Workshop Light Efficiency

[OPJ]

These look good, thanks. I hope they still have them at that price after xmas.

If you sign up for the Screwfix e-mails as well then, you should be able to save a further 10% with a voucher! 8)

 

[dicktimber]

All new washers have cold fill only, with the exceptions of high end models that are used for medical conditions, ie psoriasis etc and these go through a special medical cycle.(LG is an example, nice direct drive motor by the way!)
The reason is EEC regulations believe it or not.
It is run in conjunction with washing powder manufacturers.
P&G have introduced a low temperature powder, and the next step is a cold water powder.
Couple all this with wooden balls....yeh balls, you bung in with the wash, which by the way are supposed to replace washing powder, is supposed to reduce pollution and save energy???

IMO we are not far off the day when we will be sending our women down to the river, basket full of washing on their backs, sweat poring down there faces, running seductively down the cleavage............smashing our skids with rocks, and boulders to wash them!.
Monday wash day will never be the same?
And all to save the planet.....
:wink: :wink: :wink: :wink:

 

[wizer]

medical conditions, ie psoriasis

Going OT What's the link there Mike? What does the water feed of the washing machine have to do with psoriasis?

 

[wizer]

These look good, thanks. I hope they still have them at that price after xmas.

If you sign up for the Screwfix e-mails as well then, you should be able to save a further 10% with a voucher! 8)

Good Point.

I've been looking around and I can't see what the difference is between those ones Boz linked to and the cheaper models. How do you measure what a 'good' unit is? Simply by brand name?

 

[dicktimber]

Sorry Tom,
I thought I was on the Curries/NHS help line forum!
Got confused
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Mikeee

 

[ivan]

Just had a look in the catalogue; 4ft tubes are rated at ~ 40 watts each, and 5ft ~65 watts. A 4ft tube produces ~2,750lm**, a 100W filament bulb about 1380lm (so two 100W bulbs=one 4ft tube, lightwise). A 20W energy saver produces ~1200lm for comparison.

Five 4ft tubes are thus rated at around 200W, and 5x5ft tubes 325W. In my double garage white walled workshop 8 x 6ft tubes (600W) are just about adequate for 65 yr old eyes.

Expensive high frequency ballasts will reduce consumption by only about 10%, only worth it if lights on all day.

Fluorescent lights save energy partly because the voltage and current are not in phase. I presume this is confusing your meter. Presumably it is accurate for resistive loads (like filament bulbs or electric fires) but will err when rating motors and fluorescent fittings.

** measure of light output

 

[wizer]

No Mike I'm genuinely interested? What's the link between psoriasis and washing machines?

 

[RobertMP]

These look good, thanks. I hope they still have them at that price after xmas.

If you sign up for the Screwfix e-mails as well then, you should be able to save a further 10% with a voucher! 8)

Good Point.

I've been looking around and I can't see what the difference is between those ones Boz linked to and the cheaper models. How do you measure what a 'good' unit is? Simply by brand name?

Sylvania is a major brand and at one time they were one of my customers.

Looking at the screwfix site i'm quite surprised to see something bearing their name that is wired with switchstart control gear.

The other no name brand ones have electronic gear. If that gear is cheap non CE stuff then it may be a false economy if it goes wrong.

Screwfix don't state the diffuser material. The no name says polycarbonate which means if you whack it when handling timber it will not break.

So on balance I'd take a chance on the no name (well 'aqua line').

'40W' tubes have been 36Watt for ages now. All T8 lamps are about 10% under the original wattage for the length back when T12 was all there was. As I remember it wirewound switchstart gear losses are about 10 to 12 %. High frequency ballasts are about 3%. Running a lamp at 17 or 18 kHz is more efficient than at 50Hz so you get more light for the same watts with HF.

 

[wizer]

So 'High Frequency' is what I'm looking for. i.e. theseare no good?

 

[dicktimber]

Tom,
The machine has a steam facility.
This does two things. Firstly it injects steam into the wash, which is supposed to get the detergent up to it's working temp quicker.
It also helps heat the water up quicker thus reducing the cost for heat up, and by using steam it reduces the ammount of water used in each wash.
I use skin conditions as an example for sanitising clothing, (I have a friend who bought it for this purpose) but many people want this sort of facility in a machine for home use who have elderly family, to ensure bedding and sheets get the maximum cleaning.
As far as I know LG are the only ones to make this sort of machine for the home. Hospitals send out to commercial companies for a similar service.
As another power saving they are also the first to adopt, as far as I know, a direct drive motor.
This fits directly on the back of the drum, and does away with pulleys and separate motors. It is more efficient a lot quieter when it spins, and should give lower power consumption.
LG say they use 35% less water and 21% less power than a normal washing machine.
Hope that helps?

Mikeee

 

[wizer]

Cheers Mike. My missus suffers with psoriasis, I'll pass the info on.

 

[RobertMP]

So 'High Frequency' is what I'm looking for. i.e. theseare no good?

Yes. Those are LPF = low power factor = wirewound with no power factor correction capacitor. Pop packs have an open topped diffuser that lets flies etc in unless you buy the accessory reflector to cover the top.. So just about the opposite of what you need.

High Frequency (electronic) control gear is a selling point so usually if it doesn't say it will be conventional gear.

 

[wizer]

Thanks Robert.