Sammy wrote:


Ken Weitzel wrote:



Paul wrote:

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



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


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