converser.nz

Category: NZTekonverse -> Domestics

  • REVIEW: Ryobi OB18150 150VA 240V One+ Power Inverter

    One of the useful developments in battery operated power tool systems of recent years is that manufacturers have woken up to the merits of having a universal battery system that powers a large range of different tools, ranging from power tools for the workshop to garden tools and even some general domestic devices for home…

  • HPM Countdown Timers

    I have used various types of countdown timer for my heaters for years. They ensure the heater will be turned off automatically after a set period, usually two hours, so as not to waste power. HPM used to sell specific mechanical countdown timers, and I had several of these. Unfortunately they all stopped working after…

  • Brief History of Fisher & Paykel Top Loading Autowashers [4]: SmartDrive

    So last post I took a look at the ECS, which was Fisher and Paykel’s first electronic washing machine, and it was an interim design that was produced between the Hotpoint based machines that F&P produced under license in NZ from probably the 1960s until around 1985 when ECS came onto the market. The next…

  • Brief History of Fisher & Paykel Top Loading Autowashers [3]: ECS Washers

    In the last part of this series I took a look at the Hotpoint based washers which F&P licensed for assembly in NZ until the 1980s. In 1985, after a five year research process, F&P unveiled its own replacement for what was, by then, becoming a fairly dated design. The new washing machines were called…

  • Brief History of Fisher & Paykel Top Loading Autowashers [2]: Hotpoint Washers

    As noted in part 1, Associated Electrical Industries (AEI) in the UK had the British rights to the Hotpoint brand and around 1965 introduced the Hotpoint 1500 automatic washer. These were a top loading design with a number of sophisticated features. Although their exact history in NZ is not too clear at present, Fisher and…

  • Brief History of Fisher & Paykel Top Loading Autowashers [1]: Introduction

    Fisher and Paykel is a major New Zealand appliance manufacturer and has a lengthy history going back over 80 years. About 1938 they started in business as an importer of washing machines from various sources (including Bendix in the US) and soon were assembling wringer machines and Hoovermatic twin tubs in their Auckland factory. Their…

  • Can The Covid Card Really Work?

    In these Covid-19 pandemic days in NZ and worldwide, the powers that be have had to come up with effective ways to be able to trace infected people’s personal contacts lest they also turn out to be infected with the virus. It is entirely natural that some sort of technological solution should be sought, and…

  • How To Get A Very Cheap “Landline” Phone Over The Internet

    These days a lot of people are less inclined to have a traditional “landline” phone as Spark will still charge around $30-40 a month to keep providing the service which may be used relatively infrequently. As Chorus are planning to eventually turn off their old copper network in favour of fibre, everyone will sooner or…

  • Power Tools: Best brand of home power tools?

    If you are working at the cheap end of power tools there are a few brands to choose from. I have bought Ryobi stuff a few times, weedeaters have been good, also a good 1200 watt electric drill (a knockoff of a Bosch or Hitachi drill) with variable speed, hammer, 2 speeds, reverse etc. I…

  • Arlec Plug In Heater Controls [2]

    In my previous post in this series I described the PC900 2 hour plugin countdown timer which Bunnings have been selling for some time. The oddity of this product is that it is described on the packaging as having “adjustable switching increments”. This is a rather clumsy phrase more worthy of adjustable 24 hour timers…