Recent content by DaveFix

Thanks @davelx that makes sense. I guess I need the 100 | 50 version?

I've checked a lot of MPPT controllers on eBay, but the problem I'm finding is that their specs. state that they can only charge a 12v battery if the solar panel voltage is below about 25v and wattage below about 200w. For panels with a higher output, you can only charge a 24v battery. My panel...

Someone on Facebook gave me a free solar panel. It's brand new but the glass is fractured. I'm planning to superglue the cracks so that it can be used outside without corroding the panel. I would like to use it off-grid in the garden with my old 12V AGM car battery. The panel is a DMEGC...

Thanks Gasguru, yes you're spot on there - the auto air vent is defective. I ordered a replacement which just arrived today. I'm going to drain, flush, clean and renew the inhibitor while replacing the auto air vent.

My Glowworm Flexicom 30cx was installed about 17 years ago. After DHW has been used, the boiler continues to run for about 1 minute and sounds like it's still pumping water around (normal operating, not an issue). However - the pumping sound has over recent years started to become a noisier...

I'm planning a concrete driveway and have selected to use Dek Drain's aluminium edge "Slot Drain" drainage channels. I've checked the manufacturer's website, and although they don't say much about using it with concrete their installation guide shows two examples, one with block paving which...

Thanks guys for all the tips and advice, I have a much clearer idea how to do this now. I'd describe the soil as relatively dry clay. Would it be okay to dig the first metre trench, support it with wooden shuttering, then dig the next metre right next to it, support it, and so on? It will be...

Won't it make the retaining wall and foundations less strong if they're not constructed contiguously? I was expecting to lay long reinforcing rods or mesh across the whole trench of wet concrete. When you say to consolidate the bays, do you mean like effectively build boxes with timber shuttering?

Yes, I bought a Cat, Genny and Mouse about a year ago and mapped these out. Services-in are at one side of the garden and run quite shallow under a concrete path and steps which lead to the house, then they continue along the side passage to the back of the house. The sewer runs along the back...

I've received full planning permission to dig out half of my front garden and create a driveway. The distance from the public footpath to the house is approximately 10 meters. So at half way (5 meters from footpath, 5 meters from house) I need to construct a retaining wall, at this point I will...

When I fitted an 8mm glass balustrade on the landing I found that I had not screwed down the base rail perfectly straight, so it was a bit of a struggle getting the glass to fit. Luckily the landing was only a short section, and I was also able to adjust a few screws to get the glass to slip in...

I have a ceiling which is approximately 2.6m x 3.6m. How can I fit tapered edge plasterboard without having to plaster over it? The problem is that I can't find plasterboard with all 4 edges tapered. Therefore some square edges will need to be butted together, and these joints will end up...

80m is a lot of paviors! I take it you didn't mortar between each block - so how did you deal with bends? Or were they straight run(s)?

I've just laid a concrete patio and paths which I'm going to edge with salvaged charcoal kerb blocks. The kerb blocks will sit between the concrete and flower beds. The paths slope at various gradients and the patio is circular, so I plan to butt the blocks together with mortar between each...

Good point about using the board. Anyway, I've been shovelling the new ballast delivery and it's not very difficult getting the spade in at all. My previous bad experience was with a bag that had stood for several years, so I think it was only difficult because it had become compacted.