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.