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Erfolg

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Posts posted by Erfolg

  1. I have purchased a plug directly to glo plug batteries. It supplied with a lead to a computer USB male type connectors.

     

    I had some difficulty in connecting the opposite end onto the lead. It required far more force than I expected. This had me wondering if I had correctly connected it, yet there seemed to be no other alternative.

     

    Now to my issue, there appears to be no way of knowing if the Nimh is being charged now connected to my PC. I intend to leave it plugged in for about 10-12 hours. Is my only way of knowing the state of charge via a multimeter?

     

  2. Much that some would take as anti EVs comes from the business pages of the media, the interest  tends to centre or be about investment, company performance in the short and long term.

     

    I am surprised in the vast amounts of money, spent on EVs development, some having burnt through, I think it was close to a billion, before going bust (vans).

     

    As for concrete usage, yep, it seems that the oil industry has used some, although it would or will be interesting to know a comparative world wide snap shot of how much goes into all the platforms and anchors, compared to wind  turbines (a few hundred are being built off-sure here on the Fylde). Although comparing energy delivered to some unit of concrete is required.

     

    I am not pro or anti oil, I do wonder where we will be without oil, for polymers, lubricants and other non transport uses.

     

    I totally agree that the world is overpopulated. We see it particularly in the UK (England). As a country we cannot supply our food needs, even if we all just ate Turnips, (not even a bad joke). As for the wider world, there are issues where ever you look, often with great suffering. As to the answer, until it is recognised as an issue, problems will remain and grow.

     

    There are two ancient wind mills here, both becoming uneconomic with the coming of stem an electricity. So called free energy is nor an answer in itself. 

     

    I read this week that by 2040 (to my mind very optimistic) the first commercially viable Fusion Reactor will be operating.  A 5s burst will power an incredible number of kettles. I thought how does that in principle equate to customer demand?

     

    I now see that tyre dust is now an environmental issue. 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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  3. John, if I had only scrolled down a bit further, I would have found the option.

     

    Why not, there was (and is) a band of adverts of young woman in scantily clothed attire, I did and do not want my wife accusing me of being a dirty old man/pervert, so I averted  my eyes. I have got myself into enough bother looking for models, particularly rubber powered models.

  4. It does leave me a little disappointed that there are a number that are so converted to EVs that reports from the media are dismissed. I am thinking generally along the lines, the the second hand values fall faster than a similarly priced IC vehicle, that the range remains an issue for many, also that for manufacturers the percentage of sales for EVs, is falling relative to the rest of their range. There are more reported.

     

    I suspect that the high initial costs, are an issue, especially for private purchases, whereas businesses can various tax advantages (at present), although the withdrawal of some, has changed their strategies.

     

    If true the premium insurance costs are not an inducement.

     

    However Ford have announced that their EV range is going to be centred on the lower cost small size EV market. Not the premium end.

     

    I noted in the newspaper this weekend, that a number of small (tiny) vehicles are coming to the UK market. The Citroen Ami at £8000, 50 mile range, Fiat Topilino @ £9000 with a 50 mile range, Dogood Zero @ £ 6000 with 50 mile Range, the one I liked the look of Mobilize Duo with a 87 mile range, then there is the particularly ugly Biro Summer £11000 with a 35-60 mile range.

     

    Many media reports suggest that Tim's practice of pre heating the vehicle, battery, seats etc. whilst on charge prior to departure is a must/ or generally sensible, in cold weather. Others indicate that the low quoted range in winter is often due to software having monitored previous usage and the option can exist where the electronics starts shutting functionality off, if the destination is known, and range seems to be an issue.

     

    I am astounded by some claims that IC vehicles (cars) are subsidized, they appear to be anything but. Some see them as cash cows.

     

    In my case range is an issue, once a month doing a 120-140 mile journey, unfortunately (for me) my present car will almost certainly out last me. I have nothing against EVs other than price, and the ability to carry my models, that few seem to have (in my price range).

     

    I do see the elephants in the room, and am amazed at the Emperors new clothes, that some cannot see.

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  5. There have been other reports in the press that are not encouraging with respect to EVs, one being that specific tyres for EVs (is it all) have shallower tread, also wear out  faster, due to the combination of heavier vehicles, high initial acceleration, combined with the shallow depth of tread.

     

    One of the issues that probably many have no awareness off is that the underground transmission cables, are often oil or gassed cooled, these cables are armoured (wire) and designed to withstand the forces generated from transmission, they invariably will have significant magnetic fields (as do the overhead cables). There is or was often a lead sheave to help with the mechanical performance. Sub sea cables are similar. As is usual, heat generation is an energy loss.

     

    Power stations used to be close to point of use, as far as possible. The Anglesey reactor being close to a Electric Arc Furnace plant as an example that is not immediately. Long transmission lines mean obvious energy losses. On that basis some of the offshore sites are probably less than desirable, nor the remote on sure  sites. The various transformers are also a potential issue, needing cooling, full of oil, all indicating issues. Oil is going to be needed to an extent, however the world goes.

     

    I shudder at the energy and Co2 released from Cement product. The bases of wind turbines need a lot.

     

    Although Nuclear could provide base load energy for homes and transport, it is not ideal of fast ramp up and down. The intermittency of wind turbines under most circumstances do not seem ideal to follow demand profiles. Much of what is advocated is either an attempt to get the consumer to turn into a favourable demand regulator. The alternative fudges  come with various costs. With a population now predicted to reach 70 million in the next 15 years, the problems continue to grow.

     

    Perhaps limiting the motor power could be used to limit acceleration (thus reducing some some of the issues) and a gear box to deal with the declining torque with revs. It is claimed that EV drivers use the initial acceleration, which has contributed to accidents (I find this a little far fetched, although could be part of the problem)

     

     

  6. JD 8, many of us knew it as Trawfsnydd as you say strictly the station, although it was seen as a package by many. The point I am really making like so many of the fixes, it is really a fudge that comes at a price, be it a system that is not amicable to fast ramp up, or a system that has issues with no or high wind speeds.

     

    One of the major problems that some are so committed to a method of generation (or anything else) that they either do not see the difficulties and often wave them away as irrelevant, or that others no nothing.

  7. Atkinson in reality pointed to the present issues with electric cars, and to some degree the problems with an electric economy based on renewables as presently installed.

     

    The failure/reduced capacity of batteries is now recorded as higher than predicted, some cars/manufacturers are worst than others. It was noted in a recent newspaper that the available energy available on a cold morning was so low that the company operating the vans was reverting to diesel, as what was available did not permit usage as needed.

     

    Another issue that has surfaced, is the higher insurance cost than conventional IC vehicles. Apparently a combination of a few things. Higher cost in repairs to both damaged and general running cost and a suggestion that they have been involved in more accidents ( I do not see why).

     

    Another issue raising it head is the OBR stating that EV will have to pay both Road Fund Licence, and pay more energy cost to replace losses from Fuel Duty. A dispute is also started with regard Vat, fuel duty has Vat, at a rate that is greater than for home use.

     

    I expect with time, money and development that these issues will be or can be resolved.

     

    Perhaps the biggest Elephant that was in the room, is the need to double the number of interconnector (pylons and buried cables to most people ) and sub stations breakers etc. The cost of this infrastructure is high in itself, being part of the standing charges we all pay, and probably becoming a greater part of our bills.

     

    As an aside SF6 breakers do more damage to the environment, if released than air breakers (really noisy) or Oil Breakers.

     

    Another fudge raising it head is the reservoir scheme being constructed in Scotland. Trysfyndd station in Wales does the same, in that case to allow a base load Nuclear station to keep operating at rated capacity (at night) in periods of low demand. Again it costs, some one will pay the bill.

     

    The use of smoke and mirrors just continues, encouraging some to make claims that are not true in the way they are presented.

     

    I am sure that the use of oil will diminish, for numerous reasons (climate change is one), though I suspect that the time to transition will be much longer and will come with pain to some, the shorter the time the greater the pain.

     

     

     

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  8. I stayed at home, waking up to sleet, now wet snow.

     

    No helicopters seem to flying here, same for light aircraft, as to BAE, defiantly no roar from there.

     

    Gulls continue to fly though, soaring along the various roofs. I am pretty sure it is mostly the same one, I see every day, doing the same thing, a little roll as it travels, then just a smooth glide, no flapping as such, the occasional partial wing movement, then back to smooth glide. It seems that it just another day, as far as it is concerned.

     

    Still a strong wind, the first time, for years, I used my wife's car to get the newspaper, it was the addition of the sleet that did it.

  9. An in passing comment, although the X3 never came anywhere near its intended performance, this is a consequence of the intended engines being cancelled. No similiar engines (that is thrust) was available at the time. The solution was the use of engines of substantially lower thrust.

     

    The X3 was not unique, many aircraft have been cancelled or underperformed due to engines that were intended, either being cancelled, or never coming close to performance that was promised sometimes so unreliable that the reputation of the airframe was destroyed.

  10. I was specifically thinking of Ferrari drivers only.

     

    Like many of my generation I was heart broken when Sterling came so close to becoming World Champion, missing out to a Ferrari (driven by that dratted English Man, Mike Hawthorn). I seem to think Stirling was driving a Maserati. I believe I saw Stirling Moss at Aintree when he was driving  for Mercedes.

     

    At that time my favourite cars were the Mercedes, especially the 300 SLR, with its airbrake (Miglia Mille), then the Gull door 300SL, which there was one at the local Mercedes dealership (when Mercedes were as rare as Hens Teeth.

     

    As for John Surtees, what can be said? 

     

    There were other hero's, Geoff Duke, Von Trips, Peter Craven,  and many more along the years, to many paying a heavy price

  11. I am surprised that there are no comments with regard Lewis.

     

    IMO he expects that there will be teething issues with this years Mercedes. I am guessing that he thinks that before  it is sorted another World Championship, will not happen 2024-25. Does it also suggest that he is not convinced that Mercedes will be there the following year?

     

    Ferrari are the glamour team, is he good enough to join the Kimi, Schumacher and Surtees camp of champions. Or could he find himself with Eddy Irvine or Massa, so near, finger nails almost grasping the prize. Either way, the PR, the sponsorship, and the immortality of being a Ferrari driver is gold in itself.

     

    Mercedes now need another Neubauer, and perhaps a Silver Car again?

     

    Always thought that Ross Braun  was never given the plaudits that he deserved, setting up what was to come for Mercedes, with very limited funds.

     

     

  12. Six or so years ago when I moved here, I was at a loss how windy it would be at the field by looking at the movement of trees and bush and bushes in our garden. It was difficult to interpret, as the merest movement of a bush often meant it was blowing about 10 mph at the field.

     

    I woke up this morning to the steady drone of the wind as it blew threw all the nearby trees and over the roofs. I now recognise this as a gale. I rolled over and had another hours rest in bed. This assessment was spot on, as riding my bike to the newsagent, required me to select the small front ring, the biggest cog on the back cassette, as I inched my way against the wind.

     

    I then thought of all you lucky soft southerners, who at present have zephyrs and get national coverage when the wind gets above 10 mph, threatening total destruction of the known world, south of the Watford Gap. PS, the world starts north of the Knutsford service station, some say Charnock Richards.

  13. The thingverse "starter battery holder" has slightly different holes centres to my starter. In reality it does not really matter, some how it is nice to know how it has been branded. and who sold the items, as what ever the name.

     

    With respect to the Prolux hand pump, how are users mounting it?

  14. Nigel, wooer, that seems to be the dogs dodahs, I will be onto it tomorrow. Looks like the same starter unit.

     

    Just need something for the pump, now

  15. Phil, "Castle" rings a bell with me.

     

    Many years ago one of the incidents that occurred on a North Sea Platform, was reported that a (structural) member was under size, that failed, with significant consequences. Apparently a (young) engineer believed the output from a computerised system. From memory no information was provided of how or why the situation came about. What was emphasised that there was no estimate as to the "ball park" value that was expected.

     

    I have used CAD system for drawing up building extensions for one of my daughters and myself. On domestic monitors the feeling for scale is less than on a drawing board. Still when designing large structures, getting a feeling for full scale, requires work and imagination, however it is done.

     

    One the drawing instruments I still frequently use are proportional dividers (mainly used for scaling up). Although I am no slave to the absolute scale some seek, i will live with it looks about correct.

  16. He did well to keep a drone in sight using binoculars. I find it difficult to keep static birds in view in my garden, about 20 m long. If located outside my garden, say in a tree, again I often never locate the bird. Obviously very talented.

     

    I sometimes wonder how low some of the aircraft (mostly helicopters) are, that seem lower than 400 foot passing over our local area.  It is a pity the police do not encourage the flight controllers at the nearby airfield to encourage higher than some seem to fly.

  17. Your answers have given me thoughts how the implementation of hand pump and Lipos has been achieved.

     

    I wondered with respect to a hand pump have they been attached to the neck of the fuel bottle, or maybe a simple frame holding the pump, that the fuel container is held in something like a framework.

     

    In the case of the starter Lipo, are they commonly held in a container, perhaps wood or metal, perhaps with the starter mounted on the lid?

  18. Lets call them Log Tables, if most want it that way. My stuff was all in a booklet which I have not seen for what seems like years, at least 20, when I retired.

     

    Like you  Geoff most education was initially part time. Apparently it was the same with Dave Burton (Biggles elder Brother).

  19. I have acquired an IC model. This has posed a number of issue.

     

    The first is, what voltage is this starter, 6 0r 12 Volts. Could I use a Lipo to power it, for a limited number of starts per flying session. I have not a clue as to the brand, as it seems unmarked.

     

    The second is I will need a glow plug starter, I was thinking of one of the plug on glow type? 

     

    The third is a electric fuel pump seems overly complex, in needing a power supply and a switch to reverse direction. I was thinking perhaps a mechanical pump, which I could fasten to the neck of the Glow fuel container.

     

    I want to keep things simple, minimum amount of junk that IC flyers seem to see as normal. As I have no intention of going mainstream IC, much preferring to stay electric, although I have time issues with electric, just about 6 minimum , seems a tad short.

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  20. I rarely help any of my Grandchildren with their homework, other than a few days ago when discussing the Coefficient of restitution and newtons second law, as I know nothing (only rudimentary education BSc (Hons), whereas Taylor Swift is both really clever, contributing to society and so on (well she has made far more money than I could ever aspire to). She was obviously desperate to even ask me.

     

    This lead to a discussion from me on Log Books and how thinks have changed in everyday mathematics. She had never heard of Log tables, sine tables etc. and was completely baffled what a Slide Rule was and why you would want either.

     

    Explaining that adding big numbers or undertaking trig and many sinusoidal measurements, you really needed them, in the Stone Age (that was the era when I was young she believes). That calculators did not exist, other than primitive mechanical devices, of limited use, and convenience. That some early electronic calculators used something called "Reverse Polish Notation" and basic models cost a weeks wage.

     

    Which later had me thinking how many other people still hoard their Log Books and Slide Rules? I even have set squares and compasses, do others? Or are even modellers more at home in front of a VDU, with a key Board. 

  21. Geoff, I do not have a Robart Incidence meter. I would rarely make use of such a device, that for me it is an extravagance.

     

    I certainly concede that it is far more convenient. At a cost, both financial and storage. I guess it does everything my temporary, ad-hoc arrangement does, quicker.

     

    Is it more accurate, probably not, but potentially yes. Everything depends in my case on my fastidiousness. IMO for model aircraft, I am not striving for minutes and seconds of arc, in measurement accuracy. Plus I do not and cannot achieve very high levels of build accuracy, because of my lack of abilities and that both wood and polymers are not known for the dimensional stabilities.

     

     

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