A Shed Downunder.

[1/2 Cup]

1/2, best of the holidays to you. I always get a kick out of your "winter" posts as we're -10C and ice everywhere while you're +34C.

Dennis and the same to you and your family.

It seems like we have had four seasons in one day here today a cold and rainy start ( 14 C cold by our standards for summer ) and I actually had to don a sweater this morning. Now its windy and as we get a cloud break the sun has some bite in it, but its quite pleasant in the shed now.

I am not sure if I could cope very well with the temperatures you are experiencing at the moment.

Regards.

 

[NedNorton]

Merry Christmas and all the best to you and yours for a great new year!

Cheers,
Chris

 

[1/2 Cup]

Merry Christmas and all the best to you and yours for a great new year!

Cheers,
Chris

And the same to you and yours, Chris

Looking forward to seeing what you get up to in the coming year.

Regards

 

[1/2 Cup]

The last few days over the Christmas break have been a little kick back and smelling the roses, spending some time with our 3 year old No.1 grandson, our youngest son and Daughter in law who made the 10 hour trip down from Gosford about an hours drive north of Sydney to spend a few days with the family.

I have the days between Christmas and New Years off work now so I will spend a bit more time on the MG F head which should nearly see it ready to have the new valves fitted.

Two inlet ports to go and then port matching to the fuel injection manifold which my eldest removed from the current engine in the car yesterday. He also presented me with a set of six inch extension Carbide Burrs for Christmas which I am guessing was a hint for me to get a move on.

View media item 55941
You may also remember I have been working on a new main switchboard for our home for what seems like an eternity.

View media item 27582
I was not able to find a suitable domestic switchboard that would cater for my needs and any thing industrial was to large to fit in the existing space i have without making some huge changes and being without power for a day or so whilst the change over was undertaken so the solution is to build my own.
Specs are;
100 amp 415 volt supply.
Manual change over switch for a gen set alternative supply
Surge and over voltage protection.
Safety switches (Residual Current Devices) to all circuits up to 20 amps (light and power only)
Off peak 2 rate metering.
The enclosure is made from CNC routed 3mm brushed aluminium which is still a work in progress.

These bits turned up just before Christmas.

View media item 54376
I managed to make just a little progress and fitted the circuit breaker DIN rail mounts to their respective standoffs.

View media item 55940
It is reasonably cooler here this morning so I have a little preparation to complete for the installation of fibre to the home as part of our National Broadband network. Our connection is scheduled for Wednesday, so that means a crawl through the roof and drilling some access holes down an internal wall to where our network hub is located. I have elected to do this myself even though it is part of the standard install which is free, at least I will get the fibre termination point that suits me and not what would be the quickest that they would normally do.

Have a great day every one.

 

[CoopVA]

Looking good 1/2 Cup. Looks like you'll be real busy on your time off. I'm hoping to get some shop time in too next week as I only have a three day work week and a four day weekend!

 

[Denwood]

On the panels, do you need a national electrical certification? I know yours are already better quality than anything I've seen here, but insurance companies would reject anything not CSA approved used in the electrical system.

Fiber to the house should be pretty amazing in terms of broadband speeds...

 

[1/2 Cup]

Looking good 1/2 Cup. Looks like you'll be real busy on your time off. I'm hoping to get some shop time in too next week as I only have a three day work week and a four day weekend!

Thank you Coop I am just starting to get back into gear as far as the shed goes now that the young ones have returned home. I am back to work on the fourth.

All the best with your time in the shop.

Regards

On the panels, do you need a national electrical certification? I know yours are already better quality than anything I've seen here, but insurance companies would reject anything not CSA approved used in the electrical system.

Fiber to the house should be pretty amazing in terms of broadband speeds...

Dennis Panels like mine for the most part do not need certification as such, certainly when you get up to more industrial ones with larger capacities they have to meet Australian Standards which are fairly onerous and require what is called Type Testing by an accredited laboratory to ensure that they withstand certain levels of fault current and are tested to destruction.

For some thing like I am building it will still need to meet the Safety Standards and be inspected and signed off by a Registered Electrical Inspector at installation and prior to powering up. I will have to submit what is called a Prescribed Certificate of Electrical Safety in order to satisfy my regulatory and insurance compliance requirements.
It is a criminal offence and there are some pretty hefty fines not complying to the regulations.
I do hold a current Licenced Electrical Mechanics trade qualification which is mandatory to do any electrical work in Australia.

I am looking forward to see just how much our speeds and data through put improve over our copper ADSL. I will update as soon as we are connected.


Have a great day and thanks for dropping by guys.

 

[Vieux]

You did a great job

 

[1/2 Cup]

You did a great job

Thank you Vieux.

 

[RivennHewn]

Always something interesting going on in the Shed!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Always something interesting going on in the Shed!

Thank you Rivenn

 

[HOTFR8]

All this plus your NBN connection you are working on as well.

 

[1/2 Cup]

All this plus your NBN connection you are working on as well.

Just bits at a time HOTFR8. The worst thing I have done is move the laptop into the shed again, as you may have noticed it has been a little distracting over the past few days.

Regards

 

[Grumblebum]

"Our connection is scheduled for Wednesday, so that means a crawl through the roof and drilling some access holes down an internal wall to where our network hub is located. I have elected to do this myself even though it is part of the standard install which is free, at least I will get the fibre termination point that suits me and not what would be the quickest that they would normally do."

That's the way to do it half, I ran all the NBN approved conduit ready too, and had them mount the network termination device (NTD) in the area I have where the solar inverter and small 19" rack is located. Otherwise they will just do what suits them and not you. I believe their fibre fly leads can run upto 40 mts. Ironically I doubt they would have used conduit anyway had I not run it.

I think there is going to be a lot of remediation work to come unfortunately.

Hope you have a good entry to the new year. Cheers GB.

 

[HOTFR8]

Just bits at a time HOTFR8. The worst thing I have done is move the laptop into the shed again, as you may have noticed it has been a little distracting over the past few days.

Regards

Noticed that.

"Our connection is scheduled for Wednesday, so that means a crawl through the roof and drilling some access holes down an internal wall to where our network hub is located. I have elected to do this myself even though it is part of the standard install which is free, at least I will get the fibre termination point that suits me and not what would be the quickest that they would normally do."

That's the way to do it half, I ran all the NBN approved conduit ready too, and had them mount the network termination device (NTD) in the area I have where the solar inverter and small 19" rack is located. Otherwise they will just do what suits them and not you. I believe their fibre fly leads can run upto 40 mts. Ironically I doubt they would have used conduit anyway had I not run it.

I think there is going to be a lot of remediation work to come unfortunately.

Hope you have a good entry to the new year. Cheers GB.

I wonder what will happen when the NBN gets to my places as 1/2 of that sounds not good.

 

[drivesitfar]

1/2: it looks like you are still making quite a bit of progress on projects even with the kids showing up and your laptop moved into the shed/shop.

i'm curious what kind of wire you use and how your breakers are hooked up if you wouldn't mind posting a few pictures after you get your panel up. it sounds like you and GB have a network box. i was going to wire up the entire house a few years ago, but the companies over here change the wire and systems so often i just use a router, modem and booster now. maybe some day when i get my new home and shop i'll have it more high tech.

Hope you have a great 2016 and by the looks of it you have a great start as per the usual. enjoy your last few days off and maybe have a beer and sit back to enjoy a few minutes for yourself.

 

[shortykorte]

Not an electrician but I'm very interested in your power panel. Quite a bit different then here in the U.S. Will all the parts and pieces be in a box or just attached to the wall. Looking forward to more of your quality workmanship. Happy New Years

 

[sean Buick 76]

Nice to see the head porting going on!!! The engine is an air pump and better flow is the key to making power.

 

[1/2 Cup]

"Our connection is scheduled for Wednesday, so that means a crawl through the roof and drilling some access holes down an internal wall to where our network hub is located. I have elected to do this myself even though it is part of the standard install which is free, at least I will get the fibre termination point that suits me and not what would be the quickest that they would normally do."

That's the way to do it half, I ran all the NBN approved conduit ready too, and had them mount the network termination device (NTD) in the area I have where the solar inverter and small 19" rack is located. Otherwise they will just do what suits them and not you. I believe their fibre fly leads can run up to 40 mts. Ironically I doubt they would have used conduit anyway had I not run it.

I think there is going to be a lot of remediation work to come unfortunately.

Hope you have a good entry to the new year. Cheers GB.

GB There is a Standard Installation Guide and Communications Codes to follow and you are right the contractors do as they see fit and do not always do it to the letter as I can attest to with my Dads install. Granted they put the NTD where he wanted but no conduit was used and as you say there will possibly be a lot of remediation work to be done in the future.

All the best for the New Year and thank you.

Noticed that.

I wonder what will happen when the NBN gets to my places as 1/2 of that sounds not good.

I am moving the computer back inside HOTFR8 as it has not been conducive to productivity I can assure you.

The key to when the NBN gets to your place is to be informed as to what you can and can't have in relation to the install. There is heaps of information on both the NBN website and who ever you elect to be your service provider which in our case will be Telstra.
My brothers install was another shocker as well, back to back at the lead in point. He really did not understand what he could have in relation to his existing network then after the fact had to get additional works done to integrate the cabling.
I trust mine and GBs experiences will help with yours in the future.

Not an electrician but I'm very interested in your power panel. Quite a bit different then here in the U.S. Will all the parts and pieces be in a box or just attached to the wall. Looking forward to more of your quality workmanship. Happy New Years

shorty I will keep the thread updated as to my progress for sure.
At some point I will start a thread on Electrical Installations in Australia as I am amazed at just how they are done in the USA, totally different to what we do here. Our electrical industry is very heavily regulated.

I have an existing recessed enclosure at the front of the house that the Switchboard will fit into replacing the old switchboard, which I might add is still ok and serviceable. I just need to bring it into the 21st century.

Most of the Circuit Breakers we use here are what is call DIN type and are to European Standards, very compact and modular in design.

Thank you for dropping by and all the best for the new year.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Nice to see the head porting going on!!! The engine is an air pump and better flow is the key to making power.

Thank you Sean its what's called "Volumetric Efficiency"

I will be doing a little more on the head today and will keep you posted.

Have a good one.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Thank you Sean its what's called "Volumetric Efficiency"

I will be doing a little more on the head today and will keep you posted.

Have a good one.

Yes and I cheat using boost... At least you are working with alum, the cast iron heads take forever.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Yes and I cheat using boost... At least you are working with alum, the cast iron heads take forever.

Sean, unfortunately there is no boost on this beast. I have to give you that the aluminium is nice to work with.

 

[1/2 Cup]

1/2: it looks like you are still making quite a bit of progress on projects even with the kids showing up and your laptop moved into the shed/shop.

i'm curious what kind of wire you use and how your breakers are hooked up if you wouldn't mind posting a few pictures after you get your panel up. it sounds like you and GB have a network box. i was going to wire up the entire house a few years ago, but the companies over here change the wire and systems so often i just use a router, modem and booster now. maybe some day when i get my new home and shop i'll have it more high tech.

Hope you have a great 2016 and by the looks of it you have a great start as per the usual. enjoy your last few days off and maybe have a beer and sit back to enjoy a few minutes for yourself.

Drives Things are just ticking over here, it has been great to have a few days off work. I will keep you updated on the switch board build and our National Broadband Install for sure.

Here is a pic of the inside of my garage switchboard, this is an off the shelf unit that is fairly typical out here.
The new one will be substantially bigger.



View media item 32667
I must say all the best to you and yours for the New Year as well and never fear I am taking some time out just for me.

Regards

 

[HOTFR8]

NBN will still be some time coming here.

 

[1/2 Cup]

NBN will still be some time coming here.

The NBN has been in progress here for over 18 months HOTFR8 and they will be another 18 months before the roll out is completed. It is a mammoth task to say the least.

There are still many parts of inner Shepparton that the roll out has not been started yet.

Regards

 

[CoopVA]

Drives Things are just ticking over here, it has been great to have a few days off work. I will keep you updated on the switch board build and our National Broadband Install for sure.



Here is a pic of the inside of my garage switchboard, this is an off the shelf unit that is fairly typical out here.

The new one will be substantially bigger.







View media item 32667


I must say all the best to you and yours for the New Year as well and never fear I am taking some time out just for me.



Regards

Wow! That is so much different from how we do it here in the States...

We use a bussed panel that the breakers attach to...

Yours looks great!

 

[nine4gmc]

I just stopped in to say happy 10K posts 1/2 Cup!!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Wow! That is so much different from how we do it here in the States...

We use a bussed panel that the breakers attach to...

Yours looks great!

Thank you Coop we can get boards like yours out here and we do use them in most of our installations at work.

My switchboard can be bussed but only for single phase applications, hence the cabling to the line side of the CB/RCD combos and the need to balance the load over the three phases.

Regards

 

[1/2 Cup]

I just stopped in to say happy 10K posts 1/2 Cup!!

Thank you nines, much appreciated.

 

[taumac]

Thank you nines, much appreciated.

Wow, went under the radar with that 10k. Congrats.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Wow, went under the radar with that 10k. Congrats.

Thank you Gerard appreciated.

It has gone all to quickly and feels like only yesterday that I started on the GJ and I have enjoyed every minute of it.

Regards

 

[BBChevro]

...Here is a pic of the inside of my garage switchboard, this is an off the shelf unit that is fairly typical out here.
The new one will be substantially bigger.



View media item 32667
...

I still run an extension lead from the house supply to the shed, so I would be positively ecstatic to have a switchboard like your old one 1/2cup - not to take anything away from your new one

NBN will still be some time coming here.

Our area isn't even mentioned on the pending list yet, so it will be years away for me.

I just stopped in to say happy 10K posts 1/2 Cup!!

Congrats 1/2cup ...and nine4 - I have quite a way to go.


It's threads like this one that help to make the GJ a truly great site.

 

[HOTFR8]

Our area isn't even mentioned on the pending list yet, so it will be years away for me.

I hear you. Frustrating for me is the NBN is in Harcourt, 5 minutes up the road and here in Castlemaine (a much bigger place) we have no talk of NBN even being available for some time.

I've been ADSL for some years now and they tell me that is the best I will get for the present.

 

[1/2 Cup]

I still run an extension lead from the house supply to the shed, so I would be positively ecstatic to have a switchboard like your old one 1/2cup - not to take anything away from your new one



Our area isn't even mentioned on the pending list yet, so it will be years away for me.


Congrats 1/2cup ...and nine4 - I have quite a way to go.


It's threads like this one that help to make the GJ a truly great site.

Much appreciated Mark

I will let you into a little secret my eldest sons shed is running off a 15 amp lead as well. I have wired the shed and that is completely finished but we have not gotten around to doing the submains trench as yet.

This is his shed below and it would fit two of mine in it.

View media item 53170
I will keep that in mind Mark for when I decommission my old board.

The NBN will get to your place in due course I would imagine, at least the powers that be are committed to it.

Your post count IMHO is not an issue, I believe it is the meaning behind every post that really counts, whether that be to say G'day or to encourage and inspire a member/s along the way.


Thanks again

 

[drivesitfar]

1/2: did you build or help build your son's carport (shed) because it screams your type of quality?

thanks for posting your old electrical box and very clean looking.

cheers

 

[1/2 Cup]

I hear you. Frustrating for me is the NBN is in Harcourt, 5 minutes up the road and here in Castlemaine (a much bigger place) we have no talk of NBN even being available for some time.

I've been ADSL for some years now and they tell me that is the best I will get for the present.

I just checked the roll out map HOTFR8 and you guys seem to be in a black hole down there as far as the rollout is concerned.

 

[rixtrix1]

That's a really nice and neat subpanel you have! I have two subpanels coming off our 125amp-240V service, which I had to re-wire to meet current code, mainly for insurance validity. Thanks to GJ for having the info I needed to do so. I really should upgrade our main panel to 200amp/240V as I sometimes have wondered why it all works without any overloads, but now that all our lighting is LED, we no longer use the in-ground spa heater, bubbler and 1-1/2HP pump, have up to date TV's, computers and appliances, I guess we are within the limits of our current service. I really need to add a box for an external generator to power up our sons' medical equipment in case of a blackout, but that will require more research and it's way past my bedtime( which I never take advantage of, lol).

 

[HOTFR8]

I just checked the roll out map HOTFR8 and you guys seem to be in a black hole down there as far as the rollout is concerned.

Did you have to remind me.

 

[1/2 Cup]

1/2: did you build or help build your son's carport (shed) because it screams your type of quality?

thanks for posting your old electrical box and very clean looking.

cheers

drives, I did not do my sons shed although I must confess to doing the slab setout and frame footing layout for him. He was working in the shed industry at the time and had one of his subbies do the final erection for him primarily for compliance to code and warranty reasons.

It is a nice shed and a great kit shed from Widespan here in Australia from local steel.

Thank you for dropping by and have a great day.

Regards

 

[1/2 Cup]

Did you have to remind me.

Sorry HOTFR8