LEC Expeditionary Force in Cyprus

[dapinky]

Oops, I missed Johns post in my eagerness to reply

Having now read it, and looked at the numbers, I'd agree with him!

I can't comment on the valves I sent, other than to say that they were working fine before I took them off mine last year, so they may well be fitted backwards!

Unfortunately, I can't even look at my car to see how they should go, 'coz I havent got them!

I don't know what would happen (internally) if they are the wrong way round, but it does seem that the numbers are too close to the front for any bias to be present. (a bit like my 'suggesstion' to get it through the test by simply removing them from the car and fitting a straight pipe).

[dapinky]

The workshop manual shows which way round they should go (basically, the 2-part body toward the rear of the car).

bias valves jpg.jpg

[epipete]

Thanks for the above, I sent a message to the Garage suggesting of the above, it's very hard trying not to cause offence to the Professionals by 'treading on their toes', but there is a logic in what you have both suggested that means I felt I had too.

Pete

[epipete]

Great news, I got a call from the garage this evening that the car was ready, I went to pick it up (the bill was very reasonable) and drove home, the brakes are now great, pedal travel is good (by which I guess I mean it is much as I'm used too), and I seem to have a functioning handbrake; sorting out the timing has not only settled the emissions but also made things a little quieter and the car more responsive, so although it has taken quite a while I'm feeling considerably happier, and I have a Cypriot MoT. Now to get it Registered

The only issue I have is that my Window Switch is broken, this also happened back in August when I had the car back from Malmesbury SC (but then I had a spare switch in the garage - the one that is now broken). Basically what appears to happen is when the mechanic works on the Handbrake cables, They must do something with the centre console and this in turn displaces the switch, the base of which comes free from the main body of the switch - buggering it up!

I've read the Wiki under 'switch craft' and am hopeful that I can fix it, it seems I have to unsolder the bulb which allows me to remove the back properly, reattach the spring, replace the back, resolder the Lamp and replace the rocker switch - simples I may now look at the metal monkey options and pick a colour scheme and change the bulbs to LEDs (pity the link for maplins doesn't work!)

[Saltire]

(pity the link for maplins doesn't work!)

Did you mean something like http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/3mm-white-led-n66kg, Pete?

[epipete]

Nah, Jonathan, thanks but that link doesn't work either - may be Maplins is banned in Cyprus!

On a positive note I found another 'spare' in the garage last night so I'm up and running again.

I'd like to repair the broken one though, but now in slower time.

I think I need to make of all the correct types/sizes/etc of all interior lights (Dash, Switches, etc) and pay a visit to Maplins when I'm home at Christmas.

Here is a picture of the internals of the light switch, the bulb has to be removed first and then the back can be prized off, the rocker (not pictured presses on one of two thin cards, depending on up or down - the slots can be seen in the main body of the switch pictured. These 'cards' press against the metal clips on the left of the picture and when the switch is assembled they obviously make contact with the base and complete a circuit.

image.jpeg

Now when I dismantled this switch one of the clips was lose the other seemed to be displaced, does anyone know how the go in to the body of the switch, it's not terribly intuitive. Any pictures if you have one dismantled would be great.

Is there a spring missing, it might be that these clips constitute a spring which keeps both ends from making contact but perhaps they aren't strong enough and I have a spring missing. I just don't know!?

Pete

[Saltire]

Let me know if you want me to print the relevant page to PDF and send it to you by email Alternatively, I'm very happy for you to send a shopping list and I'll go next time I'm in Swindon.

In any case, it would be really helpful to have that list if you prepare it - I'm planning a similar LED replacement project over the winter.

[GeoffSmith]

You have everything you need Pete. There are notches in the uprights that the contact locates into. When you get them in position correcty, you can gently press down where the 'cards' would contact and the switch will operate with a slight click. Be careful though, because if you get it wrong the little buggers will fly across the room into the darkest, dirtiest corner. Been there. Done that. Got the t shirt.

I think I've worked out how these break: The square section at the back of the switch is wider than the metal reinforced cutout. If you pull the switch out, it's liable to break off the flimsy retaining clips. PITA I know, but the best way is to undo the centre console and push them out from below.

[GeoffSmith]

The LEDs are nothing special and Jonathan's link didn't work for me either, so go to www.maplin.co.uk and search for 3mm led.

[dapinky]

I picked up a bag of 10 on fleabay for 99p.

I've only used 2 for the window switches, so still have 8 left - yours for a quid each

(red 3mm standard LEDs).

[Saltire]

The LEDs are nothing special and Jonathan's link didn't work for me either, so go to http://www.maplin.co.uk and search for 3mm led.

Clearly these must be the special secret British urls, not available to those currently resident in foreign parts

[GeoffSmith]

The LEDs are nothing special and Jonathan's link didn't work for me either, so go to http://www.maplin.co.uk and search for 3mm led.

Clearly these must be the special secret British urls, not available to those currently resident in foreign parts

Unless cunning British subterfuge has been employed....something like this:

(pity the link for maplins doesn't work!)

Did you mean something like [url=http://http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/3mm-white-led-n66kg]http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/3mm-white-led-n66kg[/url], Pete?

[Saltire]

I'm 61 and you expect me to operate this tablet thingy consistently? Puh-lease.

[GeoffSmith]

A tablet. Say no more. I could only see what was wrong because I sneaked an old XP machine in the car. And a 27" screen. With a proper keyboard. And a mouse. Guess Sarah won't want it in the kitchen when she flies out on Wednesday.

[epipete]

Yes, I exported an old XP Machine, so old I fact that the battery is knackered - completely! The only Files on it are the Elan Scan. Any idea a how to transfer them to a storage device in their entirety?

[Saltire]

A tablet. Say no more. I could only see what was wrong because I sneaked an old XP machine in the car. And a 27" screen. With a proper keyboard. And a mouse. Guess Sarah won't want it in the kitchen when she flies out on Wednesday.

I know what you mean, Geoff. Personally, I dislike the Apple philosophy intensely. It would be fine if it worked. But it doesn't. And then you're stuffed.

But why is it that Windows versions are alternately good and terrible? XP - great. Vista - horrible. 7 - OK. 8 - infuriating. 10 - early days but looking good.

I came across an old original Windows PC the other day. Two 360 kbyte floppy drives and no hard drive at all. And I could happily run a word processor, email (not that there was much), a spreadsheet and a database program all on one floppy, with all the data on the other. Good to see that we have made so much progress over the ensuing 35 years

Now, where did I put my slippers and cardigan??

[dapinky]

Oi - there's nowt wrong with tablets - I'd be lost without mine....

..... my blood pressure would be far too high without them.

But as for them new fangled electronic ones, I'd rather have a laptop.

The only use mine gets is as a 'book reader' when I'm away from home (and as an automatic backup for photos I take on my phone). The Apps seem to be too 'stripped back' to be any great use (to me).

[GeoffSmith]

Sarah's laptop was a bit heavy for carting around the world and the battery life was approaching single figures (minutes) so needs must. They have their uses but.....

-Posted on my Samsung Galaxy Tablet 10.1 2014 from the downstairs crapper.

[dapinky]

I purchased a nice new netbook thingy for travelling - got it last December, on offer at Tescos (Other supermarkets are also availlable, but it was cheapest at that one!) for £139.00. BARGAIN.

Okay, it 'only' has 32Gb HD, but its an on board SSD, so not actually upgradable - soon solved by the addition of a micro SD card to give a permanent 96Gb - extendable with anything else on USB if ever needed.

Other 'drawbacks' are non-removable battery - so what you buy is what you get. It came with Win 8.1 (now running 10) - which takes up most of the inbuilt storage, I added Office 2010, Acrobat, Photoshop etc to the SD card, and loads of spare room.

I got it for travelling and delivering presentations etc (HDMI outlet only, so had to buy an adapter for connection to the up-to-date projectors used in UAE!) and it's great.

I can build all my powerpoints on my main laptop (bigger screen!), then just stick them on the smaller one to take away. The 10.1" screen is okay for minor adjustments, but most hotel rooms have a TV i can plug into anyway.

Under £200 for a Win 10 machine with enough RAM to work quickly, an MSD card and micro adapter (it fits without protruding from the netbook), HDMI adapter, wireless mouse and a protective sleeve - well worth it (to me!) - and it's bloody light to carry, with about 6-8 hrs battery life, so ideal for airport WiFi use as well.

And you can run a VM WinXP to use Elanscan, if required.

[Saltire]

-Posted on my Samsung Galaxy Tablet 10.1 2014 from the downstairs crapper.

TOO MUCH INFORMATION

Mr Pink: as a matter of interest, what did you get? I've been looking for something similar for a while