Currently reading:
What's made you grumpy today?
I've had this before with some devices. Basically if the USB lead is only for charging it finds itself in the bin. We have some many USB cables knocking around these days Unless it will actually do everything it's not worth keeping. Not even worth cutting up for other projects as they usually only have two cores in the wire for the power.
USB has four cables. The two outer are the power, 5v, +ve and -ve. The two inner ones are the data cables.
USB was created by the computer industry, but then others saw the potential with a small connector, and a 5v feed (0.5A) so it has become very common.
The problem arises when a device normally just needs power, but occasionally needs a data update. My TomTom satnav is a good example. Normally, when the cable is plugged into a 12v socket in the car, there's no data, just power, so the satnav works. But plug it into a USB socket, that is connected to the radio, and the satnav will see the data connection and go into update mode, making it useless for navigation.
I have a couple of rechargeable torches, that must be recharged with their own cable. That cable, like your white one, only has the power cables, no data cables inside. If the torches are plugged in with a normal cable, they don't charge properly, and the status LED does strange things. I wonder why the data terminals inside are connected to anything, as leaving them alone would fix that silliness.
As a result of this, some cables are power only. The colour is not relevant, that was just the choice of the device supplier. There will be white cables with data connections. The paper label is the answer.
The 0.5A computer standard is why many smartphones do not charge well from computers, as the current is too low. Plug-in chargers can be made to supply higher currents, usually labelled. I have a couple for the car 12v socket that supply 3.1A.
USB was created by the computer industry, but then others saw the potential with a small connector, and a 5v feed (0.5A) so it has become very common.
The problem arises when a device normally just needs power, but occasionally needs a data update. My TomTom satnav is a good example. Normally, when the cable is plugged into a 12v socket in the car, there's no data, just power, so the satnav works. But plug it into a USB socket, that is connected to the radio, and the satnav will see the data connection and go into update mode, making it useless for navigation.
I have a couple of rechargeable torches, that must be recharged with their own cable. That cable, like your white one, only has the power cables, no data cables inside. If the torches are plugged in with a normal cable, they don't charge properly, and the status LED does strange things. I wonder why the data terminals inside are connected to anything, as leaving them alone would fix that silliness.
As a result of this, some cables are power only. The colour is not relevant, that was just the choice of the device supplier. There will be white cables with data connections. The paper label is the answer.
The 0.5A computer standard is why many smartphones do not charge well from computers, as the current is too low. Plug-in chargers can be made to supply higher currents, usually labelled. I have a couple for the car 12v socket that supply 3.1A.
It's more complex than that, initially it's 0.1A, and then they negotiate how much power you need. Some modren PCs are 1A or 2A.
But USB C is the savior here, in theory can supply 5v at 20A, and also higher power with higher voltages.
Last edited:
I’m guessing it has two ports as I believe USB fiat a type A connector is limited to about 2 amps (2.1amps) but with two ports it will split the 3.1A between them
As stated above it’s the device that decides how much power it wants to draw and so something like a phone charging might take the full 2amps but drop down to next to nothing once the battery is full.
I’d be very suspicious of torches that act weirdly just because you’ve plugged in a data cable, this really should not happen and implies they’re designed quite badly. Plugging in a data usb cable should not interfere with their function.
Ah well, glad to report the device is now fully updated and the add on books are now interactive and working as they should. I think the wee lad is really too young for it yet though as he still much prefers to snuggle up with me and read Winnie the Pooh or something similar.
Anyway, that's not my "grump" for today. Today's grump started when I went into the garden shed for a part used bag of compost I knew was in there. Usually I'm in and out of my shed quite frequently as I'm a keen gardener, but it's been well over a month since I was last in it due to our enforced stay down in Devon. Had to rake around in the chaos for a wee while to find it which put me up at the back of the shed. On turning round to go out the door I heard a loud buzzing and saw it was coming from a very small insect nest above the door. On my way out I gave it a clout with my torch (I know, I shouldn't have) and the largest wasp I've ever seen came buzzing out. Luckily it went out the open door and I followed it very quickly. There seems to have been just the one wasp so I think it was a queen starting to build it's nest.
That wasn't the end of it though. I thought I'd better have a good look around the shed to see if there were any more (again, yes I know, I'm a silly sod!) Anyway almost as soon as I'd gone back in the shed this enormous wasp flew back in the door and started going round in circles - was it looking for me? Needless to say I got out of there like a rocket! It settled back where it had previously been building it's nest so I decided this was WAR! I got a large spray can of generic wasp and insect killer and went to give it a good spray. If there had been more than just the one I'd have not tried this as I know a very good chap who specializes in getting rid of this sort of thing. Anyway, it must have seen me coming because it took off and started buzzing around me. Luckily I nailed it with a good squirt of the can and it soon landed on the path where I was able to give it another spray which eventually did for it. Here's a picture of it when I got it onto a bit of kitchen towel:
Then I resumed my search of the shed and blow me, there's another of the wee blighters building a nest at the other end of the shed up in the roof. I watched it for a while and it was exactly the same story. Just one wasp starting to build a nest. I prepared a clear path to the door, went back in, and gave it a really good spray with the insecticide. I scored a good direct hit on this one and it fell down into one of the kid's plastic seaside buckets which I store there. It was easy to carry it outside and tip it out onto the pebbles in the back garden where it twitched feebly for a while before expiring. Here this one is:
Being much less mauled, this one can be seen much better. I'm now thinking though, there's a lot more black stripe in these than I traditionally think of in a wasp. Could these be hornets? They do seem a bit bigger than I would expect a wasp to be? I went back into the shed and searched it for about 15 minutes but found no more "guests" in residence. I'll be regularly checking it from now on though and I've sprayed round the door shuts to discourage any others which might find my shed attractive.
Anyway, that's not my "grump" for today. Today's grump started when I went into the garden shed for a part used bag of compost I knew was in there. Usually I'm in and out of my shed quite frequently as I'm a keen gardener, but it's been well over a month since I was last in it due to our enforced stay down in Devon. Had to rake around in the chaos for a wee while to find it which put me up at the back of the shed. On turning round to go out the door I heard a loud buzzing and saw it was coming from a very small insect nest above the door. On my way out I gave it a clout with my torch (I know, I shouldn't have) and the largest wasp I've ever seen came buzzing out. Luckily it went out the open door and I followed it very quickly. There seems to have been just the one wasp so I think it was a queen starting to build it's nest.
That wasn't the end of it though. I thought I'd better have a good look around the shed to see if there were any more (again, yes I know, I'm a silly sod!) Anyway almost as soon as I'd gone back in the shed this enormous wasp flew back in the door and started going round in circles - was it looking for me? Needless to say I got out of there like a rocket! It settled back where it had previously been building it's nest so I decided this was WAR! I got a large spray can of generic wasp and insect killer and went to give it a good spray. If there had been more than just the one I'd have not tried this as I know a very good chap who specializes in getting rid of this sort of thing. Anyway, it must have seen me coming because it took off and started buzzing around me. Luckily I nailed it with a good squirt of the can and it soon landed on the path where I was able to give it another spray which eventually did for it. Here's a picture of it when I got it onto a bit of kitchen towel:
Then I resumed my search of the shed and blow me, there's another of the wee blighters building a nest at the other end of the shed up in the roof. I watched it for a while and it was exactly the same story. Just one wasp starting to build a nest. I prepared a clear path to the door, went back in, and gave it a really good spray with the insecticide. I scored a good direct hit on this one and it fell down into one of the kid's plastic seaside buckets which I store there. It was easy to carry it outside and tip it out onto the pebbles in the back garden where it twitched feebly for a while before expiring. Here this one is:
Being much less mauled, this one can be seen much better. I'm now thinking though, there's a lot more black stripe in these than I traditionally think of in a wasp. Could these be hornets? They do seem a bit bigger than I would expect a wasp to be? I went back into the shed and searched it for about 15 minutes but found no more "guests" in residence. I'll be regularly checking it from now on though and I've sprayed round the door shuts to discourage any others which might find my shed attractive.
Download iSeek or iNaturalist they will identify species…we have a lot of ‘solitary’ bee and wasp species in this country, (most of our hornets are smaller and thinner, note most!) if it’s a small paper construction, tends to be the unsociable wasp (doesn’t make the ‘paper’ nest much bigger than a small fist).
Most will leave us alone but, and it’s a big but…stay well clear of the tree bee species, they sting for fun and will follow you and chase you down! I know, I’ve been targeted!
And don’t panic if you see what looks like a huge hornet with a large spike, it’s probably just a saw-fly and harmless
Well done for dealing with the little blighters.
Reminds me of a story from a colleague, many years ago. He found a wasp nest in his loft, and the blighters were finding their way into his daughters' bedroom.
Spent half a morning trying to find a pest controller, best offer was visit in a fortnight.
Then he remembered, his local convenience store had a batch of insect sprays that the valves would stick, so once pressed, they'd stay spraying until empty. They'd all been put aside for return, but he persuaded the guy to sell him a few. At home, up the ladder, press one valve, lift hatch and throw in the 'grenade'. Followed by two more. An hour later, lifted the hatch, all silent, lots of bodies around. Knocked the nest into a plastic bag, dumped into the bin, vacuumed up the bodies.
Reminds me of a story from a colleague, many years ago. He found a wasp nest in his loft, and the blighters were finding their way into his daughters' bedroom.
Spent half a morning trying to find a pest controller, best offer was visit in a fortnight.
Then he remembered, his local convenience store had a batch of insect sprays that the valves would stick, so once pressed, they'd stay spraying until empty. They'd all been put aside for return, but he persuaded the guy to sell him a few. At home, up the ladder, press one valve, lift hatch and throw in the 'grenade'. Followed by two more. An hour later, lifted the hatch, all silent, lots of bodies around. Knocked the nest into a plastic bag, dumped into the bin, vacuumed up the bodies.
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
Well my good new is our 2014 car may have a tray of mud behind each of the front struts but after a thorough clean there is no rust. The bad news is that the n/s front wheel is bent quite badly not just bashed out of shape vertically but spread as well. I have been thinking of having them refurbed for a while. Garage that sold it said they had been, but in fact they had just waved a rattle can at them and this is peeling off as clearly it was a bad job done by a fool. As the wheel has to be straightend and then refurbed I took both fronts in today and will do the rears next month. Ruby looks somewhat odd wearing Noops 65 series mud and snows on the 5 spoke steel wheels. ALthough both the 1.2 and the TA run 15" wheels the 55 series 185s on the 1.2 look smaller in the wheel arches and have more clearance.. Now the battle is on to get Norfok County Council to pay up the £95+ VAT for the damage inflicted by their craters! Ruby will soon be wearing some super sparkly wheels so theres a silver lining in every pigs purse or whatever.
When they were building the NDR, my dad who had a Volvo at the time managed to buckle all 4 wheels of the car where they dug a trench across the normal road and filled it with compressed dirt. It rained the dirt sunk and so along comes my dad and bends all 4 wheels.
I tried to encourage him to seek compensation from the council, I encouraged him to get them refurbished as there are plenty of companies that fix buckled wheels now, instead he did neither and went an bought a hideous set of after market wheels from Halfords. Later he gave the old wheels away for scrap.
Nothing to do with your story really but your wheel issue reminded me of it.
He’s long since sold the car but If you ever see a red Volvo C70 with horrible after market wheels driving around Norwich it was almost certainly his car. I was living on the side of the road on the A140 till recently but I’ve not seen it for about a year now.
In your case is it worth looking for a spare wheel on eBay ?
Bit uncomfortable in the winter I'd think? - Had a tiff with the mrs?
Whoops quick Edit
Yes, there’s a lot more clearance on the wheelarches for the MK2 than the MK3
The 15” M&S on my MK2 cross will not fit the MK3, they are very aggressive treads and will have to drop a size, to 175, and the ratio also
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
Beast.... Poor little thing... A great big thing like you and a cutsey little waspy thing. Thats just not fair!
Truthfully its a shame these things eat our fences and sheds and build their nests in places we need to go as they are useful things. I should say that is a hornet so its as well you stopped the nest or it would have been trouble! I dont much care for wasps as they seem to enjoy stinging me for no reason. The last time was walking the dog on the river bank in Norwich. I dont know where the B*** came from but it stung me, Hornets less common but the stings much the same but bigger!
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
Yep that would have been sensible, but I was building up to sneaking a refurb in. The insides of the wheels are scabby and the outsides are just starting to turn so its my excuse to get them done. - Cant do one as the colour would be different dear..... - She doesnt like it but I will get away with just a few more frowns without the icy treatment usually associated with car expenditure! I dont think these wheels fit on the spare wheel well or I would be looking!
Last edited:
I generally like insects in the garden, unless they are stuff like green/black fly! I'm aware too that wasps eat stuff like green fly, but then so do Ladybirds and I'd rather encourage the Ladybirds - By the way, Have you noticed the increasing use of the Americanism "Ladybugs" to describe them? - I have quite a number of bushes and plants which attract bees and others and I love sitting on my garden bench, perhaps reading a book, and listening to them buzzing away all around me.
I don't feel guilty trying to chase the wasps/hornets away because there's quite a number of wee kids and my grandchildren often in the garden. A couple of years ago we had a very large wasp nest in that shed which I chickened out on trying to eradicate and called in the exterminators. Good thing I did as the little blighters had got up in between the felt and sarking boards to build a large extension which reached half way up to the top of the roof but was only about half an inch thick. He'd never seen anything like it.
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
Yes they are teh very devils of ingenuity. My daughters house in Manchester had at least a dozen nests when we bought it. These ranged from golf ball sized to the big one that was like un upturned builders barrow sized lump. The pest controller was clearly worried about it until he realised it was inert. At least 40,000 wasps in something that size. They seem to love out roof too we are always having to get rid of nests. If they just nested that would be OK but they like the kitchen and that is not on. When they pay my council tax they can move in, and not before!
Went to the shed to fill the bird feeder. Inside the shed was a mass of large cobwebs. Whilst filling the feeder, a wasp followed me in. Not a good decision, he's now feeding a large spider.
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
Road tax £180 for an 874cc car This load of idiots in government need to make a sensible decision and sort htis out! I shall just SORN the thing and not pay anything. Dont need it for the next month or three..
Changing the brake pads on my brother's 407 last night, wheel bolts on one side were seriously tight. Second side was worse, and resulted in a sheared bolt. Didn't have time to sort it last night, but 4 bolts will be safe enough until I look at it again.
One of the guide pins had seized resulting in one pad down to the metal. And pad on the other side of the disc crumbled away, heat damaged.
Gator had started to split on the CV joint, so some nice black grease on everthing behind and rear of caliper. It's an awkward double wishbone suspension, so hoping there's enough movement to get the driveshaft out with only the bottom link undone. That'll be added the the joy of trying the drill the broken wheel bolt out,
One of the guide pins had seized resulting in one pad down to the metal. And pad on the other side of the disc crumbled away, heat damaged.
Gator had started to split on the CV joint, so some nice black grease on everthing behind and rear of caliper. It's an awkward double wishbone suspension, so hoping there's enough movement to get the driveshaft out with only the bottom link undone. That'll be added the the joy of trying the drill the broken wheel bolt out,
