At the "Power of DC", the "Spirit of DC" Comes Alive!

This Saturday morning, 31 May 2008, at the "Power of DC," an EVent in Hagerstown, MD, the "Spirit of DC" came alive! She's now officially an operating Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle - a PHEV! From its site of PHEV origin at Harvey Coachworks, the "Spirit of DC" brought EVJerry to the AutoCross EVent of the "Power of DC."

There in Hagerstown, MD, she was further 'baptised' clean with lots of rain. Yet, in mid-afternoon with the rains clearing out and the sun shining thru, the "Spirit of DC" Integrator, Mike Harvey, got the honor of being the first EVer PHEV driver to run the AutoCross in the "Power of DC" and made a series of runs! Two more PHEV3A Committee Members, Charlie Garlow and Chip Gribben, had the last run of the day with the "Spirit of DC." Other PHEV3A Members taking in the sights and sounds were Joe and Eric Lado, Michael White, and Eric Lamison-White. Watch for lots of PIXs from Michael and Eric!

For Sunday, 1 June 2008, the "Spirit of DC" is eye'ing the EVADC-sponsored National Electric Drag Racing Association EVent; she plans on observing the finale of the "Power of DC" at the Mason-Dixon Raceway in Hagerstown, MD.

From Hagerstown, the "Spirit of DC" heads to Washington, DC area for a Sunday-Monday stayover before launching her first run to a State capital -- that is Annapolis, MD. Then, it's on to Delaware's capital, Dover. And next to Trenton, NJ's capital, before taking in the Eastern EV Club hosted EVent, called the 21st Century Automotive Challenge at Burlington County Institute of Technology, Saturday/Sunday on 7-8 June 2008. See

Now do continue to follow the webblogging for the PHEV All Around America on the road!

"Good Enough" PHEV Status Report from Mike Harvey, Harvey Coachworks, 27 May 2008

“Good Enough” Status Update Report from Mike Harvey, Harvey Coachworks, 28 May 2008

At 8:46AM EST, Tuesday, 27 May 2008, Mike Harvey phoned in a very much yearned for status report on the “Spirit of DC” (Yahoo! Yahoo! Yahoo!) as follows:

“Rear end is just about finished. I spent majority of [Memorial Day] weekend on the PHEV. … with an hour and half in the back to go. Battery pack’s in, the cables done, back wiring done, …
Need to install CANView and program it. No issues as of yet … 4-6 hours total remain, but hard to tell tho til the CAN View’s done.

So far so good. Hopefully by Thursday, 29 May 2008, it’ll all be done.

New tires are needed; the ones on the Prius are nearly shot.

Good News: New heavy duty springs are working very well, probably better than before. Springs and shocks - helpful.

Hope this is “good enough” status report?” for EVJerry, it is!

Per Joe Lado’s mantra “It’s all part of the adventure,” the PHEV All Around America (PHEV3A) is moving now to another level -- the grassroots level of getting the “Spirit of DC” out and on the blue highways of America.

EVer from Chicago today ... and DC tomorrow,

EVJerry

Memorial Day Greetings from Nashville, TN - The Music City

Cheers PHEV3A'rs & EVnthusiasts -

Memorial Day Greetings from Nashville, TN!

No link-up Alas! was there in the cards with GreenTrain. See www.GreenTrain.org so the "Spirit of DC" will plan on a re-visit to Nashville while en route on PHEV All Around America (PHEV3A).

Shortly EVJerry will be en route back to DC a la Amtrak's USA Rail Pass ... and looking forward to the "Spirit of DC" coming alive, thanks to Mike Harvey and Harvey Coachworks www.HarveyEV.com ... just like a father expecting his first born.

The "Spirit of DC" has in mind taking EVJerry to her first public appearance at the Junior Solar Sprints with Charlie Garlow coordinating the EVent at noon on Thursday, 29 May 2008. Email Charlie Garlow.Charlie@epamail.epa.gov if you can help "herd" 100's of ball o'fire kids competing with the homemade EV model cars on a 60' track in Downtown DC.

Afterwards, it'll be "On to Hagerstown" for the Power of DC in the gorgeous countryside of Maryland on 31 May - 1 June. See www.PowerofDC.org for particulars of this EV dragracing EVent with AutoX and more. PoDC Coordinatator, Chip Gribben FuturEV@radix.net welcomes more participants, especially those with HEVs. EVolunteers are also needed, too! Especially timers.

EVer,
EVJerry

"Spirit of DC" Updating at EVADC Meeting, Tuesday, 20 May 08

Cheers PHEV3A & EVnthusiasts, One & All,

Last night at the EVADC Meeting, Tuesday, 20 May 08, PHEV3A Co-Chair, J. "EVJerry" Asher, gave an updating presentation on the "Spirit of DC." Essentially, the message conveyed is about TEAMWORK taking place from within the PHEV All Around America Committee, such as Co-Chair Joe Lado, Webmaster Eric Lamison-White, Graphic Designer Chip Gribben, EVADC-VP and PHEV3A Spokesman Charlie Garlow, ... and from outside!

Especially the SPONSORS who are making this green grassroots PHEV3A take on a life of its own and grow ... in meeting some tangible objectives -- visiting 50 plus EAA Chapter Members, taking in all 50 State Capitals, driving each day at a minimum 101 PHEV miles (51 electric miles and 50 HEV miles) and so on.

SPONSORS were acknowledged: first and foremost, EVADC as the lead Chapter sponsor; Triad EVA from North Carolina, Eastern EV Club, ... Harvey Coachworks www.HarveyEV.com, Robb Protheroe of www.PluginSupply.com from Petaluma, Amtrak with its Auto Train ... and expecting more! Especially with Bob Wolf's www.GreenTrain.org.

Mike Harvey, "Spirit of DC" PHEV3A Integrator took a turn to explain the status of the "Spirit of DC" -- that is: all PHEV parts, systems were in, except the CANview (computer area network) which was due in on Wednesday, and that work starts the Memorial Day weekend. EAAEV Members were invited to come to Harvey Coachworks. Let Mike know beforehand, however.

Charlie Garlow, PHEV3A Spokesman, outlined the Teamwork aspects and more about the "Spirit of DC" PHEV3A program. And PHEV3A Co-Chair, Joe Lado, fairly well wrapped up with further acknowledgment, expectations, web development and EVforts underway ... with EVJerr concluding with an earlier blog scheme shown on the library screen with projected scheduling for the "Spirit of DC." Remember Joe's mantra -- Everything, even delays ... It's all part of the adventure!

EVer, ... en route to meet with Fox Valley EAA compatriots and link-up with Bob Wolf in Nashville, TN,

EVJerry Asher

Broad Sweep for Planning "Spirit of DC" PHEV3A and EVents

From Tuesday 13 May planning session with Joe, Chip, Michael, Charlie, here's a broad sweep for planning "Spirit of DC" and EVents, places and routing, as Mike Harvey integrates the "Spirit of DC" with today's expected arrival of PHEV system from Robb Protheroe's PluginSupply.
It looks at a launch after Memorial Day, possibly around Wednesday, 29 May. At that point, we can consider thet "t-Zero" starting point will be as follows:

Wednes, 29 May 2008 - "Spirit of DC" will make a modest appearance at the Junior Solar Sprints in Downtown, DC, in support of JSS EVent Coordinator, Charlie Garlow.

Saturday, 31 May and Sunday, 1 June 2008 - "Spirit of DC" will show n' shine at the Power of DC, maybe even taking in the AutoX ... with Mike Harvey at the helm.

First week of June - "Spirit of DC" undertakes a 'Capital Trial Run' to Annapolis, MD, Dover, DE, Trenton, NJ en route North.

Saturday-Sunday, 7-8 June 2008 - "Spirit of DC" participates in the 21st Century Automotive Challenge hosted by Eastern Electric Vehicle Club, in Burlington County, NJ. See www.eevc.info.

Second week of June -- Open time slot for "Spirit of DC" to visit with EVADC'rs.

Friday-Saturday, 13-14 June 2008. "Spirit of DC" takes Michael White and Eric Lamison-White to the LaMison Family Reunion for a "show & tell" in S. Virginia. With possible scenic Blue Ridge return to DC

Third Week of June -- "Spirit of DC" comes to the EVADC Tuesday Meeting and stays over at Joe Lado's, while EVJerry takes off for Phoenix around 18 June to attend family event with nephew's wedding in Phoenix with return on Tuesday, 25 June.

Tentatively, Wednesday, 26 June 2008 - "Spirit of DC" takes EVJerry "On to Richmond" - and into the Carolinas with an itinerary as follows:

Day 1: Richmond, VA - state capital visit

Day 2: Roanoke Rapids, NC with visits to Electric Cars of Roanoke Valley Prez Couple Harold and Mary Miller along with ECoRV Members of the EAA as well as the kids of Northampton East Cty High School.

Day 3: Raleigh, NC - capital visit and one with the Triangle Electric Auto Association Prez Pete Eckhoff and VP Don "DC" Crohan along with TEAA members and on to Wilmington, NC for meet-up with Coastal Carolinas/Wilmington Electric Vehicle Association Prez Page Paterson et CC/WEVA, plus ANT Jayne and Rick Howard

Day 4: Columbia, SC - capital visit with a scenic loop down, over and up to Charlotte, NC for a meet-up with Piedmont Carolina EVA Prez Clifford Metcalf and PCEVA Members

Day 5: Burlington, NC - for meet-up with Triad EVA Prez Jack Martin and TEVA'rs.

Day 6: Return to Wasington, DC via Roanoke, VA and Staunton, VA where prospective EAA Chapters are in the making. It's prep for Amtrak Auto Trip in early July -- Lorton, VA to Sanford, FL. Prior to, on or around Friday, 4 July 2008 - "Spirit of DC" boards the Amtrak Auto Train for promotion trip and overnight ride to Florida in order to begin the coastal cruising around Florida ...

PHEV3A Team Meeting on May 13th

From last night's planning session, here's a broad sweep for "Spirit of DC" and EVents, places and routing, which is assuming that Mike Harvey integrates the "Spirit of DC" from Monday, 19 May or earlier (with the arrival of PHEV system from Robb Protheroe's PluginSupply) thru Thursday, 29 May. At that point, we can consider thet "t-Zero" starting point will be as follows:

Thursday, 29 May 2008 - "Spirit of DC" as completed will make a modest appearance at the Junior Solar Sprints in Downtown, DC, in support of JSS EVent Coordinator, Charlie Garlow.

Saturday, 31 May and Sunday, 1 June 2008 - "Spirit of DC" will shine at the Power of DC, maybe even taking in the AutoX ...

First week of June - "Spirit of DC" is on a 'Capital Trial Run' to Annapolis, MD, Dover, DE, Harrisburg, PA, and Trenton, NJ. And PHEVs start adding capitals.

Saturday-Sunday, 7-8 June 2008 - "Spirit of DC" participates in the 21st Century Automotive Challenge hosted by Eastern Electric Vehicle Club, in Burlington County, NJ. See www.eevc.info.

Second week of June -- Open time slot for "Spirit of DC" to visit with EVADC'rs

Friday-Saturday, 13-14 June 2008. "Spirit of DC" takes Michael White and Eric Lamision-White to Family Reunion for a "show & tell" in S. Virginia.

Third Week of June -- "Spirit of DC" comes to the EVADC Tuesday Meeting and stays over at Joe Lado's, while EVJerry takes off for Phoenix on 18 June to attend family event with nephew's wedding and returns Tuesday, 25 June.

Tentatively, Wednesday, 26 June 2008 - "Spirit of DC" takes EVJerry "On to Richmond" - and into the Carolinas with an itinerary as follows:

Day 1: Richmond, VA - state capital visit

Day 2: Roanoke Rapids, NC with visits to Electric Cars of Roanoke Valley (ECoRV), an EAA Chapter, and Northampton East Cty High School.

Day 3: Raleigh, NC - capital visit and one with the Triangle Electric Auto Association (TEAA) and Wilmington, NC for meet-up with Coastal Carolinas/Wilmington Electric Vehicle Association (CC/WEVA)

Day 4: Columbia, SC - capital visit with a scenic loop down, over and up to Charlotte, NC for a meet-up with Piedmont Carolina EVA

Day 5: Burlington, NC - for meet-up with Triad EVA

Day 6: Return to Wasington, DC via Roanoke, VA and Staunton, VA where prospective EAA Chapters are in the making. It's prep for Amtrak Auto Trip -- Lorton, VA to Sanford, FL.

Prior to or on Friday, 4 July 2008 - "Spirit of DC" boards the Amtrak Auto Train for promotion trip and overnight ride to Florida in order to begin the coastal cruising around Florida ...

. . . [end of route scheduling/planning ... ready for "sanity check" now]

Okay, Joe, take a moment and add/delete ... etc.

EVer,

EVJerry

"Finally on its Way" ... Two PHEV Packages Plus

Cheers PHEV3A'rs and EVthusiasts -

Robb Protheroe from www.PluginSupply.com reported from Petaluma, CA, as of Thursday 15 May 2008:

"Finally on its way. Beautiful and fully tested. The last of the fully welded chassis. All the latest wiring up-dates. . . . . Also, two lids, steel and lexan. Two packages. The charger is a separate shipment with a decal for the car and mounting instructions. I will email more instructions next week. Also included, the switch for PIS (Plug-In Supply) EV operation up to 52 mph.

Note: DHL waybill numbers: JBK 74012473544 [and] JBK 66155737642

Also, Mike Harvey from Harvey Coachworks <www.HarveyEV.com> reported earlier that new shockers are in the Prius, the heavy duty springs are installed, and the CANView is on its way. Batteries are already available at his shop.

So the "Spirit of DC" is coming together for the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle All Around America. And that's EVer so comforting to EVJerr here, who's been definitely feeling like a Poppa expecting his first born ... just anxiously waiting for the "Spirit of DC" to be delivered!

Tomorrow, EVents along PHEV3A route planning will be outlined, as discussed at the PHEV3A Committee planning session on Tuesday, 13 May 2008.

EVer,
EVJerry

Phoenix Vote of Confidence for PHEV All Around America (PHEV3A)

Hi Jerr and crew,

Very [good] work on PHEV3A, Spirit of DC! It's so important for each and every one of us to become and remain passionately involved with our home, Planet Earth. As the saying goes, we didn't inherit it from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. Fresh and clean air and water are inalienable rights of all living beings.

I warmly applaude your significant and steadfast skill and enthusiasm to bring us all together in this important effort. Stay plugged in to the universal power source and continue to keep us updated on the progress of the Spirit of DC!

Karen
© Karen Bauernschmidt
SpecialKLYB@yahoo.com
Teal Phoenix
A Wealth of Health at Home ™
StemEnhance™
ForeverYoung.StemtechHealth.com
Liquid Vitamins

PHOENIX Vote of Confidence for PHEV3A

Phoenix Vote of Confidence for PHEV All Around America (PHEV3A)

Hi Jerr and crew,

Very [good] work on PHEV3A, Spirit of DC! It's so important for each and every one of us to become and remain passionately involved with our home, Planet Earth. As the saying goes, we didn't inherit it from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. Fresh and clean air and water are inalienable rights of all living beings.

I warmly applaude your significant and steadfast skill and enthusiasm to bring us all together in this important effort. Stay plugged in to the universal power source and continue to keep us updated on the progress of the Spirit of DC!

Karen
© Karen Bauernschmidt
SpecialKLYB@yahoo.com
Teal Phoenix
A Wealth of Health at Home ™
StemEnhance™
ForeverYoung.StemtechHealth.com
Liquid Vitamins

PHEV3A Reverse Route Planning on the "Right" Coast of Florida

Cheers PHEV3A'rs and EVnthusiasts,
Just a few notes to say that the "Right" Coast of Florida still is looking quite good with Highway 1 and Highway A1A. At least, that's the Atlantic Ocean picture being observed as I went on Hwy 1 past Route 41 into Miami's South Beach, and onto Hwy A1A this Tuesday evening, 7 May 08. On Wednesday, it's back-tracking along Hwy 41 from Miami back thru Ft Myers, Sarasota Spring, ... to Tampa. And then, it's a new look at PHEV3A from Tampa to Pensacola along Hwy 41, Hwy 19 and Hwy 19A.
EVer,
EVJerry

PHEV3A Reverse Routing in Southern Florida

Cheers PHEV3A'rs and EVnthusasts,
From Ft Myers to the Greater Miami area, Hwy 41 seems to be the way to go. There are even a few Toyota dealership en route as candidates for Miss "Spirit of DC" to have a charge with and allow EVJerr to interact with. Plus RV parks, shopping malls, service stations, Wally Mart, K-Mart, Publix Super Markets, and so on. Only a 60-mile stretch thru the state preserve above the Everglades National Park ... with its own version of Aligator Alley (a tollroad for high speed to the North) seems to have any challenge at all; yet, it's 55mph and seemingly little traffic at all.
Off from Homestead Air Reserve Base to the sites & sounds Key West this Sunday with Niece Amy and will resume more PHEV3A reverse route planning upon return on Monday.
Aloha from Florida,
EVJerr

Reverse Route Planning for Spirit of DC on West Coast of Florida continues

Cheers "Spirit of DC" EVnthusiasts, One & All,

Reporting from Ft Myer, FL, along with his Niece Amy Asher, EVJerry is finding that the "Spirit of DC" will do nicely on Hwy 41, plus Hwy 19, Hwy 19A and Hwy 301. On Friday, 2 May 2008, we spend a gorgeious day traveling from MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa and taking in the Florida sunshine and everso delight 80+ degree weather. We proceeded along merrily and slowly at our leisure (Amy's on a "Discover Florida" venture), enjoying the sights & sounds along the West Coast of Florida.

The Hwy 41 is a broad six lane road. It goes from Miama all the way to Milwaukee and somewhere beyond, I think. Fairly modern and built-up residential areas covered the majority of both sides, especially in and around the beaches. Thus the charging opportunities for Miss "Spirit of DC" do abound, while offering plenty of interaction with the populace about Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle All Around America (PHEV3A) adventure. Also, there's plenty of traffic lights about for keeping average speed at 35mph or below. That enhances the viewing opportunities of 1,000's of Floridians each hour.

Today, Saturday, 3 May, it's onward on Hwy 41 to the Miami Area with more PHEV3A reverse route planning in mind.

Aloha from Florida ,
EVJerry & Amy