I take no responsibility for injuries and errors from people ”having a go themselves”. Remember electrical safety when working on more than 30V AC or DC, and certainly when working on line voltages or mains voltages. Be careful on Switch-mode power supplies,  inverters for laptop/TV display back-lights, and TV line output circuits etc.

Always know what you are doing first, and isolate circuits for safety when testing and repairing them.

Visually inspect the PCB for any carbonization, or blackened burnt parts on it, also burnt areas, and areas that have been getting hot. This is an indication of bad or loose connections, solder joints, or failing overheated components.

The trouble on the above picture is; “how will I identify those resistors?” Well, sometimes it is a matter of comparing one area with another doing the same job; sometimes the components still measure sort of “OK”, and sometimes it has to be an “intelligent guess”, based on what circuits doing similar jobs you can find online. Obviously if you have the drawings, then it is easy, but if not, and the resistors are truly burnt out, then you need a comparison PCB, or you will be stuck! One way, (a last resort if it is safe to do) is to fit a couple of variable resistors, and start very high, and then work your way down, checking the current drawn, and the values at which the PCB bursts into life.

Any carbonised tracks will have to be drawn out on paper, and reverse engineered first to get it right. Then the carbon is drilled out, and the missing area can be made good by using epoxy resin, and/or a piece of blank (no tracking) PCB.

Either with bare wires, or a track repair kit (preferred), the PCB can be re-drilled, and rewired. Make sure the soldering is good, and soldered on both sides, especially if there are no “PCB Vias” or “lace-holes” to go through with the components.

Kink the legs of the components to stay proud of the PCB, but not too high up, just enough to allow good soldering on both sides of the PCB, and to help in heat dissapation, because air can no flow around the component better.

The lead forming pliers shown above with the formed component are ideal to form components to be inserted. They stay in place when the PCB is inverted for soldering the component into place.

On a “standard repair” I would firstly clean up the PCB by washing it in safewash,, or solvent cleaner. Then after drying it I would change all of the small electrolytic capacitors. Next I would replace any “tired” or old looking saggy fuses and fuseholders if required. Next I would remove and test any relays and transformers for correct operation. Moving on I would then use a tracker or “curve tracer” to check the transistors, FET’s, IGBT’s, diodes and Zener diodes etc. After this then measure any doubtful looking resistors, and check all of the soldering.

Finally I would check what IC’s I could check, mounting them on sockets if practical, and any opto-isolators (opto-couplers could be tested on some ”breadboard”.

After this the PCB can be cleaned of flux residue, and powered up if this is possible for functional testing to a greater of lesser degree.

The most common PCB faults are loose joints, bad soldering, and bad connectors, followed by poor capacitors that have dried out.

It is worth buying an ESR meter to test capacitors “in-circuit”, (with the power off!), and you’ll be surprised at how many are duff, or “high ESR” and no good, not even reading at all!

An ESR meter is well worth buying or making (project kit)

Change them EVERY time! and TEST large “bus” or PSU capacitors “to be sure”. One common fault on switch-mode power supplies is that the “47UF” “startup” capacitor is faulty, CHANGE this and you’ll find a surprising number of power supplies will burst into life!

However, I recommend changing ALL of the capacitors in a power supply “to be sure” you have nailed it!

Have a look at my PSU repair link below, showing a “classic cap change”, or a capacitor replacement on a switch-mode power supply.

http://www.mark-lawton.com/marklaw1/switch-mode-power-supply-capacitor-replacement/

Good luck with the repairs! Change those caps as well; don’t forget to ESR check them to show the problem up on some!

A high reading on a 47UF capacitor for example shows trouble.

Look out for my next post about the ESR meter and how to use it. It will be your “right arm” in repairs to PCBs, and other equipment. “don’t go without it!”

You have to “hit the ground running”; why fall over or stop; the bills keep going out, so you need to run to keep up!

There is a plan to be made; after all don’t you want to hit the ground running! The only exception to this is when you have backup funds; but often you don’t, so that is why it is essential to hit the ground running!

Even then I say never give an inch, keep pushing and you will hit the ground running in most cases.

I like the saying, “hit the ground running”, it encompasses the epitome of success on your own, in that you literally have to propel yourself into the air with your legs already running ready for you to take off when you land. In other words you get off to a flying start!

So what exactly does “hit the ground running“ mean?

A few things actually…

So “hit the ground running” can be applied to a few things, but it places emphasis upon having gusto, vigor and vim when trying to achieve something. It implies not just a half-hearted effort, but some zap and energy too, even in the face of adversity. Examples below…

To immediately work very hard and successfully at a new activity, “If elected, they promise to hit the ground running in their first few weeks of office.”

It is these early stages and lack of research which will cause more new start-ups to fail than almost anything else! So I’ll emphasize it again- “do your homework first” and “look before you leap”, or it could be you landing in a pile of “nettles!” You won’t be “running” at all, but instead stopping in pain or irritation, even falling down flat! Yeouch!

Really to say eureka! and just go for it could well be quickly doomed to failure, and just on a whim or a fad! You need to hit the ground running, and get off to a flying start instead! So thought is involved, not just going out on a limb!

Partially quoting below…

“Let’s delve a little deeper into how to start a small business from home and help you decide how much planning and money you’ll need to be your own boss and hit the ground running.

Creating the Concept

Before quitting their jobs, the potential entrepreneurs must first think of a concept, product or service to generate a steady income. And while that may sound easy, it’s not. You should conceive a plan that puts your knowledge, experience and expertise to use but in a way that allows you to make the most amount of your money. That is a start to hit the ground running.

When first thinking of some business ideas, start with areas you already have a great deal of interest, equipment and materials for. This will help cut down on the startup costs for your company and also let you hit the ground running when you do hang out your shingle. Also, peruse the local paper and advertisements to see what other types of businesses are out there. Are there other similar businesses in your neighborhood or is there a business area that is lacking? If you carefully tabulate your findings, and filter out the No-No’s then this will help you to hit the ground running.

Doing something you like isn’t the only consideration. You need to get an idea of the prospects for the potential business. Is it a business with a market? Can you make money at it? This will require some research into the marketplace as well as how other similar businesses have fared. You won’t hit the ground running by just copying someone’s good ideas; you need some degree of originality mixed in with it too!

Developing a Work Space

Your home is where you live. This means that its primary function is to serve as a dwelling for you and your family – not as a warehouse or meeting place for your business and its clients. Make certain that if you are considering entering the manufacturing business (for example) that your garage or shed is large enough to handle your work – without forcing your family and your vehicles into stormy weather.

Similarly, if your work will be computer-based, make sure that you have the technology necessary to give your idea a fighting chance. In addition, make sure that you have a dedicated area that’s cut off from the rest of the house and that can afford you some privacy. Remember, hearing a barking dog or a crying baby in the background when you are trying to work or meet with a client may not be ideal for you or your family.

However using your own premises can save you a lot of money, and increase the distance you leap as you jump off the mark and before you hit the ground running!

Outsourcing Partners/Employees

While it would be great to be the sole owner of your company and have complete control of every aspect, sometimes a lack of funds or experience make it necessary to have a partner. In this case, consider someone that is bright, will represent the company well, and has some sort of expertise in the business you are developing, be it sales, marketing, book-keeping, or other financial matters.

Also, try to define the tasks that you and your partner(s) will be responsible for before opening up shop. That way, there will be fewer disagreements and the business will operate more smoothly. Also, make sure that all partners are legally cared for by the company, and that the proper forms are filed with the regulatory authorities – this may mean filing twice and paying for title changes if you need to find a new partner, but it will protect both of you in the long run.

Next, decide if you’ll need employees – whether now or in the future. If so, put some thought into how you will get them and what you will pay them for their work. Also, think about how you’ll do payroll, and whether people will want to work from your home, from their own homes or if you’ll need to find another facility to house them.

Doing Your Research So you don’t just “dive in” then?

Some books on forming a small business suggest that after hatching an idea, an entrepreneur should just “go for it.” However, this bold approach could land you in some shaky territory. There you go, so think on your feet, and tabulate potential results first!

Instead, a good first move is to start asking family and friends what they think about your small business idea. Consider asking them specific questions such as:

“I’ll add in how I think daily at the end of each question…”

* Would you purchase this particular product and/or service?

How about window cleaning; I have one already?

* What do you think its worth?

It can be built on and expanded into other forms of cleaning, and I can employ people later on.

* What is the best way to market the idea?

Leaflets, cold calling, ads in local shops, Business cards, an online presence.

* Is this something that you think is a fad, or do you feel it could be a viable business for the long term?

Everyone needs a window cleaner sooner or later or a cleaning service of some kind.

* Is there anything you can think of to improve this idea?

Use a water fed pole system, use more modern equipment as funds permit.

* What other businesses in this field have you heard of or do you currently use for this product/service?

Lots, such as http://www.intercleanems.org.uk/ they started as one person in 1995, and are now national in the UK!

Return to the start with another idea if the one you try is no good. That’s the crux of it above really; you don’t just “go for it”, you have to plan so you can hit the ground running!

If you’re married and/or have kids, you should also be asking your family how they feel about you quitting your job and working from home. This will affect them on a psychological and financial level. If any of their answers are negative, you should spend some time discussing their concerns and decide whether your goal is worth continuing against their wishes.

After obtaining all of this feedback, go back to the drawing board and see if the idea can be improved upon so that your product or service can be differentiated from the competition. Remember, you want to hit the ground running and turn as many heads as possible when first starting off!

Finding Funding

Once you have an idea and the approval of your family, you need to decide how you are going to finance it. Most businesses will need at least a little start up income. This investment will hopefully help you break even after a year, but keep in mind that even successful businesses can remain in deficit for the first few years. Because of this, you will want to tap into a few different sources of funding. Some of these include:

* A small-business loan
* Savings
* Money generated from other investments
* Family/friends who will act as investors
* Personal loan from the bank
* Home equity loan
* Credit cards (as a last resort)

Source capital that won’t hamper your longer-term security. In other words, try to avoid racking up costly credit card debt that could cost 20% or more in yearly interest fees. Also, try to avoid borrowing against your retirement investments or other similar plans as this may adversely affect your retirement.

Finally, one of the best things you can do before you take the entrepreneurial leap is to build up an emergency fund to fall back on if your company doesn’t break even for a few months. Three months of living expenses is a minimum goal for a new business owner, but even more will help take the stress off of you and let you spend your energy on your company.

Covering Your Bases

All business owners should think about what would happen to the enterprise and the revenue streams being generated if health or other issues were to prevent them from being involved in the business. In other words, if the entrepreneur were to become disabled, who would takeover? Could the business survive?

Consider these issues beforehand and determine whether disability income insurance makes sense, or if a partner could fill the void caused by your absence. (To find out more about protecting your company, see The Disability Insurance Policy: Now In English, Protecting Your Income Source and Protect Your Company From Lawsuits.)

Foreseeing the Future

It’s great to own a business, but ultimately the entrepreneur will probably want to retire or move on to other challenges. With that in mind, you should create a business plan that discusses how you will transfer, sell or close your company. If your business depends on your unique knowledge and contacts, it may not be able to be assumed by another party.

Conclusion

There are few things more satisfying and rewarding than launching and owning your own home-based business, but before diving in, be sure to do your homework. Making a business work is not an easy task, but proper planning will help to increase its chances of success.”

Now that’s why I am still at a deadlock with myself at the moment! When you really put pen to paper there are very few things that are really viable today!

So its back to the drawing board until I come up with that “something!” It can and will be done, but in the meantime I have my homework to do!

Before you start above all else to hit the ground running, you have to be confident you can and will hit the ground running!

If you aren’t confident then don’t do it, as you will trip and land on your face rather than hit the ground running!

Once you have selected your market, weighed up the pros and cons, taken advice, have the courage, etc. there is only yourself and your determination, or lack thereof that can prevent you or to blame to stop you from hitting the ground running!

So to recap and add a few points…

For The Newly Self-Employed? How To “Hit The Ground Running”

“So you’ve decided to become self-employed. Great decision, why work for someone else when there is no need?

You might also have been forced into becoming self-employed because of the recession. Well congratulations, what an opportunity. You’re free to be your own boss, choose the hours you work and there are no limits to your earning potential. It’s an exciting time.

Don’t let this opportunity slip without making the most of it. As you go along you will learn from your own mistakes, but why not get a head start by trying to do a few things right from the beginning.

Set yourself goals- Have a long term goal for where you want to be in say 2 years time and then shorter more achievable goals that give you a sense of success, as well as keeping your motivation levels high as you go along.

Be an expert- Aim to be the best at what you do and know everything there is to know about the area you work in. There are no downsides to being known as an expert. You can never know too much.

Keep focus- Working for yourself isn’t easy all the time, there will be times when you will feel like you have huge mountains to climb. Don’t give up and keep your eyes fixed on your goals, being persistent is one major key to success.

Learn from failure- If you’re starting out on a new venture then it goes with the territory that it will be vulnerable to failure. Failure happens to the most successful people. The people who know how to succeed accept failure. They learn from it and move on until they are successful.

Take responsibility- Get into the frame of mind that you and only you are responsible for your business and stop making excuses for why things aren’t happening for you if you’re going through a difficult period. By realising that you are solely responsible for your business you will take action to come up with solutions to problems quicker.

Remember, there’s not a right way to be successful at being self-employed. You will learn more from starting and making your own mistakes than from reading this, so what’s stopping you….

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney”

So as you can see using this saying “hit the ground running” isn’t just nonsense! Basically if your idea is right, and you are fully determined then you can and will succeed. One thing I have learned in life is that it doesn’t come to you; you have to “go for it” and get it. The only way to do this is to have this saying in your head every time you do something. It certainly works for me; that when I think about doing something I always imagine myself hitting the ground running at full tilt with my head down putting full inertia into whatever it is I do.

Remember, a half-hearted effort equals little or no return! Hit the ground running and you may be in with a chance!

I hope to hit the ground running properly one day, and I also hope some of you out there do so as well!

Thanks for reading this item. I hope this article will hit the ground running too!

Horstman Newbridge timer in a gas lamp

This article is about an “old timer”…

Not a person, but a legacy mechanical clock called the “Newbridge” or sometimes seen as  “AUNI” embossed on the casing lid, made by The Horstmann Gear Co. in Bath England (UK).

Some years ago when working at a small company in Walsall, UK, named “Heating Control Services”, we used to repair these clocks for various historic places, such as the Mall at Buckingham Palace, the Malvern hills, and somewhere in Scotland I think too .

Basically these clocks have to be wound up every 7 or 14 days (depending if they have a 7 day or 14 day mechanism) and they switch the gas lamps on and off at night.

Obviously there must have been some type of pilot light, as they were totally mechanical with no electrical parts whatsoever.

The dial has 2 on tappet arms, and two off tappet arms, so an evening on/off and morning on/off can be set.

Due to the daylight hours changing with the seasons, and when the clocks are altered for “daylight saving time”, as they now call it, these on-off settings would need changing, as they didn’t have a self-adjusting dial, known as a “solar dial”.

The mechanical Solar dial was employed in street lighting for a number of years, and may still be on some older installations.

Horstmann did claim to have invented the solar dial; this dial has 2 cams in it, and a peg and wheel arrangement, so one 24 hour rotation advances the cam by one tooth or notch, and thus the on-off times can be set automatically according to the daylight hours, and the dial never has to be altered even when the clocks change because they are tracking the daylight hours, and the cams push out, or allow inwards movement of the on/off times according to their position which is relative to the time of year. A profile is needed for each batch of dials used in different geographic latitudes because the daylight hours are different in other latitudes due to the curvature of the earth and the relative position of the sun from there seasonally.

A fixed off option tappet can be set to turn the lights off off at say midnight for example, and back on before the rush hour in the morning, as is the case for street lighting.

They have to be fitted for the correct region, so a dial for +52 degrees north would be OK for the Midlands UK or the same latitude elsewhere; but not OK for South Africa as mentioned earlier!

These days though we tend to use high efficiency lamps, and they turn on at dusk, and off at dawn using a photo-cell, and thus eliminating the need for a time switch. Due to there being more road traffic, and for improved security and safety reasons it is preferable to have the lamps on all night in a street nowadays. This does show one aspect of the worsening times we now live in, because of increased crime and lawlessness, and further evidence that we are living in the last days of this system of things!

Going back to the Hostmann Newbridge Gas Control Time switch…

We used to pick up 30-50 of these from Canning Town in London or nearby from the “Gas Board”. (what are they called now, National Grid? “all change”  whatever!)

Simplifying it, we would take them out of their cases, clean the mechanisms in cleaner/lubrication, drain them off, wind them up, try them out, repair any bad main springs and what we could from the spare parts from scrap units, and then we would regulate them to keep time OK accurately.

The cases were cleaned, and spray-painted a sort of sky blue or thereabouts.

They would be assembled, and then tested for on/off action with a gas valve that they controlled. If this was OK then they would be packaged, still all ticking away merrily, and then they would be personally taken to London by the manager, and sometimes myself driving for him to accompany him.

It was a good day out, and we picked up the next batch to do.

We did them from other areas too, be I can’t remember where they came from exactly.

If anyone knows of wants to have any of these refurbished, then I’m sure they’ll let me know, and then to be fair I would contact my retired colleagues to see if I could help again part-time to refurbish some of these clocks.

They are special, and nostalgic, and we shouldn’t lose this part of our history and heritage.

Read the history of Horstmann here… http://www.horstmann.co.uk/history.php it is quite interesting, and sad at times in a way, because of how things have changed, and that “something special” has been lost.

Here is an excerpt quoted here from the Horstmann website…

What a history, and what a legacy; this is really a gem of history all in a “time capsule”, so to speak! It is sad sometimes to see old companies swallowed up, and their history lost and changed forever, even though modern technology does have a place.

I am now going to show you a series of pictures of the different parts of the Horsmann Gear Co Newbridge clock. This is my own clock I bought on eBay after years of searching on and off for one to keep as a memento to “Heating Control Services”, and “The Horstman Gear Co” at the Newbridge works.

You may not find pictures like this anywhere on the net, well I couldn’t find them; so hopefully someone will find them now, and each picture in this case has been named to be sure it will index on Google! (I hope)

The pics start with the , Key, then the mechanism removed from it’s casing, followed by the whole clock complete, showing different angles and with some parts removed.

Click on the pictures to enlarge, and a second time to supersize them please.

Enjoy…

I have an addendum…

Jason who has commented on here has a Horstmann Newbridge clock. He asked me if I could put him in touch with the people who repair them. I did, and he had his Horstmann Newbridge clock successfully repaired.

The first three pictures are of Jason’s Horstmann Newbridge clock, after the first three, the pictures are of my own clock bought from eBay for less than £10.00!

The pictures are below…

I have just found one link to another clock!

http://www.clock-museum.co.uk/c69.htm

Rare aren’t they?

If you have any comments, please add them.

Thanks for reading this far. If anyone visiting this site owns one or more of these clocks or knows anything about them, then please comment on my website.

Mark Lawton (UK)

A trip to Liverpool, UK, and see the sights and maybe some of the attractions.

You may say LIVERPOOL; what? Sounds naff doesn’t it?

I said that too; but wifey thought it would be OK.

We had a Travelodge booked on the Internet, and we decided to have a look at Blackpool first. We think Blackpool is OK for the roller coasters, and seaside attractions, but it is run down now to what it was. We took a few pics on the ‘phone and left it at that. Parking is difficult, but you can get in OK if you park at the opposite end of the beach from where the tower is. As a guide park before or around the “Big Blue Hotel” and you can get cheaper or even free car parking. Arrive early well before 10AM to benefit. Be warned though, as you are in for a long walk if you want to go to the far end and visit the tower.

After this we travelled on to the Travelodge located in Brunswick, Liverpool, within walking distance of the Anglican Cathedral, and the Cains brewery. It is also within walking distance to a local bus stop, rail links, and at just under a mile, the  city centre.

The city centre is quite impressive with lots of shops, and it is quite up-to-date.

The Brewery Tap is a pub on the side of the Cains brewery; a nice pint, and they do some light bitters, mild and lagers, besides many other bottled beers. It is a characteristic building which you cannot miss.

We bought a rail and bus day ticket, and this was great value, as we could bus-hop, train-hop, and travel under the Mersey without paying a toll charge to pass over. The tickets even included certain ferry travel if required, so that was great.

We caught several buses and trains, and we travelled to Southport, Birkenhead, and several locations in Birkenhead and Liverpool.

One downside to our visit was the trip to Anfield to look at the Liverpool F.C. stadium for my wife who has been a Liverpool fan since 1977; the stadium was great, but the houses nearby were all boarded up, and the area was really bad. Even on the early part of the morning we saw a person in the gutter struggling to keep moving, and two other people trying to help him. Security was very high at the ground, and we were warned not to leave anything in the car as we parked on the football ground’s parking area for the shop.

We took some pictures around the stadium and then we left the area, as it is so dodgy!

I would now like to show you a photo album of our “different type of holiday” , showing you some of the highlights. Click on them to see them in a separate frame; and again to super-size them to their original size.

I would recommend Liverpool, and the public transport round about is great, and good value considering where you can go for the money. The toll road in 2009 is £1.40 to travel under the Mersey for a car; motorcycles are free. It is an unusual experience travelling under the Mersey to say the least, as it goes down a bit, and undergoes a few turns on the way.

The pictures start with Blackpool, and then Liverpool including pictures of Liverpool from Birkenhead, followed by some pics from Southport. Notice the old original M&S building and the nice brick work on the old original upper floors, including the M&S logo in brickwork at the top of the building.

Very often when walking around a town always remember to look upwards and appreciate the old quality architecture and artifacts on buildings from yester-year. Also notice the old brickwork on the Cains brewery building, and the pub next to it.

The original Liverpool City M&S store building was quite a site too, with some very fancy period brickwork, all original.

Enjoy the pictures…

Bigger font, better menus, more navigable all round!

Enjoy!

Don’t forget the links, search engine, and the sidebar…

All enhanced, bigger, more readable, and better!

If you can’t navigate my site for any reason, please let me know and I’ll see what I can do to improve that.

Do all you forty year old plus people remember the public information films?

We should run these kind of films still today, I think; some of them were very scary when I was a young. They make you realise the dangers of electricity, water, fire, road safety, railway safety and many other things in life maybe we take for granted.

Personally I don’t think that there is enough education given to children about hazards in and around the home.

The purpose of this page is to take a trip into yester-year, and to relive those adverts, maybe even thanking the producers of them, realising if it wasn’t for these adverts maybe some of us would be severely injured, handicapped, or even dead by now!

The films were often quite scary, leaving a lot to the imagination as well; however they were getting a point over.

Have a work through some of these films below and see what you think of them…

Quoting below is one instance of the dangers of electrical distribution systems…

“A 14-year-old boy has died after being electrocuted while climbing an electricity pylon in South Yorkshire.
The incident happened in woods in Hollins Lane, Sunnyside, near Rotherham at about midday.

The boy, from the Rotherham area, has not yet been named.

In a joint statement, the police and fire service said: “It is believed the boy was climbing the pylon and may have been electrocuted before he fell.”
Police said the cables attached to the pylon carried 66,000 volts.

Supt Keith Lumley said: “We have been in touch with the boy’s family. We have a family liaison officer with them now.
“They will be offering any support they need and obviously answering question they want answering.”

South Yorkshire Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

Water was another hazard that our parents were forever worried about; how about this ad to spook you!

This often helps though…

How about electricity; my parents worried to death that I was going to electrocute myself one day tatting about with live wires! I don’t think they worry so much now I am tatting about with 415V AC, and 600V DC on a daily basis!

And don’t forget; don’t clog up the roads or speed when picking up your children from school…

I developed a short-lived fright of escalators after watching this…

Having said that, there is some truth in the above film…

http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/topstories/957184.girls_foot_trapped_in_escalator_horror/

Now I ride a motorcycle; being honest since I watche this ad when I was a child I have never trusted car drivers, and now I ride a bike my parents worry to death about this happening to me…

They should still run this ad I think. With so many people in this country (UK) driving with little education about motorcycles, and safe driving the mind does boggle; plus it needs to be said, how many people are driving in the UK without a proper driving licence, or have had someone else take their driving test for them?

The world was once a safer place…

Even then our parents used to worry about us, where we played, and our safety when playing in the park with friends…

To think all the child abuse that goes on now and those people of yester year had seen nothing yet!

Then there is fire… another hazard; these ads scared me big-time when I was a lad!

The one above really scared me!

I’m glad I don’t fry chips any more; when my mother used to do them when I was a lad, very often the fat would go over the side, but this never happened thank goodness…

Don’t forget to “tidy up at night!”

Back to motoring; do you remember cross ply and radial tyres?…

Watch how you mix them!

Of course if the above is going to happen to your car; dont for get to “clunk click, on every trip!”

You can always take the train if you don’t fancy a car…

Watch where you fly your kite…

Watch where you push that boat…

And don’t forget your hi-viz at night…

Don’t leave the fire on either; you may not wake up, especially if you have a dodgy landlord!…

This one shook me up; they should certainly educate children about this hazard.

How much worse is the world now! The mind boggles as to how bad things were then, to how bad they are now!

I hope anyone watching or reading this benefits in some way; above all, stay happy, stay safe, enjoy life!

Thanks,

Mark Lawton

What the hell are we talking about here you may ask?

If you go here, you will see exactly what we are talking about!

Now you have come back here hopefully, we’ll tell you what we did on our day out.

Wifey and I decided to go on the “Hereford Cider Route” which is basically a run around Herefordshire tasting, and buying some cider and perry from various cider establishments. They provide containers at a charge, but you can reuse them lots of times, thus saving money if you want to.

Firstly we went off to Bewdley from the Walsall area, and we admired the river Severn, enjoyed the nice quaint shops, and the highlight was the museum, which is free to get in, and has some old exhibits based upon the local history, and lots of nice gardens at the bottom end, with some old trees, and a large pond or pool. It is well worth a visit. In the garden there is also a Magnolia Grandiflora, which is a favorite of mine, having large, highly scented creamy flowers around six to eight inches across.

Onwards we went to the first cider maker on out list, which was Gwatkin Cider, Moorhampton Park Farm, Abbey Dore, Hereford, HR2 0AL. The cider was quite good, ranging from sweet to dry in about five stages, and they had some perry too. I did buy some cider, perry, and a bottle of wine; however the friendliness and customer service was absolutely rock bottom! Needless to say we won’t be going there again!

They had a stall on Lincoln Christmas market where we saw them first; and the people in charge may have been different, but whoever it was who served us didn’t seem to make conversation with us at all!

So a disappointing start!

Not for long though, as I suggested we head here… Broome Farm, Peterstow, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 6QG.

We were not disappointed!

Mike Johnson, “the boss” greeted us heartily, and everyone was pleasant, offering us free samples galore! We bought a 5 litre “bag in a box” pack, and some other odds and ends. The cider tasted great, and it was presented nicely.

At this point I would like to add that Mike Johnson knew of Jim Franklin (featured in Taste the flowers) and said he was a very nice man, and a first class ambassador of true traditional cider and perry. (His perry was my favorite of all time 100% for quality, taste, and value, and at 6 to 6.5 % ABV fairly strong if you drink enough of it, lol)

To boot, they also do a massive cream tea. We recommend in future to share a cream tea, as they are a meal in themselves, with lots of jam, cream, and two home-made scones that were really newly made, and fresh. A tad expensive, but indeed an experience.

I will now show you some pictures…

The cidery…

Quite a place! Then we were asked if we wanted to we could have a look at the animals…

I would certainly recommend this as a nice day out, or part thereof. Afterwards we visited Ross-On-Wye, and had a walk around the many nice shops and historic buildings in the town.

After this we wound our way home along the country route past Leominster, through Tenbury Wells, and back through Bewdley. This was the best way avoiding the motorway, and a longer journey, and also avoiding the stop-start nature of the motorway, and having far more interesting scenery to look at on the way home.

There were some great features there, including the Fetzer (wine) garden, and the moss garden, with the mirrors, and the moss all around them, with bonsai around it.

Chelsea Flower Show has to be one pf the pinnacles for ideas for home gardening, and gift ideas for friends. There is nothing like the atomosphere there. I have been to some gardening shows, but this one takes some beating for variety, and ideas.

The next day we also ventured over to Kew Gardens, where they have some of the largest glass houses found anywhere. These pictures are also in the gallery towards the end.

Anyway, without further comments enjoy the gallery, and click on a picture to enlarge then again to supersize it after it opens again…

The highlights are the Magnolia Grandiflora, Gunnera, Acanthus Mollis, and a nice Cotoneaster.

If you really want to see some nice flowers, then have a look here. There is a selection of rhododendrons, bonsai, water features, trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, Lillies, lupins, displays, statues, garden ornaments, garden furniture, and novelty displays every year at Chelsea Flower Show.

I also have a page from Chelsea Flower Show 2007, so you can compare the difference, and really see some variety;  some of the pictures are great to look at. Click to enlarge, and click again to maximise.

Enjoy…

Its nice to capture your plants looking extra-special in the garden. Magnolias are my favorite!

Thanks for looking,

Also don’t for get to click the link here to have a look at Chelsea Flower Show 2009.

Mark Lawton

"Taste The Flowers"

You may call it “pear cider”, but really it is perry; a traditional drink going back centuries.

Perry, as it correctly called, is like cider, but made from pears. Pear cider is a misnomer, as cider is made from apples. The “new ciders” as the call them really are chemical “swill” to be honest.

Magners, Koppaberg, , and “pear cider” are more often than not just glorified, highly marketed swill, which very often has an artificial flavour, full of sugar, E-numbers, and all manner of damaging and unpleasant chemicals, often giving severe headaches, and being very bad for you as well.

Magners for example resembles “Germolene mouthwash”, which funnily enough resembles a McDonalds “root beer”! If you have to fill a glass to the top with ice like in the adverts first it must be bad!

Jim’s cider and perry you drink straight, as it is, with no “wussing” around, and at 6 to 8% ABV it isn’t a wussy drink like the other rubbish at 5% for standard cider. Only the “specials”, such as “katy”, and other more refined ciders at 8% or more beat it on alcohol, but they don’t come near on taste!

What has happened here?

Some interesting info is around about perry, and cider-making, and we’ll go on a visit to Jim’s, at “Franklin’s Farm”, with illustrations included below…

Jim's Coat Of Arms

I know this chap named Jim Franklin, who lives in little Hereford, UK; he made his own cider and perry for more than 20 years!

He has several acres of orchards, mainly apples, and pears too. Any extra pears he needed he bought in from nearby orchards. They are proper perry pears, which are pressed out in a cider press.

I visited Jim every year sometimes every week in the summer, for a “flowers run”.

Why did I call it a flowers run?

For one, the route from my home to Tenbury Wells was a “flowers run”, in that en-route we could see the blossom trees in flower during the spring, and observe the different orchards in flower throughout the spring.

The journey really starts properly, and gets more beautiful once you reach Bewdley or Kidderminster, depending upon the way you go.

We go into Bewdley via Wolverly, and then from Bewdley to Tenbury. As an add-on you can also visit the Clee hills, and Cleobury Mortimer on the way back, before winding back into Bewdley, and then back home via Wednesbury etc.

Directions are below…

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=wednesbury&daddr=Wolverley,+Worcestershire,+United+Kingdom+to:tenbury+wells+to:little+hereford+to:clee+hill+to:cleobury+mortimer&geocode=%3BFZ_AHwMdcJ7d_w%3B%3B%3B%3B&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=52.397391,-2.341461&sspn=0.427358,1.231842&ie=UTF8&ll=52.432572,-2.340088&spn=0.427018,1.231842&z=10

I also recommend a visit to Bodenham Arboretum…

Directions to Bodenham Arboretum are below…

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=wednesbury&daddr=bodenham+arboretum&geocode=%3BFcMFIAMdqyfd_yGmlXB0v2EOcQ&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=52.432572,-2.340088&sspn=0.427018,1.231842&ie=UTF8&ll=52.497832,-2.079849&spn=0.213192,0.615921&z=11

Absolutely stunning scenery, and lakes. They have a restaurant, and they serve light meals and drinks. All these places help to make this one of the finest days out in unspoiled landscapes within around 40 miles of Walsall.

Back to the Cider and Perry…

Jim's Cider Shop, Cider & Perry Brewing Area

Jim used to sell a range of local bottled beers, and preserves; he also started selling other nice goodies as they came into season.

Every year Jim would press his apples and pears to make dry, medium and sweet cider at around 6 to 7 % alcohol by volume (ABV), his perry used to come out at around 6% and be available in dry and sweet varieties.

Jim would offer us a sample every time, and if you have ever smelt his orchard in blossom on a quiet and still day, the flavour and aroma of the ciders and perries exactly matched the flowers in taste.

Literally you could “taste the flowers”, so that’s what we used to say when drinking Jim’s cider, and especially the perry; we would say “taste the flowers” every time we opened a container.

You could have Jim fill his own containers which you paid for, or you could take your own to have them filled up.

A point to watch was the fact that Jim’s cider or perry was a natural unpasteurised product, and so therefore it would “go off” or go sour of stale very quickly.

Jim would shake his apples off the trees, collect them up, press them and ferment them in large wooden vats, (later on due to hygiene, and health and safety into stainless steel vats). Being honest the wooden vats were better, often being old whisky barrels, giving the drink a nice extra oaky and traditional flavour.

Jim's apple trees, smell the flowers, and then taste them later on

His son Lincoln worked for him, and he would measure everything out exactly; but Jim would just guess; however the results were equally good but for different reasons. Personally I think a hand-made “guessed” drink has a character all of its own, and Jim’s drinks were some of the best in the country! (that I have tried, and in my opinion)

Obviously when having a “flowers run”, when buying my “flowers” or perry and cider as it is properly known, I had to chill or even freeze the containers that were full of it. The chilled product would last a very long time indeed, and it was delicious. If it is allowed to warm up and is drunk right away that is OK as well, but any “flowers” allowed to stand at room temperature for a week, especially with air in the container, it would turn sour and be like vinegar very quickly.

The best way to buy the flowers (cider or perry we call flowers, becasue you can taste the flowers) was in litre containers, and to squeeze the air out of them after pouring some out, and to lie them on their side in the refrigerator. Any that is to be kept for a very long time is best frozen, and transferred into the refrigerator cooler from frozen 24 hours or so before drinking it.

I have tried some cider and perry over they years, but I have NEVER had a “taste the flowers” experience quite like what I have experienced at Jim’s. Here’s a web page dedicated to Jim’s perry and cider, as well as all the great times I had with Nathan Jones who introduced me to Jim in the late 80’s. and my Cousin Wayne who visited Jim’s and the area around where he lives so many times on the bike, or in the car, and we had so many chats together. Later also my wife Teresa came with me so many times on a flowers run to “taste the flowers”, and no-one has ever been disappointed when visiting Jim’s cider farm in Little Hereford, just down the road from the nice town of Tenbury Wells.

Well, it had to happen one day soon; the economy, and Jim’s age were against him, and he finished making his own perry and cider on the premises, “boo-hoo”; I was gutted; my favorite alcoholic drink of all time was doomed! No more “taste the flowers!” Jim never really advertised and promoted his business; he relied on passing trade, of which we were a part of. Taste the flowers in the real traditional and true sense was about to become a part of history, and a thing of the past!

Watch the video below; notice Jim’s long drive, and see all the apple trees. The bell rings as it detects movement outside the shop, and Jim comes out to greet you, asking you to come into the shop and “taste the flowers”, in that he allows you to sample his perry and cider that he has made.

After I knew he was closing his little cider and perry shop, I bought all of the cider and perry he had at the time, including his sparkling cider and perry which he had bottled specially as a “special variety”. “Taste the flowers!” I said, as I drank the last ever of Jim’s cider and perry; indeed a heart rending moment as I said “taste the flowers” for the last time! Years of craftsmanship and tradition had vanished overnight! I was depressed for months after this lack of flowers to taste, and the lack of somewhere interesting to go on a Saturday afternoon when the weather was nice!

No more chats with Jim, no more nice refreshing natural cider and perry; the best ever, for which he won several awards from Camra! Here’s to “taste the flowers!” Cheers Jim!

All I have now is the fact that my Cousin Wayne Stubbs still has a few bottles of Jim’s sparkling perry. Maybe when Teresa and I pay a visit to Wayne’s in Arddleen in Wales; I can persuade him to open up a bottle of Jim’s sparkling perry, and we can say “taste the flowers” just one more time maybe!

I have visited Jim’s since to say “hello”; and now he sells his apples on to some other famous large “chemical” cidermkers; but being honest you cannot beat a natural cider or perry, made on the premises, pressed out in muslin cloths, fermented using the natural yeasts on the fruit, and then allowed to ferment out and settle before bottling.

I have had the pleasure to tour Jim’s cider mill, and watch him load up the apples, and press out the juice into a large fermentation vessel. I have also sampled Jim’s cider straight from the oak barrels he used to use before he had to go over to stainless steel; that was something, a drink that had extra complex flavours.

I used to call Jim’s perry “pear cider”, and that was 20 years ago! I often wonder if I invented the word “pear cider”. It isn’t the correct word for it, but I used to say it for fun, as well as “taste the flowers”. lol

Now if I had my own “pear cider” or perry, I would say on the label “A natural product; “taste the flowers!”"

I have tried some perries and ciders in my time, but for me nothing comes even close to Jim’s “taste the flowers” perry and cider!

So it is “taste the flowers” no more, because Jim sold a lot of his equipment on to other cider makers nearby.

I have tried the different cidermakers around, and hardly any of them also make their own perry, which is the  epitomy in my opinion of “pear cider” or properly called perry, where you get that natural taste, and you can really ”taste the flowers!”

Bursting with flavour, and literally organic nature in a bottle NOBODY can even come close to Jim’s “taste the flowers” experience in my opinion.

So the next time you have a drink of cider; think about maybe getting some PROPER cider or perry; you can’t beat it. “taste the flowers!”

(Jim Franklin) Franklin’s Natural Cider and Perry [CLOSED   - now supplies apples to Bulmers ]
The Cliffs, Little Hereford, Nr. Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 4LW
Tel. 01584 810488

More here about perry, and why perry just isn’t “pear cider” at all…

http://wigglywigglers.blogspot.com/2009/06/its-perry-not-pear-cider.html

This is worth a look too if you want to find some more good cider makers…

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/scrumpy/cider/makers.htm

Thanks for reading this,

Mark Lawton

I don’t know about you, but I had a terrible time sorting my permalinks out on Wordpress.

The defaults are ugly, so I changed to the “proper URL” look.

I accessed my host, changed the permissions on the .htaccess file, edited it manually, and so on. I could not get the links to work.

Anyway I finally found the problem DOH!

The links do work, but because Wordpress is installed in a sub directory i.e” /marklaw1″ this path has to be included in the .htaccess file.

The path was inserted, and bingo! Job done.

I’ll show you…

The .htaccess contents before it worked…

# BEGIN WordPress
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
</IfModule>
# END WordPress

Now all I added was “/marklaw1″ as below…

# BEGIN WordPress
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /foo/
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /marklaw1/index.php [L]
</IfModule>
# END WordPress

Job done, permalinks now work!

Now whatever they I change them to now it works every time, but for the sake of SEO I’ll leave them as they are now.

Phew!

Have a look here and this guy knows his stuff…

http://perishablepress.com/press/2006/06/14/the-htaccess-rules-for-all-wordpress-permalinks/

Be sure to get backups of every file you modify, or you can get in a mess!

Be careful, and have fun.

Also look here for general guidance…

http://codex.wordpress.org/Using_Permalinks#Where.27s_my_.htaccess_file.3F

Another problem was that everything now worked except for my home page,!

This read-up may be the answer to this problem…

http://codex.wordpress.org/Giving_WordPress_Its_Own_Directory

In brief, go to settings, and change your blog address, in  my case from www.mark-lawton.com, to www.mark-lawton.com/marklaw1/ – job done, permalinks working, and latest post displayed on my home page!

Let’s hope it is worth it to gain extra SEO, and hopefully drive “millions” of people to my website (dream on!)

Mark

Celebrating birthdays is rooted in superstition and false religion, but that is not the sole or prime reason why some Christians avoid the practice.

Some customs that were once religious in nature no longer are in many places. For example, the wedding ring once had religious significance, but in most places today, it no longer does. Hence, many true Christians accept the local custom of wearing a wedding ring to give evidence that a person is married. In such matters, what generally is influential is whether a practice is now linked to false religion

There is no denying, though, that numerous reference works reveal the superstitious and religious antecedents of celebrating birthdays. The Encyclopedia Americana (1991 edition) notes: “The ancient world of Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Persia celebrated the birthdays of gods, kings, and nobles.” It says that the Romans observed the birth of Artemis and the day of Apollo. In contrast, “although the ancient Israelis kept records of the ages of their male citizens, there is no evidence that they had any festivities on the anniversary of the birth date.”

Other reference works go into considerable detail about the origin of birthday celebrations: ‘Birthday parties began years ago in Europe. People believed in good and evil spirits, sometimes called good and evil fairies. Everyone was afraid of these spirits, that they would cause harm to the birthday celebrant, and so he was surrounded by friends and relatives whose good wishes, and very presence, would protect him against the unknown dangers that the birthday held. Giving gifts brought even greater protection. Eating together provided a further safeguard and helped to bring the blessings of the good spirits. So the birthday party was originally intended to make a person safe from evil and to insure a good year to come.’—Birthday Parties Around the World, 1967.

The book explains, too, the origin of many birthday customs. For example: “The reason [for using candles] goes back to the early Greeks and Romans who thought that tapers or candles had magical qualities. They would offer prayers and make wishes to be carried up to the gods by the flames of candles. The gods would then send down their blessings and perhaps answer the prayers.”

As mentioned, however, more is involved in this question than whether celebrating birthdays was or still is religious. The Bible brings up the matter of birthdays, and mature Christians wisely are sensitive to any indications it gives.

God’s servants of old noted when individuals were born, which allowed them to figure ages. We read: “Noah got to be five hundred years old. After that Noah became father to Shem, Ham and Japheth.” “In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, . . . all the springs of the vast watery deep were broken open.”—Genesis 5:32; 7:11; 11:10-26.

As even Jesus mentioned, among God’s people childbirth was a blessed, happy event. (Luke 1:57, 58; 2:9-14; John 16:21) Yet, Jehovah’s God’s people did not memorialize the date of birth; they kept other anniversaries but not birthdays. (John 10:22, 23) Encyclopaedia Judaica says: “The celebration of birthdays is unknown in traditional Jewish ritual.” Customs and Traditions of Israel observes: “The celebration of birthdays has been borrowed from the practices of other nations, as no mention is made of this custom among Jews either in The Bible, Talmud, or writings of the later Sages. In fact, it was an ancient Egyptian custom.”

That Egyptian connection is clear from a birthday celebration related in the Bible, one that true worshipers were not observing. It was the birthday feast of the Pharaoh who ruled while Joseph was in an Egyptian prison. Some of those pagans may have been happy over the feast, yet the birthday was linked to the beheading of the chief of Pharaoh’s bakers.—Genesis 40:1-22.

A similar unfavorable light is shed on the other birthday celebration described in the Scriptures—that of Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great. This birthday celebration is hardly presented in the Bible as just innocent festivity. Rather, it occasioned the beheading of John the Baptizer. Then, “his disciples came up and removed the corpse and buried him and came and reported to Jesus,” who ‘withdrew from there into a lonely place for isolation.’ (Matthew 14:6-13) Do you imagine that those disciples or Jesus felt drawn to the practice of birthday celebrations?

Given the known origin of celebrating birthdays, and more important, the unfavorable light in which they are presented in the Bible, Christian people have ample reason to abstain from the practice. They do not need to follow this worldly custom, for they can and do have happy meals any time during the year. Their gift giving is not obligatory or under the pressure of a party; it is spontaneous sharing of gifts at any time out of generosity and genuine affection.—Proverbs 17:8; Ecclesiastes 2:24; Luke 6:38; Acts 9:36, 39; 1 Corinthians 16:2, 3.

More On The Origin of Birthdays

Then where did birthday celebrations come from? The astonishing answer is from the pagan practice of astrology! Thousands of years ago, when men looked up into the night sky and charted the stars, they invented calendars and calculated the birth dates, to the very hour, of kings, rulers and their successors. These ancient pagan astrologers meticulously examined horoscopes and birthday omens because they believed that the fate of the rich and powerful might affect an entire society. Even to this day, men have been putting their trust in horoscopes instead of God.

In ancient Egypt, the pharaohs ordered businesses to close on their birthdays and gave enormous feasts for hundreds of servants. In ancient Greece, wealthy males joined birthday clubs composed exclusively of men who shared their birth date. Once a month, the club celebrated with a feast. When a member died, he left money to help pay for future parties. In Persia, noblemen observed their birthdays by barbecuing an ox, a camel and a donkey and serving hundreds of small cakes to the celebrants.

In ancient Rome, the emperor gave huge parties in honor of his own birthday, which included parades, circuses, and gladiatorial combat. The celebration of days was so important to the average Roman citizen that the Roman calendar designated a majority of days for some form of celebration—including many birthdays of gods and famous men.

The Roman calendar, with its emphasis on continual celebration, has had great influence on modern society. Consider the following quote about the origin of the Roman calendar:

“Our [Roman] calendar is not Christian in origin. It descends directly from the Egyptians, who originated the 12 month year, 365 day system. A pagan Egyptian scientist, Sosigenes, suggested this plan to the pagan Emperor Julius Caesar, who directed that it go into effect throughout the Roman Empire in 45 B.C. As adopted it indicated its pagan origin by the names of the months—called after Janus, Maia, Juno, etc. The days were not named but numbered on a complicated system involving Ides, Nones, and Calends. It was not until 321 A.D. that the seven-day week feature was added, when the Emperor Constantine (supposedly) adopted Christianity. Oddly enough for his weekdays he chose pagan names which are still used.” (Journal of Calendar Reform, Sept. 1953, p. 128.)

Modern birthday parties and celebrations by children take their form mainly from Germany, where the birthday child received gifts, chose a menu and received a candle-ringed butter or jam cake. The lighted candles for the cake may have originated from the birthday of the Greek moon goddess Artemis. Pagan worshippers honored her every month with moon-shaped honey cakes. Because the moon glows with light, the cakes were decorated with lighted candles.

Saying “happy birthday” to friends and loved ones was society’s superstitious way of protecting them from evil spirits. Birthday thumps, bumps, pinches, etc., were said to bring luck and send away evil spirits. Party snappers, horns and other noisemakers were also intended to scare off bad-luck spirits.

It should now be clear that birthdays are not only unbiblical, they are pagan!

Why It Matters to God

Why does God care whether or not you celebrate birthdays? After all, it is a chance for you to give presents to someone and make him or her feel good. What could be wrong with this?

Here’s what God commands: “Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the heathen are dismayed by them. For the customs of the people are vain” (Jer. 10:2, 3).

After God freed Israel from slavery, He clearly instructed them, “After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein you dwelt, shall you not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, where I bring you, shall you not do: neither shall you walk in their ordinances” (Lev. 18:3). God commanded that they not defile themselves with the practices and customs of the surrounding nations (vs. 24-29). “Therefore shall you keep My ordinance, that you commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that you defile not yourselves therein: I am the Lord your God” (vs. 30).

This is an emphatic command from God. He does not want His servants dabbling in the customs of this world.

But what about those who reach age eighty, ninety or one hundred years old—should we ignore altogether the many years of life experiences they have gained? No. In our current society, where senior citizens are routinely ignored and considered to be a burden, it is certainly permissible to acknowledge someone who has reached a considerable number of years. Someone who has lived through two world wars, the Great Depression, the Atomic Age, the creation of the modern nation of Israel, the Cold War, men walking on the moon, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Kennedy assassination, civil rights marches, race riots, the rise and collapse of the Berlin wall and the worldwide growth of the Internet, has reached an age where special honor should be naturally conferred upon them.

Proverbs 16:31 says, “The hoary [white or gray] head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.” People who have lived to great age, sometimes reflected by pure white hair, often have great wisdom and experience to share with younger generations. Simple acknowledgment that they have reached age 70, 80, 90 or 100 shows them honor and appreciation. It is not wrong to acknowledge that one has reached a milestone in a long life.

What we have described above is far different than celebrating birthdays with all of the usual pagan traditions! Celebrating the day of one’s birth, as though it were a special occasion, is wrong. It violates God’s command. It keeps people selfishly focused on their temporary, physical lives, when God’s purpose is to give mankind eternallife in His Family. True Christians should be focused on how their lives are preparing them for rulership on this earth at the Return of Jesus Christ.

The Day of a Man’s Death

We have just read that the Bible explains the day of a man’s death is better than the day of his birth. This is a stunning statement. Most people do not think of death as particularly wonderful. When it happens to a family member or close friend, it is usually a day of terrible sadness and emotion. No matter how or when death comes, no one celebrates the event. The Bible describes death as an enemy and a defeat. Consider some of the following verses describing death. Keep in mind that the Bible still says this day is better than the day of birth.

Solomon also wrote, “As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labor, which he may carry away in his hand. And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit has he that has labored for the wind?” (Ecc. 5:15-16). Does this sound like a day to look forward to? The Bible still states that the day this verse describes is better than the day of one’s birth.

The apostle Paul was inspired to write, “For the wages of sin [that you earn by breaking God’s laws] is death” (Rom. 6:23). Death is the penalty for sin. It is not pictured in the Bible as a day of triumph or, as so many like to picture, “as a friend one meets at the end of life’s highway.” Paul also wrote, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23) and “…it is appointed unto men once to die” (Heb. 9:27). Sin leads to death. John was inspired to write the definition of sin: “Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (I John 3:4). The penalty—the wages—of sin is death. This is not an event to look forward to.

But there is hope!

Jesus Christ is returning to this earth to rule—to put all things, including His enemies, under His feet. This includes the enemy called death. Notice: “Then comes the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign, till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemythat shall be destroyed is death…So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Cor. 15:24-26, 54-56).

Realize that God hates all pagan customs and traditions – birthday celebrations are not an exception.

What is the correct way to repair this PSU?

Easy…

Clean and a “cap change”, or changing the electrolytic capacitors.

Over time the electrolyte dries up in capacitors, and their value in Microfarads can go up or down, and most importantly their ESR (effective series resistance) increases.

Excess heat, and failed cooling fans all contribute to failed capacitors because of overheating of the unit.

The ESR going up, means that when running at high frequencies the capacitor isn’t doing its job, and in some cases may as well not be there.

Any ripple, or other undesirable waveforms will not be smoothed out or changed, as the capacitor cannot react to the rapid changes in waveform, because the internal resistance has gone up due to the electrolyte drying out, leaking, or breaking down.

This effects the characteristics of a circuit, and can cause the switching transistors to stick on and short out, stopping the power supply from oscillating, and running.

What is the result? Failed equipment that will not start up, or it blows up while in use.

Firstly fit a nice new fan to the casing, because the old one had failed, and this had helped the unit to overheat, which would cook an dry out the capacitors.

The main driver transistors, and IC’s were checked with a curve tracer, tracker, or Huntron equivalent component tester, where a trace of a right angle usually indicates a good semiconductor junction.
 
A multimeter proves the justions are OK with a reading of around .3 to .7 depending upon the semiconductor junction type.
 
Having proved in this case that the semiconductors appear to be OK, we can carry on with the repair, and change the capacitors.
The old capacitors shown here removed, showing how they have leaked out electrolyte, and the ESR measures low on some of them because they have dried out. The ESR meter hardly registers on some, showing they were “worn out”.

The PCB has leaked electrolyte on it from the blown capacitors; this will need cleaning off before we continue.

I like to kink the legs on the capacitors with a kinking tool; this helps them grip the PCB when turning it over for resoldering, and it also lifts the capacitor off the PCB’s surface to allow more airflow, and to help them run cooler, and last longer.

We also fit 105 degree C caps instead of 85 degree C, because they last longer. Low Impedance, low Z, or low ESR capacitors have been used as well, because these are better quality, and last a lot longer.

A lot of capacitors on the market, or already in equipment aren’t very well made, and are cheapened to keep down costs.

We think this is false economy, so put the best quality in that you can get, and you’ll get the best performance and life as a payback!

The new capacitors have now been fitted, raised off the PCB by leg kinking.

See the one capacitor lifted up for better airflow, and the PSU is all cleaned up nice, and as new.

Another angle showing the mounting of the capacitors, and how clean and nice the PSU is inside the casing, to maximise airflow for cooling and efficiency.

The main DC bus capacitors have been replaced as well, because these had got very hot, and the bleed resistors changed from 25K to 33K as they had overheated and cracked. They are only to discharge the high voltage from the bus caps when the unit is switched off, so 33k will be fine.

A close-up showing a small electrolytic capacitor mounted proud from the PCB, this looks better, and protect the PCB from leaking electrolyte, besides helping the capacitor to last longer by creating a heat break between the PCB and itself, and so it runs cooler, and the life is dramatically increased.

The finished PSU, cleaned up nicely, and ready to test.

The PSU was plugged in, and it worked first time, so it has been serviced, and it is now ready to go out to the customer.

This PSU should now last longer with the small but critical mods in there, and better quality higher temperature capacitors fitted.

A job well done, satisfied, and one to be to be proud of!

You’ve heard the excitement over these free energy devices no doubt haven’t you?

You go “Wow! I have to have one of those”, “Wow I need this now!”

IGNORE some of the ads on this site by the way that mention “free energy devices”, but by all means have a look to see what a rip-off they are! Some of the ads are normal energy companies, which are OK but some are these scammers trying to sell you the plans for these so called “perpetual motion, magnetic motor-generators”

Do not buy from those ads though please! I emphasise again PLEASE!

I fact I challenge anyone on planet earth to show me one of these devices that is actually working, giving out more energy than what you put in, with all inputs and outputs clearly measurable and with no “catches”, “Ahh buts!” or “hidden power sources” such as secret or hidden batteries or hidden wires going off elsewhere to a power supply etc!

They say that you put some energy in, or even no energy at all eventually once it has started running, and you get something extra out that you didn’t put in, or more energy out than what you put in!

Solar, wind and water generators do work, and this isn’t the argument here. What is the argument is that these people claim to get extra energy output besides what is normally generated by these devices, from “nothing”, or a “mysterious place”, “the nothing”.

The normal generation of wind power etc. can save you money, but it isn’t “free energy”, the wind for example gives you the energy to start with, and you convert it at a loss to electricity, and not at a gain, so you are not getting more energy output for less energy input.

So they claim you get energy from what you didn’t put in; or you reap where you didn’t sow in other words!

They talk about “energy from the nothing”, “energy from the void” etc. Complete utter rubbish!

What is all of this waffle about anyway?

Well, it is one of many hoaxes to get you to part with your cash.

As an electronics engineer I can assure anyone that to generate electricity, if you put 100% in, you are only likely to get 70% – 80% or so of useful output, never more than what you put in minus your losses so it can never be 100% or more coming out!

You lose energy in the cables and windings, suffer volt drop, generate heat, and across magnetic gaps energy is lost, and due to friction in the bearings also turning to heat. The commutators heat up and generate friction, and volt loss across them. Even brushless generators have losses from bearing friction and wire resistance etc.

There is no other energy coming from “the nothing” at all! This is impossible!

How can I be so sure?

Easy…

I have asked for working diagrams, demonstrations, working models, and to speak to the person involved.

Well what happens?

They have no drawings or they are incomplete, and any I have found that seem OK do not work!

Demonstrations are an elaborate set-up, and “something always goes wrong” when you are watching, so they can cover up the fact that it does not work!

Working models are just models that appear to work, but like the above “something always happens”, and all they are is a replica of a vivid imagination.

How about direct contact?

Well, I have tried that, and every person I email or try to phone up is “unavailable”, or I am speaking to their agent, or somehow I never find the correct channel of communication, or the right person to speak to!

So it isn’t the oil companies shutting us up is it? They don’t suppress all ideas do they?

Surely by now if it was that good it would be too big to suppress?

In secret workshops and on the street surely these gadgets would be out, as well as in the public domain!

No; because every engineer I work with at my place of work would be doing it if it worked, and so would “Joe Bloggs” in his garage! They are not a bunch of idiots at all, and they know their stuff!

So the answer is clear,”you don’t get owt for nowt” in this world!

You only get out what effort or energy you put in.

How else can I be so sure…

Well… as an industrial drive and controls engineer, and working alongside motor engineers; I can vouch that efficiency is a sought after commodity that thousands and even millions of pounds are being invested in; on servo drives, motors, and electronic equipment by all the major companies; and not one of them is 100% efficient, let alone giving out more than 100% of what you put in.

The best way then is to be as efficient as is possible in what we can do currently, and develop ways of getting more efficiency in the future. That is viable, and this is what we seek, not some silly device that does not work, and costs money as well in failed ideas.

So wise up folks, do you think these charlatans in their garage are any better or brighter than major players like Siemens, Control Techniques, ABB, Allen Bradley, Indramat or Fanuc to name a few!

No! Don’t you think that if it worked “so well” as people say, then they would also be doing it, and using it by now, if not long ago!

Of course they would be! They have been doing what they do for years, so you would think so by now wouldn’t you?

Well, if they can’t do it, it is obviously impossible!

We will approach closer to 100% one day in the future with better technology, but never reach or surpass it; that is a fact; and it should be common sense by now, and from the laws of physics that explain it too!

“Every action has an equal and opposite reaction”, losses included, so a bouncing ball won’t bounce higher than the height it was let go from, unless it was propelled with extra force as well behind it, in which case it may do, but only with the added effort, minus any losses.

So keep your money safely away from these charlatans, and get real, maybe give it to charity instead!

All they are doing is scamming the weak, vulnerable, wishful, and gullible!

They DO NOT work, and they never will!

Thank you.

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This is a new blog about the Lawtonname, coat of arms, some links, history, and a recent visit to Alsager, near Stoke-Upon-Trent, UK, to have a look at the remaining history and roots of the Lawton Name.

If you click on the links, please use the back button to return back here, or open the links in a new window by using the right button click on the link with this, and then select “open in a new window”, left clicking on this, and the link will open in a new window.

The photographs below will enlarge if you click on them, or you can open them in a new window; they are fairly big, and good quality pictures, so I hope that you enjoy them.

We visited the Lawton Hall grounds, with its beautiful lake, and restored historic house, now converted into flats.

I will now pictorially and with some dialogue describe our special day out, with my wife Teresa.

Firstly, I found out the name has a coat of arms, and really beautiful to look at too…

Quoting below…

“The legend of the Lawton family dates back to around the year 1200, when King John was separated from his companions while hunting.

The story is that his horse reared and threw him when it was confronted by a great wolf, the man who helped him gave his name as “Adam De Lauton”, and for saving his life the king granted him all the land that he could walk over in a week. Taking the bleeding wolf as his starting point the king told him “the head of the wolf shall be thy crest,thy deed will go down in history”.”

The Lawton name is also said to mean “a place on a hill”, and the shield and helmet seem the same on the coat of arms, but the surroundings do vary.

The version I am most familiar with is pictured here above.

On to the visit to the Lawton Hall grounds in Alsager…

It was a nice day, and when we approached we noticed that the grounds had been taken over by a housing company; phew!

The hall was saved, and beautifully refurbished.

I’ll now show a series of pictures in and around the estate…

By all means have a look at the links; but below are the actual pictures I have taken of the estate, and some of the flats before they were sold. They were not cheap to buy by any means; but the atmosphere and community were bound to be good I would think, once they were occupied later on by the right people willing to pay the extra for outstanding quality living.

We signed the visitors book, this had to be done, especially as our surname is Lawton.

There are quite a few pictures, so I’ll show them below, after the hall pictures we go onto the pub named after part of the shield “The Bleeding Wolf”, the Robinson’s ales served there were great, and it seemed a lively pub, with an old style traditional interior decor, with character…

After the hall we move onto the pub, which was really nice, and we had a great meal there. It is called “The Bleeding Wolf” which is named after the wolf featured on the Lawton family coat of arms.

Notice the thatched roof, and how old the pub is…

Having shopped at Lidl and Aldi. I have noticed how expensive they have been getting these days, so I tried Farm Foods instead.

The result…

They are way cheaper than Lidl and Aldi, although not having the range.

Toilet roll in Lidl is now £4.25 for a 10 roll pack of their best. The price of these has rocketed from £1.99 in 2003/4, to the above price now.

Farm Foods it is £2.00 for 9 rolls that are nearly as good.

Milk is also cheaper at 42p a carton, as oppose to 57p in the other stores!

These are just two examples of the gap in the prices.

Prices overall in Lidl and Aldi are more expensive than the big supermarkets now on the things I buy.

Even the wine and spirits are expensive now, and that’s for brands you have never heard of!

So my odds-and ends I get from elsewhere other than M&S, Asda or Morrisons I shall be getting from Farm Foods in future!

My general advice on shopping in the Midlands UK…

Get your toilet roll, Long-life skimmed milk, and selected frozen goods, maybe washing-up liquid as well from Farm Foods.

Selected wine offers, yoghurt’s, fruit and veg, and most else from Asda. Salads, and some radio and TV products are good from Asda, and “Asda living”

I bought an LCD clock form Asda, with time, temperature, moon phases, and radio controlled, (time set at Rugby atomic clock by radio signal) for £15, with a large LCD display, and alarm, etc. Excellent quality, and highly recommended.

Toiletries get from Bodycare, Superdrug and Wilkinson, prices vary.

Lidl and Aldi are good for their seasonal hardware specials each week on their hardware isle. DIY items, gardening, tools, clothing and sundries for most seasonal activities and hobbies.

They are also good for washing powder/liquid, washing-up liquid, margarine, selected vegetables, and chocolate muffins!

“Nice foods” I recommend M&S for crispbakes, chicken breast, salmon steaks, salmon en croute and selected wines, such as Burra Brook, Mariante Hill, Maara, Lost Sheep, and Honey Tree.

M&S’s “pierce film” range is also quick, quality, and although expensive, good value for the money.

Argos are very good for household items, and don’t forget to check out Wilkinson first for similar items.

Morrisons shopping can add up; but look out for 2 for 1’s, and be selective.

Wilkinson also now sell a limited food range, in their larger stores!

As for clothes, “cotton traders” are good and cool for the summer; they wash and dry nicely, and are great for hot weather. Look out for their outlet stores for some bargains.

Look out for M&S outlet stores, as you can get “almost in” fashions for a fraction of their “original price”

Very often “own brands” are manufactured by an main manufacturer, so look out for similar products like the more expensive ones you usually buy.

I wish you happy shopping experience: save money and have fun folks!

Moneysupermarket is really a great place to compare almost anything, so go and check it out.

Don’t get ripped off! Try it out and save £1000’s overall!

I haven’t ever been a victim of car clamping myself, and I hope I remain so.

However having read, and heard about so many cases lately, including some friends of mine, I have come up with the perfect answer-FIGHT BACK…

How…

Easily…

Get a pair of quality bolt cutters, and/or a cordless angle grinder and keep them in the boot of your car at all times. As well take some masking tape

Always read the small print, and watch where you park; surely demanding hundreds of pounds for release on the same day in cash, surely has to be dodgy!

What to do..

Return to your car casually and look around for cameras and people who look like they may be working for the clamping company. Dodge around the people craftily and hide until it is clear if required.

Sneak up behind any cameras and throw something over them to obscure their view, or push them away if you can reach somehow and they are hinged, and they are hinged. Don’t use something traceable, use a carrier bag, balloon or whatever you don’t mind losing.

Walk over to your car smartly and whip out the masking tape to obscure your car registration. Apply it over both number plates so they can’t be seen.

Quickly take out the grinder or bolt cutters, and cut off the chain or lock CAREFULLY! without damaging your car, or hopefully the clamp.

Leave the clamp behind neatly, and take the chain with you and your tools in the boot, and drive of smartly and promptly to the nearest safe and legal place to stop.

Remove the masking tape from your number plate, and dispose of the chain or lock somewhere legal, but getting rid of the evidence you have damaged their property.

Calmly drive home, and tidy up your tools, and make sure if your angle cutter is cordless to make sure you keep it charged up every week, and check that the grinding wheel is in good condition “just in case” . Test is out regularly, so you will never be caught out again !

Take a low profile, and avoid the area where you parked before, and hope you never hear from them.

If you really want to find our more, then please go here…

http://www.autoinfozone.com/remove_clamps/index.htm

This is a good one too…

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/3485625.stm

Learn a lesson from it to be more careful in the future!

Always pay “normal” official parking fines promptly on public roads and be careful to park legally (Read the HIGHWAY CODE!)

If you are unlucky enough to get regular correspondence from them ignore it, and consider yourself not present at the time of the incident!

Hopefully because they are also dodgy they should go away eventually!

Another simple way that works in some cases is to deflate the tyre, jack the car up, and remove the clamp!

Then leave the clamp where you found it!

Just be sure you have a foot pump in the car or a spare wheel for driving home!

Disclaimer… ***this is for “fun”, and I do not endorse or agree with any illegal activity***

Have fun, and stay safe, always watch out for obscure signage about parking, and if in doubt-DON’T PARK THERE-take a bus, walk, cycle, park and ride, or use a recognised car parking provider, or park where the parking meters or road markings are clearly defined!

Always Park Legally

I was always a little bit biased about personalised number plates, thinking they were silly, expensive, and snobbish, even comedic in nature; but one day my view of them changed.

I noticed someone with ***GEM, that I knew in 1985, and I thought that is a good number; it was his initial, and you couldn’t tell how old the car was, and besides it was easy to remember.

Some years later I thought about changing my car because it was “getting on a bit”, but I thought back to 1985, and in 2008 said to myself “why not”, and instead I bought a personalised number plate.

I chose “M7 LWT” which is for “M J Lawton” if you use your imagination, or you’ll tell if you know me right away!

It took me 3 months of searching on the DVLA, Newreg, Careg, Regtransfers, and the like to get my ideal plate.

I finally went for the DVLA, because they had the one I was looking for. I had seen more expensive ones, but not quite what I was looking for; so I settled for this number.

True “cherished” or dateless numbers start at well over £1000, to hundreds of thousands of pounds, prefix and new style start at a few hundred. (see DVLA).

On prefix numbers starting with 1, are around £1000, and 2 to 9 are often sold quickly and increase in value. M7 LWT looks a lot better than M888 LWT or M77 LWT don’t you think?

After I bought my M7 LWT the next day all of the M2 to M11 sold out! M1 had already gone, annoyingly! short numbers look obviously privately owned, and that is the idea!

They are also a lot easier to remember!

On cherished dateless numbers, the shorter the number overall, usually the more expensive it is. Four numbers and two initials may be 1 to 5 thousand pounds, but very short ones can be worth many thousands of pounds.

Cherished numbers often increase in value, as they all may do so if they are rare, or a low digit of 1 to 9 on prefix numbers.

The DVLA happened to have it; so I bought it from there, and when the documents arrived I changed my V5, and notified my insurance, besides also getting a new tax disc with the new registration on it.

It is easy to do in the following steps…

Pick your plate online. (Prefix i.e. M7 LWT, and new style i.e. DU05 HZV, number plates cannot be newer than the vehicle actually is, byt may be older. Dateless number plates can be fitted to any age of vehicle, i.e. 607 MJL)

They can be transferred to a motorcycle or car at any time, provided the above conditions are met.

Pay by credit card online after selecting it, and follow the on-screen prompts.

Await the documentation in the post a week or so later.

Using this documentation as evidence of ownership, have your plates made up by a reputable plate manufacturer, and display the numbers LEGALLY (recommended).

Legal 3D and Legal standard Black only are allowed, and a “GB” or relevant symbol according to where you live can legally be displayed. A border is allowed, and legally the company who made them should be displayed on the bottom of the plate in small writing.

Fill in the form V317 from the DVLA to transfer the registration to your car within 12 months. (or pay £25 per year to keep the documentation only)

www.dvla.gov.uk/media/pdf/forms/v317.pdf

Await a letter saying you can now change your plates over after around ten days.

Affix the new tax disc they provide, remove your old plates and keep them safe should you ever sell the car and transfer your registration to another vehicle, and fit the new ones with fixings or double sided tape.

Notify your insurance by telephone, and inform them they should have no interest in the registration number of the car in the event of an accident, and that you retain the registration plate rights.

The registration number purchase cost includes the transfer fee of £80.00

Stand back and admire your “new look” car or motorcycle.

So once the formalities were done, I could fit my new plates, and legally drive with them fitted onto the car.

So I made my car look like new, treating it to some new alloy wheels, and a super valet to boot to finish the job.

I had “Craigsplates” make the plates for me, and I removed my old ones using label remover, cleaned up the bodywork, and affixed the new ones with the correct type of double sided sticky tape, making sure they were on squarely.

Craigsplates came up online, and they accepted scanned and emailed documents as proof of ownership, whereas other companies would not do so. It also saved me the hassle of getting them on the high street, and the quality was outstanding. They can supply the sticky back strips and fixings if you need them too.

Number plate manufacturing companies are now tightly controlled, and they have to be registered with the DVLA, to try to cut down on false plates being made, and fraud etc.

The hint on removal is WD40 for screws, and on sticky pads squirt label remover behind the plate every few minutes for about 15 minutes, and then heat them with a hairdryer if it is cold; then they should gently be eased from the bodywork.

Clean off the sticky pads and any derbis, and thoroughly dry the bodywork.

I recommend using six sticky pads per number plate, applying them to the number plate first, and then removing the backing, carefully squaring the plate up before making contact and pressing it home.

I also recommend warming the plate and the bodywork with a hairdryer before applying the sticky pads to either, and before pressing them home.

Get it on level before making contact with the car, otherwise you will have a crooked plate!

Having fitted them, I’ll admit it felt like having a new car, especially with the new wheels and a good valet!

To transfer them to another car costs £80.00, (check the DVLA) and you should get your old registration back.

To remove the registration and hold it costs £110, which means you “put it on retention” and hold onto it, and after 12 months you pay £25 per annum, if you don’t put it on a vehicle. (check the DVLA for pricing)

The DVLA would rather you represented the plate properly, not using illegal lettering, and numbers etc., and the correct spacing, background, and colour for the appropriate year. (see the DVLA for details)

Off I went to Hereford to buy my OMVL LPG DIY conversion kit. It cost me £350.00 in 1999. So the payback time was very fast indeed.

It consisted of a round tank, a multi-valve, the vapouriser, a solenoid, the in the cabin under-dash OMVL gas/petrol switch with combined fuel gauge, and a “giant polo mint” with holes in to distribute the vaporised propane into the air filter called a mixer.

The mixer fits into the air filter on top of the air-intake of the car, so that the gas is distributed into the manifold, and is burnt when it enters the combustion compression and ignition cycle of the four-stroke internal combustion engine.

When I arrived there I bought the kit, and I had a verbal rundown on what I should do.

I had to bolt the tank into the rear boot part of the car, using the brackets supplied, and provide an outlet for the double layered in and out pipework in “microbore” or similar, but thicker copper tubing, covered in a UPVC protective covering. I used a wheel type pipe cutter, and a pair of side cutters to strip the PVC layer back, and cut the piping.

So it was out with the drill and the “hole saw” to cut holes in my car for the pipe-work!

The inlet was from the tow bar, where the LPG filling point was going to be located in my case, and the outlet of still liquid gas from the tank to the vapouriser located within the engine compartment.

The Multi-valve mounted upon the gas tank serves as a non-return valve for filling, and as an outlet for the gas to the vapouriser which in my Case is in the engine compartment.

It also serves as a fuel gauge, as there is a mechanical indicator on it as well. There is a resistive output which also serves as a fuel gauge display in the car, this is sort of “OK”, but not accurate, due to the shape of the LPG tank.

Because the shape of the tank is non-linear, the fuel seems to drop quickly, halt a while, and then drop quickly. This is due to the tank having a low volume at the top curve, dropping slowly in the middle, and quickly at the bottom, because the curve at the top and bottom holds the least fuel, it drops quickly there, but in the middle where it is wider the fuel level drops slower.

Around the pipes leaving and going into the tank is a second “outer covering, which should go through the bodywork to the outside of the vehicle. In the event of a leak, any gas is vented outside the car from the tank, as an added safety feature.

When I got my tank I did bend the float arm so that it said I was low on fuel before it ran out, then I was always OK with my round 40 Litre tank.

The OMVL Multi-valve fuel gauge assembly was fitted to the tank, firmly bolting the assembly to the tank with the Allen screws, and the gasket supplied, remembering to fit the outside cover 1st, which catches any leaks, and vents them as mentioned earlier through the double cavity piping to the outside world.

I was aware that you need to know what you are doing, otherwise a leak could be created, although through experience with fitting a second bad gasket after removing the first one, resulted in the LPG dispensing pump not dispensing any fuel and cutting off, obviously detecting the leak I had put onto the tank!

The reason I was messing with this a second time again, was due to the fuel gauge being so inaccurate, and removing the multi-valve, to bend the float arm, and spoiling the original gasket, which caused a leak DANGER BEWARE If you are aware of this point of a good seal on whatever you do you will be OK, but BE AWARE of this point, as it can result in loss of fuel, explosion, asphyxia, or frostbite due to liquid gas evaporating and changing to a gas by latent heat of vapourisation! WARNING!

From the multi-valve the piping should be bracketed to the bodywork, following the brake pipes as a guide, and then the pipe emerges into the engine near the brake master cylinder.

From there the pipe goes to a 12V cut-off solenoid, which is turned on and opened to gas flow by the internal OMVL control switch, a 12V plus also goes to a second solenoid on the OMVL vapouriser. Having two solenoids is an extra safety feature to ensure when the gas is off, it is off!

I used a bit of glue to hold the spades on due to vibration, and prevent moisture ingress, but this was a bit OTT!

The gas enters the vapouriser, and it is turned from a liquid into a gas, where it then goes into the “polo mint”, or mixer.

Obviously, it would freeze up without being heated up, due to vaporising all of that liquid gas flowing through it; so how it does this is by taking a heater hose, and bypassing some hot water from the engine to the vapouriser, and back to the engine again, usually from the heater inlet, so that it never gets turned off by turning the the heater off inside the car during hot weather. Then the gas can absorb heat from the engine’s hot water system to vaporise the gas from a liquid, and turn it into a gas without the vapouriser freezing up.

I did try it without any hot water turned on, by turning the thermostat off that I fitted as a “mod”, (mentioned and explained below), but after a few miles the engine stopped because the vapouriser freezes solid, and stops working!

A “mod” I did on my vapouriser was to fit a 12V DC water solenoid in series with the vapouriser, and a “fish tank” thermostat to the vapouriser, so I could keep the vapouriser at “room temperature”. Notice the thermostat strapped to the back of the vapouriser using some “curtain lines” and hooks to hold it in place, (this was what I had handy at the time, I did think of controlling it electronically, and digitally, but as this worked, I said “why not!”, and left it as it was)

Why you may ask did I do this mod?

The reason was to eliminate a flat spot caused when the vapouriser got too hot! Keeping it at a steady temperature in my case seemed to work!

I don’t know why, maybe a wrong mixture at a certain temperature; but it worked, and so I’ll leave it at that!

So a new LPG “run better” “mod” came into being!

The “mixture” is controlled by the manifold vacuum, which cases the diaphragm in the vapouriser to release the correct amount of gas. This is adjustable by various screws on the vapouriser, and by fitting a “restrictor” if required from the vapouriser to the mixer.

From the vapouriser a rubber tube takes the now vapourised gas into the mixer “polo mint” which is inside the air-filter.

The OMVL controller switch incorporates a fuel gauge using the 10K potentiometer from the multi-valve’s fuel gauge arm inside the hatchback boot area, to the controller under the dashboard area.

The switch on the panel switches the solenoid on, and the petrol injector off, or the reverse. When on gas the fuel gauge displays from the float level output signal inside the multi-valve.

When fitting the control switch and fuel indicator, you have to break into the Bosch single point fuel injector’s electrical supply, and divert it through the control relay in the panel so it can be turned off.

A Haynes manual or some common sense should be OK if you are OK on electrics and mechanics, or have someone to advise you.

With multi-rail fuel injection systems you need to turn off all of the injectors, so you are only running on gas.

Some modern EFI systems require you to “fool” your existing EFI system so it thinks it is still running on petrol, so as to avoid a “fault condition”. Further add-ons are available for this.

It is possible to get an “add-on” so you can use your existing lambda probe oxygen sensor to control the fuel supply, and so run the unit “closed loop” after a warm-up period, and thus get more efficiency, and economy.

I chose “open loop”, without using the existing EFI Lambda control, and so kept the cost down, and hassle free fitting on my “basic” car engine, but at a loss in economy and performance.

The second LPG EFI system needs to be set up using a computer, so as to get the correct power curve, and mixture etc. from your vehicle.

Given the choice now, EFI management is the way to go, giving a seamless performance, and no “blips” on the way!

The installation took me one nice day to do, working from eight until six on the evening.

After I had done the tank, piping, and the wiring, I was off to “fill up”

Filling up was by using an adaptor, and screwing it up tight with the clamp-on hand pump dispenser. You need to keep the adaptor handy in the car to fill up as required!

Once hooked up I pulled the trigger and filled it right up for less than half the price of petrol at the time.

So this was it!- a run on LPG!…

I switched over, and it worked OK, except I noticed the power was down, and there was a flat spot at 2500 RPM. We’ll come to this later.

I then took my car to be inspected back in Hereford where I bought the kit, and I passed and got a 10 year certificate to say all was well, which I also passed onto the new owner of the car when I sold it.

The economy wasn’t as good as on petrol, but it was a lot cheaper. I would say 10% worse, but only 40% as much as on petrol, at a guess.

I wish I had gone for an 80 litre tank, as a 40 litre was “OK”, but it wasn’t as big as the petrol tank, and so I had to refill a lot more.

I lived with this for some weeks, until I decided to have a look at the problem.

The problem was down to worn out leads and spark-plugs. It is ESSENTIAL for you to have a tip-top ignition system, or else it will be trouble!

Once this was done it was a lot better, but still had a flat spot; however when I fitted a water thermostat (as mentioned elsewhere) to the multi-valve it cured the problem!

Starting was best on petrol to get it going, and then over onto gas right away. On gas alone it often would not start, as is normal so I am led to understand.

Sometimes on “very big hills” I needed to switch over to petrol to climb them in fourth gear, and then to switch over to LPG once ascended.

After all this I used the car for two years, before selling it because it was getting a bit “old”.

If I had my time over again I would have a new car, and get a grant to convert it over to LPG, and keep it.

That is unless I start making biodiesel!

Having said that; I reckon that is another blog!

Thanks for reading, and if you do this BE SAFE! GET IT CHECKED OUT AND INSPECTED ASAP AFTER FITTING. IF UNSURE ABOUT THE INSTALLATION DO NOT FILL UP WITH LPG! please.

Generally they are safe, but please excercise caution with LPG!

How Does LPG Work?

An LPG Conversion works in exactly the same way as a normal petrol engine, just with a different fuel. Everything about your vehicle remains the same but a separate fuelling system is added with its own tank, piping, ECU and injectors.

Converted vehicles become “dual-fuel” – they can change between running on petrol or gas at the flick of a switch, even whilst driving. As LPG is a much cleaner fuel, there is less wear and tear on the engine and its life will be prolonged. LPG is also 100% lead-free, produces fewer emissions (which is why it attracts a lower duty rate) and causes less oil-contamination. Combustion is cleaner, your engine will be quieter and smoother and much better for the environment.

Earlier LPG systems are renowned for having problems when fitted to modern engines with all of their electronic wizardry. The car would detect that something wasn’t quite right and try and adjust the fuel flow, resulting in backfires, stuttering and occasionally more serious problems.

Thankfully, modern systems are now able to completely interact with most makes of vehicle and you won’t know whether you are running on petrol or gas without looking at the switch.

Also, LPG-converted cars are now starting to rise in residual value as buyers realise that they can run at half the costs of a normal car.

Thanks for reading this, and I hope you have a happy and safe LPG Propane Autogas Conversion soon.

I had a bit of a misfire and a few flat spots, but it seemed to run OK, saving money from the word go, with a short payback time because the kit was so cheap and I installed it myself.

There are more places to fill up with LPG now available, check the link for details.

Now I drive a diesel, which falls “somewhere in between” LPG and petrol I think on economy etc.

See http://www.thereviewbroads.com some more interesting stuff about all sorts of topics.

Mark Lawton

I love this bike, the Harley Davidson 1200 Sportster, low.

At present I have a 1987 Low Sportster 1200, but one day I would like one of these.

I am not a speed freak now, so I am tor between the 883 for economy, or the 1200, for a bit more grunt!

The only thing I’ll knock my bike for seriously is the tiny tank.

Improvements on the new models are fuel injection, belt drive, and a somewhat bigger tank.

For now I’ll dream on, but at leat I am actually riding a Harley!

Identification
Model Type Standard
BASE MSRP(US) $9,799.00 UK £7190 (2009)
Dealers Harley-Davidson Dealers
Warranty 24
Engine:
Engine Type V Twin
Cylinders 2
Engine Stroke 4-Stroke
Cooling Air
Valves 4
Valves Per Cylinder 2
Valve Configuration OHV – Pushrod
Compression Ratio 9.7:1
Starter Electric
Fuel Requirements Premium/unleaded
Fuel Type Petrol
Transmission:
Transmission Type Manual
Number Of Speeds 5
Primary Drive (Rear Wheel) Belt
Wheels & Tires:
Front Tire (Full Spec) Dunlop® 100/90 R19 57H
Rear Tire (Full Spec) Dunlop® 150/80 R16 71H
Brakes:
Front Brake Type Hydraulic Disc
Rear Brake Type Dual Hydraulic Disc
Technical Specifications:
Wheelbase (in/mm) 59.7 / 1516.4
Fuel Capacity (gal/l) 4.5 / 17

My bike is featured here; While you are there check out my cousins great site, www.motor-cycles-for-sale.com

If you don’t want to go there, and instead you want to miss out on great accessories, OEM motorcycle spares, brand new Apache quad bikes, some of which are road legal, and all manner of motorcycle stuff, then just click on my bike below twice to see it larger!

I do advise you to have a look at my cousins site, because I regularly order Profi Dry Chain Lube, and Profi Fuel Max to make my bike run smooth.

I also order my Iridium spark plugs from him as well.

The spark plugs are really great, and my Harley starts 1st time every time now; but before it was a game to start it. In fact it starts so good that you barely hear the starter before it is away!

Now that has got to benefit your battery and starter every time; and it keeps your ego intact when onlookers admire your Harley!

Marks Custom Harley With Lots Of Add-Ons, Nice