The problem with lithium batteries is not what starts them burning or even the incidence of BMS/battery failure as the cause but the nature of the fire once it does start and that's where the insurers get involved big time.

There is no doubt if it's performance you're after with car (as distinct from towing/heavy haulage) then an EV is the way to go nowadays-
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/other/sorry-petrol-heads-sports-cars-are-going-electric-they-re-more-stunning-than-ever/ar-AA24jty4
Pretty hard to beat the performance value proposition of a Tesla with an ICE car.

Chasing performance like that with ICE cars is really swimming against the tide as ever more stringent emissions designed to drive us into EVs incurs an ugly tradeoff with longevity. If small cap engines at high pressures and temperatures plus high rpm biturbos with multi speed transmissions/DSG/CVT aren't to hit you in the hip pocket on that score then hybrid Atkinson cycle is the logical compromise. In any case with Big Brother everywhere performance is strictly for the track or you'll quickly enjoy being a passenger.

Quote from: Fizzie on June 07, 2026, 03:12:52 PM....
House was built in ~1980 so ~45 years old. Does gyprock "wear out" or go "brittle" over time?

Dunno about old wall board going brittle, but in my experience the newer stuff is not up to it.

I tried to put some wall mates in daughter and son-in-laws 10yo place, and the wall board just disintegrated with very little effort.

Quote from: Fizzie on June 07, 2026, 03:12:52 PMNot something I did in the shed, but something I'm going to have to do in the house , so asking for thoughts & advice.

A few years ago, I mounted a couple of simple shelves in the garage & rumpus room, just boards laid on L-brackets screwed into multiple Wallmate plugs in the gyprock. Shelves were for bulky but light-weight stuff like fishing gear & Christmas decorations, so probably only ~10-15 kgs in weight on each of them.

Early this year, the garage shelf collapsed, then this week, the rumpus room one did the same In both cases, the Wallmates physically ripped out of the gyprock!

House was built in ~1980 so ~45 years old. Does gyprock "wear out" or go "brittle" over time?

How wide are your shelves?
Wall Mates can hold a lot of downward weight, depending on the width of your shelf, maybe the weight is transferred outwards more than downwards, causing the plug to pull out of the gyprock.
I've got wall mates in gyprock that are over 30 years old, but they're not used for shelving.
I've also installed wallmates into 30+ year old gyprock without a problem.
Just recently installed a vanity mirror cabinet(1500W x 900H) in the son's bathroom, the packaging stated it was a 30kg unit, but it's only 125mm deep.


You don't use magic to disappear, ya use a 4x4 & Swag.

Not something I did in the shed, but something I'm going to have to do in the house , so asking for thoughts & advice.

A few years ago, I mounted a couple of simple shelves in the garage & rumpus room, just boards laid on L-brackets screwed into multiple Wallmate plugs in the gyprock. Shelves were for bulky but light-weight stuff like fishing gear & Christmas decorations, so probably only ~10-15 kgs in weight on each of them.

Early this year, the garage shelf collapsed, then this week, the rumpus room one did the same In both cases, the Wallmates physically ripped out of the gyprock!

House was built in ~1980 so ~45 years old. Does gyprock "wear out" or go "brittle" over time?

When they invent an EV that recharges from solar panels on its roof without having to plug in, Ill be in it. Until then, they are just an expensive toy.

Quote from: OldPaj on June 01, 2026, 09:40:37 PMJust done mine for the 4WD and motorcycle, no issues at all.
See if it come through!

Notifications yesterday and today. I have been successful &123.51 for the bike and $160.18 for the 4WD (Pajero)

Quote from: Oldengines on June 05, 2026, 10:26:34 AMPocket type torch,

Not "rechargeable" as such, but cheap, small, bright, long-life & incredibly handy! https://www.jaycar.com.au/blocklite-led-9v-battery-light/p/ST3367

Quote from: GeoffA on June 02, 2026, 07:04:40 AMDid my 2 this morning.

Not too bad. 3 days from submitting application to receiving payment.

Same thing happened with ICE when they were more and more available and more accidents did occur.
Remember the first car you had? Compare that to the new models available at the dealership.
More testing, more rules.
Nothing new.

And, the story doesn't tell you how the fire started.