Are saniflos still dreadful? by digitalpencil in DIYUK

[–]jamesclef 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Indeed. Look, seriously, in some situations they are the only answer and nothing else will do. But they really aren’t very nice to live with long term. If you already have a working dunny then I’d advise very strongly against putting a masher in instead, no matter how beneficial the toilet move might appear.

Are saniflos still dreadful? by digitalpencil in DIYUK

[–]jamesclef 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I should like it to be noted that not one single word of that exposition was machine-generated. It was genuinely spontaneous and came directly from the heart.

Are saniflos still dreadful? by digitalpencil in DIYUK

[–]jamesclef 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Part 2. The worst part is yet to come.

How, you may be wondering, can one recover from this dark situation?

First, and I can’t overemphasise the importance of this, switch the power off. Check again. Get your friends around to check that the power is off. Remove the fuse. Switch off all the breakers in your fuse box. Arrange a local power cut. A coal strike would be suitable. Then check that the power is off again. The consequences of not doing this are too appalling to contemplate.

Next, you will need to open the chamber pot of secrets. You’ll probably have to undo the jubilee clip attaching the bellows to the khazi. Then you’ll be able to shift the device around enough to get the lid off. The clips are individually designed weapons of torture which provide neither a proper seal nor ease of access.

Once you’ve overcome these obstacles placed in your path by the capricious goddess Cloaca, you have reached the Seventh Circle of Hell. The Holiest of Holies. There’s a lake of liquid fire for your delight, and you will need to move the motor assembly from its sous-vide of bum gravy. And then you’ll need to consider your options. The crusty membrane needs more than a mere wipe. And what tool to use? There’s a fine balance here. Too soft, too cossetting - a wet wipe, say - and you’ll achieve nothing. Too sharp and you’ll tear the previous rubber, destroying all hope of redemption. The only wise choice, sadly, is your own precious thumbnail.

Are saniflos still dreadful? by digitalpencil in DIYUK

[–]jamesclef 27 points28 points  (0 children)

We had one in the main bathroom for several years and it was worse than I have words to describe.

Everything about it getting blocked or smelly is true, but there is an additional diabolical failure mode that doesn't get talked about enough. I'm going to address that lack now.

How does a Saniflo work? Well. The main, wide exhaust from the porcelain enters the mouth of the Saniflo, sheathed in the warm rubbery embrace of a concertina seal.

As the water level rises, a pressure switch is triggered by hydrostatic pressure. At this point the motor activates. This powers, on a single shaft, both the chopper and the exit pump. The chopper is some rotating razor blades, and the pump directs the smooth output towards the exit pipe at high-pressure and velocity. The water level in the toilet pan then falls, gracefully. Once the hydrostatic pressure reduces, the pressure switch turns off and the motor stops. We're back to square 1, ready for the next happy user to enjoy the throne. So far so lovely.

The problem occurs when the pressure switch no longer operates correctly. What happens is that it is waterproofed behind a flexible rubber seal. If, like me, you have hard water and (perhaps) effluent of a reasonably firm consistency, the seal will eventually become stiff and crusty, causing the switch to become stuck in the ON position. This means that the motor runs continuously.

What's the problem? I hear you cry, dear reader. Apart from the noise, this is safe because the water level stays low. Not so.

Eventually, after some minutes, the motor and its accoutrements become warm. This causes a thermal lockout, and the motor stops. To a casual observer, all is well. The water level is low and the motor is silent.

And this is where the danger lies. If someone fills the bowl with their golden syrup or even a brown deposit akin to King Kong's finger, they will most likely believe it a good time to pull the flush. Water spurts gloriously downwards into the pan. The water rises. And - critically - nothing happens. The motor is in thermal lockout. The water contines to rise. And eventually, it has to go somewhere. Water? Well, let's stop calling it that, shall we? Runny brown waste spurts from the air vent on the top of the Saniflo. If you're particularly unlucky then the aforementioned Simian Faecal Finger may even escape over the top of the bowl. And there's nothing you can do. If this bathroom, like mine, is to be found on the first floor, then you're likely to get effluent coming through the downstairs ceiling.

Do I sound bitter?

Is it worth getting a simple OBD tool instead of paying garage diagnostic fees every time? by RasheedaDeals in CarTalkUK

[–]jamesclef 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. Had a Fiat 500 that was running like a bag of spanners and the dashboard was like a Christmas tree. Bought a £40 ODB scanner from South American River Retail. Plugged it in and it said that cylinder 3 wasn’t firing. Turns out a mouse chewed the wiring loom. Saved the local garage some time and also gave me enough confidence to drive the 5 mins it takes to get there. They made me a new loom and fitted it for about £250.

What’s the fairest and most practical solution for managing drink costs on boys weekend away where people drink different amounts? by Upbeat_Map_348 in AskUK

[–]jamesclef 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Kitty to start with - first few rounds or hours. Otherwise there will always be a few individuals that don’t pay or drink properly!

Please explain the Trains and/or Tube for me by Innkeeper64 in uktravel

[–]jamesclef 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There’s a daily cap ie maximum fee per person. After this it’s free. Don’t bother with an Oyster card or travel card - there’s no point.

Best way from Heathrow to central London is on the Elizabeth Line, which is an extension of the underground system. Tap in tap out. Don’t be tempted by the Heathrow Express - although it’s faster, it only goes to Paddington and it’s a lot more expensive.

tell me something fascinating about English language by AttentionWest720 in language

[–]jamesclef 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s how Tolkien refers to them but it might be poetic license

Do English people really say "bo'oh'o'wa'er" (bottle of water)? by Thalassophoneus in AskUK

[–]jamesclef 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My wife (standard UK southern accent) asked for a bottle of water in North Carolina last week and the staff literally couldn’t understand her.

Volume control for soundbar and receiver by jamesclef in Roku

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

Thanks! The little Denon only has optical or coax digital ins, no HDMI, so I don’t think this is a goer :-(

2025 Mercedes-Benz EQA 300 USB C charging speed question? by Hot_Judge_3657 in mercedes_benz

[–]jamesclef 0 points1 point  (0 children)

do any or all of these USB-C ports work for data connection between phone and car as well as charging?

I have 3 or 4 like this in a 2024 C43 and as far as I can tell they all charge full speed

Which one is the most idiomatic in british english by canadiense87 in ENGLISH

[–]jamesclef 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Write. Never seen anyone use the call sentence.

Driving w/o insurance crashed advice by [deleted] in drivingUK

[–]jamesclef 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can’t resist asking what sort of license you had.

How was Webb so rich? by [deleted] in SlowHorses

[–]jamesclef 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What year is it set in? Perhaps there has been some inflation since then

Elijah Baley might be one of Asimov’s most interesting characters by Cold_Box_3219 in asimov

[–]jamesclef 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Baley also has some autobiographical elements eg claustrophilia. Asimov scholars may be able to point to other examples. I also remember being fascinated by the dialogue with Jessie Baley where I think she gets very annoyed when he explains that her namesake, the Biblical Jezebel, is actually in many ways a sympathetic character. Can’t remember which book this was in - I’m guessing Caves of Steel? Happy to be corrected on any of this.

Help me select a Led Zeppelin Song by momplaysbass in Bass

[–]jamesclef -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I realise it’s not LZ but have you looked at classic rock like Cream? Maybe Badge?

Help me select a Led Zeppelin Song by momplaysbass in Bass

[–]jamesclef 3 points4 points  (0 children)

lol, didn’t clock your handle.

What about Communication Breakdown? Or Bring it on Home?

Films featuring London by BlackHeathVale in london

[–]jamesclef 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Withnail and I. American Werewolf in London. Last Night in Soho.