MLU FORUM  

Go Back   MLU FORUM > 'B' ECHELON > The Sergeants' Mess

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #91  
Old 28-07-15, 11:30
Private_collector's Avatar
Private_collector Private_collector is offline
Tony Baker
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Wide Bay, QLD, Australia.
Posts: 1,819
Default

How much have you got there, Rob?

Is it Grid Connect, or Stand Alone?
__________________
Ford CMP, 115" WB,1942 (Under Restoration...still)
Medium sized, half fake, artillery piece project. (The 1/4 Pounder)
Reply With Quote
  #92  
Old 28-07-15, 12:18
hrpearce's Avatar
hrpearce hrpearce is offline
WO8 C15A 142736
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Batlow Road near the Cow & Calf
Posts: 1,958
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Private_collector View Post
How much have you got there, Rob?

Is it Grid Connect, or Stand Alone?
Tony, it's 4.5 kwh, 18 panels, grid connected. I can't afford the batteries for stand alone. The panels and invertor will take forty months to pay off.
__________________
Robert Pearce.
Reply With Quote
  #93  
Old 28-07-15, 20:25
Private_collector's Avatar
Private_collector Private_collector is offline
Tony Baker
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Wide Bay, QLD, Australia.
Posts: 1,819
Default

Who would have thought 20 years ago that so many of us would have solar panels on our roof. Back then, you would have been considered odd to go down that track.

It seems the hippies were right, and way ahead of their time, eh!
__________________
Ford CMP, 115" WB,1942 (Under Restoration...still)
Medium sized, half fake, artillery piece project. (The 1/4 Pounder)
Reply With Quote
  #94  
Old 28-07-15, 21:34
hrpearce's Avatar
hrpearce hrpearce is offline
WO8 C15A 142736
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Batlow Road near the Cow & Calf
Posts: 1,958
Default

I have been researching alternative power for quite a number of years. I went to a field day about 30 years ago and then wind sounded attractive but the cost of the tower to put the turbine on was beyond me. Next I looked into hydro it was promising but flood proofing was a problem. Until recently solar was too expensive to consider, that changed in the last couple of years, just hope it lives up to the sails pitch.
__________________
Robert Pearce.
Reply With Quote
  #95  
Old 28-07-15, 22:55
Private_collector's Avatar
Private_collector Private_collector is offline
Tony Baker
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Wide Bay, QLD, Australia.
Posts: 1,819
Default

Hippie!

No, seriously, it makes good sense. You should notice a pleasant change in your future electricity bills. We had little choice but to get a stand alone system, because when we had the house built in 2007 the power poles hadntrcome this far down our road, though i could see the last of the poles from my veranda. Instead of paying over $28,000 to have the network extend to us, the decision was made to buy a full 'remote' system, and although it came close to the same cost (after rebates), we don't regret the choice. We run off our own power 6 days a week, and I only switch across to network power on Sundays. That's the day we do anything that requires high-drain appliances. The solar system is quite sufficient to allow full use of lighting, pump, refrigeration, computer/s, TV, grinder, etc... The washing machine doesn't like running off power from our batteries, because the sine wave of that is slightly different, and it's little computer brain doesn't appreciate it. Also, other high wattage appliances like vacuum cleaner and my workshop equipment would either run poorly or drain the power stored, very quickly. That's Ok though. I don't mind paying approximately 1/7 of what would be a 'normal' power bill. In fact, when the govt made the decision to remove the ambulance levy from all electricity bills, our power costs halved! While I was on long service leave in Jan/Feb this year, I did a few full days of using things like air compressor or MIG welder. That was one of the very few occasions when our quarterly electricity bill reached $100 or thereabouts. The batteries need to be monitored at least every couple of months, to be sure the elecrtolyte levels are topped up. More often in summer, naturally. All it takes is a bit of demineralised water and 5 minutes of your time. I should note that our hot water system is solar, with gas boosting, and all our heating is gas also, so those two areas which would normally would chew through electricity, dont make much of a dent in our supply. I do have a wind turbine too, but because of an error by the supplier, it is only used for recharging of 12v batteries. I had requested a 24 volt turbine, and received 12 volt instead. My battery bank is 24 volt, so 12 volt isn't much use there.

Although I don't regret the decision (had no choice, really), I wouldn't expect that we are anywhere near breaking even on the initial setup cost. It does amuse me when power outage occurs on the grid, and I stand on the front steps and see no other lights on in the entire area......except ours!

If anyone dared to suggest I would have alternative power supply, a decade of so ago, I would recommend they receive a psychiatric assessment, but here we are, reaping the benefits of alternative energy sources. Bless the tree-huggers! They were right......in this instance.
__________________
Ford CMP, 115" WB,1942 (Under Restoration...still)
Medium sized, half fake, artillery piece project. (The 1/4 Pounder)
Reply With Quote
  #96  
Old 11-03-16, 03:51
hrpearce's Avatar
hrpearce hrpearce is offline
WO8 C15A 142736
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Batlow Road near the Cow & Calf
Posts: 1,958
Default

What is wrong with this picture?
Attached Thumbnails
oh no1.jpg  
__________________
Robert Pearce.
Reply With Quote
  #97  
Old 11-03-16, 04:44
Bob Carriere Bob Carriere is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Hammond, Ontario
Posts: 5,191
Default No snow?????

..... and a nice butt end view of something CMP like!!!!
__________________
Bob Carriere....B.T.B
C15a Cab 11
Hammond, Ontario
Canada
Reply With Quote
  #98  
Old 11-03-16, 04:49
hrpearce's Avatar
hrpearce hrpearce is offline
WO8 C15A 142736
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Batlow Road near the Cow & Calf
Posts: 1,958
Default

This next picture shows what is wrong.
We had a bit of a northerly breeze last night.
Attached Thumbnails
oh no3.jpg  
__________________
Robert Pearce.
Reply With Quote
  #99  
Old 11-03-16, 05:09
motto motto is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Woodend,Victoria,Australia
Posts: 1,068
Default Go fly a kite.

You've not only got to hold them up, you've also got to hold them down.
A friend had the same thing happen at Guyra. The implements were huddled together on their own and the shed flattened out on the paddock some distance away with the concrete footings still on the ends of the posts.

David
__________________
Hell no! I'm not that old!
Reply With Quote
  #100  
Old 11-03-16, 05:16
Euan McDonald's Avatar
Euan McDonald Euan McDonald is offline
V.M.V.C Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Eltham, Victoria, Australia.
Posts: 626
Default Recovery.

I can see Keith doing a border raid to recover his cab 12.
That's not what you need at this time of year. Good luck!
__________________
Euan McDonald
4? C-GT (Aust) #8
44 C-GT (Aust) #9
42 Jeep, Trailer Aust 3
Welbike MK2 complete
Welbike MK2 inconplete under resto
C15A x3
C60S x1 ex ambo
F60L x3
LP2a carrier SAR #4993.
Trailer No27 Limber
Trailer, Cario cargo
Trailer, Pontoon semi
Wiles Cooker 2 wheeled (jnr)
Reply With Quote
  #101  
Old 11-03-16, 07:13
hrpearce's Avatar
hrpearce hrpearce is offline
WO8 C15A 142736
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Batlow Road near the Cow & Calf
Posts: 1,958
Default

The shed was going to be partially dissembled this winter to add new stronger posts, my plans may now need changing.
The good news is the blitz was untouched, the bad news the header is now outside and it has many moving parts made of wood and canvas.
It took a while to get close to the blitz as it was well guarded by angry paper wasps.
__________________
Robert Pearce.
Reply With Quote
  #102  
Old 11-03-16, 09:36
lynx42 lynx42 is offline
Rick Cove
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Paynesville, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 1,863
Default

That's bad luck Robert. I guess the replacement will be longer, wide and higher.LOL Hope you were insured. See you next week.
Regards Rick.
__________________
1916 Albion A10
1942 White Scoutcar
1940 Chev Staff Car
1940 F30S Cab11
1940 Chev WA LRDG "Te Hai"
1941 F60L Cab12
1943 Ford Lynx
1942 Bren Gun Carrier VR no.2250
Humber FV1601A
Saracen Mk1(?)
25pdr. 1940 Weir No.266
25pdr. Australian Short No.185 (?)
KVE Member.
Reply With Quote
  #103  
Old 11-03-16, 21:25
Keith Webb's Avatar
Keith Webb Keith Webb is offline
Film maker, CMP addict
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Macleod, Victoria, Australia
Posts: 8,216
Default Uh-oh!

Yes, a border raid looks to be in order! Maybe bring a few cans of insecticide.

Sorry to see this has happened Robert!
__________________
Film maker

42 FGT No8 (Aust) remains
42 FGT No9 (Aust)
42 F15
Keith Webb
Macleod, Victoria Australia
Also Canadian Military Pattern Vehicles group on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/canadianmilitarypattern
Reply With Quote
  #104  
Old 20-12-16, 11:10
hrpearce's Avatar
hrpearce hrpearce is offline
WO8 C15A 142736
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Batlow Road near the Cow & Calf
Posts: 1,958
Default

The shed will not be rebuilt, I picked up the keys for the retirement block today. We sell our farm in March 2018 then build on the new block. Pictures to follow when I go exploring on Friday.
__________________
Robert Pearce.
Reply With Quote
  #105  
Old 20-12-16, 21:27
cliff's Avatar
cliff cliff is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Gympie, Queensland, Australia
Posts: 3,105
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by hrpearce View Post
The shed will not be rebuilt, I picked up the keys for the retirement block today. We sell our farm in March 2018 then build on the new block. Pictures to follow when I go exploring on Friday.
Hope the sale and move goes well for you Robert. Looks like things are really going to happen for you and your family in 2018.
__________________
Cheers
Cliff Hutchings
aka MrRoo S.I.R.

"and on the 8th day he made trucks so that man, made on the 7th day, had shelter when woman threw him out for the night"
MrRoo says "TRUCKS ROOLE"
Reply With Quote
  #106  
Old 24-12-16, 22:35
hrpearce's Avatar
hrpearce hrpearce is offline
WO8 C15A 142736
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Batlow Road near the Cow & Calf
Posts: 1,958
Default

I went exploring on the new block, managed to get bogged on the creek flat at the far end, unlike here I had mobile reception so no walking necessary. Here are a few pictures from the top, they certainly used poetic licence when they listed cattle yards in the list of improvements.
For some reason pictures won't load, will try to edit them into post tomorrow.
Have to try at the library, my computer will not upload photos.
Finally can post pictures again, kept getting a message that I could not post pictures on another persons post.
Attached Thumbnails
a.jpg   b.jpg   c.jpg   d.jpg   e.jpg  

__________________
Robert Pearce.

Last edited by hrpearce; 16-01-17 at 11:05.
Reply With Quote
  #107  
Old 25-12-16, 00:11
lynx42 lynx42 is offline
Rick Cove
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Paynesville, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 1,863
Default

Merry Christmas Robert and Vicky and the boys. Exciting times ahead for you all. Jill and I wish you a really great 2017. R'n'J.
__________________
1916 Albion A10
1942 White Scoutcar
1940 Chev Staff Car
1940 F30S Cab11
1940 Chev WA LRDG "Te Hai"
1941 F60L Cab12
1943 Ford Lynx
1942 Bren Gun Carrier VR no.2250
Humber FV1601A
Saracen Mk1(?)
25pdr. 1940 Weir No.266
25pdr. Australian Short No.185 (?)
KVE Member.
Reply With Quote
  #108  
Old 25-12-16, 01:51
hrpearce's Avatar
hrpearce hrpearce is offline
WO8 C15A 142736
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Batlow Road near the Cow & Calf
Posts: 1,958
Default

Thank you Rick and Jill, Merry Christmas to you too and best of luck with your back, hope the rest of 17 looks better for you.
Yes exciting times Vicki and I have a new toy and we are looking forward to the time we can share.
__________________
Robert Pearce.
Reply With Quote
  #109  
Old 16-01-17, 11:07
hrpearce's Avatar
hrpearce hrpearce is offline
WO8 C15A 142736
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Batlow Road near the Cow & Calf
Posts: 1,958
Default

Finally the pictures are in post 106.
__________________
Robert Pearce.
Reply With Quote
  #110  
Old 30-05-17, 11:37
hrpearce's Avatar
hrpearce hrpearce is offline
WO8 C15A 142736
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Batlow Road near the Cow & Calf
Posts: 1,958
Default

I picked up the revised house plan today and will receive a price estimate soon.
We have cleared the house site and started the levelling.
Attached Thumbnails
4.jpg   30.jpg  
__________________
Robert Pearce.
Reply With Quote
  #111  
Old 17-09-17, 08:25
hrpearce's Avatar
hrpearce hrpearce is offline
WO8 C15A 142736
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Batlow Road near the Cow & Calf
Posts: 1,958
Default

The plan is slowly coming together.
A site has been levelled for a new shed making three sheds before the house is built.
I was lucky enough to be loaned a dozer making the earth work easier, the house sight is nearly finished. I get the excavator back this week to do the final trim. Playing with new toys has been great fun.
Attached Thumbnails
2.jpg   6.jpg   9.jpg   10.jpg  
__________________
Robert Pearce.
Reply With Quote
  #112  
Old 17-09-17, 09:07
hrpearce's Avatar
hrpearce hrpearce is offline
WO8 C15A 142736
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Batlow Road near the Cow & Calf
Posts: 1,958
Default

The blitz moved to Batlow a while back, now our home while the new house is being built has moved in with it.
Attached Thumbnails
1.jpg   3.jpg  
__________________
Robert Pearce.
Reply With Quote
  #113  
Old 17-09-17, 09:14
Howard's Avatar
Howard Howard is offline
"Sid and Errol's Dad"
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Ganmain, Australia
Posts: 1,438
Default New View

It looks like a beautiful location, Robert.
I must say I'm a bit jealous.
Cheers, H
__________________
Howard Holgate
F15 #12
F15A #13 (stretched)
F60S #13
C15A #13 Wireless (incomplete)
Reply With Quote
  #114  
Old 12-10-17, 04:10
hrpearce's Avatar
hrpearce hrpearce is offline
WO8 C15A 142736
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Batlow Road near the Cow & Calf
Posts: 1,958
Default

When moving how do you decide what to take and what to leave?
Attached Thumbnails
PA1.jpg  
__________________
Robert Pearce.
Reply With Quote
  #115  
Old 12-10-17, 10:59
gjamo's Avatar
gjamo gjamo is offline
Graeme Jamieson
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Williamstown Vic Australia
Posts: 599
Default When moving how do you decide what to take and what to leave?

2 choices take it all or none at all. Otherwise you will always be wondering where that part is.
Reply With Quote
  #116  
Old 14-10-17, 11:21
hrpearce's Avatar
hrpearce hrpearce is offline
WO8 C15A 142736
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Batlow Road near the Cow & Calf
Posts: 1,958
Default

Make the thread a bit CMP related
Attached Thumbnails
74.jpg   76.jpg  
__________________
Robert Pearce.
Reply With Quote
  #117  
Old 13-11-17, 02:31
hrpearce's Avatar
hrpearce hrpearce is offline
WO8 C15A 142736
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Batlow Road near the Cow & Calf
Posts: 1,958
Default

The new block has been named, concreted in place this morning, stand still needs painting.
Attached Thumbnails
02.jpg  
__________________
Robert Pearce.
Reply With Quote
  #118  
Old 19-01-18, 09:58
hrpearce's Avatar
hrpearce hrpearce is offline
WO8 C15A 142736
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Batlow Road near the Cow & Calf
Posts: 1,958
Default

It's all happening post is painted and current property is on the market.
Attached Thumbnails
31.jpg   70.jpg  
__________________
Robert Pearce.
Reply With Quote
  #119  
Old 19-01-18, 22:52
lynx42 lynx42 is offline
Rick Cove
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Paynesville, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 1,863
Default

Congratulations Robert and Vicky. 90 years is a fair stretch to have it in the family. All the best with the auction. R'n'J.
__________________
1916 Albion A10
1942 White Scoutcar
1940 Chev Staff Car
1940 F30S Cab11
1940 Chev WA LRDG "Te Hai"
1941 F60L Cab12
1943 Ford Lynx
1942 Bren Gun Carrier VR no.2250
Humber FV1601A
Saracen Mk1(?)
25pdr. 1940 Weir No.266
25pdr. Australian Short No.185 (?)
KVE Member.
Reply With Quote
  #120  
Old 02-03-18, 07:03
hrpearce's Avatar
hrpearce hrpearce is offline
WO8 C15A 142736
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Batlow Road near the Cow & Calf
Posts: 1,958
Default

Well today was the day.
We are now self funded semi retirees.
Attached Thumbnails
P097.jpg   P098.jpg  
__________________
Robert Pearce.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +2. The time now is 00:44.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © Maple Leaf Up, 2003-2016