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Two more days to enter the Secret Santa!
Entries must be in by midnight on November 29th. We're kicking off the 2024 Secret Santa! Exchange gifts with other monkeys - from beer and snacks, to bike gear, to custom machined holiday decorations and tools by our more talented members, there's something for everyone.
progress on new master suite
that's the bathroom area here. didn't do a drop ceiling throughout so the bathroom is it's own little building
doorway from upstairs hallway to the master suite at left. new closets at right in first photo and in the third photo. scars on wall from where the built in speakers and projector screen were removed
washer/dryer location. bathroom at end of hall being redone at right of first photo. sorry about photo quality--photos by the designer lady, not me.
that's the bathroom area here. didn't do a drop ceiling throughout so the bathroom is it's own little building
doorway from upstairs hallway to the master suite at left. new closets at right in first photo and in the third photo. scars on wall from where the built in speakers and projector screen were removed
washer/dryer location. bathroom at end of hall being redone at right of first photo. sorry about photo quality--photos by the designer lady, not me.
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Pepsico explains how it uses Tesla Semi electric trucks in glimpse of the future of trucking
Pepsico explained how it uses its fleet of Tesla Semi electric trucks in a fascinating video that gives us a...
electrek.co
750 kW DCFC at their depot. 1.7 kWh/mi energy consumption on average. Didn’t watch the video to see if they discussed what GVW they run at usually.
Consumers may soon get up to $14,000 or more in rebates for making energy-efficient home upgrades — if states sign on
The Inflation Reduction Act created two consumer-rebate programs tied to energy efficiency. Florida has signaled it won't apply for the federal funding.
www.cnbc.com
Will keep an eye out on how this program plays out wrt total project cost. The headline amounts are income capped.
time for Math Time with Oji-chan Toshi-kun
www.carscoops.com
it's based off of this, which offers no additional detail:
www.andersoneconomicgroup.com
the 2022 Chevy Bolt is rated at 281 Wh/mi including charging losses. so that's 28.1 kWh to drive it 100 miles. $9.78 would therefore imply 34.8 cent/kWh electricity. sure, Hawaii exceeds this cost as do PGE rates in California save for off-peak. but the national average is 17 cents/kWh, which works out to $4.78/100 miles driven. on Oahu at 43.43 cents/kWh that'd be $12.20, and in California charged off-peak with a second meter that'd be $7.87.
meanwhile a 2022 Honda Civic gets about 35 MPG combined per the EPA, or 2.9 gallons/100 miles driven. national average gas price is $3.831/gal as of today, Hawaii $4.756/gal, California $5.057/gal. that's $11.11, $13.79, $14.67 per 100 miles driven, respectively.
so their claim is widely false per national averages, as expected, and is even false in Hawaii and California.
Study Says Charging An EV Costs More Than Filling Up An ICE Car Per 100 Miles Driven | Carscoops
Filling up an entry-level ICE can cost $9.78 per 100 miles that can be driven compared to $15.97 per 100 miles for an EV
www.carscoops.com
it's based off of this, which offers no additional detail:
Some Cars Cheaper to Fuel with Gas Than Electric in 2023
Mid-priced ICE cars cost $11 to drive 100 miles in 2023 East Lansing, MI–August 1, 2023: Anderson Economic Group has released fueling cost estimates for comparable internal combustion engine (ICE) …
www.andersoneconomicgroup.com
time to check their headline claims here:
the 2022 Chevy Bolt is rated at 281 Wh/mi including charging losses. so that's 28.1 kWh to drive it 100 miles. $9.78 would therefore imply 34.8 cent/kWh electricity. sure, Hawaii exceeds this cost as do PGE rates in California save for off-peak. but the national average is 17 cents/kWh, which works out to $4.78/100 miles driven. on Oahu at 43.43 cents/kWh that'd be $12.20, and in California charged off-peak with a second meter that'd be $7.87.
meanwhile a 2022 Honda Civic gets about 35 MPG combined per the EPA, or 2.9 gallons/100 miles driven. national average gas price is $3.831/gal as of today, Hawaii $4.756/gal, California $5.057/gal. that's $11.11, $13.79, $14.67 per 100 miles driven, respectively.
so their claim is widely false per national averages, as expected, and is even false in Hawaii and California.
Giving this a try for ye olde Land Cruiser. $50 coupon from this price. A whole raft of very similar such screens have cropped up on Amazon as of late. I also got an $8 aux female to USB-A male adapter to hopefully get reasonable quality audio to my stereo:
Phone running Amazon or Apple Music - wireless CarPlay to this Chinese screen thing - aux out from that - adapter - USB audio in to the Toyota stereo via my box that uses the DVD changer input
I give it a 20% chance of not being returned.
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first one still asking 1.1 but noticeably not sold yet
second now down to 899 vs a 949 Zestimate.
501 Paintbrush Terrace, Tabernash, CO 80478 | Zillow
501 Paintbrush Terrace, Tabernash CO, is a Townhouse home that contains 2336 sq ft and was built in 2007.It contains 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.This home last sold for $825,000 in November 2023. The Zestimate for this Townhouse is $819,000, which has decreased by $6,533 in the last 30 days.The...
www.zillow.com
is still not sold at 899. and the Zestimate has dropped from 949 to 860! yikes
going to check the dates on the Land Cruiser's KO2s and Nokians but both have likely aged out by many reasonable measures.
stock tire size on my Land Cruiser was P275/60R18, a straight up 31". the Michelin CrossClimate 2 would be a decent 4 season option if I elected to not do non-winters/Nokians again, or even just as a straight up non-winter choice that works well in the shoulder seasons. it doesn't come in 275/60-18 but does come in 265/60-18 (30.5", -1.5% circumference) or 255/65-18 (31.1", +0.2% circumference).
those alt sizes are in 110V and 111H load ratings: 2,337 and 2,403 lb per corner, respectively. max GVWR is 6,925 lb so that'd be fine.
for winters, the Nokian R5 SUV is the current model. it doesn't come in 275/60-18, either, but does come in 265/60-18, 265/65-18 (31.6", +1.8"), and a couple of taller sizes yet I don't want due to the gearing issue (275/65-18, 255/70-18). probably would pick the 30.5" downsized option for this similarly. small tire lyfe, yo
stock tire size on my Land Cruiser was P275/60R18, a straight up 31". the Michelin CrossClimate 2 would be a decent 4 season option if I elected to not do non-winters/Nokians again, or even just as a straight up non-winter choice that works well in the shoulder seasons. it doesn't come in 275/60-18 but does come in 265/60-18 (30.5", -1.5% circumference) or 255/65-18 (31.1", +0.2% circumference).
those alt sizes are in 110V and 111H load ratings: 2,337 and 2,403 lb per corner, respectively. max GVWR is 6,925 lb so that'd be fine.
for winters, the Nokian R5 SUV is the current model. it doesn't come in 275/60-18, either, but does come in 265/60-18, 265/65-18 (31.6", +1.8"), and a couple of taller sizes yet I don't want due to the gearing issue (275/65-18, 255/70-18). probably would pick the 30.5" downsized option for this similarly. small tire lyfe, yo
Reddit - Dive into anything
www.reddit.com
the verdict seems to be still a bit up in the air, albeit clouded by some crap anecdotes and older models referred to. but I would probably would be fine with these year round and given I don’t drive high miles at all what with bike commuting that’d make more sense from a wear/aging out perspective.
on the other hand, I already have a set of extra wheels and TPMS. probably should do it right for ski season. I’ll do that (all this assuming my memory is correct and both sets are 7+ years old or so)
Last morning in Cannon Beach. Minivan filled up, stomachs filled up, up 101 to Astoria now. Wife driving first half-ish then me.
The marionberry scone was particularly good as was my eggs Benedict with Dungeness crab.
The marionberry scone was particularly good as was my eggs Benedict with Dungeness crab.
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Time to lookup some axle weight ratings. Spotted south of Olympia on I-5 today
the stupid wheels are on an HD Chevy. Debadged but for the Powermax logo, plus long bed. Will assume it’s a 2500 based off of the thought process behind that wheel/tire package.
a 2022 Chevy Silverado HD, 2500, crew cab, long bed, Duramax, 4x4 weighs 7,886 lb against an 11,350 lb GVWR. 3,464 lb payload, surprisingly good for a 3/4 ton. 3500 SRW would only yield 900 lb more here. Chevy claims 3,597 lb but not sure how that magic math works. 18.5k tow rating with a 5th wheel, gooseneck, or bumper pull alike.
of the Cherokee Wolf Pack 5th wheel toy haulers, this one is notable for two awnings on the right with a small window between them, two doors with a small right sided storage compartment between them, and two slides including that tiny one up front. one window on the front of the larger slide. these features don't precisely match a 2023 floorplan but the 365Pack16 is the closest:
this thing is 12,764 lb unladen, 4,124 lb CCC including the hauled toys, 16,888 lb GVWR at a listed 2,888 lb hitch weight.
3,464 - 2,888 == 576 lb. so unless he and his family are exceptionally lightweight they're right at the Chevy's GVWR. and I bet those wheels and tires are rated lower yet. failboats.
the stupid wheels are on an HD Chevy. Debadged but for the Powermax logo, plus long bed. Will assume it’s a 2500 based off of the thought process behind that wheel/tire package.
a 2022 Chevy Silverado HD, 2500, crew cab, long bed, Duramax, 4x4 weighs 7,886 lb against an 11,350 lb GVWR. 3,464 lb payload, surprisingly good for a 3/4 ton. 3500 SRW would only yield 900 lb more here. Chevy claims 3,597 lb but not sure how that magic math works. 18.5k tow rating with a 5th wheel, gooseneck, or bumper pull alike.
of the Cherokee Wolf Pack 5th wheel toy haulers, this one is notable for two awnings on the right with a small window between them, two doors with a small right sided storage compartment between them, and two slides including that tiny one up front. one window on the front of the larger slide. these features don't precisely match a 2023 floorplan but the 365Pack16 is the closest:
this thing is 12,764 lb unladen, 4,124 lb CCC including the hauled toys, 16,888 lb GVWR at a listed 2,888 lb hitch weight.
3,464 - 2,888 == 576 lb. so unless he and his family are exceptionally lightweight they're right at the Chevy's GVWR. and I bet those wheels and tires are rated lower yet. failboats.
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credit score gods were appeased a bit even mid month in June. but now angered once again: opened up a $30k card with some random Cleveland credit union because 0% APR x 12 mo with 0% transfer fee intro offer. if I can float $30k for free for 12 mo then yes, I'll take the transient credit score hit.
not like I'm going to open up a new auto loan any time soon anyway… right guys? right?
(note that Nick totally called the EQB's shelf life back when I tried those awful whistling cross bars for it, for the record. and I kinda did myself when I knew that I shouldn't sell the Land Cruiser.
)
tonight's pointless exercise as I lounge here in bed in Seattle shall be to see if I can find a fifth wheel or TT that a theoretical Ram 1500 REV could comfortably haul (14k tow rating but short bed so funny sliding hitch? and assuming a 2,700 lb payload. so let's say hard caps of 12k weight, 1,700 lb pin or hitch weight) that'd haveof the Cherokee Wolf Pack 5th wheel toy haulers, this one is notable for two awnings on the right with a small window between them, two doors with a small right sided storage compartment between them, and two slides including that tiny one up front. one window on the front of the larger slide. these features don't precisely match a 2023 floorplan but the 365Pack16 is the closest:
this thing is 12,764 lb unladen, 4,124 lb CCC including the hauled toys, 16,888 lb GVWR at a listed 2,888 lb hitch weight.
what'd really help is if one of the myriad of RV floorplan finders actually had useful king bed filters. maybe that exists. ain't nobody got time for sleeping cramped with a partner on a 60" width queen bed. i'm a side sleeper and like to sprawl.
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note that this assumes that in the future there'll be ample 350 kW+ CCS or NACS DCFC with pull through access for trailers. this isn't the case now. but maybe with the Megacharger network? who knows. anyway, something to pass the time since doing my recredentialing paperwork doesn't sound entertaining to think about at all.
so this seems to be the most useful floorplan finder for these purposes, although note that it's programmed stupidly to search multiple check boxes as OR, not AND.
RV Floor Plan Types. Michigan RV Dealer Lakeshore RV
For those of you looking for particular Floor Plan Types this page is intended to allow you to browse your way to model floor plans of your choice.
lakeshore-rv.com
anyway, a quick perusal with a weight limit of 12k yielded one plausible option:
and there's no Ekko style mini bike garage or the like. all that length and so little of it actually useful.
Dune Sport looks like they do custom jobs. no induction/big battery modernity but floorplan seems workable at these GVWR limits. 4 season option for tanks, too.
dunesport.com
Build Your Custom Toy Hauler RV | Dune Sport
Build your custom toy hauler with Dune Sport. Choose a bumper pull or fifth wheel based on size, floorplan, and more to easily customize your vehicle today.
dunesport.com
Sandstorm 286GSLR - Forest River RV
Details, floorplan, specifications, and more about the Sandstorm 286GSLR Sandstorm Fifth Wheels.
forestriverinc.com
or the 304GSLR, even a 241GLE. over 14k GVWR for the 286GSLR but that's with an unladen weight under 10k and the high carrying capacity for carrying a side by side or the like. the electric bed/fold-up dinette with access via ramp to the interior area seems perfect for bike access, actually. kinda like a giant version of the lifting beds on 2 person cargo van conversion builds.
long and short of it is that apparently the toy hauler with electric bed lift paradigm is the one that makes sense for this pointless thought experiment.
credit score gods were appeased a bit even mid month in June. but now angered once again: opened up a $30k card with some random Cleveland credit union because 0% APR x 12 mo with 0% transfer fee intro offer. if I can float $30k for free for 12 mo then yes, I'll take the transient credit score hit.
not like I'm going to open up a new auto loan any time soon anyway… right guys? right?
went to book United flights to-from Seattle for over winter break and found just stupid prices. so turned to Alaska instead. and, relevant to the above, ended up applying for and getting extended another $22k in credit.
(they pulled a 746 score from Experian effective today, so go figure.)
anyway, this made sense:
'tis good to be deemed creditworthy, I suppose. I'm a good mark in the eyes of the mainframes running these approval systems with their five 9s uptime and all.
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I guessed that The Points Guy would have this covered. And I was right
How to save with the Alaska Airlines Companion Fare - The Points Guy
Is the Alaska Airline Companion Fare certificate all it's cracked up to be? Here, we break down how to get the most value from that certificate.
Note that my signup promo was for $200 back on a $2k spend + the 50k points, with no immediate companion fare code but instead one at a year’s anniversary. Just as well/all the same more or less.
I’m going to bring my ski gear to Seattle over winter break. will get a day or two in at Crystal and Snoqualmie with high school buddies ideally. Family seems uninterested, which is fine in terms of logistics for (not) carting their stuff in airport.
will get a day or two in at Crystal and Snoqualmie with high school buddies ideally. Family seems uninterested, which is fine in terms of logistics for (not) carting their stuff in airport.
attn @stevew and @SkaredShtles in particular
snowbrains.com
Mountain Homes Near Beautiful Ski Areas in Italy are Selling for Less Than $2 - But There's a Catch - SnowBrains
The Italian town of Pratola Peligna in the stunning Apennine Mountains, in the Abruzzo region of Italy, is selling off homes for £1 ($1.10 USD). The area is home to dozens of ski areas, beautiful views, and is only two hours away from Rome. Why Are These Homes So Cheap? Abruzzo is the latest...
snowbrains.com
Home ownership is for the birds. Even in Italy.attn @stevew and @SkaredShtles in particular
Mountain Homes Near Beautiful Ski Areas in Italy are Selling for Less Than $2 - But There's a Catch - SnowBrains
The Italian town of Pratola Peligna in the stunning Apennine Mountains, in the Abruzzo region of Italy, is selling off homes for £1 ($1.10 USD). The area is home to dozens of ski areas, beautiful views, and is only two hours away from Rome. Why Are These Homes So Cheap? Abruzzo is the latest...
More my speed: https://housinganywhere.com/room/ut1026645/it/Siena/via-fiorentina?bedroomCount=1&categories=apartment-for-rent&furniture=furnished
€750/month in the heart of Tuscany...
Relevant:I periodically check whether bidirectional EVSE are actually available in the US for V2H or V2G given that Denver has their (presumed 80% of project cost up to) $2k rebate specific to this.
Bidirectional EV charging explained - V2G, V2H & V2L — Clean Energy Reviews
Bidirectional EV charging is an emerging technology that is set to transform how electric vehicles are used. We explain how bidirectional chargers work and the various technologies available including Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and Vehicle-to-home (V2H), and Vehicle-to-load (V2L)www.cleanenergyreviews.info
as of now here's the state of the world:
V2H is coming to the 2024+ Chevy Silverado EV/GMC Sierra EV, Blazer and Equinox EVs, Cadillac Lyriq, and Cadillac Escalade IQ.
On the house side, GM Energy will offer:
will peruse later
insideevs.com
Colorado Proposes Generous Electric Vehicle Incentives For New Buyers
Colorado is offering several state-level incentives to boost EV sales, as part of Governor Jared Polis' ambitious plan to electrify its streets.
insideevs.com
Also for later reference/booking:
fareharbor.com
AIARE level 1 course at Winter Park. Ideal for me. Shall figure out a weekend to make this work, with the zoom day 1 part of it.
Booking powered by FareHarbor
Book directly online with live availability, whether you're at a computer or on the go.
AIARE level 1 course at Winter Park. Ideal for me. Shall figure out a weekend to make this work, with the zoom day 1 part of it.
RV floorplans and specs are a perennial source of brain tickling for me—even rented one!—but I will never actually have one. Way too much sunk cost for something that in reality involves much drudgery (highway travel time, non-picturesque intermediate layovers, RV parks, cleaning it/its tanks).
wife and I discussed these things and concluded that we are indeed drive/fly/hotel kind of people ultimately.
thus revised financial goals will be:
wife and I discussed these things and concluded that we are indeed drive/fly/hotel kind of people ultimately.
thus revised financial goals will be:
a mix of living/enjoying being in the now and being prudent.
I'll be up on the 21st to see all this work for myself. also scheduled the same HVAC outfit that did the prior heat pump install (details below) to come out a bit later on the 21st for another quote.
what they did in 2021:
what I am looking for in 2023:
I'm also going to get insulation blown into the attic at long last, as what batts are there are patchy and well settled down, likely well less than R-19 effective now. the electrical/drywall work is finally at a point that this is ok. MPEI has no rebates for this but will finance the project effectively at 0% afaik against my monthly bills (and that forthcoming heat pump rebate through them), which is nice to have one less thing to worry about.
I guess I should also have them price out just a basic mini split AC setup, too, as well as a non-cold climate heat pump (which would get a flat $1800 from MPEI). will $1k/ton + the CO + Fed tax credits (10% + state sales tax exemption, and 30%-but-capped-at-$2k, respectively) make the heat pump options cheaper?
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ok, so they break it out into individual programswill peruse later
Colorado Proposes Generous Electric Vehicle Incentives For New Buyers
Colorado is offering several state-level incentives to boost EV sales, as part of Governor Jared Polis' ambitious plan to electrify its streets.
$5,000: Colorado EV Tax Credit
Nothing new here. CO went back to $5k as of July 1 for MSRP < $80k, which didn't help me with this EQB as I took delivery in May. hmph. in prior years it was as high as $6k so this is old hat, but at least something.
$2,500: Low Cost Credit
additional $2.5k starting Jan 1, 2024 if the EV has MSRP < $35k. unlikely to help me.
$6,000: Vehicle Exchange Program
$5,500: Xcel Energy rebates
$7,500: Federal Tax Credit
Income qualified programs that don't help me.
$12,000: Hybrid and Electric Trucks
This might help me for a future electric pickup or van. Highway capable, GVWR > 8,500 lb, >= 4 kWh battery, new purchases or >= 24 mo leases alike. Light duty vehicles as well as buses that seat at least 33 (?! random) qualify.
credit amounts scale by year and GVWR. gravy train ends in 2025 for class 3-6. class 2 is treated the same tax-wise as non-truck passenger vehicles, which is fair enough.
so I should angle to purchase a class 3-6 electric truck in 2025, eh
One of those or a Unimog would be awesome if I were a trust fund baby and could adventure across the world all year without a care
unfortunately I am merely a working man
I shan’t buy one of these
arstechnica.com
Don’t want something too fancy to get dirty. I like the concept of a Ram BEV in a few years. Or maybe just Land Cruiser forever + e-biking as much as possible.
Cadillac reveals the 2025 Escalade IQ, one excessive EV
450 miles of range, 24-inch wheels, and a price tag starting around $130,000.
arstechnica.com
Don’t want something too fancy to get dirty. I like the concept of a Ram BEV in a few years. Or maybe just Land Cruiser forever + e-biking as much as possible.