Finding myself working on automobiles nearly as often as I do computers- I know that the proper tools are always the best to have- but sometimes you just need to improvise, often with something you’ve made yourself.
On the left is a SAAB style fuel pump retaining screw removal device, which is over $30 (excluding shipping):
To the right, a plumber would consider this a 4†drain trap (minus plug), which is common to virtually all drain lines. To “computer†people, it’s probably just a pipe, or, for the creative, a wire caddy to keep things nice and neat.
For myself, it’s also a fuel pump screw removal tool. I then ran a long screwdriver through two portholes I made in the top, and use my weight for leverage. I didn’t bother drawing up a schematic- I just eyeballed it.
Most people probably won’t have a use for this, but some of us do.
For instance- were you aware that the 34 and 78 batteries are so close in specification and size that other than the terminals- they’re safely exchangeable? What’s this mean? Well, in my case, I saved almost $100 by putting group 78 batteries with post adapters into a car that came with group 34 stock.
This spreadsheet ONLY lists compatible sizes, NOT storage! This is very important information to have, so you don’t over-or-underpower your vehicle. I’ve intentionally omitted this information, since every manufacturer tends to be slightly different, and you can buy “Up-sized” batteries, just like you can french fries. I’m leaving the onus ON YOU to know what you’re doing.
My spreadsheet for common 12v sizes is available via Google Docs. This, of course, is free to share and adapt to your needs. If you find any errors, or have additions, please feel free to contact me.
I know that creating services in JavaScript is all the rage these days- you can feel like you accomplished something, without needing to understand garbage collection, casting, or even how to do basic design, thanks to Node.
I’ve tried to find a compelling reason to add the requirement of Node 4, a local SQLite (or MySQL) instance, and several support additions, like NodeMailer- just to get a primitive version of the same services I’ve had for over 10 years with TextPattern.
I’ve tried to look at it with a less-jaundiced eye, but I just can’t. It’s bloated (weighing in at 170MB with NO features), it has bizarre ideologies, and exposing Node directly to the net to run a blogging service? No- I’ve opted to proxy my Ghost instance, much as I have done with Grav.
I can finally see why so many people have given up and stuck with WordPress.
It started out rather cold this morning, and I can’t say I’m a big fan of having to scrape the car before I can get inside to start it. Thankfully, it was only that bad on the side not exposed to sunlight.
However, I had plans today- I was going to breakfast with a good friend, then enjoy the afternoon with my dog, just doing minimal effort projects for a change.
The SAAB would have none of this.
It flat out died. Stopped the car, and the fuel pump would prime no more. Nada. Zip. Zero. Thankfully the pump itself is only about $60 (not the whole assembly, that’d be hundreds of dollars).
Not the biggest fan of cars that demand attention.
