Ask a Shiter

[Ratdat]

If it's not got sensitive electronics, maybe you could get away with a 110v transformer for power tools?

[TimothyClaypole]

It's one of these:

 

 

So basically a feed mechanism with the control pad and the heater bit at the front.

 

 

[tooSavvy]

http://www.cyklop.de/nav_eng/index_c25.html

 

Not a lot of load, then....

 

TS

[castros_bro]

It's one of these:

 

 

So basically a feed mechanism with the control pad and the heater bit at the front.

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KAD-Power-100w-Converter-USA-to-UK-input-230v-output-110v-model-EX-SD0100-/171242087287?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item27ded2e377

 

Basically a 100 watt step down transformer.  There is a difference in the frequency from 60hz USA  to 50hz UK but this will probabliy have no effect.  We had one of these adaptors unused at work which, if it is still there and you pay the postage, you may have gratis.

[Leyland Lawrence]

I'm interested in buying that Pageant blue princess on C&C. Is this wrong and will I look a div.

[tooSavvy]

Wind = Green?

 

I have read somewhere that...

 

a) Windfarm operators have a 'Pay per Turn' contract, we pay them even if the sparks don't get used!

 

b.) The national grid cannot 'reverse engineer' the supply grid... so a mahoosive offshore farm cannot be handled by simply putting a spur onto the Post Office main board, at the end of the quayside.

Eleventy billion spent on Windfarm [by contractors, on 'Pay per Turn'] ends up with NG sayinn 'nah thanks, matey, cann'a hold it!'

 

c) Big is Best.... only the extreme tip (c. 30% of blade length) generate most of the turning effort.

 

d) Are we getting Best Value [... is that political or economic parlance??]

 

 

discuss....

 

 

TS

[forddeliveryboy]

If you think wind power's over-subsidised, you'd struggle to grasp the amount of spondoolies made available for the nuclear power industry. It's in a different league, even ignoring all the even bigger subsidies down the decades.

 

We need to be investing in smart plugs, smart meters, grid storage, more Euro-interconnects and start investing in tidal power.

[tooSavvy]

.....and start investing in tidal power.

 

will this 'simply plug into' the Grid???

 

TS

[Richard]

What is the "Rescue Ambulance" here? It looks like a bit of an antique.

 

[HillmanImp]

Looks like a Pinzgauer to me. 

 

[mouseflakes]

I've read that the first series of Eurovan MPV (Synergie, 806, Ulysse, Zeta) was available with the 2.1 12V XUD engine - but does anyone know if they were ever sold like this in the UK? I've been looking for something cheap in the usual places and have only seen the 1.9s for sale so far.

 

Thanks!

[spike60]

Why do car manufacturers persist on fitting brake pipes that rot away? I've just done the front to rear one on GF's 2003 BMW 318 after getting knocked back on MOT, last time it was my Merc CLK, a royal pain in the arse. A fairly expensive car new with brake assist and loads of other safety guff, then they make a mockery of it with bio-degradeable plumbing. WTF?

[twosmoke300]

Its those "quality" german cars. Loads of jap stuff has plastic coated pipes, while the ends do rot a bit they arent as bad as beemers .

[spike60]

Interestingly the Merc is actually 57% better than average for brake hydraulic mot fails. Doesn't answer why any maker fits rotting pipes? I sold a 20 year old Corvette last year, the original pipes were as new despite used all year ungaraged. My 2000 Polo pipes are as new as well.

[Rusty_Rocket]

I believe the reason why manufacturers don't fit copper-nickel brake pipes as standard is due to some countries specifying the use of steel only..

[wuvvum]

Multi-valve engines.  The way I understand it, the point of having four valves per cylinder is to help breathing (and therefore power) at high revs, at the expense of low-down torque and flexibility.  So WTF is the point of fitting a 16-valve head to a bloody great 3-litre diesel van engine which makes its maximum power at 3,500 rpm?  Surely that would defeat the point entirely?

[oman5]

Multi-valve engines.  The way I understand it, the point of having four valves per cylinder is to help breathing (and therefore power) at high revs, at the expense of low-down torque and flexibility.  So WTF is the point of fitting a 16-valve head to a bloody great 3-litre diesel van engine which makes its maximum power at 3,500 rpm?  Surely that would defeat the point entirely?

Traditionally yes, extra power. In a modern context, it will probably be to improve combustion and therefore emissions. most big trucks have four valves per cylinder these days, all the torque is produced at less than 1500 rpm. The new Euro 6 emissions standard for diesel commercials is VERY strict.

[andy18s]

My Iveco Daily makes peak power between 1500-2500 rpm,redline at 3500

2.3 16 valve engine (like a Merc cossy!!)

Gives around 30mpg regardless of load,speed ect

16 valves are designed to create more Swirl to the intake charge so it burns better,giving lower emissions

[burraston2006]

Can someone explain to me this lark about using peanut butter instead of back to black? Do   you smear it on or spread thinly and how long do you leave it on for? Also I presume you use smooth or if it's a special car do you use organic? Much appreciated!

[bub2006]

I did that trick once. It does work. Would have had better results but when i asked wife to pick some up she bought crunchy not smooth.

[Bobthebeard]

Can someone explain to me this lark about using peanut butter instead of back to black? Do   you smear it on or spread thinly and how long do you leave it on for? Also I presume you use smooth or if it's a special car do you use organic? Much appreciated!

Have absolutely no idea, but smooth sounds more logical....

On faded plastic bumpers/trim I have seen a heat gun in action. Played gently across the surface it did work! Seemingly it re melts the wax based colouring used in the manufacturing process or summat. Lasts longer than (I suspect) peanut butter applied topically would.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

I've read that the first series of Eurovan MPV (Synergie, 806, Ulysse, Zeta) was available with the 2.1 12V XUD engine - but does anyone know if they were ever sold like this in the UK? I've been looking for something cheap in the usual places and have only seen the 1.9s for sale so far.

 

Thanks!

No the only dizzlers were the old 1.9 and then the 2.0 Hdi , I think the 2.1 and later 2.2 Hdi were standard on Lancia versions , and there was also a 2.0 petrol turbo Lancia for the first year or so.

I've had a1.9 and 2.0 diesel Ullysee and when new the Hdi was like a different car,much faster,smoother and more economical, that has to be weighed against the vegetarianism and less electronic bollocks now though.

[Luckythirteen]

Peanut butter contains a lot of palm oil, which is sticky as anything at ambient temp (hence the consistency of Sun-Pat), so it will adhere to dried out (I.e greyed) plastic very well and won't wash off.

[mat_the_cat]

You could just run it off a building site style transformer, pretty cheap and easily available. Or depending on whether it's internally stepping down the voltage to run electronics, you could replace the internal transformer. Only unlikely stumbling block might be if it uses the mains frequency as some kind of clock, as I know some of the meters at work do. Then it would be expecting 60 hertz but only getting 50.

 

EDIT - Sorry, I missed the next page as I'm on my phone. You can probably guess who the reply is aimed at...

[willswitchengage]

16 valves are designed to create more Swirl to the intake charge so it burns better,giving lower emissions

 

No, GM's Twinport closes one valve at low engine speeds to create more swirl. At high engine speeds this is unnecessary as the air is enering much faster, therefore increasing turbulence and therefore mix.

 

 

16 valves will increase engine efficiency as the engine can suck air in more easily - be it naturally aspirated or turbocharged. This increases both volumetric efficiency and reduces pumping losses. Put your finger up one nostril then remove it again, in which scenario was it easier to inhale/exhale?

[Ratdat]

Also, closing of one intake runner at low RPM increases port velocity allowing for the use of cam profiles with more overlap. The old KA24DE ( an American 240SX engine) I fitted to my Datsun 510 had this and possessed loads of low end grunt. I think on that engine the second runners opened at about 4000rpm. 

[MrDuke]

Very stupid question, but I'm thoroughly brain-dead today:  Do the threads on hub nuts differ depending on which side they're on?

[Ratdat]

Very stupid question, but I'm thoroughly brain-dead today:  Do the threads on hub nuts differ depending on which side they're on?

 

That probably depends on what vehicle I'd think. Most cars I have worked on had normal RH threads but that's not to say all will be. I have a vague recollection if having the odd one that was a LH thread but can't think what cars.

[Rusty_Rocket]

Mini has a LH threaded rear hub nut. I was building one up today. Nothing much modern does as far as I know.

[MrDuke]

OK, thanks. After swinging off of a breaker bar to no avail, I did wonder if I was going the wrong way, but as it's fairly modern, I guess I'll just have to swing a bit harder.