Author Topic: Brass monkies  (Read 27973 times)

bogstandard

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Brass monkies
« on: February 08, 2009, 06:47:47 PM »
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=brass%20monkies

Woke up early this morning, and thought I had snuffed it in my sleep, I was freezing. Checked to see if I had a name tag on my toe, none there, so I must still be alive.

To cut a very long 3 hour story short, it boiled down to the circuit board in my central heating system gas boiler.

I had my new gas back boiler fitted 4 years ago, two years ago the circuit board gave up the ghost, two years further on, now that one has given up. Looks like they have a two year failure built onto the board. My old system had a mechanical control system, and that lasted for 25 years years, without a peep to anything going wrong. I only replaced it because the gas boilers had become a lot more 'efficient'. So much for modern efficiency.

So, being a Sunday, I stood no chance of getting a new board. So after searching on eblay, I found a brand new replacement, for half the normal cost (50 squid instead of 100). So now awaiting delivery, expected mid week.

I am smoking fags like they are going out of fashion, with us all huddled round the lit end, to keep us warm. Bandit the dog and Vinnie the mog are doing sterling work as makeshift hot water bottles.

You take everything for granted until it goes wrong, then panic sets in.

So I will have two duff circuit boards in my hands, unfortunately my circuit board repair man disappeared a few years ago, so anyone in the UK have a mate who does board repairs? I want backup for when it goes again.


Bogs

Offline rleete

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Re: Brass monkies
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2009, 07:06:09 PM »
I had similar failures in the controler of my furnace (natural gas).  After paying the repairman for the first one, I took it upon myself to find a more cost effective place to get them.  Turns out the local HW store sells them for 1/3 what the furnace service guy wants.

Long story short(er), I found that the problem was a single relay on both units that had failed.  Searched on the web using the numbers stamped on the relay itself, and now I have 2 spares waiting to go in - thereby insuring the damn thing works forever.

BTW, the wife and I call the cats MHU, for mobile heating units.  Very handy to have on cold winter nights.
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Offline Darren

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Re: Brass monkies
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2009, 07:08:42 PM »
£100 a go, or even the bargain £50,

Sorta defeats the efficiency savings a bit......one step forward...... :smart:

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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Brass monkies
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2009, 07:16:36 PM »
Cats and dogs are great for heating units. Next time we lose the heat... letting the 90lb dogs into bed with us!

If you lived closer, I would be willing to look at the boards John. It maybe something really simple. An example is my uncles ultra huge TV. Went out on him after a power surge. He called the repair guy... they quoted him something like $1600 to fix it. I spent a few hours surfing forums etc... and found the common problem with his TV. Seems there are 7 Caps on one of the power boards that tend to go south. 3 hours later (including the trip to Radio Shack), the TV was up and running. Total cost, 7 Caps @ $1.19 and a few hours of my time.

Make sure you feed the furry kids some good food to help with the heating process...

Eric
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Offline Divided he ad

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Re: Brass monkies
« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2009, 04:54:41 AM »
Quote
Woke up early this morning, and thought I had snuffed it in my sleep, I was freezing. Checked to see if I had a name tag on my toe, none there, so I must still be alive.   :lol:   
 

So I'll wait at least a week before I come visit  ::)  .... Sorry!

Sucks having no heating, you'll have to spend your time in the workshop huddled roung the oil filled heater!!  Either that or copy this guy....  :ddb:


Good luck with the new board.... Hopefully it's something simple to fix on the other two?





Ralph.
I know what I know and need to know more!!!

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: Brass monkies
« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2009, 06:28:37 AM »
I had my new gas back boiler fitted 4 years ago, two years ago the circuit board gave up the ghost, two years further on, now that one has given up. Looks like they have a two year failure built onto the board.

Hmmmm........ Was that an alarm bell I heard?

The 2 previous boilers were always fixable.

Had a "Warmfront" condensing combi boiler fitted April `07.

January `08 they wanted to service it. (A bit early?).......

Recently had the 2yr guarantee/ final service letter..... "It is important we we complete as soon as possible"

We`ve had no problems, but........

Why not wait until April?   :scratch:

Is it me?  ::)

« Last Edit: February 09, 2009, 06:31:14 AM by Stilldrillin »
David.

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Offline HS93

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Re: Brass monkies
« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2009, 06:58:35 AM »
we Had Our boiler replaced about 7 years ago and fortunatley took out a service contract, they have replaced the boiler contents about 4 or 5 times and I mean everything heat exchanger presure vessel about four pumps and prob up to about six or seven boards and it all stems from a small leak and O ring change that was rushed and the board was soaked and poped they fitted the new board that was an upgrade board (but not for our boiler) they eventuly found after altering and changing everything to get it work , every time they turned up they would fit a new main gas block...good old WOR*&£R / Bosh.

Peter :ddb:  :ddb:  :ddb:  :ddb:  :ddb:
I am usless at metalwork, Oh and cannot spell either . failure

Offline Bernd

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Re: Brass monkies
« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2009, 10:23:08 AM »
That's not a fun feeling to wake up to a cold house, especially on a Sunday morning. I'm sure you got that sinking feeling that your heating unit quit.

I have a gas fired boiler with radiant floor heating. It's pretty much mechincal control for heating. Have had it since 1998 when the house was being built. We've always had a soapstone wood stove in the great room for backup. Haven't used it much latley because I haven't felt like cutting up pallets for the wood. Think I'm going to get a coal stove this next heating season. At $240 for a ton of coal it would still be cheaper than what the gas company wants for gas.

Any chance you could put a small coal stove in for just such occasions as your faced with now? Or do the codes in your area not allow that?

Here's hoping you stay warm until you get your heater fixed.

Hey, maybe some Aussie can send you some heat. They seem to have a lot of it right now.

Bernd
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Offline SPiN Racing

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Re: Brass monkies
« Reply #8 on: February 10, 2009, 12:50:56 AM »
Granted its Florida... so I know being cold here is something to be slapped about..

But we dont have ANY heat in our house.

It was built in 1958, and the place had baseboard heating that was removed before we bought it. The previous owner put in a Wall shaker A/C unit, that died a few years after we bought the place. We replaced that with one that had a Heating element like the previous one. That eventually died.

So mid summer last year we replaced it again.. and DIDNT get a heating strip because the last two winters we never needed it.

Global Warming?

THe last month we have had some of the coldest weather on record. In the high 20s. And thats at high humidity.. and it stayed in the 30s for several days.

Since we have no heat.. we were in bed sleeping FULLY dressed, two shirts, two pairs of socks, and two quilts, as well as a sheet.
We simply dont have any cold weather gear! It hasnt been really cold for more than a day or so in the past.

Cold.. like laying on a cold slab of concrete. Bring all 4 Chihuahuas into the bedroom, get all snuggled up and try to stay warm.

I have a inkling of what it is like up north when its cold.. and thats no fun. I understand why people dont work in the shop when its cold... you may be bundled.. but your nose and ears freeze off. And of course fingers. brr

I think this year I may have to budget in some central heat and air. /nod
SPiN Racing

bogstandard

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Re: Brass monkies
« Reply #9 on: February 10, 2009, 01:13:43 AM »
I contacted a chap today to see if he could repair the old boards.

Yeah, he said, 40 squid each, plus vat (tax) plus P & P. :bugeye:

Almost the same price I have just paid for my new board.

I think if that is what it is going to cost, I will just keep an eye out on fleabay for new ones and buy them as I find them.

It is times like this you realise how much good friends and aquaintances are worth. Those would normally be repaired as freebies, on the proviso that I would return a favour in exchange.

Why can't we go back to the old barter system? :beer:

Bogs

P.S. Squid = slang for one pound sterling. Seems like some of our colonial cousins can't see the pound sign when we type it. We don't quite have the same language.

Offline Bernd

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Re: Brass monkies
« Reply #10 on: February 10, 2009, 01:09:40 PM »
Quote
Why can't we go back to the old barter system?

One big reason "gov....er.....ment". They can't collect taxes on bartar. Plus the people that have any talent to bartar with are getting far and few.

But I'm with you John, I like bartaring. I've got something you want or need done and you can repay by something I need. I bet it sure would be hard on people on wellfare. Don't know if you have that system over there.

As far as your monitary system goes, I can't quite get the ='s of the money. In other words I believe that the pound would be equal to our dollar. What throws me off is when it gets to the coins. We have the penny, the nickle, the dime, the quarter and sometimes the half dollar. Number wise that would be 1, 5, 10, 25, & 50 cent pieces.

You should hear what some of the slang for our money is. I don't even try to remember it. I think a $5 is called a fin. One of the bills is called a "sawbuck" and so on.

Bernd
Route of the Black Diamonds

bogstandard

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Re: Brass monkies
« Reply #11 on: February 10, 2009, 01:34:33 PM »
Bernd,

Bartering to me is a way of life, without it, I wouldn't have half as much in my shop, and my house would be falling down.

But I don't confuse it with friendship. That is a totally different matter.

If a friend contacts me or asks for something, and I have it spare or can do the job, then it is gratis, with no strings attached.

WE do have all different kinds of welfare, I am on welfare myself, but one related to health.
It only just pays enough to survive. Without my other pensions and stuff, I would be queuing at the soup kitchen.

We use coins in 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 50p, 1 squid, 2 squid. A little while ago your dollar was worth about 50p, now it is climbing towards 1 squid. So get your special little bits from the UK while the exchange rate is so good. I've got my list ready for when the dollar drops. I spent about 2K dollars in the US last year, but it is a lot more expensive at the moment, so I will hang back.

Still cold Bogs.

Offline Twinsquirrel

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Re: Brass monkies
« Reply #12 on: February 10, 2009, 02:08:53 PM »

You should hear what some of the slang for our money is. I don't even try to remember it. I think a $5 is called a fin. One of the bills is called a "sawbuck" and so on.

Bernd

Hey Bernd, I hear ya!!

We have a similar system for slang, I work in the motor trade and the slang is rife, it's funny to hear normally pretty middle class well to do entrepenuers talk about money in that way, it took me a good six months to really get a grip on it!!

Grand/large =£1000 (pretty self explanatory)
Monkey = £500
Ton =£100
Score=£20
Bullseye/pinky =£50
Ayrton =£10
Bluey/lady =£5
Nugget=£1
double nugget= £2

And a new one I heard the other day which I am yet to work out...  a carpet??? any ideas?

Still its all part of lifes rich tapestry

David

So many ideas, so little skill

Offline sbwhart

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Re: Brass monkies
« Reply #13 on: February 10, 2009, 03:26:00 PM »
Ho Ho Ho

Now I'm going to realy confuse our colonial friends  before we went decimal we had Pounds £ Shilings s and Pence  d. there was 12 d to the s 20 s to the £

we had 1/2 d 1 d coins; 3 d coins called thrupenny bits, 6d coins called sixpence, 12d coins called shillings, 2 shilling coins called florins, 2 shilling and 6d coins called half a crown, 10 shilling notes and 20 shilling notes which were 1 pound notes.  Now try getting your head round that lot and you'll understand why we went to decimals.

 :lol:

Mind you the standards in maths have gone down in the UK since we changed.

As my poor old mum use to say I'm not very cleaver but I can add my money up.

 :lol:

Cheers

Stew

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Offline Darren

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Re: Brass monkies
« Reply #14 on: February 10, 2009, 04:40:25 PM »
Never mind confusing the colonials !!

Anyone born after around 1960 usually has a hard time even thinking about it, inc me !!   :scratch:


Mind you, maybe that's saying more about me, being a generally confused type  :lol:
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Offline SPiN Racing

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Re: Brass monkies
« Reply #15 on: February 11, 2009, 06:21:47 AM »
 :jaw:



Oh My GOD


I thought I had a clue to British money... but I see I was confused.

I thought a pence, quid, and shilling were the same.. like.. if it wasnt a pound.. it was one of the other terms.. meaning pennies of some sort.
Pound was similar to our dollar.

I see that I was sorely mistaken.

And wow.. Top Gear (My fav show.. and yes I watch them about 3 hours after they Air in the UK.. and have every episode of the current format with the trio) has some cars on there that were scary expensive.
Like 150K Pounds for a XYZ car... and it used to be easy... Double that to get USD.

Not so easy now.
SPiN Racing

bogstandard

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Re: Brass monkies
« Reply #16 on: February 11, 2009, 08:55:54 AM »
Ciruit board turned up about half hour ago, so I am now just going to fit it.

Spin,

They make Bentleys just down the road from where I live. When you go around and about, they are driving up and down the country roads, taking them out for setting up and test drives. They don't much look like Bentleys, no shiny bits fitted while they are setting up, and they only have standard steel road wheels on.

John

bogstandard

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Re: Brass monkies
« Reply #17 on: February 11, 2009, 10:25:57 AM »
WE HAVE HEAT

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: Brass monkies
« Reply #18 on: February 11, 2009, 10:33:38 AM »
 :clap: :clap: :clap:

WELL DONE, THAT MAN!

 :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
David.

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Offline SPiN Racing

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Re: Brass monkies
« Reply #19 on: February 11, 2009, 04:44:58 PM »
Wooooo!!!!! Congrats!!!


And Bentleys.. /shivers.

THe race shop I work on on weekends building small formula cars, happens to be a Import Auto repair place. And they happen to specialise on Bentleys and Rolls Royce. They mostly work on european cars. Inclusing things like Deloreans.. that I found out have some Volvo motor of some sort.

I have a few pictures of some of the cars that were in the shop, and more notable... But for an example there was a concourse winning 1956 something or other Rolls Royce there last Friday when I stopped by.

Ill post some pics here in the Water Cooler after I get a chance to re-size them a little.
SPiN Racing

Offline Darren

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Re: Brass monkies
« Reply #20 on: February 11, 2009, 04:50:22 PM »
Are you warm yet John, maybe now you can let Bandit down for a runaround  :ddb: :ddb: :ddb:
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Offline Bernd

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Re: Brass monkies
« Reply #21 on: February 11, 2009, 06:51:26 PM »
I talked to John on Skype tonight and he was sitting there in a sleeveless shirt. So he either had to much coffee or his heating system is fixed. :)

Nice talking to you John.

Bernd
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Offline Darren

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Re: Brass monkies
« Reply #22 on: February 11, 2009, 06:55:58 PM »
Soooo?

What did you make of skype then Bernd?

Glad to hear John is no longer needing live heat  :clap:
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Offline Bernd

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Re: Brass monkies
« Reply #23 on: February 11, 2009, 07:05:17 PM »
I like it, really neat.  :ddb:

You can see and talk to freinds. Now when they post you can put a face with that post. Still need to tweak it a bit but it works great. Talked to Steve (Cedge) soon after that. He doesn't have a camera so it was only his voice. He said he couldn't see me, but to tell you the truth I think he had his video turned off because he didn't want to see my ugly face.  :lol: He saw it once at Cabin Fever, that was enough. :lol:

Bernd
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bogstandard

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Re: Brass monkies
« Reply #24 on: February 11, 2009, 08:06:05 PM »
Yep,

Heating is all fine now, just as some warmer weather turns up.

It was nice to have a chat with Bernd, even Bandit got a look in.

Just as Bernd said, putting a face to a post gives it another dimension.

The reason Cedge doesn't have a vid is because he doesn't want everyone to know he walks about naked when he is in his shop. :D
Just to scare the wildlife.

It would be nice to get conference calls sorted, but as usual, I am so thick, I have no idea how to do it.

John