of Caps and Keys

PetroDiesel Fillup # X *
Gas station on 340 in Virginia outside of Harper's Ferry
11/25/10 about 7 pm
B ZERO $15.00@ $3.19/gallon- about half a tank
Odometer: approx. 180,300


Still haven't replaced my gas cap since last fill-up. Luckily, there is a cover to the gas tank. But I worry about condensation especially in the cold weather.

I HAVE been attending to the needs of the car, but have been pursuing a different problem. You see, a car of Madeline's vintage can only start with a special key. In fact, this princess has TWO keys. The one for the driver and the one for the valet. The valet key can't open the trunk or the glove box. The driver's key can open it all.

I own only one copy of that special driver's key, and it is worn nearly to a nub. Every time it is used, a little more gold dust is created around the ignition switch. To get a copy of this key from the dealer requires me to produce the car registration and -- did they even want the title?

I took the key into a local locksmith and he tried to make me a copy but no go. One of the two keys he cut was able to open a door, but the ignition and the rest, not. He said the key was worn out. I still have a copy of the original valet key. That's now going on the key ring for everyday use and I'll just have to keep the driver's key on the same ring. So no backup at home except for that door only key.

So, the to-get list are now two items: Gas Cap, key.

(X= all the non-bio fill-ups since I bought the car, up to Bio-diesel Fill-up #4 when I start tracking both kinds of fill-ups)

Power to the cage!

Biodiesel Fillup #4
Biodiesel Co-op Pump @ Mill Valley
11/17/10 5:38pm
B31 13.290 gallons @ $3.60/gallon
Odometer 180,002
Notes: Lost gas cap

Thanks to daylight savings time, it was already dark when I pulled up to the bio-d pump at the Mill Valley Farmers Market last evening after work. Luckily the pump cage had handy-dandy motion-sensing lights installed, so I was able to swipe in and get my fuel. Some thoughtful person has provided industrial grade paper towels and medical-style blue gloves for protection from biodiesel's famous solvency, but I didn't really need them. I was careful not to spill any of the paint-dissolving substance on my car's paint job.

The Mill Valley Farmers Market is located in a repurposed red brick mill building at the entrance to Baltimore's cross-town expressway, 83. Recently re-christened as Mill Valley General Store, the building houses several vendors selling locally produced food, gardening supplies, condiments and herbs, among other things. http://millvalleygeneralstore-cheryl.blogspot.com/
The building's owners allow the Biodiesel Coop the use of an area next to the building for the fuel pump cage.

Until recently a welder rented the basement of the building, and the bio-d coop was able to use the electrical service provided for that business for the tiny amount of power needed by the fuel pump and card payment system. With the departure of that tenant, there have been some issues with the electrical delivery to the pump cage. The coop is looking into options for the approximately 75 cents a month of electricity that the set-up requires. The ever-resourceful members of the coop have been discussing it on the listserv- here are some ideas:

- pay Mill Valley $5.00/mo for use of an extension cord.
- mount a truck battery in the cage with a small Radio Shack 300 W 110V Inverter.
- invest in a small marine grade solar battery trickle charger.

The solar option may not be not feasible because of the lack of sun at the Mill Valley location. The other ideas, well... stay tuned.

And as a postscript--
While the pump is not located in one of Baltimore's worst areas by a long shot, it is in an industrial part of town where there is not much foot traffic. So after my fillup last evening I hurried away, forgetting to replace my gas cap. Doh!
Hope the low temperatures don't create condensation inside the tank before I can replace the cap.