Ben Nelson's Electro-Metro Build thread

[bennelson]

I spoke on the phone this morning with "Joe" from the DMV.

This is the same guy I talked to last week about emissions testing. He spoke t o his supervisor, and it looks like the whole project is going in the right direction.

Joe already lifted my "can't drive the car because it hasn't passed emissions yet" status for a couple of weeks while we get this taken care of.

We did a three-way call to "Ken" at the super-secret technical testing facility - still in an undisclosed location. Ken was not at his phone, so we left a very fancy voicemail message for him, but Ken and Joe had already talked about my project.

It looks like they are doing to have me bring the car in to the super-secret test center, and mostly JUST DOCUMENT IT. Take a few pictures, see that it actually does run on just electricity etc.

I think the idea here is that they ARE going to give me a simple exemption from emissions testing, as long as they have lots of evidence of WHY they did it to back it up.

I think it's still going to the C.Y.A. approach, but sounds like it should be no problem for me to get totally legal, I just still have to get through to the guy to make an appointment!

[Christ]

Well that's cool, they finally got those glass stomachs so they could see where they were walking with their heads so far up their... nevermind.

All in all, good news, I see!

[RarestAce]

I am very happy to hear that things are going in the right direction with your project. so how is it going with your heating situation?

[bennelson]

Still cold here.

The oil radiator preheater works well to have the car a little warmer to start with.

Just blowing air across the windshield seems to help defrost it, but it makes me cold too!

The little 100 watt electric defroster barely does anything.

If I got a 300+ watt 12V heater, I think that might work decent.

Still looking for something cheap and practical. Been busy with work. Heat is next on my list after getting the new pot box in.

[RarestAce]

the heater i linked too before is still on sale hopefully that would do a good job there is nothing worse than freezing to death in your car

[bennelson]

I finally got through to the right person at Emissions Testing Central.

I now have an appointment with them at 9:00 AM on January 6th. This is the soonest that both guys who have to take a look at the car are available at the same time. I believe that date is just at the end of my Emissions Testing Exemption Extention. (say that 5 times fast!)

The secret, undisclosed headquarters is 75 miles, round trip, from my house.

Sure is a good thing I installed that tow bar....


On a side note, I am supposed to go to traffic court the day after X-mas for my Electric Speeding Ticket. The only problem is I can't find the ticket anywhere now!!!!

At least I am currently legal to DRIVE the car to court!

[MazdaMatt]

Haha... i missed any mention of a speeding ticket... There are speed limits low enough for you to break them?

[bennelson]

I was caught doing 25 mph in a 15 mph zone.

I was paying attention to the road, to my ammeter, looking out for other cars and pedestrians.

I just wasn't paying too close attention to my speedometer.

I believe I have broken the speed limit there before - on my bicycle.

[MPaulHolmes]

You have to go 75 miles round trip in a limited range vehicle after all that trouble, just to drive something that will eliminate your oil usage. I'm no conspiracy theorist, but holy cow... The System is not set up to become free of fossil fuels.

"Look how few EV's there are on the road! See, they just aren't practical. Maybe when the battery technology is ready, or blah blah blah..."

It is NOT a level playing field. I'm mad!

[MazdaMatt]

Ben, that sucks... must have pissed you off. Are you now the record holder for speeding tickets in a 72V EV?