Okay, so I've been runnign the van (Mervin) on a mix of between 60 and 70% veg oil to 40 to 30% diesel for the last month. I finally ot round to fitting the Veg Oil heater, as with the winter months coming a little heat assistance will be needed to combust the fuel properly. This should allow me to run at about 85% Veg to a mix of 15% diesel over the winter.
Also completed today was the additional of the Hydrogen Booster, to mix HHO (Browns Gas) with the fuel mix, which should yeild an additional 15% increase in MPG. Watch this space for the results. My initial estimate of 50 MPG was over enthusiatic. It's actually about 42 MPG I've been getting - it helps to know how big the fuel tank is (42 litres as it happens) as I don;t have any reliable method of measuring how much Veg Oil I am pumping in. With that as a baseline to work from we'll have to see how much the Hydrogen fuel helps. At a 15% increase we ought to be seeing 48 MPG over the next tankful, although it may take a while to settle in.
I have also invested in some other fuel saving devices, a magnetic fuel saver which proports to rearrange the fuel particles for less coagulation and better combustion, plus an electronic engine management system which basically turns off the engine when stationary in traffic, and automatically starts it again when you move off - rather like the new VW Polo and Golf apparently, although this is a 1990's ZEMCO system. Full report to follow in due course, once it's all fitted up and running.
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Monday, 20 October 2008
Grand Day Out Too
Friday saw the C Releif walking club tackling the Hole of Horcum near Goathland (TV's Aidensfield from Heartbeat)
The weather was kind with only a momentary mizzle towards the end of the walk which cooled us off nicely. No hassle from the sheep this time, instead AJ got chased by a bull. This was a Aberdeen Angus highland, so quite what it was doing in North Yorkshire is anybodys' guess - perhaps it was on holiday? Normally a benign and harmless creature this one took exception to AJ and chased him for no immediately apparent reason. It was most amusing for the rest of us, not quite so funny for AJ. As he commented afterwards, 2 tonne of beef with pointy bits running into him is not his idea of fun.
We managed to get lost, in what is now an accepted tradition of these walks, but that was probably because we took a short cut to avoid further harrassment from the bulls.
The last part of this walk involves a steep climb, which certainly lets you know you've finished, as it gets all the leg muscles complaining nicely. From there it was only natural to point the car towards Goathland for a pint of brown and sticky in the Aidensfield Arms (sorry, Goathland Hotel) As we left we spotted one of the Heartbeat Panda cars parked up at Scripps Garage. Another was parked outside the post office, causing us to speculate whetehr we had missed some of the filming that day - they tend to film in the late Autumn and Winter months as there are less tourists about.
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Mervin update
Mervin is now looking better with his new seats and a clean up, the lettering removed and a few repairs done - like the back door now opens with the handle, and a high security lock has been fitted ot the back doors. Wednesday should see the start of the bodywork tidy up - the worse dents have been bashed out, and the filling and spraying started but not finished. For a £200 banger he's looking good.
Mervin has amazed me with his reliability so far, he drives like a dream and despite a tired sounding battery he never fails to start. Even better he is averaging over 50 mpg, which is more than I expected from a cube van.
Last week I used him for my park and ride scheme. This basically means I chuck my bike in the back of the van and drive the first 10 miles to work, then park up in Preston village before doing the last 6 1/2 miles by bike. 13 miles a day is about my limit until I build up my knee and calf muscles - a long term injury has left the cartlidge in my left knee totally knackered and the muscles have to work so much harder. This has lead to some comedy collapsing moments over the years where my leg has given way as I've been walking. It's more embarassing than it is painful - I sort of stagger suddenly as if drunk. My GP said I would just have to live with it as there was nothing to be done, but regular exercise seems to be helping in my opinion. I bought a stepper which I could only manage a minute or so on before my knee joint was on fire, but now I can go 12 or 15 minutes, I also got a stationary bike which has helped. With Mervins help I hope to use the cycle for work maybe once or twice a week for work (shifts permitting) and build it up so that eventually I might do the full 17 miles on the push iron.
In the meantime Mervin is proving very useful taking thngs to the tip, shopping and generally running about.
I discovered he has a very powerful alarm, and also a satelite tracking system (now defunct although the transmitter/reciever is still in place in the roof) I found the wiring for the amber beacons too, and it's still wired up to the switch. Guess what I've got sitting on a shelf in the garage? Yes, an amber beacon. That'll be another job to do then. I just need some ply to line out the load area and tidy that up and he'll be a very useful engine!
Mervin has amazed me with his reliability so far, he drives like a dream and despite a tired sounding battery he never fails to start. Even better he is averaging over 50 mpg, which is more than I expected from a cube van.
Last week I used him for my park and ride scheme. This basically means I chuck my bike in the back of the van and drive the first 10 miles to work, then park up in Preston village before doing the last 6 1/2 miles by bike. 13 miles a day is about my limit until I build up my knee and calf muscles - a long term injury has left the cartlidge in my left knee totally knackered and the muscles have to work so much harder. This has lead to some comedy collapsing moments over the years where my leg has given way as I've been walking. It's more embarassing than it is painful - I sort of stagger suddenly as if drunk. My GP said I would just have to live with it as there was nothing to be done, but regular exercise seems to be helping in my opinion. I bought a stepper which I could only manage a minute or so on before my knee joint was on fire, but now I can go 12 or 15 minutes, I also got a stationary bike which has helped. With Mervins help I hope to use the cycle for work maybe once or twice a week for work (shifts permitting) and build it up so that eventually I might do the full 17 miles on the push iron.
In the meantime Mervin is proving very useful taking thngs to the tip, shopping and generally running about.
I discovered he has a very powerful alarm, and also a satelite tracking system (now defunct although the transmitter/reciever is still in place in the roof) I found the wiring for the amber beacons too, and it's still wired up to the switch. Guess what I've got sitting on a shelf in the garage? Yes, an amber beacon. That'll be another job to do then. I just need some ply to line out the load area and tidy that up and he'll be a very useful engine!
Tuesday, 7 October 2008
Mervins' motoring!
Since the Ax died I have had to invest some more cash in a new hack to run to work in. The usual specifications needed to be met; it had to bediesel so it would convert to veg oil, it had to be seriously cheap (A budget of £400 was set) and it had to be practical. Two seats is enough, as I use it mainly to run to and from work, and taking Emma to Brownies, Dance class that sort of thing. The Zafira is used when it's a longer run, a bit of luxuryis needed or there are more than two of us to go somewhere (although between three and five we can use the Astra)
The Zafira also tended to get used for towing the trailer or since the trailer got punctured, for tip runs simply due to the carrying capacity. That was getting it all dirty.
So with those ingredients in mind the logical solution isn't a car at all, it's a van!
As ever Ebay came to the rescue, and a bid of £201.25 secured a Ford Courier Van Mot tested until July, battered and bent but otherwise all there. Graeme kindly agreed to run me through to Lincoln to collect thesad looking specimen, who has now been chistened Mervin ( because it's my van innit? - okay that might not translate well elsewhere, it's a Hull accent thing)
Mervin has yet to be converted to Veg Oil s he needed a little TL to make him look respectable first, but he has ben pressed straight into service.
Mervin lead a sheltered life as a British Arways World Cargo courier van for many years of his life. I am guessing he ung around the airpots a lot, as his mileage is only just 65000. He has a secure bulkhead, a burgkar alarm including an extremely loud panic alarm, working lights in the rear, and extra switches for orange beacons which are missng now, but might get replaced. Holes in the dashboard show where radio and phones were fitted, although he doesn't seem to have ever had a stero, something which we will be rectifying very quickly.
For the last year or so Mevin as worked for a builder, who aused him terribly, although for a builder that s probably ormal behaviour towards your van. Consequently I have removed several loose shovelfuls of snd and cement from the back and the cab area. He needed a thorouh clean and vacuum inside, and a pair of new seats. The carpet has seen btter days but will do for now, some mats will tidy the looks up later. The steering wheel had chunks mig out of it, presumably where the builder has sunk his teeth in frustration in traffic jams. A cover has tidied that for now. Mervin also has a shiny new silver bonnet to replace the badly dented and faded grey one, and I have knocked out may of he worse dents, to be filled and flatted later before he gets a new coat of paint sometime. For now a real good clean and removal of the residue from the stickers has improved his looks 100%.
The faulty drivers door lock has been remedied, although the rear doors stil only open from inside with a Heath Robinson brand length ofroe pulled from the drivers seat! Part of the lock mechanism sees to be missing, so it's not an easy fix.
Watch this space for further adventures of Mervin.
1. Someone has clog danced on the bonnet. 2 Stickers have left nasty residue which leaves the original use undisguised. 3. Bulders eat car interiors apparently - they nibble steering wheels, and feast on the soft fabrics and carpets. About four shovels of cement dust and sand have been removed along with fag packets, sweet wrappers old newspaper and £1.41 pence in cash. (I suppose tht brings my purchase cost down under the £200 ceiling)
4. Steering wheel damage. Now covered with a sporty looking steering wheel cover. 5. Bend and scrape to nearside needs fettling. 6. The unique method of opening the rear door - the rope pulls the interior release and the door pops open. I'm thinkng about having the other doors modified the same way (with apologies to VW) - the four sprung door technique!
The Zafira also tended to get used for towing the trailer or since the trailer got punctured, for tip runs simply due to the carrying capacity. That was getting it all dirty.
So with those ingredients in mind the logical solution isn't a car at all, it's a van!
As ever Ebay came to the rescue, and a bid of £201.25 secured a Ford Courier Van Mot tested until July, battered and bent but otherwise all there. Graeme kindly agreed to run me through to Lincoln to collect thesad looking specimen, who has now been chistened Mervin ( because it's my van innit? - okay that might not translate well elsewhere, it's a Hull accent thing)
Mervin has yet to be converted to Veg Oil s he needed a little TL to make him look respectable first, but he has ben pressed straight into service.
Mervin lead a sheltered life as a British Arways World Cargo courier van for many years of his life. I am guessing he ung around the airpots a lot, as his mileage is only just 65000. He has a secure bulkhead, a burgkar alarm including an extremely loud panic alarm, working lights in the rear, and extra switches for orange beacons which are missng now, but might get replaced. Holes in the dashboard show where radio and phones were fitted, although he doesn't seem to have ever had a stero, something which we will be rectifying very quickly.
For the last year or so Mevin as worked for a builder, who aused him terribly, although for a builder that s probably ormal behaviour towards your van. Consequently I have removed several loose shovelfuls of snd and cement from the back and the cab area. He needed a thorouh clean and vacuum inside, and a pair of new seats. The carpet has seen btter days but will do for now, some mats will tidy the looks up later. The steering wheel had chunks mig out of it, presumably where the builder has sunk his teeth in frustration in traffic jams. A cover has tidied that for now. Mervin also has a shiny new silver bonnet to replace the badly dented and faded grey one, and I have knocked out may of he worse dents, to be filled and flatted later before he gets a new coat of paint sometime. For now a real good clean and removal of the residue from the stickers has improved his looks 100%.
The faulty drivers door lock has been remedied, although the rear doors stil only open from inside with a Heath Robinson brand length ofroe pulled from the drivers seat! Part of the lock mechanism sees to be missing, so it's not an easy fix.
Watch this space for further adventures of Mervin.
1. Someone has clog danced on the bonnet. 2 Stickers have left nasty residue which leaves the original use undisguised. 3. Bulders eat car interiors apparently - they nibble steering wheels, and feast on the soft fabrics and carpets. About four shovels of cement dust and sand have been removed along with fag packets, sweet wrappers old newspaper and £1.41 pence in cash. (I suppose tht brings my purchase cost down under the £200 ceiling)
4. Steering wheel damage. Now covered with a sporty looking steering wheel cover. 5. Bend and scrape to nearside needs fettling. 6. The unique method of opening the rear door - the rope pulls the interior release and the door pops open. I'm thinkng about having the other doors modified the same way (with apologies to VW) - the four sprung door technique!
Thursday, 18 September 2008
AX Dead
The Citroen is officially dead. Head gasket failure was diagnosed last month and despite emergency surgery, a new gasket and glow plugs, it seems that the diesel pump has also failed, meaning that she is beyond economical repair. Even if the faults could be rectified, the MOT is due end of October, and she needs at least a new driveshaft on the nearside, and I've never been happy with the handling and the alarming knocking noise from the suspension over bumps, nor the way the front offside wheel doesn't appear quite right in the wheel arch. So it is RIP (Rust in Pieces) from tommorow, and hopefully she'll proved useful parts for other AX's to soldier on. Meanwhile, I'm looking for a new project.
A Grand Day Out
Wednesday 18th September 2008........
......0500 hours. It's may day off. What the hell am I doing getting up this early?
......0600 hours. Convene at Bransholme Police Station to collect one of five colleagues who'll be joining me for a hike around Ladybower Reservoir and district in the Derbyshire Peaks.
...... 0605 hours. AJ delivers the news that 2 of our number have bottled it. Rachel can;t be bothered or some lame excuse, and PK has a lame excuse, literally. He has damaged ligaments in his foot playing football the day before. That leaves four of us. That's okay room to stretch out in the car.
...... 0620 hours. Hessle foreshore. Can't locate our other team members. Turns out they can;t tell the difference between Hessle foreshore and the Humber Bridge Car park. They have no idea whee Hessle foreshore is or how to get there. They are from Driffield and Walkington and don't get out much. We mee them at the Humber Bridge car park.
...... 0630 hours. On the road and only a hlaf hour behind schedule. Dave has brought TomTom Sat Nav which is good, but it has a woman with PMT giving the instructions which is not. She is able to give directions whilst we are on the well signposted motorways which I know well anyway, but gets us lost passing through Sheffield. We forgive her at first, as half of Sheffield appears to be closed off for roadworks, but eventually we realise that she is wanting to visit every shoe shop in the city and giving us directions to get us there. Once we realise she has now directed us back to the fiurst shoe shop we passed we give up and rely on roadsigns, instinct and pot luck.
.......0800 hours. We have survived Sheffield City Centre and despite the attempts of several people in Audis and Mercedees trying to kill us we esape the city and find the A57. One man in a 08 plated Audi, quite obviously a company car waves to thank us after almost sideswiping us, carving across our bumper, causing me a near coronary. I'm begining to wish I'd brought the old Citroen banger and not my decent Zafira. Hull may have some mad drivers, but Sheffiled must be the only city that lets registered blind people drive.
....... 0810 hours. My three passengers are sulking because I missed the left turn into Morrisions where they were hoping to get a cooked breakfast. If I'd been giving more than 3 millimetres/half a nano second notice I might have made the turn. Dave reluctantly admits that there is a cabin at the car park where we might get a bacon sandwhich.
....... 0830 hours. We arrive at the reservoir car park. There is a cafe/snack bar! It is closed. Bugger. We all dib int our packed lunches early as none of us have had breakfast.
........ 0835 hours Best foot forward. The reservoir looks stunning as we set off. The water is flat as a pancake and reflecting the trees beautifully, a shining natural mirror which the photgraphs just don't do justice to.
Monday, 8 September 2008
Promotion!!!!
At last we have a promotion in the family - sadly it is not me making Sergeant but my daughter Emma being promoted to "sixer" at Brownies. Still, it's a step in the right direction suppose.
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