sj-bradley

It should work with the rope. I think you have to wind the engine round to trap the rope and then also lock the crank to stop it spinning back when you try to remove the collets. Simon.

Here's a good clip The crank sensor should generate a small AC voltage when metal is passed in front of it. So if it is off the engine, then connect a meter to the volts AC setting and wave a bit of metal in front of it and you should see it blip if you're lucky. Simon.

I've never been one to remember jokes correctly. Simon.

Paddy and Mick went on a sea fishing trip, but only managed to catch 10 fish. Mick said, "Gee Paddy, these fish cost us £10 each to get this many" Paddy - "Good idea we didn't catch many more then, I couldn't afford to ..." Simon.

I think you did misunderstand. By making the processors unreadable does not mean that new software is prevented from being written to it. The PICs can be "unreadable" but you can still erase and reprogram them. The same may be true with FPGAs or any other micro processor. Manufacturers are so big now that they could even get dedicated chips made for them from the processor manufacturers too. Simon.

Last bump. Really, no interest in a winter trailer tent project ... ? Simon.

Yes, I would always use the crank pulley to turn the engine over since that it what it's doing when running anyway. It may be more awkward, but would prevent mishaps like the above from happening. And I thought the pinto was non interference? So you should be okay. However, I don't know about these advanced camshafts as they may lift the valve higher producing interference problem? Simon.

If the software is written on the microprocessors, it is possible that they CAN'T reverse engineer this. The reason is that PIC micros for example can be told to read protect the software written to it so if you try to read it back, you only get zeros and not the true code. I suspect that other processors will have the same sort of protection built in for this very reason. The software could detect things like lack of motion of steering wheel, wheels not turning when revving engine or the driven wheels turning (on rolling road) but not the rears (easy through ABS sensors). So it is easy to detect when the car is being tested. As it stands at present, our air quality is TONS better than China's. Look at their capital for example where they quote "fog" all the time. It's really smog and they haven't clamped down on their vehicles even though they do have laws regarding this already. You only have to look back in history at the London smogs and the clean air act to see how things have improved. Admitted that now there are far more cars on the road, but they are also cleaner than the older models. Simon.

Heck, I stopped my direct debit with them when they turned off the analogue signal. Since I could no longer "decode" the live broadcasts, I also turned off my "subscription". They wrote to me saying they could not deduct money from my account (no surprise) and I rang them and explained why. I even got a refund (which was nice) Simon.

Bump this.

Forget to add that it's near Doncaster. Simon.

I have a trailer for sale: Asking price £75 or near offer. Note, the electrics have not been tested. I have been told the tyres were new - 6 years ago, but they look in very good condition with plenty of tread left and no noticeable cracking in side walls. Contact Simon Bradley via this board or simon_bradley@hotmail.co.uk with "Trailer for sale" in the subject. Thanks, Simon.

I have never had anyone from "microsoft" calling me. I must be Billy no-mates I'd love to wind them up too. Microsoft will never call you to say you have a problem. They would be forever making calls to the billions of users out there ... ! Simon.

Seems to work okay. Simon.

Carsington Water. Another picture. Simon.

Zombie attack ... Carsington Water ... Line up back at the Ostrich - got some attention from the wedding party ... Live Band ... Photo bombing me ... Phil's toxic exhaust gases looked like this ... Great weekend. Thanks to Phil and all who supported it. Simon.

It was an amazing weekend. Even found out that right guard deodorant also helps start some kit cars ... (I did offer the choice or either "air duster" or right guard deodorant to help and the decision was unanimous ... Simon.

There are imitation copies of the sj-4000, so beware of this. Other than than, it's a fine camera (genuine one) Simon.

Hmm, that nerf gun looks interesting. I think it just needs scaling up a little, add a butane supply, bbq lighter, revolving barrel, Spuds ... Simon.

I'll bring along one that shoots hard dangerous potatoes ... Under responsible adult supervision of course (Now need to find a responsible adult ... Not sure if I qualify Simon.

Aww, all we did was give tazzman a nice indoor garden ...

The other thing I noticed is that he confused current when he meant voltage and also used the term "power" when he meant voltage which is also not correct. The diagnostic principle was correct though in that he starts at the farthest component and works back towards the battery. The meter should also most likely NOT move in either the shorted or not shorted position and stay on empty, but change to full for the other condition. (depends on meter) But, as it helped you find the problem, this video worked. Simon.

Any voltage stabiliser will need a higher input voltage (usually 2 volts) more than the output voltage. They have a current limit though. If you try and short circuit the output, they should self limit the output current and you will get a voltage output of zero volts. Quite often it's a simple device like a 7812 thee pin regulator which has a maximum of 1 amp supply and needs to be bolted to a suitable heat sink as it will get hot if you try and draw the max current output from it. If the voltage across it drops to zero, try measuring the resistance of the temp gauge and the other gauge with the problem. If one reads very low resistance (a 6 ohm resistance will try and draw 2 amps and a 12 ohm will try and draw 1 amp) so if the resistance is that low, you have a problem. Simon.

Headlights at 60 watts only need to draw 5 amps each and a 21 watt fog needs an extra 2 amps making 12 amps, so a 15 amp fuse should do. If your headlights are less wattage, you might get away with a 10 amp one. Watts = Volts x Amps. Don't overdo the rating on the fuse as the next fuse will be the wiring itself which you DON'T want. Simon.

Yes, this is from the Energy = 1/2 Mass x Velocity squared equation. I.e. If you are doing 35 mph and you double the speed to 70, you have 4x the amount of energy to burn off in order to stop. This is why stopping distances don't go up in a linear fashion. Simon.