The Home Improvements Thread (3)

Syphonx said:
Any experience with solar powered outside lights? Wanting to add some lighting to the driveway but hopefully avoid running trunking etc. if a solar light can last the whole (or majority) of the night. Preferably an all in one unit (solar panel on top of the light casing).
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I have a few and they seem to be hit or miss.. I have two of the same brand, one slightly higher power than the other.. the higher powered one can shine all night long(depending on cloud conditions during the day).. it has a mode where it will gradually reduce brightness through the night, but you can still see more than enough by the next morning..

Now the lower powered one of the same brand, it would maybe last 3 hours on a full charge, same reduce brightness setting.. it's slightly smaller, so likely has less battery capacity, but if the bigger one can go all night, I expect the smaller one to at least go just past midnight or 1am..
 
Syphonx said:
Any experience with solar powered outside lights? Wanting to add some lighting to the driveway but hopefully avoid running trunking etc. if a solar light can last the whole (or majority) of the night. Preferably an all in one unit (solar panel on top of the light casing).
Click to expand...
Solight.
They look good and last all night.
Check takealot: https://www.takealot.com/all?filter=Brand:Solight

I have had a few wall lights for a couple years and they still work perfect.
 
Snyper564 said:
Engineer out for first site inspection window order and hopefully building starts next weeek!
Click to expand...
Everything happening at break neck speeds collected induction hob and extractor fans settled on this

www.hirschs.co.za

Bosch 90cm Induction Ceramic Hob - PIV975DC1E

DirectSelect Premium: Direct, simple selection of the desired cooking zone, power and additional functions. PerfectFry: For perfect browning of roasted foods thanks to sensor control with 5 power levels. Triple ring: Expandable cooking zone for very large pots and pans. ComfortProfil: Elegant...
www.hirschs.co.za www.hirschs.co.za

1716043450445.png

www.mhcworld.co.za

MHC World | Appliances, Electronics, Furniture & More | Best Prices

Shop appliances, electronics, furniture, bedding & fabrics at MHC World. Best prices in South Africa with nationwide delivery. Price beat guarantee. Shop now!
www.mhcworld.co.za www.mhcworld.co.za

1716043423995.png
Tile accent wall is this

www.italtile.co.za

Victory Patchwork Matt Ceramic Wall Tile 200 x 200mm

Transform your space with our exclusive Victory Patchwork Matt Ceramic Tile 200 x 200mm. Invest in luxury and elevate your home with this exquisite option. Shop now!
www.italtile.co.za www.italtile.co.za

1716043504884.png
 
Very nice. Congratulations on making your selections so quickly.

Looks like a few of us are fixing up our kitchens. I'm doing mine on a budget and so far it looks great.

There are a couple of snags though, one MAJOR issue where they haven't left any room around the washing machine so it fits snugly inside the opening. Don't care how unpopular I become but that's not going to fly. It was on the "critical request" list from day one and they're going to have to find a way of fixing it.

Another thing I found hilarious although the contractor and I got iffy with one another is that he's fitted the kitchen mixer with the handle facing forward.

Like I say, it's a budget reno with only a single sink so if you're standing at the counter with the spout turned towards you the handle is directly underneath the spout :laugh: !!! I've never seen anything like it, then he glares at me and says in a very sarcastic tone "I wish you'd mentioned that before I fitted the tap". HUH?

I'm also going to be the biatch from hell because the spout is adjustable to turn 360 or 110 and they've left it at 360. Single sink = 110 degrees should be obvious.

The trouble is these contractors have one or two excellent workers, they drop them off and disappear for the day then they're surprised when the client hasn't been consulted and the worker's done what he thinks.

Like they placed the handles of the floor cupboards at a good height but close to the opening edge. I MIGHT have wanted them centered on the doors but wasn't asked. I was surprised to see all the handles done and queried how they knew where to put them. Contractor looks at me like I'm an idiot and says "that's where handles go".

I had a chuckle.
 
Snyper564 said:
Everything happening at break neck speeds collected induction hob and extractor fans settled on this

www.hirschs.co.za

Bosch 90cm Induction Ceramic Hob - PIV975DC1E

DirectSelect Premium: Direct, simple selection of the desired cooking zone, power and additional functions. PerfectFry: For perfect browning of roasted foods thanks to sensor control with 5 power levels. Triple ring: Expandable cooking zone for very large pots and pans. ComfortProfil: Elegant...
www.hirschs.co.za www.hirschs.co.za

View attachment 1711289

www.mhcworld.co.za

MHC World | Appliances, Electronics, Furniture & More | Best Prices

Shop appliances, electronics, furniture, bedding & fabrics at MHC World. Best prices in South Africa with nationwide delivery. Price beat guarantee. Shop now!
www.mhcworld.co.za www.mhcworld.co.za

View attachment 1711287
Tile accent wall is this

www.italtile.co.za

Victory Patchwork Matt Ceramic Wall Tile 200 x 200mm

Transform your space with our exclusive Victory Patchwork Matt Ceramic Tile 200 x 200mm. Invest in luxury and elevate your home with this exquisite option. Shop now!
www.italtile.co.za www.italtile.co.za

View attachment 1711291
Click to expand...
Hey man, just a "heads up" regarding the installation of that cooker hood extractor thing. Make double sure of the installation height. You don't wanna be bumping your head every time you stand in front of the stove.

I am 1.8m tall and my pip just just clears mine. At my dad's house, the extractor buttons are eye level, a total fsckup. This is what happens when you have a short fscker doing the renovations/building etc. They install the things at levels that look fine to them. Fscking short shiits.
 
BTW @Snyper564 you happy with the contactors you chose thus far?

They can really ruin the experience of renovations and the excitement of having new spaces by fscking up around every corner.
 
W@P said:
Hey man, just a "heads up" regarding the installation of that cooker hood extractor thing. Make double sure of the installation height. You don't wanna be bumping your head every time you stand in front of the stove.

I am 1.8m tall and my pip just just clears mine. At my dad's house, the extractor buttons are eye level, a total fsckup. This is what happens when you have a short fscker doing the renovations/building etc. They install the things at levels that look fine to them. Fscking short shiits.
Click to expand...
My wife is short, we are redoing our kitchen soon.. lucky she already said she doesn't want this traditional style cooker hood, but if she did, installing at the right height so she can reach the buttons, would have me standing on my knees to cook..

We might get one of those fancy slanted ones instead..
 
WAslayer said:
My wife is short, we are redoing our kitchen soon.. lucky she already said she doesn't want this traditional style cooker hood, but if she did, installing at the right height so she can reach the buttons, would have me standing on my knees to cook..

We might get one of those fancy slanted ones instead..
Click to expand...
Install it at your level. Then sonoff or shelly the kak out of the thing for her. :ROFL:

Alternatively, you can install one of these for her.

1716108815484.png
 
W@P said:
Hey man, just a "heads up" regarding the installation of that cooker hood extractor thing. Make double sure of the installation height. You don't wanna be bumping your head every time you stand in front of the stove.

I am 1.8m tall and my pip just just clears mine. At my dad's house, the extractor buttons are eye level, a total fsckup. This is what happens when you have a short fscker doing the renovations/building etc. They install the things at levels that look fine to them. Fscking short shiits.
Click to expand...
Thanks so much for this I'm almost 1.9 so good heads up!
 
Everything is happening SOOO fast which is good all the labor officially started today old roof being removed walls and tiles will be removed during the week then room will be built up, all accessories etc ordered and will sign off on officially kitchen design this week!
 
W@P said:
Plesier. Niks so kak irriterend soos om heeltyd jou kop te stamp terwyl jy kos maak nie.
Click to expand...
Reminds me of when I had our kitchen re-done:

Wife is extremely short so I had the ELO fitted to her eye-level and the kitchen sink does not have a cut-out above it as it would not affect her when washing dishes.
 
Snyper564 said:
Everything is happening SOOO fast which is good all the labor officially started today old roof being removed walls and tiles will be removed during the week then room will be built up, all accessories etc ordered and will sign off on officially kitchen design this week!
Click to expand...
:ROFL:

fifidonia-money-rain.gif
 
looking at adding wifi switches to the lights

whats the difference here

do you need both or just 1 ...can the 2nd one connect to normal light switches or how does it work ?

1716811964560.png

1716811903790.png
 
I.am.Sam said:
looking at adding wifi switches to the lights

whats the difference here

do you need both or just 1 ...can the 2nd one connect to normal light switches or how does it work ?

View attachment 1715771

View attachment 1715767
Click to expand...
You only need something like the first one, if you don't mind touch sensitive buttons (I personally hate it).

I wouldn't recommend that other basic switch for lights as you're putting a point of failure in between your switch and the light. If the smart switch is off (or broken) then your light switch will do nothing. For this I would recommend a proper relay like the Shelly ones: https://shellysa.co.za/products/relays/shelly-plus-1pm/ and then pair it with a bell/momentary press type switch (e.g. https://www.glolighting.co.za/major...GW5I7IM3wyNaUMr1d3_hV1vZgrJ_9lT8aAtnzEALw_wcB)
 
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