What a mathematical error!!!!

HappyHippyDad · Feb 2, 2022

I cannot believe I did this. I am almost obsessive with mathematical calculations. In fact, I actually try to be less obsessive as it takes so much time and mental exhaustion to be exactly correct to the mm/cm/m.

I had to measure a long run to a new sub DB that I was putting in. It was an awkward run, twisty and turny in a barn, up and down, and into a field.

It took a lot of will power but I decided for the first time ever to just 'pace it out', rather measure it. I felt really uncomfortable as the OCD was kicking in, (but also a tiny bit brazen which felt good

) but I did it. An 80m (paced out) length. I then added on 10% and purchased 88m of cable.

Went to the job yesterday, spent 2 hours getting the 88m of heavy SWA in to the twisty turny, high up places........

I was short.....

by 37m!!!!!??

That's ridiculous, I have never been short in my life. Literally never. I always have excess. Too much excess, I have sooo many off cuts of SWA ready for scrapping.

37m!!??

Half a day spent getting the extra cable, running it and joining it.

I will never pace a job again. I shall revert back to my mathematical OCD and revel in it, rather than fight against it

What on earth went wrong!!!???

nicebutdim · Feb 2, 2022

Just realised that it was 37m short on a 125m run!!

You must be 9' tall

7029 dave · Feb 2, 2022

That is way out, its BIG strides Steve not pigeon steps.

pc1966 · Feb 3, 2022

I got one of these for getting distances sort-of right:

Mini Measuring Wheel

Aluminium with plastic wheel

www.cef.co.uk

Check the route again to see if it is close to your estimate, as above you might have got less cable than ordered!

Just to add, the wheels on that one are not very big (15cm-ish?) so it struggles with rough ground. Some of the single wheel but larger models might have been better for out door work. For example:

Measuring Wheel

Order online at Screwfix.com. ABS wheel with folding steel handle and 9999m measuring range. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 5 minutes.

www.screwfix.com

buzzlightyear · Feb 3, 2022

Bosch GWM40 Measuring Wheel - https://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-gwm40-measuring-wheel/3490k , you can sit on this when measuring and join the circus .

HappyHippyDad · Feb 3, 2022

I'd love to be able to replay the day when I made the strides, just to see where the error occurred.

I think it was a mixture of poor strides AND simply missing a whole section of the run for whatever reason. I think I added it up in bits, so possibly just left out a 37m bit in the adding up. Also, at the end of the day and feeling pretty exhausted.

Pretty much the entire barn area was around 37m.

Anyway, no more strides for me.