Steve's Blog

My Solar Power Installation

Here are a couple of pictures of my 1.710 kW Solar installation.

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My solar monitoring in the 1st week (or so)

I have an Eversolar TL1500AS inverter and a PMU.

I’ve been using a Current Cost “Classic” for over two years to monitor my house usage. I’ve been logging the data from that daily using Dale Lane’s “currentcost” software. I have a licence for the Techtoniq software but don’t use it as it really needs a PC on all the time which defeated the purpose IMHO. ( http://wotid.com/target4000/index.html )

I bought a Current Cost EnviR and Bridge for my inverter and linked it to the Current Cost dashboard and Google Power meter so I could monitor the system where ever and when ever I wanted.

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Tags: monitoring

The Price I pay for electricity

Unlike just about everything else I buy in bulk, the more I buy the cheaper it is per unit, my electricity supplier charges more per unit the more I use. My electricity meter is read quarterly and now the first 333kW hours are at a lower rate than any over that. (Except during off peak periods.)

Click here to read more..
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Tags: Electricity Price

My Battery Tender CTEK XS-4003

I used to occasionally use my Projecta “Charge N’ Maintain” battery charger on the TLS when it hadn’t been used for a while. It only came will crocodile clips (AU) Alligator clips (US) and wasn’t a hassle with the TLS as it was a key lock to remove the seat.

The GSXR battery is nearly 8 years old now, so I’ve been looking after it lately (occasionally) but it’s a pain to remove the seat as it’s held on with cap head screws.

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New Victorian Motorcycle Number Plates

Rant on….

Got my rego bill today, along with a flyer about the new general issue number plates:

From Vicroads: http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/ 

Important note: With the release of the new format motorcycle general issue plates from 22 October 2010, you have the option of changing your old format motorcycle general issue plate to the new plate at no cost. To do so, you must visit a VicRoads Customer Service Centre and be prepared to surrender your currently registered old format motorcycle plate upon change over. This offer does not apply for lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed motorcycle plates and owners who would already have the new format motorcycle general issue plate.

In the flyer it says:

Currently, motorcycle number plates may have the same character combinations as other vehicle types (such as cars with personalised plates) – this can cause confusion in the community.

General issue motorcycle plates will follow a new format – see the example below. This will avoid duplicating other states motorcycle number plate combinations.

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