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[Don Bowen <don.bowen AT earthlink.net>]

At 11/14/2006, you wrote:
> I have seen a program on this, (maybe mythbusters) where they tested many  of
> these ideas and not one of them resulted in improved mileage and a few were
> very dangerous. I have also read in Pop Mechanics that these , so far, are 
> all
>  frauds that don't work. Doesn't mean there will never be one, but so 
> far, no
>  quick fix.

There is no magic elixir.  A gasoline fueled internal combustion spark 
ignition engine needs a air/ fuel ratio of 14.1:1.  Any less fuel is a lean 
mixture and misfires start happening.  Any more fuel is a rich mixture and 
fuel is wasted.  Some racers like a slightly rich mixture to insure against 
missfires.  There is no magic way to reduce the fuel ratio.

The reason for the above is the mixture distribution in the combustion 
chamber.  A 14.1:1 A/F ratio has as many oxygen molecules needed to combine 
with all the fuel molecules.  There are lots of ways to improve fuel 
distribution and ignition, fuel injection, ridges in the bottom of 
carburetor intake manifold casting, offsetting and canting valves, dual 
spark plugs, etc.  All have been tried and some help but none get away from 
the 14.1:1 A/F ratio.  But that has not stopped charlatans from preying on 
a public too lazy to learn how the world really works.

Internal combustion compression ignition engines (Diesel) are 
different.  The fuel is injected into a combustion chamber filled with 
compressed air hot enough to ignite the fuel.  As such very lean conditions 
can be tolerated under part load.



Don Bowen              Awl Knotted Up                       KI6DIU
http://www.braingarage.com
My travel journal
http://www.braingarage.com/Dons/Travels/journal/Journal.html

I am omnivagant.  
> From don.bowen AT earthlink.net  Tue Nov 14 12:42:55 2006
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Subject: [Homestead] More fuel for the housing bubble/froth debate
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Home Depot cuts outlook amid housing downturn
http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/061114/retail_homedepot_earns.html?.v=7


Don Bowen              Awl Knotted Up                       KI6DIU
http://www.braingarage.com
My travel journal
http://www.braingarage.com/Dons/Travels/journal/Journal.html

I am omnivagant.  
> From erthnsky AT bellsouth.net  Tue Nov 14 12:50:02 2006
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Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2006 12:49:58 -0500
From: EarthNSky <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net>
Organization: EarthNSky Farm
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Subject: [Homestead] Disappearing chickens
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I'm frustrated.  My chicken count is going down quickly.  Yesterday,
remember I said I was in and out of the house, something killed a
chicken in the middle of the afternoon.  All signs point to a raccoon,
except that it happened in the day.  I found a headless, neckless
chicken in the middle of the pen, at least 10 feet from a fence.  The
kill spot, the feathery spot, was less than 10 feet from the carcass.
Before yesterday, it was exactly 7 days since the last attack, and I
understand that coons sometimes wait 5-7 days between raids.  Right now,
I am missing a few birds, but they could be out in the woods loose
because something came around this morning, too, and scared almost all
of the birds out of the fence (flew over the 3 foot area where the coop
is under construction) The chickens normally don't do that unless
something is after them.  In this case, I suspect a fox or coyote, but
the kill yesterday had to be either from a raccoon or a weasel.
I just don't know what I can do.  I can't afford a better fence right
now.  I have set a trap for whatever(raccoon sized haveaheart).
I'd put Rilian (Greater Swiss Mountain Dog) inside the garden fence with
the chickens, but I'm not sure he is smart enough to go after a raccoon.
 He's big and dumb and stupid.  I'd put Bear(Australian Shepherd) out
there, but he would escape the fence and be on the porch in less than 5
minutes.  Bear is smart, and he does have the drive, but left alone, I'm
not entirely sure that he wouldn't go after the chickens, too.  This
morning his prey drive was a bit stronger than I would have liked to
have seen when he was helping me round up and pen the loose birds.  And
no, Bear is NOT the problem predator at large.  I know this for a fact.

Bev, who is about ready to camp out with the gun.
--
BevanRon of EarthNSky Farm   NW Georgia USDA Zone 7
34.498N 85.076W    Bev is Earth, Ron is Sky