Question 1

Flicker free LED bulbs

Accepted Answer

Hi All,I am looking for defused, flicker free LED light bulbs(5000K, 60w equiv).  Had no luck with the Phillips(waste of money).  I see a lot of reviews but thenpeople complain about the flicker anyway.You guys have any tips?Many thanks,-T

Question 2

residential  air-air heat pumps

Accepted Answer

We're considering a heat pump for our  1600 sq. ft. home  -mainly for summer air conditioning,  with some Spring & Fall heat ;we'll keep the existing propane forced-air furnace for winter heating.  Any good/bad experiences  -  brand names to avoid ?  .. any useful advice is appreciated.   John T.

Question 3

How much does it save to have two doors?

Accepted Answer

Around here a lot of people have 2 doors on a 2-door garage which meansyou can't park say just one car in the middle, and you have to be verycareful or you hit the post between the garage doors.  I think buildersbuild them that way to save, .... How many dollars would they save?  ...so they can sell them cheaper, and people buy them because that's what'savailable.  The suburb where I lived in JHS and HS everyone had 2-car garages withone door**, so you could if you wish park in the middle and store junkon the sides, and never worry about hitting a non-existent post. If you ever buy or build, it seems like the wrong place to save money. Seems to me, two single doors cost more than one double door, 2 garagedoor openers definitely cost more than one (Even a bigger one. Do youneed a bigger one for a double door?  I thought if the springs are setright** it's not hard to lift even a double door.) but you save money onthe lintel. How much does it save to have two doors?   It does save money,...

Question 4

Shower mixers - maximum possible flow rate?

Accepted Answer

I am already well down the rabbit hole on water flow, shower mixers etc.I've established that I have a Triton Aire on the bath, and a Triton Dove in the downstairs wet room.The specifications give a minimum and maximum running pressure and a maximum static pressure.For the Dove (shower room), this is:Maximum static water pressure 10 barRunning water pressure 0.5 bar minimum and 5 bar maximum.[Pressure taken at the outside tap is about 2.6 bar and doesn't seem to drop when a tap is turned on.]Recommended minimum flow is 8 litres/min available at both inlets.[I tentatively assume that this could deliver 16l/min of lukewarm (both hot and cold at max) litres/min.]Testing (see previous thread) suggests 10.23 l/min cold and 7.28 l/min hot which is not quite up to minimum spec but not far off.[I will draw a veil over the bath shower/mixer for the moment.]The issue I have at the moment is what is the expected maximum flow rate?Testing suggests that where the mains enters the house I can get...

Question 5

Sticky plastic

Accepted Answer

Over the years I've had several items go "gooey" thanks to that soft-touch plastic, today I've just come to use a remote control that hasn't been used for a few months, and it's *just* starting to feel slightly sticky to the touch.Is there a way to halt the progression?

Question 6

This heat is making my wife kill me - help me fix the AC please!

Accepted Answer

My wife, after 10 days of over 100 degree weather, is ready to kill me so I decided to take the AC apart to see why the fan on top of the Payne AC unit outside spins when the thermostat is set to cool, and the blower out of the room vents blows - but there's no heat.I can't tell if the compressor is kicking in as the fan is loud but I don't think it is kicking in because I don't hear any changes in fifteen minutes of listening to it.It's in a lousy tight space but I managed to get the cover off the capacitor but I do not have a microfarad meter (got to buy me one).I may as well just replace it though because it's got to be twenty years old anyways, so can you help me know how to buy these things? writing on the side of the capacitor says 87-45 157 General Electric (symbol) DIELEKTROL NO PCB'S CAPACITOR ASSM IN MEXICO Z97F5368 35UF 5UF 440VAC 60HZ PROTECTED P924 D10000 AFC HC93DA036D 42-9611-43505How am I supposed to find an equivalent unit to replace it?

Question 7

Hex key sizes and loose/tight fit

Accepted Answer

I am engaged in a bit of bike fettling.I have a he/Allen key socket on one fitting.My 4 mm keys are a loose fit.My digital calliper suggests that they are closer to 3.8 mm than 4 mm.Should a hex wrench be exactly 4 mm?Or is a slightly loose fit 4 mm actually a 4.5 mm (which I don't seem to have to hand)?CheersDave R

Question 8

Plywood for exterior use

Accepted Answer

I'm looking into building some new gates (1750 high and 1000 wide - twice), and whilst I think I know what to do about the frames, I'm not sure about the skin (front side only).  They will be a replacement for an existing pair where the frames and skins are rotting in places.  The existing gates have a 5mm ply skin on one side, and I'm thinking about doing this again, but I'm not sure what to use for ply.  Checking prices from local timber merchants suggests prices from ~£28 up to ~£85. for a 8x4 sheet.  Given that there will be quite a bit of wastage, I'm keen to get the most suitable grade.  Suggestions welcome.TIAAdrian

Question 9

ON TOPIC, cheap old attic insulation

Accepted Answer

cheap old attic insulationWhat is it called.   It just looks like scruffy balls of lint, dark greynow, also when I first moved in iirc. The previous owner of this housewas from Lousiana and he was always cold in Baltimore, and he addedfiberglass insulation in the attic, but what do you call the olderstuff?

Question 10

Turning an old chest freezer into a wine fridge?

Accepted Answer

Our garage beer/wine fridge has just died.  We have an old small chestfreezer that we don’t use taking up space in the fridge.Is the any reason I can’t just buy a cheap fridge thermostat with a remotetemperature sensor and use it to control power to the freezer toeffectively turn it into a fridge?Obviously I’d need a suitable enclosure for the stat for electricalprotection but are there any gotchas that I don’t know about?Alternatively, are there any cheap stats with remote probes with integralenclosures designed for external mounting?  Bear in mind that a universalstat is very cheap indeed. Don’t mind paying a bit extra for something withan enclosure but not more than £20.Tim

Question 11

Metal Tool to switch off Water Meter Valve

Accepted Answer

I switched off the water at a 2017 installed Thames Water meter last week.It's a quarter turn of a valve, which is controlled by a crappy blue plastic handle, that's about 150mm long.I managed to turn it, and shut off the water fine, but the handle felt like it was about to snap.It pulls away from the (PVC) valve shaft, and the shaft would fit one of these:- the space is too confined to use that above tool (or similar).I can't find anything that is a metal equivalent of the crappy blue plastic thing (other than using a set of grips)Picture of meter shaft etc

Question 12

rubber washers for faucet?

Accepted Answer

Hi All,Any know a supply house where I can purchase a hand fullof replacement rubber gaskets for the Price Pfister910-392 faucet cartridge?Many thanks,-T

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