Dai Fledermaus

I should have added that in hindsight, the signs of a possible battery failure were there. The stop start system had developed a mind of its own in that sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. Winter driving with the lights and wipers and heated rear screen probably finished it off. Also, I've learned that in the case of a new AGM battery where re coding is necessary, the car's ECU doesn't actually do anything with that new information other than to reset the battery's charging profile. It doesn't cross reference that information with anything for example. You could just change a few digits of the existing code to effect the reset.

I thought the issue with the battery in my 2017 Skoda Fabia might be of interest. One evening, a few weeks ago, the alarm in the car suddenly went off as it was parked on our drive. I tried cancelling it with the remote, but it continued for five minutes or so, then stopped, at which point the car went dead. Nothing worked. No central locking. No engine management lights. The following day, however, I found that the battery voltage had dropped so low that my smart charger wouldn't kick in as a temporary fix and neither I or a neighbour had jump leads. Obviously, I needed a new battery. Manufacturers recommend you change them every five years or so. Mine was clearly living on borrowed time. So, having shopped around online, I found Halfords and EuroCarParts had the Exide 027 battery I needed for around £145, with Halfords wanting £27 to fit it. But then I found a battery specialist in North Wales called Taymar who were selling it for £89.99 including next day delivery. I was initially suspicious about the price difference, but I went ahead and ordered it anyway. I have to say their service, packaging and communication was excellent. In less than ten minutesI had fitted the new battery and I was back in business. Now, here's the bit that caused me some head scratching, my car has stop start capability and there seems to be some misinformation on line about battery coding when it comes to cars with this feature. I don't pretend to fully understand it but some cars with stop start, need to be told that a new battery has been fitted via a code and an OBD-II reader. However, as I subsequently found out, this only applies to cars with an AGM ( absorbent glass mat) type battery, not as in my case, an EFB battery. In fact EFB batteries don't have a code on them because it's not needed. You live and learn.

It's very confusing Tim. The blurb on the Hobbywing website clearly says the program box supports the Skywalker V2 series. https://www.hobbywing.com/en/products/led-program-box_general82.html And the the Program box is show as an accessory on page for the aircraft range of Skywalker ESC's. https://www.hobbywing.com/en/products/skywalker-v2-series274.html I messaged Hobbywing in China two days ago, but I've had no responce as yet. I can of course programme the ESC using my transmitter, but as I've got the program card, I may as well work out how to use it.

I've recently bought a Hobbywing Program Card and a Hobbywing Skywalker 40amp V2- ubec ESC. The program card comes with various labels to relabel it depending on the ESC brand and the application ie car, boat or aircraft. My problem is that the Skywalker ESC isn't covered on the program card instruction manual, although, clearly, both are made by the same company. I can only assume that the Skywalker range is new and the instructions for the card haven't been updated. The two yellow and black labels, supplied, are marked Table 1 for flyfun V5 and Table 2 for Platinum V1/V2 appear to be the only ones suitable for a model aircraft ESC Anyone know which label do I use?

Lidl has these little dovetail pull saws/ Japanese saw, in stock from March 3, with 2 blades 17 tpi and 22 TPI. £7.99. I can't recommend them enough. Absolutely brilliant for model making and larger jobs. I've had one for several years now and it's still very sharp. They don't seem to stock them very often, so I'm going to buy another.

I can't recommend this book enough. The story of how Rolls met Royce and the car and aircraft engines the company produced leading up to the Merlin. Full of facts and interesting anecdotes. £4.99 for the Amazon Kindle edition. https://books.telegraph.co.uk/Product/Graham-Hoyland/Merlin--The-Power-Behind-the-Spitfire-Mosquito-and-Lancas/24834013

I agree, Jiffy is an absolute pain. His 'what they should be doing' style of commentry is very irritating. Nigel Owens insightful comments were useful though.

Good to see Ireland win the Grand Slam this evening. 😊

I know you do it just for fun Matt, but I'm sure forum members would be interested to see one or two of your videos. Colin.

I've only just noticed your post Murph. Sorry no one has got back to you. I can't explain it. Maybe there's a glitch with email. In the short term, You are more than welcome to turn up at the field. It's weather dependent of course, but there'll be someone there most Sundays and Wednesdays and more often as the weather improves. The gate at the bottom of the track, leading up to the field might look closed, but if it's unlocked, there'll be someone there. Please close the gate behind you. I notice Stubbsy has just responded to you, so we'll find out why no one got back to you.

I'm just about halfway through reading this book, but I can't recommend it enough. A kindle edition is available on Amazon for 99p https://beesemporium.co.uk/products/hurricane-the-plane-that-saved-britain-by-adrian-stewart-paperback

A recent article from The BMFA News about the Club https://bmfa.org/bmfa-news?fbclid=IwAR3HrpWwWS7L9a3-x9fp9UKYltIUWVglqLxEqRpCop5X320-_st7JYZ7TIg#178-august-2023/44/

If you're ever down this way Griff, you'd be welcome. My wife is a Bangor girl, so she could translate. 😊 Hwyl fawr

A Day Out Out At Valley Flyers courtesy of club member Matt Stubbs

We are a small friendly BMFA affiliated club, situated a few miles north of Pontypridd, near the villages of Nelson and Treharris, within easy access from the A470 We fly IC and electric, fixed wing and rotary wing model aircraft from a private and regularly mown field which allows ROG take offs. Surrounded by farmland it's available seven days a week. There is vehicle access and plenty of adjacent parking. We are currently seeking to increase the number of active flyers in the club and would welcome new members of any experience level as well as those new to the hobby. We have members available to assist new flyers. For more information please contact Email: [email protected]