Renewables: "talking 'bout my generation"

Martyn1981

tunnel wrote: »

As Eric states, please start another thread, people will be more than happy to help, but straddling your queries over several threads helps no-one.

In SL's defence, I should take the blame for that, I suggested asking on this thread for info about opti-plugs and such devices that monitor export to switch devices on - as different to say an Immersun with proportional feed.

I knew Oscar (and I thought K66) might have info, but might not read the solar panel guide thread. Also I was hogging the advice, and sometimes that worries me, as a range of advice and opinions is always better.

Back to generation:-

Just scraped a target+ result for yesterday with 18.8 (3.37 Os). ESE was below, but WNW came to the rescue. So 20 straight days above target, and today looks like a + day too. Nice.

Mart.

Oscargrouch

Sirlaughalot wrote: »

Hi Oscargrouch,

I don`t think jumping in head first is the best way to make a sound financial judgement.

With a product you need to last 20 years a few months taking my time to make the right choice is not a problem for me and thanks to the positive comments of most posters i`m more than happy with my progress.

Thanks SL

Think you may have taken my post too literally. Of course you have to do the research before making such a financial commitment. It would appear to me that you are now trying to research your research. For instance, my contract is for 25 years; nobody knows what cost immplications during that time there will be, you can research that all you like but it will take 20 years or so to get a definitive answer. My post meant yes, do the research, but there comes a time when you become in danger of going around in circles and disappearing somewhere.

k66

Martyn1981 wrote: »

In SL's defence, I should take the blame for that, I suggested asking on this thread for info about opti-plugs and such devices that monitor export to switch devices on - as different to say an Immersun with proportional feed.

I knew Oscar (and I thought K66) might have info, but might not read the solar panel guide thread. Also I was hogging the advice, and sometimes that worries me, as a range of advice and opinions is always better.

Hi all, apologies for not posting but holidays abroad and in this country have kept me away from home - the joys of retirement!
I am returning for a warranty exchange one Optiplug as it did on the odd occasion switch on the 2 KW immersion sometimes even at night when we were drawing power from the grid, this was only for a couple of seconds, but if it is faulty then I would rather it be replaced. This was not shown up on Holmes as it was just for a couple of seconds.
In hindsight I would have purchased a lower power immersion heater than the 2kw a change of immersion heater might be considered; we do have economy 7 electricity so I can boost the water during off peak hours
I regret not going for the Immersum because it diverts more of the solar energy.
In cooler weather the other Optiplug will be used with a low power heater.
Prior to our installation I also asked many questions as I was worried about getting it right, the responses here were invaluable and helped us make a very informed decision.

KevinG

tunnel wrote: »

please start another thread, people will be more than happy to help, but straddling your queries over several threads helps no-one.

Yes please! This is supposed to be a generation thread and it is getting seriously OT.

EricMears

KevinG wrote: »

Yes please! This is supposed to be a generation thread and it is getting seriously OT.

The chap's already apologised & Martyn has explained why he'd encouraged him to use this thread.

More & more complaints are just forcing thread even further OT ! (as I suppose is this posting of mine )

EricMears

EricMears wrote: »

I've never had anybody call to inspect my TGM meter. Just a month short of second anniversary so if the 2 year rule is right I can expect somebody any day now. I suspect however that rule only applies to consumption meters.

Speak of the Devil !:eek: Just had my first ever meter reader calling to see TGM.

An interesting point emerged. As I led him up to bedroom cupboard he asked if I was taking him to an attic. Apparently, his team refuse to climb ladders to read a meter on H&S grounds.

Not an issue for me - all my TGM readings have been completely accurate and we weren't heading for loft anyway - but if there is anyone who wants to follow my recent 'tip' of estimating 192kWh/day (even in the dark ), make sure your meter is installed in loft and nobody will ever bother to challenge you.

Oscargrouch

k66 wrote: »

I am returning for a warranty exchange one Optiplug as it did on the odd occasion switch on the 2 KW immersion sometimes even at night when we were drawing power from the grid, this was only for a couple of seconds, but if it is faulty then I would rather it be replaced. This was not shown up on Holmes as it was just for a couple of seconds.

Purely as a matter of interest; if the 2 kW draw was not shown up on Holmes, and it was for 2 seconds, and your battery had not run out on the Holmes transmitter whilst on your holidays, how did you become aware of the draw? Have you looked at the Optimmersion at all; more expensive than some others, but far more versatile in its use.

5.92 O's: Not too bad a day considering the passing clouds etc...

EricMears

A bit more overnight rain last night (indoor tanks were full and not collecting but garden tanks were still collecting).

Awoke to clear skies, generating 1kW by 8am. A few cloudy intervals during the day but the nicely cleaned panels operating with a slight breeze peaked at 3.7kW several times around noon. Rather less cloud pm - but still some.

Day yield: 22.01 kWh

Used some of it for a load of washing and also moved some rainwater from basement to attic.

July generation now 7% above pvgis for full month with 7 'bonus days' to come.

BTW August will start badly ! Grid connection down for 8h on 1st August and SMA recommend not trying to run panels off an auxiliary generator :mad:

k66

Oscargrouch wrote: »

Purely as a matter of interest; if the 2 kW draw was not shown up on Holmes, and it was for 2 seconds, and your battery had not run out on the Holmes transmitter whilst on your holidays, how did you become aware of the draw? Have you looked at the Optimmersion at all; more expensive than some others, but far more versatile in its use.

My husband and I have both heard the immersion come on and then switch off again whilst we were upstairs in the bathroom, our immersion sounds like a kettle! If I have been in the kitchen I have noticed the fast change in draw from the grid on the Wattson and the colour change from blue to red and then back again very quickly. We have only noticed it happen up to a maximum of 10 times but it has probably happened and we haven't been aware of it. I did recalibrate it but ended up using the second Optiplug which, touch wood, has been faultless.
I have been running the transmitter on a new set of batteries and the flashing has been about every 3 seconds but I did put a new set of Duracells in to see if that was the cause of the problem, it wasn't as the problem was only with one of the Optiplugs.

We did consider the Optimmersion but felt that the change of immersion was the most straight forward option and in the long run more reliable, especially as we have off peak electricity.

jimjames

EricMears wrote: »

A bit more overnight rain last night (indoor tanks were full and not collecting but garden tanks were still collecting).

Unfortunately we've still not had any significant rain, water butts are all virtually empty and nothing to fill them since May.

On the plus side we should break our monthly record tomorrow, currently at 386kWh for the month, previous monthly maximum was 395kWh for June 2013.