Energy Matters Global and Domestic

[Peter.N.]

Runs on paraffin Mick, starts with meths to get it hot enough to vaporise. Almost identical to the old paraffin blowlamps except for the upward facing burner.

Peter

[myglaren]

I did consider a gas kettle but it would not be a very economical proposition.
Since I have been monitoring energy usage it is clear that the kettle costs nothing during the day, uses solar.

[mickthemaverick]

Without a doubt while the solar is producing the lecky one is the way to go, however might be worth having a hob kettle on standby for rainy days etc!!

[myglaren]

Or switch to Calvados

[mickthemaverick]

Interesting fault on our dining room light cluster on which I have replaced 6 x 50 watt halogen capsules with 6 x 3.5 watt LEDs today. The LEDs work correctly when switched from either of their two switches either side of the room, however the switch on one side is on a double switch, the other of which switches the cloakroom light. The fault appears to be an induced voltage appearing to the cluster when the cloakroom light is switched on. The LEDs glow exceedingly dimly and actually serve as an "Engaged" indicator telling anyone that the cloakroom is occupied. As such it is not a problem but obviously not correct!!

The upstairs landing had 3 x 50 watt halogens replaced with 3 x 3.5 watt LEDs and they are permanently glowing exceedingly dimly all the time regardless of any other lighting circuits being on or off. So there seems to be a permanent inducted voltage getting to them which may be very tricky to identify!!

However having installed a total of 26 LED lamps around the house reducing the nominal wattage from 1410 watts to 92.5 watts I am well pleased with the day's efforts!

Still waiting for the remaining 8 LED lamps to complete the job!

[myglaren]

That doesn't sound good Mick.
Call Artisan Electrics, they'll sort it out for you.

I have a 5 x Halogen array right above me now, not on. I keep agonising about changing them, the last incandescent bulbs remaining in the house, bar a load of 12V downlights in the sitting room.
I have so many spare bulbs it seems a waste to dump them and replace with LEDs, although I will eventually. They are rarely used, as are the downlights. I did try and replace them with LEDs and failed miserably as they are 12V AC so didn't work so well.
Thought that they might be faulty so put one on 240V AC. Very bright but not for long.

[mickthemaverick]

As it happens Bob's son Paul is a qualified electrician and happens to be bringing his wife's car over to me in the morning for an oil and filter change, so he will have a look while I do the oil change!!

With both cables from the switch going up the same conduit I suspect we will only be able to rectify it with a reroute but we shall see!!

Another cause can be having a light miswired with the neutral through the switch instead of the live, thereby leaving the live permanently connected to the fitting and liable to produce induced voltages which may be the upstairs cause. We shall investigate tomorrow!!

Incidentally Steve I have got 6 x 12V LED downlighters on the way for the bathroom to replace the halogens in there for another 279 watt saving. Those and a pair of standard bayonet replacements for our bedroom ceiling lights will see the end of the change over!

[myglaren]

I would do the downlighters but can't face scrabbling about in the attic and replacing all the transformers with mains wiring.
Although I could do as I have done elsewhere and use redundant laptop power supplies.

Very rarely use the sitting room anyway. Shame as the best stereo is in there, but again, that puts a strain on the substation when it is on.

Hope your sparky can locate the fault. Quite worrying.

[Paul-R]

Was that the type of primus that ran on methylated spirit ...

Mmmm, I loved the smell of a methylated spirit burner in action.

[Peter.N.]

I would conserve that arrangement Mick, you might be able to afford to run them on dim after the next several price rises.

Peter

[mickthemaverick]

I would do the downlighters but can't face scrabbling about in the attic and replacing all the transformers with mains wiring.
Although I could do as I have done elsewhere and use redundant laptop power supplies.

Very rarely use the sitting room anyway. Shame as the best stereo is in there, but again, that puts a strain on the substation when it is on.

Hope your sparky can locate the fault. Quite worrying.

No need to touch the wiring Steve as the replacement 12V LEDs go straight in from the front like a normal bulb change.

[myglaren]

Not these Mick. Those downlighters have been in for over 25 years. Old tech with just a transformer so AC but 12V.

[myglaren]

[myglaren]

[myglaren]