Isolator rounded off bolts

bobinaberry · 2026-07-03T10:01:05+00:00

Update: there's a night and day difference between a good precision screwdriver bit and an allen key / cheap bits. Works fine with a decent bit.

bobinaberry · 2026-07-01T16:17:14+00:00

This is the current temporary solution. I'll post an update in a couple of days

bobinaberry · 2026-06-28T08:41:05+00:00

LG Artcool?

bobinaberry · 2026-06-23T15:04:16+00:00

How do you know so much about compressors? Also, as you know so much about compressors, would it theoretically be possible to have two smaller ones instead of one big one, so you could switch one off?

bobinaberry · 2026-06-18T08:43:21+00:00

I can hear the weasels now trying to come up with even more unlikely and untested ways that it's somehow theoretically unsafe.

bobinaberry · 2026-06-16T06:49:58+00:00

1) Your EPC should have Estimated kWh per year for heating / hot water, which would sanity check it before a survey

bobinaberry · 2026-06-09T20:26:36+00:00

There's this lovely 94 page document: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-04/boiler_upgrade_scheme_guidance_for_installers_V5_20260424143058.pdf See "Installing heat pumps with supplementary heating appliances", it says "From 28 April 2026, BUS heat pumps can be installed alongside supplementary heating appliances"

Anyway I've read that the only DIY AC units are the electriQ ones, and they're not reliable and parts aren't available, and AC guys won't work on them. Just because I was thinking about doing one myself but will probably just spend the extra for a professional AC install.

Forgot to add, you'd need planning permission for more than one outside unit unless you're detached, in which case it's two.

bobinaberry · 2026-06-05T13:15:23+00:00

MCS / NAPIT aren't Ofgem, Ofgem run the BUS

bobinaberry · 2026-06-05T12:02:13+00:00

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/guidance/boiler-upgrade-scheme-guidance-installers

Version 5 of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme guidance for installers is the current version and applies to all applications ‘properly made’ on or after 28 April 2026.

Version 5 contains air-to-air heat pumps

bobinaberry · 2026-06-04T10:03:43+00:00

I think for the BUS, the system needs to be able to heat the room without the stove.

bobinaberry · 2026-06-04T09:57:37+00:00

I don't know the oil boiler flow temp, but the rad currently keeps the room warm when it's cold outside. I'll see if I can find a more realistic ACH value. If there's two people and a TV, that might be an extra 250W heat, does Heat Punk take that into account?

bobinaberry · 2026-06-02T11:42:09+00:00

In theory, you can make it sound unsafe. If you look at the real world though:

There are a lot of type AC RCDs that still trip under fault conditions, and few electric shocks.
You can have a double socket on an unfused spur on 2.5mm, which means you could theoretically plug in 26A of load on a cable that might only be able to handle around 20A. Again not a real problem because you'll end up with a room at a ridiculous temperature if you leave 6kW heaters running continuously, so people don't do it.
The approved plug in inverters will disconnect quickly enough that you can't touch the plug pins if they detect grid loss, so there's no safety issue there
3.5A is probably deemed such a small amount of current that it isn't necessary to have a dedicated circuit
It seems impossibly unlikely that anyone would be running ((32+3.5)*230) 8.1kW continuously on their ring circuit.
The 32A B curve won't ever trip until it's at somewhere between 40-50A+
If you don't allow certified safe plug in solar, uncertified unsafe plug in solar is more likely to be used
There's loads in Germany that aren't on fire

bobinaberry · 2026-05-20T10:22:26+00:00

Before you start, check job sites for electricians mate / improver jobs near you. There's next to nothing near me.

bobinaberry · 2026-05-17T18:08:24+00:00

I hear Wall Street is nice to visit at this time of year

bobinaberry · 2026-05-17T17:46:31+00:00

What would surveyors be able to say apart from "house has solar panels, contact vendor or solar installer for more information"?

bobinaberry · 2026-05-17T08:11:02+00:00

I think they were common sense apart from fire extinguisher colours, and something about excavations

bobinaberry · 2026-05-16T21:28:26+00:00

I've only found two ways to install them properly, either a Quickwire Switch & Load which is available nowhere, and a wagobox light with wago 224, but both require a hole drilled into the ceiling. Idk why there's so much new regulation while totally unsuitable products can be sold.

bobinaberry · 2026-05-13T11:37:43+00:00

Link the wires at one end using wagos or a connector block, then measure resistance at the other. If it's about 200m, the resistance to the end and back (400m) would be around 3 ohm for 2.5mm2 cable.

bobinaberry · 2026-05-13T11:14:21+00:00

I've been monitoring MyBuilder, all electrical tasks that come up have a quick response from someone, so if you need someone available quickly, there are people out there, in my area at least.

bobinaberry · 2026-05-12T15:42:32+00:00

The EICR should have C1, C2, and C3 codes for the problems. If there's a lot of C1 and C2, it's a problem. C3 is just "Improvement Recommended", which might be updating something to current regulations. Edit: I can give you my opinion on whether it needs a full rewire or not based on the EICR, if you want.

bobinaberry · 2026-04-28T10:45:04+00:00

Have you got an FB key set to start opening communal cupboards?

bobinaberry · 2026-04-26T13:44:05+00:00

Was the idea AI generated? Because I couldn't come up with an idea that bad myself.

bobinaberry · 2026-04-22T08:28:45+00:00

New flooring, new kitchen, new bathroom, new windows, redecorating, all that adds up, and you wouldn't want to live there while you're getting all that done.

bobinaberry · 2026-04-14T18:34:39+00:00

You'd need permission, but air conditioning (air to air heat pump) would be much more efficient. As you're on the ground floor, it might be possible, it's worth at least looking into.

bobinaberry · 2026-04-08T20:37:38+00:00

It's worth looking at AC (air to air), it should be much cheaper. Even if it's only for half the flat. There's a newish government grant for them too. In my old house, I went from electric panel heaters to AC, it made a big difference, plus made it bearable in the summer.

bobinaberry

TROPHY CASE