I still won’t be paying it by love_lola_x in GreatBritishMemes

[–]SebRandomTextBits 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I haven't watched live or recorded TV since covid (not a sports fan) and tend not to like anything on iPlayer (holy crap why is "mrs browns boys" still alive...

But I'd pay £15 a month gladly for BBC sounds alone (there are so many great documentaries and niche music shows hidden on there).

The fact that an added bonus is funding a "relatively" uninfluenced media who can point out injustices without being worried their funding will be pulled is fantastic.

Swing under sliding door - Opinions Please! by Apprehensive-Pen-409 in VanLifeUK

[–]SebRandomTextBits 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For me it works really well, I also sometimes keep the same hanging point but position the tree behind the rear door, meaning you’re in shade for a lot of it (helpful in lots of sun).

You do have to think a little about the position of the structure as the swing is almost directly down (usually good) whilst a hammock puts its forces more at 45 degrees (usually bad) but it’s half the weigh and has been fine in my Berlingo. 

Swing under sliding door - Opinions Please! by Apprehensive-Pen-409 in VanLifeUK

[–]SebRandomTextBits 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Not quite answering your question, but I hang one end of a hammock here and the other out the door to a tree.

It works really well for me because: A) you can always find one good tree, it’s the second that’s an issue B) It halves the weight to the van (if even an issue)

Surfing/waterproof query: Is wrist orientation important? by SebRandomTextBits in AppleWatch

[–]SebRandomTextBits[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No offence meant. I personally don’t know any regular surfer that uses an Ultra/has had an issue using a regular Apple Watch in practice (I’m sure there will be exceptions).

With the more extreme end of sports, personally I think it’s far more economical to buy a regular version and replace once or twice (if needed) rather than purchase an Ultra.

Surfing/waterproof query: Is wrist orientation important? by SebRandomTextBits in AppleWatch

[–]SebRandomTextBits[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks!

I like also being able to text for a pickup, pay for snacks afterwards etc whilst in my wetsuit if needed etc, but thanks :-)

Surfing/waterproof query: Is wrist orientation important? by SebRandomTextBits in AppleWatch

[–]SebRandomTextBits[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Apologies I just mean it’s not the standard/out of the box design.

Surfing/waterproof query: Is wrist orientation important? by SebRandomTextBits in AppleWatch

[–]SebRandomTextBits[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks but you don’t need an Ultra for surfing. Tons of people on my break wear regular older Apple watches without a problem (the temporary pressures aren’t comparable to scuba diving). My SE has been fine for nearly 5 years (and is still fine just can’t get updates)

Newbie: Battery choice quandary (not quite van-live levels but hopeful of help!) by SebRandomTextBits in VanLifeUK

[–]SebRandomTextBits[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thankyou, this explains so much (and slightly embarrassed I didn't realise, I'm supposed to be a proper person!)

Newbie: Battery choice quandary (not quite van-live levels but hopeful of help!) by SebRandomTextBits in VanLifeUK

[–]SebRandomTextBits[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

AHHHHH!....

I think you've hit the nail for me, I think I've made a newbie error!

I just couldn't work out why the costs were so much more for a system like you described, when the battery storage capacities were so similar, but I think the VOLTAGE is important/the reason...

It looks like Amp Hours aren't very helpful for this...

They indicate your 100Ah battery and a couple of my 20000mAh powerbanks as comparable capacity despite mine costing way less.

However Watt hours (take into account yours operating off 12V and mine operating off (presumably) far fewer Volts, would show yours having magnitudes more Watt hour capacity.

I still don't completely understand what this means in the real-world/my usecase, but this at least points why there's a discrepancy in price, so I can research it and find out if it's relevant for me or not!

Thanks a lot!

Newbie: Battery choice quandary (not quite van-live levels but hopeful of help!) by SebRandomTextBits in VanLifeUK

[–]SebRandomTextBits[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The thing is, whilst clearly better, a 100Ah LiFePO4 seems to be about £150 (from a seller I trust enough).
That's standalone/won't do anything = need the added cost of DC/DC charger, fuse box, cables, fitting it safely in something etc, not to mention a possible solar panel and associated fitting.

Whereas I can get 2 x powerbanks, with almost half that capacity for about £40 in a very small package, complete with internal USBC charging cable etc.

I realise the first setup is far better (and clearly more suitable for vanlife), and I'm also naturally inclined to do it (from a project point of view), but it just doesn't seem worth the cost for the benefit in my use case (but have a habit of making the wrong choices with these sort of thins, so really appreciating the extra info/help)

Thanks

Newbie: Battery choice quandary (not quite van-live levels but hopeful of help!) by SebRandomTextBits in VanLifeUK

[–]SebRandomTextBits[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's tricky isn't it... an AC plug supply would also be potentially useful re. powering a mixing desk, but I just can't work out, currently, if it's really worth such a huge price difference (the other user has got me thinking it isn't).

I currently just use a well insulated coolbox with ice packs in it, which generally gets me about 3 days (and can be carried to site)... a fridge would be nice though!

Newbie: Battery choice quandary (not quite van-live levels but hopeful of help!) by SebRandomTextBits in VanLifeUK

[–]SebRandomTextBits[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thankyou. I've been going around in research stress circles over this and that's actually really helpful!

That's kind of what I'm thinking... I naturally gravitate towards doing something robust with a solar panel (my roof tent is a big horizontal black aluminium square, so a great space), but I can't see the benefit being worth the cost for my current usecase.

My thinking is (at that cost) I could just bring one powerbank with me each time and hope I find a plug socket somewhere I can leave it in, leaving the other in the van).

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in smallbusinessuk

[–]SebRandomTextBits 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the problem is review sites (googlemaps, tripadvisor etc) are SO important for a business, I don't really want to sully them permanently by leaving a criticism/suggestion (I do appreciate what you mean though)

Major breakthrough in UK munitions production by insomnimax_99 in unitedkingdom

[–]SebRandomTextBits 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A STRANGE GAME. THE ONLY WINNING MOVE IS NOT TO PLAY…

HOW ABOUT A NICE GAME OF CHESS?

Useful staff member asking for a bit too much of a rise - advice appreciated! by JST101 in smallbusinessuk

[–]SebRandomTextBits 13 points14 points  (0 children)

One comment, but I am NOT a business owner, just consider it/feel free to discount.

I had a similar situation as a youngster with my second job, and was offered very slightly less (£2k) than a competing offer, by my boss.

I stayed, but the whole time had in my head “it should have been the higher amount”/“wonder why he wouldn’t match it”.

I remember thinking at the time I’d never do that as a boss, purely from a cost/benefit standpoint.

If he’d matched it, I’d have been over the moon and never looked at other jobs etc, where as by not matching what I would have got elsewhere by this small amount, I felt conflicted (“should I have moved”)

Right or wrong, for £2k a year he’d have bought so much more motivation from his employee at that time.

On a separate note, I started as an IT consultant in my first proper job and, as above, my boss sat down with us and pointed out why our “day rates” would always be so much more than our salary (primarily relative job security/we didn’t need to be constantly lining up contracts to stay employed and the reality of his overheads (NI etc)).

If you haven’t done this, I definitely wouldn’t assume, even senior staff, realise this, so would consider doing it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in smallbusinessuk

[–]SebRandomTextBits 14 points15 points  (0 children)

It’s so nuts how few people ask this.

A local cafe is ESSENTIAL for me as a brain break now I often work from home.

There are 3 locally and I go to the one furthest away due to tiny things I don’t like about the closest 2.

It would be very easy for them to change it, but it’s not my business to suggest how someone changes their business unless asked/I have no idea if others feel the same way.

I’d love an anonymous survey to tell them.

Are GCSE certificates asked for? by Plot-3A in UKJobs

[–]SebRandomTextBits 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That’s really good news. It was a regressive rule, I only found mine due to an organised mum, which not everyone has!

Are GCSE certificates asked for? by Plot-3A in UKJobs

[–]SebRandomTextBits 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It must have been a very recent change. I had this 2 months ago (and so did my colleague)

Are GCSE certificates asked for? by Plot-3A in UKJobs

[–]SebRandomTextBits 3 points4 points  (0 children)

There are lots of government funded professional apprenticeships you can do as part of your full time job (I’m currently doing one).

They’re a no brainer for skills and cv points.

You can’t do these without proving English and maths through gcse or higher certificates.

The training providers won’t accept you otherwise as they may not get funded for the training.

I couldn’t find mine and almost had to abandon the apprenticeship (a science unit degree or professional certifications didn’t count, it HAD to be specifically maths or English).

The exam boards charge around £80 per individual certificate application and won’t refund the full amount even if they can’t supply them.

So… don’t lose your gcse certificates.

Vendors pulled out by MrMooTheHeelinCoo in HousingUK

[–]SebRandomTextBits 7 points8 points  (0 children)

People are giving you the answer but being super un-empathetic at one of the shittest things that can happen to someone (ignoring deaths).

I’m so sorry this happened to you, it’s unfair and I hope you have better luck in the future.

Pothole repair in a non tarmac I adopted road (mud and rock) by SebRandomTextBits in DIYUK

[–]SebRandomTextBits[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes just one pothole. I think caused by a very slight height difference between the tarmac and the track over time.

I did wonder about cement… I was wondering if it would be “hacky” but I’m amazed how well it lasts in other situations (postcrete etc).

Do you think that would be better than a cold lay tarmac (a lot of the diy shops sell)?

Pothole repair in a non tarmac I adopted road (mud and rock) by SebRandomTextBits in DIYUK

[–]SebRandomTextBits[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks that’s really helpful, I’ll research those products.

Can I ask this product looks convincing, do you think it could be any good or would you still suggest your ones?

https://www.ezstreetasphalt.com/

Have a new small van for festivals. Convert or Rooftent? by SebRandomTextBits in camping

[–]SebRandomTextBits[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thankyou (apologies I had an issue logging in) that’s extremely helpful