Trailer Mover Construction

An update from Monday, 3/16/09:      

"The Phoenix was completed Friday after the English (from Chinese) motor wiring schematic was correctly interpreted, switch boxes were changed out, switches and connectors purchased, and wheel spacers fabricated.

The third photo shows junior Team member, Scott, ready to make the maiden electrical connection test. His confidence was high; he wore safety glasses, stood back, and asked that I make the initial line connection.

The first forward motion test was done against a wheel chalk. The mover jumped the chalk in the time it took to turn it on and off. OK!  Next test the mover was fit with a smaller ball to move the MX trailer around. I climbed into the cockpit with the DRZ handlebars and LTZ400 thumb throttle, for the first (big) pull. Scott stood by. After a couple of adjustments the puller easily launched the small trailer. After only a few start-stops it became apparent that the puller was probably faster than desired. Then disaster; the off switch malfunctioned, leaving the hapless pilot unable to stop the mover. The test pilot ejected the instant before the mover and trailer struck the rock wall. The test was aborted after the plug was pulled 3 nanoseconds later. Damage was minimal. Phoenix I is now history. The on-off switch was a used item with an unknown, but possibly lengthy service history. There was a short finger pointing period followed by refreshments and the hope of a more perfect Phoenix II.

Enter new Team member Dan Houghton. Dan provided a lower geared transmission for Phoenix II. The fabrication Team will check that out for adaption. Thanks Dan. No check is in the mail!  And a new 20amp switch will be procured also.

Publicist and media liaison specialist, Monica Thompson, has reportedly upped her interest in the project by arranging for an air bag load assist system for the van. That’s terrific, because the van did some ‘hitch digging’ during the Keysville off-road event Saturday!

Welcome to Phoenix II."