I've been contacted by the gas people saying they need to change my meter
- strange as it's not that old. Phoned them to confirm the date and asked
the very pleasant guy just why they wanted to change it so soon, and he
said the new ones can be remotely read. By that I take it to mean some
form of radio link. So where do they get the power for that from?

--
*Prepositions are not words to end sentences with *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
I've been contacted by the gas people saying they need to change my meter
- strange as it's not that old. Phoned them to confirm the date and asked
the very pleasant guy just why they wanted to change it so soon, and he
said the new ones can be remotely read. By that I take it to mean some
form of radio link. So where do they get the power for that from?


It's a passive chip in the meter. It doesn't need power. It's like the
chip in your credit card you use in the shops (or probably like "your"
credit card that your wife uses in the shops :-P)

The little man comes round with a reader / scanner thing, and holds it up to
your front door. It activates the chip in the meter and sends him back the
data. He doesn't even have to knock to see if you're in.

"BigWallop" wrote in message
om...

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
I've been contacted by the gas people saying they need to change my meter
- strange as it's not that old. Phoned them to confirm the date and asked
the very pleasant guy just why they wanted to change it so soon, and he
said the new ones can be remotely read. By that I take it to mean some
form of radio link. So where do they get the power for that from?


It's a passive chip in the meter. It doesn't need power. It's like the
chip in your credit card you use in the shops (or probably like "your"
credit card that your wife uses in the shops :-P)

The little man comes round with a reader / scanner thing, and holds it up
to
your front door. It activates the chip in the meter and sends him back
the
data. He doesn't even have to knock to see if you're in.

Presumably enclosing the meter in a Faraday cage would thwart such a system?
--
Dave Baker

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

I've been contacted by the gas people saying they need to change my meter
- strange as it's not that old. Phoned them to confirm the date and asked
the very pleasant guy just why they wanted to change it so soon, and he
said the new ones can be remotely read.

Interesting. I had a fairly new digital gas meter with LCD
display, and they replaced it with a mechanical one. Their story
was that the company was worried about battery life.

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK


Have dancing shoes, will ceilidh.

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
I've been contacted by the gas people saying they need to change my meter
- strange as it's not that old. Phoned them to confirm the date and asked
the very pleasant guy just why they wanted to change it so soon, and he
said the new ones can be remotely read. By that I take it to mean some
form of radio link. So where do they get the power for that from?

lithium battery (~10 year life).
funny but they are removing them around here as the remote reading trial
wasn't very successful.

"Dave Baker" wrote in message
...

"BigWallop" wrote in message
om...

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
I've been contacted by the gas people saying they need to change my
meter
- strange as it's not that old. Phoned them to confirm the date and
asked
the very pleasant guy just why they wanted to change it so soon, and he
said the new ones can be remotely read. By that I take it to mean some
form of radio link. So where do they get the power for that from?


It's a passive chip in the meter. It doesn't need power. It's like the
chip in your credit card you use in the shops (or probably like "your"
credit card that your wife uses in the shops :-P)

The little man comes round with a reader / scanner thing, and holds it up
to
your front door. It activates the chip in the meter and sends him back
the
data. He doesn't even have to knock to see if you're in.

Presumably enclosing the meter in a Faraday cage would thwart such a
system?

I think enclosing it with a house causes problems.

In article ,
BigWallop wrote:

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
I've been contacted by the gas people saying they need to change my
meter - strange as it's not that old. Phoned them to confirm the date
and asked the very pleasant guy just why they wanted to change it so
soon, and he said the new ones can be remotely read. By that I take it
to mean some form of radio link. So where do they get the power for
that from?


It's a passive chip in the meter. It doesn't need power. It's like the
chip in your credit card you use in the shops (or probably like "your"
credit card that your wife uses in the shops :-P)

The little man comes round with a reader / scanner thing, and holds it
up to your front door. It activates the chip in the meter and sends him
back the data. He doesn't even have to knock to see if you're in.

I'd be interested to know how that works - the meter is some 5 mtr from
the front door and in the cellar.

--
*Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In article ,
"Dave Plowman (News)" writes:
I've been contacted by the gas people saying they need to change my meter
- strange as it's not that old. Phoned them to confirm the date and asked
the very pleasant guy just why they wanted to change it so soon, and he
said the new ones can be remotely read. By that I take it to mean some
form of radio link. So where do they get the power for that from?

They've been trying to change mine for about 4 years.
I stayed at home for the day, and they didn't show up.
A couple of days later I got a letter saying would have
to cancel the visit (posted after the visit). About every
6 months they try again, and I just say I won't be in.
Their offer to change to another day never works as they
don't ever have any other days. So this will just go on
until they happen to pick a day I happen to want to spend
at home. I'm not taking another day off just for them to
not turn up again, and not tell me in time.

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

Andrew Gabriel wrote:

They've been trying to change mine for about 4 years.
I stayed at home for the day, and they didn't show up.

My gas meter has been changed twice in 18 years (the electric meter not
at all). I can't rememer how they organised the first swap, for the
second swap they just turned up with no prior notice and said "we're
here to replace your meter gov, didn't you get the letter?" as I was at
home replacing the garage roof it didn't matter.

In message , Andy Burns
wrote
Andrew Gabriel wrote:

They've been trying to change mine for about 4 years.
I stayed at home for the day, and they didn't show up.

My gas meter has been changed twice in 18 years (the electric meter not
at all). I can't rememer how they organised the first swap, for the
second swap they just turned up with no prior notice and said "we're
here to replace your meter gov, didn't you get the letter?" as I was at
home replacing the garage roof it didn't matter.

When I had my gas meter replaced they came on the day and time I wanted.

A friend of mine just happened to be working for BG at the time, in the
meter replacement department
--
Alan
news2006 {at} amac {dot} f2s {dot} com

In article ,
Andrew Gabriel wrote:
In article ,
"Dave Plowman (News)" writes:
I've been contacted by the gas people saying they need to change my
meter - strange as it's not that old. Phoned them to confirm the date
and asked the very pleasant guy just why they wanted to change it so
soon, and he said the new ones can be remotely read. By that I take it
to mean some form of radio link. So where do they get the power for
that from?

They've been trying to change mine for about 4 years. I stayed at home
for the day, and they didn't show up. A couple of days later I got a
letter saying would have to cancel the visit (posted after the visit).
About every 6 months they try again, and I just say I won't be in. Their
offer to change to another day never works as they don't ever have any
other days. So this will just go on until they happen to pick a day I
happen to want to spend at home. I'm not taking another day off just for
them to not turn up again, and not tell me in time.

This is the third letter so I decided I might as well let them do it now
as I'm quiet work wise. I've told them that there somewhere between 0800 -
2000 is no use to me during the week as I have to use one car during the
resident's parking only hour. So the guy gave me an afternoon appointment.
If they don't turn up for that I'll adopt your stance. ;-) There's
absolutely no way I'd give up a day's pay for them. They get quite enough
of my money already.

--
*Too many clicks spoil the browse *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In message , Chris J Dixon
writes
Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

I've been contacted by the gas people saying they need to change my meter
- strange as it's not that old. Phoned them to confirm the date and asked
the very pleasant guy just why they wanted to change it so soon, and he
said the new ones can be remotely read.

Interesting. I had a fairly new digital gas meter with LCD
display, and they replaced it with a mechanical one. Their story
was that the company was worried about battery life.

Hah!

Siemens have been trying to change my battery powered digital one for
the last 12 months.

1st. appointment nobody turned up.
2nd. Man took one look, said he couldn't do the job and went.
3rd. Man arrived knowing he was dealing with a medium pressure supply
but still couldn't do the job. National grid man joined the party but
refused to get involved.
4th. Meeting with senior manager who agreed to call off the 5th. appt.
pending a discussion with his engineers.
6th. Not yet happened as the meter box is secured by the piping and an
agricultural post due to the demolition of the supporting
building...........

regards

For the Corgi men.... the issue appears to be that the National Grid bit
(isolating valve, pressure reducer etc.) does not suit the particular
meter Siemens are trying to fit.

--
Tim Lamb

In message , "dennis@home"
writes


"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
I've been contacted by the gas people saying they need to change my meter
- strange as it's not that old. Phoned them to confirm the date and asked
the very pleasant guy just why they wanted to change it so soon, and he
said the new ones can be remotely read. By that I take it to mean some
form of radio link. So where do they get the power for that from?

lithium battery (~10 year life).
funny but they are removing them around here as the remote reading
trial wasn't very successful.

My meter was installed in 1995. Still displays OK.

regards



--
Tim Lamb

In article ,
Andy Burns writes:
Andrew Gabriel wrote:

They've been trying to change mine for about 4 years.
I stayed at home for the day, and they didn't show up.

My gas meter has been changed twice in 18 years (the electric meter not
at all). I can't rememer how they organised the first swap, for the
second swap they just turned up with no prior notice and said "we're
here to replace your meter gov, didn't you get the letter?" as I was at
home replacing the garage roof it didn't matter.

Electric meter is 22 years old, gas meter older but I don't know
how much older. Until 6 months ago, the electric meter hadn't been
read for 20 years (other than by me), but a meter reader happened
to come around when I was in 6 months ago. Gas meter is outside.

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

In article ,
Tim Lamb writes:
6th. Not yet happened as the meter box is secured by the piping and an
agricultural post due to the demolition of the supporting
building...........

Like this? http://www.cucumber.demon.co.uk/gasmeter.jpg

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

In message , Andrew Gabriel
writes
In article ,
Tim Lamb writes:
6th. Not yet happened as the meter box is secured by the piping and an
agricultural post due to the demolition of the supporting
building...........

Like this? http://www.cucumber.demon.co.uk/gasmeter.jpg

:-)

Luckily my supply goes underground and the meter was already in a low
level external box but same concept.

regards


--
Tim Lamb

"Andrew Gabriel" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Tim Lamb writes:
6th. Not yet happened as the meter box is secured by the piping and an
agricultural post due to the demolition of the supporting
building...........

Like this? http://www.cucumber.demon.co.uk/gasmeter.jpg

Someone should replace it with a bag of peanuts.

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
This is the third letter so I decided I might as well let them do it now
as I'm quiet work wise. I've told them that there somewhere between 0800 -
2000 is no use to me

Ummm, that's like the whole day anyway is it not?
--
Dave Baker

In article ,
Dave Baker wrote:
"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article , This is the
third letter so I decided I might as well let them do it now as I'm
quiet work wise. I've told them that there somewhere between 0800 -
2000 is no use to me

Ummm, that's like the whole day anyway is it not?

You've snipped the bit that explains why...

--
*There's two theories to arguing with a woman. Neither one works *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Like this? http://www.cucumber.demon.co.uk/gasmeter.jpg

That wasn't yours was it ? LOL

wrote:

In both cases they turned up when they had arranged. They said they preferred
us to be there, but they could do it without us present, but (preferably)to
isolate all large loads beforehand.


Couple of winters ago a Gas Chap turned up, switched off the boiler and
replaced our digital meter. Two minute job, he left the new mechnical
meter hanging by the pipework with no other means of support, and left
after relighting the boiler.

A gas leak quickly ensued, and we had to call the emergency number. A
very cautious telephone operator then read the riot act about making
sure windows were open, smell was not in the street, no one is about to
strike a match etc...

Transco chap then turned up, switched off the boiler, stopped the gas
leak from the new meter fittings - and then condemmed our boiler as a
non-serviced for x years safety hazard capping off the supply to it &
issuing the standard "do not use even on pain of death" notice*.

He also told us to complain that the previous chap had left the new
fitted meter in that state AND had not noticed the dodgy state of the
boiler.

For whatever good it would do, I phoned in that complaint - and heard
nothing back other than the operator thanking us for the call...

* After that episode we had the boiler properly serviced, a new flue
chimney installed and ventillation changes made to the room.

Moral - any thing can happen after an innocuous meter change. Be on your
guard ....

--
Adrian C

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
I'd be interested to know how that works - the meter is some 5 mtr from
the front door and in the cellar.


The reader creates a large radio frequency field that swamps and
energises every RFID tag in the house, from those left in the food
shopping from Marks and Spencer, to the tag inserted at the scruff of
the neck of the household cat - all of which is then cooked...

--
Adrian C

"Andrew Gabriel" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"Dave Plowman (News)" writes:
I've been contacted by the gas people saying they need to change my
meter
- strange as it's not that old. Phoned them to confirm the date and
asked
the very pleasant guy just why they wanted to change it so soon, and he
said the new ones can be remotely read. By that I take it to mean some
form of radio link. So where do they get the power for that from?

They've been trying to change mine for about 4 years.
I stayed at home for the day, and they didn't show up.
A couple of days later I got a letter saying would have
to cancel the visit (posted after the visit). About every
6 months they try again, and I just say I won't be in.
Their offer to change to another day never works as they
don't ever have any other days. So this will just go on
until they happen to pick a day I happen to want to spend
at home. I'm not taking another day off just for them to
not turn up again, and not tell me in time.

--
Andrew Gabriel

That sounds familiar. I took a day off work to wait for my gas meter
changing. When I phoned late in the afternoon to see why they had not
arrived the woman on the phone said "the driver could not find the address,
is it a new build as your street is not in his map book?". The house was
built in 1960 and the gas bills find there way here.

I have heard nothing since and that was three years ago.

Adam

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
BigWallop wrote:

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
I've been contacted by the gas people saying they need to change my
meter - strange as it's not that old. Phoned them to confirm the
date and asked the very pleasant guy just why they wanted to change
it so soon, and he said the new ones can be remotely read. By that
I take it to mean some form of radio link. So where do they get the
power for that from?


It's a passive chip in the meter. It doesn't need power. It's like
the chip in your credit card you use in the shops (or probably like
"your" credit card that your wife uses in the shops :-P)

The little man comes round with a reader / scanner thing, and holds
it up to your front door. It activates the chip in the meter and
sends him back the data. He doesn't even have to knock to see if
you're in.

I'd be interested to know how that works - the meter is some 5 mtr
from the front door and in the cellar.

Shock horror! Its supposed to be under the stairs - or not if you are
Drivel :-)


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

Tim Lamb wrote:
In message , Chris J Dixon
writes
Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

I've been contacted by the gas people saying they need to change my
meter - strange as it's not that old. Phoned them to confirm the
date and asked the very pleasant guy just why they wanted to change
it so soon, and he said the new ones can be remotely read.

Interesting. I had a fairly new digital gas meter with LCD
display, and they replaced it with a mechanical one. Their story
was that the company was worried about battery life.

Hah!

Siemens have been trying to change my battery powered digital one for
the last 12 months.

We've had gas & lecky meters changed in the past few weeks. We insisted on
a Saturday appointments as we both work - which works out well as they only
seem to work a half day on Sats, so they come in the AM.

Both fitters were in & out like a fiddlers elbow, I suspect its 'job &
finish' on Saturdays.


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
I've been contacted by the gas people saying they need to change my meter
- strange as it's not that old. Phoned them to confirm the date and asked
the very pleasant guy just why they wanted to change it so soon, and he
said the new ones can be remotely read. By that I take it to mean some
form of radio link. So where do they get the power for that from?

--
*Prepositions are not words to end sentences with *

At work the other day an apprentice from another firm had a massive stash of
D batteries in his van. The were linked togther (about 6 in a pack) and
wrapped in "heat shrink" clear plastic. He said his Dad got them (he fits
gas meters). The packs can be seperated to use the batteries individually
which is why the lad had them.

Adam

The Medway Handyman wrote:

Shock horror! Its supposed to be under the stairs - or not if you are
Drivel :-)



Ours is in the garage. Maybe 3 metres from the main door (further from
the house door) At the last house, it was in a meter cupboard - behind
a locked gate, and just as far from the nearest open access.

Under stairs? My wife's parent's house at the time we married had
stairs running from the front door straight backwards - it was a terrace
- so the under stairs cupboard there is a fair way from the front too.

Andy