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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409689 is a reply to message #409685] |
Wed, 07 July 2021 15:42   |
Ahem A Rivet's Shot
Messages: 4843
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
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On Wed, 7 Jul 2021 12:28:27 -0700 (PDT)
undefined Hancock-4 <hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com> wrote:
> There are news reports about a chip shortage, and they're not
> talking about Famous Amos cookies. Even new cars are in short
> supply.
>
> But here's a solution. Instead of funky unreliable computer chips,
> how about solid durable relays? Multiple vendors to choose from.
Many years ago I got involved in an attempt to repair a "teaching
machine" that used a scroll of paper to ask questions and buttons to accept
answers (with holes in the paper for instructions). The whole thing was
driven by about a hundred relays some of which were sticking
intermittently. We never did get it to work reliably.
--
Steve O'Hara-Smith | Directable Mirror Arrays
C:\>WIN | A better way to focus the sun
The computer obeys and wins. | licences available see
You lose and Bill collects. | http://www.sohara.org/
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409692 is a reply to message #409688] |
Wed, 07 July 2021 16:40 |
Andreas Kohlbach
Messages: 1456
Registered: December 2011
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On Wed, 7 Jul 2021 20:48:49 +0100, Andy Burns wrote:
>
> undefined Hancock-4 wrote:
>
>> Instead of funky unreliable computer chips,
>> how about solid durable relays?
>
> Sounds good (literally)
>
> <https://youtu.be/_j544ELauus?t=783>
>
> but why rely on electromagnets? just use mechanical logic
>
> <https://youtu.be/udCpBsylfIw?t=189>
Rubbish relays (yes, I just read about SSR, but just because... :-). Use
vacuum tubes! They're smaller and consume so much less electricity. ;-)
But serious, since also car manufacturers are hit hard by the shortage,
some could build a fab and only provide chips and other components for
their own if there is another problem in the future. In the meantime
selling chips (overpriced, that it makes sense from the economical point
of view) to competitors.
There are probably only a few car makers with financial background and
know-how be able to do this. I suppose Tesla is one.
--
Andreas
PGP fingerprint 952B0A9F12C2FD6C9F7E68DAA9C2EA89D1A370E0
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409709 is a reply to message #409689] |
Thu, 08 July 2021 02:25 |
Robin Vowels
Messages: 426
Registered: July 2012
Karma: 0
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On Thursday, July 8, 2021 at 6:00:04 AM UTC+10, Ahem A Rivet's Shot wrote:
> On Wed, 7 Jul 2021 12:28:27 -0700 (PDT)
> undefined Hancock-4 <hanc...@bbs.cpcn.com> wrote:
>
>> There are news reports about a chip shortage, and they're not
>> talking about Famous Amos cookies. Even new cars are in short
>> supply.
>>
>> But here's a solution. Instead of funky unreliable computer chips,
>> how about solid durable relays? Multiple vendors to choose from.
..
> Many years ago I got involved in an attempt to repair a "teaching
> machine" that used a scroll of paper to ask questions and buttons to accept
> answers (with holes in the paper for instructions). The whole thing was
> driven by about a hundred relays some of which were sticking
> intermittently. We never did get it to work reliably.
..
Some early computers used relays. They were typically used in card
readers and card punches, but found use elsewhere to turn on lights.
Pilot ACE (1951) and DEUCE used them extensively. They were used
in the power supply to turn on the motor in the card reader/punch,
help in the passage of the cards through the mechanism, display bits
on the console, and in positioning the moving heads on the drum.
The latter were high-speed relays (response time 4 milliseconds).
All had to be highly reliable.
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409884 is a reply to message #409709] |
Tue, 13 July 2021 18:23 |
hancock4
Messages: 6746
Registered: December 2011
Karma: 0
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On Thursday, July 8, 2021 at 2:25:46 AM UTC-4, Robin Vowels wrote:
> Some early computers used relays. They were typically used in card
> readers and card punches, but found use elsewhere to turn on lights.
> Pilot ACE (1951) and DEUCE used them extensively. They were used
> in the power supply to turn on the motor in the card reader/punch,
> help in the passage of the cards through the mechanism, display bits
> on the console, and in positioning the moving heads on the drum.
> The latter were high-speed relays (response time 4 milliseconds).
> All had to be highly reliable.
In the 1960s IBM offered relays for sale, advertising in trade magazines.
Perhaps surplus from its operations.
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409885 is a reply to message #409692] |
Tue, 13 July 2021 18:25 |
hancock4
Messages: 6746
Registered: December 2011
Karma: 0
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On Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 4:40:39 PM UTC-4, Andreas Kohlbach wrote:
> But serious, since also car manufacturers are hit hard by the shortage,
> some could build a fab and only provide chips and other components for
> their own if there is another problem in the future. In the meantime
> selling chips (overpriced, that it makes sense from the economical point
> of view) to competitors.
Years ago Ford owned Philco and GM owned Delco. I don't know about
Delco, but Philco was big into electronics. Bitsavers has a ton of manuals.
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409889 is a reply to message #409685] |
Tue, 13 July 2021 19:17 |
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Originally posted by: antispam
undefined Hancock-4 <hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com> wrote:
> There are news reports about a chip shortage, and they're not
> talking about Famous Amos cookies. Even new cars are in short
> supply.
>
> But here's a solution. Instead of funky unreliable computer chips,
> how about solid durable relays? Multiple vendors to choose from.
Durable? Relays are rated for milions of cycles. If you try
to boot Linux on your relay computer, relays will wear out
quite early during boot: "Dear Sir, I turned your computer on
and it failed before printing login prompt".
--
Waldek Hebisch
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409890 is a reply to message #409692] |
Tue, 13 July 2021 19:28 |
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Originally posted by: antispam
Andreas Kohlbach <ank@spamfence.net> wrote:
>
> But serious, since also car manufacturers are hit hard by the shortage,
> some could build a fab and only provide chips and other components for
> their own if there is another problem in the future. In the meantime
> selling chips (overpriced, that it makes sense from the economical point
> of view) to competitors.
>
> There are probably only a few car makers with financial background and
> know-how be able to do this. I suppose Tesla is one.
IIUC shortage is result of "optimizing cost". Car makers did not
keep stock and to get low prices ordered well in advance. They
reduced orders due to low demand for cars. When demand came back
fabs were booked for more profitable computers and phones, so
car manufactures must wait. In few months everything should be
back to normal.
--
Waldek Hebisch
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409892 is a reply to message #409890] |
Tue, 13 July 2021 20:22 |
scott
Messages: 4237
Registered: February 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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antispam@math.uni.wroc.pl writes:
> Andreas Kohlbach <ank@spamfence.net> wrote:
>>
>> But serious, since also car manufacturers are hit hard by the shortage,
>> some could build a fab and only provide chips and other components for
>> their own if there is another problem in the future. In the meantime
>> selling chips (overpriced, that it makes sense from the economical point
>> of view) to competitors.
>>
>> There are probably only a few car makers with financial background and
>> know-how be able to do this. I suppose Tesla is one.
>
> IIUC shortage is result of "optimizing cost". Car makers did not
> keep stock and to get low prices ordered well in advance.
Back in the early 80's, congress under Reagan changed the tax
code and started charging taxes on inventory. That, more
than anything else, drove the industry to just-in-time inventory
systems. (that was also the year that Burroughs discarded all the
spare parts for mechanical adding machines and accounting machines
because of the change in the law
).
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409895 is a reply to message #409892] |
Tue, 13 July 2021 21:00 |
Freddy1X
Messages: 61
Registered: August 2012
Karma: 0
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Member |
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Scott Lurndal wrote:
> antispam@math.uni.wroc.pl writes:
( cuts )
>
> Back in the early 80's, congress under Reagan changed the tax
> code and started charging taxes on inventory. That, more
> than anything else, drove the industry to just-in-time inventory
> systems. (that was also the year that Burroughs discarded all the
> spare parts for mechanical adding machines and accounting machines
> because of the change in the law
> ).
--
Are companies still doing that thing in California where because of punitive
taxes, it is more economical to pack up whole railroad cars of inventory and
move it out of state for a few days a year?
Freddy,
talk about busy-work.
Danger! Never unplug refrigerator.
/|>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>\|
/| I may be demented \|
/| but I'm not crazy! \|
/|<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<\|
* SPAyM trap: there is no X in my address *
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409903 is a reply to message #409892] |
Wed, 14 July 2021 01:41 |
Mike Spencer
Messages: 997
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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scott@slp53.sl.home (Scott Lurndal) writes:
> Back in the early 80's, congress under Reagan changed the tax
> code and started charging taxes on inventory. That, more
> than anything else, drove the industry to just-in-time inventory
> systems.
Was that Congress or was that Thor Power Tool (SCOTUS, 1979)?
Seriously shpxrq hc the publishing industry -- books going to
remainder sales or the pulper and out of print a year after original
publication.
Somebody more versed than I in the arcana of tax law and the chip
industry required to say if that's why car companies don't maintain
inventory.
> (that was also the year that Burroughs discarded all the
> spare parts for mechanical adding machines and accounting machines
> because of the change in the law).
Never mind that Thor decision ended a legally dubious tax dodge.
Books in print, spare parts and such homely items as rivets became
problematic. There's thousnads of kinds of rivets differing in
material, diameter, length, finish, tolerance, head type and over-all
type. A rivet company gets an industrial order for, say, 100,000 soft
iron, 3/16" diameter, 5/8" long, parkerized finish, pan head rivets.
Time and cost to do set-up is a substantial but one-time expense
avearged over 100,000 units. So they make 150,000 and put 50,000 in
inventory. Now I can order 100 rivets for (say) $0.01 each. When
inventory is a liability, I have to buy 100,000 or pay (say) $1.00
each to cover set-up.
--
Mike Spencer Nova Scotia, Canada
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409907 is a reply to message #409903] |
Wed, 14 July 2021 05:57 |
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Originally posted by: J. Clarke
On 14 Jul 2021 02:41:32 -0300, Mike Spencer
<mds@bogus.nodomain.nowhere> wrote:
>
> scott@slp53.sl.home (Scott Lurndal) writes:
>
>> Back in the early 80's, congress under Reagan changed the tax
>> code and started charging taxes on inventory. That, more
>> than anything else, drove the industry to just-in-time inventory
>> systems.
>
> Was that Congress or was that Thor Power Tool (SCOTUS, 1979)?
Neither. It was some regulator at the IRS. The Supreme Court had a
chance to step on them--it didn't. Congress has had abundant
opportunity to step on them. It hasn't. And so the regulation, not
enacted by anybody answerable to the People of the United States,
stands. And so we no longer have companies maintaining stocks of
spare parts in perpetuity.
> Seriously shpxrq hc the publishing industry -- books going to
> remainder sales or the pulper and out of print a year after original
> publication.
>
> Somebody more versed than I in the arcana of tax law and the chip
> industry required to say if that's why car companies don't maintain
> inventory.
If you want to know the real why of that, I suggest reading "Toyota
Production System" by Taiichi Ohno, who invented same. "Just in time"
isn't the way it is implemented by Toyota though, it's right on time
and to the right place.
>> (that was also the year that Burroughs discarded all the
>> spare parts for mechanical adding machines and accounting machines
>> because of the change in the law).
>
> Never mind that Thor decision ended a legally dubious tax dodge.
> Books in print, spare parts and such homely items as rivets became
> problematic. There's thousnads of kinds of rivets differing in
> material, diameter, length, finish, tolerance, head type and over-all
> type. A rivet company gets an industrial order for, say, 100,000 soft
> iron, 3/16" diameter, 5/8" long, parkerized finish, pan head rivets.
> Time and cost to do set-up is a substantial but one-time expense
> avearged over 100,000 units. So they make 150,000 and put 50,000 in
> inventory. Now I can order 100 rivets for (say) $0.01 each. When
> inventory is a liability, I have to buy 100,000 or pay (say) $1.00
> each to cover set-up.
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409911 is a reply to message #409685] |
Wed, 14 July 2021 07:33 |
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Originally posted by: antispam
Andreas Kohlbach <ank@spamfence.net> wrote:
> On Tue, 13 Jul 2021 23:17:31 +0000 (UTC), antispam@math.uni.wroc.pl wrote:
>>
>> undefined Hancock-4 <hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com> wrote:
>>> There are news reports about a chip shortage, and they're not
>>> talking about Famous Amos cookies. Even new cars are in short
>>> supply.
>>>
>>> But here's a solution. Instead of funky unreliable computer chips,
>>> how about solid durable relays? Multiple vendors to choose from.
>>
>> Durable? Relays are rated for milions of cycles. If you try
>> to boot Linux on your relay computer, relays will wear out
>> quite early during boot: "Dear Sir, I turned your computer on
>> and it failed before printing login prompt".
>
> He probably referred to a Solid State Relay
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid-state_relay>, which has no movable parts.
I doubt. In part I skipped he wrote:
: "Transit voltages don't bother relays. But high voltage short
: duration spikes can be sure death to a semiconductor".
Manufacturer references were about mechanical relays too.
--
Waldek Hebisch
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409912 is a reply to message #409889] |
Wed, 14 July 2021 08:06 |
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Originally posted by: gareth evans
On 14/07/2021 00:17, antispam@math.uni.wroc.pl wrote:
> undefined Hancock-4 <hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com> wrote:
>> There are news reports about a chip shortage, and they're not
>> talking about Famous Amos cookies. Even new cars are in short
>> supply.
>>
>> But here's a solution. Instead of funky unreliable computer chips,
>> how about solid durable relays? Multiple vendors to choose from.
>
> Durable? Relays are rated for milions of cycles. If you try
> to boot Linux on your relay computer, relays will wear out
> quite early during boot: "Dear Sir, I turned your computer on
> and it failed before printing login prompt".
>
Westinghouse Brake And Signal company were famed for their
"Q Relay" used in railway signalling whereby one half of the closing
contact was platinum and t'other was carbon.
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409916 is a reply to message #409685] |
Wed, 14 July 2021 13:12 |
Quadibloc
Messages: 4399
Registered: June 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 1:28:28 PM UTC-6, undefined Hancock-4 wrote:
> But here's a solution. Instead of funky unreliable computer chips,
> how about solid durable relays? Multiple vendors to choose from.
It is true that people had automobiles before computers were invented.
So, while relays can't replace the transistor - or even the vacuum tube -
for doing numerical calculations at high speed, perhaps they could meet
the simpler requirements of automobile manufacturers.
However, the cars that didn't have chips in them... date from before modern
fuel economy and emissions requirements.
John Savard
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409917 is a reply to message #409916] |
Wed, 14 July 2021 14:29 |
Ahem A Rivet's Shot
Messages: 4843
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On Wed, 14 Jul 2021 10:12:41 -0700 (PDT)
Quadibloc <jsavard@ecn.ab.ca> wrote:
> On Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 1:28:28 PM UTC-6, undefined Hancock-4 wrote:
>
>> But here's a solution. Instead of funky unreliable computer chips,
>> how about solid durable relays? Multiple vendors to choose from.
>
> It is true that people had automobiles before computers were invented.
>
> So, while relays can't replace the transistor - or even the vacuum tube -
> for doing numerical calculations at high speed, perhaps they could meet
> the simpler requirements of automobile manufacturers.
Hmm simpler - not so sure about that. A modern car engine
management controller is quite a complex beast with a lot of sensors and
several control points.
> However, the cars that didn't have chips in them... date from before
> modern fuel economy and emissions requirements.
Yep. OTOH a *really* modern car with batteries and electric motors
might well be simple enough to run with relays - if it weren't for the
requirement for an infotainment system (ye gods my spell checker knows that
mess of a word).
--
Steve O'Hara-Smith | Directable Mirror Arrays
C:\>WIN | A better way to focus the sun
The computer obeys and wins. | licences available see
You lose and Bill collects. | http://www.sohara.org/
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409918 is a reply to message #409916] |
Wed, 14 July 2021 14:40 |
Charlie Gibbs
Messages: 5313
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On 2021-07-14, Quadibloc <jsavard@ecn.ab.ca> wrote:
> On Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 1:28:28 PM UTC-6, undefined Hancock-4
> wrote:
>
>> But here's a solution. Instead of funky unreliable computer chips,
>> how about solid durable relays? Multiple vendors to choose from.
>
> It is true that people had automobiles before computers were invented.
>
> So, while relays can't replace the transistor - or even the vacuum
> tube - for doing numerical calculations at high speed, perhaps they
> could meet the simpler requirements of automobile manufacturers.
>
> However, the cars that didn't have chips in them... date from before
> modern fuel economy and emissions requirements.
Forget fuel economy and emissions requirements - they're trivial
compared to the real driver for chips - infotainment systems to
keep you distracted, backup cameras and lane drift detection and
automatic braking to save your ass now that you're distracted...
I dread the day my 2007 Civic gives up the ghost. I just pray
that I'll be able to find a car that will shut up and do what
I tell it. Maybe it's time to get into vintage cars...
--
/~\ Charlie Gibbs | They don't understand Microsoft
\ / <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> | has stolen their car and parked
X I'm really at ac.dekanfrus | a taxi in their driveway.
/ \ if you read it the right way. | -- Mayayana
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409925 is a reply to message #409918] |
Wed, 14 July 2021 15:47 |
Mike Spencer
Messages: 997
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> writes:
> Forget fuel economy and emissions requirements - they're trivial
> compared to the real driver for chips - infotainment systems to
> keep you distracted, backup cameras and lane drift detection and
> automatic braking to save your ass now that you're distracted...
>
> I dread the day my 2007 Civic gives up the ghost. I just pray
> that I'll be able to find a car that will shut up and do what
> I tell it. Maybe it's time to get into vintage cars...
My feeling, too. I'd go for a 1970s Land Rover, fully restored on a
stainless or galvanized frame -- about the same price as a low-end new
car. Only I'm too old to change a tie rod end in a snowbank or
replace a defective carb float or fuel pump in the rain -- the kind of
thing I routinely did until a decade or so ago. And where do I find a
good mechanic who even knows what a carburetor is?
I'm almost 80 and don't have the stamina or limberness to spend a day
crawling around under or bending over cars. In 1968, a Blond Babe
came into the shop with am early '30s Chevrolet that had braking only
on one wheel. We had no idea how to fix it. Except! We had one
mechanic who was 80 years old that year. He announced that he had
worked on that model when they were new, knew just what to do to
repair an all-mechanical, non-hydraulic braking system. He even owned
obsolete tools needed for the job. Took him two days but it was
working perfectaly when he was done. Wish I had his stamina!
General consumer goods may have deteriorated in quality across the
board but cars have improved enormously. Fifty years ago, a car that
hit 100,000 miles was a rare specimen and ones that needed expensive
major work by 40,000 mi. were commonplace. No longer true.
So I fear that if/when my now very reliable Toy Ota becomes
unreliable, I'll be obliged to be assimilated by the auto-borg.
--
Mike Spencer Nova Scotia, Canada
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409934 is a reply to message #409925] |
Wed, 14 July 2021 21:18 |
Quadibloc
Messages: 4399
Registered: June 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at 1:50:25 PM UTC-6, Mike Spencer wrote:
> I'm almost 80 and don't have the stamina or limberness to spend a day
> crawling around under or bending over cars. In 1968, a Blond Babe
> came into the shop with am early '30s Chevrolet that had braking only
> on one wheel. We had no idea how to fix it. Except! We had one
> mechanic who was 80 years old that year. He announced that he had
> worked on that model when they were new, knew just what to do to
> repair an all-mechanical, non-hydraulic braking system. He even owned
> obsolete tools needed for the job. Took him two days but it was
> working perfectaly when he was done. Wish I had his stamina!
She was very fortunate to have come to the right place.
John Savard
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409948 is a reply to message #409918] |
Thu, 15 July 2021 10:27 |
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Originally posted by: Kurt Weiske
To: Charlie Gibbs
-=> Charlie Gibbs wrote to alt.folklore.computers <=-
CG> I dread the day my 2007 Civic gives up the ghost. I just pray
CG> that I'll be able to find a car that will shut up and do what
CG> I tell it. Maybe it's time to get into vintage cars...
I've got my eye on a 1985 Mercedes 300D turbodiesel near me; with 186,000
miles, a mechanical fuel injection system and limited electronics it's
probably got a good half-million miles left in it.
kurt weiske | kweiske at realitycheckbbs dot org
| http://realitycheckbbs.org
| 1:218/700@fidonet
--- MultiMail/DOS v0.52
--- Synchronet 3.19a-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
* realitycheckBBS - Aptos, CA - telnet://realitycheckbbs.org
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409949 is a reply to message #409918] |
Thu, 15 July 2021 14:09 |
Gerard Schildberger
Messages: 163
Registered: September 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at 1:40:45 PM UTC-5, Charlie Gibbs wrote:
> On 2021-07-14, Quadibloc wrote:
>
>> On Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 1:28:28 PM UTC-6, undefined Hancock-4
>> wrote:
>>
>>> But here's a solution. Instead of funky unreliable computer chips,
>>> how about solid durable relays? Multiple vendors to choose from.
>>
>> It is true that people had automobiles before computers were invented.
>>
>> So, while relays can't replace the transistor - or even the vacuum
>> tube - for doing numerical calculations at high speed, perhaps they
>> could meet the simpler requirements of automobile manufacturers.
>>
>> However, the cars that didn't have chips in them... date from before
>> modern fuel economy and emissions requirements.
> Forget fuel economy and emissions requirements - they're trivial
> compared to the real driver for chips - infotainment systems to
> keep you distracted, backup cameras and lane drift detection and
> automatic braking to save your ass now that you're distracted...
>
> I dread the day my 2007 Civic gives up the ghost. I just pray
> that I'll be able to find a car that will shut up and do what
> I tell it. Maybe it's time to get into vintage cars...
>
> --
> /~\ Charlie Gibbs | They don't understand Microsoft
> \ / <cgi... | has stolen their car and parked
> X I'm really at ac.dekanfrus | a taxi in their driveway.
> / \ if you read it the right way. | -- Mayayana
I too, dread the day my 1977 Honda CVCC gives up the ghost.
Very hard to get parts for as most older Hondas (and other
brands) that were in junk yards were melted down.
Probably the last Honda to use a choke. It serves as a backup
for my manual transmission 1985 Jeep. Not a computer chip
in sight. Nor fuel injection. _____________ Gerard Schildberger
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409952 is a reply to message #409925] |
Thu, 15 July 2021 15:36 |
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Originally posted by: greymaus
On 2021-07-14, Mike Spencer <mds@bogus.nodomain.nowhere> wrote:
>
> Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> writes:
>
>> Forget fuel economy and emissions requirements - they're trivial
>> compared to the real driver for chips - infotainment systems to
>> keep you distracted, backup cameras and lane drift detection and
>> automatic braking to save your ass now that you're distracted...
>>
>> I dread the day my 2007 Civic gives up the ghost. I just pray
>> that I'll be able to find a car that will shut up and do what
>> I tell it. Maybe it's time to get into vintage cars...
>
> My feeling, too. I'd go for a 1970s Land Rover, fully restored on a
> stainless or galvanized frame -- about the same price as a low-end new
I wouldn't and I had one. Sand in the brake disks caused eithe loud or
quiet shreeching, the brakes needed constant adjusting, etc. An
excellent drive, until the night that the TV died, and without
calculating what it meant I headed for the neares TV Box shifter, about
30 miles away, an hours drive there and bac. Next was a Daihatsu, whci i
did not keep greased, and then back to a LR, excellent machine, with a
five cylinder Austrian Engine.
Now a Honda. Never drive anything else again.
> car. Only I'm too old to change a tie rod end in a snowbank or
> replace a defective carb float or fuel pump in the rain -- the kind of
> thing I routinely did until a decade or so ago. And where do I find a
> good mechanic who even knows what a carburetor is?
>
> I'm almost 80 and don't have the stamina or limberness to spend a day
> crawling around under or bending over cars. In 1968, a Blond Babe
> came into the shop with am early '30s Chevrolet that had braking only
> on one wheel. We had no idea how to fix it. Except! We had one
> mechanic who was 80 years old that year. He announced that he had
> worked on that model when they were new, knew just what to do to
> repair an all-mechanical, non-hydraulic braking system. He even owned
> obsolete tools needed for the job. Took him two days but it was
> working perfectaly when he was done. Wish I had his stamina!
>
There are two antique car clubs in the area, and there is no love lost
between them, I think. One has meetings at Durrow, Co. Leix. I don't know
if they happen in the lockdowns, but it is a beautiful drive, to see
neautiful cars!
--
greymausg@mail.com
Down the wrong maushole.
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409955 is a reply to message #409685] |
Thu, 15 July 2021 17:04 |
Peter Flass
Messages: 8375
Registered: December 2011
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Andreas Kohlbach <ank@spamfence.net> wrote:
> On Thu, 15 Jul 2021 07:27:00 -0700, Kurt Weiske wrote:
>>
>> To: Charlie Gibbs
>> -=> Charlie Gibbs wrote to alt.folklore.computers <=-
>>
>>> I dread the day my 2007 Civic gives up the ghost. I just pray
>>> that I'll be able to find a car that will shut up and do what
>>> I tell it. Maybe it's time to get into vintage cars...
>>
>> I've got my eye on a 1985 Mercedes 300D turbodiesel near me; with 186,000
>> miles, a mechanical fuel injection system and limited electronics it's
>> probably got a good half-million miles left in it.
>
> 186,000 miles is nothing for a almost 40 year old car. That'll be just
> 5,000 a year.
I’ve got close to that on my 16yo Accord.
>
> Dad of my girlfriend back in the mid/late 80s in Germany had a 200 (90
> horsepower 2 liter gas engine with carburetor), built 1980. In 1988 I
> went from Germany on holiday to Spain (round trip of about 3,500
> kilometers or more (more than 2,000 miles). Was in already bad shape for
> an 8 year old "German quality" car. Rust everywhere, but the engine still
> fine. In 1989 my girlfriend opted to total it (thank God she and the
> others weren't hurt, especially because it hadn't airbags). I remember it
> had over 200,000 kilometers on the clock by then. Might have had another
> 5-10 years until the shell might finally have fallen apart.
>
> Dunno about Mercedes' quality today. But there are still a lot of Toyotas
> or Hondas on the roads from 2000 or so which look like new (apart from
> the 20 year old design). There are also a lot of Mercedes around, but
> those are mainly newer models (2010-ish or so). Can't remember to have
> seen many older models here in Canada.
--
Pete
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409959 is a reply to message #409955] |
Thu, 15 July 2021 20:00 |
Charlie Gibbs
Messages: 5313
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On 2021-07-15, Peter Flass <peter_flass@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Andreas Kohlbach <ank@spamfence.net> wrote:
>
>> On Thu, 15 Jul 2021 07:27:00 -0700, Kurt Weiske wrote:
>>
>>> To: Charlie Gibbs
>>> -=> Charlie Gibbs wrote to alt.folklore.computers <=-
>>>
>>>> I dread the day my 2007 Civic gives up the ghost. I just pray
>>>> that I'll be able to find a car that will shut up and do what
>>>> I tell it. Maybe it's time to get into vintage cars...
>>>
>>> I've got my eye on a 1985 Mercedes 300D turbodiesel near me; with 186,000
>>> miles, a mechanical fuel injection system and limited electronics it's
>>> probably got a good half-million miles left in it.
>>
>> 186,000 miles is nothing for a almost 40 year old car. That'll be just
>> 5,000 a year.
>
> I’ve got close to that on my 16yo Accord.
I put 250,000 km on a 1984 Civic, and might still be driving it if
it wasn't totaled in a collision. Our 1998 CR-V (the only vehicle
we've ever bought brand-new) had 518,000 km on it when the transmission
died; we still ask ourselves whether we should have just put in a new
one rather than letting it go, since the body was still in good shape.
(We still see some around, usually with about 275,000 km on them.)
The 2007 Civic I bought to replace it had 100,000 km on it at the
time; it's now up to 230,000 and still going strong.
Yes, we're Honda people (my wife had a 1981 Civic when we met).
--
/~\ Charlie Gibbs | They don't understand Microsoft
\ / <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> | has stolen their car and parked
X I'm really at ac.dekanfrus | a taxi in their driveway.
/ \ if you read it the right way. | -- Mayayana
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409960 is a reply to message #409685] |
Thu, 15 July 2021 20:02 |
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Originally posted by: Kurt Weiske
To: Andreas Kohlbach
Re: Re: Chip shortage--use relays
By: Andreas Kohlbach to alt.folklore.computers on Thu Jul 15 2021 03:12 pm
AK> Dunno about Mercedes' quality today. But there are still a lot of Toyotas
AK> or Hondas on the roads from 2000 or so which look like new (apart from
AK> the 20 year old design). There are also a lot of Mercedes around, but
AK> those are mainly newer models (2010-ish or so). Can't remember to have
AK> seen many older models here in Canada.
The 1999-2003 E series appear to have reclaimed the reliability reputation that was lost in the late '80s to early '90s.
--- Synchronet 3.19a-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
* realitycheckBBS - Aptos, CA - telnet://realitycheckbbs.org
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409962 is a reply to message #409959] |
Thu, 15 July 2021 20:46 |
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Originally posted by: songbird
Charlie Gibbs wrote:
....
> I put 250,000 km on a 1984 Civic, and might still be driving it if
> it wasn't totaled in a collision. Our 1998 CR-V (the only vehicle
> we've ever bought brand-new) had 518,000 km on it when the transmission
> died; we still ask ourselves whether we should have just put in a new
> one rather than letting it go, since the body was still in good shape.
> (We still see some around, usually with about 275,000 km on them.)
> The 2007 Civic I bought to replace it had 100,000 km on it at the
> time; it's now up to 230,000 and still going strong.
>
> Yes, we're Honda people (my wife had a 1981 Civic when we met).
i had a '97 Civic, basic DX, added air conditioning because i
knew i was going to be on the road at times in places where it
wasn't cool. only cost an extra $500. i paid $13,500 for it and
while it wasn't trouble free it was mostly issues because it was
stored outside and the exhaust system would keep rusting out. i
had the brakes done a few times and the timing belt changed once
and then the regular fluids and oil changes.
when i sold it just a few years ago the motor would start
right up. i had mouse problems though because it was sitting
outside too much and i was hardly driving it. and there was
rust starting up that would have needed to be fixed, and the
back end was in need of some work and a paint job. sitting
outside in the sun that long just didn't do it much good either.
still even with the mouse problems, when i put it out for
sale at the end of the drive i had someone stop in and ask
about it and while i wanted 1400 for it he said 1100 and i
wanted it gone so i said ok. but pretty much as soon as i
started it up he said he'd take it.
it only had about 140,000 miles on it. i haven't seen it
driving around but i wondered how he did with it. the big
thing that was nice was that he was enough of a mechanic that
he could do a lot of work on it himself and that would save
a ton of money. the main reason i got rid of it was that i
didn't want to put a lot more money into it to fix the
problems and still be stuck not driving it much and it still
sitting outside. insurance prices are rediculous so it just
made no sense to keep it when i was hardly driving it.
it was a fun car to drive and i do miss it.
songbird
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409963 is a reply to message #409685] |
Thu, 15 July 2021 21:51 |
John Levine
Messages: 1405
Registered: December 2011
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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It appears that undefined Hancock-4 <hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com> said:
> There are news reports about a chip shortage, and they're not
> talking about Famous Amos cookies. Even new cars are in short
> supply.
>
> But here's a solution. Instead of funky unreliable computer chips,
> how about solid durable relays? Multiple vendors to choose from.
TSMC and UMC, the two large chip makers in Taiwan, say that they
have increased auto chip production and the shortage should ease
in a few weeks. Better cancel those orders for 10,000,000 relays now.
https://on.ft.com/2UklWvQ
--
Regards,
John Levine, johnl@taugh.com, Primary Perpetrator of "The Internet for Dummies",
Please consider the environment before reading this e-mail. https://jl.ly
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409965 is a reply to message #409949] |
Thu, 15 July 2021 23:07 |
cmadams
Messages: 29
Registered: July 2012
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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Once upon a time, Gerard Schildberger <gerard46@rrt.net> said:
> I too, dread the day my 1977 Honda CVCC gives up the ghost.
I drove a 1977 Honda Civic - the wagon version even (which made it that
much harder to get parts, even 25 years ago when I was still driving
it). I would not dread it giving up the ghost!
FYI: there's a 1977 Honda Civic in the Smithsonian American History
museum.
--
Chris Adams <cmadams@cmadams.net>
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409967 is a reply to message #409934] |
Fri, 16 July 2021 01:26 |
Mike Spencer
Messages: 997
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Quadibloc <jsavard@ecn.ab.ca> writes:
> On Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at 1:50:25 PM UTC-6, Mike Spencer wrote:
>
>> In 1968, a Blond Babe came into the shop with am early '30s
>> Chevrolet that had braking only on one wheel. We had no idea how to
>> fix it. Except! We had one mechanic who was 80 years old that
>> year. He announced that he had worked on that model when they were
>> new, knew just what to do to repair an all-mechanical,
>> non-hydraulic braking system. He even owned obsolete tools needed
>> for the job. Took him two days but it was working perfectaly when
>> he was done. Wish I had his stamina!
>
> She was very fortunate to have come to the right place.
We were the shop, in a college town with crazy students and eccentric
professors, that worked on all the weird cars, viz. all the "foreign"
ones (back when "foreign car" meant something.) So the gas station
that failed her safety inspection sent her straight to us. Normally,
we turned away "domestic" cars but we cheerfully made an exception for
that one.
--
Mike Spencer Nova Scotia, Canada
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409968 is a reply to message #409959] |
Fri, 16 July 2021 01:53 |
Mike Spencer
Messages: 997
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> writes:
> I put 250,000 km on a 1984 Civic, and might still be driving it if
> it wasn't totaled in a collision. Our 1998 CR-V (the only vehicle
> we've ever bought brand-new) had 518,000 km on it when the transmission
> died; we still ask ourselves whether we should have just put in a new
> one rather than letting it go, since the body was still in good shape.
> (We still see some around, usually with about 275,000 km on them.)
> The 2007 Civic I bought to replace it had 100,000 km on it at the
> time; it's now up to 230,000 and still going strong.
Straying further OT...
The mechanic of whom I wrote in another post who was 80 years old and
still working in 1968 spent most of his adult life with a single
employer. He was chauffeur and mechanic for a rich woman who bought a
new car and employed him to drive it.
The car (I'm sorry that I don't recall the marque) had a white summer
body and black winter body. Old Pete (who wasn't old then) swapped
them seasonally and did any needed refurbishment on the one not in
use. When there was no driving to do, his only responsibility was to
maintain the car and he did so meticulously for decades.
He said that she'd call him and say, "I want to go to Florida
tomorrow" and he'd drive her straight through to Florida from New
England with no overnights. That's a hard slog on the interstates now,
never mind on the roads of the '20s or '30s.
Pete said that the greatest disappointment of his life was that his
employer died when he had driven that car well over 900,000 miles and
he really, really wanted to be able to say he'd driven it a million
miles!
--
Mike Spencer Nova Scotia, Canada
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409974 is a reply to message #409685] |
Fri, 16 July 2021 08:20 |
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Originally posted by: gareth evans
On 16/07/2021 13:08, Andreas Kohlbach wrote:
> On 16 Jul 2021 02:53:23 -0300, Mike Spencer wrote:
>>
>> He said that she'd call him and say, "I want to go to Florida
>> tomorrow" and he'd drive her straight through to Florida from New
>> England with no overnights. That's a hard slog on the interstates now,
>> never mind on the roads of the '20s or '30s.
>
> Also if you just compare the 1980s to today.
>
> As mentioned I was going to Spain in the 1980s with my ex girlfriend. Was
> talking to the brother of my ex a few years ago what an adventure it was
> (some 1200 miles) and he didn't quite understand, because he recently
> (2015) also did a similar trip. But his car was a modern Toyota with air
> condition, GPS and all that modern s**t you have today. Back in 1985 my
> Beetle had no AC, let alone GPS. Not even power brakes or steering. It
> was hot (of course, summer in Spain) and the only cooing came from
> lowering the windows.
>
> Kids today don't understand.
>
Especially when there were only landline telephones with
rotary dials ...
Interview for a secretarial position ...
Well, Miss, do you use a Diktaphone?
... No, I use a pencil.
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409984 is a reply to message #409685] |
Fri, 16 July 2021 12:32 |
Charlie Gibbs
Messages: 5313
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On 2021-07-16, Andreas Kohlbach <ank@spamfence.net> wrote:
> On 16 Jul 2021 02:53:23 -0300, Mike Spencer wrote:
>
>> He said that she'd call him and say, "I want to go to Florida
>> tomorrow" and he'd drive her straight through to Florida from New
>> England with no overnights. That's a hard slog on the interstates now,
>> never mind on the roads of the '20s or '30s.
>
> Also if you just compare the 1980s to today.
>
> As mentioned I was going to Spain in the 1980s with my ex girlfriend. Was
> talking to the brother of my ex a few years ago what an adventure it was
> (some 1200 miles) and he didn't quite understand, because he recently
> (2015) also did a similar trip. But his car was a modern Toyota with air
> condition, GPS and all that modern s**t you have today. Back in 1985 my
> Beetle had no AC, let alone GPS. Not even power brakes or steering. It
> was hot (of course, summer in Spain) and the only cooing came from
> lowering the windows.
One thing I really miss is vents that directed ram air into the cabin.
If you're not stuck in a traffic jam, that took care of most of the
cases where today you have no alternative but to use air conditioning.
Some cars with that little extra pane at the front of the side window
(I don't know the offical name, we called them "no-drafts") let you
pivot it far enough that it directed air in as well. More natural,
less thermal shock.
> Kids today don't understand.
An automotive version of the Four Yorkshiremen...?
--
/~\ Charlie Gibbs | They don't understand Microsoft
\ / <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> | has stolen their car and parked
X I'm really at ac.dekanfrus | a taxi in their driveway.
/ \ if you read it the right way. | -- Mayayana
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409986 is a reply to message #409685] |
Fri, 16 July 2021 13:56 |
Peter Flass
Messages: 8375
Registered: December 2011
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Andreas Kohlbach <ank@spamfence.net> wrote:
> On 16 Jul 2021 00:00:09 GMT, Charlie Gibbs wrote:
>>
>> On 2021-07-15, Peter Flass <peter_flass@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Andreas Kohlbach <ank@spamfence.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>> On Thu, 15 Jul 2021 07:27:00 -0700, Kurt Weiske wrote:
>>>
>>>> 186,000 miles is nothing for a almost 40 year old car. That'll be just
>>>> 5,000 a year.
>>>
>>> I’ve got close to that on my 16yo Accord.
>>
>> I put 250,000 km on a 1984 Civic, and might still be driving it if
>> it wasn't totaled in a collision. Our 1998 CR-V (the only vehicle
>> we've ever bought brand-new) had 518,000 km on it when the transmission
>> died; we still ask ourselves whether we should have just put in a new
>> one rather than letting it go, since the body was still in good shape.
>> (We still see some around, usually with about 275,000 km on them.)
>> The 2007 Civic I bought to replace it had 100,000 km on it at the
>> time; it's now up to 230,000 and still going strong.
>
> When I mentioned the trip from Germany to Spain 1988 in the 8 year old
> Mercedes already in a bad shape, I did the same tour 1985 in a
> Beetle. She was from 1969 - 4 years younger than me - and my first
> car. Already in a bad shape too. Never saw any 16 year old girl in such a
> bad shape in the 80s. ;-) She made the round trip, but barely. Probably
> suffered a lot from the bad bumpy French roads. One headlight frequently
> fell out, only held by its cables. Funny at night when it suddenly
> started wobbling, like someone waving a flashlight.
Too bad this was before Gorilla glue was invented.
>
> Went there with a friend, who just picked up his driving license two days
> before. I let him drive home from the office. First action was pulling
> out of the parking lot, only to hit a lamp pole, pushing the bumper into
> the mudguard. I later drove the first leg. Close to the Swiss border next
> day he drove. Glad the Autobahn was straight so he could get some
> experience.
>
> Thinking back, what an adventure, having an inexperienced driver learn to
> drive in a foreign country. Gladly there were no further incidences.
>
>> Yes, we're Honda people (my wife had a 1981 Civic when we met).
>
> The second car I had was given to me from a friend who lost his driving
> license, just to drive him to work. Was that year "Walk the dinosaur" was
> playing on the radio frequently, so it was 1987. He paid gas and all, and
> when I was not at his "service" I could use it for ever I wanted. A dream
> come true for a 20 year old without job to drive a car for free. That was
> a Honda Accord from 1979 (I think). In the three years (until 1990) I
> drove it there was not a single problem other that the fuel gauge
> displayed bogus values.
>
> Years later I learned both cars were totaled by the owners they were sold
> to.
--
Pete
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409987 is a reply to message #409685] |
Fri, 16 July 2021 13:56 |
Peter Flass
Messages: 8375
Registered: December 2011
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Andreas Kohlbach <ank@spamfence.net> wrote:
> On 16 Jul 2021 02:53:23 -0300, Mike Spencer wrote:
>>
>> He said that she'd call him and say, "I want to go to Florida
>> tomorrow" and he'd drive her straight through to Florida from New
>> England with no overnights. That's a hard slog on the interstates now,
>> never mind on the roads of the '20s or '30s.
>
> Also if you just compare the 1980s to today.
>
> As mentioned I was going to Spain in the 1980s with my ex girlfriend. Was
> talking to the brother of my ex a few years ago what an adventure it was
> (some 1200 miles) and he didn't quite understand, because he recently
> (2015) also did a similar trip. But his car was a modern Toyota with air
> condition, GPS and all that modern s**t you have today. Back in 1985 my
> Beetle had no AC, let alone GPS. Not even power brakes or steering. It
> was hot (of course, summer in Spain) and the only cooing came from
> lowering the windows.
Of course, back then it probably had vent windows in the front. Worst thing
that happened to cars was when they were eliminated.
>
> Kids today don't understand.
--
Pete
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| Re: Chip shortage--use relays [message #409989 is a reply to message #409924] |
Fri, 16 July 2021 14:10 |
hancock4
Messages: 6746
Registered: December 2011
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at 3:43:23 PM UTC-4, Robert Netzlof wrote:
> On Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at 6:23:26 PM UTC-4, undefined Hancock-4 wrote:
>>
>> In the 1960s IBM offered relays for sale, advertising in trade magazines.
>>
> Oddly enough, also advertised in Model Railroader.
Here are some IBM ads.
Police communications, numerical control 2 pgs
https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Site-Technical/Enginee ring-General/Archive-Electronics-IDX/IDX/60s/68/Electronics- 1968-06-24-OCR-Page-0122.pdf#search=%22ibm%20wire%20contact% 20relay%22
https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Site-Technical/Enginee ring-General/Archive-Electronics-IDX/IDX/60s/68/Electronics- 1968-06-24-OCR-Page-0123.pdf#search=%22ibm%20wire%20contact% 20relay%22
Elevators 2 pgs
https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Site-Technical/Enginee ring-General/Archive-Electronics-IDX/IDX/60s/69/Electronics- 1969-03-31-OCR-Page-0116.pdf#search=%22ibm%20wire%20contact% 20relay%22
https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Site-Technical/Enginee ring-General/Archive-Electronics-IDX/IDX/60s/69/Electronics- 1969-03-31-OCR-Page-0117.pdf#search=%22ibm%20wire%20contact% 20relay%22
Control system 2 pgs
https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Site-Technical/Enginee ring-General/Archive-Electronics-IDX/IDX/60s/69/Electronics- 1969-01-20-OCR-Page-0132.pdf#search=%22ibm%20wire%20contact% 20relay%22
https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Site-Technical/Enginee ring-General/Archive-Electronics-IDX/IDX/60s/69/Electronics- 1969-01-20-OCR-Page-0133.pdf#search=%22ibm%20wire%20contact% 20relay%22
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