Cutting the grass with electrons
A new (easier) approach to lawn mowing with our eco friendly electric mower.
May 20, 2010
Found 6 results tagged with 'Electric'
Filter results using tags
Click tags to include or exclude from results
Portable Electric Chainsaw
Configuring an electric chainsaw for mobile firewood collection.
Electric chainsaws are light, with no fumes, less noise and fewer complex parts to cause issues.
The problem is they require a fair amount of power, thus limiting their portability.
Check out how to set up a useful system for mobile sawing...
Electric chainsaws are light, with no fumes, less noise and fewer complex parts to cause issues.
The problem is they require a fair amount of power, thus limiting their portability.
Check out how to set up a useful system for mobile sawing...
April 27, 2010
Measuring the sun
As part of my ambition to get a solar electric system up and running I have been conducting some tests.
My interest is in the effect of the suns angle to the panel array and the relationship to voltage. While there are probably some models put there, I have not seen any and find that actual experience is much more convincing and reliable.
My observations will influence my decision to include tracking capabilities to my solar installation.
Notice the clever little rod below the panels whose shadow (or lack of) can be used to determine if it is pointed directly at the sun.
My interest is in the effect of the suns angle to the panel array and the relationship to voltage. While there are probably some models put there, I have not seen any and find that actual experience is much more convincing and reliable.
My observations will influence my decision to include tracking capabilities to my solar installation.
Notice the clever little rod below the panels whose shadow (or lack of) can be used to determine if it is pointed directly at the sun.
May 18, 2011
Earth moving
Today we had the digger come and lay come cables and pipes. As part of the general improvement project we had a number of small jobs that man and a machine could do so much faster than a man alone.
Unfortunately, now there is a big mess of clay and chewed up grass....
Unfortunately, now there is a big mess of clay and chewed up grass....
October 12, 2011
Electric lawnmower upgrade
After trying various different 'eco' lawn mowing solutions we were struggling to find something that could live up to our expectations. Our latest attempt is so far proving quite satisfactory, despite my misgivings about battery powered tools capability to deliver enough power. Introducing the STIHL RMA 410C A quiet, exhaust free way of keeping the paths under control.
December 01, 2016
Energy efficiency with hot water
Currently most of out hot water heating is done by electricity although we are are working on a number of strategies to reduce this component. One part of the approach is to keep the thermostat set so that the water is just hot enough.
I was having a conversation with someone about energy efficiency and hot water heating and what was the best temperature setting for the hot water cylinder.
The friend was operating under the incorrect assumption that it was better to have the cylinder as hot as possible so that when water was taken out, for a shower say, there was less cold water entering that required heating. There is a certain surface logic to this but it seemed to me that it doesn't matter what temperature the water is, when you have a shower or do the dishes you are extracting the same amount of energy (in the form of hot water) from the tank and so the energy needing to be replaced is the same.
The issue with keeping water extra hot then, is more to do with the extra energy that is required to maintain a greater temperature differential between the temperature inside and outside the hot water tank.
According to one website:
"The ideal setting is 60°C. It is important that the water in the cylinder is this hot to kill bacteria such as legionella but higher temperature settings only increase your power bill."
I was having a conversation with someone about energy efficiency and hot water heating and what was the best temperature setting for the hot water cylinder.
The friend was operating under the incorrect assumption that it was better to have the cylinder as hot as possible so that when water was taken out, for a shower say, there was less cold water entering that required heating. There is a certain surface logic to this but it seemed to me that it doesn't matter what temperature the water is, when you have a shower or do the dishes you are extracting the same amount of energy (in the form of hot water) from the tank and so the energy needing to be replaced is the same.
The issue with keeping water extra hot then, is more to do with the extra energy that is required to maintain a greater temperature differential between the temperature inside and outside the hot water tank.
According to one website:
"The ideal setting is 60°C. It is important that the water in the cylinder is this hot to kill bacteria such as legionella but higher temperature settings only increase your power bill."
June 17, 2011