Additions to Wattson

Some of the additions, in no particular order, I’ve made to Wattson shortly since bringing him home.

  • J1772 Adapter – this was included with the car. I can’t foresee needing it, but I’ll keep it in the kit. You can also find them elsewhere online.
  • A Karen lock – for the J1772 adapter. It’s sad that this is a thing, but it will discourage people from casually pulling the charger out.
  • Mobile Connector – also included with the car.
  • Wall Connector – also received it with the car. But, I won’t have a chance to install it until we have a house. We also need a high-amperage receptacle.
  • Control screen sunshade – similar to this. I wanted the red one. Unfortunately, I think it’s too stark against the white interior. I’ll have to correct the problem.
  • Center console organizer.
  • All-weather floor mats.
  • Screen protector – this is an anti-glare sheet and is extremely effective.
  • Trash bins – a place for everything and everything in its place.
  • Trunk hook.
  • Air compressor – super-cheap. USB-C rechargeable. Quite effective checking and adjusting pressures with temperature changes.
  • Jack pad stabilizers. There are two different sizes. They’re not interchangeable. All North American models use 25 mm.
  • Leather door-handle covers.
  • Rear organizer.
  • Pet liner – I have white seats. I have a dog. She has paws and claws. I’d rather not hasten the deterioration of the upholstery. She still doesn’t understand riding in the back seat.
  • Snow chains – König chains. See the important notes on Snow Chains, below.
  • Roof rack – yes, it does, indeed, degrade the air flow around the car. I don’t care. It makes the vehicle more utilitarian than just a hatch-back. See note below on Roof Rack.
  • Tow package – Yes, a tow package. The dual-motor Y is rated for it. Yes, you can get a cheaper hitch online and install it yourself. But you’ll be doing it all yourself.
  • Sunglasses case – Keeps my sunglasses readily at-hand.

Note: Snow Chains

This is a kit of two snow chains. With all-wheel drive, they go on the front axle to enhance braking, steering, and traction. I need to say it: buy snow chains in the summertime, when the weather is warm and agreeable. Learn how to put them on and and take them off the car in perfect weather. That way, you know how to put them on beforehand. It’s better than trying for the first time when it’s night, next to a heavily-traveled road, during a snowstorm.

Find a method that works for you. I like to lay them on the ground then pull forward onto the chains. Then, I’ll pull them up and hook them at the top. Same way that I’ve done as a truck driver off and on over the years.

Note: Roof Rack

Pay close attention to the installation instructions!

Yes, the car does, indeed, have a glass roof. The rails are rated for 165 lb evenly distributed across and between them.

It has you measure distances from the front and rear edge to determine where the anti-abrasion tape needs to go. But here’s a tip: Use a bright light to help find the locating-arrows on the glass top. That’s where the tapes go.

The instructions also have a suggested torque listed, there’s a reason. Use an actual torque wrench to tighten the mount points. It calls for 2.5 to 3.5 Newton meters. That works out to 22 to 31 inch pounds — aim for 25 in. lb. Keep one of the keys in your mobile tool kit. Don’t over-torque them. Why? Did you forget that you have a glass roof? It’s sturdy. But not indestructible.

Starting a Rotary Engine…

Spotted on the Tubes of You — a hand-prop start of a rotary engine.

Now, for everyone else, this could be labeled “How Not To…”. No, nobody was puréed by the spinning prop. But there were so many possibilities for things to go pear-shaped rather quickly.

  • Inside of a hangar
  • Against a wall
  • The position of controls and the motor (and prop!) limit your vectors for egress
  • Walking around a spinning prop
  • Without ear protection (or eye protection)
  • And horrifying hand-propping technique involving walking slowly backward

Steve Thorn (FlightChops) and Kris Finkbeiner (with TacAero) demonstrates what we like to call the right way to hand-prop.

I rather like the effort Steve has shared in aviation through FlightChops. Rather inspiring, honestly.

A few last moment remarks on walking (staggering?) backward — and this applies to walking, running, bicycling, motorcycles, cars, trucks… but probably not locomotives (unless you’re its engineer):

Always watch where you’re going.

Never watch where you were.

Remain focused on the now and never fixate on what was.

Also, also: Just remembered that Steve did a couple of episodes on hand-propping. Here’s one that he covered on a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver:

Another Four Rules

An alternate version of The Four Rules.

The four rules of firearm safety. Knowledge worth sharing.

Grabbed a couple of vids and stills from my library, some thumpy music, some magic production dust, and… I present Col. Cooper’s Four Rules of Firearm Safety.

You’d have to break two of them to have a Negligent Discharge. Follow them all the time and keep NDs away!

The Four Rules

The four rules of firearm safety. Knowledge worth sharing.

Grabbed a couple of vids and stills from my library, some thumpy music, some magic production dust, and… I present Col. Cooper’s Four Rules of Firearm Safety.

You’d have to break two of them to have a Negligent Discharge. Follow them all the time and keep NDs away!