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Gentlemen,
A chum of mine who's into classic cars has asked me to take a look at
the radio out of his 1938 Bentley which has never worked in all the
years he's had it in his ownership. Obviously, given the year, this is
an all-valve job (if you're in the US, I'm referring to what YOU call >"tubes"). There isn't a single semiconductor in this thing cos they
weren't invented until much later. The valves require an anode
("plate" if you're in the US) voltage of 235V so there's a DC to DC >up-converter to generate that from the 12V battery. Rather interesting >approach they've used and one can see an embryonic SMPS in there!
Anyway, there's a schematic symbol I can't identify for sure. Could be
a fuse, could be a link or jumper, could be a current test point, I've
no idea. So can some kind, intelligent soul enlighten me? They're
labeled V1 through V8. Here's a pic:
https://disk.yandex.com/i/mIv_txLia6Xx4Q
TIA,
CD
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 18:38:55 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com>
wrote:
Gentlemen,
A chum of mine who's into classic cars has asked me to take a look at
the radio out of his 1938 Bentley which has never worked in all the
years he's had it in his ownership. Obviously, given the year, this is
an all-valve job (if you're in the US, I'm referring to what YOU call >>"tubes"). There isn't a single semiconductor in this thing cos they
weren't invented until much later. The valves require an anode
("plate" if you're in the US) voltage of 235V so there's a DC to DC >>up-converter to generate that from the 12V battery. Rather interesting >>approach they've used and one can see an embryonic SMPS in there!
Anyway, there's a schematic symbol I can't identify for sure. Could be
a fuse, could be a link or jumper, could be a current test point, I've
no idea. So can some kind, intelligent soul enlighten me? They're
labeled V1 through V8. Here's a pic:
https://disk.yandex.com/i/mIv_txLia6Xx4Q
TIA,
CD
Probably the tube filaments.
Incidentally, I have seen people selling solid-state plugin
replacements for vibrators.
Gentlemen,
A chum of mine who's into classic cars has asked me to take a look at
the radio out of his 1938 Bentley which has never worked in all the
years he's had it in his ownership. Obviously, given the year, this is
an all-valve job (if you're in the US, I'm referring to what YOU call "tubes"). There isn't a single semiconductor in this thing cos they
weren't invented until much later. The valves require an anode
("plate" if you're in the US) voltage of 235V so there's a DC to DC up-converter to generate that from the 12V battery. Rather interesting approach they've used and one can see an embryonic SMPS in there!
Anyway, there's a schematic symbol I can't identify for sure. Could be
a fuse, could be a link or jumper, could be a current test point, I've
no idea. So can some kind, intelligent soul enlighten me? They're
labeled V1 through V8. Here's a pic:
https://disk.yandex.com/i/mIv_txLia6Xx4Q
TIA,
CD
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 10:57:10 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 18:38:55 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> >>wrote:
Gentlemen,
A chum of mine who's into classic cars has asked me to take a look at
the radio out of his 1938 Bentley which has never worked in all the
years he's had it in his ownership. Obviously, given the year, this is
an all-valve job (if you're in the US, I'm referring to what YOU call >>>"tubes"). There isn't a single semiconductor in this thing cos they >>>weren't invented until much later. The valves require an anode
("plate" if you're in the US) voltage of 235V so there's a DC to DC >>>up-converter to generate that from the 12V battery. Rather interesting >>>approach they've used and one can see an embryonic SMPS in there!
Anyway, there's a schematic symbol I can't identify for sure. Could be
a fuse, could be a link or jumper, could be a current test point, I've
no idea. So can some kind, intelligent soul enlighten me? They're
labeled V1 through V8. Here's a pic:
https://disk.yandex.com/i/mIv_txLia6Xx4Q
TIA,
CD
Probably the tube filaments.
Incidentally, I have seen people selling solid-state plugin
replacements for vibrators.
Splendid suggestion, John. I must admit that never occurred to me.
I'm afraid this chap is a stickler for originality and wants
everything done with old parts. I did venture to suggest a modern,
monolithic converter but that was rebuffed most vociferously. Sigh...
Gentlemen,
A chum of mine who's into classic cars has asked me to take a look at
the radio out of his 1938 Bentley which has never worked in all the
years he's had it in his ownership. Obviously, given the year, this is
an all-valve job (if you're in the US, I'm referring to what YOU call "tubes"). There isn't a single semiconductor in this thing cos they
weren't invented until much later. The valves require an anode
("plate" if you're in the US) voltage of 235V so there's a DC to DC up-converter to generate that from the 12V battery. Rather interesting approach they've used and one can see an embryonic SMPS in there!
Anyway, there's a schematic symbol I can't identify for sure. Could be
a fuse, could be a link or jumper, could be a current test point, I've
no idea. So can some kind, intelligent soul enlighten me? They're
labeled V1 through V8. Here's a pic:
https://disk.yandex.com/i/mIv_txLia6Xx4Q
cd@notformail.com says...
Gentlemen,
A chum of mine who's into classic cars has asked me to take a look at
the radio out of his 1938 Bentley which has never worked in all the
years he's had it in his ownership. Obviously, given the year, this is
an all-valve job (if you're in the US, I'm referring to what YOU call
"tubes"). There isn't a single semiconductor in this thing cos they
weren't invented until much later. The valves require an anode
("plate" if you're in the US) voltage of 235V so there's a DC to DC
up-converter to generate that from the 12V battery. Rather interesting
approach they've used and one can see an embryonic SMPS in there!
Anyway, there's a schematic symbol I can't identify for sure. Could be
a fuse, could be a link or jumper, could be a current test point, I've
no idea. So can some kind, intelligent soul enlighten me? They're
labeled V1 through V8. Here's a pic:
https://disk.yandex.com/i/mIv_txLia6Xx4Q
They are the filiments (heaters) for the tubes (valves). It is very
common for the tube circuits to put all the filiments in one area of the schematic. It makes it simpler to look at when they are all in a series
or parallel circuit. The numbers at them are the pin nubers of the
tubes. As there are 8 tubes in the radio they will be labled V1 to V8
with the V standing for the Valve they are in.
Gentlemen,
A chum of mine who's into classic cars has asked me to take a look at
the radio out of his 1938 Bentley which has never worked in all the
years he's had it in his ownership.
On 12/18/2024 1:38 PM, Cursitor Doom wrote:
Gentlemen,
A chum of mine who's into classic cars has asked me to take a look at
the radio out of his 1938 Bentley which has never worked in all the
years he's had it in his ownership.
Oh, I found the problem! It says "Made in the UK" on the label! HEH
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:25:56 -0500, bitrex <user@example.net> wrote:
On 12/18/2024 1:38 PM, Cursitor Doom wrote:
Gentlemen,
A chum of mine who's into classic cars has asked me to take a look at
the radio out of his 1938 Bentley which has never worked in all the
years he's had it in his ownership.
Oh, I found the problem! It says "Made in the UK" on the label! HEH
Naturally an American valve radio would still be working perfectly
after 86 years, it's fair to assume?
Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:25:56 -0500, bitrex <user@example.net> wrote:
On 12/18/2024 1:38 PM, Cursitor Doom wrote:
Gentlemen,
A chum of mine who's into classic cars has asked me to take a look at
the radio out of his 1938 Bentley which has never worked in all the
years he's had it in his ownership.
Oh, I found the problem! It says "Made in the UK" on the label! HEH
Naturally an American valve radio would still be working perfectly
after 86 years, it's fair to assume?
Joseph Lucas, the inventor of darkness, died in 1902. His legacy lasted >another century.
Cheers
Phil ôformer TR7 ownerö Hobbs
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 19:00:01 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com>
wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 10:57:10 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> >>wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 18:38:55 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> >>>wrote:
Gentlemen,
A chum of mine who's into classic cars has asked me to take a look at >>>>the radio out of his 1938 Bentley which has never worked in all the >>>>years he's had it in his ownership. Obviously, given the year, this is >>>>an all-valve job (if you're in the US, I'm referring to what YOU call >>>>"tubes"). There isn't a single semiconductor in this thing cos they >>>>weren't invented until much later. The valves require an anode
("plate" if you're in the US) voltage of 235V so there's a DC to DC >>>>up-converter to generate that from the 12V battery. Rather interesting >>>>approach they've used and one can see an embryonic SMPS in there! >>>>Anyway, there's a schematic symbol I can't identify for sure. Could be >>>>a fuse, could be a link or jumper, could be a current test point, I've >>>>no idea. So can some kind, intelligent soul enlighten me? They're >>>>labeled V1 through V8. Here's a pic:
https://disk.yandex.com/i/mIv_txLia6Xx4Q
TIA,
CD
Probably the tube filaments.
Incidentally, I have seen people selling solid-state plugin
replacements for vibrators.
Splendid suggestion, John. I must admit that never occurred to me.
I'm afraid this chap is a stickler for originality and wants
everything done with old parts. I did venture to suggest a modern, >>monolithic converter but that was rebuffed most vociferously. Sigh...
I'd stick a transistor radio behind the old knobs.
It may have a dynamic speaker too, which could be hard to replace.
Buy the vibrator replacement and rub some dirt on it, or stuff it into
the ugly old can.
Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:25:56 -0500, bitrex <user@example.net> wrote:
On 12/18/2024 1:38 PM, Cursitor Doom wrote:
Gentlemen,
A chum of mine who's into classic cars has asked me to take a look at
the radio out of his 1938 Bentley which has never worked in all the
years he's had it in his ownership.
Oh, I found the problem! It says "Made in the UK" on the label! HEH
Naturally an American valve radio would still be working perfectly
after 86 years, it's fair to assume?
Joseph Lucas, the inventor of darkness, died in 1902. His legacy lasted >another century.
Cheers
Phil ôformer TR7 ownerö Hobbs
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 23:55:14 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com>
wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 11:25:27 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> >>wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 19:00:01 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> >>>wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 10:57:10 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> >>>>wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 18:38:55 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> >>>>>wrote:
Gentlemen,
A chum of mine who's into classic cars has asked me to take a look at >>>>>>the radio out of his 1938 Bentley which has never worked in all the >>>>>>years he's had it in his ownership. Obviously, given the year, this is >>>>>>an all-valve job (if you're in the US, I'm referring to what YOU call >>>>>>"tubes"). There isn't a single semiconductor in this thing cos they >>>>>>weren't invented until much later. The valves require an anode >>>>>>("plate" if you're in the US) voltage of 235V so there's a DC to DC >>>>>>up-converter to generate that from the 12V battery. Rather interesting >>>>>>approach they've used and one can see an embryonic SMPS in there! >>>>>>Anyway, there's a schematic symbol I can't identify for sure. Could be >>>>>>a fuse, could be a link or jumper, could be a current test point, I've >>>>>>no idea. So can some kind, intelligent soul enlighten me? They're >>>>>>labeled V1 through V8. Here's a pic:
https://disk.yandex.com/i/mIv_txLia6Xx4Q
TIA,
CD
Probably the tube filaments.
Incidentally, I have seen people selling solid-state plugin >>>>>replacements for vibrators.
Splendid suggestion, John. I must admit that never occurred to me.
I'm afraid this chap is a stickler for originality and wants
everything done with old parts. I did venture to suggest a modern, >>>>monolithic converter but that was rebuffed most vociferously. Sigh...
I'd stick a transistor radio behind the old knobs.
It may have a dynamic speaker too, which could be hard to replace.
Buy the vibrator replacement and rub some dirt on it, or stuff it into >>>the ugly old can.
That's what I'd do if it were my car. You can get AM radios on 1/2"
square boards; just add your own L and variable C and a TDA2611A for
the audio. All sorted out. I told him I'd do it that way for free, but
if he wants to do it the hard way I can only offer guidance and
whatever vintage spares I have.
I recall that vibrators weren't reliable. Finding a replacement would
be tricky.
Post a pic of the Bentley!
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 11:25:27 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 19:00:01 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> >>wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 10:57:10 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> >>>wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 18:38:55 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> >>>>wrote:
Gentlemen,
A chum of mine who's into classic cars has asked me to take a look at >>>>>the radio out of his 1938 Bentley which has never worked in all the >>>>>years he's had it in his ownership. Obviously, given the year, this is >>>>>an all-valve job (if you're in the US, I'm referring to what YOU call >>>>>"tubes"). There isn't a single semiconductor in this thing cos they >>>>>weren't invented until much later. The valves require an anode >>>>>("plate" if you're in the US) voltage of 235V so there's a DC to DC >>>>>up-converter to generate that from the 12V battery. Rather interesting >>>>>approach they've used and one can see an embryonic SMPS in there! >>>>>Anyway, there's a schematic symbol I can't identify for sure. Could be >>>>>a fuse, could be a link or jumper, could be a current test point, I've >>>>>no idea. So can some kind, intelligent soul enlighten me? They're >>>>>labeled V1 through V8. Here's a pic:
https://disk.yandex.com/i/mIv_txLia6Xx4Q
TIA,
CD
Probably the tube filaments.
Incidentally, I have seen people selling solid-state plugin >>>>replacements for vibrators.
Splendid suggestion, John. I must admit that never occurred to me.
I'm afraid this chap is a stickler for originality and wants
everything done with old parts. I did venture to suggest a modern, >>>monolithic converter but that was rebuffed most vociferously. Sigh...
I'd stick a transistor radio behind the old knobs.
It may have a dynamic speaker too, which could be hard to replace.
Buy the vibrator replacement and rub some dirt on it, or stuff it into
the ugly old can.
That's what I'd do if it were my car. You can get AM radios on 1/2"
square boards; just add your own L and variable C and a TDA2611A for
the audio. All sorted out. I told him I'd do it that way for free, but
if he wants to do it the hard way I can only offer guidance and
whatever vintage spares I have.
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 16:30:57 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 23:55:14 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> >>wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 11:25:27 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> >>>wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 19:00:01 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> >>>>wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 10:57:10 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> >>>>>wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 18:38:55 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> >>>>>>wrote:
Gentlemen,
A chum of mine who's into classic cars has asked me to take a look at >>>>>>>the radio out of his 1938 Bentley which has never worked in all the >>>>>>>years he's had it in his ownership. Obviously, given the year, this is >>>>>>>an all-valve job (if you're in the US, I'm referring to what YOU call >>>>>>>"tubes"). There isn't a single semiconductor in this thing cos they >>>>>>>weren't invented until much later. The valves require an anode >>>>>>>("plate" if you're in the US) voltage of 235V so there's a DC to DC >>>>>>>up-converter to generate that from the 12V battery. Rather interesting >>>>>>>approach they've used and one can see an embryonic SMPS in there! >>>>>>>Anyway, there's a schematic symbol I can't identify for sure. Could be >>>>>>>a fuse, could be a link or jumper, could be a current test point, I've >>>>>>>no idea. So can some kind, intelligent soul enlighten me? They're >>>>>>>labeled V1 through V8. Here's a pic:
https://disk.yandex.com/i/mIv_txLia6Xx4Q
TIA,
CD
Probably the tube filaments.
Incidentally, I have seen people selling solid-state plugin >>>>>>replacements for vibrators.
Splendid suggestion, John. I must admit that never occurred to me. >>>>>I'm afraid this chap is a stickler for originality and wants >>>>>everything done with old parts. I did venture to suggest a modern, >>>>>monolithic converter but that was rebuffed most vociferously. Sigh...
I'd stick a transistor radio behind the old knobs.
It may have a dynamic speaker too, which could be hard to replace.
Buy the vibrator replacement and rub some dirt on it, or stuff it into >>>>the ugly old can.
That's what I'd do if it were my car. You can get AM radios on 1/2" >>>square boards; just add your own L and variable C and a TDA2611A for
the audio. All sorted out. I told him I'd do it that way for free, but
if he wants to do it the hard way I can only offer guidance and
whatever vintage spares I have.
I recall that vibrators weren't reliable. Finding a replacement would
be tricky.
Simple enough to contrive a replacement using an old telephone
exchange relay if he'll accept that. It's miraculous they functioned
for as long as they did, given the hammering they took due to the way
they were wired.
Post a pic of the Bentley!
I'll see what I can do....
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 16:30:57 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 23:55:14 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> >wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 11:25:27 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> >>wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 19:00:01 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> >>>wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 10:57:10 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> >>>>wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 18:38:55 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> >>>>>wrote:
Gentlemen,
A chum of mine who's into classic cars has asked me to take a look at >>>>>>the radio out of his 1938 Bentley which has never worked in all the >>>>>>years he's had it in his ownership. Obviously, given the year, this is >>>>>>an all-valve job (if you're in the US, I'm referring to what YOU call >>>>>>"tubes"). There isn't a single semiconductor in this thing cos they >>>>>>weren't invented until much later. The valves require an anode >>>>>>("plate" if you're in the US) voltage of 235V so there's a DC to DC >>>>>>up-converter to generate that from the 12V battery. Rather interesting >>>>>>approach they've used and one can see an embryonic SMPS in there! >>>>>>Anyway, there's a schematic symbol I can't identify for sure. Could be >>>>>>a fuse, could be a link or jumper, could be a current test point, I've >>>>>>no idea. So can some kind, intelligent soul enlighten me? They're >>>>>>labeled V1 through V8. Here's a pic:
https://disk.yandex.com/i/mIv_txLia6Xx4Q
TIA,
CD
Probably the tube filaments.
Incidentally, I have seen people selling solid-state plugin >>>>>replacements for vibrators.
Splendid suggestion, John. I must admit that never occurred to me. >>>>I'm afraid this chap is a stickler for originality and wants >>>>everything done with old parts. I did venture to suggest a modern, >>>>monolithic converter but that was rebuffed most vociferously. Sigh...
I'd stick a transistor radio behind the old knobs.
It may have a dynamic speaker too, which could be hard to replace.
Buy the vibrator replacement and rub some dirt on it, or stuff it into >>>the ugly old can.
That's what I'd do if it were my car. You can get AM radios on 1/2" >>square boards; just add your own L and variable C and a TDA2611A for
the audio. All sorted out. I told him I'd do it that way for free, but
if he wants to do it the hard way I can only offer guidance and
whatever vintage spares I have.
I recall that vibrators weren't reliable. Finding a replacement would
be tricky.
Simple enough to contrive a replacement using an old telephone
exchange relay if he'll accept that. It's miraculous they functioned
for as long as they did, given the hammering they took due to the way
they were wired.
Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:25:56 -0500, bitrex <user@example.net> wrote:
On 12/18/2024 1:38 PM, Cursitor Doom wrote:
Gentlemen,
A chum of mine who's into classic cars has asked me to take a look at
the radio out of his 1938 Bentley which has never worked in all the
years he's had it in his ownership.
Oh, I found the problem! It says "Made in the UK" on the label! HEH
Naturally an American valve radio would still be working perfectly
after 86 years, it's fair to assume?
Joseph Lucas, the inventor of darkness, died in 1902. His legacy lasted another century.
I vaguely recall that they oscillated at somethig over 100 Hz. I
powered an old car radio with 60 Hz instead of the vibrator, and the
radio's step-up transformer ran hot.
On 12/18/24 21:20, john larkin wrote:
They ran at a frequency as high as reasonable for a mechanical device.
I vaguely recall that they oscillated at somethig over 100 Hz. I
powered an old car radio with 60 Hz instead of the vibrator, and the
radio's step-up transformer ran hot.
This allowed for a smaller transformer.
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 09:09:54 -0600, Dennis <dennis@none.none> wrote:
On 12/18/24 21:20, john larkin wrote:
They ran at a frequency as high as reasonable for a mechanical device.
I vaguely recall that they oscillated at somethig over 100 Hz. I
powered an old car radio with 60 Hz instead of the vibrator, and the
radio's step-up transformer ran hot.
This allowed for a smaller transformer.
Vibrating contacts were the first switching regulators. Auto
generators - before alternators - used a hysteretic oscillating
contact closure to drive the field coil. That was very efficient and
not especially reliable.
Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:25:56 -0500, bitrex <user@example.net> wrote:
On 12/18/2024 1:38 PM, Cursitor Doom wrote:
Gentlemen,
A chum of mine who's into classic cars has asked me to take a look at
the radio out of his 1938 Bentley which has never worked in all the
years he's had it in his ownership.
Oh, I found the problem! It says "Made in the UK" on the label! HEH
Naturally an American valve radio would still be working perfectly
after 86 years, it's fair to assume?
Joseph Lucas, the inventor of darkness, died in 1902. His legacy lasted another century.
Cheers
Phil “former TR7 owner” Hobbs
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 21:29:27 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs <pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:
Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:25:56 -0500, bitrex <user@example.net> wrote:
On 12/18/2024 1:38 PM, Cursitor Doom wrote:
Gentlemen,
A chum of mine who's into classic cars has asked me to take a look at >>>>> the radio out of his 1938 Bentley which has never worked in all the
years he's had it in his ownership.
Oh, I found the problem! It says "Made in the UK" on the label! HEH
Naturally an American valve radio would still be working perfectly
after 86 years, it's fair to assume?
Joseph Lucas, the inventor of darkness, died in 1902. His legacy lasted
another century.
Cheers
Phil “former TR7 owner” Hobbs
Well, we needed something to lubricate the roadways.
On 12/18/2024 7:33 PM, john larkin wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 21:29:27 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs
<pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:
Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:25:56 -0500, bitrex <user@example.net> wrote:
On 12/18/2024 1:38 PM, Cursitor Doom wrote:
Gentlemen,
A chum of mine who's into classic cars has asked me to take a look at >>>>>> the radio out of his 1938 Bentley which has never worked in all the >>>>>> years he's had it in his ownership.
Oh, I found the problem! It says "Made in the UK" on the label! HEH
Naturally an American valve radio would still be working perfectly
after 86 years, it's fair to assume?
Joseph Lucas, the inventor of darkness, died in 1902. His legacy lasted
another century.
Cheers
Phil “former TR7 owner” Hobbs
Well, we needed something to lubricate the roadways.
Clive Sinclair was an atheist and if you look at the build quality of
the average Sinclair Research product you might become an atheist, too
john larkin <JL@gct.com> wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 09:09:54 -0600, Dennis <dennis@none.none> wrote:
On 12/18/24 21:20, john larkin wrote:
They ran at a frequency as high as reasonable for a mechanical device.
I vaguely recall that they oscillated at somethig over 100 Hz. I
powered an old car radio with 60 Hz instead of the vibrator, and the
radio's step-up transformer ran hot.
This allowed for a smaller transformer.
Vibrating contacts were the first switching regulators. Auto
generators - before alternators - used a hysteretic oscillating
contact closure to drive the field coil. That was very efficient and
not especially reliable.
Especially when made by Lucas.
Cheers
Phil Hobbs
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 20:38:33 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs <pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:
john larkin <JL@gct.com> wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 09:09:54 -0600, Dennis <dennis@none.none> wrote:
On 12/18/24 21:20, john larkin wrote:
They ran at a frequency as high as reasonable for a mechanical device. >>>> This allowed for a smaller transformer.
I vaguely recall that they oscillated at somethig over 100 Hz. I
powered an old car radio with 60 Hz instead of the vibrator, and the >>>>> radio's step-up transformer ran hot.
Vibrating contacts were the first switching regulators. Auto
generators - before alternators - used a hysteretic oscillating
contact closure to drive the field coil. That was very efficient and
not especially reliable.
Especially when made by Lucas.
Cheers
Phil Hobbs
The brits traditionallty split their motorcycle crankcases vertically,
to maximize oil leakage through the gaskets.
Those dumb Japanese, Honda and Kawasaki, split their crankcases
horizontally, which required us to change the oil, not just add it.
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 20:38:33 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs ><pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:
john larkin <JL@gct.com> wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 09:09:54 -0600, Dennis <dennis@none.none> wrote:
On 12/18/24 21:20, john larkin wrote:
They ran at a frequency as high as reasonable for a mechanical device. >>>> This allowed for a smaller transformer.
I vaguely recall that they oscillated at somethig over 100 Hz. I
powered an old car radio with 60 Hz instead of the vibrator, and the >>>>> radio's step-up transformer ran hot.
Vibrating contacts were the first switching regulators. Auto
generators - before alternators - used a hysteretic oscillating
contact closure to drive the field coil. That was very efficient and
not especially reliable.
Especially when made by Lucas.
Cheers
Phil Hobbs
The brits traditionallty split their motorcycle crankcases vertically,
to maximize oil leakage through the gaskets.
Those dumb Japanese, Honda and Kawasaki, split their crankcases
horizontally, which required us to change the oil, not just add it.
john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 20:38:33 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs
<pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:
john larkin <JL@gct.com> wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 09:09:54 -0600, Dennis <dennis@none.none> wrote:
On 12/18/24 21:20, john larkin wrote:
They ran at a frequency as high as reasonable for a mechanical device. >>>>> This allowed for a smaller transformer.
I vaguely recall that they oscillated at somethig over 100 Hz. I
powered an old car radio with 60 Hz instead of the vibrator, and the >>>>>> radio's step-up transformer ran hot.
Vibrating contacts were the first switching regulators. Auto
generators - before alternators - used a hysteretic oscillating
contact closure to drive the field coil. That was very efficient and
not especially reliable.
Especially when made by Lucas.
Cheers
Phil Hobbs
The brits traditionallty split their motorcycle crankcases vertically,
to maximize oil leakage through the gaskets.
Those dumb Japanese, Honda and Kawasaki, split their crankcases
horizontally, which required us to change the oil, not just add it.
Everything designed in Britain in the 1960s was legally required to leak
oil. That includes the Concorde and the QE II.
I suspect Shell was at the bottom of it.
Cheers
Phil Hobbs
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:29:50 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 20:38:33 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs >><pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:
john larkin <JL@gct.com> wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 09:09:54 -0600, Dennis <dennis@none.none> wrote:
On 12/18/24 21:20, john larkin wrote:
They ran at a frequency as high as reasonable for a mechanical device. >>>>> This allowed for a smaller transformer.
I vaguely recall that they oscillated at somethig over 100 Hz. I
powered an old car radio with 60 Hz instead of the vibrator, and the >>>>>> radio's step-up transformer ran hot.
Vibrating contacts were the first switching regulators. Auto
generators - before alternators - used a hysteretic oscillating
contact closure to drive the field coil. That was very efficient and
not especially reliable.
Especially when made by Lucas.
Cheers
Phil Hobbs
The brits traditionallty split their motorcycle crankcases vertically,
to maximize oil leakage through the gaskets.
Those dumb Japanese, Honda and Kawasaki, split their crankcases >>horizontally, which required us to change the oil, not just add it.
The Japanese initially started off by copying the British bikes. Then
they immediately set about looking for ways they could be improved.
Once they'd got ahead, they set about continually improving the
improved designs, even if they were only competing against themselves.
The British just sat back and complacently did nothing; just kept on
turning out the same old designs year in year out. Within a decade,
the British motorcycle industry as it had been known for 70 odd years
was in terminal decline. There's a lesson there somewhere for all of
us.
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:29:50 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 20:38:33 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs ><pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:
john larkin <JL@gct.com> wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 09:09:54 -0600, Dennis <dennis@none.none> wrote:
On 12/18/24 21:20, john larkin wrote:
They ran at a frequency as high as reasonable for a mechanical device. >>>> This allowed for a smaller transformer.
I vaguely recall that they oscillated at somethig over 100 Hz. I
powered an old car radio with 60 Hz instead of the vibrator, and the >>>>> radio's step-up transformer ran hot.
Vibrating contacts were the first switching regulators. Auto
generators - before alternators - used a hysteretic oscillating
contact closure to drive the field coil. That was very efficient and
not especially reliable.
Especially when made by Lucas.
Cheers
Phil Hobbs
The brits traditionallty split their motorcycle crankcases vertically,
to maximize oil leakage through the gaskets.
Those dumb Japanese, Honda and Kawasaki, split their crankcases >horizontally, which required us to change the oil, not just add it.
The Japanese initially started off by copying the British bikes. Then
they immediately set about looking for ways they could be improved.
Once they'd got ahead, they set about continually improving the
improved designs, even if they were only competing against themselves.
The British just sat back and complacently did nothing; just kept on
turning out the same old designs year in year out.
On 12/18/2024 7:33 PM, john larkin wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 21:29:27 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs
<pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:
Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:25:56 -0500, bitrex <user@example.net> wrote:
On 12/18/2024 1:38 PM, Cursitor Doom wrote:
Gentlemen,
A chum of mine who's into classic cars has asked me to take a look at >>>>>> the radio out of his 1938 Bentley which has never worked in all the >>>>>> years he's had it in his ownership.
Oh, I found the problem! It says "Made in the UK" on the label! HEH
Naturally an American valve radio would still be working perfectly
after 86 years, it's fair to assume?
Joseph Lucas, the inventor of darkness, died in 1902. His legacy lasted
another century.
Cheers
Phil “former TR7 owner” Hobbs
Well, we needed something to lubricate the roadways.
Clive Sinclair was an atheist and if you look at the build quality of
the average Sinclair Research product you might become an atheist, too.
On 12/18/2024 4:29 PM, Phil Hobbs wrote:
Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:25:56 -0500, bitrex <user@example.net> wrote:
On 12/18/2024 1:38 PM, Cursitor Doom wrote:
Gentlemen,
A chum of mine who's into classic cars has asked me to take a look at >>>>> the radio out of his 1938 Bentley which has never worked in all the
years he's had it in his ownership.
Oh, I found the problem! It says "Made in the UK" on the label! HEH
Naturally an American valve radio would still be working perfectly
after 86 years, it's fair to assume?
Joseph Lucas, the inventor of darkness, died in 1902. His legacy lasted
another century.
Cheers
Phil ôformer TR7 ownerö Hobbs
George Lucas invented Darth Vader and I expect his legacy of bad
spin-offs will beat that record
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 22:39:51 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs ><pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:
john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 20:38:33 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs
<pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:
john larkin <JL@gct.com> wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 09:09:54 -0600, Dennis <dennis@none.none> wrote: >>>>>
On 12/18/24 21:20, john larkin wrote:
They ran at a frequency as high as reasonable for a mechanical device. >>>>>> This allowed for a smaller transformer.
I vaguely recall that they oscillated at somethig over 100 Hz. I >>>>>>> powered an old car radio with 60 Hz instead of the vibrator, and the >>>>>>> radio's step-up transformer ran hot.
Vibrating contacts were the first switching regulators. Auto
generators - before alternators - used a hysteretic oscillating
contact closure to drive the field coil. That was very efficient and >>>>> not especially reliable.
Especially when made by Lucas.
Cheers
Phil Hobbs
The brits traditionallty split their motorcycle crankcases vertically,
to maximize oil leakage through the gaskets.
Those dumb Japanese, Honda and Kawasaki, split their crankcases
horizontally, which required us to change the oil, not just add it.
Everything designed in Britain in the 1960s was legally required to leak >>oil. That includes the Concorde and the QE II.
I suspect Shell was at the bottom of it.
Cheers
Phil Hobbs
I rode the QE2 from NYC to France once. I had scheduled an engine room
tour but that was canceled because they'd had a fire. Our trip took an
extra day too, limping along.
Never rode the Concorde, which is just as well.
Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:29:50 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 20:38:33 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs
<pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:
john larkin <JL@gct.com> wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 09:09:54 -0600, Dennis <dennis@none.none> wrote:
On 12/18/24 21:20, john larkin wrote:
They ran at a frequency as high as reasonable for a mechanical device. >> >>>> This allowed for a smaller transformer.
I vaguely recall that they oscillated at somethig over 100 Hz. I
powered an old car radio with 60 Hz instead of the vibrator, and the >> >>>>> radio's step-up transformer ran hot.
Vibrating contacts were the first switching regulators. Auto
generators - before alternators - used a hysteretic oscillating
contact closure to drive the field coil. That was very efficient and
not especially reliable.
Especially when made by Lucas.
Cheers
Phil Hobbs
The brits traditionallty split their motorcycle crankcases vertically,
to maximize oil leakage through the gaskets.
Those dumb Japanese, Honda and Kawasaki, split their crankcases
horizontally, which required us to change the oil, not just add it.
The Japanese initially started off by copying the British bikes. Then
they immediately set about looking for ways they could be improved.
Once they'd got ahead, they set about continually improving the
improved designs, even if they were only competing against themselves.
The British just sat back and complacently did nothing; just kept on
turning out the same old designs year in year out.
The two major factors were the management and the unions, who both
deserved each other:
The management saw research as an unnecessary expense that could be
dispensed with once there was a product which worked, however badly, and >which could be made and sold. Real engineers hardly ever got into
management and didn't last long if they actually treid to practice >engineering.
The unions had the management over a barrel and extorted every last
penny out of the firms, with restrictive practices hampering any
attempts at improvement. Many of the production line workers would have
been unemployable in any other job and even the better ones were totally >unmotivated to produce a good product.
I was lucky enough to work in a firm (in the same industrial area as a
major and much maligned car plant) that had neither of these
disadvantages and I still marvel at how good their products were and how
they managed to survive and make a profit whilst maintaining those
standards.
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 23:39:17 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com>
wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:29:50 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> >>wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 20:38:33 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs >>><pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:
john larkin <JL@gct.com> wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 09:09:54 -0600, Dennis <dennis@none.none> wrote: >>>>>
On 12/18/24 21:20, john larkin wrote:
They ran at a frequency as high as reasonable for a mechanical device. >>>>>> This allowed for a smaller transformer.
I vaguely recall that they oscillated at somethig over 100 Hz. I >>>>>>> powered an old car radio with 60 Hz instead of the vibrator, and the >>>>>>> radio's step-up transformer ran hot.
Vibrating contacts were the first switching regulators. Auto
generators - before alternators - used a hysteretic oscillating
contact closure to drive the field coil. That was very efficient and >>>>> not especially reliable.
Especially when made by Lucas.
Cheers
Phil Hobbs
The brits traditionallty split their motorcycle crankcases vertically,
to maximize oil leakage through the gaskets.
Those dumb Japanese, Honda and Kawasaki, split their crankcases >>>horizontally, which required us to change the oil, not just add it.
The Japanese initially started off by copying the British bikes. Then
they immediately set about looking for ways they could be improved.
Once they'd got ahead, they set about continually improving the
improved designs, even if they were only competing against themselves.
The British just sat back and complacently did nothing; just kept on >>turning out the same old designs year in year out. Within a decade,
the British motorcycle industry as it had been known for 70 odd years
was in terminal decline. There's a lesson there somewhere for all of
us.
The Japanese also put a multi-plate clutch inside the crankcase, in
the oil.
It was absurdly easy to replace the clutch plate stack.
A guy near here has a new Royal Enfield. It is pretty.
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 16:01:12 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 23:39:17 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> >>wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:29:50 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> >>>wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 20:38:33 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs >>>><pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:
john larkin <JL@gct.com> wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 09:09:54 -0600, Dennis <dennis@none.none> wrote: >>>>>>
On 12/18/24 21:20, john larkin wrote:
They ran at a frequency as high as reasonable for a mechanical device. >>>>>>> This allowed for a smaller transformer.
I vaguely recall that they oscillated at somethig over 100 Hz. I >>>>>>>> powered an old car radio with 60 Hz instead of the vibrator, and the >>>>>>>> radio's step-up transformer ran hot.
Vibrating contacts were the first switching regulators. Auto
generators - before alternators - used a hysteretic oscillating
contact closure to drive the field coil. That was very efficient and >>>>>> not especially reliable.
Especially when made by Lucas.
Cheers
Phil Hobbs
The brits traditionallty split their motorcycle crankcases vertically, >>>>to maximize oil leakage through the gaskets.
Those dumb Japanese, Honda and Kawasaki, split their crankcases >>>>horizontally, which required us to change the oil, not just add it.
The Japanese initially started off by copying the British bikes. Then >>>they immediately set about looking for ways they could be improved.
Once they'd got ahead, they set about continually improving the
improved designs, even if they were only competing against themselves. >>>The British just sat back and complacently did nothing; just kept on >>>turning out the same old designs year in year out. Within a decade,
the British motorcycle industry as it had been known for 70 odd years
was in terminal decline. There's a lesson there somewhere for all of
us.
The Japanese also put a multi-plate clutch inside the crankcase, in
the oil.
It was absurdly easy to replace the clutch plate stack.
A guy near here has a new Royal Enfield. It is pretty.
They're made in India nowadays. I think some Indian outfit bought the
name and the designs and setup a plant over there. I have to say all
credit to them. They've made a big success of it and the stuff they
produce is selling like hot cakes and is very positively reviewed.
Naturally though they've retained all the old original model names,
the bikes themselves have been brought up to date with all the latest >technology.
On 2024-12-20 13:30, Cursitor Doom wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 16:41:00 -0500, bitrex <user@example.net> wrote:
On 12/18/2024 4:29 PM, Phil Hobbs wrote:
Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:25:56 -0500, bitrex <user@example.net> wrote: >>>>>
On 12/18/2024 1:38 PM, Cursitor Doom wrote:Naturally an American valve radio would still be working perfectly
Gentlemen,
A chum of mine who's into classic cars has asked me to take a look at >>>>>>> the radio out of his 1938 Bentley which has never worked in all the >>>>>>> years he's had it in his ownership.
Oh, I found the problem! It says "Made in the UK" on the label! HEH >>>>>
after 86 years, it's fair to assume?
Joseph Lucas, the inventor of darkness, died in 1902. His legacy lasted >>>> another century.
Cheers
Phil ôformer TR7 ownerö Hobbs
George Lucas invented Darth Vader and I expect his legacy of bad
spin-offs will beat that record
Triumph's TR series 3 through 6 were very well received and remain
highly prized to this day. However, for some reason, the TR7 was never
liked (except by Phil) from day 1 and remained the poor relation for
decades after its launch. Only recently has there been some change in
sentiment towards it. Amazing what the passage of time can do to our
perception of a design.
The main trouble with the TR7 was that the original four-speed manual
was made of glass. By the time it got the much much nicer 5-speed, it
was too late.
I got my '78 used, for cheap, in early '82. It had an overheating
problem and a broken temperature gauge, not a good combination. One >educational weekend spent changing the head gasket, and a bodged-in
5-speed (had to use a Frankenstein drive shaft), made it a really
beautiful drive.
The TR8 was the same car with the five speed and a small V8 (originally
the Buick 218 cu in), and was a good and (for English) reliable car.
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 16:41:00 -0500, bitrex <user@example.net> wrote:
On 12/18/2024 4:29 PM, Phil Hobbs wrote:
Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> wrote:
On Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:25:56 -0500, bitrex <user@example.net> wrote:
On 12/18/2024 1:38 PM, Cursitor Doom wrote:
Gentlemen,
A chum of mine who's into classic cars has asked me to take a look at >>>>>> the radio out of his 1938 Bentley which has never worked in all the >>>>>> years he's had it in his ownership.
Oh, I found the problem! It says "Made in the UK" on the label! HEH
Naturally an American valve radio would still be working perfectly
after 86 years, it's fair to assume?
Joseph Lucas, the inventor of darkness, died in 1902. His legacy lasted
another century.
Cheers
Phil “former TR7 owner” Hobbs
George Lucas invented Darth Vader and I expect his legacy of bad
spin-offs will beat that record
Triumph's TR series 3 through 6 were very well received and remain
highly prized to this day. However, for some reason, the TR7 was never
liked (except by Phil) from day 1 and remained the poor relation for
decades after its launch. Only recently has there been some change in sentiment towards it. Amazing what the passage of time can do to our perception of a design.
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 15:46:46 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 22:39:51 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs >><pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:
john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 20:38:33 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs
<pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:
john larkin <JL@gct.com> wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 09:09:54 -0600, Dennis <dennis@none.none> wrote: >>>>>>
On 12/18/24 21:20, john larkin wrote:
They ran at a frequency as high as reasonable for a mechanical device. >>>>>>> This allowed for a smaller transformer.
I vaguely recall that they oscillated at somethig over 100 Hz. I >>>>>>>> powered an old car radio with 60 Hz instead of the vibrator, and the >>>>>>>> radio's step-up transformer ran hot.
Vibrating contacts were the first switching regulators. Auto
generators - before alternators - used a hysteretic oscillating
contact closure to drive the field coil. That was very efficient and >>>>>> not especially reliable.
Especially when made by Lucas.
Cheers
Phil Hobbs
The brits traditionallty split their motorcycle crankcases vertically, >>>> to maximize oil leakage through the gaskets.
Those dumb Japanese, Honda and Kawasaki, split their crankcases
horizontally, which required us to change the oil, not just add it.
Everything designed in Britain in the 1960s was legally required to leak >>>oil. That includes the Concorde and the QE II.
I suspect Shell was at the bottom of it.
Cheers
Phil Hobbs
I rode the QE2 from NYC to France once. I had scheduled an engine room
tour but that was canceled because they'd had a fire. Our trip took an >>extra day too, limping along.
Oil fire was it? (just trying to beat Phil here).
On Fri, 20 Dec 2024 09:04:52 +0000, liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid
(Liz Tuddenham) wrote:
Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com> wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:29:50 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 20:38:33 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs
<pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:
john larkin <JL@gct.com> wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 09:09:54 -0600, Dennis <dennis@none.none> wrote: >>>>>>
On 12/18/24 21:20, john larkin wrote:
They ran at a frequency as high as reasonable for a mechanical device. >>>>>>> This allowed for a smaller transformer.
I vaguely recall that they oscillated at somethig over 100 Hz. I >>>>>>>> powered an old car radio with 60 Hz instead of the vibrator, and the >>>>>>>> radio's step-up transformer ran hot.
Vibrating contacts were the first switching regulators. Auto
generators - before alternators - used a hysteretic oscillating
contact closure to drive the field coil. That was very efficient and >>>>>> not especially reliable.
Especially when made by Lucas.
Cheers
Phil Hobbs
The brits traditionallty split their motorcycle crankcases vertically, >>>> to maximize oil leakage through the gaskets.
Those dumb Japanese, Honda and Kawasaki, split their crankcases
horizontally, which required us to change the oil, not just add it.
The Japanese initially started off by copying the British bikes. Then
they immediately set about looking for ways they could be improved.
Once they'd got ahead, they set about continually improving the
improved designs, even if they were only competing against themselves.
The British just sat back and complacently did nothing; just kept on
turning out the same old designs year in year out.
The two major factors were the management and the unions, who both
deserved each other:
The management saw research as an unnecessary expense that could be
dispensed with once there was a product which worked, however badly, and
which could be made and sold. Real engineers hardly ever got into
management and didn't last long if they actually treid to practice
engineering.
The unions had the management over a barrel and extorted every last
penny out of the firms, with restrictive practices hampering any
attempts at improvement. Many of the production line workers would have
been unemployable in any other job and even the better ones were totally
unmotivated to produce a good product.
I was lucky enough to work in a firm (in the same industrial area as a
major and much maligned car plant) that had neither of these
disadvantages and I still marvel at how good their products were and how
they managed to survive and make a profit whilst maintaining those
standards.
Sounds about right. The sixties and the seventies in particular were a
period in Britain where Marxists were hell-bent on destroying the
country and wanted to bring production to a halt on any old pretext.
The 'management' spent most of their time in the nearest pub having 3
hour long 'liquid lunches' which didn't help the fortunes of the
companies they were supposed to be running much, either. When Thatcher
got into power in '79, there were a huge number of arses in dire need
of kicking. And she duly delivered and an extremely painful period of restructuring commenced.
On Fri, 20 Dec 2024 18:34:40 +0000, Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com>
wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 15:46:46 -0800, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 22:39:51 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs
<pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:
john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com> wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 20:38:33 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs
<pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:
john larkin <JL@gct.com> wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 09:09:54 -0600, Dennis <dennis@none.none> wrote: >>>>>>>
On 12/18/24 21:20, john larkin wrote:
They ran at a frequency as high as reasonable for a mechanical device. >>>>>>>> This allowed for a smaller transformer.
I vaguely recall that they oscillated at somethig over 100 Hz. I >>>>>>>>> powered an old car radio with 60 Hz instead of the vibrator, and the >>>>>>>>> radio's step-up transformer ran hot.
Vibrating contacts were the first switching regulators. Auto
generators - before alternators - used a hysteretic oscillating
contact closure to drive the field coil. That was very efficient and >>>>>>> not especially reliable.
Especially when made by Lucas.
Cheers
Phil Hobbs
The brits traditionallty split their motorcycle crankcases vertically, >>>>> to maximize oil leakage through the gaskets.
Those dumb Japanese, Honda and Kawasaki, split their crankcases
horizontally, which required us to change the oil, not just add it.
Everything designed in Britain in the 1960s was legally required to leak >>>> oil. That includes the Concorde and the QE II.
I suspect Shell was at the bottom of it.
Cheers
Phil Hobbs
I rode the QE2 from NYC to France once. I had scheduled an engine room
tour but that was canceled because they'd had a fire. Our trip took an
extra day too, limping along.
Oil fire was it? (just trying to beat Phil here).
Probably coal.