Preparing for the worst

Several years ago I was in a group of two vehicles travelling on a remote and isolated 4WD track when we came upon a stranded vehicle.  The driver had a defective battery and had been attempting to reach "civilization" when he stalled the vehicle engine whilst negotiating a section of very deep ruts in the dirt track.  The defective battery in his vehicle meant he couldn't restart his vehicle engine and was stranded. 

We were able to assist by jump starting his engine connecting his battery to one of ours.  With his engine now working he headed in the opposite direction planned on carefully continuing the end of the track and the nearest town for a replacement battery in one day.

The incident confirmed to me the importance of preparing for all eventualities when travelling solo in remote locations.

For several years I've been considering how I might restart our diesel 4WD if the battery were to fail somewhere remote whilst travelling solo.  Until today a 12V battery 'jump starter' has been an expensive item.  But then it's only expensive if you don't need it!

Today, whilst doing some online research into another subject, I noticed the nationwide 4WD Supa Centre chain was holding a post Christmas sale and were advertising a 12V lithium Jump Starter for $69.95.  That was a surprisingly good price when other brands sell upwards of $400+.

The nearest store is in the adjacent suburb and I made a quick trip to examine their device before purchasing one.

The documentation claims a fully charged device can make up to eight attempts to restart a vehicle before it's discharged.  The specifications also state it can start a diesel 4WD.

What do you get for your money?

The device comes in a hard plastic protective carry shell

Inside is the charger and a number of cable accessories

The jump starter can also be used as a power bank to recharge small portable devices (eg, mobile phone) and has an inbuilt torch.

A set of jump starter leads, 240V charger, 12V charger and a usb cable with multiple leads.

   

I almost cried when I noticed the store had their 12V 120Ah lithium battery on sale at $399.  Last year I bought mine from them at a discounted price of $550!  The price of lithium batteries appears to be falling.

Bike Repair Kit

For the last three weeks a bad right knee has prevented me from taking the bike for a ride.  I'm getting "twitchy" with the restriction!  We both have appointments with our doctor in early January and I will be requesting a prescription for some of his magic tablets.  I last used them for the same knee issue two years ago and was very happy with the almost instantaneous relief.

Although I can't ride the bike, it hasn't stopped me from cleaning and doing some maintenance.  During this period I removed the contents of my repair kit which fits in a small bag under the saddle.

To the left I have a small container that holds my puncture patches, glue and a small rasp.  The blue tyre levers fit on top of the container.  Next is the 8mm Hex (Allen) key which fits the securing screws on the cranks and the bolt that holds the bike stand.  Below them is a cut down 15mm ring spanner that is required for the 15mm rear axle nuts.  There is a multitool at the top right with a spare inner tube below. 

The multitool has five Hex keys (5,4,3,2.5,2mm) a cross tip and flat tip screwdriver. A square shaft (green arrow) and three sockets (10,9,8mm).  The last tool (re arrow) is a combination wrench (15,10,8mm)

You might have wondered why I have the cut down 15mm spanner when the multitool wrench has a 15mm cut out.  The answer to that is the multitool wrench doesn't fit the 15mm axle nut.  It's on the wrong side of the tool to tighten the nuts.

Reflecting on the contents of my repair kit I realised I'm missing what might be an essential tool.  A chain breaker and replacement chain link.  If the bike chain was to break or be damaged I currently have no way of repairing it.

One option would be to add a chain breaker and spare chain link to the kit.  But the repair bag is already very full.  Looking at my existing repair kit I don't need the wrench, sockets and socket shaft.

I've come to the conclusion I erred in my judgement with the selection of my multitool.  In my defence it was purchased before I fitted the Shimano Alfine 11 speed internally geared hub; which resulted in the 15mm axle nuts.  Moreover, it wasn't until I converted the bike to an e-bike and subsequently added the bike stand, that I needed the 8mm Hex key.

My solution is to consider replacing the existing multitool with the one below at a cost of A$6.25 from Aliexpress.

 

The tool doesn't have the sockets and wrench.  It does have an 8mm Hex Key (left arrow) and a chain breaker (right arrow).

Replacing the original multitool reduces the total number of tools carried by one (the 8mm Hex Key) whilst including the missing chain breaker.

AIS Transmitter

All ships; and many boats; are fitted with an Automatic Identification System (AIS) which consists of a Transmitter and Receiver.  The Transmitter broadcasts data about the vessel and the Receiver obviously receives and displays the data from other vessels.  The data consists of important information such as the vessels course, speed, location, size, name, etc.

Receiver are relatively cheap to make. I did this with the boat chart plotter I recently made for our eldest grandson's yacht.  Transmitters are considerably more expensive to purchase!

Knowing the position, direction and speed of vessels near you has obvious safety advantages.  If you don't have a Transmitter then you are aware of your own vessel's position and can take any necessary action  to avoid a potential collision.  Receiving the other vessels name also allows you to contact it by radio and make them aware of you own location and intentions. 

However there are obvious advantages if you can automatically transmit your vessel's data.

I started thinking about how to make of a cheap AIS Transmitter.  I stumbled upon a boating video where the crew had mention whilst sailing at night they had received numerous AIS signals; yet they couldn't see any vessels.  At dawn they realised the transmissions were coming from fishing net locator buoys set by local fishermen.

This led me to research digital net locators. Specifically, their cost and whether I could modify one for use on a yacht as an AIS Transmitter.

I bought one on Aliexpress for a fraction of the cost of a commercial AIS Transmitter

It's waterproof.  Under the clear plastic end cap is an ON/OFF switch and two sockets.  One socket is a 9.2V charging port and the other a data socket.

When the device is turned on different coloured LEDs illuminate to describe the status of the device

   

The "insides" consists of a printed circuit board, two 18650 lithium batteries and an antenna

The device requires 9.2V to charge the batteries but only 7.4V to power it (2x 18650 batteries @ 3.7V ea).

The higher the device is mounted; the greater the range of the transmissions.  At sea level the manufacturer claims a range of 10km.  I'd take that with a pinch of salt.  The manufacturer also claims the device will transmit once every three minutes for 15 days before the batteries go flat.  I would want the device to transmit more frequently, which means battery life will be significantly shorter.  The stated recharge time is six hours.  If I reconfigure the device to transmit every 30 seconds then the batteries will probably last 48 hours.

I wouldn't want to be sailing for two days before having to stop the device and recharge it for six hours.  It would be better if the device was permanently connected to a power supply.

The obvious solution is to mount the device as high as possible on the mast, thus greatly increasing the range of the transmissions.  This would require a power supply up the mast.  The yacht has a 12V battery bank which mans I would need to convert 12V to 9.2V.  However I also need to do something about the switch on the device.  It only needs to be turned on when the yacht is at sea.  Climbing the mast to turn it one or off isn't satisfactory.  Activating the transmitter remotely is the solution.  Fitting a switch into the 12V supply to the transmitter isn't a solution as the transmitter batteries would continue to power the device if the 12V supply was turned off.  One option could be to have two wires for the 12V supply and another two for the remote switch.  However I prefer another option.  This is to remove the batteries in the transmitter.  Disconnecting the 12V power supply would turn off the transmitter.

To achieve this will require a 12V to 7.4V step down converter.  Fitting it where the current device batteries are seems a good option.  

The next step is to source a cheap 12V to 7.4V step down converter.  

Curing the Rumble

Three days ago Jan noticed there was a dead fan in the ceiling of the smallest room in the house.   I've already replaced it once, which means it's either the second or third fan since the house was constructed. 

Do we replace it or leave the dead fan in-situ?  The fan automatically starts when the light is turned on.  We're getting old and the personal plumbing doesn't work like it used to.  Probably better to replace the fan, thus ensuring the air in the room is also replaced!

Replacing it isn't very difficult.  Remove the cover and loosen three screws before disconnecting the wiring.  With the fan removed I could measure the diameter of the hole.  An online search identified the cheapest fan of the same diameter. 

After a trip to the local hardware store it was a 15 minute job to fit the new fan.

This is when the next problem was identified.  The fan is immediately above the 'throne' and it's so darned powerful my hair stands on end when seated.  I also have to keep my arms pointing downwards as it attempts to suck my shirt off.  OK; I'm exaggerating!  The problem is the fan is so powerful it's attempting to extract more air from the small room than is available.  This is creating harmonics with the fan blades that results in some very loud rumbling.  It's probably not good for the fan and will likely shorten its life.

I unlatch the door with the fan on and the suction immediately dragged it open two inches.  Obviously we need to get more air to enter the room.  Looking around the "stuff that might be useful one day" I found some timber offcuts which I ran through the bench saw and thicknesser to make a louvre vent for the door.

Don't tell Jan; but it's going to be her Christmas present!

Using the jigsaw I cut the required size hole in the lower portion of the door.  Whilst doing this I noticed the interior hollow core door was constructed of outer sheets of oil board with the packing being a lattice made of cardboard.

The door would have been manufactured in the early 80's which means I'm really showing my age as all the doors I had worked on prior to this used thick timber shavings as internal packing and structural support.

The louvre was glued into the door and I hung it three hours later.

The rumble from the fan has disappeared and my hair no longer stands on end

Lithium Battery Charging

Both of us have e-bikes.  To be strictly correct Jan has an e-trike.  Like almost every e-bike battery. ours are made in China.  No doubt you have probably read or watched one or more stories about lithium battery fires and how intense they can be. 

It's for this reason that we don't recharge our bike/trike batteries inside.  Nor do we recharge them in the garage, where there a plenty of highly flammable items.  Another thing we don't do is leave the batteries on charge overnight or whilst away from the property.

When looking for an initial location to recharge the batteries I opted from the most logically and accessible power socket on the exterior of the house.  It happens to be under the pergola by the back door.  It's a power socket I installed in anticipation of us changing the gas instant hot water heater to one that was electrically ignited.

This was only going to be a temporary solution as recharging the battery near a gas hot water system obviously carries risks.

I decided to install a new power socket in the middle of the underside of the pergola roof.  Charging lithium batteries here would mean they are away from anything flammable and on concrete pavers.  If a lithium battery fire occurred here it would be very intense but not likely to burn down the house.

 

The right arrow points to the new double power socket and the left arrow to the PVC conduit which takes the cabling from the new power socket back to the house soffit lining.  From there the cable goes down the wall cavity to the power socket beside the gas water heater.  The job has taken me half a day.

Failing Shower Grout

For the second time the grout between the floor tiles in the shower is failing.  Twice we have paid a Tiler to rectify the fault and there isn't going to be a third time.

Whether it's a problem with the water, soap or body fats and dirt OR defective grout; it's an issue!

I'm going to attempt an alternative solution.  The same one used in the narrowboat shower.  Construction adhesive!  Specifically, I'll use grey coloured Sikaflex. 

The grout was removed using a diamond powdered blade in the oscillating saw (thank you Aldi UK).  After vacuuming I masked the grout lines in the tiles

The Sikaflex was then applied with a caulking gun.  What should have been a relatively easy tasked turned out to be difficult.  The adhesive in the new tube must have been old as it had started to "go off".  It took the strength of Hercules to squeeze it out.  As I was applying the Sikaflex I smoothened the surface using a finger dipped in mineral turps. 

 

 

We had a grubby showerless night whilst the adhesive set.  The following morning the masking tape was carefully removed.

The Sikaflex hasn't fully hardened but it should be good enough for a shower tonight.

Midland PSP - Bayswater WA

My first serious attempt a video.  The YouTube link below works for me and I'm hoping it will work for any interested reader.  Please leave a comment if it doesn't! 

Video of the Midland PSP at Bayswater WA

In the dim and dark recesses of my mind I think Brian on NB Harnser provided details on inserting a video into Open Live Writer…  But I've forgotten how it's done!

If you do view the 3 minute video I would appreciate criticism.   I need to improve and this will be greatly assisted with constructive criticism.  Does the video tell a story?  Is it too long/short?  Are the camera angles acceptable?  Titles and text?  

On another previously mentioned subject I believe I have a solution to the camera angle on the selfie stick.  It also solves one of my other problems.  The need to exchange cameras and mounting brackets.   I've purchased three Ulanzi Hummingbird quick release mounting brackets.

The female half of the mount fits onto the screw on the stand and the male half screws into the base of the camera.  The two halves can be locked together in a 'dovetail' joint.  There's a small button on the side that releases the joint when pressed

One quick release on the small octopus tripod

A second on the large tripod

The third on the selfie stick.

I probably need a 4th mount for the bike bracket and 4K action camera.

Learning Video Photography

I would be the first to acknowledge I'm not particularly good at photography.  My excuse is I simply don't have the natural ability to see or compose a scene.  Any "good" photos I've taken are flukes.  However that hasn't stopped me trying.

Recently my brother produced a family video at his 70th birthday party and I thought I should also try my hand.  To that end, I mentioned several days ago I'd bought an Insta360 x3 video camera.  It has this amazing ability to video record everything around it.  Front, Back, Left, Right, Up, and Down.  The captured video is then edited to create interesting content.  Obviously that means the user must have an eye for content.  This will be my first weakness.

Learning how to use the camera has proved to be frustrating.  There is no 'paper' manual.  Everything is explained in online videos and I'm not the type of person who easily learns from video.  I prefer to read.  It's probably and age thing.

This is what I've learned about the camera to date.

• It gets hot
• The battery last about 80 minutes
• Recording and re-charging can be achieved simultaneously
• Image stabilization is very good.
• The phone editing application has more functionality than the desktop computer version.
• The software is limited to manipulating the video.  A separate video editing and production program is required.

I've also bought a selfie stick and handlebar mounting bracket

This has resulted in me discovering several issues with the stick and mounting bracket. 

When installing or removing the selfie stick two bolts must be loosened using a Hex wrench (Allen Key)  Additionally, if the horizontal angle of the stick is to be adjusted then the Hex wrench is required.  Carrying a wrench when riding is cumbersome and frustrating.  I am looking for a solution.

The second issue is with the thread on the end of the stick onto which the camera mounts.  When the camera is mounted onto the thread invariably the camera ends up at the wrong angle. 

To get the required angle the bolts securing the selfie stick in the bracket need to be loosened; the stick rotated and then the bolts tightened.  It's a pain!

My initial thought is the thread should be longer and have a 'locking ring' similar to the one in the next photo.  The would enable the camera to be secured on the stick at the desired angle.

 

I've taken the bike for a ride and discovered if the selfie stick is fully extended it tended to collapse in length when riding fast over bumps.  Perhaps I should consider riding more slowly when on rough paths!  This isn't an issue when riding on the smooth cycleways.

After recording some video I trimmed it using the camera application before converting it to mp4 format.  The camera records data in a propriety format which then needs to be converted to mp4 format in order to view it on other devices.  I've discovered it takes the program a very long time to convert the data. 

Once the data has been converted to mp4 format it will need to be imported into a video editing program to cut out undesired portions before adding things like; scene transitions, text, narrative and music.  I have much to learn.

Which brings me back to my first point.  All this effort will be wasted if I don't develop the ability to "see the scene" when recording the raw footage!

eBike Problem Resolved

At the risk of repeating myself I'll explain how the bike brake system problem has been resolved.

The brake system has a function where the controller cuts power to the motor when the brakes are applied.  This makes sense as you wouldn't want the motor to continue applying power whilst you are applying the brakes.  The origin 'cut-off' system consisted of a supplied sensor being glued to the brake lever and magnets glued to the body of the brake.  When the brake is applied the lever moves the sensor away from the magnet which breaks the magnetic field activating the power cut-off to the motor.  The problem with this setup was the sensors or magnets kept separating from the bike.

Roll the clock forward two years and a manufacturer has developed a brake mechanism where the sensor and magnet are integral to the mechanism.  This seemed a good solution and for a minimal price I purchased a pair of their brake levers.  However on connecting them I found the system didn't work.  The physical brake application worked, but the sensors didn't. 

When I wrote to the supplier and explain the problem, along with photos, he offered to send me two patch leads for a nominal $1.  They arrived today.

Brake with integral sensor and the disconnected controller cable

A three pin connection

Patch lead fitted

I suspect the brake lever manufacturer got the pin connection wrong.  Once the problem was identified the patch leads were made correcting it.

Now when the brakes are applied the motor cuts out and a small red icon appears on the display.

Release the brakes and the icon disappears.   Yes, the bottom of the display is correct.  Yesterday I rode 76.1km in 2:50.  Today I'm feeling the effects

Tom Jones has died!

No it wasn't Tom Jones the singer!  The death occurred after a very brief illness.  Despite some expensive medical treatment it was determined nothing further could be done resulting in him being  euthanised.

Our only granddaughter was devastated when she heard the news.  Her father explained this was part of the cycle of life.  Mia wanted to see Tom one last time.  She also wanted to make a cross for the grave      Although they had less than two years together it was apparently heart wrenching watching her grieve over the loss of Tom, one of her two naked guineapigs.

I'm still coming to terms with the thought I had a naked guineapig named after me!

Australia Post delivered a parcel today.  It's Sunday!!!  One assumes Australia Post have moved from 5 to 7 day deliveries pre Christmas.  The package contained the Insta360 camera Jan had ordered for me.

We have mutually agreed that at our age if we want something there is little point in delaying, unless there are financial implications.  Of course Jan isn't going to place an order until she can find the lowest price and the maximum number of discount codes.  The purchase price was somewhere below 25% the normal retail price.

The box contained (L to R)

• USB C charging cable
• Quick Start Guide (how to insert the battery, charging cable and turn it On/OFF)
• Safety instructions (don't overcharge the battery)
• Camera
• Lens cleaning cloth
• Waterproofing Instructions (how to seal and dry)
• Soft Cover
• Stickers

The camera had to be registered online in order to download the video production program.  Camera user instructions were minimal.  I'll need to start watching You Tube. 

Meanwhile Jan's Christmas gift is some type of fancy electrical appliance which isn't available in Australia.  It's coming from the UK.

What's This??

Today we received three parcels from Aliexpress.

The first was a replacement suction mount for the video camera.  It will be used to secure the camera to the inside of the vehicle windscreen.  Actually it's a replacement for one I lost misplaced a year ago.

The second parcel contained the camera clamp I'd ordered.  I want to mount the 4K video camera and gimbal on the bike and the original plastic mounting bracket wasn't up to the job.  The camera kept moving.  This mount is made from metal and appears to be far stronger.

I've discovered if I mount the camera directly to the bike handlebar then the vibration when riding results in shaking video footage.  I'm hoping this new clamp will allow me to secure the camera and gimbal to the handlebar and the gimbal will eliminate most of the vibration.

I need to do a test ride to both check that the clamp is sufficiently strong and that the gimbal removes the vibration.

The last parcel was a conundrum! 

It contained a small purple frame.  The label on the parcel had been overlayed on the original by the Perth based local courier company.  I could faintly see some of the detail on the original Chinese label and could see it was addressed to Jan.  But neither of us had ordered this item.  The only outstanding delivery from Aliexpress is the LED bulb for the Torch project.  Had the supplier got our order wrong?  We don't know!

Eventually I removed the purple item from it's packaging and it appears to be a miniature folding chair.  Something you might find in a dolls house! 

Christmas is Delayed

It appears Christmas this year might be delayed or even cancelled.  It's all down to climate change; green energy; and the political impact of "greenies".   More on that later!

The poor passionfruit vine has now been transplanted in the garden for the fourth time.  It originated as a sucker on my brother's vine which he gave it to Jan.  On receiving it I planted the vine in a large black plastic pot.  Jan then decided the plastic pot wasn't a good idea and had me re-plant it in the ground against the back fence.  The vine started to grow and she realised it needed more room.  Out of the ground it came to be re-planted against the long fence in the swimming pool enclosure.  I subsequently strung long horizontal runs of stainless steel wire on the fence to provide support for our growing vine. 

Six months later we had the local council officer conduct the first of a three yearly pool safety inspection.  We were advised we couldn't grown anything against the fence as it might allow a small child access into the pool area from the adjoining property. 

The poor vine would need to be transplanted for a fourth time.  But where?

Jan decided the only available location was in the front garden on the boundary with our neighbour.  Over the last eight days I've been gradually constructing a frame for the vine.  It's been very hot so I've done this slowly in the evening to avoid the heat.  The posts and timber frame were completed on Monday.  Yesterday I installed the stainless steel wire before planting the vine it it's final location (I hope).

I made a serious mistake with the wire installation.  It was an "age thing!"  I forgot to wear leather gloves when handling stranded wire and only afterwards realised pulling on the wire numerous times to tension it had resulted in the wiring cutting my hand. 

In this next photo you can see why there may be a problem with Christmas this year!

 

 

Hot and Solar Review

No blog update for a week.  It has been so hot we have scarcely left the house preferring quietly sit in an air conditioned room.  Yesterday the mercury reached 40+C and today is only slightly cooler.  Apparently this is the hottest November in Perth since records started being kept! 

Not wanting to work outside I've been patiently waiting for a few purchases to arrive from Aliexpress.  Today the bike mobile phone holder arrived.

It came disassembled and without instructions.  Fortunately assembly wasn't too difficult.  It's all metal construction and appears to be well made.

The only issue was the new mobile phone protective case.  The case makes the phone too thick to snuggly fit in the bike holder.  My concern was that the phone might bounce out of the holder.

The back of the phone case has an aluminium plate with a folding metal bracket which allows the phone to be propped at a 30deg viewing angle.  The other aluminium plate slides and covers the phone's rear camera lens.

It looked like the larger of the two plates was secured in each corner with a Torq screw.

That assumption proved to be incorrect.  They were fake screws made of the same "rubbery" material that the case is made from.  Using a razor knife I separated the plate from the case discovering it was glued on.

The case was then thin enough to fit into the bike phone holder

It's too hot to go for a bike ride and test the new holder.

Solar Review

Approximately every two years I complete a review of the cost of our home electricity for the previous two year period.  I'm specifically looking at two areas.  First;  is it possible to reduce our consumption?  Second; is a home battery a financially viable option?

The house has the maximum sized solar array and inverter permitted by State Regulations.  That is; a 6.6kW array and a 5kW inverter.

During daylight we usually generate more electricity than we consume selling the surplus back to the grid electricity provider.  We purchase electricity from the network during darkness.  The cost of purchasing electricity is 400% more per kW that they pay us for our surplus that we send back to the grid.

During the last two years our daily cost for electricity has been $2.15.  Of that $1.04 is the supply charge which is the daily cost of being connected to the network.

I have calculated we would require a 10kW battery to be independent of the the grid.  I estimate the cost of the battery and installation at $15,000.  The battery has a life of 10 years.

My calculations reveal if we installed a battery and remained connected to the grid then it would take 37 years to recover the cost of installing the battery.

Disconnecting from the grid would result in it taking 19 years to recover the cost of the battery.

Obviously installing a battery under the current network supply costs isn't a financial option.

The battery only becomes financially viable if our daily cost was to exceed $4.11.  Deducting the daily supply charge leaves $3.07.  Therefore, we would need to triple our current average daily consumption to make installation of a battery a viable option.  Alternatively, the cost of installing a 10kW battery would need to reduce to $7850. 

Meanwhile, Jan received the latest water bill.  The amount exceeded $200.  However we only consumed $22 of water.  The remainder was the supply charge and the cost of sewage disposal.  The public is being constantly told water is scarce and to conserve it.  Yet we pay more to dispose the sewage!  Surely we should be told to use the toilet less frequently?  Actually the sewage charge is based on the council rates for the property rather than the number of people in the property or the amount of time the toilet is flushed.  Which just goes to prove people in authority believe the more affluent you are, the more effluent you produce!