Project update
The Whitman Direct Action biodiesel team remains separated with half the team established in Xela, Guatemala while the other half continues to navigate the Whitman biodiesel bus down through Mexico to Guatemala.
The team on the ground in Xela is engrossed in work with XelaTeco, a local NGO with an alternative energy focus. The team’s biodiesel processor was welded yesterday, though it now requires a slight alternation as the temperature gauge was originally placed directly above the heating element, a flaw that could result in inaccuracies during use. This error is expected to be fixed by this afternoon, however, so that the team will be ready to start more of the mechanical work later today. Yesterday, Joe, Ben, and Curt successfully purchased nearly all of the parts for the processor set up. They found all of these items were both readily accessible and reasonably priced. After drawing up a new design for solar heating, Tanner and Amit purchased parts for the solar project this morning. Assembly for both the processor and solar heating system are now fully underway.
Yesterday night, the biodiesel bus broke down about an hour west of the Guatemalan border. The transmission now requires maintenance and possible replacement. Thus, Ethan, Brooke, and Hugo will be further delayed in their arrival, but they expect they will be able to have the bus repaired within the next few days and should arrive in Xela within the week.