Reply to: Powering a garage/shed without connecting to mains power

[vetran]

gizmag.com ?

[kingcook]

White Laser Lighting. no wires



Laser-based lighting (left) and incandescent lighting (right)

The Laser-based lighting (left) seem to be able to remove the banana shadow. Amazing

[vetran]

can you run a caterary wire?

[IR35FanClub]

I'm sure that I heard recently that a thing called a portable generator had been invented, it was portable and could generate electricity for a small amount of petrol.

A genny is a rubbish idea.

Have you seen the cost of petrol lately (or diesel)? The tax on fuel is something like 500%, so the electricity will end up costing you loads. Using some stats on generator fuel consumption at part load – it works out about £1.60/kWh.

Compare that to mains electric used to charge a battery is £0.16/kWh. If you assume 50% losses whilst in the charge/discharge cycle that 32p/kWh. OR about 15p/kWh if you have E7 and charge at night.

There’s also the high capital cost especially as the genny will be overrated for running a couple of lights for which you need 100W max, and a small genny sticks out 600W –so will be running at an inefficient load if not on full power. Haven’t seen many genny’s under £500 but there’s plenty of battery lighting under £100.

Finally – you get the choice to stick a genny outside and annoy the neighbours and have it nicked or keep it inside and breathe in the petrol fumes whilst doing a workout.

Now if you are running a mobile catering van in a field – it’s a different story.

[Troll]

How about "residential management company"?

Much better...

[d000hg]

How about "residential management company"?

[Troll]

WTF are you on about? We're in the city, not out in the sticks.

In the United Kingdom, housing associations are private, non-profit making organisations that provide low-cost "social housing" for people in need of a home. Any trading surplus is used to maintain existing housing and to help finance new homes. Although independent they are regulated by the state and commonly receive public funding. They are now the United Kingdom's major providers of new housing for rent, while many also run shared ownership schemes to help those who cannot afford to buy a home outright.

Housing associations provide a wide range of housing, some managing large estates of housing for families, while the smallest may perhaps manage a single scheme of housing for older people. Much of the supported accommodation in the UK is also provided by housing associations, with specialist projects for people with mental health or learning disabilities, with substance misuse problems (alcohol or illegal drugs), the formerly homeless, young people, ex-offenders and women fleeing domestic violence.

HTH

[d000hg]

are you poor?

WTF are you on about? We're in the city, not out in the sticks.

[Troll]

so the housing association probably have to give their blessing

are you poor?

[Paddy]

I had thought about that but I don't reckon I could get away with it as a fixture... though I could retract it all back into the garage when not in use. The question would be if that amount of hassle is enough to put me off exercising... it doesn't take much of an excuse

This would practically be the best I reckon, my concern was you'd have to do a proper trench for H&S but it would be worth asking about this first. It's a private road so the housing association probably have to give their blessing or some busybody like Spartan will be reporting me for "ruining their accessway".
Or I could just wait until everyone's at work...

Get a mate to do it and wear a BT jacket

[d000hg]

A better bet would be to run an extension lead in one of those lay flat rubber channels. Then you get 240V as well.

I had thought about that but I don't reckon I could get away with it as a fixture... though I could retract it all back into the garage when not in use. The question would be if that amount of hassle is enough to put me off exercising... it doesn't take much of an excuse

It also be covered with hot roofing Tar alternatively; user a chaser and bury the cable. Like wot they do at traffic lights etc.

Silverline 793817 Wall Chaser 150mm 1200W: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

This would practically be the best I reckon, my concern was you'd have to do a proper trench for H&S but it would be worth asking about this first. It's a private road so the housing association probably have to give their blessing or some busybody like Spartan will be reporting me for "ruining their accessway".
Or I could just wait until everyone's at work...

[Paddy]

You will need to insulate the copper properly before you lay it, or it will just be earthed, badly. You also need to consider the voltage drop due to the possibly non trivial resistance of the copper strip.

A better bet would be to run an extension lead in one of those lay flat rubber channels. Then you get 240V as well.

It also be covered with hot roofing Tar alternatively; user a chaser and bury the cable. Like wot they do at traffic lights etc.


Silverline 793817 Wall Chaser 150mm 1200W: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

[doodab]

Use Hammerite paint to insulate and space the two strips far apart (about a metre or two). Copper strip can be bought on the net. You can also buy copper nails, or even use a Hilti gun. Each end of the strips can be connect to ordinary cable. The cheapest way to get a transformer is from an ASDA 12v table lamp. The whole lot should cost about £100.00.

You will need to insulate the copper properly before you lay it, or it will just be earthed, badly. You also need to consider the voltage drop due to the possibly non trivial resistance of the copper strip.

A better bet would be to run an extension lead in one of those lay flat rubber channels. Then you get 240V as well.

[d000hg]

You don't reckon 240V would be a good idea then

[Paddy]

Maybe some insulation might be useful Though painting could count. I do like the idea though in theory. I'll just hook them up to the mains...

Use Hammerite paint to insulate and space the two strips far apart (about a metre or two). Copper strip can be bought on the net. You can also buy copper nails, or even use a Hilti gun. Each end of the strips can be connect to ordinary cable. The cheapest way to get a transformer is from an ASDA 12v table lamp. The whole lot should cost about £100.00.