I keep up with cars a little bit, but even I forgot Ford was making the Flex. You never see new ones on the lots around here. How are people going to be familiar with something that you don't have available? I really don't think Ford promotes it at all... which makes me wonder if they will eventually cut it out of their lineup after the current refresh wears off. Unless they make obscene profits from each one sold. I hope they keep making them, because it's on my shortlist of next vehicle purchase.
I know why I like my explorer and SUVs in general - higher seating position (see over those annoying hedges people like to plant at the worst places) and decent ground clearance (enough you don't have to worry about every bump, ditch, pothole, curb, or railroad track eating your front end clip).
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
zugmann ATLANTIC CENTRAL Have you driven or rode in a FLEX? Or are you just making a shallow judgment based on your standards of appearance? Sheldon I think Flexes are pretty cool, and are beasts with the ecoboost. I'd definitely consider one, but they sure are pricey things, and my explorer still runs like a champ. Maybe in a few years... Too bad Ford never really promoted them like the edge, explorer, or escape.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Have you driven or rode in a FLEX? Or are you just making a shallow judgment based on your standards of appearance? Sheldon
Have you driven or rode in a FLEX? Or are you just making a shallow judgment based on your standards of appearance?
Sheldon
I think Flexes are pretty cool, and are beasts with the ecoboost. I'd definitely consider one, but they sure are pricey things, and my explorer still runs like a champ. Maybe in a few years...
Too bad Ford never really promoted them like the edge, explorer, or escape.
Our FLEX LIMITED AWD with Ecoboost was a bit pricey, but not really much more than the EXPLORER LIMITED we looked at. I think FORD knows it appeals to a special market and they promote it accordingly. Too many people buy cars based on what they are familiar with, not on how the car will serve their needs.
In my view, passenger cars reached their untimate practical physical size and shape with the CHECKER or the 55 Chevy. I do believe this is part of the reason SUV's remain popular, the people who understand their practical needs buy simple boxy vehicles with a reasonable amount of room or they buy little "commuter" cars - all the rest is just about "being cool" - I'm way past that.
The Flex is an old fashioned station wagon and does a very good job at that task - a better job in my view than ANY mini van - because it drives like a car, not a mini van.
Mine is DC but I can have DCC hooked up in one min.!
rrebell ATLANTIC CENTRAL rrebell ATLANTIC CENTRAL rrebell Why aren't you guys using Posi-taps ????????? No soldering and a positive connection plus reusable! Because they are very expensive if you have a lot of work to do. Still prefer crimp on lugs and terminal strips for heavier gauge wiring. Sheldon They are fairly cheap if bought in bulk from the manufacturer, as little as 50cents each and remember, they are reusable! That is still 3 to 5 times as much as Sta-Kon crimp on connectors bought in bulk, and reuseable is simply not an issue for me. I have terminal strips and don't plan to "scrap" this work and try to reuse its components for the next project. All my wiring terminats at terminal strips for neatness and easy troble shooting. I don't wire stuff wiith splices just "floating about". Sheldon I don't have any termanil strips, don't need them, just two buss wires.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL rrebell ATLANTIC CENTRAL rrebell Why aren't you guys using Posi-taps ????????? No soldering and a positive connection plus reusable! Because they are very expensive if you have a lot of work to do. Still prefer crimp on lugs and terminal strips for heavier gauge wiring. Sheldon They are fairly cheap if bought in bulk from the manufacturer, as little as 50cents each and remember, they are reusable! That is still 3 to 5 times as much as Sta-Kon crimp on connectors bought in bulk, and reuseable is simply not an issue for me. I have terminal strips and don't plan to "scrap" this work and try to reuse its components for the next project. All my wiring terminats at terminal strips for neatness and easy troble shooting. I don't wire stuff wiith splices just "floating about". Sheldon
rrebell ATLANTIC CENTRAL rrebell Why aren't you guys using Posi-taps ????????? No soldering and a positive connection plus reusable! Because they are very expensive if you have a lot of work to do. Still prefer crimp on lugs and terminal strips for heavier gauge wiring. Sheldon They are fairly cheap if bought in bulk from the manufacturer, as little as 50cents each and remember, they are reusable!
ATLANTIC CENTRAL rrebell Why aren't you guys using Posi-taps ????????? No soldering and a positive connection plus reusable! Because they are very expensive if you have a lot of work to do. Still prefer crimp on lugs and terminal strips for heavier gauge wiring. Sheldon
rrebell Why aren't you guys using Posi-taps ????????? No soldering and a positive connection plus reusable!
Why aren't you guys using Posi-taps ????????? No soldering and a positive connection plus reusable!
Because they are very expensive if you have a lot of work to do. Still prefer crimp on lugs and terminal strips for heavier gauge wiring.
That is still 3 to 5 times as much as Sta-Kon crimp on connectors bought in bulk, and reuseable is simply not an issue for me. I have terminal strips and don't plan to "scrap" this work and try to reuse its components for the next project.
All my wiring terminats at terminal strips for neatness and easy troble shooting. I don't wire stuff wiith splices just "floating about".
Well you see I have more going on than just a DCC power buss - I have detection and signals, automatic train control, CTC turnout control and local towers - all intergrated into one system.
The posi taps passed SAE testing. Thats something the scotch locks never will.
Jim
I used to use suitcase connectors for layout wiring and almost always regretted it. Now I solder all electrical connections.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
zstripe To All,,,, My dog is bigger and better,than your dog,,,,,,LOL,,, Cheers, Frank
To All,,,,
My dog is bigger and better,than your dog,,,,,,LOL,,,
Cheers,
Frank
Well, I have a sledge hammer from the 60s. Never needed any service and it still works.............
ATLANTIC CENTRALOr are you just making a shallow judgment based on your standards of appearance?
Yes.
maxman ATLANTIC CENTRALBeauty is in the eye of the beholder, I'm sure what ever you drive is likely ugly by my standards, since I think most cars built in the last several decades are either ugly or boring, or both. I don't believe that I used the word ugly in my post. However, if you feel that word is appropriate I'll agree with you.
ATLANTIC CENTRALBeauty is in the eye of the beholder, I'm sure what ever you drive is likely ugly by my standards, since I think most cars built in the last several decades are either ugly or boring, or both.
I don't believe that I used the word ugly in my post. However, if you feel that word is appropriate I'll agree with you.
No, you used an even more offensive term I chose not to repeat.
And, back to the issued of suit case connectors. I don't need them on my layout because I don't have or need a "feeder buss". All my rail joints are soldered and each isolated track section is fed with a single drop that runs directly to terminal block on a relay board that it used in by push button controlled Advanced Cab Control system.
maxman Geared SteamI'm just a redneck with pickup Don't know which pickup you have, but I'll bet it's much better looking than that god-awful Flex thing.
Geared SteamI'm just a redneck with pickup
Don't know which pickup you have, but I'll bet it's much better looking than that god-awful Flex thing.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I'm sure what ever you drive is likely ugly by my standards, since I think most cars built in the last several decades are either ugly or boring, or both.
Here is a good looking car:
And this is really just a modernized version of it: But I don't buy cars based on looks, I buy cars that meet my functional needs, comfort and ease of entry/exit for my wife who has rheumatoid arthritis being one of those needs. I have no use for cars that have you sitting on a boat cushion inches from the road. As for cars that look good, the 1958 Chevy Impala is my all time favorite. Sheldon
And this is really just a modernized version of it:
But I don't buy cars based on looks, I buy cars that meet my functional needs, comfort and ease of entry/exit for my wife who has rheumatoid arthritis being one of those needs. I have no use for cars that have you sitting on a boat cushion inches from the road. As for cars that look good, the 1958 Chevy Impala is my all time favorite. Sheldon
But I don't buy cars based on looks, I buy cars that meet my functional needs, comfort and ease of entry/exit for my wife who has rheumatoid arthritis being one of those needs. I have no use for cars that have you sitting on a boat cushion inches from the road.
As for cars that look good, the 1958 Chevy Impala is my all time favorite.
My buddy converted me after I put my "nolix" up and realized how much soldering I'd be doing. #22 to #14 will work (I use the blue ones) if you put two #22's into the appropriate spot, make sure to press down hard with pliers and do a continuity test. He's done this years ago on his layout and all are still working just fine. Once I have any continuity problems sorted out (occasionally its easy not to press down hard enough with the pliers) I haven't had any problems with this set up.
For the double #22's to work, I solder every Peco 55 flextrack at the joints (many are isolated using the plastic rail joiners or inserting styrene between the track) then suitcase onto my #14 bus wires. So lets say there are four Peco 55 flextracks along the mainline, I'll solder the ends of the first and second track, then go to the ends (where they meet) of the third and fourth track and solder, and suit case connect those.
I was sceptical at first when I heard about this method, but necessity being a mother, I re-evaluated my doubts and all has been fine.
And my 2000 F150 has 193,000 miles and just as good a service record as your Chevy - but it does not rattle like every Chevy I ever kept for 10 years - so what?
The four Explorers our family has owned since 1995 never had those kinds of issues - so what?
GM builds good cars and trucks, but currently I'm not sold on turning off cylinders, or front wheel drive, so they won't get any of my money any time soon.
The two Crown Vics we owned (1997 & 2002 - both with the high performance package) where two of the best riding, most comfortable cars I have ever owned - never a service problem - and way less expensive than a Caddy.
Our 2012 Ford Flex with its all wheel drive and 365 HP twin Turbo Ecoboost 3.5L V6 is however the best car I have owned since I owned a Checker Marathon - fast, comfortable, upright seating, loads of room and good fuel economy.
But my 1995 GRAVELY 16-G garden tractor has out performed all of them so far - still going strong and looks brand new.
As for suit case connectors, well I'm glad you have good luck with them. But we would have never used them to wire the robots in the GM plant that was here in Baltimore, and I don't have any use for them on my equipment or model railroad.
The car comment was really meant tongue in cheek, sorry you took it so serious.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Geared Steam Chevy vs Ford argument, have used them for decades. No problems......ever. I would like to see a picture of your layout Chuck, been hearing about it for years, I'm intrigued. That's easy to answer, in the 30's Fords were better, in the 50's and 60's Chevy's were better, today Fords are once again the better car.Sheldon
Geared Steam Chevy vs Ford argument, have used them for decades. No problems......ever. I would like to see a picture of your layout Chuck, been hearing about it for years, I'm intrigued.
Chevy vs Ford argument, have used them for decades. No problems......ever.
I would like to see a picture of your layout Chuck, been hearing about it for years, I'm intrigued.
That's easy to answer, in the 30's Fords were better, in the 50's and 60's Chevy's were better, today Fords are once again the better car.Sheldon
No, its opinion, as are the suitcase connectors debate. I'm not sure sure how you have seen the connectors used, but it doesn't equate to to a "rats nest of wiring" in my case.
My 96 C1500 has 235,000 miles on it, original except for alternator, starter and a fuel pump, how ever I discovered I need to replace the drivers side ball joint. And this isn't a grocery getter, its a truck, and I use it as such.
My 2004 Ford Explorer with 135,000 has gone thru a set of ball joints, an alternator, a fuel rail pressure sensor, heater blend door (front and back), starter, water pump, passenger power window motor, windshield wiper motor and a power brake booster.
My 2004 Cadillac CTS 3.6 liter with 90K hasn't gone thru anything besides a battery.
My 1993 Lowe 21" Deckboat used 3M's from the factory, the electricals are all work, 20 years later, with 100% Louisiana humidity, in a marine environment.
I rewire my 1978 Skeeter bass boat about ten years ago, guess what I used?
You can keep your Ford, I have had my last one, and I still use 3M suitcase connectors, with no failures.
We will agree to disagree. But what do I know? I'm just a redneck with pickup, and a gun, been there, done that, got the T-shirt and the scars to prove it.
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
That's easy to answer, in the 30's Fords were better, in the 50's and 60's Chevy's were better, today Fords are once again the better car.
And I don't use suitcase connectors either - for all the same reasons as Chuck. But I don't skin insulation off wires mid run and solder "drops" on to them either. Being an industrial control electrician by original training, such "rats nest" practices are simply not allowed to enter my thinking.
Yes my layout is wired like a piece of process machinery in a factory - no wiring failures or problems tracing wires here. Everything is carefully labeled and documented.
maxman tomikawaTTAs for suitcase connectors, why spend $ for those silly things when you can get the same results now (and better results in the long run) with solder? Because I have difficulty soldering overhead, and I have difficulty getting under the layout to solder.
tomikawaTTAs for suitcase connectors, why spend $ for those silly things when you can get the same results now (and better results in the long run) with solder?
Because I have difficulty soldering overhead, and I have difficulty getting under the layout to solder.
So do what I do. Route all your electricals along the layout edge, just inside the fascia line. When wiring, the only thing that goes under the layout is a straightened wire coathanger - perfect hook for bringing vertical wires out to the aisle, where I connect them to whatever they need to connect to. All done while sitting comfortably on a repurposed kitchen chair.
I absolutely detest spelunking under the benchwork, so I designed to make it unnecessary.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with bulletproof, accessible electricals)
You would be amazed how much vibration happens around supposedly solid, immovable layouts!
As for suitcase connectors, why spend $ for those silly things when you can get the same results now (and better results in the long run) with solder? Or is your time so valuable that expense is no object? (My own layout has, literally, thousands of connections. If I used these things could end up spending more on wire connections than I have on rail.)
This is the second thread in a week on suitcase connectors. I still define them as trash can filler.
Chuck (Ex USAF flight line tech modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)