old man emu Posted April 19 Posted April 19 Update on the mouse traps: The morning after the first time I used the trapos, I threw the carcases out into the paddock. I just saw a crow take a good look at them and then grab one and fly off. Now its mate is choosing its breakfast serving.
nomadpete Posted April 19 Posted April 19 15 minutes ago, old man emu said: Update on the mouse traps: The morning after the first time I used the trapos, I threw the carcases out into the paddock. I just saw a crow take a good look at them and then grab one and fly off. Now its mate is choosing its breakfast serving. That's recycling at its best! On the Darling Downs mice are a seasonal reality. Numbers are so high that individual traps are a waste of time. I bought a couple of 'mouse bucket' traps. These are a modern variation on the old greased bottle resting over the lip of a bucket of water. The hardware store sells the lid and you supply your own bucket. The flat lid has a carefully balanced see-saw embedded on it. If you lean a stick against the side of the contraption, mice will run up and when they explore the see-saw, it drops them into the bucket for a swimming lesson. Then it 'resets' back to level. It does work and can catch hundreds of mice.
nomadpete Posted April 19 Posted April 19 University of YouTube has plans for a similar thing using a bit of broomstick as a 'logroller' trap.
old man emu Posted April 20 Posted April 20 All well and good for use in a shed, or location where the mice are up high, but the little buggers in my place run across the floor. To trap them, I only have to place the traps along the skirting boards and they run onto them. I think that the reason these traps are banned in some States is due to animal anti-cruelty advocates. The mice struggle to free themselves, but do not die quickly. The ones that get caught after I go to bed are still alive when I get up, so they are only trapped for a maximum of seven hours. As soon as I hear the squeak , or check the traps in the morning, I sink the trap and the mouse in a bucket of water and they are dead within two minutes. And is it said that drowning is the most peaceful way to die. With those bucket traps, the mice keep swimming until they are exhausted and down. It's a sort of torture.
red750 Posted April 24 Posted April 24 This might not sound like a positive at first. Over the last fortnight, I have received an electricity bill, a gas bill, and today, a water rates bill. Each one said "Your account is in credit. No payment required." This is because I make a small, managable payment to each supplier, every pension day. So when unexpected bills arise, like when my ignition switch had to be replaced, there was no panic. 3 1
octave Posted April 24 Posted April 24 I haven't paid an electricity bill for a couple of months now. My latest bill was $104 in credit. This is due to my woke solar panels. 2 1
red750 Posted April 24 Posted April 24 I would need to have a complete rewire of my 50 year odd old house to have panels fitted. Probably need my roof reconditioned as well. I just don't have the money.
facthunter Posted April 24 Posted April 24 The wiring for the Panels is extra to the house wiring and should not have joins. If your meter box is not up to date no one will work on it till it is. Nev 2
facthunter Posted April 24 Posted April 24 It's NOT as if you are renting. You should keep your wiring safe.. Nev
octave Posted April 24 Posted April 24 When I moved into this place it had an old-style fuse board with ceramic fuse holders. When I got an aircon installed the installer also upgraded the fuse board to code. Not too expensive and much safer. 2 1
spacesailor Posted April 24 Posted April 24 (edited) I have enquired, two Electrical companies have both declined to even suggest, an alternative company , to undertake an update of my main-board , to have that ELCB ,that was supposed to be mandatory. One stuck a sticker for ' asbestos ' in the box . " smart arse " as two others said it's not the original asbestos panel. And was safe . ( the last sparky pulled it off. ) but still no ELCB . spacesailor PS : I did get a big electrical shock from my old compressor. Before putting it into the " garbo truck . Edited April 24 by spacesailor ps added
facthunter Posted April 25 Posted April 25 You make your own luck space and what about the others in your house.? Nev
spacesailor Posted April 25 Posted April 25 (edited) I have tried , to get an ELCB fitted , but to-date , have been turned down without even a price, ' guesstimate ' . spacesailor PS: I have an " isolating " transformer for those worrying jobs . Edited April 25 by spacesailor ps added then AI changed worrying to working
nomadpete Posted April 25 Posted April 25 Spacey, please at least get something like this..... (Bunnings Aerospace for $68). 1
old man emu Posted April 25 Posted April 25 When I had my hovel rewired and a new fuse box installed, the electrician installed RCBs on every circuit at my request. I have Clipsal RCBO220/30S devices which are compact and efficient devices designed to enhance electrical safety in residential settings. It combines the functionality of a Residual Current Device (RCD) and a Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) into a single unit. The only problem it created was that the old hot water heater would trip the circuit. The heater was yonks old, and so I installed a new one. 1 2
facthunter Posted April 25 Posted April 25 (edited) They sure show up the defective electrical equipment. Nev Edited April 25 by facthunter typo 1
spacesailor Posted April 25 Posted April 25 My " isolating " transformer is a very Old " black box . That works without a " click " of sound & disconnects the live feed . Should I get a newer one , having two should be " twice as safe " . spacesailor
facthunter Posted April 25 Posted April 25 Transformers change VOLTAGE in places where AC current is used. . Earth return is near instant and has to be .It doesn't take long to be electrocuted. Rats eat through wires and nails can penetrate them also. Nev
spacesailor Posted April 25 Posted April 25 " ISOLATING " transformer. 240 v in & 240 v out with a circuit breaker in the primary circuit. ( I think ( it could be in the secondary )). Simple and robust , to say the least . It works because I tried it .LoL spacesailor
facthunter Posted April 26 Posted April 26 They aren't 100% efficient. You'd be losing a bit all the time. Nev
willedoo Posted April 26 Posted April 26 I had the earth leakage unit at the meter box trip once. I was jackhammering a hole for a shed pole with the electric jackhammer and didn't notice it was rubbing the power cord between the jackhammer and the side of the wall. I was soaking wet from sweat and got a small boot similar to a 12v electric fence for a split second before the power tripped. 1
facthunter Posted April 26 Posted April 26 Probably saved your life. .People used to use Lawnmowers 240 volt with a cord . Nev 1
willedoo Posted April 26 Posted April 26 18 hours ago, old man emu said: I have Clipsal RCBO220/30S devices which are compact and efficient devices designed to enhance electrical safety in residential settings. I looked them up and they are very affordable. It looks like they screw flat against the wall. https://www.sparkydirect.com.au/p/Clipsal-RCBE220/30S-20AMP-RCBO-1P-N-4.5kA-Resi-MAX
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