VAL Digest V1 #5

VAL Digest        Saturday, September 13 2003        Volume 01 : Number 005




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Topics in Today's Digest:

[VAL] Hiya Val!
[VAL] 66 Caravel Information
Re: [VAL] Tires (old thread)
Re: [VAL] Painting the plastic wood
Re: [VAL] Painting the plastic wood
[VAL] High output LEDs
Re: [VAL] High output LEDs
Re: [VAL] Tires (old thread)
Re: [VAL] Tires (old thread)
Re: [VAL] High output LEDs
Re: [VAL] High output LEDs
Re: [VAL] High output LEDs
Re: [VAL] High output LEDs

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Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 09:05:49 EDT
From: MaryDotson@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: [VAL] Hiya Val!

Good to see the list transfer went so very seamlessly!  Great job!  The new 
list name though, I must admit, feels kind of odd as an accronym--I feel like I 
am addressing some woman (probably a diner waitress, about 40)!  So, hiya 
Val!

Love the stories about folks travel plans.  I am massively jealous of you 
folks who can just toot off to the Sierras!  Anyone else headed out this weekend? 
 As our baby is fairly torn apart at this time, we're just taking her out to 
the inspection station! But the foam should be ready in a week, so long as the 
foam banditos get to work (I used to call them the foamerie, but when I 
comparison shopped and found out how expensive the darned stuff was, they 
transformed into los banditos).  Also finally got our personalized plates, though we 
are still finegaling with the DMV (registration error).  So, if you see a 
trailer with Virginia "toaster" plates, do say hi!

Spending my spare time sanding the woodwork.  It's going slow mostly because 
I start and then quit after a bit--it's yucky boring work. Still, it gives me 
copious opportunity to listen to NPR. One thing as I deconstruct the interiors 
strikes me--I don't think, at that time at least (1961)--that the quality 
standards so evident in the body construction extended to the 
furnishings/finishings.  The  original upholstery job was quite marginally done--and mostly 
stapled. When I get the stuff back, I plan to make covers, instead of stapling it 
down, so that they can be removed & cleaned.  Also, they sealed the wall behind 
the bath/shower with contact paper.  In ours, that is bubbling up, so am 
considering how to replace it with.  Oh, and that fake wood grain formica is just 
plain cheesy!!!

OK, gotta get to work now!

Mary Dotson
61 Safari 

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Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 13:44:47 +0000
From: jerry.moy@xxxxxxxxxx.net
Subject: [VAL] 66 Caravel Information

Hi All,

I am a new 66 Airstream owner in Seattle. I have seen posts from another new 66 
Caravel owner in Seattle. I would love to hook up with them to share 
expiriences. Also, I have an original owners manual that I could share.

Thanks. 

Jerry

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Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 10:02:20 -0400
From: Dave Lowrey <airstream@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Tires (old thread)

Craig -

I agree. Saving money by buying cheap tires isn't saving money. You will 
eventually pay much more....

SAM's Club has the Michelin LTX M/S, sized P255/70 R16 for $125.00, 
installed. However, I don't belong to SAM's Club. I DO have a COSTCO 
membership, and they had them for $135 installed, so I ordered four. (yah - 
I know, I could have almost paid for my SAM's membership with the savings, 
but I already have too many cards in my wallet :-).

The cheapest price I found at a "regular" Tire Store was $159, at Tire 
Discounters. Most other places were in the $170's.

In addition, I get a free DVD player from Michelin for buying four tires... :-)

This is a "Highway" tire, not "All Terrain". Since I use my truck on 
roadways 98% of the time, I figured I might as well avoid the rough/noisy 
ride that the All Terrain tires tend to produce. I hope that I wont have 
problems the few time I need to drive off road, which is usually just 
pulling the trailer on grass or gravel, or unloading a load of mulch in 
someone's yard....

Dave

At 05:11 PM 9/11/2003 -0500, Craig wrote:

>In my opinion tires are a safety and handling issue.  If you want to save a
>few dollars, save it deciding between high quality choices.
>


_________________________________________________________________
Dave & Ann Lowrey - dave_lowrey@xxxxxxxxxx.com

WBCCI: 5074

1977 31' Sovereign International (center bath)
Cincinnati, Ohio 

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Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 10:11:10 -0400
From: Dave Lowrey <airstream@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Painting the plastic wood

Daisy,

Assuming it's physically possible to paint the "plastic wood", I would 
hesitate to do so unless you, or someone you know/hire is a very good painter.

Nothing looks worse that a "half-ass" attempt at "oriental-looking" 
painting.... You can do a lot with fabric (curtains, sofa covers, wall 
hangings, etc) to give your trailer an "Oriental" look.

On a side note, I saw a PBS special on the story of that house. How they 
found it, purchased it, disassembled it, shipped it to the US and 
reassembled it. They shipped over Chinese craftsmen to supervise the work, 
using native tools and techniques as much as possible. They also observed 
several customs and traditions, performing traditional ceremonies, etc.

Looking forward to seeing you again in Niagra Falls....

Dave

At 12:54 PM 9/11/2003 -0400, you wrote:
>Hi all,
>
>I was looking at my trailer after I got all my construction stuff and mess 
>cleaned up, and it looks good, but BORING.
>
>I went to a museum in Salem MA that has recently opened a new exhibit of a 
>Chinese house that they reassembled on site. Looking at the furniture, 
>which is painted red or and black wih gold doodads, I though maybe the 
>boring plastic wood might be inproved by some red and black paint and gold 
>dragons. All tastefully aged of course.
>
>Don't yell at me for ruining a Vintage trailer,I will make it reversable . 
>It's just not that lovely as it is. I want to know if anyone painted this 
>stuff , with what, and how they liked it ?
>
>Daisy
>
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_________________________________________________________________
Dave & Ann Lowrey - dave_lowrey@xxxxxxxxxx.com

WBCCI: 5074

1977 31' Sovereign International (center bath)
Cincinnati, Ohio 

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Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 10:20:51 -0400
From: Daisy Welch <jtdjtd@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Painting the plastic wood

Don't worry, I am a professional scene painter. it will look just like 
the real thing.

Daisy

Dave Lowrey wrote:
> Daisy,
> 
> Assuming it's physically possible to paint the "plastic wood", I would 
> hesitate to do so unless you, or someone you know/hire is a very good 
> painter.

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Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 09:54:59 -0500
From: "Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: [VAL] High output LEDs

In the latest Mouser catalog, www.mouser.com 800-346-6873) there are LED
assemblies in the shapes of some lamps. The 1156 and 1157 assemblies are
end fire and not all that much output for around $11.50 each. But in the
next catalog field, they have a wedge base assembly (like a 194) with
11,000 millicandela output over a 30 degree viewing angle for the
magnificent sum of $1.60, $1.34 each in lots of 10. Ultra white. Their
catalog number 697-01TWB9WB12. I have little doubt that the wires on the
wedge base can be spread or soldered to to mount the lamp replacement in
a different position or bayonet base and in arrays. Half a dozen ought
to light the entire galley or dining table to a useful level.

Gerald J.
- -- 
Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer.
Reproduction by permission only.

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Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 11:37:21 -0500
From: "Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] High output LEDs

Digging deeper, Sunbrite's web page doesn't admit the wedge base lamp
assembly with the high output and shows 48,000 millicandela for the 1156
device compared to the 7000 shown in the Mouser catalog. Neither shows
detailed data sheets. Whom to believe? I tend to believe the maker more
than the distributor, but I have no data to be sure of either.

Gerald J.
- -- 
Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer.
Reproduction by permission only.

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Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 10:49:59 -0700
From: "Oliver Filippi" <ofilippi@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Tires (old thread)

Smart move going with the Michelins.

Michelin is far and away the most competent truck tire manufacturer.  Their
truck tires typically perform better, ride smoother (they ARE ROUND) and
last longer than their competition.

Also, brakes, wheel alignment, tires, tire balance,  and shocks are the only
thing between your ass and the road.  These are not areas where going cheap
(low quality) is a smart idea.

Oliver Filippi

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Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 13:46:53 -0500
From: "Tom Patterson" <tomp@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Tires (old thread)

I agree also.

I too am using Michelins on my F-250 and have since I first replaced the
original tires.

Sam's club works well for me.  I hit their automotive section early in the
morning, which
means little, or no waiting line.  Then, while they are replacing the tires,
is a good time
to do whatever shopping I need to do in the rest of the store.

I finally replaced my original batteries after 3 1/2 years and 110,000 miles
last month at
Sam's.  Good prices for batteries too.

- -Tom

- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Oliver Filippi" <ofilippi@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
To: <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Sent: Friday, September 12, 2003 12:49 PM
Subject: Re: [VAL] Tires (old thread)


> Smart move going with the Michelins.
>
> Michelin is far and away the most competent truck tire manufacturer.
Their
> truck tires typically perform better, ride smoother (they ARE ROUND) and
> last longer than their competition.
>
> Also, brakes, wheel alignment, tires, tire balance,  and shocks are the
only
> thing between your ass and the road.  These are not areas where going
cheap
> (low quality) is a smart idea.
>
> Oliver Filippi
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
>
> To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
> http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html

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Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 20:41:39 -0400
From: Daisy Welch <jtdjtd@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] High output LEDs

Great prices, I would tend to believe the maker too.

I'll bet if you contacted Sunbrite and made engineer noises at them 
you'd get some specs.

What sort of a light meter will measure millicandela ?

Daisy

Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer wrote:
> Digging deeper, Sunbrite's web page doesn't admit the wedge base lamp
> assembly with the high output and shows 48,000 millicandela for the 1156
> device compared to the 7000 shown in the Mouser catalog. Neither shows
> detailed data sheets. Whom to believe? I tend to believe the maker more
> than the distributor, but I have no data to be sure of either.
> 
> Gerald J.

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Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 20:22:13 -0500
From: schuetzen <chasm@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] High output LEDs

On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 20:41:39 -0400, you wrote:

>
>What sort of a light meter will measure millicandela ?


millicandela (mcd)
    a unit of light intensity equal to 0.001 candela. The intensity of the
light-emitting diodes (LEDs) used in electronics are stated in millicandelas.

hope this helps
chas

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Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 20:44:15 -0500
From: schuetzen <chasm@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] High output LEDs

On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 20:41:39 -0400, you wrote:

>
>What sort of a light meter will measure millicandela ?

NOT SURE IF THE DEFINITION WAS sufficient but, to answer, 
a very low light level light meter.

sufficient to measure 1/1000th of a candlepower.

iow, LEDs are LOW light level emitters

chas

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Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 22:08:19 -0500
From: "Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] High output LEDs

I searched a bit with google for some explanations. None were really
good.
http://www.theledlight.com/lumens.html
http://www.southsummit.com/Streamlight%20Light%20Measurement.htm
http://www.audifans.com/archives/1996/02/msg00267.html
http://www.electro-optical.com/whitepapers/candela.htm

Though the candela is the modern name for candle power and candle power
came (a long time ago) from the intensity of light from a standard
candle measured at 1 foot, I think. The modern definition is far more
esoteric and I suppose reproducible at NIST, but not here.

As for measuring the lamp intensity, if the distance is kept standard,
an incident light meter will work. Though it takes a translation from EV
to foot candles and restricted acceptance angle on the sensor to make it
into candela. I have a light meter calibrated in foot candles which has
the adapter to make it read in candlepower and it has a table of
candlepower to exposure of 50 ASA film at f/8, or EV.

While the original LEDs were hard to see in sunlight because of their
low intensity, the latest do quite will in the sun. Red and green have
become popular for traffic lights, and red for truck and bus tail and
stop lights.

With 18 to 45 candela from some off the shelf clusters like those from
Mouser, that's enough to work by. Part of the efficiency of the LED
comes from focusing the light into a fairly narrow beam, but the makers
are finding better ways to make light and improving efficiency
regularly, so the inexpensive LED general purpose RV interior lights
can't be far off.

Gerald J.
- -- 
Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer.
Reproduction by permission only.

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End of VAL Digest V1 #5
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