What Preps are you doing this week? Part 12

[Kiwififer]

I have a lot of stuff that is rechargeable like radios etc and I do have torches but what I don’t have is a wind up torch.

Has anyone got a recommendation for one?

[jennyjj01]

I have a lot of stuff that is rechargeable like radios etc and I do have torches but what I don’t have is a wind up torch.

Has anyone got a recommendation for one?

The topic of wind up radios and torches was covered in this thread... https://www.uk-preppers.co.uk/forum/vie ... 49#p238149

Consensus was that they simply aren't worth the effort compared to adding, say, an additional solar charger and bundle of rechargeable batteries, or even candles and candle making supplies.

[Yorkshire Andy]

I have a lot of stuff that is rechargeable like radios etc and I do have torches but what I don’t have is a wind up torch.

Has anyone got a recommendation for one?

Pick the bones out of this

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessori ... group-test

[Frnc]

I have a lot of stuff that is rechargeable like radios etc and I do have torches but what I don’t have is a wind up torch.

Has anyone got a recommendation for one?

The topic of wind up radios and torches was covered in this thread... https://www.uk-preppers.co.uk/forum/vie ... 49#p238149

Consensus was that they simply aren't worth the effort compared to adding, say, an additional solar charger and bundle of rechargeable batteries, or even candles and candle making supplies.

I have a wind up solar torch/radio. I've no idea how it would perform once the battery ran out. I have spare batteries. Annoyingly, they are a bit longer than the originals, and bent the terminals. Something to watch with 18650s. Now my strimmer battery also powers my power drill and vacuum. That's what I call versatile!

Had a conversation about a science topic just now with Chat GPT, that was interesting! It's like "you're right to bring that up" and types a load more. Apparently they can read a research paper in seconds. Like Google, but it can actually think.

[Yorkshire Andy]

I have a lot of stuff that is rechargeable like radios etc and I do have torches but what I don’t have is a wind up torch.

Has anyone got a recommendation for one?

The topic of wind up radios and torches was covered in this thread... https://www.uk-preppers.co.uk/forum/vie ... 49#p238149

Consensus was that they simply aren't worth the effort compared to adding, say, an additional solar charger and bundle of rechargeable batteries, or even candles and candle making supplies.

I have a wind up solar torch/radio. I've no idea how it would perform once the battery ran out. I have spare batteries. Annoyingly, they are a bit longer than the originals, and bent the terminals. Something to watch with 18650s. Now my strimmer battery also powers my power drill and vacuum. That's what I call versatile!

Had a conversation about a science topic just now with Chat GPT, that was interesting! It's like "you're right to bring that up" and types a load more. Apparently they can read a research paper in seconds. Like Google, but it can actually think.

Main difference with 18650 cells is the basic cheap unprotected cell vs the protected cells being a smidge longer due to the protection pcb at one end

[Frnc]

The topic of wind up radios and torches was covered in this thread... https://www.uk-preppers.co.uk/forum/vie ... 49#p238149

Consensus was that they simply aren't worth the effort compared to adding, say, an additional solar charger and bundle of rechargeable batteries, or even candles and candle making supplies.

I have a wind up solar torch/radio. I've no idea how it would perform once the battery ran out. I have spare batteries. Annoyingly, they are a bit longer than the originals, and bent the terminals. Something to watch with 18650s. Now my strimmer battery also powers my power drill and vacuum. That's what I call versatile!

Had a conversation about a science topic just now with Chat GPT, that was interesting! It's like "you're right to bring that up" and types a load more. Apparently they can read a research paper in seconds. Like Google, but it can actually think.

Main difference with 18650 cells is the basic cheap unprotected cell vs the protected cells being a smidge longer due to the protection pcb at one end

I didn't know it made a difference to the length. I think there is some variation even within the two types. Some websites give the length. I couldn't be bothered sending them back. I sent them an email but got no reply. They are ok as spares. Batteries obviously have a shelf life, so I'll get some others eventually. I can probably use them in my hand torch anyway. It can use either one of them, or three AAAs. To enable the removal of batteries, I put a piece of ribbon under the bottom one. I had to do that in my head torch as well.

[Frnc]

50mph wind gusts forcast for tomorrow in South Manchester. Typical of this warm weather.

Flippin water rates are shooting up. Mines going from about £31 a month to £39.50. And they quote a typical bill as being £62.50. Based on 'ratable value' apparently.

[GillyBee]

Had a conversation about a science topic just now with Chat GPT, that was interesting! It's like "you're right to bring that up" and types a load more. Apparently they can read a research paper in seconds. Like Google, but it can actually think.

Careful before you believe everything ChatGPT says. It has been known to make up its own references for research papers and can be prone to present popular conspiracy theories as truth.
https://oxford-review.com/chatgpt-making-up-references/

Meanwhile, Deepseek, the new Chinese one has clearly been trained using the official China party line so comes out with historical & political statements that seem quite odd to us Westerners.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/ ... and-taiwan

[Sarini]

Had a conversation about a science topic just now with Chat GPT, that was interesting! It's like "you're right to bring that up" and types a load more. Apparently they can read a research paper in seconds. Like Google, but it can actually think.

I used chat gpt to get a synopsis on the book 'The Fourth Turning'. If the book hasn't already been discussed here and you pay attention to politics, particularly whats going on now, I'd recommend it.

I asked chatgpt if the theory in the book was a bit northern hemisphere biased. "That is a great question' was the response, apparently it's easy to flatter my ego

[Frnc]

Had a conversation about a science topic just now with Chat GPT, that was interesting! It's like "you're right to bring that up" and types a load more. Apparently they can read a research paper in seconds. Like Google, but it can actually think.

Careful before you believe everything ChatGPT says. It has been known to make up its own references for research papers and can be prone to present popular conspiracy theories as truth.
https://oxford-review.com/chatgpt-making-up-references/

Meanwhile, Deepseek, the new Chinese one has clearly been trained using the official China party line so comes out with historical & political statements that seem quite odd to us Westerners.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/ ... and-taiwan

Interesting. I did a quick search, and found someone interrogating Chat GPT about why it creates fake references. It admits it does, but says it is not deliberate. It's a serious error, so it makes me wonder how reliable it is about other stuff. Obviously if you do use it, you need to do so in conjunction with a search engine, and go to papers in reputable journals. Or even do a preliminary check with wiki, which links to lots of papers. It's not bad for basic science.