|
|
Post by ladybird on Apr 4, 2014 20:22:06 GMT
more pics ; I put the battens in after all .  Box made all painted and in the greenhouse :  not quite finished yet . It just about fits accross the back of the greenhouse . If I were to do it again I`d make two smaller ones this was way to big to handle . on carecakers warning I set the table on four slabs so it wouldn`t sink. now I don`t know what to do with my electric sockets ? they are screwed to a long piece of wood . I`m afraid to put it under the table in case water drips down . |
|
|
|
Post by Cherry on Apr 5, 2014 5:28:38 GMT
That's brilliant ladybird. I should be complimenting the electrics or build, but apart from that, I like the colour. |
|
|
|
Post by ladybird on Apr 5, 2014 11:54:18 GMT
That's brilliant ladybird. I should be complementing the electrics or build, but apart from that, I like the colour. I`m not that fussed on the colour myself cherry its a little on the blue side for me. I had a large pot of garden shades pale Jasmines which is white so I got a small pot of summerset green and mixed it . I think I`ll do a little stencil on the front  The electrics were done a few years ago Cherry originally the lecky had screwed the plugs onto that wooden batton then scrwed it between two table legs and there was no danger of any water dripping over it. I was just thinking of doing the same again ,wondering how I would protect it from any dripping water though . |
|
|
|
Post by ladybird on Apr 5, 2014 15:37:46 GMT
Oh I`v just thought I will be lining the table with plastic so no water will be draining out . i`ll have to be careful not to over water the sand.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2014 9:41:05 GMT
That looks really good ladybird, well done. The only thing you should change is the sockets. The way you have them lying flat is a bit risky. Don't forget that a greenhouse is very humid, and the moisture will drop onto the sockets, even underneath the bench. You need to attach them upright, and install outdoor sockets with front covers. You can get these from screwfix or toolstation, with home delivery. Moisture and electricity don't mix. If you don't change the sockets, you must put your sockets upright. Don't want to scare you ladybird, but better to be safe, than sorry, as the saying goes .   |
|
|
|
Post by ladybird on Apr 11, 2014 10:49:23 GMT
Thanks Markymate. I am worried about the safety of the sockets where they are .
The sockets are wired into armored cable that runs around the garden and is wired directly into a separate unit with in the electric box where I can switch it on and off. I had it done by a proper electrician but he just screwed the sockets onto that piece of wood which he fixed between the legs of two tables which were there previously.
I`m stuck with the bit of wood now. I was just going to screw it back between the two front legs of the new table, upright of course, perhaps I should put something water proof under the table and above the sockets , like a plastic tray to stop any drips ?
I have a thick layer of polystyrene ,a plastic liner and a 2" layer of sand on the table now . I`m thinking about the cover , should have decided on that before I put the sand in .
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2014 13:17:19 GMT
Definitely put the sockets in the upright position, but you should also change the sockets to IP66 rated sockets, to protect yourself against danger from electric shock from condensation in the greenhouse getting into the sockets. If you are unsure, ask a qualified electrician for advice.
|
|
|
|
Post by ladybird on Apr 11, 2014 19:07:07 GMT
Definitely put the sockets in the upright position, but you should also change the sockets to IP66 rated sockets, to protect yourself against danger from electric shock from condensation in the greenhouse getting into the sockets. If you are unsure, ask a qualified electrician for advice. Are the ones I have not OK for the greenhouse Markymate ? It was my nephew that put them in, he is a qualified electrician . I can see it would be better to have a cover on the plugs though . I`ll ask him about it when I see him though I doubt if I could afford the covered boxes. It is all finally done, the sand , the cable, what a job that was to keep straight even with pre warming. The final load of sand is on and the cable has been on for about an hour . I`m rather disappointing as the sand is still cold , and the cable is definitely warm, mabe too much sand on top ? just the cover to think about now , several hoops covered with plastic should do as I will need to use it without heat for potting on later . |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2014 19:56:14 GMT
If your nephew thinks they're ok in a damp environment, that's ok. But I would definitely put the upright. The ones I use are IP66 rated, and for a double socket cost about £15.00@. My box took about two days to get up required warmth, with the top layer of sharp sand just about two inches in depth. You have to be a bit brave with dampening the sand, as this helps radiate the heat better. I gave mine a good soak and top up every week or so. Have you put a layer of plastic sheeting over the sand, as this keeps the moisture in. I poke my finger through the sand now and again to make sure the sand is not drying out to much.
Mark |
|
|
|
Post by ladybird on Apr 11, 2014 20:07:28 GMT
yes, I have two layers of plastic over the poystyrene , one stapled to the sides and one hanging over the sides until I decide what to do with it. the sand was very wet as it was outside and I covered it with plastic as well. I still have two screws and two little washers after putting in the thermostat think they might be for fixing it to the table well not tonight anyway lol |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2014 8:36:37 GMT
yes, I have two layers of plastic over the poystyrene , one stapled to the sides and one hanging over the sides until I decide what to do with it. the sand was very wet as it was outside and I covered it with plastic as well. I still have two screws and two little washers after putting in the thermostat think they might be for fixing it to the table well not tonight anyway lol Not sure what you mean when you say you have two layers of plastic over the polystyrene. Is the polystyrene covered with the plastic, then a two inch layer of sand, then the cable, another two inches of sand, which is then covered by a sheet of plastic. That's how my bench is structured. And yes, the screws and washers are definitely for attaching the thermostat to the bench, as a loose thermostat is inviting later problems with our old friend, water and electricity   |
|
|
|
Post by ladybird on Apr 12, 2014 10:55:57 GMT
I covered the polystyrene with black plastic and staples the edges to the top of the sides. I wondered if some water/ condensation might slip down the sides between the plastic and the wood later with a cover on, so I added another layer of clear plastic which at the moment is hanging over the top edges of the box ( I`ll post a pic soon ) then I added 2" of wet sand , then the cable , then another 2" layer of sand and a top sheet of plastic to keep the sand from drying out.I also put some silicone around the holes in the wood . I originally made a mistake and drilled the holes too close together so I mixed some ( I save everything  hardwood sawdust with wood glue and plugged the hole tightly with this. I will secure the thermostat today and figure out how much this project has cost . |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2014 12:46:48 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by ladybird on Apr 12, 2014 18:10:03 GMT
DONT!!!! I started doing that, but stopped when I realised how much it was costing me. Ignorance is the best policy when it comes to a gardening budget   well just this once I`ll do as you advise markymate , I`d hate to find out I could have just ordered one of those mats an no blisters I secured the thermostat . It`s turned off until I make a cover, don`t want to waste the heat. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2014 9:12:52 GMT
Very wise Ladybird, you won't regret it |
|
hardwood sawdust with wood glue and plugged the hole tightly with this. 
