Things you always wanted to know the answer to [Vol. 4]

Things you always wanted to know the answer to [Vol. 4]

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Europa1

10,923 posts

189 months

Friday 10th July 2020
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Hugo a Gogo said:
I attended the University of Life, the School of Hard Knocks, and the Kindergarten of getting so st kicked out of you
Thanks, Blackadder.

SpeckledJim

31,608 posts

254 months

Friday 10th July 2020
quotequote all
Clockwork Cupcake said:
Jonboy_t said:
If I want to carry a weight along a road in a van, is it better for the load on the engine to have the weight inboard, in a trailer or no difference?

Short back story - I’ve got a 50 year old camper and have just rebuilt the engine. Engine blew because we had too much weight on board (the wife’s fault entirely, told her she takes too much crap!). Now rebuild is done we’re looking at how best to go away, still be ‘comfortable’ and not stress the rebuilt engine as much.

My feeling is the best fix is to take less, but she doesn’t like that option so wondering if having the weight outboard rather than pressing on the wheels would improve the engine load levels?
The engine still has to overcome the same mass and intertia so I would say it doesn't make a jot of difference to the engine. Mass is mass.
But a trailer has additional mass of its own, and also adds rolling resistance.

Clockwork Cupcake

74,632 posts

273 months

Friday 10th July 2020
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SpeckledJim said:
But a trailer has additional mass of its own, and also adds rolling resistance.
Indeed yes

Lily the Pink

5,783 posts

171 months

Friday 10th July 2020
quotequote all
SpeckledJim said:
Clockwork Cupcake said:
Jonboy_t said:
If I want to carry a weight along a road in a van, is it better for the load on the engine to have the weight inboard, in a trailer or no difference?

Short back story - I’ve got a 50 year old camper and have just rebuilt the engine. Engine blew because we had too much weight on board (the wife’s fault entirely, told her she takes too much crap!). Now rebuild is done we’re looking at how best to go away, still be ‘comfortable’ and not stress the rebuilt engine as much.

My feeling is the best fix is to take less, but she doesn’t like that option so wondering if having the weight outboard rather than pressing on the wheels would improve the engine load levels?
The engine still has to overcome the same mass and intertia so I would say it doesn't make a jot of difference to the engine. Mass is mass.
But a trailer has additional mass of its own, and also adds rolling resistance.
Ah but if it's loaded VERY carefully so that it improves the aerodynamics of the whole rig, then those improved aerodynamics might (I say "might" advisedly) more than compensate. This would become more apparent as speed approached supersonic, and should of course be validated beforehand in a wind tunnel. Wheel bearings, tyres, etc would need careful consideration.

Fatboy

7,986 posts

273 months

Friday 10th July 2020
quotequote all
Lily the Pink said:
SpeckledJim said:
Clockwork Cupcake said:
Jonboy_t said:
If I want to carry a weight along a road in a van, is it better for the load on the engine to have the weight inboard, in a trailer or no difference?

Short back story - I’ve got a 50 year old camper and have just rebuilt the engine. Engine blew because we had too much weight on board (the wife’s fault entirely, told her she takes too much crap!). Now rebuild is done we’re looking at how best to go away, still be ‘comfortable’ and not stress the rebuilt engine as much.

My feeling is the best fix is to take less, but she doesn’t like that option so wondering if having the weight outboard rather than pressing on the wheels would improve the engine load levels?
The engine still has to overcome the same mass and intertia so I would say it doesn't make a jot of difference to the engine. Mass is mass.
But a trailer has additional mass of its own, and also adds rolling resistance.
Ah but if it's loaded VERY carefully so that it improves the aerodynamics of the whole rig, then those improved aerodynamics might (I say "might" advisedly) more than compensate. This would become more apparent as speed approached supersonic, and should of course be validated beforehand in a wind tunnel. Wheel bearings, tyres, etc would need careful consideration.
What you're missing is that the trailer can be loaded with all the unnecessary crap (ensure everything actually needed is in the van), and then drive off without hooking up the trailer. As long as you don't stop for a couple of hours, it won't be worth going back for it silly

Jonboy_t

5,038 posts

184 months

Friday 10th July 2020
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Lily the Pink said:
Ah but if it's loaded VERY carefully so that it improves the aerodynamics of the whole rig, then those improved aerodynamics might (I say "might" advisedly) more than compensate. This would become more apparent as speed approached supersonic, and should of course be validated beforehand in a wind tunnel. Wheel bearings, tyres, etc would need careful consideration.
I admire and share your optimism and I’m confident that, given the new engine, fuel lines capable of taking higher ethanol fuel without cracking and an improved cooling system, I might be able to push that top speed up to a dizzying 62... (btw, the cooling system is ‘improved’ by putting back on the one that fell off due to rust when we got half way up a hill)

As for aerodynamics, short of taking the windscreen and back window out, I’m afraid we’re limited to a situation equivalent to that of a house in a storm.

anonymous-user

55 months

Saturday 11th July 2020
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Frank7 said:
SpeckledJim said:
Frank7 said:
Not something that I’ve always wanted to know, but on hearing that Scotland are insisting that anyone arriving from Spain self-isolates for 14 days, I assume that if a Glasgow couple have a week in Valencia, on arrival back in Scotland they should follow the isolation rules.
I can’t imagine anyone being that desperate to do this, but what would happen if the couple flew back into say, Manchester, then took a train to Glasgow?
Who (in authority), is going to know that they’ve been in Spain, unless a vindictive neighbour drops a dime to wee Nicky Sturgeon?
Similarly, if a family from Madrid drive to U.K. for a touring holiday in a Winnebago type vehicle, will they be restricted to England and Wales, but have to stay south of Scotland’s border, unless they’re willing to voluntarily isolate?
Even if they fly into glasgow, there's nothing forcing them to self-isolate, unless the authorities are made aware that they're transgressing.
Makes sense Jim, but I was presuming that maybe immigration in Scotland would collar everyone arriving in the country from Spain, and demand a Scottish address from them.
You've put way too much thought into it. Do you think people were really abiding by the staying within 5 miles rule?

It's guidance out there that should be followed if you're responsible. There is nothing in place to actually enforce it.

Evoluzione

10,345 posts

244 months

Saturday 11th July 2020
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Due to wind why do some trees grow bent, yet some grow straight and perpendicular?

Robbo 27

3,654 posts

100 months

Saturday 11th July 2020
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Why do we have fingerprints, how did they evolve?

It is said that they are to amplify textures but that sounds like a guess by a scientist.

The prints on my right hand have all but disappeared due to work, they are as sensitive to texture as my left hand.



Edited by Robbo 27 on Saturday 11th July 05:35

glazbagun

14,283 posts

198 months

Saturday 11th July 2020
quotequote all
Robbo 27 said:
Why do we have fingerprints, how did they evolve?

It is said that they are to amplify textures but that sounds like a guess by a scientist.

The prints on my right hand have all but disappeared due to work, they are as sensitive to texture as my left hand.
Don't know how they evolved, but their function is to increase the surface area of the skin.

Where you say you have lost your fingertips, the skin is actually thicker and protected by dead cells, like on your foot but less extreme. Underneath the fingerprints are still there.

Just as they increase surface area with the air, or whatever you're holding, they also increase surface area with the lower layers of skin which provide blood and nutrients.

From an evolutionarry POV, I don't know, but would guess that they are a response to the increased wear that these areas suffer requiring more resources and benefitting from more cells concentrated in a smaller area.

SpeckledJim

31,608 posts

254 months

Saturday 11th July 2020
quotequote all
Robbo 27 said:
Why do we have fingerprints, how did they evolve?

It is said that they are to amplify textures but that sounds like a guess by a scientist.

The prints on my right hand have all but disappeared due to work, they are as sensitive to texture as my left hand.



Edited by Robbo 27 on Saturday 11th July 05:35
What an excellent question. Something I’ve genuinely never thought about at all.

Speed 3

4,604 posts

120 months

Saturday 11th July 2020
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Evoluzione said:
Due to wind why do some trees grow bent, yet some grow straight and perpendicular?
Think its more to do with bending towards the sunlight (ie South facing in Northern hemisphere) rather than wind. Tall straight trees like pines tend to be indigenous to far north climates where the sun is weak and ground water scarce or frozen for long periods.

hutchst

3,706 posts

97 months

Saturday 11th July 2020
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SpeckledJim said:
What an excellent question. Something I’ve genuinely never thought about at all.
What a stupid question. How else would the police be able to identify criminals?

Cliftonite

8,414 posts

139 months

Saturday 11th July 2020
quotequote all
Jonboy_t said:
If I want to carry a weight along a road in a van, is it better for the load on the engine to have the weight inboard, in a trailer or no difference?

Short back story - I’ve got a 50 year old camper and have just rebuilt the engine. Engine blew because we had too much weight on board (the wife’s fault entirely, told her she takes too much crap!). Now rebuild is done we’re looking at how best to go away, still be ‘comfortable’ and not stress the rebuilt engine as much.

My feeling is the best fix is to take less, but she doesn’t like that option so wondering if having the weight outboard rather than pressing on the wheels would improve the engine load levels?
When you need to move a car that won't start, it is possible to push it. Is this easier than picking it up and carrying it? Thought so!

Does this scenario have any connection with the carry/tow question?

scratchchin

Evoluzione

10,345 posts

244 months

Saturday 11th July 2020
quotequote all
Speed 3 said:
Evoluzione said:
Due to wind why do some trees grow bent, yet some grow straight and perpendicular?
Think its more to do with bending towards the sunlight (ie South facing in Northern hemisphere) rather than wind. Tall straight trees like pines tend to be indigenous to far north climates where the sun is weak and ground water scarce or frozen for long periods.
It's definitely wind. Where I live it's generally from the SW and any bent trees show that by bending towards the NE where there is no sun ever. I have two trees outside my house, one is an Acacia I think, which leans a lot. The other a Monkey puzzle which has defied all attempts from the wind and is perfectly perpendicular and straight as a die.

HTP99

22,608 posts

141 months

Saturday 11th July 2020
quotequote all
Speed 3 said:
Evoluzione said:
Due to wind why do some trees grow bent, yet some grow straight and perpendicular?
Think its more to do with bending towards the sunlight (ie South facing in Northern hemisphere) rather than wind. Tall straight trees like pines tend to be indigenous to far north climates where the sun is weak and ground water scarce or frozen for long periods.
When in Sardinia a few years ago, on a tour that we did, in a certain area the trees are bent over, this was particularly mentioned and it was said that the wind caused it.

The Mad Monk

10,474 posts

118 months

Saturday 11th July 2020
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hutchst said:
SpeckledJim said:
What an excellent question. Something I’ve genuinely never thought about at all.
What a stupid question. How else would the police be able to identify criminals?
Well, I thought it was neither stupid nor excellent.

I suppose I thought it was, well, what shall I say - fairly good? You know sort of 7 out of 10. no less, but certainly no more.

I don't like too much enthusiasm for a subject, I find it a little enervating.

EDIT.

I might have given it 6, but certainly not 8.

Tyre Smoke

23,018 posts

262 months

Saturday 11th July 2020
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I've just seen an Mini (original one) on ebay advertised as a Morris Mini rather than an Austin Mini. It's not first time, so not a mistake. Also I've seen MG Midgets advertised as Sprites.

Badge engineering or genuinely different models like Austin Cambridge/Morris Oxford? And how long were they sold alongside the more famous models?

PF62

3,670 posts

174 months

Saturday 11th July 2020
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Tyre Smoke said:
I've just seen an Mini (original one) on ebay advertised as a Morris Mini rather than an Austin Mini. It's not first time, so not a mistake. Also I've seen MG Midgets advertised as Sprites.

Badge engineering or genuinely different models like Austin Cambridge/Morris Oxford? And how long were they sold alongside the more famous models?
Badge engineering with minor differences (speedo, seats) and both sold for 10 years up to 1969 when they dropped the branding and they just became Minis.

Lily the Pink

5,783 posts

171 months

Saturday 11th July 2020
quotequote all
Tyre Smoke said:
I've just seen an Mini (original one) on ebay advertised as a Morris Mini rather than an Austin Mini. It's not first time, so not a mistake. Also I've seen MG Midgets advertised as Sprites.

Badge engineering or genuinely different models like Austin Cambridge/Morris Oxford? And how long were they sold alongside the more famous models?
The MG Midget Mark 1 and the Austin Healey Sprite Mark 2 were the same as each other except in terms of badging and minor trim. Austin Cambridge and Morris Oxford were certainly not "genuinely different"; they were identical under the skin again only differing in badging and trim (that's assuming you're referring to the Farina models, which also had Riley, Wolseley and MG variants). Minis were originally introduced as the Morris Mini Minor and Austin Se7en (sic); again the same apart from badging. I don't believe either marque was "more famous" at the time, but BMC dropped the Morris and Austin Healey marques, allowing Austin to survive into the Austin-Rover days. Similar happened with the Rootes Group (Hillman, Singer, Sunbeam) and Rolls Royce - Bentley.
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