Could it possibly be Hybrid?

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Originally Posted by DiscoMick

I think I read somewhere that the earth receives enough energy from the sun in a day to power human civilization for a year, or something like that. We just have to get smarter at storing what we need for when the sun isn't shining.

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If only it were that simple. The reality of our situation is far more complex and urgent. I’m not at all opposed to solar, wind etc – we can and should use them to the maximum degree that is beneficial. But there are constraints in terms of material resources, location, build time, scalability and cost, which in the end make it impossible to meet all the goals (cheap, fast, sufficient, reliable) to solve the global challenge.

Unless we can perfect CO2 capture and disposal, the fossil fuel industry needs to shut down ASAP. The path to that point is built by renewables and nuclear in combination.

(And I do have sympathy for those whose lives are connected to the fossil fuel industry. I pay a lot of tax and I would vote for government assistance to help transition those workers and communities to something else productive. Nuclear plants could be an in-situ replacement for some existing coal burners. There’ll be lots of work in constructing and running replacement infrastructure all over the country.)

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Originally Posted by vnx205

Did you fit a timer switch for the HWS?
I planned to do the same thing so that the heat pump only operated during the day so that I could use my own electricity instead of bought electricity at night.
I asked the company that sells my heat pump HWS about that and was told that the system needed to be continuously connected and needed to come on three times a day.
I find that hard to believe. I understand that they are normally connected full time and that it might be common for them to switch on three times a day, but surely it isn't compulsory.
Maybe it was just a sales person rather than a technician who answered my email.

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I had my sparkie fit a user programmable timer switch to my meter box so I can set the HWS to come on whenever it suits me. I have a temp readout in the laundry so I can boost it only if I need to, sometimes after a power failure. Selecting auto + on allows the HWS to stay on until the next programmed off time, no extra thought needed.

I suspect the reasoning for permanently on HWS is to prevent the water temp from dropping below around 50C at which level the water no longer kills pathogens. Monitoring does just as good a job, especially if you're not a heavy user of hot water.

Thanks for that description of your setup.
I had assumed that a timer in the meter box would be simple enough. After all there used to be a timer there some years ago for the off peak HWS. A heat pump doesn't draw a lot of power (or current or whatever), so I assume a competent electrician could select a suitable timer switch.
I hadn't considered monitoring the temperature in the tank. How is that set up?
There are only two of us in the household, so we are not big users. No teenage daughters. :)

I fitted one similar to this one:

DC 12V 10A Digital Temperature Controller Thermostat Control w/ Sensor Aquarium

AC powered version of same:

220-240V Digital Temperature Controller Temp Sensor Thermostat Genuine STC-1000 | eBay

putting the NTC sensor into a modified brass plug in the spare tank outlet as it has two of them. The sensor cable was extended with 2 metres of twin flex which hasn't affected the readout by any noticeable amount.

The main job of the temperature controller is to switch off the solar powered circulating pump I installed with some solar collectors that only get sun for 6 months of the year. On super hot days the panels could lift the tank temperature over 70C which is the upper limit for a glass lined steel tank so I stop the pump at 65C.

This is like the timer that I had my sparkie install:

DIN Rail Digital LCD Power Programmable Timer Time Switch Relay AC 220-240V 16A | eBay

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Originally Posted by vnx205

Thanks for that description of your setup.
I had assumed that a timer in the meter box would be simple enough. After all there used to be a timer there some years ago for the off peak HWS. A heat pump doesn't draw a lot of power (or current or whatever), so I assume a competent electrician could select a suitable timer switch.
I hadn't considered monitoring the temperature in the tank. How is that set up?
There are only two of us in the household, so we are not big users. No teenage daughters. :)

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Originally Posted by TB

If only it were that simple. The reality of our situation is far more complex and urgent. I’m not at all opposed to solar, wind etc – we can and should use them to the maximum degree that is beneficial. But there are constraints in terms of material resources, location, build time, scalability and cost, which in the end make it impossible to meet all the goals (cheap, fast, sufficient, reliable) to solve the global challenge.

Unless we can perfect CO2 capture and disposal, the fossil fuel industry needs to shut down ASAP. The path to that point is built by renewables and nuclear in combination.

(And I do have sympathy for those whose lives are connected to the fossil fuel industry. I pay a lot of tax and I would vote for government assistance to help transition those workers and communities to something else productive. Nuclear plants could be an in-situ replacement for some existing coal burners. There’ll be lots of work in constructing and running replacement infrastructure all over the country.)

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There is certainly enormous job creation potential in investing in new energy infrastructure for the future in this country. It is already a major growth industry, so imagine how much bigger it could be with more sympathetic rules.

Thinking about this a bit further, LR are actually playing catch up with other manufacturers who already have hybrids on the street. It's a no brainer that all LR vehicles will be at least hybrid by 2020, if not fully electric.

There will be an electric Defender. ...Imagine if it is hybrid diesel with a solar skin, to charge fridge, phones etc and also trickle feed the drive batteries. Range would actually be improved by the combination of three power sources.

why do i hear the disney theme in the background?

[bigwhistle]

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Originally Posted by incisor

why do i hear the disney theme in the background?

[bigwhistle]

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...because you're a funny man! [thumbsupbig] and you know I'm right! [bigwhistle][bigsmile1]

Yes

Access Denied

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Originally Posted by blackrangie

Yes

Access Denied

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Excellent news. No wonder we haven't seen one yet.