Calling Steve...aka (Toobroketoretire)
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
I stated several times while having exchanges with this individual that my purpose in responding was so that his posts were not taken as the truth, or as fact, on a particular subject. On the threads he was involved in, the claims were just so absurd and unfounded in reality that it was just irresponsible to let them stand.
If his word was the last word and everyone just stayed 'hands off' once he got involved, the search function would reveal several truly moronic conversations and stupefying claims that would make the conclusions made by this forum...us...to be a bad joke.
Yes, I knew he was a Mechanical Engineer. Guess what...I'm a Mechanical Engineer and a licensed Professional Engineer who has both owned his own firm for 12+ years, and is currently stepping into ownership of a 20+ person firm. And I'll be the first one to say that having a Mechanical Engineering degree doesn't mean squat. I've known many folks who were lucky to finish 8th grade that could run rings around me on 'things mechanical'. And I've known folks with multiple Masters degrees to be complete morons.
My own Stepdad, who I respect as much as my own Father, holds a Master's Degree in Forestry, in Civil Engineering, AND in Mechanical Engineering and has been a GS-14 Engineer at NASA for many years...and he has an amazing shortage of common sense when it comes to the simplest of things.
Anyone who has to use the explanation "Why? I'm an Engineer, that's why..." at the end of their sentence has NOT sufficiently explained the supporting facts in the matter.
And that pretty much explains how things went so sideways.
If his word was the last word and everyone just stayed 'hands off' once he got involved, the search function would reveal several truly moronic conversations and stupefying claims that would make the conclusions made by this forum...us...to be a bad joke.
Yes, I knew he was a Mechanical Engineer. Guess what...I'm a Mechanical Engineer and a licensed Professional Engineer who has both owned his own firm for 12+ years, and is currently stepping into ownership of a 20+ person firm. And I'll be the first one to say that having a Mechanical Engineering degree doesn't mean squat. I've known many folks who were lucky to finish 8th grade that could run rings around me on 'things mechanical'. And I've known folks with multiple Masters degrees to be complete morons.
My own Stepdad, who I respect as much as my own Father, holds a Master's Degree in Forestry, in Civil Engineering, AND in Mechanical Engineering and has been a GS-14 Engineer at NASA for many years...and he has an amazing shortage of common sense when it comes to the simplest of things.
Anyone who has to use the explanation "Why? I'm an Engineer, that's why..." at the end of their sentence has NOT sufficiently explained the supporting facts in the matter.
And that pretty much explains how things went so sideways.
Or was he just yanking our chain...
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
I personally seemed to be amazed on what Toobroke posted at times. Regardless of what some people do here on the forum. Sometimes their ideas are a bit 'left of center'...and so were the Wright brothers. And we see how that turned out. I am not acknowledging everything that is posted here on the forum is correct in every way...because we all know some stuff can be quite argumentative.
with ALL of this and I do what I can even though no matter how hard I try at times...what I write is not comprehended.
YES...I can say that I am an active participant of a heated discussions from time to time and I know I am quite relentless. BUT...for those who may not understand/realize why I am like this is to help those people who do not know and are looking for information that I have acquired through years of doing this stuff.
Not every question has an easy answer due to numerous variables and layers of how it can become so complicated and involved. And until people do it....no matter what...they may not understand becasue they may believe the 'fix' is an easy one...when in reality...it can turn into a royal cluster in a heartbeat. And I am sure anybody who has worked in their own car has encountered this. So...sometimes 'taking the high road'...is not always the best thing...in my opinion.
DUB
with ALL of this and I do what I can even though no matter how hard I try at times...what I write is not comprehended. YES...I can say that I am an active participant of a heated discussions from time to time and I know I am quite relentless. BUT...for those who may not understand/realize why I am like this is to help those people who do not know and are looking for information that I have acquired through years of doing this stuff.
Not every question has an easy answer due to numerous variables and layers of how it can become so complicated and involved. And until people do it....no matter what...they may not understand becasue they may believe the 'fix' is an easy one...when in reality...it can turn into a royal cluster in a heartbeat. And I am sure anybody who has worked in their own car has encountered this. So...sometimes 'taking the high road'...is not always the best thing...in my opinion.
DUB
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 129
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
Ooooo...what sort of perpetual motion machine is that? I'm intrigued!
Seriously, though...what am I seeing? Let me see how close I get.
I see an incoming Natural Gas (or piped propane) feed that goes to a 420cc mower engine engine, which in turn rotates not only what appears to be a generator, but TWO automotive alternators which then charge a bank of 8 large 6 volt batteries that are connected in series/parallel to create a very solid and long-lasting 12 volt field that would run a camper-full of wives for 3 long days. The exhaust appears to be piped away from a household area. I'm guessing it's on a back porch, judging by the concrete and the privacy fence.
There is only one thing plugged into the generator, which I will guess to be...a well pump, perhaps? Impossible to know. There is the end of what appears to be an old 'green' Craftsman horizontal air compressor in the foreground, but I'd be surprised if this contraption can run that 3hp motor to turn the pump.
Impressive in a Rube Goldberg way. I'm certain it fulfills a purpose. But I have a very compact, modern, portable generator that has 3 times the electrical capacity of this setup that I purchased 12 years ago for $499.99 and is still going strong.
This looks like an inspector's nightmare that takes up half the back porch and fulfills EXACTLY ONE SINGULAR PURPOSE. A very important purpose, I am certain. But one purpose nevertheless, and for only one person. Whoever purchases the house will make short order of removing this widget and doing whatever it is doing the right way.
The end answer is: That's cool. Nothing looks too crazy, so perhaps I'd be bold enough to say I could build that. But I wouldn't. It's an accident waiting to happen.
So...how'd I do?
Seriously, though...what am I seeing? Let me see how close I get.
I see an incoming Natural Gas (or piped propane) feed that goes to a 420cc mower engine engine, which in turn rotates not only what appears to be a generator, but TWO automotive alternators which then charge a bank of 8 large 6 volt batteries that are connected in series/parallel to create a very solid and long-lasting 12 volt field that would run a camper-full of wives for 3 long days. The exhaust appears to be piped away from a household area. I'm guessing it's on a back porch, judging by the concrete and the privacy fence.
There is only one thing plugged into the generator, which I will guess to be...a well pump, perhaps? Impossible to know. There is the end of what appears to be an old 'green' Craftsman horizontal air compressor in the foreground, but I'd be surprised if this contraption can run that 3hp motor to turn the pump.
Impressive in a Rube Goldberg way. I'm certain it fulfills a purpose. But I have a very compact, modern, portable generator that has 3 times the electrical capacity of this setup that I purchased 12 years ago for $499.99 and is still going strong.
This looks like an inspector's nightmare that takes up half the back porch and fulfills EXACTLY ONE SINGULAR PURPOSE. A very important purpose, I am certain. But one purpose nevertheless, and for only one person. Whoever purchases the house will make short order of removing this widget and doing whatever it is doing the right way.
The end answer is: That's cool. Nothing looks too crazy, so perhaps I'd be bold enough to say I could build that. But I wouldn't. It's an accident waiting to happen.
So...how'd I do?
Last edited by keithinspace; Feb 6, 2018 at 07:31 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
Toobroke beat you to it!!!
The rest of the story- and epic thread from you guessed it-
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...n-15-amps.html
"I have been living on 15 amps of generator power for 17 years and manage to get by just fine on the minuscule output. Can you even begin to imagine having barely enough power to run a hair dryer? I have a 1000 gallon propane tank that feeds it and my heater, stove, and propane refrigerator. When I want to run my 115 volt MIG or 225 amp Miller arc welder I use the big gasoline powered 9000 watt 18 hp V-Twin Honda powered generator sitting behind it.
The two 160-amp Delco-Remy alternators on the generator feed a bank of eight 6-volt deep cycle batteries that store enough energy for me to run my computer and 7-1/2 watt overhead light for about 10-12 hours on a single charge."
The rest of the story- and epic thread from you guessed it-
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...n-15-amps.html
"I have been living on 15 amps of generator power for 17 years and manage to get by just fine on the minuscule output. Can you even begin to imagine having barely enough power to run a hair dryer? I have a 1000 gallon propane tank that feeds it and my heater, stove, and propane refrigerator. When I want to run my 115 volt MIG or 225 amp Miller arc welder I use the big gasoline powered 9000 watt 18 hp V-Twin Honda powered generator sitting behind it.
The two 160-amp Delco-Remy alternators on the generator feed a bank of eight 6-volt deep cycle batteries that store enough energy for me to run my computer and 7-1/2 watt overhead light for about 10-12 hours on a single charge."
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
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