Uh oh - breakers tripped

[Tony]

Not a good sign when the shed is no longer lit from within.  The breakers at the shed end had tripped the master RCD.  I disconnected processor and could reset it, but the main fluorescent light didn't start.

Seems like it's just the fluorescent failing so far, right?

So plugged in the processor and the pump ran OK.  But as soon as I turned on the heater, *clunk* back to darkness.  Reset the breaker, turn on heater...  all OK!

Now it's running with heater and pump OK.  Got to carry on as it was up at 95C for dewatering.

I suspect what happened is that the water collection container became disconnected and it billowed cool water vapour everywhere inside, getting into the lighting and processor electrics.  Normally I leave all the windows open in the shed, but not today.

Of course, now I'm wondering what would have happened if that was methanol vapour...

[1958steveflying]

"Of course, now I'm wondering what would have happened if that was methanol vapour..."

The explosion would have been heard for miles around ! !

[GedsJeep]

thats why i dont make bio

my shed would end up in wales

[Tony]

The oddness continues.  Turning on the heater sometimes trips the earth leakage breaker.  Same with starting the mono pump.

I've disconnected the non-working fluorescent fixing (perfectly dry in there) and now the heater and pumps all work OK.  It was tripping with the lights switched off but I guess that only disconnects the live side - so it looks like something went wrong with the electronic ballast in the light fitting?

[Julian]

It's always the same ... everyone blames biodiesel for things that go wrong.

[knighty]

negative to earth fault/short/leak will reip your main rcb/mcb/rcbo/whatever it's called

florescent lights are often a bit 'leaky'

just disconnect the earth and call it fixed ;-)


or if you're worried, disconnect the earth and join the lights earth connection to the negative instead

[Tony]

It's one of these 6ft ones with twin tubes, proper lit up the shed.  For a while it's been a little reluctant to start, it started OK yesterday but when I went back to the shed the power was off and on restarting the light didn't start (either tube) so I think it's shot.  I guess you can buy the ballasts separately?

It was no fun making bio in the dark...

[greasemonkey]

Or junk the fluros and get some LEDs?

[Julian]

On the subject of LEDs, at last, COB (at least I think they're COB) LEDs, identical in size to halogen dichroic lamps are available at a half reasonable price.

Warm white, colour temperature is indistinguishable from halogen and if anything they seem slightly brighter.

Made by LAP, I got them from Screwfix.

Non-dimmable 4.2W 281 lumins ... Pt No. 9674D  20 quid for 6

Dimmable 5W 346 lumins ... Pt No. 3797G  20 quid for 5

[julesandtash]

Sounds rather like a neutral to earth fault. They only tend to show up when some load is applied and the out of balance current flows then trip the RCD.

As for if it had been methanol vapour, probably nothing would have happened. The vapour cloud would need to be in between the explosive limits and would have needed a spark or very hot surface to ignite.
Providing nothing was making any sparks then its highly likely you would have been ok. Of course, walking in and seeing such a cloud, your first instinct would probably be to switch things off, and that spark as the switch breaks the circuit could be the end of you and the shed.

[Tony]

I'd like to think I'd be level headed enough to switch something like that off at the house end.

We have COB all over the house, including the new filament ones in our bedroom, but  I'm not convinced it would be possible to replace a 150W fluorescent fixing with COB and get a similar light level without using an awful lot of COB bulbs? Maybe several COB floods?  Not sure the economics work out for lighting that is infrequently used.

[knighty]

if it's for your shed, 12v led strips will be awesome

I've got a storage room 6mx11m, florecnets all died - didn't want to spend much cash on it because it's hardly used

put up 8 x 5m 12v led strips and it's awesome, much brighter than before, and much whiter light so it's much better to work under


these are the ones I bought....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181578644228?var=480538295329

ordered 10 then, just ordered another 20 they're so good!

[greasemonkey]

if it's for your shed, 12v led strips will be awesome

I've got a storage room 6mx11m, florecnets all died - didn't want to spend much cash on it because it's hardly used

put up 8 x 5m 12v led strips and it's awesome, much brighter than before, and much whiter light so it's much better to work under


these are the ones I bought....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181578644228?var=480538295329

ordered 10 then, just ordered another 20 they're so good!

Super cheap. I've seen them in vans, I was impressed. At that price, I'll be getting some.
Just connect them straight up to 12 volt and a switch, no control box or anything needed?

[Tony]

The issue I've had with those is aging, it's luck of the draw, some rolls seem to last forever and some the coating over the LEDs yellows over time and the LEDs fail.  I've even seen this on expensive contractor installs of them at work, where they are integrated into large mirrors over sinks.

That said, at that price it's hard to go wrong, if they fail just replace!

[greasemonkey]

They don't combine postage. You pay the postage fee on every item.
Thought I'd punt a tenner, and 10 units was over £20.
Being the brave and intrepid spender that I am, I ordered 4.........