More Wacky Kiwi Energy News

The clean environment and too many tales of Hobbits must have distorted reality down there.

Would Nuclear Power Be a Viable Energy Source for New Zealand? - NZ Herald - 07 Apr 08

"Nearly one in five New Zealanders say nuclear power is a viable energy source, even though politicians have put it off limits.

Wind power topped the poll as the preferred source of electricity generation, with 77 percent. In September, a Colmar Brunton poll found 36 percent believed the Government should consider developing nuclear power stations, 60 percent said 'no' and 4 percent didn't know."

More Wacky Kiwi Energy News

The clean environment and too many tales of Hobbits must have distorted reality down there.

Would Nuclear Power Be a Viable Energy Source for New Zealand? - NZ Herald - 07 Apr 08

"Nearly one in five New Zealanders say nuclear power is a viable energy source, even though politicians have put it off limits.

Wind power topped the poll as the preferred source of electricity generation, with 77 percent. In September, a Colmar Brunton poll found 36 percent believed the Government should consider developing nuclear power stations, 60 percent said 'no' and 4 percent didn't know."

Webfarmer Goes Electric

Got my delivery e-mail from Wal-Mart for my electric bicycle this morning and picked it up as part of a loop to get some banking done.  Took a little doing to find the pickup location (it was inside the store not outside) but once I got there the folks were very helpful and friendly.  Even took the box out to my car for me.  It fit nicely in the Volvo wagon.  One rip in the carton but no damage noted inside. 

Got the whole thing put together in about two hours or so.  Took my time and only put the front wheel on backwards in terms of a boo boo.  Have pictures of each stage of assembly and will post those later.  They included tools to put it together but I used the ones I had in my little tool kit as they worked a bit better.

Since the Wal-Mart guy offered to do fine tuning on the brakes and such, I'm going to drive back out and drop it off today.  I need to charge the battery for 8 hours before using it so might as well let their bike people do their thing while that happens.  Should be a done deal by tomorrow afternoon if not earlier.

Initial observations:  It's not as heavy as I'd feared.  The hubs look pretty cheapie.  There are bolt holes for fenders.  The rear rack looks like it's designed primarily for carrying battery packs (there are "sockets" on either side) so I don't know if I'll be able to basket one side or not.  May have to go with a front basket for carrying groceries and such.  It's a very pretty blue color.  The batteries lock to the bike rack but I'm not sure you need the key to actually drive the thing.  I still have to RTFM (read the friendly manual) of course. 

Webfarmer Goes Electric

Got my delivery e-mail from Wal-Mart for my electric bicycle this morning and picked it up as part of a loop to get some banking done.  Took a little doing to find the pickup location (it was inside the store not outside) but once I got there the folks were very helpful and friendly.  Even took the box out to my car for me.  It fit nicely in the Volvo wagon.  One rip in the carton but no damage noted inside. 

Got the whole thing put together in about two hours or so.  Took my time and only put the front wheel on backwards in terms of a boo boo.  Have pictures of each stage of assembly and will post those later.  They included tools to put it together but I used the ones I had in my little tool kit as they worked a bit better.

Since the Wal-Mart guy offered to do fine tuning on the brakes and such, I'm going to drive back out and drop it off today.  I need to charge the battery for 8 hours before using it so might as well let their bike people do their thing while that happens.  Should be a done deal by tomorrow afternoon if not earlier.

Initial observations:  It's not as heavy as I'd feared.  The hubs look pretty cheapie.  There are bolt holes for fenders.  The rear rack looks like it's designed primarily for carrying battery packs (there are "sockets" on either side) so I don't know if I'll be able to basket one side or not.  May have to go with a front basket for carrying groceries and such.  It's a very pretty blue color.  The batteries lock to the bike rack but I'm not sure you need the key to actually drive the thing.  I still have to RTFM (read the friendly manual) of course.