whers da logic ??

[brett53]

went in to maplins this morning intending to just get some wire - BUT temptation awaited - in the form of a 12 wt solar panel + 7 amp regulator + a 3 foot long LED fitting ( which gives out hell of a light ) - all for 39.99 GBP

but DUH OH the ordinary 12 wt solar panels i got the other day where 49.99 GBP ( FOR JUST THE PANEL )

so i parted with some cash and it all works as advertised - the panel is of a different design ( nice Ally surround etc ) and seemingly better made too - it is designed as a stand alone "shed or garage " set up - but has been split up for what i want and the LED light will now be my kitchen light - the charge controller will come in handy somewhere and the panel - ah the panel may well get used in my next ( OK one of ) projects - a solar tracker arrangement - but that's a WYTBS ( work yet to be started ) - got to do some on those

but wheres the logic - all that for LESS money ??? -

[snapdragon]

Is it special offer? tis what I need for the back room

[liskeardjane]

we've got some solar from maplins for our shed/brew house and it runs a tiny heater a few hours a day to stop it freezing and some light and they get cheaper all the time - we saw that deal in plymouth and are tempted to run it for my office as I only need light in there

[brett53]

Is it special offer? tis what I need for the back room

they may be testing the market ?? - and i note that the more expensive panels are now in the "clearance" section ,which knowing maplin usually indicates they will be discontinuing them - so i guess that they are not selling enough to justify keeping them in stock - interesting that actually as it ALSO seems to indicate a lack of requirement /demand from Joe public for such products , as one would have thought that IF THE PUBLIC where "on board" with the whole green/WGW/climate change issue A HIGH STREET retailer would have been selling a lot more of them

a peruse of maplins "alternative energy " section is enlightening - they have the usual HIGH PRICE panels and accessories - yet seemingly are doing little to promote the "cheaper " end of the market - BUT as i say they are obviously driven by demand

must tell us something ?????

[crowsashes]

theres not really much incentive to install solar panels if you rent like i do, yes it will save you money and that is a very big plus! but i have to go through all the hassle of getting permission to put them up! which is a nightmare as my property is housing association and the chances are they will say no anyway ( they usually do) they told me off for my 'messy. front garden , now were talking minor grass cutting problem weathers been all over the shop to even cut the grass in the last few months

the darn buggers wont even let me keep 3 hens! for fear of bringing rates disease etc not to mention they are classed as 'livestock' i dont even have any pets and tried my hardest to get some one round so i could show them the plan. my neighbours are gutted too as they hoped to keep a couple of hens but alas that is the stupidity of today, i have all this land and i cant put it to good use

now if it was made easier to do all these energy efficient works to the house i would straight away but it is made too bloody difficult and theres only so many hoops you can jump through before you throw in the towel

[liskeardjane]

Crowsashes - you're right about the hassle of rent and housing associations usually have a no pets rule, I know chickens are not pets, but try explaining that to captain clip board - our solar was under £100 including the panel, wires, light and the light has some kind of battery in it - we found the panel was big enough to top up a car battery - we then have a tiny inverter, designed for a car, which just copes with a tiny radiator, which keeps the shed, warm at night - the cat sleeps in there and we have home brew in there, it's warm by day and the rad stops it getting cold at night - they are getting cheaper all the time and we even take the panel and light with us camping as it's not too big either.

[red]

so i parted with some cash and it all works as advertised - the panel is of a different design ( nice Ally surround etc ) and seemingly better made too - it is designed as a stand alone "shed or garage " set up - but has been split up for what i want and the LED light will now be my kitchen light - the charge controller will come in handy somewhere and the panel - ah the panel may well get used in my next ( OK one of ) projects - a solar tracker arrangement - but that's a WYTBS ( work yet to be started ) - got to do some on those

we want to put in solar charged 12v lights in our kitchen - its an old house so very small window for a relatively large room.. means we have the lights on most of the time it's on our 'somewhen' list...

solar tracker sounds interesting..

[brett53]

crowsashes opined :
the darn buggers wont even let me keep 3 hens! for fear of bringing rates disease etc

rates disease - that's council tax isn't it

sorry just could not resist

but seriously that's a pain - so i am lucky in one way to own ( lock stock and rising damp ) my place - least ways here so long as i don't draw too much attention to what i am up to - i can do what the hell i like - and if i do well its "go get a court order buddy "

save the planet - reuse -recycle- repair ........................... just don't fall foul of all our petty rules - sounds about right

[crowsashes]

i always do daft typos!


yeah i guess it is a rates disease! the more the rates go up the more incompetent they get!

thankfully though i got my tenants handbook out read it cover to cover ( sad i know but there is a reason) and through that have successfully negotiated with some one to get an inspector out as on a technicality they are breaking their own rules AND the letting agreement i signed so there is a use for those petty rules after all now lets see if they actually remove the asbestos drain pipes, tile the bathroom, mend the rotten floor boards because of the lack of tiles ( was like this when i moved in) see to the rising damp in the lounge, replace the mess i have with an actual kitchen. and maybe even replace the boiler , which has had no end of problems and was installed in 1994 ( the installers label is still there dated and so are the service ones!) and actually put something more efficient in oh and actually put a working lock on the back door, after all the handbook outlines all of the above as problems that must be dealt with in a reasonable time

[brett53]

i always do daft typos!


yeah i guess it is a rates disease! the more the rates go up the more incompetent they get!

thankfully though i got my tenants handbook out read it cover to cover ( sad i know but there is a reason) and through that have successfully negotiated with some one to get an inspector out as on a technicality they are breaking their own rules AND the letting agreement i signed so there is a use for those petty rules after all now lets see if they actually remove the asbestos drain pipes, tile the bathroom, mend the rotten floor boards because of the lack of tiles ( was like this when i moved in) see to the rising damp in the lounge, replace the mess i have with an actual kitchen. and maybe even replace the boiler , which has had no end of problems and was installed in 1994 ( the installers label is still there dated and so are the service ones!) and actually put something more efficient in oh and actually put a working lock on the back door, after all the handbook outlines all of the above as problems that must be dealt with in a reasonable time

well good luck with that - they will claim they have no money - that there are "priority"cases etc etc etc - we used to live in a council place and it was the same old story - but to give the housing association that took over their due they did a LOT of work in a short time - BUT employed some right cowboys at times - including the lot that nearly gassed me and my mother with faulty gas fire installation ( long story ) but i called in the H&S boys who arrived the same time as the HA and contractors who tried getting clever with me until i pointed out to them that A: i was at the time in charge of the local fire station , and B: I would make dam bed sure their asses did not touch the ground if this was not rectified - they ended up getting done i believe for shoddy workmanship by the H&S + several houses had to be re done

good job i knew the signs & symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning

but you never know - stranger things have happened at sea -as they say - and they may just sort all your problems

[crowsashes]

yeah i just had the boiler flue replaced, after a year of waiting and the guy that did it took one look at the boiler and said it should have been done straight away and he was only here to do a service. and i have to give it to him the part didnt arrive in time and he came in person to let me know the problem - a first for the housing association now im waiting on an appointment for an inspector to come out if nothing i will phone again and do the polite but i mean business thing!

[brett53]

well i found the logic - apparently that was a "clearance" job - they don't do them any more - so looks like for once i struck lucky - but i also note that they are now advertising the usual panels in the clearance section of the web site too + the ones they have in the shop have been there for a few weeks now - soooooo is maplin getting disenchanted with solar ?? as it don't sell - or more to the point is the public not convinced by the need or is solar perceived as "too difficult " for most people ??

pity as the panel i got is a quality bit of kit - and the LED strip light now graces my kitchen ceiling - and gives out an excellent ( if a tad harsh) light

sometimes logic defies explanation