RE: Aux start switch and Magnetek 6345 converter
That kit you linked is for a WFCO converter ....
I didn't know Progressive Dynamics built or sold WFCO converters. :h
The PD4545 or PD4655 should be an excellent replacement if you have wet cell batteries, ok if you have AGM and not good for gel due to different voltage requirements. You can probably buy one through bestconverter.com.
RE: solar electric
One company that I've worked with and have a good opinion of is No. Arizona Wind & Sun. They also have a forum site and an education site. They don't do installs (at least not in Texas), but sell equipment.
RE: fuse to slideout?
All the slideout fuses I've seen have been close to the battery. There has been a separate wire from the battery post to the sideout.
RE: Voting
President and Vice-President are voted on together, governor, senator, representitives and other state and local offices are voted on separately.
RE: The Economy & Bail Out Options
In a somewhat lighter vein, the Treasury is issuing new $1 bills to reflect the situation:
http://www.picvault.info/images/537079349_New%20dollar%20bill.bmp
RE: The Economy & Bail Out Options
....
Any more GUESSES out there??
The average length of the various US panics and Great Depression taken together is 5.1 years. That's my guess, and I'm sticking to it. That matches Jim Cramer's advice to pull any money you need in the next 5 years out of the market.
RE: Why aren't Canadians having a crisis?
The banks were forced to make loans to unqualified buyers. The only way those peolpe could make the payments was with adjustable rate loans. As soon as the interest rate jumped, there was no hope of being able to make the payments and the forclosures began.
Banks "forced to make loans to unqualified buyers"? :h A major reason my bank, Wells Fargo, is still doing well is that they didn't. At least that's what they say and their financial standing supports that statement.
RE: Welding
What is the wire fed welder? Is that the same as an arc welder?
Wire feed is a type of arc welder. Both use electric current for heat. On a wire feed, wire is fed from a spool, though a tube, out the handle into the hot metal. Arc can be that or sticks of weld rod that are about a foot long. Wire feed can be used for small stuff and thinner metals, whereas weld rods are for heavy duty welds, like pipe or I-beams.
Check your local community college or adult school for classes. There, in addition to learning how to weld, you'll learn SAFETY. If you don't do it properly, you can burn yourself, your house or your eyes.
I took a couple of classes years ago, have a small wire feed and a gas rig. It takes practice, but it can be quite useful.
RE: Electrical Problem/possible lightning strike
If the lights work with the batteries disconnected, the converter is fine.
The lightning may have damaged the A/C, refrigerator and radio. Refrigerator controls are sensitive to high voltages, and all three have stuff on the roof.
Average American MPG
Got this from a friend:
If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in Delta Airlines one year ago, you will have $49.00 today. If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in AIG one year ago, you will have $33.00 today. If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in Lehman Brothers one year ago, you will have $0.00 today. But, if you had purchased $1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the aluminum cans for recycling refund, you will have received $214.00. Based on the above, the best current investment plan is to drink heavily & recycle. It is called the 401-Keg.
A recent study found that the average American walks about 900 miles a year. Another study found that Americans drink, on average, 22 gallons of alcohol a year. That means that, on average, Americans get about 41 miles to the gallon! Makes you proud to be an American!
RE: Horse barred from Pub
Now I know that states and countries have laws against drunk driving, and many states laws against drunk riding, but are there laws against riding a drunk horse?
RE: Place to park RV on CA HWY 1
Take a look at this article in yesterday's SF Chronicle. There's some good tips for boondocking in it. There's recommendations for Malabu and Ventura. I especially liked the tips for staying in Beverly Hills! :B
RE: A Failed Economy
...
The economies are joined at the hip, although America's financial hip is obviously much larger.
....
Les
You callin' us "FAT"?
There Mod, there's your levity. We now return to our regularly scheduled program. :W
RE: A Failed Economy
....
Generally, at the time, other than a military conflict, the country had its normal economic cycles but was fiscally solvent.
I assume that you, like me, are not old enough to have lived through:
Depression of 1807Panic of 1819Panic of 1837Panic of 1857Panic of 1873Panic of 1893Panic of 1907, orthe Great Depression.
The latter resulted in significant Federal intervention and regulation that stabilized the era that you and I know.
Then, generally starting in the sixties, we were indoctrinated and convinced by our institutional instructors and public leaders that rampart and reckless consumption was both deserved and patriotic.
One change that occurred that has always struck me as causing a significant rise in real estate prices (at least here in California) was the requirement that both spouse's incomes be counted in qualification for a mortgage. That led to an increase in buying, which resulted in an increase in prices. Over the years the prices got to the point that young couples felt that they had to stretch themselves thin to buy a place to live. It also meant that children spent more time in child care, and guilty-feeling parents buying those children more and more. Those children grew up expecting that they could have whatever they wanted.
.... Gradually, due to higher wage and salary expectations and demands, along with other certain production factors, many of our production plants were closed and the products were instead imported.
The price of labor is the main reason production moved to foreign countries. It's why Japanese cars are assembled here. US auto workers are less costly than Japanese auto workers.
.... Gradually, our economy became much more based on the service sector and consumer consumption - so much so that currently nearly 40% of the U.S. GNP is based on consumer spending.
I thought it was 70%.
....
A few things I do know; one quick monetary injection will not heal the wound, both the private and the public sector will not be able to sustain the spending, and ultimately, the markets and values of products and properties will find their natural levels. This most certainly will not happen overnight but rather over a period of several years.
That list of panics, recessions and depressions above - the average length was 5 years. I don't expect this one to be any shorter.
RE: Is today a good day to buy Fannie and Freddie
So what do you invester think? DH said to buy some stocks today. What would you buy?How much do you have to spend?
I think the real question is "How much can you afford to lose?"
Tips for Boondocking in California
DW called my attention to this article in yesterday's SF Chronicle. There's some good tips for boondocking, none at Wal-Mart, in it. I especially liked the tips for staying in Beverly Hills! :B
