Just read an interesting article in the June 28 issue of New Scientist on peak oil titled "Final Warning".  Learned a bit I didn't know before.  For example:  the International Energy Agency says that global oil consumption stands a 87 million barrels.  Previously, when demand was lower, producers could increase by 3 million barrels and damp down disruptions in supply.  No slack in system anymore.

"Oil has shaped our civilization.  Without crud oil you'd have no cars, no shipping, no planes," says Gideon Samid, had of the Innovation Appraisal Group at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio.  In addition there are plastics, "You'd see no plastics, no bags, no toys, no cases for TVs, computers or radios.  It's absolutely everywhere."

The secret of oil's success is its portability and extraordinarily high energy density.  On barrel of oil contains the energy equivalent of 46 US gallons of gasoline;  burn it and it will release more than 6 billion joules of heat energy, equivalent to the amount of energy expended by five agricultural laborers working 12-hour days non-stop for a year.

Twenty years ago there were 15 oilfields able to supply 1 million barrels a day, now there are only four.  The largest is the Ghawar field in Saudi Arabia. 

There are a fleet of 4000 oil tankers, delivering 43 million barrels of oil per day.  There are "pinch points" through which the tankers have to travel, the most famous is the Strait of Hormuz, (between Iraq and Iran) through which 16,000 barrels travel per day.  Another is the Strait of Malacca, which 15,000 barrels travel daily.  One scenario is that terrorists hijack a liquid natural gas tanker, load it with explosives, and ram a oil tanker.  This could block a pinch point for months. 

In 2005, a simulation of an induced crisis was played out.  It was projected to start in Nigeria, the fifth largest supplier of the US.  Stopping of 600,000 barrels was matched with a cold spell in the US, which increased demand by 700,000 barrels/day. Then an attack on a Saudi natural gas processing plant.  The projected price rise was estimated to $295/barrel, even though the scenario was thought to be "relatively mild", compared to what is actually possible. 

I don't know what any of this means, just interesting speculation at this point.   
Ray

If you have a fast connection and a couple hours, this movie will change the way you look at the world.  While aimed at those living in the US, it's relevant to nearly anyone.  Even if you don't believe it, you will look at social institutions a bit differently.
http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/
Every one have a great new year - life is just too short not to enjoy it, at least occasionally, IMHO.   
Ray

I bought an old (unused) Aquastat temp controller off ebay - to control an electric fan for the radiator -  now, where to mount it?  (It's a Honeywell LA409B if that matters).

 It measures 3" wide, 4.5" tall, 2" deep.  The sensor is a 1.5" "button" on the back.  It is designed to mount level against a large steam pipe, and has a swivel bracket around the sensor.  It's range is 60 - 200 degrees F.  (I'll set it at 200.)  It has a cool, little glass mercury switch inside that makes when (I assume) the metallic sensor rotates the vial sufficiently.

The question:  where to mount it?  My listeroid has 3/4" fittings and hoses to the radiator, too small to allow mounting.  An easy place would be against the block, next to the lower radiator outlet.  Is this acceptable?  Or, should I just start experimenting? 

Awaiting your guidance 
Thanks,
Ray

The questions never seem to end.   

So, my 5 kW ST head doesn't produce 220.  I think it is wired correctly according to the labels on the wires, but think one of the wires in the head was mis-labeled.  Here is what I have:

U1 to one leg (red wire),  U2 to other leg (black wire), U5 and U6 tied together for neutral (white wire).

When I touch my multimeter leads (dial set on 250 AC), (gen head spinning @1800 rpm, 60 hz)  it reads ~115v from U1 or U2 to ground, but only reads ~115v between U1 and U2. 

Shouldn't it read ~230v between U1 and U2? 

I'm having to take it apart for a reconfiguration and thought it an appropriate time to ask.  Thnx,
Ray

Not exactly listeroid related, but I will be driving it with my listeroid.  I have a 1 phase 1 hp. motor made by Century that wont spin when power is applied.  It makes moaning sounds and wiggles but will not spin until started by the sole of a shoe.  (Then it seems fine.)  I was told it was because the capacitor was blown.  Makes sense to me, does it make sense to anyone else?

Next question, (assuming this is correct), where do I find a replacement?  Writing on capacitor:
Aerovo
100280-37
378-420 MFD
125 VAC

Any insight from those who know about such things?
Thanks,
Ray

Hi there,

Here is a photo of my current engine mount.  http://listerengine.com/coppermine/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=10038&pos=0
I haven't yet started the engine as I need to reconstruct the supports for the radiator and finish some other details.  Had to take engine off the mount to make changes, which took a week or so.  It's sitting outside, so weather limits when I can work on it.  The comments describe the modifications - unfortunately I didn't take the shot while the engine was off the frame, so the changes are harder to see.

Starting with the original guidelines from the Utterpower site, I've added a concrete block and stiffened the frame with pipe, thanks to the discussions by GuyF and Mobile Bob (thanks guys!).  Storm is coming in so I can't test it for a few days, but will report back when I know how the modifications affected the vibration. 
Ray

Hi,

Yeah, I know most of you think increasing carbon dioxide/global warming is a hoax - a plot by Al Gore and various other forces of evil to undermine capitalism, etc.  I have no intention of trying to convince you otherwise.  Indeed, I am willing to be convinced, but, as the inimitable Guy_F so often states, you can’t convince me by pulling numbers out of your ass, nor by flaming me LOUDLY and often.

I don’t claim to be an engineer, mechanic, computer whiz - just a farm boy with the benefit of some advanced training in how ecosystems work.  I know enough to detect BS in ppm though, and the evidence by real atmospheric scientists clearly shows CO2 levels rising, and ambient world temperatures rising.  I am surprised though, at the level of hostility/fear that any discussion of a possible link between the two brings out.  Is it possible it threatens some peoples way of life?  Can’t help that, maybe we should talk about it?

 I really do not believe that a thousand guys scattered across the (mostly) english-speaking world, sharing an interest in an English stationary diesel engine design will affect the political outcome of this debate, so feel no particular compunction to argue the point.  (Interestingly enough, the Governor of California, movie star strong-man Arnold Schwartznegger has managed to resuscitate his political future by signing a bill to make political changes over global warming.)

Yes, the global climate has always changed, yes carbon dioxide is a natural product that cycles into larger cycles, etc., etc.  But, like heavy metals, halogenated hydrocarbons, radioactive isotopes, etc., when 6 billion people dump their wastes, it is possible to overwhelm the natural cycles that clean water, air, food, etc., and cause human habitat to become unpleasant.  Yes I know that all of these problems have technical solutions, but, IMHO, humans are not wealthy enough or wise enough to apply them.  Regarding the CO2 issue, I personally believe the fix resides in Peak Oil, whatever happens, happens, and when hydrocarbons are expensive enough, we will quit dumping so much of the waste into the atmosphere.  Denying there is a problem doesn’t fix it though.

So, Guy_F, Fuddy Duddy, et al, I am not particularly interested in opinion, if you have some real data, collected by real scientists (not opinionated engineers, as much as I may respect your opinions about metallurgy, machining, wiring and other technical topics), I’d love to hear it.  If you have a counter-rant about the world-wide global warming conspiracy, I’ll pass, thank you.   I know some of you believe this to be a threat to capitalism, I do not, capitalism is just too big.  I do believe it will make some people very uncomfortable in the near future though, regardless of who is right about it.  It is, therefore, worth discussing.

Ray

I was listening to Marketplace, an American Public Media program and heard a Listeroid thumping away in the background.  http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2006/06/26/PM200606263.html
The engine was used to represent the low state of technology in India, it was pumping salt water that would then evaporate to leave salt which was gathered by the Indian man interviewed.  He worked the salt on shares, paid ~$8/month, of which he recieved $4.  His village was hoping to use high tech internet connections to determine the actual price of salt, so they wouldn't be exploited on their shares.  Gives one an idea of the reality in which these engines work if nothing else.
Ray