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Messages - hypophthalmus

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16
Roadcraft / How do you deal with driving at night?
« on: November 19, 2018, 04:27:55 PM »
Particularly out in the country with no street lamps.

Thankfully I've mostly been able to avoid it, but occasionally I have to.

If it's late enough or remote enough that there's practically no traffic, it's fine. But every time there's oncoming traffic, I'm mostly blinded. I deal it with by slowing way down until I can see again, but it's just constant and extremely stressful. Meanwhile, it seems like the other vehicles drive as fast as ever, and I can tell that I'm holding them up.

Part of the problem I think is the hills out here, causing the headlights to be pointed at your face sometimes. A huge problem is the epidemic of poorly designed retrofit bulbs scattering light randomly.

How do you deal with this? Is there just something wrong with my eyes?

17
Technical | How To / Re: How does this temperature controller work?
« on: November 18, 2018, 03:05:33 AM »
Well, I think MJR was right. The markup is still enormous. And it looks like it might normally go for $90.

Compared to $2 for a 3amp PWM circuit, $7 for a 40amp PWM circuit. Perhaps the other $83-88 is for the case, cord, and connectors?

18
Technical | How To / Re: kymco 450i
« on: November 15, 2018, 06:17:51 PM »
Mind you, I'm extrapolating from scooters:

I would open up the CVT. Check for obvious contamination (such as oil). Check the belt condition. The inspect the clutch.

19
Technical | How To / Re: How does this temperature controller work?
« on: November 15, 2018, 06:26:33 AM »
I've ordered these:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-gloves-heated-pad-electric-heating-element-winter-outdoor-warm-mitten-TK/302629733092
https://www.ebay.com/itm/PWM-DC-6V-12V-24V-28V-3A-Motor-Speed-Control-New-Switch-Controller/222594675619?autorefresh=true

Should be an interesting experiment for $6.

20
Technical | How To / Re: How does this temperature controller work?
« on: November 15, 2018, 04:06:12 AM »
I think a potentiometer properly rating might work? But presumably put out a lot of heat.

I don't really understand it, but I think it's likely it's something like this:

http://www.learningelectronics.net/circuits/12v-speed-controllerdimmer.html

It seems similar controllers can be had on ebay for < $2.

Should be a cheap way to turn down electric gloves if you're on a budget and they don't include a temperature controller.

21
Technical | How To / Re: How does this temperature controller work?
« on: November 15, 2018, 02:34:05 AM »
Also, as resistance increase, does the voltage drop? Or the current? Or some combination?

22
Technical | How To / How does this temperature controller work?
« on: November 15, 2018, 02:28:14 AM »
Is it just a potentiometer?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gerbing-Gyde-12V-Single-Portable-Temperature-Controller/152916209737?epid=2285514875&hash=item239a843049:g:Y7kAAOSw3q5aehZb:sc:USPSFirstClass!72650!US!-1:rk:2:pf:0

23
General Discussion / Re: Yamaha SMAX vs. Honda PCX 150
« on: November 14, 2018, 04:42:02 AM »
I wouldn't worry about the drum brake.

Unless the PCX has a substantial ergonomic advantage, I'd go with the Smax for the extra power and lack of linked brakes. Then again, since you already have a 400, you might not want/need the power.

24
Technical | How To / Re: Lost oil drain plug on highway. Now what?
« on: November 11, 2018, 01:38:29 AM »
The temperature gauge was normal?

The lack of oil light might make sense if the oil hadn't depleted to dangerous level yet. But that doesn't really make sense if it was overheating.

The first thing I'd do is a compression test. You can inspect the spark plug (could be damaged from heat) and check for a spark while you're at it.

25
Roadcraft / Two near misses.
« on: November 10, 2018, 03:34:54 AM »
Thought I'd share two near misses I've had.

One was last September, on a highway exit.  I was the first one stopped at a red light at an intersection going to another major road. I hear a screech, and turn around to see a vehicle come to a hard stop right behind me. Apparently they saw neither me or the traffic light until the last second.

Earlier this night, I was traveling on the rightmost lane of a four lane road. A pickup truck was turning, into the inner lane, and came directly for me. Thankfully I'm paranoid and was paying attention, so I was able to get into the turning lane, out of the way.

It was one of the rare times that accelerating out of danger would have been a good idea. I can't actually remember if I sped up or braked though.

26
Roadcraft / Re: Summer
« on: November 10, 2018, 03:14:14 AM »
I appreciate it! Nothing that a bit of JB Weld won't fix I'm sure.

27
General Discussion / Re: Venox/irregular acceleration
« on: November 09, 2018, 05:42:55 PM »
Not sure how much experience you have, or how closely you've looked at this bike but:

If you don't know the history of the bike:
I'd change the oil and filter, check the valves, change the coolant, inspect the brake fluid.
Depending on whether the air filter is paper or foam, replace or inspect/clean/oil it.
Inspect the spark plugs, check the gap.
Inspect the chain/slack. If all is good, clean it up and lubricate it.
Check the tires for wear/damage.
Lubricate the clutch cable.

None of these are very likely to be your problem, but this will get you in a good place in terms of regular maintenance.

I believe there's two carburetors on the bike. You'll need to thoroughly clean them, inspect the diaphragms for holes, verify that the slide action is correct, and sync them.

28
General Discussion / Re: Venox/irregular acceleration
« on: November 09, 2018, 05:28:11 PM »
Almost certainly a carburetor problem.

29
General Discussion / Re: SYM makes a heck of a scooter
« on: November 09, 2018, 05:25:51 PM »
That Symba looks pretty amazing. And possibly easy to work on. Better looking than the Honda in my opinion: spoked wheels and drum brakes, more chrome, nicer looking headlight and speedometer.

30
General Discussion / Re: V O T E ~ !!
« on: November 08, 2018, 06:52:23 PM »
In retrospect, I should have thought better of posting that. I apologize.

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