The new news 24 thread

[Sunny Jim]

With the population getting larger it's becoming increasingly common for the Fire and Ambulance Services to have to move bariatric patients (people with a BMI greater than 40, usually weighing over 30 stone). We train the emergency services in how to do this and part of my job is to build the props for the training scenarios. Life size and weight mannequins are used.

First up, Bari on the bog or how to move someone who's done an Elvis.

Then Bari in the Cab. Getting a thirty stone+ casualty down from a cab involves use of an A-frame with a live casualty. I get the mannequin in place using a high anchor (eyebolt through super structure of cab roof.

[High Jetter]

26 minutes ago, Sunny Jim said:

We train the emergency services in how to do this and part of my job is to build the props for the training scenarios. Life size and weight mannequins are used.

Wow, respect. Something you don't think about until you need it, whatever weight you are.

[wuvvum]

1 hour ago, JJ0063 said:

Would that make life easier? I can run it up to you so you’ve got it ready. I live 30 seconds away.

Yes, would be as well to grab it now so it's ready to go.  I'm now plugged in at Instavolt. 

[JJ0063]

Just now, wuvvum said:

Yes, would be as well to grab it now so it's ready to go.  I'm now plugged in at Instavolt. 

I’ll be 2 mins 👍

[hairnet]

This is as bike that does lap of uk??

[wuvvum]

31 minutes ago, Sunny Jim said:

With the population getting larger it's becoming increasingly common for the Fire and Ambulance Services to have to move bariatric patients (people with a BMI greater than 40, usually weighing over 30 stone). We train the emergency services in how to do this and part of my job is to build the props for the training scenarios. Life size and weight mannequins are used.

First up, Bari on the bog or how to move someone who's done an Elvis.

Then Bari in the Cab. Getting a thirty stone+ casualty down from a cab involves use of an A-frame with a live casualty. I get the mannequin in place using a high anchor (eyebolt through super structure of cab roof.

Are there many 30-stone lorry drivers?  I've seen a few overweight lorryists but I don't think I've seen any that massive, not outside America anyway. 

[JJ0063]

@purplebargeken, @wuvvumhas custody of the a-frame ready for your collection mission 👍

[EyesWeldedShut]

Finally got some decent weather and the time to do proper work* without silly, daily things like job, life, grocery shopping getting in the way.
The old flexi was dated 04/2006 so it's lasted well. Brakes feel a bit firmer too now but that could be subjective.
Suspension may be a little bit firmer - again subjective.
Subframe looks OK but a couple of the suspension arms are crusty, rollbar very crusty...

Happy days

[wuvvum]

And home.

The drive was fairly uneventful other than a couple of traffic jams on the A1, one due to roadworks and one due to a lorry having had a blowout.  And I seem to have lost the nearside dipped headlight at some point.

Charging wasn't too bad either, I had no problems finding chargers and getting them to activate, although the Instavolt charger at my last stop cut out and had to be restarted a couple of times - first time it cut out after 10 minutes, then the second time it cut out almost straight away.  It actually cut out a third time at 78%, but I decided to leave it after that as I was going to stop at 80% anyway.

Interestingly it seemed to charge quicker at the second stop - on the Gridserve charger at the first stop, once it got over 80% the charge rate slowed right down to single figures, but on the second charger it was still going at 16kW when I unplugged it at 86%.

I think that will be the longest journey I will do in it - stopping every hour or so to charge is a bit of a pain and the seat is also lacking a bit in lower back support for me.  It'll be perfect for local running around though.  Drives nicely enough and goes like the clappers once Eco mode is switched off.  I like the auto dipping headlights too - first time I've experienced those from behind the wheel, they actually work surprisingly well.

 

[JJ0063]

25 minutes ago, wuvvum said:

And home.

Nice to finally meet you good sir, albeit briefly!

I must say I’m surprised how brand new this looks shape wise in the flesh - set of wheel trims and it’d blend in with every other 7 year old car in a car park.

Fantastic value for money, well bought!

[wuvvum]

Good to meet you too.  It is by far the most modern car I've owned, although it was consistently the oldest car at the chargers on the way back!  It's also only the second car I've owned (the first was the Ypsilon) which is still in production in more or less the same form.

[320touring]

17 minutes ago, JJ0063 said:

Nice to finally meet you good sir, albeit briefly!

I must say I’m surprised how brand new this looks shape wise in the flesh - set of wheel trims and it’d blend in with every other 7 year old car in a car park.

Fantastic value for money, well bought!

How very dare you after all the effort* I put into painting the wheels🤣

[WillCarter]

Had a no show for this today so considering throwing it up for a Roffle. Reckon it'd pique enough interest?

27k from new, paint absolutely shot but very straight otherwise. Drives lovely and has a load of MOT on it. 

Would be about £13 a ticket.

[62 Austin]

13 hours ago, Dyslexic Viking said:

The Mercedes was started today for the first time in 2025 and in 6 months.

Nice-Looking old Merc! Extra points for the trailer hitch...have you used it?

[Dyslexic Viking]

2 hours ago, 62 Austin said:

Nice-Looking old Merc! Extra points for the trailer hitch...have you used it?

Thanks, And no, I haven't used the trailer hitch yet. I've been thinking about getting a small caravan, but I think the car is a bit too tired for that.

[loserone]

12 hours ago, wuvvum said:

It's also only the second car I've owned (the first was the Ypsilon) which is still in production in more or less the same form.

Er... Is it? 

[EyesWeldedShut]

33 minutes ago, Dyslexic Viking said:

Thanks, And no, I haven't used the trailer hitch yet. I've been thinking about getting a small caravan, but I think the car is a bit too tired for that.

 
'ang on no - Niewiadów in Norway
https://www.finn.no/mobility/search/car/caravan?q=niewiadow

Ours is 650kg unladen, plated up to 750kg 

[Dave_Q]

I'd just like to make very clear to everyone here that my house does not identify as being in Bradford thanks

[Dyslexic Viking]

7 minutes ago, EyesWeldedShut said:

 
'ang on no - Niewiadów in Norway
https://www.finn.no/mobility/search/car/caravan?q=niewiadow

Ours is 650kg unladen, plated up to 750kg 

They are also called Poletta here and the small one with a pop-up roof would be perfect.

The Hymer Eriba Eribette is my dream caravan just a shame they are rare and hard to find.

[paulplom]

Fb memory from 13 years ago. My immaculate gti in for mot. Bought by a young kid who pulled the engine and fitted a 1.8vvc.

[Bren]

Spotted my old 545 for sale on ebay. Guy who bought it from me still has it - somewhat optimistically asking about £1900 more than what he gave me for it.

[wuvvum]

15 hours ago, JJ0063 said:

set of wheel trims and it’d blend in with every other 7 year old car in a car park.

👀

[JJ0063]

4 minutes ago, wuvvum said:

👀

 

[320touring]

40 minutes ago, wuvvum said:

👀

FFS. To the bin with them post haste. It'll never pass muster as a CID car like that 🤣

[wuvvum]

3 hours ago, 320touring said:

FFS. To the bin with them post haste. It'll never pass muster as a CID car like that 🤣

It's broken now anyway so might be a moot point.

[320touring]

10 minutes ago, wuvvum said:

It's broken now anyway so might be a moot point.

Ah man that's shite!

[wuvvum]

17 minutes ago, 320touring said:

Ah man that's shite!

Well quite.

Initial suspicions are that the three rapid charges in quick succession yesterday finally finished off the HV battery.  Awaiting delivery of a fancy OBD2 dongle so I can connect to it with Leaf Spy and find out exactly what's happened (and hopefully persuade it to start for long enough to at least get it off the driveway so I can charge the Mitsubishi).

[Bren]

I have been doing some bits on the rover over the last week. I bought a powerlite starter motor last year because I suspect the old one is knackered despite my local auto spark giving it a clean bill of health.

The car has always been a pig to start from cold - I removed the cold start injector to see if it was working. Inside the inlet is a filter - it's not gauze but looks like a membrane. I pulled it out and gave it a good clean with carb cleaner. I connected it back up and directed it into a glass jar - a nice spray of fuel when the key was turned.

Unfortunately there was no crank. I turned the engine over by hand ( I was worried it may have seized) using the alternator pulley and putting the belt under tension. The crank pulley rotated.

So the starter is dead. Replacement is a job for next week - it is awkward as it is under the drivers side manifold. Lots of extensions are required.

 

[Snake Charmer]

5 hours ago, richardmorris said:

1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | London 2024 | RM Sotheby's

 

Quite a history. They are nice to drive. 😉

[Popsicle]

I think most of you know I do couriering for a living, one of the reasons for getting the recently purchased Passat was its ability to share the load with the Caddy from time to time. Yesterday I loaded up for a delivery to Scotland, only a few small sacks, not an urgent job, just needed to be there in the AM. So time to give the Pisshat its firsts proper run out, see if it can do the claimed mpgees.

Topped it up with diesel last night and set off at 0445, with a range of 650 miles showing. I was feeling rather guilty walking past the van to the Passat, it felt like I was cheating on a loved one.

3 hours later I stopped at Southwaite services on the M6 for a Greggs breakfast baguette.

I'd gained nearly 200 miles range after driving 181 miles, getting a claimed 68 mpg.

Somewhat impressed by these readings, I munched my way through the bacon and omelette tastyness, washed down with a latte, and continued wafting up the M6 and A74 towards Glasgow.

Unloaded and headed for home, just stopping for a McPiss at Killington Lake services on the way back.

Final scores on the doors.

I think thats pretty impressive going for a large family estate car, yes I'm a steady driver, I stay around the speed limit or just under and I'll have no idea how accurate the readings are until I fill up again, but first impressions are very good. The Caddy would have returned around 50/52 mpg on the same run. The Passat is quicker, quieter, smoother and comfier, my newly fitted DAB radio held signal brilliantly, apart from around Shap summit, where even FM stations struggle for signal, apart from Classic FM, whatever transmitters they use I reckon you could pick the station up with a coat hanger for an aerial at the bottom of the ocean.