Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2017 August 15

= August 15 =

Radio
When I open up an old radio I see a thing that appears to be coils of copper into which mains volts AC power goes in and DC volts power comes out. What is this device called? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 52.8.172.72 (talk) 10:58, 15 August 2017 (UTC)
 * A Rectifier. {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 2.221.81.30 (talk) 11:19, 15 August 2017 (UTC)
 * The transformer would be the chunk of iroon with coils of wire around it, the rectifier would be some diodes on the output of the transformer. Dmcq (talk) 13:41, 15 August 2017 (UTC)


 * All those wires and stuff are why it's called a wireless. Obviously.  :)  --   Jack of Oz   [pleasantries]  19:21, 15 August 2017 (UTC)
 * Richard Armour described the wireless as, "Although it has a great many wires, there are less than there might be." ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 21:21, 15 August 2017 (UTC)
 * I'd have preferred it if he'd said "fewer than there might be", but we have what we have. :)  --   Jack of Oz   [pleasantries]  02:09, 16 August 2017 (UTC)


 * I think what you are describing is the radio's power transformer, but you are mistaken in assuming that DC comes out of it. A transformer "transforms" AC voltage on its input to AC voltage on its output, usually at a different voltage but not necessarily so (see Isolation transformer). In a radio, the output of the transformer is connected to a rectifier (a radio tube or solid state semiconductor device) which changes the AC to DC. There may appear to be DC at your transformer's output, shown by a DC test meter, because of the action of the rectifier diodes, misleading you into thinking that the output from the transformer is DC. It's not. Akld guy (talk) 22:52, 15 August 2017 (UTC)


 * A journalist offered the position of "television and wireless correspondent" at the Daily Telegraph declined, although she pointed out that she was happy to take on the position of "television and radio correspondent", (which she did).  Calling a domestic radio receiver a "wireless" or a "wireless set" dates the speaker - "wireless receiver" is a generic term referring to the technology of transmitting a message without sending it down a wire (wireless telegraphy). 79.79.138.16 (talk) 09:27, 16 August 2017 (UTC)

Please identify Chevy Avalanche transmission part


I only drive my 2003 Chevy Avalanche in winter, since it has lousy mileage but does have 4 wheel drive. I periodically move it in summer, so the tires won't get flats on them. The last time I tried this, it wouldn't switch gears. I looked under the truck, and found this part. Presumably, it fell off the transmission and this is the problem. I'd like to know the name of it, so I can call around and ask for prices to replace it. I's 2 7/8 inch long, from 3/4 inch to 1 inch wide, the projection is 1/2 tall and from 1/8 to 3/8 inch wide. The slot is 1/2 inch long and 5/16 inch wide. The semicircular notch has a 5/16 inch diameter. Thanks in advance ! StuRat (talk) 17:42, 15 August 2017 (UTC)




 * I think it's Item 8 here and here. May want to check someone else though.  -- Jayron 32 18:23, 15 August 2017 (UTC)


 * Thanks. The item in the 2nd link looks similar, but lacks the semicircular notch and seems to have a circular hole rather than an elongated slot.  The name "Automatic Transmission: Manual Control Lever" may be a good search term to use, and hints at the function.  Maybe it toggles between 4WD and 2WD modes ?  (This model doesn't require going under the truck to switch modes, but may still have that feature as a backup.)  StuRat (talk) 20:09, 15 August 2017 (UTC)
 * knows the insides of cars pretty well. She's not as active as she used to be in Wikipedia, but perhaps she has some insight.-- Jayron 32 20:57, 15 August 2017 (UTC)


 * Man, I have no idea what that is. The slot in it indicates that it rotates around a shaft; in other words, it's a lever. No idea other than that (ask me about VWs :) ) - A l is o n  ❤ 04:15, 16 August 2017 (UTC)


 * OK, thanks. StuRat (talk) 05:05, 16 August 2017 (UTC)


 * The next place I would try, perhaps, is the Car Talk website. Their community forums continue to be pretty active, even though the show is no longer in production: .  -- Jayron 32 10:33, 16 August 2017 (UTC)


 * The reason that the part Jayron32 linked looks different is because it is for a 2016-17 Chevy. You stated that yours is 2003. What you have looks like any cable-pulled lever. You said you cannot shift, so it is most likely the lever between the transmission cable and the transmission control on the transmission itself. Yours should be on the driver's side of the transmission. Right now, you should see a cable dangling on that side, not connected to anything. It goes in and out when you shift gears. It should connect to the pointy end of the part you have and that part should be secured by a nut onto the transmission. It looks like you lost the nut and, eventually, the lever fell off. From memory, I believe you are in NZ, so I can't be certain that Chevy parts there are the same as in the US. I know that a Dodge Charger that I looked at in Spain had a completely different transmission than the same year model in the US. So, it is possible that the cable attaches on the top (like my Mercedes transmission does) or on the passenger side. Regardless, trace the transmission cable to the transmission and ensure that it is attached to a lever. If not, you have the lever and need to get a replacement nut. 209.149.113.5 (talk) 16:57, 16 August 2017 (UTC)


 * Thanks. I am in Detroit.  Is there no more specific name for it ? StuRat (talk) 17:04, 16 August 2017 (UTC)


 * I get the most hits using "shift control lever." It really could be a lever for something else, but that wouldn't explain why you couldn't shift gears. If you can, look for the shift control cable. It should be connected to the shift control lever. If it isn't, then you know where your lever goes. The trick is, still, getting a nut to put it back in place. If your shift control cable is connected to a lever, then you have a lever for something else and you have to start over with diagnosing the shifting problem. Hopefully you have a way to jack up your vehicle nicely. I like rental mechanic bays myself, especially when they have tools you can use. I just did a smoke test on my evac system and I was very happy to borrow the tools instead of purchasing them for one stupid test. Luckily, I did find the evac leak and I don't have to deal with everyone telling me over and over "It's the gas cap, man." 209.149.113.5 (talk) 17:44, 16 August 2017 (UTC)


 * One nice thing about the Chevy Avalanche is that it has plenty of ground clearance, so there's no need to jack it up to work under it, unless you are morbidly obese. StuRat (talk) 21:27, 16 August 2017 (UTC)

New look
Where can I read about the new look to Wikipædia? Stanstaple (talk) 19:18, 15 August 2017 (UTC)


 * News has a few good sources for news about Wikipedia (WP), including new features. What "new look" are you talking about? The site has changed a bit since 2001. Also, you can customize how WP looks using your browser settings, as well as your user preferences. See Customization and Skin. Anyway, if you tell us more about what you mean by the new look, we might be able to steer you in the right direction.
 * (N.B. Encyclopædia is an accepted variant of Encyclopedia, but Wikipedia is always spelt with a simple 'e'). SemanticMantis (talk) 19:47, 15 August 2017 (UTC)


 * Unless they're talking about the Old English Wikipedia, but I don't know if that has a new look recently. Adam Bishop (talk) 18:33, 16 August 2017 (UTC)