Member postings for Samsaranda

Neil, All units generated by solar are recorded by your generation meter and you are paid via the feed in tariff for all those units, once units have been generated you are free to use as many of those as you want, they are free at no cost. You will also be paid as well as your feed in tariff for those units for units exported to the grid (I.e. those you haven’t used) but as those units aren’t recorded (export meters not fitted to domestic installations) everyone gets 50% of the total units generated as an export payment. We have an off peak tariff with our energy supplier so we could use off peak units at night for the major appliances but it doesn’t make sense as we have free solar generated units available to use during the daylight hours and as we are retired we are here during the day to use our free solar generated units.

Dave W

Had solar panels installed on 12th December and already noticing a difference in our monthly consumption compared to this time last year. Our system will generate 4 kw under ideal conditions; our roof faces South and we are on the Sussex coast so ideally situated for maximum output, since installation we have only had midwinter sunshine but yesterday, a quite sunny day here, we generated 12.5 kw/hours and the bonus is that being retired both wife and I are home during the hours of sunlight so able to switch on washing machine/ tumble dryer and dishwasher etc at times when we can use the free solar generated units. Waiting to see how much our system will generate on sunny summer days. In respect of Smart Meters I will resist having one fitted for as long as possible, can not see any advantage for me as consumer it only benefits the supplier. When the engineer fitted our solar panels he asked whether we had a Smart Meter fitted, we said no and he said don’t because apparently it is possible to detect with it how much solar that your system exports to the grid, so in the future instead of being credited with an export payment of 50% of your generated units it will be possible to pay for only the actual amount exported to the grid, as we are currently using far more than 50% of our generated solar (which is free) that arrangement certainly wouldn’t benefit us. For those who query the payment of 50% of generated units deemed as exported to the grid this figure applies to all domestic solar generation as it is not economical for export meters to be fitted to domestic systems.

Dave W

Simon, it will be the cold weather, I have a Moore and Wright which performs faultlessly during the warmer months but as soon as the weather chills down the display starts misbehaving ; the remedy is to take out the battery and warm it gently then put it back and the fault should resolve. My workshop has background heating which maintains about 10 degrees but this is cool enough to cause the display to misbehave.

Dave W

Mike despite having elected for my landline number to be ex-directory it still appears to be included in directories, and despite being registered with TPS I still get a few scammers calling, particularly the you’ve had an accident brigade. Having caller display on my landline I now always check the numbers of callers if I don’t recognise then I don’t answer. I now use my mobile for any telephone communications and fortunately to date it is free of nuisance callers.

Dave W

Nice work Mark, why does everyone’s workshop always look much tidier than mine?

Dave W

Have purchased a few items from BangGood and they were despatched from Thailand and no postal charge shown so assumed none charged, but the customs declaration never showed actual value, cometimes a ridiculous value such as 0.36 US Dollars which bore no relation to actual cost charged, or are the items we are buying only actually worth a few cents?

Dave W

I have an IPad with latest software update and annoyingly I have the problem with the cursor, have had the problem all the years that I have accessed this site, always with an IPad. Resigned to the fact that it is just an anomaly with the Apple software.

Dave W

Isn’t it amazing how so much faith will probably be put in a system of licensing for drones in order to control a rebel element using them for nefarious purposes. As a licensed and responsible gun owner I reflect on how successful that stricter controls were in stopping criminals from using guns for criminal purposes, those caught for using guns in crime certainly don’t subject themselves to a strict state controlled registration system, can’t imagine that those who want to misuse drones are going to voluntarily submit their details to a licensing regime. Those with innocent intentions will be registered while the criminals will just cock a snook.

Dave W

Inhibisol (TF90) was formulated to replace Trichloroethane, not sure what chemical is.

Dave W

I tend to be very wary of solvents nowadays, during my 22 years in the Air Force we used many different solvents ranging from Carbon Tetrachloride to modern solvents such as Trichloroethane and Trichlorethylene. Research has proved that many of these compounds can be absorbed through the skin and cause damage to the nervous system as well as being carcinogenic. I now wear gloves where ever possible to give some degree of protection and use any solvents outdoors to lessen the risk of inhaling.I do suffer from a degree of paralysis on one side and can only speculate what the real cause of this is. I would urge that you treat solvents with respect they have many hidden dangers.

Dave W

My workshop is an amalgamation of two buildings and is constructed from part concrete block work walls and timber frame with weatherboard exterior. The block work is not insulated, just painted with polyurethane floor paint on the inside to prevent damp penetration, the weatherboarding which faces the prevailing weather, is insulated internally with 100 mm of Celotex. The roof is a flat roof of OSB sheets, covered with 2 layers of torched on felt, insulated internally with 50 mm of Celotex. During the winter months I run a small oil filled electric radiator, 24 hrs a day on a low setting to provide background heat throughout, also I run a dehumidifier during the off peak hours, 1.00 am to 8.00 am, 365 days a year. The dehumidifier is wall mounted and has a permanent drain which is led out through the wall so no emptying is required. I picked up the dehumidifier from an online sale a number of years ago for about £100 and it has proved invaluable. I never have to cover my machines and to date have not suffered any rust problems on the machines or tools, despite the fact that we are only about a mile from the sea. I think the reason for success is due to keeping the temperature reasonably constant throughout the winter, this is achieved by the insulation stabilising the temperature and preventing large temperature fluctuations. I think every workshop will behave differently and I believe you have to experiment to find what solutions fit your individual circumstances.

Dave W

Diamond hole saws/drills are sold by Arceurotrade at very reasonable prices, I used one to open out the mounting hole in a hardened steel QCTP, had to open it out from 11.2 mm to 12 mm, doesn’t sound much but by crickey the steel was hard but the diamond managed it whereas cobalt drills and carbide drills just bounced of it.

Dave W

Yesterday I decided that it was time to investigate the small leak in the roof of my workshop; it’s not huge just that it drips constantly when it rains and I am fed up with tripping over the bucket placed underneath it. The investigation required an excursion up and onto the roof to look for any damage in the felt, going up onto the roof had to be carried out without the wife seeing me up on the roof; she has banned me from using ladders and going onto any roofs because of existing damage to my back and paralysis on my left side, she is of course very sensible where I am not. Managed to get up on the roof and was engrossed in my task when a voice from below boomed out with “what do you think you are up to?” It was my son-in-law standing at the foot of the ladder and it transpired my wife had seen what I was up to and phoned my daughter who lives a couple of roads away and she despatched her husband to challenge me. The outcome was that son-in-law and myself agreed a repair plan which he would implement and this would keep my wife happy, and I can at last get rid of the bucket. It is frustrating being “grounded” but with my physical problems and being 72 I suppose it does make sense although in my working days I had been used to working at heights of 100 feet or so, we all have to recognise our limitations as we get older.

Dave W

In respect of all those who ventured possible solutions to this thread concerning the random firing of one of our launchers on our skeet range I can now bring positive closure to this thread; the problem appeared to be getting worse so we contacted the manufacturer, Laporte, it transpired that a large number of launchers had been despatched with relays that were faulty. Laporte have now changed supplier of these relays and replacements are available FOC, they supplied us with two, one for each of our launchers that we purchased recently. The replacements were fitted two weeks ago and to date no problems have arisen. The new supplier of relays to Laporte for this particular item is Panasonic, hopefully their reputation for quality holds good. I like to ensure that I provide closure where I can on threads that I raise, and in this case it appears the high voltage cables were a red herring, anyway I would like to wish everyone a prosperous New Year.

Dave W

Have purchased some carbide inserts and other components from BangGood, items were despatched from Thailand, I was under the impression from the posting on the site that they were coming from China, so you never know where your merchandise is going to be despatched from, despite what is listed on the internet.

Dave W

John, I wanted to go the whole way with our solar installation but the cost of a battery was a step to far for the financial controller, however have left the way forward for a battery install at a later date when either battery costs come down or wife accepts the cost of a battery addition. Our current energy tariff is an off peak tariff which means that we have much cheaper units at night which could mean being able to top up spare capacity of the battery with off peak electricity during the night, when the sun don’t shine, and therefore use off peak units during daylight. Have also floated the idea of supplementing the solar with wind from a windmill in the garden, we are in a coastal area so wind is plentiful. Have to let the seeds germinate with the wife before I can go further with the project, will get there eventually.

Dave W

Two weeks ago we had solar panels fitted on our roof, south facing and we live on the Sussex coast so about the most ideal location. Wife took some convincing that it would be the way to go, her argument was always that I wouldn’t live long enough to recoup the cost of the investment, have calculated roughly about six years to cover initial investment, so hoping she is wrong on that count. Surprised that even on these grim winter days the panels still generate albeit a reduced amount of energy. Part of the installation is a WiFi connection that means we can check on how much is being generated at any time and it gives bar chart display of total generation, wife is constantly checking it to see what is current, novelty should soon wear off. She certainly seems to have taken up the spirit of the moment because she will suddenly come out with “ the suns shining so I will do the washing while the electric is free “ at least we are now doing our bit to reduce our consumption of grid electricity generated by non-renewables. It will be interesting to see how much we can generate and therefore save in the summer when the sun is at its strongest, we are big users of electricity, we consume about 8,000 kw hrs per year, I have two large ponds using about 400 watts an hour between them, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, I also run a small oil filled radiator constantly throughout the winter in my workshop.

Dave W

Duncan, we had a similar panic last Xmas, on Christmas Eve morning, wife got up to start the Xmas cooking but was greeted by a strong smell of gas coming from the vicinity of the gas hob. Panic ensued, where were we going to get a gas technician on Xmas Eve. Phoned number three daughter who lives in the same village as us and she said don’t panic her next door but one neighbour was a gas technician and she would see if he was at home. As it happened he had finished work for Xmas, or so he thought, and once situation was explained he arrived complete with tools. Leak was traced to loose union on supply pipe under the hob which had been finger tight since new kitchen install four years previously, so much for Gas Safe certified installers. Problem solved in literally minutes and all the guy would take was £25, and he made a thorough check that there were no further leaks.

Dave W

It takes a while for the heaters in each end of the tube to warm up the gas.

Dave W

Nick, the size of the drone has been estimated at about four feet across, considerably more mass than birds that usually come into contact with aircraft, an object of that size has the potential to cause catastrophic damage compared to a bird strike which is usually survivable. Again I reiterate I would certainly not want to come into contact with an object such as a drone of that size and mass and I think that the reaction of the aviation authorities in relation to this incident has been undoubtedly the correct one.

Dave W