I have just purchased a PIR triggered outside light that also has the option to automatically switch on after dusk to provide a constant level of background light. When a heat source comes in to range, it the switches to full brightness, returning to the dimmer background mode afterwards. An excellent design, with the PIR sensor well integrated (no unsightly white blob), and easily adjustable both for range and sensitivity.

I have fitted it with a 60 watt clear domestic light bulb, and set the dimmed background mode to what (from the installation spec sheet) is about 10 watt. Not a lot, but perfect to give a welcoming glow to the front door, especially with the clear bulb clearly visible.

Question: Will a conventional domestic bulb, with air not halogen surrounding the filament, suffer a shortened life span as a result of prolonged derated usage?

The obvious answer is 'no', but I recall a former colleague complaining that the instrument panel lamps on his car were forever failing (motoring link!), and an auto electrician explaining that it was because he had them dimmed so much that the filaments failed prematurely.

TVM.


BTW - I laughed when I read the recent post about ES becoming derigeur as a mounting standard. "Rubbish", thought I... Until I went looking for the outside light a couple of days ago. With many lights in the house now replaced with high efficiency bulbs, or converted to halogen, I have a box full of 60w and 100w bayonet bulbs in the garage. No chance of using them though: Every single lamp I looked at used the ES bulb mount! Read more

Broke the habit of many years this week and bought a Motorcycle News, as I am thinking of changing bikes and want to see what's on offer at the mo. They have apparantly been reporting that HMG want to scrap the Direct Access test for bikes and have every new rider restricted to 33bhp for a year after passing their test. I have some sympathy with this myself but I haven't seen anything about it anywhere else, including a quick peruse of the DSA website.

Does anyone know any more details or is it just MCN, who have the journalistic integrity of The Sunday Sport being their usaul paranoid self? Read more

I have driven a wide range of cars ? both company and privately owned ? including 2 BMW 3 series, Mercedes260, Jaguar XJ6, Audi A4 110TDI, Ford Fiesta, Peugeot 106, various Fords/Rovers and Toyotas. So trying to find a nice diesel Xantia free from the usual ills proved an interesting experience this week (November 2004)

Finally I found a 1998 Xantia LX with airconditioning in silver with 31,000 miles on the clock. On an S plate. (the facelift model). First owner was Citroen UK and in 2000 it was sold to an owner who did 20,000 miles, had it serviced twice and hardly used it. The stamps verified the mileage.

Paintwork was the usual Citroen late 1990s shade- dull and uninspiring. Apart from a scratch over the passenger side rear wheel arch (very common ? presumably reversing) and minor scuffs on either end of the front bumper (turning to park- again very common) the paint was perfect. No external rust, all external bightwork was OK and all lights were uncracked, bright and unfaded. No cracks to screen, all electrics worked and it started first time ( a recent new Halfords battery helped). Both plip keys were in perfect order and worked 100%.

The engine bay had not been cleaned but it was dusty with no oil stains, new filters and showed signs of good maintenance ? backed by the stamps in the book. There were 2 new front spheres. The radiator was not corroded and heated up evenly down its length as the engine warmed up. The cambelt looked as new .

The suspension rose and fell with no squeaks or groans, the fluid was green with no apparent leaks apart from spills under one wheel arch after changing the spheres. The airconditioning pumped out hot or cold air as required.

I drove it. The engine was fine: no black smoke and smooth, no obviously nasty noises, no turbo whistles. The ride was smooth and took all bumps very well. It rode well and cornered well The engine tended to idle at 1,500 rpm and then fall off slowly (after 30 secs) to 1,000rpm ? signs of a sticking electronic control. It had been on a garage forecourt for weeks so maybe lack of use. The clutch worked perfectly but the clutch mechanism felt stiff. ? maybe lack of use.

As usual the steering felt very detached but the barkes were perfect ? no odd noises, powerful and straight line braking. It rode and cornered smoothly.

At £2,699 from a garage with a year?s MOT I was impressed but decided not to buy it. It was nearly perfect BUT the clutch worried me , the 4 Michelin tyres looked original and had about 4mm of tread left ? but at 6 years old were past their sellby date and would have to be replaced. And that silver colour was so dull. The wheels were steel with very good trims ? no alloys ? there was no sunroof and a radio cassette and no CD player. And the price was about £500 over mileage adjusted top book.

Compared to an Audi A4TDI it was- Slower- less power, had a much smoother engine, a much better ride and felt less like driving a bus. The Audi won hands down on interior fittings ? but the Audi (and SE) cost nearly 60% more?

Compared to an E36 BMW 318 the interior was unimpressive, the handling had no feel but it was much smoother to drive.


With minimal work it would do another 150,000 miles with no trouble and would be a good buy but frankly it was overpriced and under specced. Since it had been for sale for 3 weeks, others obviously thought the same..



madf


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Wasn't going to mention this, but my mum has been given a red Polo to drive while her Range Poser is repaired. (Engine exploded - long story).

She told me about it and I mentioned that I knew of someone who drove a Polo into nearly every lorry she came across. A shocked expression came across my mum's face as she said that she had noticed that lorries seemed to aim for the Polo too.

More than coincidence, methinks... ;) Read more

Hi

If you are blocked in partially, ie, not able to turn out the way you want to go or makes it very difficult for you to get out - can the police help.

If you drive is partially /fully blocked on wanting to get back in - what is the law?


Thanks in advance

LD Read more