BUT I cannot spare a minute to recount what turned out to be a tortuous adventure because, while I have been dawdling around not posting about the EV-ent the 21st Century Automotive Challenge has ben sneaking up on us!  And look!

Here is an incredibly cute trailer for this weekend's 21st Century Automotive Challenge in State College

Shared just tonight (yes, this is breaking news, people) by Ollie Perry, the President of the Eastern Electric Vehicle Club, this real-time video features our favorite man of mystery, Dan Monroe, in the biggest cliffhanger of his Saturn's build so far, as he races to complete it in time for the event this weekend!


Monroe Strives to Finish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QM9U765c8Y

2 comments:

jisaacs said...

Comment by author, who is supposed to be doing something else: this is one of the first times that a genuine spelling error has been published, it was because i was posting from Picasa and it froze up on me and I had to upload without editing, I'm gonna retain it to remind myself to be humble even though it was PROBABLY because I was typing so fast

Dan M. said...

It's a shame. To be done in by a vowel. ^_^

Well the bad news is I didn't make it to Penn State. The good news is after a few minor/major mishaps (which I will blame on mental fatigue from several straight days of converting >_< and decade old brittle plastic) the Saturn is moving under LiFePO4 power.

Saturday afternoon, after duct taping one of the shift cables back onto the linkage, my family and I took the first test drive around the neighborhood. Followed swiftly by a celebratory dinner at the diner down the street. Then a few demo drives/errand runs for friends and neighbors. Then a few more laps around the neighborhood...

While I still have a long list of items to finish up. I hope to have the car inspected and driving in a few days. Sorry Jenny, no more parts to display. We'll just have to stick the little signs around under the hood from now on.