Re: (ET) ET running costs

[RJ Kanary <rjkanary consolidated net>]

          "Energy Density.The Final Frontier".
        That solution still seems after my lifetime far off.And on a related note, those of you that drive OBD II compliant vehicles need to know about another energy density debacle that can empty your wallet, pronto.
         There is a move afoot to add even MORE ethanol to gasoline.THAT, while allegedly lowering emissions, also lowers the energy density of the gasoline you purchase.Less BTU per gallon, less mileage, less performance. And you pay MORE for it.

            But here's the MAJOR "Gotcha". The new E-15 blend will damage the fuel systems and emission control components of pre 2012 model year vehicles.One inadvertent tankful could be a largely expensive mistake. PLUS, it is unsuitable for use in any outdoor power equipment.More so than E-10. Thought you had trouble getting things started and running correctly before ? :(

                 Watch those labels on the gasoline island pumps folks.Or it could be a financially distressing oversight.

RJ

On 1/7/2013 9:14 AM, jim wrote:

I though that I should comment on battery costs.  I bought a new set this fall, just after the price went up, and they were about $100 each, $638 for the set including sales tax.   A week earlier, they would have been at least $5 each cheaper.  The batteries are  East Penn/Deka, sold by Fleet Farm.   Having just sold our John Deere riding mower this summer, I have good feel for the costs.  I spent an average of less than $50 a year on parts, maintenance,oil filters, etc., including the occasional repair part, belt or blade replacement over 15 years.   Never paid to have a tune up or oil change or other work done,  everything was easily done by me with reference to a shop manual that was an early purchase.  I mow from less than an acre up to 4 or 5 acres, depending on whether it is just the yard or if I mow around the orchard and pole shed, which is less often, and could use 30 to 40 gallons of gas in a summer if it was wet and the grass grew fast--not the case in the last couple of years.   I switched to using an Elec-Trak because our electricity is "free" (wind and solar systems since 1977) and I don't like storing or using gasoline, disposing of used oil, etc., any more than necessary.  We also use a car converted to all electric for local driving.

Jim, in Western Wisconsin

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