Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2008 September 12

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September 12

Will an Electric Takoyaki Maker from Japan Work in the US

I want to buy a takoyaki maker, because I don't have a gas oven for the skillets. Its power supply is AC100V 50/60Hz would it work in the US, and would it heat up hotter in the US? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 204.210.104.79 (talk) 02:26, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

Where in the world is 100 v the supply voltage? Why do you presuppose that you octopus dumpling maker would run on 100 volts, a supply voltage I do not know to be presently used in any country? The US gave up 100 volts in favor of 110 or 120 in the 19th century, and most countries use 230 volts. A 100 volt appliance would probably overheat on U.S. 120 volt supply, and a 230 volt appliance would probably work on a U.S. 240 volt supply, but the manufacturer should be consulted to make sure it would be safe to use it on 240 volts. 2409 volts is widely availabe in the U.S., and in some locations 208 volts is supplied in addition to 120 volts. Edison (talk) 04:41, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

I found one rated at 100 volts [1]. I am puzzled still as to where 100 volts is the distribution voltage. [2] suggests using a "voltage converter" or transformer. A 100 volt appliance should not be plugged in to a 120 volt supply. Having read about takoyaki, now I am craving some. Edison (talk) 04:49, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

[3] says in Japan 100 volts is the distribution voltage. So I would find a voltage convertor or transformer rated at the demand of the appliance or higher. Edison (talk) 05:01, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

What's the power consumption of the machine? If it's high, I think it's dangerous to use the machine in the USA, even if you use a transformer. Oda Mari (talk) 05:41, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

Why would you say that? If the transformer has a power rating greater than the device, the electricity will be exactly the same - it can't tell they're not Japanese electrons. The device Edison links above is 650W and carries CE and GS safety ratings. Especially since it's a straight resistive load, it would work perfectly well with a 120/100V 1KVA transformer. Franamax (talk) 06:39, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

Sorry, my mistake. It's OK with 1KVA transformer. Oda Mari (talk) 14:45, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

God

Duplicate question removed. See #God Being An Angel on this page. --Masamage ♫ 03:21, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

Who does all yer lawyerin'?

Just wondering where you guys get lawyers from because I know a guy who would be good at it. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.159.158.34 (talk) 04:11, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

Are you offering his services? Plasticup ^T/C 05:28, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

If you are referring to Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Foundation - there is only one lawyer retained, Mike Godwin. There doesn't seem to be a need for anyone else. Nanonic (talk) 05:29, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

I live near Washington DC. When we need a lawyer, we just open the door and shake a checkbook. --- OtherDave (talk) 10:59, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

Sometimes you don't even have to do that.Say 'lawsuit' without thinking and you'll find hundreds of them in the house.You'll need to have them removed by professional exterminators Lemon martini (talk) 12:04, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

Altering a tailored jacket

What is the easiest way of taking in a mans tailored wool jacket that is too big at the waist —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.12.240.8 (talk) 18:28, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

The easiest way is to take it to a tailor. Strawless (talk) 18:48, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

A tailor or seamstress who advertises "alterations" will provide an assessment of what can (or can't) be done, along with a cost estimate. Be sure to specify a time frame in which the work is to be completed. Ideally, the jacket would be tried on for fitting and marking the necessary alterations, but if this is for someone who's not available for the try-on, it's helpful to bring along a similar garment that fits well, or failing that, a well-fitting, preferably tailored shirt of woven (i.e. not knit) fabric that will give an indication of the wearer's build and proportions. -- Deborahjay (talk) 04:05, 13 September 2008 (UTC)

Tamil and Chinese words

Moved to the Language Desk, where you should get a better response. -- Coneslayer (talk) 19:56, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSJcXPCxlzI

who is singing in this clip, not suitable for the office. nazi executions. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.18.32.117 (talk) 20:38, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

"From the Time You Say Goodbye" is sung by Vera Lynn. DuncanHill (talk) 22:02, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

"Lily Marlene" sounds like Vera too. And I have now just found a comment by the originator of the clip on the site linked to that all 3 songs are sung by Vera. DuncanHill (talk) 22:04, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

The third song is "Auf wiederseh'n Sweetheart" and is definately Vera Lynn. DuncanHill (talk) 22:09, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

See also Hanging. Edison (talk) 03:21, 15 September 2008 (UTC)

SAT I

What is SAT I? The SAT article on Wikipedia doesn't seem to say anything about it. Is it something completely different? --212.120.246.239 (talk) 22:13, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

Googling makes it appear that it is (now) the same thing, since it seems to be being used interchangeably with just plain 'SAT'. Rather, the SAT article makes reference to an 'old' SAT II: "the writing section of the SAT, based on but not directly comparable to the old SAT II subject test in writing," which suggests that there was, once, a SAT I and SAT II - the latter of which was dropped. Angus Lepper^{(T, C, D)} 22:46, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

Googling for "Sat II" gives a College Board page as the first hit, with the opening phrase "Subject Tests (formerly SAT II: Subject Tests) ...". (Note that SAT Subject Tests are still given) It appears you are correct that the "SAT I" is equivalent to the modern SAT Reasoning Test. -- 128.104.112.147 (talk) 22:21, 13 September 2008 (UTC)

Found a direct answer [4] "Originally, SAT was an abbreviation for the Scholastic Aptitude Test. In 1993, the test was renamed the SAT I: Reasoning Test. ... In 2004, the numerals "I" and "II" were dropped, and the tests are now named the SAT Reasoning Test (or just SAT) and SAT Subject Tests." -- 128.104.112.147 (talk) 22:35, 13 September 2008 (UTC)

Gas Detector

What machine or tool is able to detect gas underground, like if there is a leak? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.156.167.54 (talk) 23:56, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

A Canary. DuncanHill (talk) 00:10, 13 September 2008 (UTC)

We have a very stubby article Gas detector. DuncanHill (talk) 00:11, 13 September 2008 (UTC)

A Davy lamp ? —Preceding unsigned comment added by BellyGrease (talk • contribs) 22:54, 13 September 2008 (UTC)

What type of gas? The internet supplied me with detectors for radon, propane, and natural gas. Plasticup ^T/C 05:43, 14 September 2008 (UTC)

Utilities and fire departments use combustible gas detectors. Some are specific to detecting particular gases such as methane or pentane. They are modern electronic instruments which provide a digital readout. [5]. There are also "Explosimeters" [6] from the MSA company which measure combustible gas or vapor concentration in air (not suitable for detecting their concentration in inert gases or in oxygen enriched environments). They draw the gas over a heated filament. Burning of the gases raise the temperature of the filament and a bridge circuit calculates the result.Edison (talk) 03:08, 15 September 2008 (UTC)