akdiesel
Well-known member
1/2 Cup
Are those rockers to shut off power to each outlet? Is that design common in your location?
A Shed Downunder.
- Thread starter 1/2 Cup
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1/2 Cup
Are those rockers to shut off power to each outlet? Is that design common in your location?
The unit on the left is our standard double 10 amp 240vac Socket Outlet and you can get them in a myriad of combinations single, 15 amp, 20 amp, with extra switch and the list goes on. What you see is the norm in this part of the world.
Each of the rockers switch and isolate the supply to its respective outlet and is for the most part a regulatory requirement here although there are some exceptions.
The unit on the right has the USB outlet fitted with a 10 amp rocker switch to switch the power off to the USB charger when it is not in use.
We are in the habit of switching off all our appliances and leave nothing on standby when we are not at home.
Regards..
akdiesel
Well-known member
1/2 Cup
Thanks for the quick reply. Interesting. I have thought about turning things off as well to conserve but setting clocks on all those VCR's can be a challenge lol.
It appears the USB plugs are a standard design unlike the US receptacles, I may just look into getting the USB set up that I have a couple of ideas for.
Thanks for the quick reply. Interesting. I have thought about turning things off as well to conserve but setting clocks on all those VCR's can be a challenge lol.
It appears the USB plugs are a standard design unlike the US receptacles, I may just look into getting the USB set up that I have a couple of ideas for.
Most of our electrical hardware is to a standard configuration and that includes the more industrial stuff like 3 phase outlets and such, even the mountings are to what we call "standard pattern" so you can swap to another brand if need be..
That's an interesting point you make in regard to the clocks, all our VCRs and DVDs etc. retain their clock settings so its no big issue for us.
HOTFR8
Banned
That's an interesting point you make in regard to the clocks, all our VCRs and DVDs etc. retain their clock settings so its no big issue for us.
Is that when you turn them off at the wall ? Being on Solar I never bother as the little power they use on standby I would cover more than enough with the power I export. If my power is off most of my things need the clocks set again. About the only thing I have to reset now if the mains power is off is the stove clock as it is not backed up by the solar.
Being on Solar I never bother as the little power they use on standby I would cover more than enough with the power I export. If my power is off most of my things need the clocks set again. About the only thing I have to reset now if the mains power is off is the stove clock as it is not backed up by the solar.
Yes, the only things that we have to reset are the microwave and the oven if we have a power outage all our other standby appliances wether we switch them off at the socket outlet or have a power outage still retain there settings.
Switching appliances off at the outlet is second nature to us even though we have solar now I don't like having things on standby anyway..
Regards..
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HOTFR8
Banned
I am curious now. Do these devices maintain the time or have battery back up or do you just not set the clocks in them ?
Even if the mains is off for me I still have power as you know my system the solar has battery back up. That is a little different to your system as I understand if the power is off so is your solar.
Even if the mains is off for me I still have power as you know my system the solar has battery back up. That is a little different to your system as I understand if the power is off so is your solar.
HOTFR8
Banned
I think they have an internally powered memory retention system, there is certainly no batteries in them.
Your fortunate to have the battery backup, with our micro inverters if the mains are off the solar is off as well.
Regards..
You must have newer gear than I do.
The battery back up has been good. Last week a tree came down on a power line not far from here so we still had power but no heat and last summer many outages we still had cooling. You see so many places with Solar panels I still say why have them all if you can not have them working when the (mains) power is off.
You must have newer gear than I do.
The battery back up has been good. Last week a tree came down on a power line not far from here so we still had power but no heat and last summer many outages we still had cooling. You see so many places with Solar panels I still say why have them all if you can not have them working when the (mains) power is off.
IMHO I think basically why there has not been a great up take in battery systems is the capital cost. Our power supply here is amazingly reliable and we may have one or two prolonged outages per year.
I do however still have my eye on that generator set at work that will come up for sale in the near future, I have already expressed interest in purchasing the unit, it is a 15 kva 3 phase Kobota rig.
We recently upgraded our UPS units (2 x 60kva 3 phase with dual redundant chargers) in the primary Data Centre at work and the retired units will also be on the market shortly but I would have build a new shed to house them.
Regards..
metalhead140
Well-known member
The USB power point is a good idea, but only a single USB port on all that space seems a bit wasteful? Surely they could have added a standard power point or something as well?
Agree on the battery backup. I reckon we would average less than one blackout every 12 months, and I can't think of any longer than an hour or two. Battery backup seems like a very large outlay for not much gain to me.
Agree on the battery backup. I reckon we would average less than one blackout every 12 months, and I can't think of any longer than an hour or two. Battery backup seems like a very large outlay for not much gain to me.
With Clipsal stuff you can mix and match to some degree, i have brought the mech seperatly and fitted it to a two gang plate here is a pic looking from the rear.
View media item 42294
Cheers
HOTFR8
Banned
You know I looked at that and said the same thing. It is a big power point for a little charging socket. I have what is called a GO PUCK (Personal Usb Charging Kit) and I find that great as my devices always go flat when I am not near a charging point.
Mind you we have seen many cheap and dangerous Chinese made USB adapters sold in this country so the wall socket we know complies to Aust Standards. Some one was electrocuted a time ago for using a cheap Chinese import.
I always said why have all those panels on your roof doing nothing if the mains power is off. I have had a few days here in the summer when the power has been off for hours either due to extreme heat days (and extreme fire days) or on days when they have shut the system to high demand. So for a little more why not have an smart inverter that knows how to disconnect the grid and you still have power. This system is not for every one and at the same time I also work from home (Well from the Shed) and sitting doing nothing does not pay the bills.
On that note I have seen 1/2Cups Solar system and given it is very different it works for what he wants. Sorry to hi-jack the topic 1/2Cup.
metalhead140
Well-known member
Working from home, and/or having load shedding on hot days as you describe would certainly change my opinion dramatically. Fortunately in NSW we don't have that shortage of supply (yet... If the Libs succeed in privatising the electricity network at the next election then it will only be a matter of time), and the lost money due to work time lost is not an issue for most of us at home. Definitely makes good sense for your situation though!
HOTFR8
Banned
Let us not get political or take 1/2Cups topic off topic. I does not matter who runs the state. Power shedding and bad fire days are now a fact of life we all have to manage. I was lucky enough to find a Solar Power installer that could design and fit a system that works for me.
I recall him (the installer) telling me how he was welding on a chassis (another Car person) whilst the mains power was off and the power workers stopped and called in to see him worried they had failed to disconnect the grid to work on the overhead lines in front of his property.
Back on the USB topic and away from the power point idea I said I have a GO PUCK (Personal Usb Charging Kit). I charge it from the power then use it to charge the phone etc.
Not the same idea as 1/2Cup has used with the power points but it works just as well and is portable.
metalhead140
Well-known member
I do like the portable USB charger, I've seen them before, a neat solution for sure. Sorry, wasn't trying to upset anyone.
HOTFR8
Banned
I do like the portable USB charger, I've seen them before, a neat solution for sure. Sorry, wasn't trying to upset anyone.
The GO PUCK is a great idea. As for upsetting any one it will be 1/2Cup for the way we have hi jacked his topic
and I am sure he will not mind as we have not taken it that far off topic .Nursepeter1973
Well-known member
Great idea! I'd be interested in doing the same.. what are the clipsal part numbers? (If you know them)
Great stuff guys, its always good to get others opinions and after all this is what makes the GJ the place that it is
To that point its not off topic..
One of our contractors showed me a similar charger to your GO PUCK, HOTFR8but a little smaller they are certainly a great idea as well..
Back on to the solar, I am waiting on the warranty to finish in six months then I can really play with my system.
Cheers guys
To that point its not off topic..
One of our contractors showed me a similar charger to your GO PUCK, HOTFR8but a little smaller they are certainly a great idea as well..
Back on to the solar, I am waiting on the warranty to finish in six months then I can really play with my system.
Cheers guys
The mech is a Clipsal USB 30 and they are around $35 each, the plate and switch mech are extra
Here is the link.
http://integrate-expo.com/news/clipsal-schneider-electric-releases-australias-universal-usb-mech/
How are things going in your neck of the woods??
Cheers
Nursepeter1973
Well-known member
How are things going in your neck of the woods??
Cheers
Things are going slowly... organising the move back to civilisation soon so major projects are on hold at the moment. Saying that I am just about to sign on to fit a 6.2kW solar system to the house in Perth... should clear all the bill easily.
Planning on how to fitout my study/computer/hobby room at the moment... needs to be multipurpose with room for study, computers and the wifes sewing habit...
What type of solar system are you going with? Micro inverters?
Looking forward to seeing how the hobby room works out.
I have a wife not unlike yours, only when she takes up a hobby she does its on a commercial scale.
Any one in the market for beading stuff or as I call it "junk Jewellery ", antique dolls, dolls clothing, sewing stuff, dog grooming paraphernalia and the list goes on.
Regards..
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HOTFR8
Banned
What type of solar system are you going with? Micro inverters?
Looking forward to seeing how the hobby room works out.
I have a wife not unlike yours, only when she takes up a hobby she does its on a commercial scale.
Any one in the market for beading stuff or as I call it "junk Jewellery ", antique dolls, dolls clothing, sewing stuff, dog grooming paraphernalia and the list goes on.
Regards..
Just as long as she keeps out of your shed you are OK.
HOTFR8
Banned
She wants her own shed / hobby room now, I suppose that can be turned into a positive thing in the over all scheme of things.
First I was
Then I was 
Because I know you will have fun with that project for her .Keep us posted
.First I was
Keep us posted
Will do, she actually commented the other day saying she was envious of my workshop. We will have to get over the Storage Solution / Carport build first. I think we will find this will help all round in terms of freeing up space.
At the moment we have our dining room as her office, the second bedroom for her crafts, the third bedroom as an antique doll display, the family room table for her "other office space" and go to work station, there is a grooming table in the family room. In all that she is really well organised and a whiz when it comes to storing stuff, so its all neat and tidy.
Regards
captain14
Well-known member
So what time is it there? Everyone from your side of the world is exchanging information and I am just getting up to start my day ? 0608 hours here (6 am)
metalhead140
Well-known member
You posted at 20:09 (8:09PM) here in NSW (East Coast of Australia). Would have been 19:09 (7:09PM) in the middle of the country and 18:09 (6:09PM) for Nursepeter1973 over in Western Australia. http://localtimes.info/Oceania/Australia/
sean Buick 76
Well-known member
In all that she is really well organised and a whiz when it comes to storing stuff, so its all neat and tidy.
Regards
My better half is also really good at organizing so we are both lucky there!!! Next weekend we are taking EVERYTHING out of the garage and she is going to help me put everything back in so it is easier to find things.
Keep up the updates!
My better half is also really good at organizing so we are both lucky there!!! Next weekend we are taking EVERYTHING out of the garage and she is going to help me put everything back in so it is easier to find things.
Keep up the updates!
Many thanks sean buick
Mrs 1/2 Cup must have every storage tub or container known to man and I guess that is stating to rub off on me in the shed
Cheers
Just quick update on the weekends civil work for the Storage Solution / Carport build 3 trailer loads of soil removed by hand thus far with possibly one more to go as I dig out the footing holes, the soil is fairly moist but now I am down to clay and its crow bar all the way.
View media item 42445
Regards..
View media item 42445
Regards..
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metalhead140
Well-known member
Good progress, particularly for working by hand!
WooHoo it arrived today.Guess who's one " Happy little Vegemite "
View media item 42453
Off out to the shed to play...
Naturally pics to follow.
HOTFR8
Banned
Impressive. Some one is going to have fun for the next few days.
metalhead140
Well-known member
Nice!
HOTFR8
Banned
Thanks guys,
I have to read the instruction first.
Regards
Some reading tonight sounds good. Relax with a cold one.
