Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations

berri

PF - I always liked the original Valiant's. Something new, and maybe a little European looking for the times.

Only thing I've found with New Balance is try them on before buying. They can sometimes run a little tight. Good shoe though.

jmonroe

driver100 said:

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

Did we ever get an answer?

Alternators are used in modern automobiles to charge the battery and to power the electrical system when its engine is running.

Until the 1960s, automobiles used DC dynamo generators with commutators. With the availability of affordable silicon diode rectifiers, alternators were used instead. This was encouraged by the increasing electrical power required for cars in this period, with increasing loads from larger headlamps, electric wipers, heated rear windows and other accessories.

Vehicle alternators were first used by the military from WWII, to power radio equipment on specialist vehicles.[i] Post-war, other vehicles with high electrical demands, such as ambulances and radio taxis, could also be fitted with optional alternators.[1]

Alternators were first introduced as standard equipment on a production car by the Chrysler Corporation on the Valiant in 1960, several years ahead of Ford and General Motors.[1][2]

I thought you forgot about this.

Can you explain what is meant by, "With the availability of affordable silicon diode rectifiers, alternators were used instead". With inflation, is this still true today?

jmonroe

I think that is a trick question. I refuse to answer under the grounds this may incriminate me.

I have no idea what that means. Wild guess, they are probably used today because they are much more efficient at producing the amount of electricity needed for todays cars. But, what do I know, my expertise is in books!

It is not a trick question other than if you had done your previous assignment when I figured you would research car alternators being 3 phase electrical devices, you would have also learned (without guessing) that "silicon diode rectifiers" are used to turn the AC voltage created by an alternator into the DC voltage required for a cars electrical system. And yes, silicon diode rectifiers are just as affordable and even more reliable today than when alternators were first introduced back in the early '60's, thanks to technology.

You see, this is what happens when you don't do your home work from previous assignments. Just like when you went to school, it always comes back to haunt you. Kinda like, 'you can't run until you know how to walk'.

jmonroe

thebean

abacomike said:

houdini1 said:

Was at the podiatrist yesterday afternoon - he gave me another shot of cortisone and added a little lanocane for pain relief. I still have problems so he is sending me for an X-ray as well as physical therapy. It is his opinion that the Achilles tendon is too tight from my calf to the bottom of my foot causing inflammation and pain. He believes it is from being in bed for 10 weeks in hospitals and rehab centers. I asked him if it is OK to walk through the pain, if possible, and he said yes - the more exercise I get and the more stretching I do, the less the pain will be. But he wants an X-ray to make sure it isn't something more severe. He showed me where the tendon(s) bulge out from the muscles and skin showing how tight they are. Never a dull moment. So I am going for the X-ray Monday morning and therapy starting next week or if I go up to see my brother, when I get back. He has a bad cold (I get sick every time I used to fly in a plane) which is where he was over the last 10 days.

Put on your shopping hat and go buy some Skechers go walk 2 or go walk 3 shoes. These are the easiest shoes on your feet that you can find. They are very inexpensive, $60. $70. dollars. Some you can find on Amazon. Problem with Amazon, you can't try them on, etc. Many retail stores have them, also there are stand alone Skechers stores, outlets, etc. Try on a pair, walk around some and you will be sold. Definitely help those sore heels. Disclaimer: I have no financial interest in Skechers.

Thanks, Houdini, for the info.  Podiatrist suggested Brooks running shoes so I went over to Dicks today to try them.  Average pricing was $125-$145 a pair.  They provide heel and arch support - very rigid.  I found them not wide enough.  When I am at the mall tomorrow I will try on a pair of Sketchers.  It's not comfort so much as support he is insisting on.

I wear Rockport walking shoes and have several pairs.  He said they were good shoes, but he said they don't give sufficient support for arch.  I'll let you know how they feel.

Brooks shoes come in wide widths, but generally stores like Dick's don't carry the wide ones.  Running stores do carry widths in some shoes.  Brooks has a shoe (the Beast) that is for heavy folks (like myself) and they come in wide. They have a lot of support - I have had a couple of pair over the years, although I normally wear Saucony shoes when I walk or work out.  They also come in wide.

abacomike

berri said:

PF - I always liked the original Valiant's. Something new, and maybe a little European looking for the times. Only thing I've found with New Balance is try them on before buying. They can sometimes run a little tight. Good shoe though.

Where would I find New Balance?  What stores?  I need to try them on before buying them.

Update - there's a running shoe place at the mall.  I'll stop in tomorrow.

jmonroe

abacomike said:

My great uncle on my mother's side of the family married a nurse who lived in Punksatawnee PA.  She was my aunt Molly.  I remember the stories she would tell me and my twin brother about the Ground Hog Day Celebration each year.  Now remember, she was a Great Aunt - she was in her 60's when I first met her.  She and my Great Uncle Al retired to Hialeah, FL, which is where I first met her.  She was an RN at Mercy Hospital.

I remember one story she told about a Ground Hog Day when Punksatawnee Phil bit the mayor of the city on his nose.  My aunt said he bled so bad she ran over to give him first aid.  They had to take him to the hospital the bite was so bad - took off part of his nose.  Those varments can be pretty nasty when awakened from their winter hibernation.

Jmonroe, you live in the Burg - not too far from Punksatawnee- ever been there on Groundhogs Day?  

PS - did I spell Punksatawnee correctly or is it Punxsutawney? 

Punxsutawney is the correct spelling.

If you think I am driving about 70 miles to watch a rodent put on a side show on Gobblers Knob you don't know me very well.

As for that mayor being bit, that's another reason why I won't go there. It doesn't sound like they are too bright up there. When you stick your ugly nose in front of an ugly rodent, what the hell do you think is going to happen.

I'll just watch it on TV when the 5 o'clock news come on.

jmonroe

jwm40517

I buy Brooks at a local running shop in a very wide EEEE size.

jmonroe

abacomike said:

berri said:

PF - I always liked the original Valiant's. Something new, and maybe a little European looking for the times.

Only thing I've found with New Balance is try them on before buying. They can sometimes run a little tight. Good shoe though.

Where would I find New Balance?  What stores?  I need to try them on before buying them.

Update - there's a running shoe place at the mall.  I'll stop in tomorrow.

You should be able to find New Balance at most stores, even Kohl's and such.

FWIW, I almost always buy New Balance because they fit the way I want a shoe to fit. And, I have found them to be cheaper than the other brands.

I hope you find a comfortable shoe and the pain goes away.

jmonroe

jmonroe

jwm40517 said:

I buy Brooks at a local running shop in a very wide EEEE size.

EEEE? Man, I never want you to step on my feet.

You must have to get insurance for when you go dancing.

jmonroe

jipster

abacomike said:

Was at the podiatrist yesterday afternoon - he gave me another shot of cortisone and added a little lanocane for pain relief. I still have problems so he is sending me for an X-ray as well as physical therapy. It is his opinion that the Achilles tendon is too tight from my calf to the bottom of my foot causing inflammation and pain. He believes it is from being in bed for 10 weeks in hospitals and rehab centers. I asked him if it is OK to walk through the pain, if possible, and he said yes - the more exercise I get and the more stretching I do, the less the pain will be. But he wants an X-ray to make sure it isn't something more severe. He showed me where the tendon(s) bulge out from the muscles and skin showing how tight they are. Never a dull moment. So I am going for the X-ray Monday morning and therapy starting next week or if I go up to see my brother, when I get back. He has a bad cold (I get sick every time I used to fly in a plane) which is where he was over the last 10 days.

Hey Mike, having played tennis most of my life, have had recent problems with Achilles tendonitis, as well as plantar fasciitis about a month ago. First rest, ice, and ibuprofen as needed. Just bought a pair of New Balance 928V2 walking shoes. They are both supportive and comfortable. Run about $120.   Calf stretches are really important, something I've done daily as I let the Achilles tendonitis go too long without treating. Stretching out the arch of your foot with a tennis or golf ball, bottle of frozen water helps with inflamation. All things your podiatrist probably said. Also got a Dr. Schols heel pad to help out a bit with the P.F. Feeling better today. I cancelled my tennis match today so it can heal faster. Good luck. :-)

Also, Amazon is a good place to go to research and read shoe reviews. People can't submit a review unless they actually buy the product...which is good. 

abacomike

jipster said:

abacomike said:

Was at the podiatrist yesterday afternoon - he gave me another shot of cortisone and added a little lanocane for pain relief. I still have problems so he is sending me for an X-ray as well as physical therapy. It is his opinion that the Achilles tendon is too tight from my calf to the bottom of my foot causing inflammation and pain. He believes it is from being in bed for 10 weeks in hospitals and rehab centers. I asked him if it is OK to walk through the pain, if possible, and he said yes - the more exercise I get and the more stretching I do, the less the pain will be. But he wants an X-ray to make sure it isn't something more severe. He showed me where the tendon(s) bulge out from the muscles and skin showing how tight they are. Never a dull moment. So I am going for the X-ray Monday morning and therapy starting next week or if I go up to see my brother, when I get back. He has a bad cold (I get sick every time I used to fly in a plane) which is where he was over the last 10 days.

Hey Mike, having played tennis most of my life, have had recent problems with Achilles tendonitis, as well as plantar fasciitis about a month ago. First rest, ice, and ibuprofen as needed. Just bought a pair of New Balance 928V2 walking shoes. They are both supportive and comfortable. Run about $120.   Calf stretches are really important, something I've done daily as I let the Achilles tendonitis go too long without treating. Stretching out the arch of your foot with a tennis or golf ball, bottle of frozen water helps with inflamation. All things your podiatrist probably said. Also got a Dr. Schols heel pad to help out a bit with the P.F. Feeling better today. I cancelled my tennis match today so it can heal faster. Good luck. :-)

Also, Amazon is a good place to go to research and read shoe reviews. People can't submit a review unless they actually buy the product...which is good. 

Thanks for your insight - much appreciated! 

suydam

abacomike said:

berri said:

PF - I always liked the original Valiant's. Something new, and maybe a little European looking for the times.

Only thing I've found with New Balance is try them on before buying. They can sometimes run a little tight. Good shoe though.

Where would I find New Balance?  What stores?  I need to try them on before buying them.

Update - there's a running shoe place at the mall.  I'll stop in tomorrow.

New Balance often has stand alone stores in malls with staff trained to fit their shoes.

abacomike

jmonroe said:

berri said:

PF - I always liked the original Valiant's. Something new, and maybe a little European looking for the times. Only thing I've found with New Balance is try them on before buying. They can sometimes run a little tight. Good shoe though.

Where would I find New Balance?  What stores?  I need to try them on before buying them.

Update - there's a running shoe place at the mall.  I'll stop in tomorrow.

You should be able to find New Balance at most stores, even Kohl's and such. FWIW, I almost always buy New Balance because they fit the way I want a shoe to fit. And, I have found them to be cheaper than the other brands. I hope you find a comfortable shoe and the pain goes away. jmonroe

Thanks, JM.  Plantar fasciitis was the podiatrist's diagnosis.  Going to have X-rays done Monday Morning.  I remember having this same problem about 8 years ago.  It settled down after cotisone shot.  But not this time.  

driver100

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

Did we ever get an answer?

Alternators are used in modern automobiles to charge the battery and to power the electrical system when its engine is running.

Until the 1960s, automobiles used DC dynamo generators with commutators. With the availability of affordable silicon diode rectifiers, alternators were used instead. This was encouraged by the increasing electrical power required for cars in this period, with increasing loads from larger headlamps, electric wipers, heated rear windows and other accessories.

Vehicle alternators were first used by the military from WWII, to power radio equipment on specialist vehicles.[i] Post-war, other vehicles with high electrical demands, such as ambulances and radio taxis, could also be fitted with optional alternators.[1]

Alternators were first introduced as standard equipment on a production car by the Chrysler Corporation on the Valiant in 1960, several years ahead of Ford and General Motors.[1][2]

I thought you forgot about this.

Can you explain what is meant by, "With the availability of affordable silicon diode rectifiers, alternators were used instead". With inflation, is this still true today?

jmonroe

I think that is a trick question. I refuse to answer under the grounds this may incriminate me.

I have no idea what that means. Wild guess, they are probably used today because they are much more efficient at producing the amount of electricity needed for todays cars. But, what do I know, my expertise is in books!

It is not a trick question other than if you had done your previous assignment when I figured you would research car alternators being 3 phase electrical devices, you would have also learned (without guessing) that "silicon diode rectifiers" are used to turn the AC voltage created by an alternator into the DC voltage required for a cars electrical system. And yes, silicon diode rectifiers are just as affordable and even more reliable today than when alternators were first introduced back in the early '60's, thanks to technology.

You see, this is what happens when you don't do your home work from previous assignments. Just like when you went to school, it always comes back to haunt you. Kinda like, 'you can't run until you know how to walk'.

jmonroe

Thanks, but you are the engineer who should know all that kind of stuff. I have to keep my brain sells so that I can decide what book I want to read next, whether it is a tennis or pickleball day, what newspaper I still have to read (there are 3).

Thanks for the lesson though, and you are improving, just over 120 words!

suydam

Groundhogs are nasty rodents. My Brittany used to kill at least one a day in the summertime. Everyone wanted to hire her. Even the vet asked if she'd hang out in his back yard for a day. They have few friends.
As a side note -- in Ohio we have Buckeye Chuck.

isellhondas

jmonroe said:

isellhondas said:

jmonroe said:

isellhondas said:

jmonroe said:

isellhondas said:

sda said:

stickguy said:

my Hondas (Accord and Odyssey) both had lousy OEM batteries that did not last all that long (4 years max, one might have been 3).

one problem is that sometimes it is not a gradual fade out that gets you (so you get warning). Rather, something just lets go internally (I guess a cell failing) and you go from good to dead like flipping a switch. No real way to predict that.

That has been my experience as well. Battery lasted 4 years on the Civic and 3 on the Accord. No warning at all with the Civic. Started up just fine and went to Publix. Came back less than 10 min later and it hardly made a clicking noise when I tried to start it. I hadn't started the Accord for about 3 days and it cranked slowly, started, stalled (a first) and then was completely dead. I had to pry the cover near the shifter off so I could stick a key and manually override the Park lock out to get the car in neutral. I drafted my wife to help push it out of the garage so I could position the Pilot to jump it off. Fun times!

I sold our next door neighbors a new Accord in 1996 and the original battery lasted 13 years! that has GOT to be a record!

My experience is that OEM batteries are better than aftermarket batteries.

My first car, a 1956 Chevy that I got used in 1961, had a 6 volt Delco battery that was literally tortured and was still in the car in 1963 when I sold it.

That is a looooong story. Nobody would read all of that so I'm not going to even try. I get tired of just thinking about what that battery went through.

jmonroe

Ah...not to be nitpicky but Chevy went to a 12 volt system in 1955.

Yes, you are correct. I was going to correct it but let it go since it was past the EDIT period and I didn't want to repost the correction. What I do remember for sure is that my '56 Chevy had a generator not an alternator. I'm not sure when GM made that change but I think my '62 Chevy that replaced the '56 had an alternator but since I never had to do any charging system work on the '62, I'm not positive about that.

jmonroe

OK, a little Chevrolet history...

1963 was the first year ALL Chevys came with alternators. EXCEPT if a 1962 full sized Chevy had factory air conditioning these came with a one year only (hard to find!) alternator.

Thanks.

A/C in '62? You probably had to be on the high income side for that. I was still in the Navy in '63 when I got my '62 so that explains why my '62 did not have A/C.

The first car that I had with A/C was a '75 Grand Prix that I bought used in '77. I was really living by then.

jmonroe

I bought my 1962 Impala SS for 700.00 in 1968. It had the 300 H.P. 327 with Powerglide and it had power windows and factory air conditioning. This by the ocean in a cool part of So. California so factory air wa a bit of an oddity unless you had a high end car. That was the COLDEST A/ C in any car 've ever owned.

And, yes, at something like 450.00 at the time it added something like another 15% to the price of the car so most people went without. I know I would have gone without it I were ordering the car new.

What a beautiful car that was too. White with blue interior! Wish I had it now!

oldfarmer50

suydam said:

First car with AC? An '86 Plymouth Voyager

First AC car 84 Celebrity bought used in 87. Compressor failed less than a month later as I was picking up my newborn from the hospital. :@

oldfarmer50

imidazol97 said:

First car with AC..., Mustang Grande 1970 with houndtooth checked cloth seats and a half vinyl roof, front half. I cannot remember what color the car was. I think it was dark blue. It was a luxury car, according to the brochures.

Think what it would be worth if you kept it.

oldfarmer50

tjc78 said:

Our local diner has an Early Bird menu, and I'm sure other diners here do too.  

Bagels,
Nothing better than a true NY bagel.  Most of NJ you can get a good one, but not the same.  

Had my first bagel when a grad student at UAlbany in 1977. Large downstate student population. The area didn't have them off campus until years later.

abacomike

I have been trying to remember the first A/C car I owned.  I think it was a 1969 Buick LeSabre 455 2-door in gold with black vinyl roof.  That had some engine in it.  I was living in Oak Park, Illinois at the time and had gotten married the year before.

Of course the A/C was all manual, as most cars at that time were except for Cadillac.

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

Woman sales lady trying to sell Mitsubishi truck:

https://youtu.be/MD-44kCNA-g

Ha ha! Do you have that girl's phone number? I didn't know Mitsu had a truck like that. The last one, the Raider was a rebadged Dodge Dakota.

jmonroe

suydam said:

Groundhogs are nasty rodents. My Brittany used to kill at least one a day in the summertime. Everyone wanted to hire her. Even the vet asked if she'd hang out in his back yard for a day. They have few friends.
As a side note -- in Ohio we have Buckeye Chuck.

I never heard of Buckeye Chuck but when I lived in SC I found out that General Beauregard from GA was quite renown down that way.

I don't know who copied who but it seems Groundhogs are the animal of choice for predicting whether Winter will go on for another 6 weeks or not.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

jmonroe said:

Anyone else get this email from Amazon?

Payment Declined

Hello ,
We’ve sent a message to your Message Centre in your PayPal account. The message will be available for 90 days.

We have temporarily suspend your account and your access to online it will be restricted if you fail to update.

To restore your account, please

Update your payment method

I can't remember the last time I bought something from those guys nor have I ever used PayPal. Now what do I do?

jmonroe

Just pay your bills, deadbeat.

Actually, I think I got something like that awhile back. Ignored it since I hardly ever use Amazon. Probably a scam to get your CC number.

cdnpinhead

imidazol97 said:

It must have been medium bright blue iridescent. That's a mouothful.
It had a lot of glittering small reflecting granules in it. I really liked that in paint.

Ah, the good ol' days of Ditzler paint, back when men were men and paint stayed on and didn't look like it was applied with a roller.

I had my 240Z repainted with Ditzler enamel back in '81, and the crap that passes for paint for the last 20 years or so can't hold a candle to it. The hell with VOCs -- I want real paint.

Good times.

oldfarmer50

PF_Flyer said:

Just a preliminary thought... anyone heading to the NY Auto Show in April? I think there are bagels there

My friend with the Mustang (which is still in the shop) has been dropping hints that he wants to go. Might take him up on it since I haven't been to NYC in 40 years.

I hear they even have indoor plumbing now.

oldfarmer50

abacomike said:

berri said:

PF - I always liked the original Valiant's. Something new, and maybe a little European looking for the times.

Only thing I've found with New Balance is try them on before buying. They can sometimes run a little tight. Good shoe though.

Where would I find New Balance?  What stores?  I need to try them on before buying them.

Update - there's a running shoe place at the mall.  I'll stop in tomorrow.

I get mine in the cheapo stores like Payless. Did I ever tell you about the time I helped my wife's rich relative shoot fireworks across the cove at the owner?

abacomike

jmonroe said:

Groundhogs are nasty rodents. My Brittany used to kill at least one a day in the summertime. Everyone wanted to hire her. Even the vet asked if she'd hang out in his back yard for a day. They have few friends. As a side note -- in Ohio we have Buckeye Chuck.

I never heard of Buckeye Chuck but when I lived in SC I found out that General Beauregard from GA was quite renown down that way. I don't know who copied who but it seems Groundhogs are the animal of choice for predicting whether Winter will go on for another 6 weeks or not. jmonroe

They predict the end of winter and the start of spring correctly only 39% of the time according to the news tonight.  Those critters should just learn to flip a coin every February 2nd - that would improve their weather forecasts to 50% - better than our meteorologists of the 1980's.  

jmonroe

abacomike said:

I have been trying to remember the first A/C car I owned.  I think it was a 1969 Buick LeSabre 455 2-door in gold with black vinyl roof.  That had some engine in it.  I was living in Oak Park, Illinois at the time and had gotten married the year before.

Of course the A/C was all manual, as most cars at that time were except for Cadillac.

My second new car (first was a '66 Bonneville) was a '68 Olds Delta Custom 2 door hard top, with a Black vinyl top and it also had the 455 engine. That engine was a beast and pretty much filled the engine compartment but it did not have A/C, so changing plugs was still easy.

Like I said earlier, my first car with A/C was a '75 Grand Prix. I found the easiest way to change the plugs on the passenger side of its 350 engine was to jack up the car, take off the right front tire and the plugs were almost staring you right in the face. From under the hood, because of the compressor, if you didn't know better you wouldn't even know there were plugs on that side. It was very tight down there.

I thought that was a crazy way to change plugs on GM cars with A/C but I wasn't going to fight it from the top. :@

jmonroe

explorerx4

@driver100,
I was debating watching that video, but it was worth it.
The guy in the black tee shirt sure got his comeuppance.

imidazol97

abacomike said:

Only thing I've found with New Balance is try them on before buying. They can sometimes run a little tight. Good shoe though.

Where would I find New Balance?  What stores?  I need to try them on before buying them.

Update - there's a running shoe place at the mall.  I'll stop in tomorrow.

New Balance has their own stores. Boca Raton Town Center. Sawgrass Milles. usw.

tjc78

@jmonroe Like everyone said, obvious scam. What's really funny is, Amazon doesn't even take Paypal!

suydam

oldfarmer50 said:

abacomike said:

berri said:

PF - I always liked the original Valiant's. Something new, and maybe a little European looking for the times.

Only thing I've found with New Balance is try them on before buying. They can sometimes run a little tight. Good shoe though.

Where would I find New Balance?  What stores?  I need to try them on before buying them.

Update - there's a running shoe place at the mall.  I'll stop in tomorrow.

I get mine in the cheapo stores like Payless. Did I ever tell you about the time I helped my wife's rich relative shoot fireworks across the cove at the owner?



If you have bad feet stay away from cheapo stores.

Mr_Shiftright

Well they do if you have a Paypal debit card.

tjc78

Oh, forgot they had that.  

explorerx4

I sent my wife a link to buy an extended warranty for her Lincoln MKC.
Previously, I had kind of run through the options of years/mileage.
She picked what she wanted, then asked me about the extra coverages.
I hadn't gone that far into the process asked her what they were and one of them was lighting.
She read the description and it turns out the fancy headlight housings with light bars/taillights with LED's were not included in the main extended warranty.
I looked up how much the parts listed for(love fordparts.com) and each headlight housing listed for over $1350 and the rear light just under $900 each.
Told her to make sure she got that add on just in case.
Looked up the lighting warranty add on for my Fusion and it was $85 for 7 years.
It has LED's front and back.
Just something to keep in mind depending what you buy.

sda

My parents first car with a/c was a '63 Olds Dynamic 88 Holiday coupe that they bought in '65. The floor in the '59 Catalina had rusted out forcing dad to buy mom a newer car.
My '76 Pontiac Sunbird V6 that I bought in '78 during my freshman year in college was my first car to have a/c.

driver100

explorerx4 said:

I sent my wife a link to buy an extended warranty for her Lincoln MKC.

I looked up how much the parts listed for(love fordparts.com) and each headlight housing listed for over $1350 and the rear light just under $900 each.
Told her to make sure she got that add on just in case.
Looked up the lighting warranty add on for my Fusion and it was $85 for 7 years.
It has LED's front and back.
Just something to keep in mind depending what you buy.

After the E400 got creamed the tow truck driver said right away the E was worth more for parts than it was to try to repair it (it took the insurance company 2 weeks to figure that out). He said one front headlight (LED) was worth about $2500! Somebody is making money on all these fancy things, but, it sure does cost!

sda

They may not look as nice or be as energy efficient but give me a headlight/taillight unit where I can just replace the bulb and not the entire assembly. It's crazy to have to spend that kind of money for replacement.

stickguy

that was a big reason I was not that anxious to have Xenons on a car in the past. Instead of a $40 bulb (or less), was looking at a $1,000 unit possibly. Difference was not that big to me to make it worth it. And the prices listed here on the fancy new units are just nuts.

berri

My first car with ac was a 71 Plymouth with the vaunted "Chrysler AirTemp"' system. Except, it seemed to frequently break down, so back to the dealer and then break down again not that much later. It seemed to eat ac compressor clutches. I didn't keep that POS very long- many other issues with the vehicle. Years later while in Florida, our neighborhood had a lot of homes with Airtemp - you guessed it, frequent sightings of ac repair trucks.

suydam

Man, you all got AC early! And I grew up in the Mojave desert! No kidding, we used to take long drives with ice wrapped in towels. Even when we moved to Ohio we didn't have two shekels to rub together. I would claim we also walked 2 miles uphill both ways to school, but hey, the desert. True story, though, we not only had no AC, but we had no heat in one car during our first 5 years in Ohio.

oldfarmer50

suydam said:

oldfarmer50 said:

abacomike said:

berri said:

PF - I always liked the original Valiant's. Something new, and maybe a little European looking for the times.

Only thing I've found with New Balance is try them on before buying. They can sometimes run a little tight. Good shoe though.

Where would I find New Balance?  What stores?  I need to try them on before buying them.

Update - there's a running shoe place at the mall.  I'll stop in tomorrow.

I get mine in the cheapo stores like Payless. Did I ever tell you about the time I helped my wife's rich relative shoot fireworks across the cove at the owner?

If you have bad feet stay away from cheapo stores.

Probably a good idea to not get intoxicated on 4th of July and help shoot fireworks at a rich shoe company ower too.

sda

suydam said:

Man, you all got AC early! And I grew up in the Mojave desert! No kidding, we used to take long drives with ice wrapped in towels. Even when we moved to Ohio we didn't have two shekels to rub together. I would claim we also walked 2 miles uphill both ways to school, but hey, the desert. True story, though, we not only had no AC, but we had no heat in one car during our first 5 years in Ohio.

Dad grew up in St Petersburg, FL without air and to this day doesn't care for it. The '63 Olds was an oddity because it had factory AC and no heater. The previous owner special ordered it that way. When we moved to New Orleans mom carried blankets in the car to keep us warm.

laurasdada

My first car with AC was my first new car, '84 Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo.

I currently run in Brooks Ghost 7 & 8. After a couple of pairs of Asics Cumulus. Love the cushioning in the Asics, but Brooks are lighter. Ran my first half marathon in November in New Hamster. Beautiful day, great event; $110k raised for local food pantries. Not bad for an old man that hated (and did not run!) running his whole life.

Come on folks, look at EVERY email with a suspicious eye. Especially ones that are even slightly, remotely, insignificantly related to your finances!!!

Took a mental health day/road trip down to my favorite casino last night/today. Pepe's pizza for dinner, then a soak in the hot tub. Finally, nearly four hours of blackjack, I had an Abacomike like experience! Just lounged this morning, light breakfast, free lunch on the casino. Wandered into the casino, sat at a video blackjack machine and cashed out a $3.50 ticket someone had either forgotten to print or left in disgust! Great day.

Have I mentioned how much I love my car? What a great GT, smooth, powerful, economical-ish (but, man do the mpgs drop above 70mph!), quiet and luxurious in a leather/aluminum/wood way... And, man, is it purty! Once again, grace with pace! Why do fools fall in love?

sb55

suydam said:

Sketchers don't have the support for problem feet. Generally New Balance will work well and are recommended by podiatrists. Expense doesn't matter if you can't walk. Roadrunner Sports will also make custom insoles for your shoes based on the level of support you need. Don't know if they have them in your state.

I'm a big fan of New Balance.  I wear a 9.5 4E and  they come in wide sizes. NB also makes specific shoes for walking or light hiking. I have a 3.5 mile loop that I do daily. Most on dirt roads, but about 1/2 mile on a lakeshore trail. I have worn out 2 pairs in the last few years. 
Check them out if you can find a store. 

ab348

I have bad feet that a podiatrist told me a couple of years ago should have been fixed when I was an infant but were not. Now the only fix would be breaking/resetting the lower legs, screwing them back together, putting them in casts and being in a wheelchair for 6-8 weeks, no thanks. Even prior to learning that I used to say that I had "pizza feet" because the are very wide in the toe area and taper back to a narrow heel, so most shoes do not fit. New Balance and their leather Dunham line are the only ones that consistently work for me. Size 10/4E usually.

driver100

In some situations Dr Scholls orthotics can work well, even just to get arch support at a reasonable price. I found the foot doctor would take a plaster mold and charge $300 to $400 to make orthotics. The Dr Scholl's
machine takes an imprint of your foot and gives you the orthotic that will work for you for a reasonable cost, about $30. I think it is better and more scientific than an actual person. If you like your present shoes this could give you the "lift" you need....to get more arch support.

Cheap shoes are a good example of false economizing. Pay less now, but pay a lot more to correct the problems later.

houdini1

Two Edmund's members are sitting in a bar. One is trying to get up the courage to talk to a nice looking woman at the bar. The other one says it's easy, just give her your favorite pick-up line. Finally he goes over to her and blurts out...Ford F150 Series.

PF_Flyer

Heh... not bad

graphicguy

CTS update....my case worker called last night to tell me the wiring harness, wiring and the re-routing hardware will be at the dealership "soon". Not sure when "soon" is, but I told her that ship had sailed. Haven't heard a peep from the BBB in weeks. So, not sure if they're still involved or not.

So, Customer Service called me for.....well.....no particular reason.

carnaught

GG, Customer Service called you, for one reason only, to temporize (stall) you.