I’m reading You Are Here by Hiawatha Bray, a history of mapping.
I’ve always been fascinated how a 1940s era topographic map always matches up perfectly with a modern GPS in a cellphone – you can drive down the road and the map track is in the perfect location 80 years later. It’s a method called geometric triangulation. Nobody dreamed of a cellphone GPS in the 1940s. It’s amazing how truly accurate USGS Topographic Maps truly are.
I hate when agencies don't use open formats for their data. There should be a law that requires all agencies use widely used, open-format software.
Advanced Auto took back the battery charger that didn’t work no questions asked and gave me a full refund. I’m happy. The whole thing with the battery was a pain, asking favors of various people and hours wasted, but it didn’t cost anything at the end of day.
Watch this.
Good afternoon. Currently 37 degrees, blustery and partly sunny.
I might go for a hike later today. Thinking about going to Schodack Island but I don’t want to get stranded. I guess approach with caution.
Big Red continues to start fine today. While the accessory battery is disconnected, the starting battery is doing fine. The truck starts and after a minute or two the alternator floats the battery and it seems fine. This morning the battery read low – 12.45 volts but I think the computer booted up when I opened the door, causing the 2/10th of a volt drop in the cold.
I’ve started the truck four times today and it’s started with ease every time. Seems like when shutdown the battery voltage sits around 12.9 to 12.7, dropping to a normal 12.65 in the cold. Which is normal. I think this is a good sign. But I’m still cautious with the earlier reading and one showing the battery at 12.56.
I’m going to leave the accessory battery disconnected for now. I plan to add a switch on the battery isolator relay, so in winter months when I’m making short trips I can easily disconnect the accessory battery from the alternator. This will avoid a low accessory battery from overtaxing the alternator and the battery wiring. I believe but haven’t tried it yet to prove this is causing a voltage drop on the batteries, preventing quick recharge on the starting battery. I have the lighted switch and wire to do it. I just need to get more crimp connectors.
I will talk to AutoZone about getting the battery charger I bought tested and exchanged if defective. I suspect it is because neither battery charged particularly well on the charger I bought. I went for the higher amperage charger, so it wasn’t really cheap either but it’s handy to have as a tool going forward.
Good morning folks. Thirty three degrees this morning. Still about a half hour until sunrise but we are partly clear on this blustery morning. Going to be a sunny start to the morning but the winds are going to bring in some lake effect snow squalls by afternoon. High around 37 but with winds whipping around it will be chilly.
Save the Pine Bush Hike is at 9 AM at the Discovery Center in Albany. We are going to explore the area around the Kiakout Kill and other areas.
Today will be a busy day for everyone, as Christmas is only six days away. Be safe and expect delays going around town.