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McTavish

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    Light coloured or dark coloured car choice.

    in Thailand Motor Discussion

    Posted

    Transam and supporters are wrong > [source https://phys.org/news/2011-10-silver-white-cars-cooler.html# ]

     

    (PhysOrg.com) -- From an environment standpoint, silver and white cars are cool; black cars are not. Researchers at the Berkeley Lab Environmental Energy Technologies Division (EETD) say that the color of your car affects your car's fuel economy and how seriously you contribute to pollution. A light-colored shell reflects more sunlight than a dark car shell. The cooler the color, the cooler the cabin air, and the less of a need to run your air conditioner.

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    Thailand needs to calm down it's rush to EV !

    in Thailand Motor Discussion

    Posted

    1 hour ago, TorquayFan said:

    It's becoming increasingly obvious that a widespread rush to EV may be problematic - Thailand (and all Nations), need to find the right role for them.

     

    The use of EV in big Cities obviously makes some sense, reducing pollution, in say BKK and Chiang Mai and although EV cause extra pollution in the area the vehicle is manufactured in, it still makes some sense . . . . . though, how do persons living in an apartment block or in a house with no driveway/carport/garage, manage to get the charge supply to the vehicle. Further, the national capacity for electricity generation for vast numbers of EV will be an issue - a street with every house having EV's will need an uplift in the capacity of the local electricity infrastructure.

    It's worth noting that. the rush to build massive numbers of EV is questionable because according to very detailed research by Volvo, the environmental tag for EV manufacture is so much higher that it is not repaid until the vehicle has done an extra 100,000 km than an ICE vehicle.

    Further problems of excess weight overloading multi story parks, (a collapse in New York), expensive battery replacement and lower second hand values, should not be ignored by purchasers. Also I read recently that some Insurer's were increasing premiums and even refusing cover for EV's because of the high repair costs, including batteries. Noting that EV are at a problem at repair yards, because, if the battery pack has been 'compromised' at all, the risk of a battery fire is much higher - recommendations to store damaged EV very widely spaced makes repair costs very high. it's also worth bearing in mind that a battery pack might be damaged by hitting a hump in the road, mounting a kerb and so on. MMMmmm

     

    Regarding the mooted hazard of spontaneous combustion, it does seem that EV are much less likely to catch fire than ICE, BUT, the problem is that an EV fire is wildly intense and there are many cases of EV catching fire, on charge, off charge, whenever. yes that's WILDLY intense. I saw the suggestion that multi-story car parks should be installed with sprinklers. That's a crazy sop to the problem - sprinklers won't impact on the ferocity of an EV fire. Even fully equipped fire services can't put them out - it's a wait for burnout.

     

    One can read of cases where the EV fire results in the house burning down too. Apparently a complete Tesla dealership in France was fire wiped ! And a fire in a car park in Glasgow and of course, the terrible fire at Luton Airport - of course the PR machines will play down the EV factor but I saw a plausible theory that the diesel Range Rover identified as catching fire first, was probably a hybrid version. Whatever started it, reports that as the fire spread, EV's were bursting into flames creating a domino effect. At Luton, it's thought that 1200 vehicles were destroyed - what's that gonna do for premiums . . . ?

     

    However, IF you discount all the above, then here's another problem - maybe you'll be OK if you can charge at home but if you want to do long journeys, allow ages of extra time for recharging AND waiting for access to recharging. Noting there's some long journeys in Thailand - (say Hua Hin to Chaing Mai) MMmmm. As the proportion of EV increases this problem will get much worse and I notice these comments from the UK recently - "Britain’s biggest motorway service station provider has brought in marshals to police “charge rage” among electric vehicle drivers battling for access to plug-in points. Moto chief executive Ken McMeikan warned the UK’s motorway service stations are facing growing “public disorder” due to a lack of grid connections preventing him from installing enough car chargers to meet the surge in demand. It means many motorists are facing long waits, with angry drivers confronting staff and each other over the lack of charging facilities."

     

    EV's have some advantages and some do look good - but I think you can guess that I won't be buying one. Not in this lifetime ! ATB

    Spot on commentary, well said.  Governments are pushing too hard with EV uptake with little thought toward safety and infrastructure.  Crazy thing is we'd save the planet much faster by installing roof top solar, allow EV's to evolve more slowly.

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    Useful tips for a visit to Vietnam wanted.

    in Vietnam General Chat

    Posted

    2 hours ago, PJ71 said:

    Any hotels to recommend?

    Old quarter hotels are small, narrow due to the building codes of old.  Many are quite noisy from traffic below in the soi.  Concon House is an exception, fairly modern and quiet yet handy to everything.

    There are more salubrious properties outside of OQ, though lacking in atmosphere. 

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    Useful tips for a visit to Vietnam wanted.

    in Vietnam General Chat

    Posted

    Hanoi is our favourite destination and we'll return there next month to stay in the Old Quarter - from there we can branch out for a Halong Bay trip (very relaxing).   

    We simply enjoy the foods and culture of which there's plenty to found in the north.  I'm older than you yet I still walk as much as possible and Hanoi is easy going - in fact it's difficult to pass up the many offers of a tuk tuk or taxi ride.

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    Online TM.47 rejected - what to do?

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted

    27 minutes ago, teutonian said:

    It’s. It the landlords job to do TM30.

    In theory, yes.  It is also the landlord who should be fined for not doing so, however, Immigration make it YOUR responsibility b4 they will accept a 90 day report, extension or even Re-entry permit.  At least for now.

     

    Due to the changes, I/O's should accept a tenant like the OP doing an in-person update.  Or at least ensure his landlord conforms.

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    Online TM.47 rejected - what to do?

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted · Edited by McTavish
    Correction

    46 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

    The strange thing is, after doing a 30-day report in person, then a TM.47, I did a new 90-day report in person three months later, while still living at the same address, but it was rejected.

     

    Is this a Chaengwattana scam to charge people 800 baht?

    Do another TM30 in person, explaining you are still at same address.   It should be accepted automatically as Immi have wiped all old records and instigated a new online system.  Tell them the landlord will not comply and they should come down hard on him.

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    Buoyant EV market raising skill gap concerns

    in Thailand News

    Posted

    1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

    Fact is, when comparing apples to apples, electric vehicles are a lot heavier and therefore have increased tyre wear and damage roads more. Not exactly green, but then neither is mining lithium and cobalt. 

     

    They can also do more damage in a collision. But hey, if it makes you feel like you're saving the world who cares about little Timmy getting mowed down by 3 tonnes of batteries?

    Bandersnatch has the right idea with Solar-system charging. :wai:

     

    The problem I have is blatant promotion of EV's "saving the planet" instead of promoting Solar and alternate means of reducing emissions from ICE vehicles.  As usual, Governments overlooked the huge deficit in grid capacity and supply infrastructure.

     

    Using Grid power may not save on CO2 as the break-even 8-year term for EV -v- ICE emissions could see a new battery pack required within 10 years.

    Purapool Oxygen system lifetime and availability

    in Swimming Pool Forum

    Posted

    I have a now redundant Purapool Oxy 1000 system for which I acquired a brand new salt cell @ Aud$1395 ... yes they ARE expensive due to use of titanium and another rarer metal which begins with r ....  The latter produces oxygen.

     

    I am willing to sell the salt cell for 20,000 baht including freight.  It was used for 12 days before I determined the control unit was at fault and deteriorating fast, a dodgy E-prom or SCR rectifier suspected.  I had no reliable service available locally and simply bought a new Chinese made chlorinator to keep my pool serviceable rather than be sending parts to and from Australia.

     

    It's a shame as the Purapool system had worked well for 4 years and Mark, CEO and tech guru in Oz, had attempted diagnostics via email and telephone.

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    How many solar panels?

    in Alternative/Renewable Energy Forum

    Posted

    7 minutes ago, gejohesch said:

    Thanks a lot!

     

    "A 9 panel system and 5kw inverter could suffice.  My system can produce double your consumption and our best solar day in this past month was 41.2kwh." I understand that your system is the "9 panel system", right?

     

    "The big name stores are very poor at selling anything but the ticketed items staff have been trained to promote so I would not go to them for advice."

    That's what I think of them too! Btw, I have that general feeling in Thailand, whether it's asking about cosmetic surgery, insurance policy, electric pump or whatever, I have the odd feeling that "they nearly always try to push sthg to you". Also, I worked a few years in a large Thai company (as an expat advisor) and I often thought that supposed-to-be experts in this country rather often talk big and quickly about maters they have only a basic knowledge of. You get it, my trust level in Thailand is very low.... ????

     

    "BM/Mod, Crossy, is the best person to advise further. " Any more advice where to go shopping for the solar panels would be most welcome. I hope I'm not abusing, I'm very thankful for the good comments so far! ????

    I have 12 x 550w Lingi tier 1 panels - supposedly the best available at the moment from many suppliers.

    How many solar panels?

    in Alternative/Renewable Energy Forum

    Posted

    1 hour ago, gejohesch said:

    So, my question is, what if we install just those 12 panels? At times our consumption would exceed what those 12 panels could deliver, could we get a boost from the PEA public supply to make up for the excess consumption?

    Whether you install 9 or 12 panels you can always 'buy' excess from PEA for night use, when guests come to stay or if cloud cover reduces solar production.  A 9 panel system and 5kw inverter could suffice.  My system can produce double your consumption and our best solar day in this past month was 41.2kwh.  Adverse weather saw a total of just over 640kwh for the month.

     

    The big name stores are very poor at selling anything but the ticketed items staff have been trained to promote so I would not go to them for advice.  BM/Mod, Crossy, is the best person to advise further. 

     

    My installer also supplies Isaan, mainly Khon Kaen thru to Ubon Ratchathani.

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    Favorite Western breakfast places?

    in Chiang Mai

    Posted

    5 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

    Can anyone recommend some good Western style breakfast places in Chiang Mai? The only one I go to right now is Ozarks (around Hang Dong) and I didn't even know about that until someone told me! I live in Mae Jo but I'll go anywhere.

    Kwan's Kitchen on canal road, Mae Hia.  Out the front of Empress Dental.  Best farang fare and Thai dishes in the area.  Bacon and Egg or rardna gai, up2u ... it's all good.

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    How about a solar car port on a budget?

    in Alternative/Renewable Energy Forum

    Posted

    16 minutes ago, Crossy said:

    The August numbers.

     

    image.png.acf9fb14eb073364b394cde1902dcebd.png

     

    We were on no-export until the meter reader came early on the 19th, at which point I thought "stuff PEA" and turned export back on.

     

    By the 27th we were perilously close to going net-export so I turned no-export back on.

     

    If nothing else the graph shows just how much energy we are throwing away when not exporting.

     

    Need to save my pennies for more storage.

     

    Your graph is near identical to ours here in Chiang Mai.  Best solar production also 11 to 14, 19 to 25.  :)

     

    Like you, our 12 panels are virtually flat atop a 3degree pitch roof. Production starts around 0800 and ceases by 1800.  Still making 1.3kw at 1730hrs with best daily peaks last month around 7kw production during middle of day.

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    Lecky costs per unit.

    in The Electrical Forum

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, MJCM said:

    Those numbers are exclusive of Vat, Ft surcharge and service charge.
     

    Real price per unit (which is inclusive of all that) you get by dividing total price by total amount of units.

    Correct.  However the actual cost is not a fixed sum per unit as others have suggested.

    Citizens Await Digital Money, Hoping to Boost Economy

    in Thailand News

    Posted

    11 hours ago, hydraides said:

    10,000 baht is nearly one month salary for the average thai person.........How many millions will sign up to digital currency.

    1st problem is getting online to register for the handout :sleepy: how many times did we see systems crashing during Covid due to overloaded servers.  And, how will rural folk will be given access to register let alone reap any rewards.

     

    The proposed system relies primarily on funding from existing or future taxes, stealing from Peter to pay Paul.  The logistics will be a nightmare and carry huge admin costs if it ever gets off the ground, which is doubtful.

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