924Board.org

FASTdan · Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 81

Due to a very annoying neighbour who doesnt like my extension cable I am now looking at inverters to power my garage

I was thinking a 1000W one that would allow me to use 'some' power tools (anything serious and id just get the cable out anyway) but mainly it'd just be doing lighting and a radio.

Thing is, I've noticed a lot wont do flourescent tubes? bit annoying as thats what I've got in the garage.
Anyone got much experience or knowledge with these? was looking at this one:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-1000W-SOFT-START-INVERTER-12V-230Vac-Boats-Car-dj_W0QQitemZ4547227658QQcategoryZ36798QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I've noticed there's a lot of cheap 'oriental' variations, but i think this could be a case of you get what you pay for?

or this one??

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12V-1000W-Power-Inverter-New-Mint-Boxed_W0QQitemZ4618818675QQcategoryZ15271QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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1980 924LUX

Smoothie · Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 2:07 am Post subject:

Might I recommend <the neighbor inverter> instead?
Really?, they're miffed over an extension cord.. How about a green cord to match the lawn?, turf?, pitch? -Or bury it just under the ground..
What is your neighbors' name, Hyacinth Bucket?

Powering the garage from an inverter's going to cost you a lot in batteries, unless you run it constantly from a running engine - in which case they'll long for the extension cable and want it back.

_________________
"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

chris24 · Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 2:25 am Post subject:

Smoothie...great to hear that its made it over the pond. i loved it when i was a kid.

Fast dan, may I suggest...?

or

Maybe they are bad ideas. It's always good to keep your neighbours happy but I agree with smoothie, inverters are not the way to go for using any real applications. I have them on my boat, but they're only good for HIFI, TV and some lighting.
_________________
1983 - 924 (185K miles) - not mint
1985 - 924 (148K miles) - mint
1990 - 944S2 cab (52K miles)

Smoothie · Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 3:39 am Post subject:

Oh yeah, we get a lot of them. "Keeping up Appearances" is still playing in rereuns every Saturday night and other times along with "Waiting for God", "As Time Goes By", "Last of the Summer Wine". Years ago, we had "Rising Damp" with Richard Beckinsale, Kate's father. "Monty Python" of course, "Fawlty Towers", "The Avengers", "The Prizoner", "Danger Man" (was re-named "Secret Agent" here), "Good Neighbors", "Red Dwarf", "Doctor Who", "East Enders", "Are You Being Served?". "Coupling" is still running here (Hollywood tried to make a version of that which failed miserably - the humor just didn't translate well). There's one on now and another past that were set in homes with children, but I can't remember the names of the shows. Another one's on now set in a parish rectory that I can't remember the name of either. "Brittas Empire" is on now. "One Foot in the Grave", "Blackadder", "Jeeves and Wooster", "Mr. Bean", "Inspector Morse", were on in past years. "The Thin Blue Line" with Rowan Atkinson in the lead role is running now.
There are more that I'm not recalling right now. -All good stuff.
_________________
"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

Porscheaddiction · Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 3:39 am Post subject:

I say to **** with them its not crossing over on thier property they are not paying for your electricity. You need the power to the garage go do whats needed, Bring your extension cord out to the garage when you need it, I would do the same thing if I was in your place. Be damnd if I let a neighbor control what I was doing.
oh wait" that lawn sprinkler is in the middle of thier yard again with a water hose going all cross their yard it dont look good"(that complaint sounds dumb well so does your neighbors abou the extention cord. Your neighbor should keep his/her nose in thier own business not yours.
Chris.
_________________
1981 924 NA (Restoring mode)
1984 928S (Enjoying the driving season)

chris24 · Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 4:02 am Post subject:

All interesting shows those smoothie. Some less interesting than others...never could work out if i liked the brittas empire...

Anyways fast dan, two other ways you can get power to your shed without building the radcliffe-on-soar coal power station...
1. you could put a cable across to your shed up in the air. it's meant to be run along a 6mm standard wire (fencing stuff)
2. you could dig a trench (think it is meant to be 6+ inches deep) and lay armoured cable to your shed.
_________________
1983 - 924 (185K miles) - not mint
1985 - 924 (148K miles) - mint
1990 - 944S2 cab (52K miles)

Ozzie · Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 7:05 am Post subject:

In Oz the cable is either run on an overhead wire or underground 300mm deep (if not being driven over then 600mm) in conduit (pvc pipe).
Run a generator for awhile without the muffler on and see how quick he wants the cord back.
_________________
Porsche 924 1984 (UK import) NA
Its AUTO and its BLACK
Montego Black on black/red
Engineer of Electro/Mechanical Systems Maintenance

emoore924 · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 2822

Easy solution...

1) Buy gasoline powered generator.
2) Remove muffler.
3) Aim open exhaust port at neighbor's house.
4) Start generator, run all hours of day and night.
5) Plug lights, power tools, circular saw, etc., into outlets on generator.
6) Enjoy!

Kenodog · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 2669 Location: Vancouver,B.C.

A couple of claymores to the cord then tell him if he wants it moved he can do it himself.

_________________
1979 Euro 931, Olive
1981 931, Sabine
1991 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4, Ricky
1996 Ford E-350 ex-FedEx Van
2014 Mazda CX-5 (Kinderwagon)
2019 KTM 790 Adventure
2024 KLX300
2024 KLX140

FASTdan · Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 81

Basically my garage is over and down the road, so i have to lay the cable flat across the tarmac then running through the grass down to the garage - which is fine really, as its a dead end providing access to probably 20 cars or so, so no major traffic flow. Now fair comment, I live on the first floor, so the cable hangs down the wall of the appartment below BUT that isnt the old woman, that is a 20-something girl who really couldnt care less!! The old woman quite simply has taken a dislike to me and my girlfriend and seems to be doing everything in her power to piss us off/get rid of us! Possibly because we are the only people in the building who rent.

She has rung my letting agency, who as a matter of course (they have to be seen to be addressing the problem) have sent me a letter saying it breaches the tenancy agreement. Now I've read the agreement and the only thing that i can find that comes close is a bit that says somethign along the lines of 'you must not overload the electrical system', BUT its run through a circuit breaker so it cant possibly......
The ONLY issue with the cable, would be if someone tripped over it as it runs across the pavement, or it flicks up and damages a car - so i thought about getting those rubber ramp things that go over them like road works use, anyone know where to get these from?

My dad actually bought a generator, £130 from screwfix and its cr*p lol. wont even run a site-light (just hunts and stalls like mad) we think it must be faulty so its going back. But regardless of that, its WELL noisy and would instantly piss a whole load more people off in the block that is directly behind my garage.

The inverter would be nice for times when i just need to spend 15mins in the garage so dont want the hastle of running the cable. Its nice to just be able to walk in and switch a light on!
_________________
1980 924LUX

tj924 · Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 6:46 pm Post subject:

Ozzie · Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 7:43 pm Post subject:

Run a 12v light system setup to charge up on solar charger to a battery.
Give you heaps of light.
No cables, no safety issues except for care of a 12v battery, acid, electrolyte etc,
Portable so take it with you to your next digs.
Can double as a car charger/ maintainer.
_________________
Porsche 924 1984 (UK import) NA
Its AUTO and its BLACK
Montego Black on black/red
Engineer of Electro/Mechanical Systems Maintenance

Kenodog · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 2669 Location: Vancouver,B.C.

Instead of those expensive ramps just use two 1" x 2" pices of wood.Youcan get these at any woodlot for next to nothing.Zapstrap the cord between two laid side by side and it works great.Read the lease again carefully and see if it says anything about the outward appearance of the building.Some apartment renters here got a shock when the strata told them to take down their Christmas lights because it was against the retardedly politically correct strata charter.
_________________
1979 Euro 931, Olive
1981 931, Sabine
1991 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4, Ricky
1996 Ford E-350 ex-FedEx Van
2014 Mazda CX-5 (Kinderwagon)
2019 KTM 790 Adventure
2024 KLX300
2024 KLX140

FASTdan · Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 81