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Showing posts with label mount. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mount. Show all posts

2017/01/24

Smartphone At Your Desk

When mapping, one thing that I use sometimes is my smartphone.  By a controversial definition that is still in play from the 1970's, a smartphone is a computer.  Most of the time, I like using it as a calculator because it doesn't detract from what's already going on with The Robot (my desktop computer).  What I use is a round weighted base that more so marketed for automobile dashboards.  It has a plastic disc mounted in the top center.  This is where I use a smartphone windshield mount with a long goose neck and suction cup at the bottom.  From there, the smartphone's constrictor squeeze the device and hold it in to place.

From time to time, the plastic cup looses suction where the goose neck and smartphone fall over.  If I had to do it again, I would use some plastic putty from JB Weld and permanently attach it.  A thin layer on the suction cup ought to do.

The goose neck should last indefinitely, but the smartphone mount's side constrictors have foam like padding.  After a while from being depressed a lot, the padding will become ineffective.  There are two things that I can do about that.  One is that I might be able to use thin strips of duct tape to adhere to pieces of rubber foam insulation used on pipes.  The other is to buy another backplate and goose neck, but only use the new backplate on the existing stem.  In case you don't know, the backplate has a slot that allows you to separate it from the goose neck.

2014/09/24

Log 2014092401

The mileage on my 2008 Chevy HHR LS is as pictured. Today, I replaced the missing bolt in my axle mount frame. There are a total of three and they mount the wheel bearing.

2014/09/22

Log 2014092201

The mileage on my 2008 Chevy HHR LS is as shown in the picture. Today, I replaced the rear shocks. This means that the car now has new struts and shocks all the way around. The rear shocks are MacPherson style and are separate from their struts.

The job required jacking the car up in the the center of the rear axle. Because the lift on the car is only 6", I ended up having to jack up the rear driver's side area with a 2 Ton scissor jack, the get the center of the axle of the with the 3 Ton floor jack. The Chilton's manual for this model noted that there was a jacking spot in this area. Personally, I would have preferred the floor jack that they have at Harbor Freight Tools that has a plate on it. Because around the axle was a piece of angle iron. My round plate would never make contact with the axle, so I had to jack on the angle iron.

Once I got the jack stands in place, I dropped the axle enough to remove the lower mounting bolts for both rear struts. Then I released all the pressure from the floor jack and let the axle drop as low as it could go.

This job eluded me when I was at home port last. For some reason, I was unable to lift the springs out. But this time, I figured it out. The spring in question has to be grabbed down at the top. The upper shock tower is sitting on a peg and needs to clear it for disassembly.  Well, with the brake line in place, it makes is hard to do that. In fact, I've heard of some disassembly instructions call for removing the brake lines. If I ever get anything bigger in there, I certain that I'll have to.

I was concerned when I compared my old shocks with their replacements.  The coils on the old ones wrapped around the upper shock towers. The new ones dont come so close. And the new ones are longer. I consulted with a friend on Facebook about whether they'll coil around the towers in time and he says no. That's ok, it's merely consistent with having bought heavy duty shocks and struts. Which now means that my rear shocks now have an extra coil. And that's excellent for hauling my trailer.

I did the work in my brother's driveway. After I was done, I put the car on the ground and immediately coupled my Harbor Freight 4x8 Utility Hauling Trailer.  And I was disappointed to note that the trailer is well below the HHR's 1,000lb towing capacity and the car still sunk down like it always had before today's servicing :-(. At least I know now that it's normal.

After I got the trailer to home port and uncoupled it, I took the car for a drive and noticed that my previous issues of driving around curves that hook with 20 & 25MPH advisories didn't feel like I was going to flip the car anymore. I'm glad to say that I solved that problem today. I can't wait to see its improvements in Southern Ohio on 03 October when I leave for Basecamp F at Scioto Trail State Park.

Lastly, the driver's side rear drum that I had to mount tightly is whistling and burning the shoes to the point that I can smell it. I expected this and hope that since the shoes are newer, that they'll just burn themselves free. The next time that I replace those, I'll just replace the shoes and rotary (again).

2014/09/21

Log 2014092101

This is the back side of the frame on my 2008 Chevy HHR LS, which mounts the front left wheel bearing. If you notice that there's a hole, that's because there's a 3" long bolt missing. This is something that has to be replaced at the Parts Department of a Chevrolet dealership.  And if I want it that day, it will probably have to be a department if a dealership that has a body shop.

2014/03/18

Log 2014031801

I experienced a little bit of the same lower back pain for the first two hours that I was up today. But all in all, it's still subsiding. Other than that, I purchased a laptop stand on an arm that mounts to the desk at Micro Center in Mayfield Heights of Cuyahoga County. I'm not sure how I'm going to configure my desk around it yet? I originally wanted to just get a platform for a wireless keyboard that I already have.

2014/03/12

Log 2014031201

-I received my arm band mount, laser pointing stylus pen and wired headphones from Bestpricecenter.com who's P.O. Box is in Chino Hills, California. This shipment was on time.

- Also, I received my Polar Bluetooth heart rate monitor from HIM USA, Inc in Warminister, Pennsylvania. This shipment was on time.

I believe the stylus pen was free. So, except for that, the other items will help me when I workout, either at the gym, or on the bicycle.

2014/03/06

Log 2014030603

I took my bicycle for a ride today to return the kickstand and heart rate monitor back to Dick's Sporting Goods in Mentor of Lake County. I didn't exchange them because the store didn't have another kickstand long enough, nor did they have a Bluetooth heart rate monitor to synchronize with my smartphone. I got about $81 back.

Because of the rear basket being mounted and my bike being so large, I have to tip my bike towards me and try to swing my leg up over the top bar of the frame first. Well, I have denim pants on today and the heel of my boot was always snagging the bar.

It's probably the denim? Maybe it's the weight of the boots? Maybe it's that I was injured for 3 months and I'm weaker because I haven't exercised since? And then, it could be a combination of the three? But it is 31°F and it was comfortable ride with a light jacket and mechanic's gloves.

2014/03/04

Log 2014030401

Orange reflector tape was installed on the two largest bars of my Nishki Colorado mountain bike.  It will increase night time visability from the sides and 3, or more way intersections and diminish my chances of being t-boned at night.

A new smartphone mount with a goose neck and suction cup was purchased at Best Buy in Mentor of Lake County today and installed.  It replaced a smaller smartphone holder, that didn't have grips to secure the smartphone in place.  It's design was gravity based.  And it's back plate didn't go high enough for the new Samsung Note 3's height.  The new mount is now sufficient for my in office use.

-A new 1 liter water bottle and cage was installed on said mountain bike.  A second cage is still on order and should arrive soon.

- A new rear basket was purchased from Wal-Mart in Mentor of Lake County and was installed on the back rack of said mountain bike.  This will allow me to haul cargo on the bike such as groceries and supplies.

- Two new USB cables were purchased for the new said smartphone.  They were intended for use in the garage where I'm currently housesitting and in my car.  Well, I opened the box and found out that they were the same as the data cables for my previous cell phone.  One of the boxes is now in the trash, so, I'm hoping that I that I can get my money back for the second one if I can find those other cables.

- A universal notebook charger was purchased today from Best Buy in Mentor of Lake County, but it was the wrong kind and it didn't fit my HP's power port.  I hope to take it back for an exchange.

- My new 10" combat boots made by Bates came today from Dick's Sporting Goods.  They'll be replacing my current boots of the same make and model.  That's because part of the outer sole at the tips of my feet are starting to separate and their tread is very worn down.

- A new Otter box smartphone case was purchased from Best Buy in Mentor of Lake County.  It's a rugged enclosure that protects my new Samsung Galaxy Note 3 smartphone.  If the cost to get the phone at Verizon only cost me about $300 out the door and a newly activated 2 year plan, should I damage the unit in such a way that it's beyond my extended warranty, a replacement of said smartphone will cost about $750 out of pocket at its current retail price.

-The new smartphone was mounted to said mountain bike and it seems to work.

-Even a service with a superior coverage area like Verizon Wireless will loose data signal in the kind of places that I go.  In the second installment of the next recreation trip, I'm counting on it.  This is a 31 mile bike ride from Belpre of Washington County to Chesterhill of Morgan County on the American Discovery Trail in Ohio, while it's independent of the Buckeye Trail.  My purpose will be to ride ADT's independent east arm before hiking the Buckeye Trail.  This will take place on township and county roads in remote areas.

I anticipate that the smartphone's GPS won't be up to the job.  Anyways, the field GPS is much more battery efficient than the smartphone.  If I can run them both, using the field GPS for my odometer, navigation and the smartphone for my on-board music, it should extend the smartphone's battery life.

So, I installed a custom field GPS mount to the top bar of said mountain bike's frame with a buckle, mesh strap and four zip ties.  The units belt clip mounts to one of the zip ties and the adjustable mesh strap.  The other three zip ties are secured to the frame for stabilization.

2014/01/07

Log 2014010601

I received a letter in the snail mail today from my cellular provider.  And in it, they stated that they performed an account review and had noticed that I was exceeding my data roaming limit.  Considering that I've been at home port in Painesville of Lake County for the last 67 days with regular voice service and 4G data and in that time, I only put about 1,000 miles on my 2008 Chevy HHR, I would have to conclude that they were in reference to my extended time while on hiking/ maintenance for the Buckeye Trail.  And I could only imagine that this excessive data roaming was accrued while using Google Maps and my turn-by-turn navigation moving from one place to another and finding amenities.  I tried to get in contact with their Roaming Compliance Department in their last operating hour today, but there was no response. 

On my smartphone, there's five bars that indicate regular voice service.  When the unit goes in to voice roaming, there's a little icon and the bars start over for that.  As for 4G, I only get that signal in major markets, like the Cleveland area.  The rest is 3G service.  But when the unit goes into data roaming, there isn't an icon.  You would have to roughly assume that the data roaming service area is similar to the voice roaming area.  But I know for a fact that they are not exact.  Sprint has online maps that detail these areas, but I would have to download an offline copy for what I do, but I don't believe that is available.  If I had an offline copy, I could upload it to Google Earth on the laptop that I carry on these trips to reference and know when I need to get paper directions.

So, I'm starting to formulate alternatives.  One is getting paper directions like I mentioned.

- Purchase a automotive GPS, which would work with satellites instead of cell phone towers and be more reliable in more places.

- Purchase and install a smaller a CDMA repeater in the car so my smartphone can get regular data services in more places.


- Change my cellphone carrier to Verizon if their services suit my needs in regards to data roaming.

But what I'm really hoping for is a special package that I can add on.  What does a cross country trucker do?

So far today, the air temperature was -13°F at home port.  At -7°F, my 2008 Chevy HHR had a difficult time starting.  It rained yesterday and froze on what was already hard packed snow... So, the Chevy did not move at all today.  And the already weak tailgate release would not power up when actuated.

This morning was the first in last 64 days that I didn't notice my back ache.  And considering that I tried pushing the HHR into a place where it might get some traction today, I still don't notice it.  Depending on how I sit, I can still feel, but barely.

My personal task list is dwindling down as I've completed a bunch of items.  The biggest hurdle now is I need to get about 45 days worth of pressure canning done before I can sit down and work on the 2014 Edition of the Ohio Transit Hiker's Resource.  That's January's main task.  In February, I need to start getting The Cramper's materials ready for when the weather breaks in Southern Ohio.

The next recreational series will tentatively start in the City of Parkersburg, West Virginia.  The plan is to bicycle to the Village of Chesterhill in Morgan County on the American Discovery Trail (ADT) in Southeast Ohio.  It's about a 31 mile ride.  At Chesterhill, the ADT will run concurrent with the Buckeye/ North Country Trail across the south.  I have the BT/ NCT/ ADT already completed from the Village of Mount Orab in Brown County to Eden Park in the City of Cincinnati. 

After the ride from Parkersburg to Chesterhill, I'll need to drive across the state to Cincinnati.  The 6,800 mile ADT is kind of peculiar in that it's mostly a straight line... until it reaches Greater Cincinnati.  That's when the trail splits into a loop.  The south side goes to Saint Louis, Missouri and the north goes to Chicago, Ill.  They rejoin near Denver, Colorado. 

I'll have to find a parking spot for the car and use public transit.  Before hand, I'll have to get a bike box from Amtrak (because there's are better) and use it to board the Greyhound to Richmond, Indiana.  Richmond is on the Indiana/ Ohio State Line and I'd cycle south on ADT's north side, while managing to divert and pick up about 2.5 miles of the south side.  And then, I'll turn around and clip through Northern Kentucky before reentering Ohio in Downtown Cincinnati, end at Eden Park and then pick up my car.  That ride is about 45 miles long. 

Within Ohio, cleaning up the ADT independant of the Buckeye Trail, I'll line myself up to hike about 350 miles from Chesterhill of Morgan County to Mount Orab of Brown County.  When I finish at Mount Orab (which this location is tentative), I will have completed the Buckeye Trail and be eligible for the Circuit Hike Patch.  Also, I'll be eligible for the North Country Trail's "Ohio" state patch.  The ADT doesn't have a state patch, all I really want to say that I've completed every major trail in Ohio.  And should I wish to hike, or bike across it, I'll be well on my way with having Ohio completed.

In other words, cleaning up a few minor ends will allow me to clean up and finish everything on one course while the three trails are running concurrent with each other on the same route.  That's my "plan of attack."

2014/01/05

Log 2014010501

So, I'm spending the winter back in home port. So far, I've been nursing a mild back injury for the last 66 days, or 9 weeks so far. In acclimating to life back home, I succumbed to a mild depression.
I purchased a Dean Exotica 4 string acoustic bass. Today, I purchased micro fiber cloths for it, my Yahama 6 string acoustic and my 12 string guitars. I'm not so sure, but I think I'll be bringing the bass with me next time.
A bottle fantastik Scrubbing Bubbles Heavy Duty All Purpose Cleaner was purchased today. It claims that it can kill 99.9% of germs and bacteria.  I need it because the kitchen sink here at home port is made of something black and I can't use bleach to clean it.  Its essential that the sink and counter tops get as close to sterilized as possible or I could have bacteria growth in my cans.

Most of my manuals are on some kind of computerized format on my tablet. Recently, the tablet bricked a 32GB microSD card.  And I wanted to replace it with today's maximum of a 256GB unit, but the 64GB was the highest capacity either in person in a store, or online... So, I purchased a 64GB microSDXC card. And chances are that a manual was stored on that bricked card and until I pack up for another trip, I probably won't know what I lost.

I'm performing a manual backup of documents and some media on my laptop, tablet and smartphone. This task has been added to my home port procedure.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) has been established on said devices.

One diversion that I have are my Star Trek video games. One was built for Windows 98 and the other was on XP. They play great on my server, which runs Vista and is in storage right now.  But, my laptop runs Windows 8 and its new Aero desktop doesn't like them. So, I have a full version of Windows XP Professional that I ordered. I'll have to install and dual boot the computer. Right now, I'm hoping that I won't have to install both operating systems.

Right now, I estimate that I have another 24 more days of hiking before I complete the Buckeye Trail and North Country and American Discovery Trails in Ohio. The goal is to be eligible for my patches in the Village of Mt. Orab in Brown County.  Its not a question of will I do it, but more a matter of how? This upcoming mission might not go like the last because there's another option. And I don't plan on choosing until sometime in the 3rd week of February. I don't see myself leaving for southern Ohio until about 2 weeks after the weather breaks.

Also, the nature of the upcoming program is different than the last.  For this coming up, I won't be volunteering for any trail maintenance. That was what consumed the vast majority of my 90-something days that I was out last time.  My hiking was actually quite productive and efficient. I set my 44/56 mile record out there in the most rugged place the Buckeye has in Southeast Ohio. In other words, I "destroyed" it. It shows that the south can't humble me.

At the moment, I'm standing by to make a bicycle donation on Cleveland's westside. Then get my prescriptions filled on the east side. Afterwards, I have oil to recycle and items to take to the landfill. Once that's done, I'll be putting my car in storage and relying on my bicycle and public transit until the weather breaks.

2013/08/09

Lo 2013080902

Yesterday, I also purchased Bevis & Butt Head - The Mike Judge Collection - Volume 1 that came with 3 DVD'S, Blade Runner starring Harrison Ford and Star Trek: Generations, Insurrection, First Contact, Insurrection and Evolutions movies with The Next Generation Cast from Buy Back$ in South Euclid.
The new windsheild mount for the smartphone is mounted, but it's intended for larger screen automotive GPS's.  However, I think I can mount the smartphone and make do with it.