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watchthewaves

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Posts posted by watchthewaves

  3. Posted

    The PLC with the bayonet type connection which you push in works with an external ballast. The E27 type which you screw into the fitting comes integrated with the ballast inside. Because it is screw in, it serves as a direct replacement for incandescent bulbs. You don't have to do any re-wiring. Because it comes with the ballast inside, it is more expensive. But it also means that you don't have the problem of possible mismatch between ballast and the light, which could shorten the life of the light.

  5. Posted

    manutd1972,

    In your energy usage calculation, you need to remember that LCD/LED is full on so your calculation is correct -- backlight or side light always on, the LCDs "block" the light. Of course there is those with dimming function now, so save a bit more energy. But for plasma, as each pixel is a light emitter, the energy consumption varies depending on how brightness or darkness of the scenes.

    demonlicious,

    Years ago, yes, but that's generally not an issue with current plasma technology. Is your colleague sharing from personal experience with the current generation of plasmas or just from things he heard from a friend who heard from a friend who heard .....

  6. Posted

    That's a built in one? How many years has it been and how frequent is the usage? Condition still good and no scratches? One thing that bugged me was that the rest of the sanitary ware in the toilet will be white, but the pearl finish tub is off white. Was the colour difference noticeable when it sat next to the other white sanitary ware?

    I saw in their showroom, the pearl finish ones next to the acrylic ones, which was much cheaper. Wondering how the acrylic ones will hold out.

    Anyway, around that price, think can get the entry level Kaldewei built in tubs. If you want to consider enamelled steel that is.

  7. Posted

    Starts around the Axor pricing you mentioned.

    Saw some at the Toto showroom and they have others on catalogue too. They are less expensive, but they are acrylic/fibreglass. That's why I'm trying to find out who has bought tubs made with such materials and how's the experience been.

  8. Posted

    Any suggestions where to go look for freestanding tubs? Or brands to look for? Looking for reasonable quality and price. Eg, Kaldewei too high end.

    Also, anyone with experience with acrylic tubs? Do they scratch easily and are difficult to maintain?

    Thanks.

  11. Posted

    Suppose that can't be helped. Noise thru the window, I think that tiled roof will give less noise than metal roof.

    But thru the ceiling, if you hear anything, think it might be not properly insulated.

    I like the look of a tiled roof, but believe when it comes to water-tightness, the metal roof will give less problems than a tile roof. Unless you somehow suffer a puncture in the metal roof, I don't see how it can leak. But tiled roof like sooner or later will leak. I have no evidence to back all this up, just my feel, that's all.

    Interesting that petunia is getting metal cheaper than tiles, cos the few I've asked all quoted more for metal roof.

  12. Posted

    Check your agreement. I don't think it'll say that you must use them, rt? Why don't you just talk to your ID and say that you don't fancy the tiles you've seen and ask for further recommendations. At the same time, I think you should feel free to go around on your own too, and if you see something you like, you could then ask your ID to accompany you.

  13. Posted

    Roof tile insulate heat better , metal roof is noisy when it rains, hence changing all my metal roof to tile.

    Good to hear an actual user's experience. Can I ask whether your ceiling is just under the roof and follows its angle? ie, not the flat ceiling type with lots of airspace between ceiling and roof. Reason I ask is that I understand the best insulation is the airspace.

    But if your ceiling follows your roofline, do you know what insulation was used? I am told that properly insulated, it should be just as effective as a tiled roof with proper insulation. Meaning no difference with a tiled roof. But if you know that it is properly insulated, yet it is hotter inside than a tiled roof and the rain noise coming in DIRECTLY through the ceiling is worse, then it seems like metal roof is worse in these respects.

    Another thing about the sound that I'd like to find out more from you. Do you find that when it rains, there is sound that comes from outside through the window? I wonder if windows are left slightly open whether the sound comes through to disturb. Some tell me yes, some tell me no. What is your experience?

  17. Posted · Edited by watchthewaves

    The different materials have different characteristics and therefore different advantages. Ceramic tiles are harder than marble, and in turn, homogenous or porcelain tiles (they are actually a special type of ceramic tile) are harder than ceramic tiles. Hardness would mean harder to scratch or chip. But does not mean more difficult to crack though.

    But you should also bear in mind not just whether it chips or not, but how it looks after it chips. Marble has patterns and the pattern runs throughout the body. So chips and scratches may not be so obvious, and you can also grind/polish if you wish. If you use ceramic or homogenous tiles that have a uniform look, the chips and scratches, when they occur, may be more obvious than on marble. Especially ceramic tiles because it is not homogenous, so the colour under the top layer may be very obviously seen when there are chips.

    As for homogenous tiles losing their gloss faster than ceramic tiles, I doubt so. I think that's the nature or quality of the glazing, not because the tile is ceramic or homogenous.

    Just my 2cents.

  18. Posted

    Some of the light shops along Balestier Road are starting to carry LED lights and bulbs. Maybe give Chan Huat a call to see if they do.

    Or go to Sim Lim Tower and have a look around. Level 2 and 3. Heard to be slightly cheaper than usual lighting shops.

    If you want to see the whole range of Philips LED and other lights, can go to their showroom run by LEDworks:

    http://www.ledworks.sg/philips-consumer-luminaires.html

    Another seller I came across from their bus ads:

    http://www.optiled.com/

    Have a look at these threads too:

    http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=29041

    http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?sh...mp;#entry562834

  20. Posted

    If u going to replace tiles, shd also put in the insulation + aluminium sheet as a heat deflector. The aluminium sheet acts as a second barrier against water seepage.

    I've read of aluminium sheets which are insulated already -- layer of bubbles in between the aluminium. Is such insulation sufficient? Or is it good to still have bulk insulation like rockwool in addition to this?

  21. Posted

    The Floor Trap Story

    Once upon a time, read an Australian Bathroom and Kitchen (or is it the other way round) magazine and was smitten by the floor trap in the shower area. It was seamless, streamline and simply beautiful without the jarring stainless steel or ugly white floor trap. Requested contractor to copycat the design. Like all reproduction, the effect is not as good as the real deal. However, am always reminded that if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys. So here's my monkey floor trap in the kids' bathroom.

    Custom made floor trap with metal bracket and floor tile glued on.

    Can be removed for cleaning and maintenance

    Looks like quite big gaps for the water to flow through .... and things to drop through. I'd be careful about rings and other small personal items going down. Maybe consider putting some mesh backing?

  24. Posted · Edited by watchthewaves

    Power providers can close shop liao if can sell back by individual household. As I said, don't expect to see such in my generation.

    Meters yet to be found, tested, and approved. We are talking abt alternating current with 50Hz +/- 0.02% skew rate, with less than 27% input current harmonics with total sum of 3rd, 5rd, 7th, 9th & 11th orders. Frequency synchronisation is a big big technical challeng. EMC is another one. Selling back price rate(adjustment made within meter) will be the last issue. Each time price change, must adjust mter & seal it. Only "authorised" personnel can do this.

    For small scale, can always buy solar panel and try out some little projects. Jet hobby sells some solar panel:

    http://www.jethobby.com.sg/cgi-bin/ezsite/...=113&gid=25

    Seems like it just sneaked up on you then.

    For these who are interested, this is a good starting point to read up:

    EMA handbook for PV systems

    kardtoon,

    You've got PM.

  25. Posted

    "Sell power back to grid"?? Want to spoil the Kwh meter installed by PUB, by injecting reversing eddy current to slow down or reverse the disc rotation? Unless install with a much more complex metering, which I think, I won't be able to see this in my generation.

    Presently, the most economical system still the unman "solar house" - consist of solar panel, voltage regualtor, and dc battery. Indonesia, India, Sarawak.... I come across 1 project in Isreal with battery/controller system being housed undegrounded because of the high heat during days, battery can't take it.

    Will take Singapore quite some years to observe how the leader countries utilise these systems before implementing, would properly another 10 years or so. HDB is experimenting off-grid system to supply power to those common area lighting, will take a few years to reach a conclusion.

    Need to install another meter for it. It's being done now already. Maybe you want to google and read up on it. Feed in tariffs and energy market company.

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