Good Morning Thread - Come say good morning, tell us what you've got on today. :)

We have this thread on TilersForums.com and it's just been restarted because the old thread had 20,000 replies and 500,000 views. And there were 700 pages. Started to lag a bit on slow connections.

I think we had a bash of this before, but I can't find the thread, so thought I'd start another one off.

If you have time in the mornings, come post in the thread before you head off to work, let us know what you've got on and what the weather is like in your area etc. Anything at all is fine.

Posts and likes get counted towards your total stats in this thread.

So GOOOD MORNING PEOPLE - WEATHER IS NICE TODAY IN STOKE. I'M THANKFUL IT'S FRIDAY, HAD A RUBBISH WEEK. THANK GOD IT'S OVER.

View attachment 53708

 

[a-z electrics]

Installed an ev Project charge point this morning for a client who's just got an Ionic 5 as a business car. What a motor! Seriously thinking of getting one, £37k but what the heck.. I had test drive in one on at the weekend, REALLY nice
I am thinking of retiring end of the year but I'm wondering if I carry on as a sole trader and get the car on the business if that could be a tax/financial advantage? I would buy it cash and trade in my electric nissan van.. any comments?

 

[Mikegh]

Wired a couple of cat5s from a router for a friend

He's got some fancy Christmas lights the dog has chewed through in a couple of spots,I said I'd see what I could do later in the week

It's like 3 strands of insulated copper with LEDs on it. The 30v DC power supply is still working and the dog is alive

 

[marconi]

Wired a couple of cat5s from a router for a friend

He's got some fancy Christmas lights the dog has chewed through in a couple of spots,I said I'd see what I could do later in the week

It's like 3 strands of insulated copper with LEDs on it. The 30v DC power supply is still working and the dog is alive

For information last year I put 4 strings of battery (4.5V) operated LED lights on a Christmas tree on our drive and the foxes had a field day - none worked after a week. How sad am I that I recovered all the segments and soldered/ heat shrinked them together again? This year I am looking for something to spray on the wires and tree to repel the foxes. My friend, who had a red-letter day working as a zoo-keeper's assistant at London Zoo, told me tiger poo is effective.........I wonder if it also works on mother-in-law's?

 

[a-z electrics]

For information last year I put 4 strings of battery (4.5V) operated LED lights on a Christmas tree on our drive and the foxes had a field day - none worked after a week. How sad am I that I recovered all the segments and soldered/ heat shrinked them together again? This year I am looking for something to spray on the wires and tree to repel the foxes. My friend, who had a red-letter day working as a zoo-keeper's assistant at London Zoo, told me tiger poo is effective.........I wonder if it also works on mother-in-law's?

yes it does..

 

[Mikegh]

I was trying to figure out how the 3-wire system worked and what to check

30v DC power supply and then the LEDs seem to be paralleled across 2 strands and then there's a 3rd strand, I probably should know from my time spent in the electronics industry

 

[pirate]

Up very early this morning, fitted 2 more new wall lights, a walk on the beach as the sun came up, and going to the local ironmongers for some replacement bolts to fit some door handle, then to the port, Mahon, for lunch by the harbour...what with Covid and fuel shortages etc it's a good time to be retired. A pal sent me some photos taken at his local garden center yesterday, in Glasgow, and it's stuffed full of christmas items...I'd like to stay here to avoid all the fuss, but needless to say I have almost used up my 90 day Schengen allowance, so thanks Boris...

 

[littlespark]

Day 4 of my Welsh sabbatical and I was rudely awoken at 8am by a flipping’ electrician going round the site checking the bollard lights.


So if there’s a member on here, working on Anglesey, with the initials L and W on their company name ……

I will find you…… ?

 

[littlespark]

By request of the girls, we’ve just been to a nearby fossil museum…. And believe it or not, I think I found @telectrix having a nap…

Further round I found this impressive specimen…. Could be Jurassic, or older. Wasn’t any notes on this particular piece…..

 

[telectrix]

can't be me. I'm not that slim.

 

[marconi]

I reckon it is the Scotland 2006 hide and seek competition winner.

Or the first 'beneficiary' of the Government's nationwide 'levelling up' agenda.

 

[littlespark]

Came back from wales on saturday.... ETA around 4pm, got in at 6 due to delay queueing at an accident.

Before that, i had carefully planned where to stop on the M6 for caravan-friendly services, and both had single cars blocking the caravan spaces. Ever so slightly miffed about that, and i hope the services themselves police their "£100 fine for not parking in the correct area"
I'm too polite to type what i said about them on saturday.

Reached Carlisle, satnav wants to send us A7... Langholm, Hawick etc... Not on your nelly!
Took the A69 cross to newcastle. Not a bad road, until we come across the line of traffic and the distant glow of flashing blue lights.

How anyone can turn this thing upside down is beyond me....

 

[littlespark]

Having used the lateral flow tests religiously twice a week for what feels like forever, I picked up a replacement box a few days ago.
New supplier, and the pharmacist says, Nasel only… you don’t have to stick it down your throat…
That’s bad enough. I can manage the throat without gagging (stop it!) but I cant do my nose without sneezing….

Anyway… considering there’s a mass climate thingy going on…. This new box has a clear plastic tray to hold everything… not easily recyclable in some places…
And polystyrene packing inbetween. Wholly un-recyclable.
On top of all the other plastic that’s included in these packs.



“Achoooo!”

 

[Midwest]

At work we have the NHS LFT kits, for a weeks worth of testing.

It comes with a cardboard box to hold the test vial, which I don't need 'cos I have one from the first one I had circa 2020, a set of paper instructions, which I don't need cos I'm used to shoving the swab down my throat etc, multiple extraction buffer vials, which I don't need 'cos I've got several bottles of the stuff I can use and loads of tiny plastic bags.

Recycling is going through the roof. PCR's are more measured I find ?

 

[littlespark]

Yeh… the new box also has that plastic block to hold the vial… the old boxes had a hole in the inner cardboard sleeve.

We’re keeping the little clear bags your supposed to put the waste in, but the new ones have got “COVID “ printed all over them.

 

[Lister1987]

2nd day in the new job and have completed Work at Height Training and can't wait to get on top of the towers, masts and all that lovely stuff. Confined Spaces training tomorrow, now getting stuck on at that pub as thr company are footing thr bill ?

 

[Mike Johnson]

Worst thing was climbing up the "safe" internal ladder, vertical ladders are not easy to climb, hence the external tied ladder, much easier, maybe not as safe, but less time on it.

 

[Deleted account]

Worst thing was climbing up the "safe" internal ladder, vertical ladders are not easy to climb, hence the external tied ladder, much easier, maybe not as safe, but less time on it.View attachment 91597

I actually disagree. The external ladder for me is safer than the internal.
those vertical internals are difficult and aukward to climb. I recon it’s more probable you will fall internally bashing yourself of the scaffolding as you go down than the external angled ladder.

 

[Mike Johnson]

We actually agree in essence, although the internal ladder due to its restricted area inside the tower prevents a fall all the way to the ground in one hit, falling off an external ladder will not stop until you hit the ground. ?

 

[Julie.]

Worst thing was climbing up the "safe" internal ladder, vertical ladders are not easy to climb, hence the external tied ladder, much easier, maybe not as safe, but less time on it.View attachment 91597

Strangely enough I travelled 500 miles round trip yesterday to pick the same size and type of tower (boss youngman 8.3m wh) as that yesterday!

Today's job, take the hire van back!

 

[littlespark]

Looks to me like the ladder is tied at the top with cable ties. And rope at the bottom isn’t secure. Not safe.

If you’ve done the training, it’ll say only to use the internal ladder…

 

[Deleted account]

Looks to me like the ladder is tied at the top with cable ties. And rope at the bottom isn’t secure. Not safe.

If you’ve done the training, it’ll say only to use the internal ladder…

Good eyes. Yup cable ties. Not ideal.

 

[telectrix]

but they're M&S cable ties.

 

[Julie.]

but they're M&S cable ties.

Mud and Snow - like tyres?

?

Or an over priced shop?

 

[telectrix]

could try snow tyres on the Hiace, but it would still corner sideways on snow/ice. rear wheeel drive.

 

[pc1966]

but they're M&S cable ties.

At least they are not S&M...

 

[Vortigern]

There are so many things wrong with the construction of that tower. I realise why the bar that the ladder is resting on is the wrong way around as the ladder would push it out but still.... The diagonals are not opposing and the tower is not secured with anchors in the wall, tut tut! Lucky you don't have the kind of people I do work for sometimes on your case. The platforms are wrong and no trapdoor.

 

[Mike Johnson]

The tower is fixed back to the wall, the platforms are not wrong and do have trapdoors and the ladder is as secure as it needs to be and only one diagonal not opposing, I knew it was a mistake to post that picture, just gives those argumentative types ammunition.

 

[Julie.]

The tower is fixed back to the wall, the platforms are not wrong and do have trapdoors and the ladder is as secure as it needs to be and only one diagonal not opposing, I knew it was a mistake to post that picture, just gives those argumentative types ammunition.

Just wait, won't be too long before someone starts shouting PASMA.



Edit:

Err thinking on that might be me then!! ???

 

[telectrix]

never had any issues with towers. always get someother idjit to climb.

 

[ferg]

The tower is fixed back to the wall, the platforms are not wrong and do have trapdoors and the ladder is as secure as it needs to be and only one diagonal not opposing, I knew it was a mistake to post that picture, just gives those argumentative types ammunition.

A bit like posting a picture of a septic tank and being reminded your terminology isn't exactly correct?

 

[Mike Johnson]

A bit like confusing a cycle, a car and an aeroplane all means of transport but do it in different ways.?

How about MEWP instead. ?

 

[telectrix]

MEWP? is that cat pi$$? 50 characters, wtf is this????????????

 

[freddo]

Fun with big cables this week. The upper cables are tripled up 500mm AWAs...
150mm 4 core SWA.

 

[James]

Starts to get hard work bending them into place At that size!,

 

[littlespark]

For the past week or so, I’ve been adding to the forum here;

Have yourself a merry little spark-mas | on Free Electrical Advice - Electricians Forums

Find Have yourself a merry little spark-mas Advice and Help. How-to Have yourself a merry little spark-mas in the Electricians Chat - Off Topic Chat advice boards on ElectriciansForums.net | Free Electrical Advice - Electricians Forums: Electricians' Talk Forums. Have yourself a merry little...

www.electriciansforums.net

In the section that nobody visits…. So I thought I’d give it a boost.

 

[nicebutdim]

Doesn't seem to appear under 'new posts' - might need to keep bumping the thread.

 

[Moley]

For the past week or so, I’ve been adding to the forum here;

Have yourself a merry little spark-mas | on Free Electrical Advice - Electricians Forums

Find Have yourself a merry little spark-mas Advice and Help. How-to Have yourself a merry little spark-mas in the Electricians Chat - Off Topic Chat advice boards on ElectriciansForums.net | Free Electrical Advice - Electricians Forums: Electricians' Talk Forums. Have yourself a merry little...

www.electriciansforums.net

In the section that nobody visits…. So I thought I’d give it a boost.

I hope you are going to add the song I linked to in this post HERE

 

[littlespark]

I forgot about that one, moley, very seasonal.

 

[pirate]

This morning I awaited a DPD delivery with great anticipation...
My new Unilites! They are fab!
Also, not that I want to be too partisan, but using the code from a well known sparky youtube site, I got 25% off...happy days!

Then I watched this:

and I thought...hmmm, would i let this guy work on my CU?

Then i had a game of tennis with some mates, and had a tasty lunch at my local real ale pub.
So, just a really good day for me...
I know...I need to get out more...

 

[pc1966]

Then I watched this:

and I thought...hmmm, would i let this guy work on my CU?

That was a fantastic video! Amazing bit of model woodworking there.

 

[pirate]

Yes, @pc1966...he is obviously very skilled. I expect he could be a dentist/surgeon, or even an electrician, if he turned his mind and skills to it!
Obviously, he'd be overqualified to be a wet-pants!

 

[nicebutdim]

This morning I awaited a DPD delivery with great anticipation...
My new Unilites! They are fab!
Also, not that I want to be too partisan, but using the code from a well known sparky youtube site, I got 25% off...happy days!

I noticed that discount code a few weeks back and went to take a look - one look and closed the tab.

Unilte make great products and they've never been cheap, but recent price increases are beyond a joke. I bought the HX800R from Powertoolmate for just over £30, about 4 months ago, at which time I think Unilite were charging a bit more... current price on Powertoolmate £33.99 - current price direct from Unilite £75.

My days of looking at Unilite products are quickly drawing to a close.

 

[pirate]

I hear what you say, but time will tell...quality is key, I think.
Years ago, maybe 15 years ago, i bought a LedLenser torch and it was over £70...for a torch?
Still using it on a daily basis, and it's been submerged, hit, dropped, abused and subjected to everything you could imagine...was it worth the price?
Definitely! I'd buy another one tomorrow...but don't need to because the original is still working fine!
It's often a trade-off these days. Head-torches are so cheap, so efficient, but if you break or lose one...well, it's a few quid and off you go again.
Sometimes, the pleasure of using something of quality is more important than using something cheap. Yet, I confess, I have many cheap torches, because they are...well, cheap!
However, the pleasure of using quality gear, knowing it's going to perform all day, every day, makes life so much easier and pleasurable.
I don't have a £40k Rolex...I have a £40 G-Shock for everyday use. It's horses for courses...
However, it's a fascinating subject!
I look forward to input from members here, but maybe needs to be a separate thread, so I apologise if I appear to have hijacked this one.

 

[pirate]

Just to clarify @nicebut dim
I bought the switch-blade lamps, like this

Compact folding Inspection Light | IL-175R - Unilite UK

The IL-175R is a compact slim inspection light with a 180° vertical folding head. It has 3 sperate LEDs, each with their own purpose. Come check it out!

unilite.co.uk

and its bigger brother


I agree the other units seem very expensive, but these designs are great for general inspection, not for illuminating a work site. For that, I just use the Erbauer ones from Screwfix, which I love! The extension pole/tripod for these is only £18. You can charge from mains or in your car/van, and if they get broken, well it's just a few quid. I love 'em!

https://www.NoLinkingToThis/p/erbauer-rechargeable-led-work-light-3200lm/206gy

 

[pirate]

Just to add...my teenage neighbour thinks it's very cool! You can hold it up, on low power, at a rock concert, and wave it slowly from side to side...like a cigarette lighter, but much better....
(Shakes head...)

 

[nicebutdim]

Their products are well designed and very well built and I certainly didn't intend to suggest otherwise. I also understand that many companies will have been forced to implement recent price increases, but this seemed to me more of a marketing strategy - hike prices and offer sizeable discount codes through sponsorship deals.

I'm happy to pay a decent price for a quality product, which is why I was happy to pay around £30 for that particular light, but £75 seems inexplicable - even with 25% off.

Putting my personal issues to one side I'd be very surprised if you were anything less than pleased with their products.

 

[pc1966]

Just to clarify @nicebut dim
I bought the switch-blade lamps, like this

Sort of a flick-knife against vampires?

 

[littlespark]

This morning I have been mostly repairing my Christmas tree lights.

My own fault. I was cleaning the floor with my generic suction cleaning device… (hoovering with a dyson) when it searched and destroyed the wire between the power adaptor of the light string and the little control box.

Thankfully I’d kept an older string with broken lights and a working controller.

 

[pirate]

@littlespark, there may be a member on here near to you who could help you with that rewire!

@nicebutdim, I am very happy with my purchases, but I agree they are a bit on the pricey side! Still, I'll enjoy using them, and if they don't perform I will let everybody know.
How i will do this is start my own youtube channel, say how amazing they are and maybe get some freebies! Probbaly won't get a Metabo wall-chaser though...

 

[Mikegh]

2nd call to an immersion RCD trip, plumber is mad busy and wants heater reconnected so he can test it

IR tested and disconnected on 1st call , ready for replacement and reconnection

Heater cap was almost inaccessible so hadn't looked inside on 1st call, managed to remove cap and inspect and test at terminals

To make matters worse my backup troubleshooting Megger is on the blink , hopefully it's just batteries ,only a few weeks since my Eagle Megger packed up