The dark nights / Winters coming

[pseudonym]

Its that time of year again, Battery/alternator playing up in the cold. Charger out and ready for use, trying to eek one more year out of the car (only 18 years old )with minimal spend.

I'm not holding my breath.

[Yorkshire Andy]

Its that time of year again, Battery/alternator playing up in the cold. Charger out and ready for use, trying to eek one more year out of the car (only 18 years old )with minimal spend.

I'm not holding my breath.

Was saying to my dad tonight my alternator is starting to make a funny noise... still mines a nice easy replacement when needed and working at a garage I can get a new one easy enough

[Peter]

Things like alternators have an unfortunate habit of packing up at the most unfortunate time.

Think about you and Mrs. A going out for nice meal, best bib and tucker, it’s dark, cold and it starts
to chuck it down, it’s coming down like stair rods........

So you try to ring your dad....battery flat....sod it.... took power bank in the house to recharge it.

Change the bu99er now and fit a new drive belt at your convenience in a nice warm dry workshop.

[Yorkshire Andy]

Things like alternators have an unfortunate habit of packing up at the most unfortunate time.

Think about you and Mrs. A going out for nice meal, best bib and tucker, it’s dark, cold and it starts
to chuck it down, it’s coming down like stair rods........

So you try to ring your dad....battery flat....sod it.... took power bank in the house to recharge it.

Change the bu99er now and fit a new drive belt at your convenience in a nice warm dry workshop.

Fortunately we have 2 cars and I bike to work... Not using the car much at the moment it's on the radar ... Not using the car much is more than likely the issue so first job tomorrow is stick the car on charge battery is only 6 months old I'll go to work in it one day next week and test that first once it's had a charge .. It's a smart alternator so grafting due to the cars lack of use might stick a data logger on the battery and see what's going on ( the battery is producing charge I've a digital gauge on the dash)

[Peter]

But what if you’re on your way back from that nice meal and fancy a romantic evening ?.

Best put your bike on the roof, I bet Mrs. A will call a taxi.........mine would

[Yorkshire Andy]

But what if you’re on your way back from that nice meal and fancy a romantic evening ?.

Best put your bike on the roof, I bet Mrs. A will call a taxi.........mine would

I could try and keep her warm in the car

Cars a euro 6 with a smart alternator with a over run pulley set up now a pulley alone is circa £30 plus the tool set to fit it which is an odd ball £25 ... That's half way to cost of a new alternator and you've got to remove the alternator to do It .. modern cars eh

[Yorkshire Andy]

Well some forecasting models are hinting at snow next week

So what have we done to get ready??

I've 20kg sack of rock salt ready for the path plus a snow scoop....


Chickens have 40kg of layers plus 20kg mixed grain


Cats well the old one still wants to stay outside she has a hot water bottle tonight in her box in the shed... And is currently laid on it looking out the cat flap


Outside tap is insulated with a pre cut set of foam wrap for now if it gets very cold I'll turn the cock off and drain It......

Fitted winter tyres to the wife's car.. mines on all seasons / A/T so that's good to go... Fitted winter bike tyres to my commuter bike .....

Cars are all fully winterised decent screenwash batteries healthy ISH and antifreeze tested ...

Heating has been run up a few times now and does it's thing ....

Thermals dug out and used at work this week...

Little man experienced a decent down jacket today 10 year old in 13 year old cloths

[Frnc]

Well I won't be riding my bike in snow, that's for sure.

I do have some waterproof boots and crampons by the door. Not much else I need to do. I have a lung scan appointment coming up, but will get a taxi or bus, probably taxi if the weather's bad.

[GeraldTheBonzai]

Got caught out yesterday. Was a beautiful crisp sunny day so went out for lunch. Had a few layers on including a good fleece and was so sunny and warm in the sun was even able to sit outside the pub in a little sun trap. Marvellous.

On the way back we stopped off in one of the villages for a walk. Again all fine. Then the sun dropped behind the buildings and the wind came up... Went from nice and toasty to freezing my nuts off in a matter of minutes. And the coats in the car, 20 minute walk away...

[Yorkshire Andy]

Got caught out yesterday. Was a beautiful crisp sunny day so went out for lunch. Had a few layers on including a good fleece and was so sunny and warm in the sun was even able to sit outside the pub in a little sun trap. Marvellous.

On the way back we stopped off in one of the villages for a walk. Again all fine. Then the sun dropped behind the buildings and the wind came up... Went from nice and toasty to freezing my nuts off in a matter of minutes. And the coats in the car, 20 minute walk away...

It's easy to get caught out I need to put my down pack away jacket in my day sack to supplement my regatta breathable pack away rain coat