SamThomas

It happened several times, again my views will not change.

I've already given my reasons for not liking DD's so no need for further discussion/contradiction - my views will not change. I admire your faith in thre system. Why would the sytem I use (which, apart from my input) cost any more to implement as it is automated/computerised ?

A point often overlooked.

Could not agree more - lets put Greta on the back burner (a net zero one of course, just for her till she grows up).

All that takes around the same time as the semi-manual way that I do it & to me the best benefit is that I am 100% in control. Also, during the times I had issues I worked away a lot & that was before internet banking was easy. I would not do it nowadays either - when working away I'm busy working, not constantly checking emails, messages & how much my solar panels are producing. & another thing, over my working life my income has varied & not always been paid on time, DD's are fine for fixed payments when you are on a fixed income.

That is too late when a number of DD's are due the same day - you can budget for what should come out but when a company incorrectly takes most of it leaving others unpaid the damage has been done. Challenging take time, time that is too precious to some others.

I'm sorry John, that is all rubbish. I'm against DD for the simple reasons that I have had issues with it in the past & there is no way I'm going to authorise anyone to put their grubby little mits into my wallet when & if they please. You keep going on about meter readings but they are virtually a thing of the past except for the statuatory periodic manual reads (which AFAIK) applies to your precious "smart" meters. Every month I send meter reading to my (different) energy suppliers, the accurate bills are emailed to me within minutes, I pay by BACS & if I'm late get an automated reminder - all taken care of by the suppliers systems without human intervention on their part. I'm quite happy to continue doing this. So, where is this a "more expensive system" please ?

Some years ago I went through an EFAD (Emergency Fire Appliance Driving) course. The instructor told us "only to signal when that information will be useful to another road user or users".

I can do that simply by switching screens, I have better things to do that to constantly be checking the display. I can read my meters & send the readings off in around the time it took to write & post this.

I can already do that.

Further to that - I don't trust anyone with my data therefore my electricity supplier will never be able to build up a data profile of my households habits - it's absolutely none of their (or anyone elses) business. Data, that falling into the wrong hands would indicate the best times to break into your house for example.

It takes very little effort to read the meter & send the readings in every month. No estimated bills. By doing so manually you have a double check so that the supplier cannot empty your bank account without notice.

I really don't know where people get the idea that you have to have a smart meter to instal solar panels. Our solar panel installation has it's own separate sealed meter (it does not rely on the inverter software). The FIT readings are submitted every three months & the payments BAC'ed direct into our account.

Not in my lifetime matey, that I can promise.

I have solar panels but no smart meter (& will never have one). If you have solar panels you do not need a smart meter to see your real time electrical consumption - you can check that via your inverters software (& anywhere in the world with a phone signal).

Just to add to previous suggestions paint/varnish/coat both sides of the boards.

That's quite correct LMS - I did see a TV programme some time ago showing track laying that explained in detail that ballast can only be re-used whilst it is still rough/irregular. Makes sense when you think about it.

Being an HO modeller I have quite a number of loco motives with traction tyres***. The material used for traction tyres fitted to HO locomotives is, as far as I can see different from those fitted to OO models. Tender drives (even the old 3-pole Flesichmann ones) are far superior to the el-cheapo Limby/Margate ones. (I remember seeing factory layouts from a UK manufacture using Flesichmann tender drives (the red wheels were a bit of a givaway). ***Having said that I tend to replace the traction tyred wheelsets of my diesel & OHE's with plain ones to enhance power pick up.

Not really comparing apples with apples. The Roco will have ; working lights front & rear close coupling between engine & tender close coupling on tender drive on tender & loco wheels a lot more detail & "plumbing" may even come with a crew & maybe manufactured in the EU

Working pantographs & lights, level decals, space for decoders, close coupling pockets, effective packaging & manufactured in Europe - who would have thought it at all possible. Agreed, a little more than a UK model but I know where my hard earned would go.

You need to contact Pfizer for that unless Hornby found any lying around when their offices were down the road.

Our system has the capability to power the house in the even of a power cut (provided the sun is out &/or charge in the PowerVault). However, this requires the installation of a changeover switch. Without isolation from the grid "backfeeding" would be dangerous to anyone working on the grid but you would also be trying to power anyone else on your "leg" of the grid. As mentioned already most inverters need grid power as a reference to syncronise. We already have a changeover switch but that is for the 4.5kVa standby generator.

Well, they certainly know how to waste money.

Not everyone will have the knowledge regarding the windows - however, the wonky decals are quite clear for anyone to see. Do the people who worry about the windws also worry about the wheels being too close together (unless they model in P4/EM) ?

Thanks for that close up & detailed image David. So, that means if you have OHLE you cannot actually run it "panto(s) up". Here's me thinking the days of models with el-cheapo models plastic parts like that were over.