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Sir TophamHatt

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Posts posted by Sir TophamHatt

  1. On 13/06/2022 at 17:31, Geep7 said:

    My rolling stock for transport to the club or exhibitions is stored in really useful boxes with foam inserts made by JB ModelWorld...


    Sorry I am a little late to this but for prosperity...

     

    I also recommend JB Model World foam inserts.  Had my stock in a cool/dark room for a few years now in them and nothing seems to be affected.

    Shop around for the right Really Useful boxes (although JB may sell them too!).

     

    Prior to having something a little more professional, I used some foam underlay cut into strips and nestled the locos in some cheap cotton pillowcases (supermarket basics range).  Seemed to keep things secure.  I tried some big sections of blue foam but cutting manually was the biggest pain ever.

     

     

    I wonder whether the environment can also be at play here?

    If you keep it too dry, the grease around the loco may simply evaporate / harden.

    If you keep it too damp, the sponge foam may go bad too.

    Furthermore the quality of the foam may also play a part here.

     

    Remember, there is a difference between dense foam and sponge.

    • Like 1
  2. On 03/07/2022 at 08:37, rob D2 said:

    That's the thing - the camps were split into those willing to do the work and those like me who consider I shouldn't have to with a brand new model - i simply couldn't be arsed and they weren't at the top of my list.


    This is me.
    I had an EWS one, which was a little wobbily.  Sent it back.
    Got another, which had something wrong with the motor.  Sent it back.
    Got a call to say they didn't have any of the one I ordered in stock.
    Had a think and chose a Freightliner one, which is still a little wobbily.

    Possibly sent it back and got another but as none of them went round my layout that well (admittedly, I banked the corners too much), then it'll be one to get out and fix when I have a layout for it.

     

    Tempted to resell but like my Underground unit, I don't want to be without if I can.
    But then again with potential IVF costs coming up, it may be one for the chop.

    • Friendly/supportive 1
  3. I've pre-ordered the 4-coach pack.

    While my layout would be more suited to ther 3-coach variant, I'm not sure I like the odd look of it.

     

    I think these will be quote popular and as it seems these days, many units sell out before they're on the shelves.

    • Like 2
  4. I have also learnt as a buyer to select something like "defective" or "wrong item sent".

    Selecting something completly honest like "does not fit" will give the seller a way out.

     

    I purchased some wheels from a link the seller specifically sent.  The seller then said I had purchased the wrong ones.

    I sent them back - seller deducted the return price from the refund.  Luckily PayPal reimburst me (another reason to use them to pay for things instead of ebays managed payments options), so nobody was out of pocket but had the seller been a little more diplomatic, I would have puschased the correct item from them.

    I was honest and chose the refund option of "does not fit" - had I chosen "wrong item sent", I wouldn't have had to faff about with PayPal, especially considering the seller sent me a link to the item I needed, which turned out to be wrong.

  5. On 31/03/2022 at 16:15, woodenhead said:

    Pretty sure that come October I am going to be paying a lot more for my electricity that I could have been.

     

    I was offered a fix at the new current price cap rate through to April 2023 - would have ridden through the next increase - but I don't have a Smart Meter, by the time I had re-read most of this thread and looked on the internet, the offer had been withdrawn.

     

    So not having a Smart Meter is going to cost me hundreds of pounds extra.....

     

    I need to rethink how I approach adoption of new technology.


    My new e.On Next tariff requires me to have a smart meter.


    They keep sending through reminders every so often saying I need to book in but so far, nothing has been forced.  But then again it's only just clicked over to the new tariff as I got them to delay switching me until the 1st of April.

  6. I feel the time is coming closer when I may get a Smart Meter.

    I think the little gadget you get would be interesting from a stats point of view to see how much I'm using per day.

     

    I think under the new prices, I'll be at about £1600 a year - maybe slightly less due to much less use in the summer.

  7. On 15/03/2022 at 13:13, Reorte said:

    "Not sure why" all too often seems to mean "I don't understand how anyone could have a different opinion to mine."


    Luckily in my case, it's a genuine "why do people decide to stick with what they know instead of trying something new"
    Comfort is likely to be the answer and the grass isn't always greener on the other side but sometimes, it might just be.

  8. 23 hours ago, admiles said:

     

    I'm sure these problems aren't plaguing everyone but frankly I'm not really bothered about "everyone".

     

    Your analogy about smart TVs falls over because a smart TV brings me things that a standard TV doesn't.


    I'm sorry you read my post in that way - this isn't a t*t for tat sort of thing.

    What it is about is not taking your own account and deciding something is worthless based on that.

    The language you used, such as "being conned" suggests you think there has been some sort of swindle with smart meters, but I also understand when someone has it in their head that they're bad, that's it - no amount of debate or even in some cases, clear evidence will change their mind.  But people all too often are blinded, hell even me in many things.

    Has your mother lost money that she won't be able to get back?  No.  Has she lost money by someone who meant to take that money and not reutrn it?  No.

    The whole "save you money" idea has come about as someone in Government has decided because you can SEE the amount you're spending, you could decide to turn off lights more or whatever.  That's not exactly a con or deception as for some (although very limited I expect) that could be the case.  But you should investigate why our country is even bothering with smart meters.  That will help you understand why there's a big push to get them into as many homes as quick as possible.  I expect there will be one with gas boilers in the next 50 years.

     

    The analagy about a smart TV doesn't fall over.

    Lets compare like-for-like.  The first generation of them didn't do as much as they do now.

    The first generation (and even the 2nd) of smart meters send readings automatically (yes, I appreciate this has gone wrong in your experience).  In 10 years, I wonder what else they may be able to do...  just like smart TVs 10 years after the launch of them are a world of difference to the ones that came out in the beginning of digitalisation.  That's the main reason to delay having a smart meter for as long as possible.

     

    If the smart meters worked as they should, the benefit is not having to submit meter readings.

    For some people, it's worth the risk changing as in the end, it'll be sorted out and working correctly.  For some, heartache getting there, for others working from day one.

     

    Remember, we're on half the same page here - I am not bothered about a smart meter being fitted to my house.

    But because some people have had problems, I wouldn't say the whole idea is absolutely stupid.  Imagine if someone said the same the first time a person died of electocution...

     

    More than happy to discuss more through private messaging though.

  9. We went:  Leicestershire - Birmingham - Tywyn (stopped at Aberdovey overnight as Tywyn places wanted minimum of 2 night stay).

    Next day: Aberdobey - Porthmadog - Ffestiniog (via the narrow gauge railway) - Llandudno.

    A couple of days later: Llandudno - Crewe - back towards Leicestershire.

     

    Barmouth looked pretty good and we passed another couple of railways that I'd like to go back to but was a pretty good railway holiday in disguise.  We'd certainly look at doing it again - all by train.

    • Like 2
  10. 20 hours ago, admiles said:

     

    For you the old style meter might  "do not do the job perfectly well". For me my old style (it's 6 years old) works perfectly. I've have absolutely zero need for a "smart" meter. 

     

    My mother was conned into having one fitted by her supplier and it's been nothing by trouble.


    You MUST remember though that this isn't plaguing everyone.

    No I don't have any details but I highly suspect the successfully operating Smart Meters dwarf those that are having problems.

    But then people generally shy away from changing anything from the status quo, even if it's for the better.  Not sure why that is.

     

    Remember, people didn't have a NEED for a smart TV, but that's all you can get now and millions enjoy the benefits.  Yet the beginning of digital saw pixelated pictures and generally awful reception.  Rare to get that these days.

     

    And it's not a con.
    Being blinded because of your distaste gives does not give you a balanced view.

     

    And yes, I don't particularly want to fit a smart meter... yet.
    But I don't really care if I have one or not.

    • Interesting/Thought-provoking 1
  11. On 13/03/2022 at 11:44, 30801 said:


    You don’t really need them to be built in. I’ve got a couple of smart plugs that can monitor consumption.


    But built in means no extra component.
    The smart plugs I have aren't small enough to fit side by side in certain extension / 4-bars.

     

    Plus, it's also about plugging into Google Home and Alexa.

    Yes, that brings with it privacy concerns but I'd also like to be able to schedule my washing machine or dishwasher.  Yes, both have timers but that means being switched on for hours before hand.

     

    Imagine having your phone set up so when you are driving into your street, the kettle automatically flicks on and it's boiled as you've come in the door.

    Or being able to change the temperature on the oven if you're running late. or turn it off completely.

     

    So much tech that's all readily available now but is clunky to install / operate or simply not available as an option.

     

    While I'm no fan, Elon Musk has it right with the Tesla cars.

    Apparently, you can set them to pre-warm before getting in.  While combusion engines work differently, there is no reason why a separate heater couldn't have been included with any engine to warm the interior of a car before getting in or defrosting windows or whatever.

  12. 2 hours ago, JJGraphics said:

    Until it fails or the batteries run out or it gets knocked on the floor and broken. It also seems that after any initial interest they soon get forgotten about as life goes on.

     

    I know that at least two of my neighbours had smart meters installed a while ago and have lost interest and thrown displays out. They have both said that they saw no difference in their fuel bills after the meters were installed . . .

     

    Like any other device that requires batteries, that could get knocked on the floor and broken.

    And any new phone - after the initial "woo, new phone" it just becomes like any another smart phone.

     

    Also not sure why they thought there would be a reduction in bills?
    Just because you can see how much you're using, doesn't mean you'll automatically reduce.  We use the minimal we can but the kettle still needs to boil, the washing machine still needs to go on.  I doubt knowing a washing machine run costs me 20p will make me go out and buy a more efficient machine - it's only 6 years old now so I doubt newer machines will be any better.

     

    Remember, ~10 years ago there was in influx of similar devices where you clamped something round the main electric cable and it showed you what you were using in pounds and pence.  I remember I had one from nPower:

     

    npower1.jpg.124158a02432e46c6b6fe5f23c2be7ae.jpg

     

    This new marketing about these little devices are nothing new.  They didn't take off in 2010 and won't now as people simply don't really care.

     

    Interestingly a BBC news article from 2011 suggested "Users will be able to monitor the cost of their electricity and gas consumption in real time, and eventually see how much power individual appliances are using  10 years later and fridges, freezers, washing machines, kettles still lack any sort of proper innovation of technology built in, yet smart home devices have been around for over 5 years now.

    • Like 2
    • Agree 3
  13. On 10/03/2022 at 09:46, hayfield said:

    I guess the calls on the public purse are many and schemes now have to be more targeted to those in the most need

     

    Good info!
    I wonder if such schemes were easier / better back then (sorry if that makes you feel old!).

     

    But another question is who are most in need?

    Middle earners are always overlooked as they earn too much for any credits, but not enough to be able to insulate their houses or whatever the case may be.  I wonder how many people fall from middle-earning into poverty.  I guess that's a topic for another thread though.

     

     

    So far, E.on haven't pushed the smart meter on me as yet (despite my tariff requiring one).  I thought they'd message as soon as to get me booked in.

    They've messaged every few weeks saying I need to get booked in (urgently!) but will continue to put them off for a while.

    • Friendly/supportive 1
  14. 18 hours ago, Michael Hodgson said:

    NOT fake news.  The equipment already has this capability built in. 

    It's more a question of whether they are allowed to do so - it is not permitted at present, but the technology supports it. 

    To be fair, he didn't say it was...  just that it sounded like it was.

  15. A vacuum cleaner salesman came to my door, poured a bag of dog s**t on my carpet and said, "Sir, if this vacuum can't clean it completely, I'll eat whatever's left."

    I said, "I hope you're hungry 'cause they cut off the electricity this morning."

    • Like 1
    • Round of applause 1
    • Funny 9
  16. On 05/03/2022 at 15:01, hayfield said:

    10 years ago the government introduced heavily discounted insulating schemes, I had my loft insulation topped up to the then standards for £50, at the same time the cavities in the walls were filled again for £50.


    Which is great for those people that can get on those schemes.

    Whenever I have looked, unless you are in receipt of some sort of benefit, it's largly full price.

    Having to spend best part of £1000 a month on nursery fees, £500 on a mortgage (our 3-bed house was bought for £140k a few years back) - leaves little left for insulation indulgences.  We already use less electric than many our age, as well as trying to heat our living room using the fire only but a 2 year old needs a warm bedroom to sleep in, so it's not as easy without heating.

    I appreciate we're just at an expensive stage in our lives but it's not as simple as paying £50 and it's done.

    • Agree 1
    • Friendly/supportive 2
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