Hi John what make of twin tub is it thanks .
Phil

philmountains wrote on Jun 7^th, 2011 at 5:23am:


Hi Phil,
It's a Polar machine. I'd need to check on the exact model but I think it's the jetstream. Be aware they do not have heating elements like the old Hotpoint/hoover machines so you need to fill with hot or warm water from your tap.

Here's a link to the manufacturer/supplier...
http://twintub.co.uk/

It's worth looking at the full range they have and also on the 'Eco freindly Twintub' link.

I don't know if they still deliver worldwide. But they are very light so would easily fit into a small van or estate car.


Hope this helps.

John.

philmountains wrote on Jun 8^th, 2011 at 8:17am:


Mine does about a weeks worth of washing. Not all in one go - I wash all the whites first, then the coloured stuff then the jeans. I know the dyes in most modern fabrics don't run these days, but they still do for the jeans and I don't like to chance it.

I'll  wash two or three pairs of jeans at a time. I could put the whole weeks washing in my machine in one go  but then I'd have colours running. Total wash time for three loads as above  is less than 3/4 hour (I could do three loads in less than 1/4 hour)  both of which are even faster than your automatics and cheap to run. The length of time for each wash is set by you on a timer like on the old hoover/hotpoint machines.

T shirts are the only things that are a problem in as much as they sometimes twist out of shape in the spinner so go easy on them (very very short spin and hang out).

I would definitely get one if you have limited water supplies.

John

There is also the advantage that you can pre-soak heavily soiled washing before starting the wash cycle.

As Catus Jack says, they hold a lot of clothes. Probably the same as or more than an automatic machine.

Just wait till I start on about the pile of ironing.......

philmountains wrote on Jun 8^th, 2011 at 2:40pm:



Those yellow dusters work quite well at bringing up a good shine   

4x6volt is 24v so yes to that question but the amount of amp hour capacity of the batteries is important too. It depends entirely on what you will be running. 920watts of solar coming in( based on you getting this maximum of course). The balancing trick is what you are using in a day(24hour period) and how low this will push your batteries. New batteries are the expensive part of a solar system and you don't want to be replacing them after a short amount of time. Whilst most of the literature about batteries is based on a 50% drain cycle ideally,if you really want to get your money's worth, you shouldn't be letting them drop below 80%. I am in my third year of second hand batteries and with careful stewardship they are still going strong. A little too much solar os key as an extra panel or two is cheaper than a new battery bank. My previous system was 24v with 800w of solar and I ran a very small house with a water pump but NO electric fridge freezer. Gas would be the way here.
So, a little too much solar and be slightly paranoid about the condition of your batteries. I would recommend a nice little battery monitor for this. They give you readings in/out in amps,volts,watts or to keep it really simple for the non techies a percentage of power left in batteries. You can see at a glance if you need to boost them with your geni then.
I don't know if you are building/installing yourself but I would recommend you make sure your system is upgradeable later. Eg your charge controller can handle more panels if you want them later.
I would also reccomend sizing your bank size carefully as you cannot"add" battery capacity later. Old batteries mixed with new pull them down to their operational level.
Bleh, that's enough for this time of the morning I think. I could put you in touch with someone who will go on about this stuff for hours if you really want to know. Ask me for an email address if you would like this.
Bruixot

Well, if we are getting into a peeing contest, then I have a 48v 500amph bank with a 3kw inverter with 2220watts of solar! Mine's bigger than yours Steve! And I have future charge controller capacity to go to 3kw. I wonder if my guy is the same as your guy?
; )
Bruixot