Loadshedding solutions

[Robbie Stewart]

21 minutes ago, The Ouzo said:

yeah since experiencing the seamless always on power of the "little" inverter I'm trying to factor in the cost of a proper system into the purchase when we buy a new place.

I'm also toying with buying a new place and if I do end up buying I'm going solar from the outset. Luckily I live in Sunningdale, so here the use of solar geyser heating is a big part of the home. I also changed to gas stove when I bought this house in '20 so my elec bill is around R500/month. All I want now is enough power to drive my alarm, elec fence, garage door and fridges then I'm sorted.

[The Ouzo]

1 minute ago, Robbie Stewart said:

I'm also toying with buying a new place and if I do end up buying I'm going solar from the outset. Luckily I live in Sunningdale, so here the use of solar geyser heating is a big part of the home. I also changed to gas stove when I bought this house in '20 so my elec bill is around R500/month. All I want now is enough power to drive my alarm, elec fence, garage door and fridges then I'm sorted.

yeah we're looking at places at the moment. And since getting a gas stove/oven about 6 months back there is no way I'm going back to elec. And its not just for load shedding, we rather enjoy the way gas cooks too. So every house we look at we also look to see how easily it would be to convert to gas if it does not already have.

[TheoG]

Just now, The Ouzo said:

yeah we're looking at places at the moment. And since getting a gas stove/oven about 6 months back there is no way I'm going back to elec. And its not just for load shedding, we rather enjoy the way gas cooks too. So every house we look at we also look to see how easily it would be to convert to gas if it does not already have.

I fitted gas plates more than a year back, will never go back to electric on those, we even use a gas kettle to boil the water for coffee ... .

[Robbie Stewart]

2 minutes ago, The Ouzo said:

And its not just for load shedding, we rather enjoy the way gas cooks too.

As long as I can ignite the stove to heat up my moka pot for a good brew I don't really care too much if the world is on fire outside.

When I listen to all my mates complain how they can't have coffee during load shedding I just shrug my shoulders and wonder what they're talking about 🤣

[Eddy Gordo]

3 minutes ago, TheoG said:

I fitted gas plates more than a year back, will never go back to electric on those, we even use a gas kettle to boil the water for coffee ... .

Only during load shedding. We used to use the stove kettle all the time, but it takes long. The electric kettle is quicker

[The Ouzo]

1 minute ago, TheoG said:

I fitted gas plates more than a year back, will never go back to electric on those, we even use a gas kettle to boil the water for coffee ... .

 

1 minute ago, Robbie Stewart said:

As long as I can ignite the stove to heat up my moka pot for a good brew I don't really care too much if the world is on fire outside.

When I listen to all my mates complain how they can't have coffee during load shedding I just shrug my shoulders and wonder what they're talking about 🤣

havent gotten around to getting a stove top kettle or mokka pot yet, but I have a greek coffee pot that will make just enough hot water for 2 cups of coffee and have used this a few times.

This and hearing all the MrD bikes hooting at the neighbours gates during LS while you're digging in to a home cooked meal is worth every cent spent on a gas install.

[TheoG]

4 minutes ago, Eddy Gordo said:

Only during load shedding. We used to use the stove kettle all the time, but it takes long. The electric kettle is quicker

I learnt to wait for it, put it on first and by the time I'm done with mugs, milk, sugar etc, its almost done, so no problem.

I cant remember when last we switched the electric kettle on, but it is on standby ... .

PS:  I normally make coffee on the Delonghi (beans to cup), have to wait similar time for that anyway.

Edited December 12, 2022 by TheoG

[Robbie Stewart]

6 minutes ago, Eddy Gordo said:

Only during load shedding. We used to use the stove kettle all the time, but it takes long. The electric kettle is quicker

 

3 minutes ago, TheoG said:

I learnt to wait for it, put it on first and by the time I'm done with mugs, milk, sugar etc, its almost done, so no problem.

I cant remember when last we switched the electric kettle on, but it is on standby ... .

My electric kettle gives me stomach cramps for some reason. I have resorted to the gas kettle for over a year now and I don't have any issues with waiting too long. The trick is to only fill it with enough water for use, and not overfill it. This is why it takes longer to boil. 

I have it now that when I make "kots kiffie" I'm done by the time the kettle whistles, and when I make moka pot I stand and appreciate the science that results in some excellent coffee.

[ChrisF]

1 hour ago, Eddy Gordo said:

Only during load shedding. We used to use the stove kettle all the time, but it takes long. The electric kettle is quicker

 

Same here.  

 

But SO NICE to have the option to carry on with or without eksdom ....

 

 

We often use the electric multi-layer steamer when cooking .... got a SS pot set today to do the same on the gas plates.  Will be tested shortly .... going to be interesting to see the time impact.  The electric steamer is almost instantaneous ..... will have to allow a heat up time for the gas ....

[ChrisF]

1 hour ago, Robbie Stewart said:

 

My electric kettle gives me stomach cramps for some reason. I have resorted to the gas kettle for over a year now and I don't have any issues with waiting too long. The trick is to only fill it with enough water for use, and not overfill it. This is why it takes longer to boil. 

I have it now that when I make "kots kiffie" I'm done by the time the kettle whistles, and when I make moka pot I stand and appreciate the science that results in some excellent coffee.

 

 

Yes, just enough water and the gas kettle is not too slow ....

 

I have since bought a CARMIEN tea pot.  10 minutes.  Now so used to the routine, get the water going, then do the other stuff.  Maybe wait a minute or two and the tea is READY.

 

 

 

Off course, there is the OLD tall coffe pot with the material bag .... I love the aroma of this in the house even more than actually drinking this coffee.

 

[Eddy Gordo]

Yeah, we only use enough water for the amount of cups.

Coffee is covered with a manual grinder and various brew methods i.e french press, bialetti, pour over and aero press and some other stuff. Dont ask, between me and my son we managed a collection, even have a moer coffee kettle.

[Frosty]

2 hours ago, TheoG said:

With the crappy weather, my batteries is at 57% at the moment 😞.  If they can get to 60% at least before sundown, it should be enough to get me through the night without using any Eksdom power .... 🤪.

I see mine managed to get to 79%, on a Maid Monday.

Currently at 74% (17:27).

[TheoG]

30 minutes ago, Frosty said:

I see mine managed to get to 79%, on a Maid Monday.

Currently at 74% (17:27).

Im on 67% (of 10.8 kWh), should get me through the night ...

[ChrisF]

Those of us with some sort of pv have made peace with low yield on these rainy days ....

 

 

Scary thinking of what waits when eskom forges ahead to replace old coal stations with pv systems ....

[Eddy Gordo]

Anyone considering adding a wind turbine of sorts?

[Frosty]

26 minutes ago, Eddy Gordo said:

Anyone considering adding a wind turbine of sorts?

The wind speeds where I stay is barely strong enough to get the turbine up to speed, and not consistently strong enough to generate energy.