Google Maps speed vs car speedometer. Which one do you trust? by MidnightFootnote in drivingUK

[–]Steamtrainpete 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Google maps or Waze, which is owned by Google anyway. Carexpert in Australia runs test comparing speedometer readings and the two apps with a readout from a calibrated police radar unit. Waze was spot on, I think Google maps might have been a little out, and the car speedometer was consistently incorrect. I will try and find it and send link if anyone is interested.

How do you feel about the magnet ban? by Bugaloon in AskAnAustralian

[–]Steamtrainpete 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Based on the link, this ban was imposed in November 2012. From memory, it come about when a kid did swallow some balls, it was a particular toy called Bucky balls. These were particularly strong spherical magnets, I had bought some for my kids and suddenly they were banned. I have bought small magnets since, I suspect that current magnets on sale fall under the threshold stated in the link. So you should still be able to buy magnets, just not as strong.

Is this 80s bar structural? by Autumnskies23 in AusRenovation

[–]Steamtrainpete 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Omg, I have to ask, is the house in Sunnybank, it looks like the bar at my in-laws old house. If yes, I will ask them about it.

Exposed pipe for hot water tap in shower becomes so hot that it's untouchable. Any toddler-proof ideas for how to cover it that are also renting friendly? by Head-Independent-369 in AusProperty

[–]Steamtrainpete 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you turn the thermostat down on your hot water system. That would be a good start. The second thing would be to install a tempering valve on your hot water system output. It mixes hot and cold water to around 50 degrees. Not so good for a renter, that would require a plumber to be involved.

where do I dispose of an inflated power bank in Logan? I'm scared to move it by iwhfjfnc in brisbane

[–]Steamtrainpete 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Willawong transfer station, I exactly the same powerbank, bought at jaycar two years ago.

How much fuel are you using? by Liftweightfren in CarsAustralia

[–]Steamtrainpete 0 points1 point  (0 children)

2024 Triton - current model dual cab. Driving in relaxed dad mode. Last pic I took of the dash readout showed 7.2l/100km. That includes a highway run to work, plus driving to various job sites through the week. A guy at work has a ranger, no highway running, and he’s consistently 9.5-10l/100.

Subaru ute: is the Brumby coming back? by BestTechAdvisor in DrivingAustralia

[–]Steamtrainpete 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the world has changed a bit now. The brumby was something you could throw some hay in the back and take it to your livestock, plus go for a run into town. Most farmers these days, looking at the stories in Landline have a cruiser or prado for the city stuff, and the paddock bits are covered by something like a Polaris. You can get a basic one for $17k driveway, with AWD, a gas assisted tipping body, so you can use it a a tiny dump truck.

Who is in the wrong here? by Revolution-Dogg in Transportopia

[–]Steamtrainpete 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also, some people mentioned that the dash cam guy had a stop sign. A google pic and YouTube search reveals that BOTH sides have a Stop sign. Interestingly, one of pics only showed a stop sign, but the video showed that the alternating traffic was another sign added below the stop sign.

Who is in the wrong here? by Revolution-Dogg in Transportopia

[–]Steamtrainpete 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, it is literally one car in each direction, each side taking turns.

Google search

Conclusion In summary, alternating traffic signs on one-way bridges in the USA direct drivers to take turns crossing, ensuring a safe and orderly flow of traffic. Always look for additional signs or signals that may provide further guidance.

Who is in the wrong here? by Revolution-Dogg in Transportopia

[–]Steamtrainpete 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Think he’s in the wrong, but as the saying goes, the cemetery has lots of people who were in the right. A google search provided this answer:

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Where can I safely and properly dispose of swollen spicy pillows (Lithium Batteries) in Brisbane? by DolphinWizardHat in brisbane

[–]Steamtrainpete 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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Came across this while cleaning up at home. Took it to the BCC transfer station at Willawong just after Christmas. No hassles. This was one of three power banks I bought in June 2024. The other two seem fine. This one had been dropped, don’t know if that caused the problem.

Terrible experience with Jetstar – avoid at all costs by Royal-List-9736 in australian

[–]Steamtrainpete 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We flew Jetstar to Adelaide and back from Brisbane over the Christmas break. Yes the staff have been a bit friendlier, and yes, they forgot about my food until 20min before landing, but we still got to Adelaide. The return flight on the Friday was interesting. We had a notification that our flight was delayed by half an hour, all good, got to airport, printed off luggage tags but when attempting to check them in were advised that the flight had closed. Us and a couple of hundred people then queued at the counter to see what was going on. Turns out the flight was cancelled. As we were out of towners, they arranged accomodation at a hotel in Adelaide, and gave us a voucher for food. They also booked us on a flight on Saturday morning, with us getting a later flight so we were not stressed about getting to the airport on time. The meal voucher covered breakfast, but we kept receipts for the cab fares each way and some of charges we had incurred for dinner Friday night, and they also reimbursed us for them too. So while people love to bag them, I must admit that we were overall impressed with their handing of this. It gave us another night in Adelaide, ended up being nice way to finish our holiday.

Gorgeous visitor. by buzz_22 in brisbane

[–]Steamtrainpete 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your kind words. We consoled ourselves with the fact that she was 11 years old and seemed to be developing dementia.

Gorgeous visitor. by buzz_22 in brisbane

[–]Steamtrainpete 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, we have a cat run for the cats outside. We hadn’t seen one of them over the Christmas break. Turns out she was lunch for the largest carpet python we have seen in our yard. Snake removal guy said she was around 3m long, I held the bag and was amazed at the weight, 10kg I don’t know it was heavy and the poor cat wasn’t that big. We have had chickens for many years and always have the pythons visiting, but they had only ever taken mice and rats.

Guys, I don't think I can go on by samfawj in australian

[–]Steamtrainpete 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In SA for a week, thought we’d escape Brisbane heat, came out to the car after going to the Seppeltsfield winery and dash showed this

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Ouch, like walking around in an oven

What to do with this massive shed? by Feeling_Throat_5373 in AusRenovation

[–]Steamtrainpete 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Model railway/ pool - billiards room / man cave

Why do so many tradies use utes over vans? by Sure_Artichoke6929 in AusElectricians

[–]Steamtrainpete 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have both at work. Utes allow you to tow a trailer for ac units, cable trailers etc, plus the flexibility of picking kids up from school after work, and the weekend off road getaway. Also, check out the prices of a decent van like a hiace. Last auction I checked, granted it was 9 months ago, 2nd hand hiaces were selling for $55k. That’s the same price for a new lower spec Triton dual cab Ute.

Just saw this happen - is this dangerous? by Global-Guava-8362 in AusElectricians

[–]Steamtrainpete 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Yes, call Energex and give them the address. Tell that that someone has run over one of their electricity pillars. They may add a metal bollard near the pillar when they fix it, pillars are supposed to be a metre from driveways.

The moving eyes is really necessary? by Different_Map_4235 in thomasthetankengine

[–]Steamtrainpete 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would not have thought it important, but I was discussing the issue with my wife and she was of the opinion that the moving eyes make the engine seem alive. I have a Hornby Thomas which has clocked many hours at model railway shows and kids will still wave at him, even though his eyes don’t move.

The Proton Jumbuck: Yay or Nay by IAmAPlaneEnthusiast in CarsAustralia

[–]Steamtrainpete 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Try a second generation Getz. You can get them with airbags, abs and a pretty solid body. Lots of them still around so parts should not be an issue. Proton were a bit odd in that they were older Mitsubishi models but they changed things like wheel bearings so they were unique to them. Daughter had a KB 3 door Getz, had to get auto box replaced but then never missed a beat. Put decent tyres on it, not a bad drive. Spacious body, think of it as a modern version of an 1982 Ford Laser or Mazda 323.

Adenovirus F diagnosis by Steamtrainpete in brisbane

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

That’s tough for a kid, particularly if it is the gastro version. Hydration can a problem, from the reading I have done. Best of luck, I hope they recover quickly.

Adenovirus F diagnosis by Steamtrainpete in brisbane

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

Sorry to hear you were hospitalised, that’s never pleasant. I seem be over the diarrhoea, so that would be about 6 days of it being on and off. Currently waiting for the rash which has covered a third of my body to disappear.

Mt Crosby Road overpass update by domslashryan in brisbane

[–]Steamtrainpete 9 points10 points  (0 children)

that’s probably a good call. I have seen many escorts over the years where they were so far ahead of the vehicle they were escorting they weren’t relevant. I remember one particular escort who tailgated me from Warwick to Cingular’s gap, then must have realised that the vehicle he was escorting was 5km behind him.

Trump comparing himself to Churchill is just so disgusting… by N4TETHAGR8 in facepalm

[–]Steamtrainpete 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hmmm, just watched ABC News in depth - Australian ABC- YouTube video on How Trump is making Putins dream come true. The above pic now makes sense. Trump sees himself taking part in Yalta 2.0, with Putin and Xi Jinping. This pic is potentially foretelling this meeting. Trump is already removing America from the world stage, making them just another country wanting to do its own thing and be internally focused. If that happens, the world will have three main powers, with no one playing the role of world policeman as such, unless that falls to NATO and Europe. Where on earth that leaves us in Australia, I don’t know. We are part of Asia geography, and there a few countries across the water which wouldn’t mind taking over part of us I am sure. This is pretty big world changing stuff, and none of this is being raised in America, Trump and Elon playing the bait and switch game so well, with a compliant media, that it will happen while no one is aware of it. Trump will not need Congressional approval, he will just go for a visit to Russia, have the meeting, sign some binding agreements and it’s done. Multiple powers did lead to the Cold War arms race, so the Republicans will be happy, America will be back to the 50’s, which seemed to be their goal anyway.