I'm still trying to decide if this is an awesome or awful idea.
joeball
Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 2:34 pm
Joined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 6037Location: Ether
So much for labour saving machines. Ok, cute, a pedal powered blender or lawnmower or whatever but none of these will ever be significant inventions or applications. I'm guessing while all the Labor Saved, Calories Lost: a fair amount of time goes to TV or the Internet. Now there might be an application of human power. Instead of reverting back to human power for chores add human power to stationary recreations.
Foo
Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 2:56 pm
Joined: 27 Jul 2007Posts: 583
Yeah, I'm falling on the side of awful idea the more I think of it.
It's not a bad idea for off-grid locations or developing nations but otherwise...
Assuming human food to physical power efficiency of around 45% (50% physiological efficiency plus some mechanical losses), the energy spent in growing, transporting and cooking the food, etc all adds up to probably under 25% total energy efficiency for the whole thing. Not to mention that the energy input on this device is largely in farming which (for standard modern farming techniques) has a disproportionately large environmental impact.
Yeah, I think I'll just switch my wash cycles to 'cold', thanks.
lantius
Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:09 pm
1337Joined: 22 Jul 2005Posts: 6705Location: right over
the best numbers i could find for average efficiency for electricity though is only around 33% at generation, plus 5-10% transmission losses. not sure how good the utilization is at the washing machine end, probably 80%ish. 25% efficient at delivery doesn't seem bad at all.
i doubt i'll be replacing my washing machine any time though. despite my best intentions, this year i've barely even used the clothesline rather than the dryer - that'd count for more than anything else in your laundry cycle i'm guessing.
the real win for something like this though is of course changing a labor-intensive task of washing clothes in a river into something relatively quick and easy.
derrickito
Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:17 pm
now with 50 percent more EVILJoined: 22 Jul 2005Posts: 10566
the last couple of weeks ive been buying new underwear, shirts, and pants instead of going to the laundromat.
Foo
Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:23 pm
Joined: 27 Jul 2007Posts: 583
Around here, it's a lot higher, hydro power generation is fairly high efficiency, IIRC. Wind's also pretty high but just about anything else that's limited by Carnot thermodynamic limits (coal, oil, gas, current nuclear) is going to be hanging out in the gutter at about 30%.
I can see something like this being great in Africa though, as there's already a lot of labor-saving devices there that use bikes as the motor.
I've got a condenser dryer that doesn't need a dryer vent since it uses the incoming air to cool the moist exiting air and just lets the condensate go down the drain. Lots of power savings from not letting all that hot air just blow out the dryer vent. Great idea...
It fuckin' sucks in practice. Worst dryer evar. When it broke down a couple months ago, my roomates and I just dried on the line and no one minded - until it started raining, that is.
lantius
Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:25 pm
1337Joined: 22 Jul 2005Posts: 6705Location: right over
derrickito wrote:
the last couple of weeks ive been buying new underwear, shirts, and pants instead of going to the laundromat.
good lord, the laundromat would clean your clothes? i figured they'd just ask you to take them out back and burn 'em.
Foo
Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:26 pm
Joined: 27 Jul 2007Posts: 583
derrickito wrote:
the last couple of weeks ive been buying new underwear, shirts, and pants instead of going to the laundromat.
I am selling an Asko Washer and Dryer (stackable, front loading, efficient).
$500 for the set, well maintained, they are $2000 new.
Foo
Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 5:35 pm
Joined: 27 Jul 2007Posts: 583
Hmm, happy coincidence, I just happen to be looking for a new stacking washer dyer set to replace the shittacular Bosch set I have. What model is it, do you know?
Last edited by Foo on Sat Aug 25, 2007 8:14 pm; edited 1 time in total
surlykat
Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 6:21 pm
Joined: 05 Jul 2007Posts: 658Location: in the CD
Doesn't "shittacular" have two t's?
/pedantry
Rogelio
Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 7:04 pm
Joined: 31 Jul 2007Posts: 3092Location: Pos, aya, por la Corona-Alta-Madera y que no.
surlykat wrote:
Doesn't "shittacular" have two t's?
/pedantry
I believe you are correct madam.
Foo
Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 8:14 pm
Joined: 27 Jul 2007Posts: 583
Indeed, she is! Corrected.
Aaron
Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 6:42 pm
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 4645
Foo wrote:
Hmm, happy coincidence, I just happen to be looking for a new stacking washer dyer set to replace the shittacular Bosch set I have. What model is it, do you know?
Tele-fone 938-9795 call me.
Foo
Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 8:08 pm
Joined: 27 Jul 2007Posts: 583
Aaron wrote:
For a good time: 938-9795 call me.
Aaron
Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 8:11 pm
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 4645
Foo wrote:
Aaron wrote:
For a good time: 938-9795 call me.
OK, bitch, $1000 for my washer and dryer. btw, they are ASKO brand. Low energy, awesome! Be my life-long slave and I will honor the $500 price. That was my shop's number anyway, and we always have a good time!
Foo
Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 8:45 pm
Joined: 27 Jul 2007Posts: 583
*snerk*
I'll give you a call tomorrow. It's going to be a month or so before I can take them, I've got to tear out some cabinets and reroute some ducting before I can replace the current pint-sized set I have.
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1337
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now with 50 percent more EVIL
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