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Downsizer Forum Index -> Energy Efficiency and Construction/Major Projects

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jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28231
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Fri Jul 02, 21 2:56 pm Post subject:
Some new posts, it's all a bit of a mix, but with a couple more plus the beams it will reduce the spans to something like acceptable.

jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28231
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Fri Jul 09, 21 2:14 pm Post subject:
Slow progress, I don't like working unless it's nice out. But two beams in, two posts and two more beams to go. Also got some 1" tubing and the big greenhouse can now pump the IBC tank. Attached to 22mm copper pipe at the moment and on an extension lead. Heath Robinson until we figure how we want to play it, but at least now we won't be using metered water near as much.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46188
Location: yes

Posted: Fri Jul 09, 21 2:27 pm Post subject:
glad the water is getting better, the new concrete looks useful

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15947

Posted: Sat Jul 10, 21 8:49 am Post subject:
Are you using the hand pump for that? You didn't say if you got it working.

jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28231
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Sat Jul 10, 21 11:54 am Post subject:

Mistress Rose wrote:

Are you using the hand pump for that? You didn't say if you got it working.

No I got a shiny stainless steel well pump. I am saving the manual one for a non rainy/rainy day to take apart and look at.

Have just ordered a double outdoor socket and 4 switches. I will put one switch inline with the pump that will plug into the socket. Keeping it plugged so I could also put a timer on things for automatic watering.
That leaves switches for lights and grow lights and a spare for luck.

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15947

Posted: Sun Jul 11, 21 8:35 am Post subject:
Good plan. Always as well to have extras.

jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28231
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Wed Jul 14, 21 2:06 pm Post subject:
A pump on a switch, as said also on a plug so I can use a timer. A long post has just arrived so should be able to get on with the decking up top now. The cement drought at B&Q seems over. Also making a bit of a start with weed control fabric round some of the beds.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46188
Location: yes

Posted: Wed Jul 14, 21 4:38 pm Post subject:

is the pump switch is outdoor rated and is the feed is safe?

for feed i usually use armoured cable outside and if poss stick it in a tube at the bottom of a trench

metal trunking tube is sort of ok for load side wires

rats and squirrels and mice sir, fosands of em

soft wires exposed to mechanical, weathering and vermin damage is plausible,eyeball fail, sorry but i want everyone alive and no insurance or other issues.

jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28231
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 21 6:56 am Post subject:
it's a bit dodge on that front. the cable on the pump wasn't armoured, for that matter the cable on outdoor lights isn't armoured and one set I am just cannibalising for more lighting was replaced because it eventually got nibbled.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46188
Location: yes

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 21 7:35 am Post subject:

to be very blunt spending a few quid on materials and a good spark is never money wasted
it will work, stay working and does not have the multiple risks of death by shock, death by fire, bankruptcy due to insurance or litigation issues etc.

you have done loads of excellent stuff outside, the leccy needs to be as good or better.

my first question would be "can i see your consumer unit please" to establish you have capacity to add an external collection of loads via a single feed to a hub or external ring
second question"what loads do you want to use"
after that it is finding routes, choosing cable sizes(that matters with distance as well as load etc)and doing a good job while installing it(it is amazing how a tiny error of design or execution can ruin your day, especially with outdoor leccy.)

have you considered low voltage for outside?

jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28231
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 21 1:50 pm Post subject:
When that's dry then it coach screw time. I did think about low voltage, but figured the pump would need some amperage behind it, as would grow lights. Some cable is in conduit and more will be.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46188
Location: yes

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 21 5:55 pm Post subject:
the galvanized stuff is ok outside, if you use good gland/plate protocols on decent quality materials etc you might want to borrow a pipe bender, or you need to plan for kinks and corners with fittings earthing is a complex subject for outside stuff, secondary to the one from the head is wise

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46188
Location: yes

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 21 6:12 pm Post subject:
ps if the indoor wiring has a current and valid certificate, any additions will void that unless they are ticketed off by a spark with the right current permits

jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28231
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 21 6:47 am Post subject:

The waterfall was getting a bit overgrown, now a bit more visible.
Have finished trunking the extension to the greenhouse and the pump.
We also have the lights wired in.
Came across another outdoor junction box which will be handy for grow lights and lights in the greenhouse. The first box looks crowded with just 6 choc box connectors.
For the pump wiring I used some connector where you don't even strip the wire, you just insert and crimp with pliers, but I figured that would be messy for the split off to do the lights.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46188
Location: yes

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 21 10:29 am Post subject:
nice water feature with rocks, ideal for phibs(so long as the pump filter is phib safe, a frog in yer pump is bad for all)

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