Roger440

I maybe should have clarified, theres no real person you can contact in the event of an issue. If support is via an app, im not interested. That not support. Given me and technology, having support is important for when the inevitable problems happen. Other peoples idea of straight forward and easy to use often isnt mine. Interestingly, OR have just been installing fibre here after saying they wouldnt!. However, id rather poke a sharp stick in my eyes that have to deal with them. Unless my 4G falls over permanently for some reason, ill stick with that. Its significantly cheaper too.

This seems to be quite a popular solution in Ireland on old houses. Ive no idea why as its likely to create damp problems. And increases the risks during rexcavation, depending on the depth of the foundations.

Glad to have helped!

Ive been talking directy to the engineers. That a good thing about National Grid. You get to talk to sensible people, not admin people. In summary. 2 properties connected to a single phase transformer on a pole in my field, connected to the 11kv. Only circa 6 properties on the leg. As far as i know it terminates a couple of miles away.

Thanks Gus. I understand diversity. At the 60 amps i have its not going to fly. At 80 amp, is marginal at best. You may not have seen, but the big loads are cooker, 30amp, electric shower, 30 amp, compressor circa 40amp. Plus everything else that one normally has. Add a HP, and possible EV charger (though i dont need one now) and you can see i might have an issue. Yes, apply diversity, but theres a limit to that. I think the debate has run its course to be honest. My choices are, stump up the big numbers, or take the low cost upgrade to 80 amp, and figure out a means of generating power on demand if / when i run out of capacity. You suggestion of an 80 amp breaker my side is a good idea as it will let me know when im at the limit before it causes any real issues. Ive got to move the consumer unit, so ideal time to do that.

Im not really sure how many times i can say the same thing. They confirmed, had there been 3 properties not 2, they would have given me a 3 phase supply for a nominal cost. So, again, the reason i cannot have a supply at a nominal, lets call it a sensible cost, is because of the number of properties. With 3 properties they were prepared to install 3 phase at their cost. You argument that its abnormal isnt relevant. My requirement would be the same if there were 3 houses. Then i wouldnt have to pay. Not sure i see much point in further debate as you seem to have latched on to this abnormal load thing, when thats actually got nothing to do with the reasons i find myself where i am.

Did you read what i said? Load balancing is so important, but isnt if i pay some money. The decision about what i can have is actually based around the number of houses on the transformer. As ive explained. Again. If there were three houses i could have my supply, irrespective of my "unusual load". Because they dont care about the unusual load. Thats not the reason for rejection. For some reason, you are not getting it?

Ill say again, the refusal was because of there only being 2 houses. Had there been 3, they have confirmed that much of the cost would be taken by them. They would have installed a three phase transformer, which would enable load balancing. Even if i had a requirement for 23kva, its still a no. Only 2 houses = no. Unless i want to pay, and then the load balancing issue magically disappears. Amazing what cash can do...... All other arguments are secondary. No point making an application. Its still no. It will always be a no while there are only 2 houses. Theres zero chance of there being 3.

They are lead acid, so ricks comments apply.

No foundation required. Dig a small trench, put some type 1 in it and wack it down. Then lay the blocks. The blocks have a lip on the back so they can slide over each other. The smaller ones, like you would need, are solid, the bigger ones hollow that you fill with gravel as you go. It literally requires zero skills, and lasts forever. Though post covid, like all concrete products, they are expensive. But easy to DIY Ive done three of these in my time. For a retaining wall, i dont know why anyone uses anything else, unless you can actually do brick laying. They also have the advantage, which was important in my first one, is that a bit of subsidence or ground overment wont put a crack in your wall. They will absorb the movement. These things are everywhere on motorway bridges, railways etc. Warning though, some like the marshalls offering are NOT interlocking. Which seems completely pointless to me.

Theres a lot more reasons as i mentioned ealier why its clear government isnt serious. But that aside, what you are suggesting is if someone needs more power than the average, then carbon reduction doesnt matter? That nonsensical. Power is being consumed by all sorts of people and business, in varying quantities. Surely the objective is to decarbonise as much as possible. Indeed, prioritising those using more than average will yield a greater result.

I follow the logic. However, that would then mean finding a home for a rather larger tank somewhere. Which in what is a pretty small house isnt all that easy. But clearly, its a massive load i could well do without. Batteries are expensive. I hadnt planned on fitting any. Though i have a possible loose plan to use my forklift batteries. But thats all a bit "non standard" and im not sure im clever enough to make that work. As per above post, burning oil and diesel is, by a long way, the most cost effective option to both heating and workshop supply. I think in my rework of my heating system, i should provision for a HP in case something changes in the future.

Lets be clear, NG havent "assesed" my needs. I havent supplied anything like enough info for them to do so, as is detailed in their own policy document. The answer is no, regardless of the needs or otherwise. Because theres only 2 properties on the transformer. This situation would apppear to trump all other policies. But i guess on the basis you decribe, the moral of the story, is dont be honest. Sadly, this all started before ENA started doing their thing. Ill not make the same mistake again. As i said, im clearly not going to get a supply upgrade, so burning oil and diesel remains the only affordable route forward. Which i still think is bonkers. But there we have it. On the upside it gives me complete independance.

Im not sure i explained myself well. The connection is NOT for a workshop. Its for the house. The workshop is fed from the house. Its a domestic connection. You could have a workshop in your garage too if you were so minded. The DNO's postion is "no connections over 80 amp". Doesnt matter what its for. ENA are saying 93 amps (23kva). National Grid wont do that. That 80 amps might be fine isnt really my point. Its the fact the DNO's position is counter to the ENA one. As the DNO do the work, it renders to ENA's pronouncement irelevant.

I hate combi's!