The totally off-topic thread

[JessicaTam]

The second battery is for the two fridges. That way the main battery is kept for running the vehicle.

I am currently assessing how well a peppermint Magnum survives for the next 24 hours. The freezer is running at -10c.

For those watching at home, I am think of how to phrase the results of the Magnum challenge of 2017 ...

"Nom nom nom."

 

[love_the_life]

Pretty labels too.

Forget the labels - it's what's inside that matters

 

[love_the_life]

I pulled out our 4mm cable (from car battery to horse float) some time ago, and replaced with a 2/0 cables (essentially a battery cable) from car battery to a "truck" 350A Anderson Plug at the rear bumper bar. Then 2/0 cables from trailer anderson plug to horse float battery 12V cable. Ever since doing that the double N70 batteries are properly charged. 2/0 cables with soldered crimped lugs supplied by Whitworths Marine.

I could have done it with a 4mm cable to an inverter supplying 240V battery charger but did not want to buy more electronics.

I monitor the Horse float battery voltage and also the Float electric brake breakaway battery backup with a hummingbird wireless battery monitor.

I should say that that 4mm cable is from the second battery to the outlets, a 30cm run. The cable from the main battery to the dual battery controller in the tray is 6mm.

I removed the dual battery controller as well. Landcruiser diesel has dual battery in parallel. Dual battery powering Fridge in horse float is always disconnected from car at the Anderson plug when parked. All 4 batteries in parallel only when car engine running. So no need for dual battery controller - it was more hassle when we had it.
The benefit of the big 2/0 cables is the faster movement of current equalising the charge and voltage across the 4 batteries. The car alternator then sees one battery a low voltage state resulting in a higher charging voltage for longer

My dual battery controller (I believe) prerentially charges the car battery at the expense of the other battery. While the second battery is being charged it will frequently revert to topping up the main battery. Consequently more charging time is spent with the charged main battery than a depleted second battery. Total charging current delivered is therefore less than if the car alternator only “sees” one depleted battery. YMMV

I reckon a simple switch isolating the fridge battery from the car battery when the engine is off does a better job than a dual battery controller. But something else to remember I guess

What secret language is this??????
Doesn't sound like English.

 

[Milboo]

I'm always intrigued by the Border Security show on TV and especially the massive concealment of food products by pax, especially coming from Asia.

It seems like fines are not really a deterrent.

Surely deliberate large concealments (especially of things like birds nests etc) should result in a visa cancellation and you get sent home? Perhaps that might deter people from the blatant dishonesty!

 

[Quickstatus]

What secret language is this??????
Doesn't sound like English.

Plain and simple

 

[TheRealTMA]

What secret language is this??????
Doesn't sound like English.

It sounds like the mating call of the rogue 4WD set to me? But I have no personal experience and am not anxious to have any. I prefer toilets to buckets. But, hey! Each to their own.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I'm always intrigued by the Border Security show on TV and especially the massive concealment of food products by pax, especially coming from Asia.

It seems like fines are not really a deterrent.

Surely deliberate large concealments (especially of things like birds nests etc) should result in a visa cancellation and you get sent home? Perhaps that might deter people from the blatant dishonesty!

Was amused in Toledo, Spain recently when the person who checked us in was in ‘awe’ of Australia because he regularly watched Australian Border Security program on local TV!

 

[drron]

I'm always intrigued by the Border Security show on TV and especially the massive concealment of food products by pax, especially coming from Asia.

It seems like fines are not really a deterrent.

Surely deliberate large concealments (especially of things like birds nests etc) should result in a visa cancellation and you get sent home? Perhaps that might deter people from the blatant dishonesty!

Or make it a fine that would make it hurt.Over a certain amount of food a $1000+.Second offence double that.

 

[Quickstatus]

It sounds like the mating call of the rogue 4WD set to me? But I have no personal experience and am not anxious to have any. I prefer toilets to buckets. But, hey! Each to their own.

Proper toilet? but of course:
Thetford, Porta Potti, Portable toilets, cooking appliances - Thetford, Porta Potti, Portable toilets, cooking appliances

 

[JessicaTam]

Proper toilet? but of course:
Thetford, Porta Potti, Portable toilets, cooking appliances - Thetford, Porta Potti, Portable toilets, cooking appliances

Pfft! A shovel will do just fine, thanks.

 

[Quickstatus]

Or make it a fine that would make it hurt.Over a certain amount of food a $1000+.Second offence double that.

Rather than fines why not cancel the visa.
Breaking the law attempting to enter = can’t come in. Very simple.

 

[drron]

Rather than fines why not cancel the visa.
Breaking the law attempting to enter = can’t come in. Very simple.

Because a lot of them are actually Australian coming back from visiting their original homeland.

 

[Pushka]

Crazy Adelaide weather. Thunder and hail storm 2 hours ago and just found this outside.




And 2 months ago a tree fell on son’s partners car (I posted on this on AFF wondering liability - it was covered by Insurance so they battled with house owners but she’s only just got it back). I think it’s fine. They are in Mel so not here to panic.

 

[Pushka]

And we wondered why there were drops of water falling underneath our verandah.
Almost 3 hours later and we still have this!


Looking around it’s like we have our own little winter wonderland. No other roof has this. Kind of ironic for those who know me.

 

[Denali]

Anyone else decorating for Halloween?

I only do it for 2 reasons. 1 so kids have a house they can go to and know they wont get knocked back or told off for participating in a US custom and 2, I support the concept of free chocolate.

I use to be bah humbug about it but then I saw kids in our street getting knocked back so now we decorate the front so they know we have goodies. This year we've even got skeletons coming out from the ground and tombstones and the usual lanterns and ghosts at the front. Nothing too scary as I dont enjoy that.

 

[TomVexille]

Anyone else decorating for Halloween?

I only do it for 2 reasons. 1 so kids have a house they can go to and know they wont get knocked back or told off for participating in a US custom and 2, I support the concept of free chocolate.

I use to be bah humbug about it but then I saw kids in our street getting knocked back so now we decorate the front so they know we have goodies. This year we've even got skeletons coming out from the ground and tombstones and the usual lanterns and ghosts at the front. Nothing too scary as I dont enjoy that.

View attachment 109326

My neighbor used to dress himself up as a scarecrow or zombie or similar every year and sit still on the front step with a tray of chocolates, waiting until unsuspecting kids were reaching for an extra one to jump up

 

[Pushka]

Well I just made my first ever snowman. Ice still heaped up from 3 hours ago. I clearly need practice. And the ice is so freakin cold!

 

[Denali]

My neighbor used to dress himself up as a scarecrow or zombie or similar every year and sit still on the front step with a tray of chocolates, waiting until unsuspecting kids were reaching for an extra one to jump up

Well, I dont want hubby to be the creepy guy in the street but he does enjoy handing out the chocs but he doesnt dress up.

Last year I saw a kid walk down our driveway and I said, "No chocs for him, hes not even dressed up!"

By the time I got to the door he put a horror mask and scared me at the front door so I told hubby to give him extra chocolates.

 

[love_the_life]

Well I just made my first ever snowman. Ice still heaped up from 3 hours ago. I clearly need practice. And the ice is so freakin cold!

Photo?

 

[Flashback]

We visited Vianden castle yesterday and it was extremely decorated for Halloween - kind of cool and added a nice touch to the visit.