Basic DIY questions?

[WouldBe]

So on the subject of outdoor lights: I almost use the back door when I leave the house and this involves going up some steps to the back gate, and then exiting via an alleyway to the road. In the winter this means doing this in the dark or using a mobile phone torch, and this isn’t ideal especially when I return in the evening with bags of shopping etc.

There is already a wired light by the back door which is not that useful. It’s no good for example when I leave for work which is always before 0700 as I don’t want to leave it on all day.

So my thought is a solar powered light which is motion sensitive. The garden is only about 10m long, so I probably only need one. Seems I just need to drill into the wall and screw it in.

What else do I need to consider? I thought of making sure the location gets enough sun. Maybe try it in a few places to make sure it gets enough light - especially this time of year - getting the drill out? I’d want to get it from Wickes or B&Q or similar as I don’t like buying stuff like this online.

If you already have power available then replace the existing light with a PIR one. They usually come with light sensors built in so only come on in the 'dark' when motion is detected.

E2a: they usually also have the ability to be turned on to stay on by turning the switch on/off/on quickly.

 

[Elpenor]

I don’t fancy my chances wiring stuff if I’m honest! And there’s a case for keeping the existing light too.

 

[WouldBe]

I don’t fancy my chances wiring stuff if I’m honest! And there’s a case for keeping the existing light too.

It's only 3 wires.

 

[Elpenor]

It's only 3 wires.

I still don’t fancy my chances, plus it might be useful to have both options too

 

[WouldBe]

I still don’t fancy my chances, plus it might be useful to have both options too

The PIR will do both jobs. Problem with solar lights is that in winter they won't charge up very well particularly depending on what direction it faces. It will also trigger when things like cats walk through your garden so the 'batteries' might be flat when you get back.

 

[RiderOnTheStorm]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Security-Lights-Jorft-Waterproof-Entrance/dp/B07F75HYC5/

I have used something very like this for my bike shed. Solar cell recharges the battery, and nice long lead so you can position the light and the cell differently. I have light inside shed, and cell on the roof. There is built in PIR sensor so only comes on when there's motion in the dark.

 

[Elpenor]

In the end I’ve decided the solar light will go by the back gate gate to the alley gets sun all year and the existing light by the door will stay.

More electric questions. I’ve just stood on a plug and one of the teeth have snapped off. Presume I can’t attempt to fix by glue or tape and the whole plug needs to be replaced. It’s only for a cheap ikea lamp, so not a major disaster

 

[jontz01]

No you can't fix it. Imagine if it broke off in the socket... Just put another plug on, it takes less than 5 mins.

 

[Elpenor]

No you can't fix it. Imagine if it broke off in the socket... Just put another plug on, it takes less than 5 mins.

Thats what I thought. Will do.

Thank god it wasn’t my laptop. I have 3 things, 2 of which are usually plugged into a 2 socket 5m extension lead (wall sockets in odd places) - laptop, phone charger and lamp. I will also purchase a suitable length 4 socket extension lead.

 

[nottsgirl]

How can I get someone to come and fix my Dimplex panel heater? Electricians never pick up the phone, or they say they don’t do repairs to Dimplex products. I’m running out of ideas and in the meantime I’m freezing. I spoke to some guy today who said it probably just needs resetting and to look on YouTube so I did and the first video had a comment saying how dangerous it is to take the cover off if you don’t know what your doing, which I certainly don’t.

 

[danski]

How can I get someone to come and fix my Dimplex panel heater? Electricians never pick up the phone, or they say they don’t do repairs to Dimplex products. I’m running out of ideas and in the meantime I’m freezing. I spoke to some guy today who said it probably just needs resetting and to look on YouTube so I did and the first video had a comment saying how dangerous it is to take the cover off if you don’t know what your doing, which I certainly don’t.

Have you checked the fuse in the switch?

 

[nottsgirl]

Have you checked the fuse in the switch?

It’s wired into the wall. It’s showing error 30 which apparently means the casing or air is over 35 degrees it’s not.

 

[danski]

It’s wired into the wall. It’s showing error 30 which apparently means the casing or air is over 35 degrees it’s not.

Oh, so it has power at least.

 

[danski]

It’s wired into the wall. It’s showing error 30 which apparently means the casing or air is over 35 degrees it’s not.

Ah, have you checked the vents are clear of dust?

 

[nottsgirl]

Ah, have you checked the vents are clear of dust?

I haven’t dusted behind it, maybe I should start there.

 

[nottsgirl]

Thanks.

 

[teuchter]

It’s wired into the wall.

Does the wire just disappear into the wall or does it go into something like this?

 

[nottsgirl]

Does the wire just disappear into the wall or does it go into something like this?

View attachment 408638

It’s not very like that, it’s white plastic with a switch on. Not straight into the wall.

 

[teuchter]

It’s not very like that, it’s white plastic with a switch on. Not straight into the wall.

If that switch switches the heater off, then that would potentially allow you to take the cover off without it being (too) dangerous.

 

[WouldBe]

It’s not very like that, it’s white plastic with a switch on. Not straight into the wall.

Turn the switch off and wait a couple of minutes then turn it back on. That might re-set it.

 

[nottsgirl]

Turn the switch off and wait a couple of minutes then turn it back on. That might re-set it.

It doesn’t.

 

[Artaxerxes]

Google is no fucking use so I'll ask here.


I've set the boiler for 5:45, the time on it is right, why does it feel the need to start at 4:45 or whatever hellish time it does?

 

[Elpenor]

Something to do with BST?

 

[Artaxerxes]

Apparently it’s a standard pre warming measure idfk

 

[nottsgirl]

Omg I cleaned behind my radiator and it’s been fucking working for 2.5 hours so far. danski you are a king. I think I better make a donation to the server fund. I’m so warm.

 

[RiderOnTheStorm]

Google is no fucking use so I'll ask here.


I've set the boiler for 5:45, the time on it is right, why does it feel the need to start at 4:45 or whatever hellish time it does?

I had an outside boiler (oil fired) and it used to come on by itself in very cold weather . used to frighten the sh1t out of all of us when the radiators started pinging at like 3am.

 

[Artaxerxes]

I had an outside boiler (oil fired) and it used to come on by itself in very cold weather . used to frighten the sh1t out of all of us when the radiators started pinging at like 3am.

Mine has a freeze option that’ll turn it on in case of frost but it’s never turned itself on with it

 

[Mation]

I've got a tiny, annoying leak under the kitchen sink. I think it must be new, as I recently cleared it out. It had been completely rammed full of junk, but that was all dry when it came out. So I must have loosened something around that plastic bit (its technical term).

This is what it looks like after a couple of minutes of running the tap:



I put the kitchen towel there to make it easier to see how little water there is. And after a couple of days of mundane use, it builds up to a pool of water, only on the right hand side of where you can see in the pic. Not enough to spill out of the cupboard.

What do I need to tighten or replace? I'm quite clumsy, but it seems a bit small to call someone out for. Or should I?

 

[danski]

I've got a tiny, annoying leak under the kitchen sink. I think it must be new, as I recently cleared it out. It had been completely rammed full of junk, but that was all dry when it came out. So I must have loosened something around that plastic bit (its technical term).

This is what it looks like after a couple of minutes of running the tap:

View attachment 409594

I put the kitchen towel there to make it easier to see how little water there is. And after a couple of days of mundane use, it builds up to a pool of water, only on the right hand side of where you can see in the pic. Not enough to spill out of the cupboard.

What do I need to tighten or replace? I'm quite clumsy, but it seems a bit small to call someone out for. Or should I?

Looks like the valve/hose connector is a bit wonky so possibly where it’s leaking. See if you can totally dry it then see if that’s where it’s coming from. If not, will be where the hose connects.

Dry first then then have a look

 

[danski]

Saying that, looking closer, can you tell if that water mark down the front goes behind or is in front of the metal crimp just below the plastic hose connector?