boakes.org » Misc

Dyson Coin Trap

Rich — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 13:24:39 +0000

Since we’ve been upgraded to the new-style of coin trap on our Dyson CR-01 washing machine we’ve noticed that it clogs more than the previous design. This is good (ish): it’s supposed to clog, that’s the idea, by clogging at a point that is accessible it reduces the likelihood that larger particles of gunk and hair can get through and compromise the pump or the exit tubes, but regardless of this, it’s still a bit of a pain when it happens. You walk past the machine expecting your washing to be ready but instead there’s a message saying “Not emptying: Check coin trap …”

The standard solution is to “pop” out the drain valve and allow it to slowly empty the water from the machine, into several bowls, which must be ferried to the sink. This is great insofar as it ensures there’s never a serious blockage, but it’s time consuming (it can take up to 15 minutes for a full machine to drain away), and invariably a bit of water gets spilled. Once empty, the coin trap can be opened and the gunk can be cleared.

Recently after washing some particularly grubby and loose-thread doormats we experienced repeated clogging as the bits worked their way out, so the process of fixing these blockages could have taken several hours in total.

There is an alternative non-standard solution, but it’s not something I’d recommend if you’re not a strapping young lad with rolled up sleeves and perhaps a smudge of engine oil on your cheek – there are all kinds of potential hazards, including damage to your machine, your home, or your person.

Switch off the machine at the plug, roll it forward on it’s little wheels so it’s about 20cm in front of it’s normal location, then tilt it backwards by about 30 degrees. All the water drops to the back of the machine, and the coin trap can be opened and cleaned without needing to be drained.

It takes us about 15 minutes to drain the machine, but just 1 minute to switch off the plug, roll it out and tip it back, and there is the added bonus that the machine remembers what it was doing so the wash can be continued once the machine is plugged back in (rather than needing to be restarted).

Penyrheol School Gutted by Fire

Rich — Sat, 18 Mar 2006 11:58:27 +0000

Penyrheol Comprehensive School (where I used to do an evening football class, and a team which our school rugby team played against regularly) has been razed to the ground by fire.

Mum lives very near to the school and noticed “what looked like a house on fire” at about 01:30 and was about to call the emergency services when she saw blue lights so observed the events as they unfolded.

Two hours later (03:30) in gale force easterly winds, the fire continued to blaze – Emergency services swarmed all over the local roads to the west of the school, sensibly keeping out of the smoke when it’s not necessary.

Mum reported seeing people up ladders and hearing things exploding.

By 05:00 the fire was under control, but extensive damage had occurred. A large proportion of the school has been razed: science, business, computing, staff areas, dining rooms & kitchens all flat to the ground.

Surviving the fire

The Leisure Centre which adjoins the school to the east (a favourite for kids birthday parties) has slight smoke damage. The English and Maths departments have survived, but a lot of coursework and school records have been lost. There is some hope that work which teachers and kids did on computers (including assignments and grades) is likely to exist in different forms on home computers, laptops and on backup disks in various places, so it’s not as complete a loss as it would have been just a few years ago.

Photos

Clicking on each photo will take you to a flickr (photo sharing) page where you can download high resolution copies.

Press Coverage

The story has been picked up by the BBC, and as other agencies publish reports, they’ll be listed here (archived stories here).

Google Earth Location / Model

This is a Google Earth placemark which identifies the school’s location, and includes a (fairly simple) 3d model of the former building illustrating what’s been destroyed.

Previous Fire

The school was rebuilt in 1976 after a fire destroyed the previous buildings. A couple of photo’s of that fire are available on the web at the Gorseinon History Archive (here and here).

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Rich — Fri, 21 Dec 2001 20:08:43 +0000

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Protected: Emma Boakes CV

Emma — Fri, 19 May 2000 10:08:40 +0000