patio lights and leds

To be honest this might be a waste of time. First the the cost savings of the conversions to replace your current setup would run about $15 dollars. Now the transformer is still pulling 121 watts constant power. You are not saving anything and the light output would be minimal at best. Another option is go stright solar lights and add a longer lasting batteries. I changed mine out and got an extra 1 1/2 hour out of them...Paul

"Jim" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@comcast.com:

Hi Paul...

As an old retired electrical guy I agree with you 100% that to do a conversion would be an incredibly bad idea for several reasons... the OP would be further ahead and safer simply replacing the set with a LED one.

However, a gently correction, if I may? An electrical transformer is one of the most efficient things on earth... power consumed at the load is virtually all of the energy used, so there sure would be savings :)

An example that you might consider is the doorbell transformer in your basement, most likely mounted at the service entrance. It's energized 24/7/365 (only the output is switched by the doorbell) and consumes virtually no energy while idle.

Now while I'm here (the reason I joined the group), does anyone know where (in Canada) I can get ahold of the soil testing kits like we used to be able to? I'm thinking mostly of ph, but would like one unlike Walmarts where they can be used multiple times... add soil, a drop of liquid, and compare colours.

Thanks in advance, and take care.

Ken

Hi Ken,

Try LeeValley. You can check them out on the internet at leevalley.ca.

Sammy

Ken, Thanks for the quick correction. You are correct that the load is the one drawing the amps. Sorry about the mis-information...Paul

Sammy wrote in news:iFoLf.21165$%14.528944 @news20.bellglobal.com:

Hi Sammy...

Thanks for the tip, much appreciated.

What I found in the meantime was an electronic one, single AA battery operated, that measures both ph and fertilizer level.

Ordered one, and should have it in plenty of time for Winnipeg (Winterpeg) spring.

Going to try it out, compare it with one of the "one use" chemical ones, and will be happy to let any of you know how it works out.

By the way, it's made by rapitest, and is distributed (on sale at the moment for about 32 cdn) at treehelp.com

Disclaimer: I have nothing whatsoever to do with rapitest or treehelp, other than being this once a customer)

Thanks again, and take care.

Ken