Routy56 - can you just....

[Routy56]

........on the subject of petrol hybrid cars, my near elderly neighbours have a 20 plate immaculate Honda Jazz Hybrid. They have both had serious health problems and the car has stood unused for several months

So Janet said to me, "Dave, can you just have a look at our car. It would be nice to start using it again"
After a stroke, Jim will never drive again.
Mind you, he still has his Pan European in the garage. Bought new in 1999, he rode it all over the world including Russia and the Artic Circle. I think that may be next for me to 'look at'

And this is what Mr. Fluke told me about the 12 volt battery

So I wacked 18 amps in "Repair Mode" for a few hours to try and reverse the obvious battery sulfation.
It didn't work, voltage collasped as soon as I removed the the smart charger/booster.
But, it was enough to run the engine after checking the levels.
Pumped the tyres up using my 12 volt pump and let the engine run up to temperature and more importantly charge up the Hybrid battery until the engine stopped of it own accord.
Reported back to Janet, "I'll order you a good quality battery, which will come in the next day or two"
Ordered a Yuasa Silver Performance Battery from Tayna with a 5 year warranty.....

 

[Gecko]

My lawn mower has a bigger battery than that

 

[Routy56]

My lawn mower has a bigger battery than that

Yep, it's only 40Ah with the small Japanese style terminals.
Due to be delivered today. But I won't be fitting it until after the Storm Chandra has passed
Whereas, our Toyota is fitted with a small 35Ah jobby.
If the main dealer hadn't changed it under warranty I had a cunning plan to upgrade it to a Yuasa 45Ah which will fit into the space under the rear seat

 

[Routy56]

My lawn mower has a bigger battery than that

Talking about lawnmowers, our Iseki SGX19 is slow to start - I think that will be next to get a new battery

 

[Routy56]

A neighbour two doors way said a few weeks ago, "Dave can you just dig a soak away for my new workshop"
So we had to wait for a gap in the weather, but still had to deal with a high water table

Started the dig on Thursday down to about 600mm and overnight is filled back up to 300mm below ground level...

So on Saturday in sunny weather the plan was to pump out and quickly dig it to 1200mm and get those crates in.....

Fortunately my grandson Ryan rocked up on my dumper driver and banksman. Remember Ryan, he now works for Elson Construction on big sites and has all his tickets. So a win win.

Great banksman and good signal for when digging those blind corners...

So Ryan jumped down the hole quick as you like and trimmed up and levelled the stone.

We then dropped a wrapped cube of crates, stoned it up and back filled.
Job jobbed well before lunch with Sharon

 

[Storrsy]

A neighbour two doors way said a few weeks ago, "Dave can you just dig a soak away for my new workshop"
So we had to wait for a gap in the weather, but still had to deal with a high water table
View attachment 79804
Started the dig on Thursday down to about 600mm and overnight is filled back up to 300mm below ground level...

So on Saturday in sunny weather the plan was to pump out and quickly dig it to 1200mm and get those crates in.....View attachment 79805
Fortunately my grandson Ryan rocked up on my dumper driver and banksman. Remember Ryan, he now works for Elson Construction on big sites and has all his tickets. So a win win.

View attachment 79806
Great banksman and good signal for when digging those blind corners...

View attachment 79807
So Ryan jumped down the hole quick as you like and trimmed up and levelled the stone.

We then dropped a wrapped cube of crates, stoned it up and back filled.
Job jobbed well before lunch with Sharon

How long till the crates were full again!?

 

[Routy56]

How long till the crates were full again!?

While stoning up noticed about 300mm or so creeping back in
But although it's mainly clay soils around here, we were hitting pockets of sand and gravels.
So from experience, I know that it will work and allow the H2O to get away.

And this is the one we put in next door 3 years ago for the whole roof. Works well and never backs up

BUT we are getting more extreme weather these days......

 

[Routy56]

So last week I picked up a damaged tyre on my lovely Mondeo from a blinking pothole

And today went over to my brother's place, "Graham can I just use yer gear to change a tyre"

It went very well but being a cold new 40 profile tyre it was tad stiff

We even fannied around to get zero on the balance machine

Having rewarded him with Gregg's hot sausage rolls and yum yum he showed me his latest big boys toys....

A 'new' engine and trike for his paramotor....

That's the engine, the prop gets bolted on with those 6 x M6 once on site....
He has flown it 6 times now without the trike on a foot launch

"Come and join us bruv, I have a spare rig and engine"

 

[V8Druid]

"Come and join us bruv, I have a spare rig and engine"

OMG ... the flying squad

 

[Lancs Lad]

OMG ... the flying squad

Apparently it's not the sudden descent that hurts ...it's the abrupt landing.

 

[Routy56]

OMG ... the flying squad

See what you did there Gra you got a spare V8 kicking around

 

[Routy56]

Apparently it's not the sudden descent that hurts ...it's the abrupt landing.

Funnily enough he’s just bought a new parachute just in case

 

[V8Druid]

See what you did there Gra you got a spare V8 kicking around

yeh, a 4.6 - would need an inlet manifold though

 

[Monkeybusiness]

Do they need a licence or can you just buy one and get on with it?!

 

[Rob65]

See what you did there Gra you got a spare V8 kicking around

If you are gonna build one, use a proper engine. I was on a site where there is a Rolls Royce gas turbine engine going spare. Coincidentally not far from Druid.

 

[Lancs Lad]

If you are gonna build one, use a proper engine. I was on a site where there is a Rolls Royce gas turbine engine going spare. Coincidentally not far from Druid.

He's gonna need a bigger parachute

 

[Routy56]

Do they need a licence or can you just buy one and get on with it?!

Now that is a great question Dan
A licence is not legally required, but training is seriously recommended. And they should follow the CAA has issued a "Parameter Code". And they must comply with UK Air Law. For example, staying 500 feet from property and people.
However, there are various qualifications and training that new pilots can take.
In my brother Graham's case, he took up some recognised training with an approved instructor. It took him about 18 months of training to qualify for solo flight. They have a nice field just over The Strood on Mersea Island, Essex. It gets very interesting flying over the various coastal backwaters.

He takes all his gear to the flying field in his trusty Disco 2 TD5

Here's a clip uploaded from various Go-Pro Clips Graham Rout on his Paramotor Greeting 2026

I'm obviously very proud of my younger brother
He even has a YouTube postings if you wanna see more....

 

[Monkeybusiness]

Now that is a great question Dan
A licence is not legally required, but training is seriously recommended. And they should follow the CAA has issued a "Parameter Code". And they must comply with UK Air Law. For example, staying 500 feet from property and people.
However, there are various qualifications and training that new pilots can take.
In my brother Graham's case, he took up some recognised training with an approved instructor. It took him about 18 months of training to qualify for solo flight. They have a nice field just over The Strood on Mersea Island, Essex. It gets very interesting flying over the various coastal backwaters.
View attachment 79912
He takes all his gear to the flying field in his trusty Disco 2 TD5

Here's a clip uploaded from various Go-Pro Clips Graham Rout on his Paramotor Greeting 2026

I'm obviously very proud of my younger brother
He even has a YouTube postings if you wanna see more....

Will have a look later!!!

 

[Lancs Lad]

Will have a look later!!!

Reon Rounds has one Dan.

Among other things

 

[Furniss]

And he gets airborne with just the sock on a stick stuck on his helmet ?