<VV> Terminal block, Not a: HRPT

[Mark Corbin]

All, 

I never indicated that there wasn't a better design out there. After all,
everything that has ever been designed by humans is not perfect and can
thus certainly be improved by redesigning. That is the nature of human
engineeering. But on the other hand, NOTHING ever designed by humans is
ever beyond needing maintainence on occasion either.

My contention is that just because there may be a better way of doing a
terminal block doesn't mean that the original design is defective. If you
believe it does, then you are of the Ralph Nader school of design thought.
That was his contention with the early model Corvairs. Think about that
point for a while, Roberts.

With the existing GM design terminal block that is on the LM Corvairs, it
served its purpose. And given the "cheap, economy, 10-year life span,
throwaway car" mentality of its designers, it's served admirably, I think.
Can it be improved? Yes. Is it prone to failure? Occasionally, but usually
because it's been abused or is past its intended life cycle. As I contend,
LACK OF MAINTAINENCE, many times brought on by abuse, is its biggest
failure point. But does that make it a faulty design? Absolutely not. And
THAT is my point.

-Mark


> [Original Message]
> From: Craig Nicol <nicolcs at aol.com>
> Subject: Re: <VV> HRPT
>
> This discussion reminds me of the nameless VV luminary who entered a
> discussion with me on the merits of the Corvair direct air heater.  My
> contention was that having 18-20 potential exhaust leaks directly into the
> heater airstream was a poor design. His contention was that the design was
> proven and any issues were due to poor maintenance and thus the owner's
> fault. I remember reading something in Hemmings (?) once about the various
> contingents in car clubs, one of which was "They made this car perfect and
> anyone who wants to change anything is an idiot".  I wish I could find
that
> reference and relearn the other definitions.
> Craig Nicol 
>
> 
>  

OF COURSE it's the design! My fix ends the problem, FOREVER. This is NOT a
part that should EVER require maintenance. The only reason I've ever had to
touch this connection is because it failed. 
 
In a message dated 3/6/2008 9:55:01 AM Eastern Standard Time,
airvair at earthlink.net writes:
Face it, Roberts. It's YOU and not the design. If Ron and I (and no doubt
others) haven't had a problem, then why would you be any different? It's
not the part that's different. Face up to it. You just don't like to admit
that you're either Mr. Brutewrench or Mr. "lack of maintainence". 
 
-Mark
 
  
A LOT of them don't last that long. Of all 10 LMs I've owned, this horrid
plastic thing has been problematic. It's the surt of part that should NEVER
need this sort of attention.