Comments for Balancing Act

Comment on JDM power folding side mirrors for 2012 3rd gen Toyota Prius by 5teve-0

5teve-0 — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:04:22 +0000

DIY guide now up: http://blog.machanon.net/2013/05/13/diy-how-to-install-jdm-prius-power-folding-side-mirrors-2/

Comment on DIY: How to install JDM Prius power folding side mirrors by 5teve-0

5teve-0 — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:05:33 +0000

Thanks for the comment! Just realized I haven't drawn the wiring diagram for the 3-in-1 combo lights. Will have that up in a day.

Comment on DIY: How to install JDM Prius power folding side mirrors by NoMoreNow "JT"

NoMoreNow "JT" — Wed, 15 May 2013 04:31:38 +0000

Mine already been shipped, can't to install it~!
AAA+++~! Big Thanks to Steve? (blog.machanon.net) and Cathy from Top Sage International, great service!!!!

Comment on Tutorial: How to set up an IP camera on Apple Mac OS X by 5teve-0

5teve-0 — Mon, 13 May 2013 04:23:26 +0000

If you did not change out the default DDNS settings, it may be trying to connect to the default DDNS server.

Comment on Tutorial: How to set up an IP camera on Apple Mac OS X by Paradoid

Paradoid — Mon, 13 May 2013 03:08:24 +0000

Why does the Wansview camera attempt to connect to the web? Is it trying to send my passwords or its pictures to a site without my consent? Whose spy is the camera?

Comment on Review: exLEDusa 2010+ Toyota Prius interior LED upgrade kit by Disappointed at IJDMTOY - Page 3

Disappointed at IJDMTOY - Page 3 — Wed, 08 May 2013 01:32:57 +0000

[...] I personally like this brand this company has custom pre-cut SMD LEDs Review: exLEDusa custom 3rd gen base Toyota Prius interior map and dome light LED upgrade | Balancin... [...]

Comment on First gas-up for 2013 by 5teve-0

5teve-0 — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:55:51 +0000

Ah, I learned something new today from an actual plug-in hybrid owner with numbers to back up instead of hearsay. It's something definitely worth considering when I entertain a successor to the current Prius. I'll definitely look into something more efficient than the Prius since we're house shopping in communities that require a 100+ mile round trip commute. But still, getting an average of 72 mpg is still really good.

Comment on First gas-up for 2013 by Johnny

Johnny — Mon, 06 May 2013 17:50:12 +0000

PG&E pricing structure is very convoluted wih TOU plans and tiered pricing. It's difficult to calculate just what it costs for electricity. You don't know how much it costs until you do it which for me is averaging $30 extra every month for me.

Hence, a $1 per charge per day. I will be switching to the E9A rate schedule next month and charge my car at off peak hours to see if things improve. My calculations show the savings to be about $5 because low cost charging at night is subsidized by substantially higher peak rates as much as $0.20/kWh at Tier 3 versus E1 rates.

I only called solar lease companies for quotes and they can't show a net reduction in utility payments with <$100 electricity bills when the solar lease itself is $110. I could purchase the solar panels on my own but I am wary about the decades long payback period.

My round trip commute exceeds 100 miles. Even though my commute exceeds EV range, EV helps me optimize my fuel usage by allowing me to drive with the gas engine 100% on the freeway at high speeds where it is most efficient. Subtracting out EV, I'm getting greater than 63 mpg on gas. And because EV is opposite and performs better at low speeds, combining the two nets me 72 mpg overall.

Comment on First gas-up for 2013 by 5teve-0

5teve-0 — Sun, 05 May 2013 18:36:35 +0000

That's new to me, I figured any solar company would not hesitate to install panels to anyone that are interested, but it appears they're trying to work "efficiently" as well. Are you charging your plug-in during off-peak hours? And is your daily commute short enough to drive on 100% EV mode only? If I had to do it over, I'd definitely purchase the Plug-in Advanced. But since my Prius is my first hybrid and I didn't know better, I just played it safe. And then again, knowing what I know now, I'm glad I kind of didn't since the 4th gen is coming out within 2 years. Thanks for the comment and I think the power side folding mirrors will be in my hand as early as tomorrow (5/6/12), according to EMS tracking.

Comment on First gas-up for 2013 by Johnny

Johnny — Sun, 05 May 2013 14:49:19 +0000

I've been reading your blog since I purchased a Plug-in Prius back in October 2012. The rebates that were offered made the base model cost about the same as a Prius Three. So I jumped on it. Your HID installation DIY was extremely helpful. Thanks! Anyway, I'm averaging $0.75 to $1 a charge per day due to high California electricity rates, $0.30 per kWh. In other words, gasoline often times cost less than charging the car. Solar companies don't want to install panels at my home because my monthly usage is under $100. I am in that unconfortable limbo where I am too efficient to save money on solar but too much to save on a Plug-in Prius. I'm looking forward to your power side mirror DIY.