[Quick note - I am typing this on my tablet using tightVNC because I
still haven't found a news client on Android which suits me.]Anyway does
anyone know how gas smart meters are powered? Either they need mains
electric or have a battery which will need changing by the not-meter-
reader. Sorry about the lack of line feeds. Feature of the VNC client
probably. Cheers Dave R



--
W7 64 bit HTPC

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David WE Roberts wrote:

does anyone know how gas smart meters are powered?

In general, I think a long-life D-cell, the one in mine is supposed to
last ten years e.g.

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/d-batteries/0596624

On 02/11/2016 10:13, David WE Roberts wrote:
[Quick note - I am typing this on my tablet using tightVNC because I
still haven't found a news client on Android which suits me.]Anyway does
anyone know how gas smart meters are powered? Either they need mains
electric or have a battery which will need changing by the not-meter-
reader. Sorry about the lack of line feeds. Feature of the VNC client
probably. Cheers Dave R



On a point of detail, current thinking is they will change the meter
rather than change the battery in the existing meter.

--
Robin
reply-to address is (intended to be) valid

David WE Roberts wrote:

[Quick note - I am typing this on my tablet using tightVNC because I
still haven't found a news client on Android which suits me.]Anyway does
anyone know how gas smart meters are powered? Either they need mains
electric or have a battery which will need changing by the not-meter-
reader.

Some years ago a gas meter with LCD display was fitted to my
house. A year or two later it was swapped for an old fashioned
mechanical one, apparently because those responsible (I've long
lost track of who now has the contract for this aspect) for its
maintenance didn't want to have to replace batteries.

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK


Plant amazing Acers.

On 11/2/2016 10:27 AM, Robin wrote:
On 02/11/2016 10:13, David WE Roberts wrote:
[Quick note - I am typing this on my tablet using tightVNC because I
still haven't found a news client on Android which suits me.]Anyway does
anyone know how gas smart meters are powered? Either they need mains
electric or have a battery which will need changing by the not-meter-
reader. Sorry about the lack of line feeds. Feature of the VNC client
probably. Cheers Dave R



On a point of detail, current thinking is they will change the meter
rather than change the battery in the existing meter.

just like pacemakers, then...

Chris J Dixon wrote:

Some years ago a gas meter with LCD display was fitted to my
house. A year or two later it was swapped for an old fashioned
mechanical one, apparently because those responsible (I've long
lost track of who now has the contract for this aspect) for its
maintenance didn't want to have to replace batteries.

There is a button you can press on my smart gas meter to illuminate the
display, following installation I think I've pressed it twice and a
meter-reader has pressed it once, beyond that it's only used for short
distance (wireless M-Bus?) communication between the gas and electricity
meters, once every 30 minutes.

On Wed, 02 Nov 2016 10:13:19 +0000, David WE Roberts wrote:

[Quick note - I am typing this on my tablet using tightVNC because I
still haven't found a news client on Android which suits me.]

Anyway does anyone know how gas smart meters are powered? Either they
need mains electric or have a battery which will need changing by the
not-meter-reader.
Sorry about the lack of line feeds. Feature of the VNC client probably.
Cheers
Dave R


O.K. - consensus is that they have a battery which should last "a long
time" and then someone (but who?) has to take action.

Cheers


Dave R


--
Windows 8.1 on PCSpecialist box

on 02/11/2016, Andy Burns supposed :
There is a button you can press on my smart gas meter to illuminate the
display, following installation I think I've pressed it twice and a
meter-reader has pressed it once, beyond that it's only used for short
distance (wireless M-Bus?) communication between the gas and electricity
meters, once every 30 minutes.

Plus communication via the mobile network, to your supplier once per
day with the stored meter readings.

Battery life is a moot point anyway - at the moment, if you change
suppliers, likely the meter will not be compatible with your new
supplier, in which case a new meter will be needed anyway.

My OVO SM's were only installed in June and as I habitually get new
quotes at the end of my supply contract, I am in the process of moving
to First Utility. Once moved over, I will re-apply for replacement SM's
- rinse and repeat.

You really couldn't make it up - £11Bn wasted. When will these
companies ever learn - loyalty and keeping those customers counts for a
big saving for them? The more customers shop around and move regularly,
the sooner the (special offers for new customers) bubble will burst.

After serious thinking David wrote :
O.K. - consensus is that they have a battery which should last "a long
time" and then someone (but who?) has to take action.

They will all be scrapped/ rebuilt, long before the battery needs
replacement.

Harry Bloomfield wrote:

Andy Burns wrote:

beyond that it's only used for short distance (wireless M-Bus?)
communication between the gas and electricity meters, once every 30
minutes.

Plus communication via the mobile network, to your supplier once per
day with the stored meter readings.

No, that is done by the electricity meter, for both gas and electricity
readings, and only once per month in my case.

if you change suppliers, likely the meter will not be compatible with
your new supplier, in which case a new meter will be needed anyway.

Or you revert to reading by the Mk1 eyeball.

Andy Burns formulated the question :
No, that is done by the electricity meter, for both gas and electricity
readings, and only once per month in my case.

Sorry, yes you are correct.


if you change suppliers, likely the meter will not be compatible with
your new supplier, in which case a new meter will be needed anyway.

Or you revert to reading by the Mk1 eyeball.

That part I am dreading, because the reading displayed swaps so rapidly
you don't get time to read it - so it can take several attempts.

What does surprise me is that the indoor display (mine at least),
doesn't show the actual meter reading. Another issue I have found, is
that it shows the total energy cost (£ and p) since it was installed,
on the tariff I was on at that time. It is unable to show what you have
paid/still owe or in credit. I'm on credit, rather than the pre-pay
thingumy.

On 02/11/2016 12:50, Harry Bloomfield wrote:
on 02/11/2016, Andy Burns supposed :
There is a button you can press on my smart gas meter to illuminate
the display, following installation I think I've pressed it twice and
a meter-reader has pressed it once, beyond that it's only used for
short distance (wireless M-Bus?) communication between the gas and
electricity meters, once every 30 minutes.

Plus communication via the mobile network, to your supplier once per day
with the stored meter readings.

The gas meter doesn't.
You can't get a gas smart meter without and electric smart meter from
any UK suppliers AFAIK.


Battery life is a moot point anyway - at the moment, if you change
suppliers, likely the meter will not be compatible with your new
supplier, in which case a new meter will be needed anyway.

I switched recently and they can't remote read my smart meter but they
won't swap it (not that I have asked). The remote display still works.

Harry Bloomfield wrote:

Andy Burns wrote:

revert to reading by the Mk1 eyeball.

That part I am dreading, because the reading displayed swaps so rapidly
you don't get time to read it - so it can take several attempts.

Use a digital camera?

What does surprise me is that the indoor display (mine at least),
doesn't show the actual meter reading.

Seems odd, mine does.

Another issue I have found, is that it shows the total energy cost (£
and p) since it was installed, on the tariff I was on at that time.
It is unable to show what you have paid/still owe or in credit. I'm
on credit, rather than the pre-pay thingumy.

It's just a guesstimate of cost, probably using outdated price/unit and
with no concept of discounts, or actual payments made.

Andy Burns formulated on Wednesday :
No, that is done by the electricity meter, for both gas and electricity
readings, and only once per month in my case.

I meant to add...

You can choose the reading frequency when you apply for the SM's. Mine
store the values every 30 minutes, then sends them to the supplier once
per day at around midnight. Next day I can log into OVO's site and see
what was used, with a 30 minute resolution, going back to June [1].

For the current day, if the indoor unit is powered, I can see the same
consumption stored data as it happens, or see instantaneous values.

[1] that proved useful recently, when I decided to swap all of my most
used lamps, over to LED's - there was a large dip in the consumption
graph after the switch over, despite the darker nights closing in.

In article . com,
dennis@home wrote:
On 02/11/2016 12:50, Harry Bloomfield wrote:
on 02/11/2016, Andy Burns supposed :
There is a button you can press on my smart gas meter to illuminate
the display, following installation I think I've pressed it twice and
a meter-reader has pressed it once, beyond that it's only used for
short distance (wireless M-Bus?) communication between the gas and
electricity meters, once every 30 minutes.

Plus communication via the mobile network, to your supplier once per day
with the stored meter readings.

The gas meter doesn't.
You can't get a gas smart meter without and electric smart meter from
any UK suppliers AFAIK.


My energy supplier offers both Electricity and Gas smart meters. maybe the
gas meter only talks to its partner.

Battery life is a moot point anyway - at the moment, if you change
suppliers, likely the meter will not be compatible with your new
supplier, in which case a new meter will be needed anyway.

I switched recently and they can't remote read my smart meter but they
won't swap it (not that I have asked). The remote display still works.

--
from KT24 in Surrey, England

After serious thinking Andy Burns wrote :
Use a digital camera?

I might have to resort to that :|


What does surprise me is that the indoor display (mine at least),
doesn't show the actual meter reading.

Seems odd, mine does.

If it does, I have not been able to find it. It is a Secure Pipit 500.

On Wed, 02 Nov 2016 13:31:42 +0000, charles wrote:

In article . com,
dennis@home wrote:
On 02/11/2016 12:50, Harry Bloomfield wrote:
on 02/11/2016, Andy Burns supposed :
There is a button you can press on my smart gas meter to illuminate
the display, following installation I think I've pressed it twice
and a meter-reader has pressed it once, beyond that it's only used
for short distance (wireless M-Bus?) communication between the gas
and electricity meters, once every 30 minutes.

Plus communication via the mobile network, to your supplier once per
day with the stored meter readings.

The gas meter doesn't.
You can't get a gas smart meter without and electric smart meter from
any UK suppliers AFAIK.


My energy supplier offers both Electricity and Gas smart meters. maybe
the gas meter only talks to its partner.

Battery life is a moot point anyway - at the moment, if you change
suppliers, likely the meter will not be compatible with your new
supplier, in which case a new meter will be needed anyway.

I switched recently and they can't remote read my smart meter but they
won't swap it (not that I have asked). The remote display still works.

From various sources (not guaranteed accurate) there is a smart hub
associated with the smart electricity meter and this is the point of
collection and transmission of data.

So yes, logically, the gas meter can't operate without the electricity
smarts.

Probably why they are targeting people on dual fuel first.


Cheers


Dave R


--
Windows 8.1 on PCSpecialist box

In article ,
Chris J Dixon wrote:
David WE Roberts wrote:

[Quick note - I am typing this on my tablet using tightVNC because I
still haven't found a news client on Android which suits me.]Anyway does
anyone know how gas smart meters are powered? Either they need mains
electric or have a battery which will need changing by the not-meter-
reader.

Some years ago a gas meter with LCD display was fitted to my
house. A year or two later it was swapped for an old fashioned
mechanical one, apparently because those responsible (I've long
lost track of who now has the contract for this aspect) for its
maintenance didn't want to have to replace batteries.

Same here. Although it took longer than a couple of years. I was told some
batteries were failing long before their projected life (no surprise
there) so it was changed as a precaution.

It really would take some 'gifted' engineer to design something like that
where it was easier and cheaper to swap the entire gas meter than the
battery.

--
*If a mute swears, does his mother wash his hands with soap?

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

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

In article ,
Chris J Dixon wrote:

Some years ago a gas meter with LCD display was fitted to my
house. A year or two later it was swapped for an old fashioned
mechanical one, apparently because those responsible (I've long
lost track of who now has the contract for this aspect) for its
maintenance didn't want to have to replace batteries.

Same here. Although it took longer than a couple of years. I was told some
batteries were failing long before their projected life (no surprise
there) so it was changed as a precaution.

It really would take some 'gifted' engineer to design something like that
where it was easier and cheaper to swap the entire gas meter than the
battery.

AIUI, it is _managing_ the situation that has proved beyond the
wit of those involved, the engineering might have worked. Not
helped by the faintly ludicrous situation that the organisation
we pay is not the one that delivers the goods, and the
responsibility for the meters seems to have been further
outsourced. They can't even manage to combine reading the regular
meters and the FIT meter.

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK


Plant amazing Acers.

On 02/11/2016 14:24, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

It really would take some 'gifted' engineer to design something like that
where it was easier and cheaper to swap the entire gas meter than the
battery.

AIUI it's not so much a matter of it being easier to *design* the meter
that way as more prudent to *plan* for the future of gas supplies on
that basis, bearing in mind:

a. you need to send somewhat out anyway to change a battery;

b. meters are (often)[1] only certified for 10 years initially;

c. much of the cost is in sending someone out who can be trusted to
_touch_ a gas meter. The additional cost of someone who can change one,
and the capital cost of the meter, are relatively small; and

d. the savings from not having to replace as a matter of urgency a meter
which fails in its second decade.

[1]IIRC this can be extended if experience in operation shows they
remain accurate and reliable for longer - hence the ancient mechanical
meters still in use.

Of course who knows where this will go in the future. IIRC the EU
legislation which governs such meters only mandates a minimum battery
life of 5 years. But that is from c.10 years ago and I suspect the next
iteration will lead to a longer minimum.


--
Robin
reply-to address is (intended to be) valid

On Wednesday, 2 November 2016 14:57:46 UTC, Robin wrote:
On 02/11/2016 14:24, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

It really would take some 'gifted' engineer to design something like that
where it was easier and cheaper to swap the entire gas meter than the
battery.

AIUI it's not so much a matter of it being easier to *design* the meter
that way as more prudent to *plan* for the future of gas supplies on
that basis, bearing in mind:

a. you need to send somewhat out anyway to change a battery;

b. meters are (often)[1] only certified for 10 years initially;

npower told me the meters have to be checked every 2 years for saftey reasons and that's what they have been doing.
Althought the safety check was just looking atv it, he didn;t get a meter out to check for leaks or anything took him less than 30 secs and he was back out of the door, surely such peokle could be trained to change a battery or two.


c. much of the cost is in sending someone out who can be trusted to
_touch_ a gas meter. The additional cost of someone who can change one,
and the capital cost of the meter, are relatively small; and

d. the savings from not having to replace as a matter of urgency a meter
which fails in its second decade.

[1]IIRC this can be extended if experience in operation shows they
remain accurate and reliable for longer - hence the ancient mechanical
meters still in use.

Of course who knows where this will go in the future. IIRC the EU
legislation which governs such meters only mandates a minimum battery
life of 5 years. But that is from c.10 years ago and I suspect the next
iteration will lead to a longer minimum.


--
Robin
reply-to address is (intended to be) valid

Andy Burns wrote:
Chris J Dixon wrote:

Some years ago a gas meter with LCD display was fitted to my
house. A year or two later it was swapped for an old fashioned
mechanical one, apparently because those responsible (I've long
lost track of who now has the contract for this aspect) for its
maintenance didn't want to have to replace batteries.

There is a button you can press on my smart gas meter to illuminate the
display, following installation I think I've pressed it twice and a
meter-reader has pressed it once, beyond that it's only used for short
distance (wireless M-Bus?) communication between the gas and electricity
meters, once every 30 minutes.

So if one rigged up a device to hold the button down continuously it
could well stop the smart meter working.

--
Chris Green
·

Harry Bloomfield wrote:
on 02/11/2016, Andy Burns supposed :
There is a button you can press on my smart gas meter to illuminate the
display, following installation I think I've pressed it twice and a
meter-reader has pressed it once, beyond that it's only used for short
distance (wireless M-Bus?) communication between the gas and electricity
meters, once every 30 minutes.

Plus communication via the mobile network, to your supplier once per
day with the stored meter readings.

No chance where we live! No mobile coverage.

--
Chris Green
·

In article ,
Robin wrote:
On 02/11/2016 14:24, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

It really would take some 'gifted' engineer to design something like that
where it was easier and cheaper to swap the entire gas meter than the
battery.

AIUI it's not so much a matter of it being easier to *design* the meter
that way as more prudent to *plan* for the future of gas supplies on
that basis, bearing in mind:

a. you need to send somewhat out anyway to change a battery;

Yes. Which unless designed by an idiot, wouldn't involve disconnecting the
meter from the gas supply. As had to be done to change the entire thing.

b. meters are (often)[1] only certified for 10 years initially;

Fairy nuff. So not needed to be changed about 3 times in that period?

c. much of the cost is in sending someone out who can be trusted to
_touch_ a gas meter. The additional cost of someone who can change one,
and the capital cost of the meter, are relatively small; and

d. the savings from not having to replace as a matter of urgency a meter
which fails in its second decade.

I think you've missed my point. ;-)

The 'new' meter had a design life of 10 years, including battery. Anyone
with half a brain cell knows batteries can and do fail long before their
claimed life. Far more so than electronics. So why make it impossible to
change the battery?

[1]IIRC this can be extended if experience in operation shows they
remain accurate and reliable for longer - hence the ancient mechanical
meters still in use.

Of course who knows where this will go in the future. IIRC the EU
legislation which governs such meters only mandates a minimum battery
life of 5 years. But that is from c.10 years ago and I suspect the next
iteration will lead to a longer minimum.

I was told the design life of the battery in 'my' meter was 10 years.

--
*Welcome to **** Creek - sorry, we're out of paddles*

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

Chris Green wrote:

So if one rigged up a device to hold the button down continuously it
could well stop the smart meter working.

Probably, depending whether it activates on the press, or on remaining
pressed, but I'd imagine low battery is one of its anti-tamper features
and they'd send someone round to do a "safety" check.

I was told that all current smart meters are dual fuel, so one supposes they
are powered by electricity, but who pays for the electricity they use?

I have no gas and EDF have told me they have no electricity only ones to
fit. This seems rather stupid in my view. However the longer it takes the
more likely we can have one that will talk to me. maybe they can do a deal
with Amazon so their Echo dot can tell me what my usage is?
Of course it will mean somebody writing an app, or skill as Amazon call it
to use their web site or some kind of data from the meters radio link.
Brian

--
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This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
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Blind user, so no pictures please!
"David WE Roberts" wrote in message
...
[Quick note - I am typing this on my tablet using tightVNC because I
still haven't found a news client on Android which suits me.]Anyway does
anyone know how gas smart meters are powered? Either they need mains
electric or have a battery which will need changing by the not-meter-
reader. Sorry about the lack of line feeds. Feature of the VNC client
probably. Cheers Dave R



--
W7 64 bit HTPC

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This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
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On 02/11/2016 12:50, Harry Bloomfield wrote:
on 02/11/2016, Andy Burns supposed :


You really couldn't make it up - £11Bn wasted. When will these companies
ever learn - loyalty and keeping those customers counts for a big saving
for them? The more customers shop around and move regularly, the sooner
the (special offers for new customers) bubble will burst.

Yes, the government want to encourage people to switch energy companies
by ensuring that people who don't move are told about alternatives. But
as you say if more switch the incentive to switch may well reduce.

I would argue that the government should not have intervened as I
benefit from these incentives.

Switching energy suppliers is just a paper exercise. I really don't
understand why I can not switch by ringing up a new supplier and giving
them my meter reading there and then. Job Done.

As a heating oil customer, I can ring various suppliers for a quote,
chose the cheapest, ring them back and even get a year's supply of oil
delivered the next day. The last time I changed electricity suppliers
it took several weeks and even then they used some estimated reading.

--
Michael Chare

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https://www.avast.com/antivirus

On 02/11/2016 16:03, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
Robin wrote:
On 02/11/2016 14:24, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

It really would take some 'gifted' engineer to design something like that
where it was easier and cheaper to swap the entire gas meter than the
battery.

AIUI it's not so much a matter of it being easier to *design* the meter
that way as more prudent to *plan* for the future of gas supplies on
that basis, bearing in mind:

a. you need to send somewhat out anyway to change a battery;

Yes. Which unless designed by an idiot, wouldn't involve disconnecting the
meter from the gas supply. As had to be done to change the entire thing.


How does the meter behave if the battery fails. Does the customer get
free gas?


--
Michael Chare

---
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https://www.avast.com/antivirus

Brian Gaff wrote:

I was told that all current smart meters are dual fuel, so one supposes they
are powered by electricity, but who pays for the electricity they use?

The customer isn't directly charged for it.

On Wednesday, 2 November 2016 10:13:21 UTC, David WE Roberts wrote:
[Quick note - I am typing this on my tablet using tightVNC because I
still haven't found a news client on Android which suits me.]Anyway does
anyone know how gas smart meters are powered? Either they need mains
electric or have a battery which will need changing by the not-meter-
reader. Sorry about the lack of line feeds. Feature of the VNC client
probably. Cheers Dave R

All modern gas meters have a battery, smart or not to power the LCD screen.

"Harry Bloomfield" wrote in message
...
on 02/11/2016, Andy Burns supposed :
There is a button you can press on my smart gas meter to illuminate the
display, following installation I think I've pressed it twice and a
meter-reader has pressed it once, beyond that it's only used for short
distance (wireless M-Bus?) communication between the gas and electricity
meters, once every 30 minutes.

Plus communication via the mobile network, to your supplier once per day
with the stored meter readings.

No, it's the electricity meter that does that in that config.

Battery life is a moot point anyway - at the moment, if you change
suppliers, likely the meter will not be compatible with your new supplier,
in which case a new meter will be needed anyway.

My OVO SM's were only installed in June and as I habitually get new quotes
at the end of my supply contract, I am in the process of moving to First
Utility. Once moved over, I will re-apply for replacement SM's - rinse and
repeat.

You really couldn't make it up - £11Bn wasted. When will these companies
ever learn - loyalty and keeping those customers counts for a big saving
for them? The more customers shop around and move regularly, the sooner
the (special offers for new customers) bubble will burst.

On 02/11/2016 15:29, whisky-dave wrote:


npower told me the meters have to be checked every 2 years for saftey reasons and that's what they have been doing.
Althought the safety check was just looking atv it, he didn;t get a meter out to check for leaks or anything took him less than 30 secs and he was back out of the door, surely such peokle could be trained to change a battery or two.

OFGEM repealed that requirement (for gas and elec meters) w.e.f. 1 April
this year.

--
Robin
reply-to address is (intended to be) valid

On 02/11/2016 16:03, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

I think you've missed my point. ;-)

The 'new' meter had a design life of 10 years, including battery. Anyone
with half a brain cell knows batteries can and do fail long before their
claimed life. Far more so than electronics. So why make it impossible to
change the battery?

Hang about. Who said it was *impossible* to change the battery? I find
that hard to believe given the Batteries and Accumulators Directive came
into force in 2008 and requires provision in smart meters - as in much
else- for easy removal of the battery at the end of the meter's life.

But what's possible ain't necessarily cost-effective, especially in the
field. And I am willing to believe that those involved in designing the
meters and their maintenance might just possibly have done their sums -
taken into account also such things as the risks of consumers or
others[1] removing batteries from meters for one reason or another[2].

[1] something "others" can easily do - or be blamed for doing - in the
many external meter boxes.

[2] eg, if removal leads to no gas, maliciously to make life miserable
for the customers; or, if removal leads to gas provided no matter what
the position on the account, as an alternative to buying more credit

--
Robin
reply-to address is (intended to be) valid

Dave Plowman (News) wrote on 02/11/2016 :
It really would take some 'gifted' engineer to design something like that
where it was easier and cheaper to swap the entire gas meter than the
battery.

For a short while, I understand OVO offered a unit which tapped into
their SM's to grab the data which then interfaced it to your LAN.

Brian Gaff submitted this idea :
I was told that all current smart meters are dual fuel, so one supposes they
are powered by electricity, but who pays for the electricity they use?

I read somewhere, that the supply is derived from the un-metered supply
side of the meter.

On 02/11/2016 14:24, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

It really would take some 'gifted' engineer to design something like that
where it was easier and cheaper to swap the entire gas meter than the
battery.


They have to swap them every few years so as long as the battery lasts
that long its fine.
They have to be safety checked and calibrated for some reason.

In message , "Dave Plowman (News)"
writes
In article ,
Chris J Dixon wrote:
David WE Roberts wrote:

[Quick note - I am typing this on my tablet using tightVNC because I
still haven't found a news client on Android which suits me.]Anyway does
anyone know how gas smart meters are powered? Either they need mains
electric or have a battery which will need changing by the not-meter-
reader.

Some years ago a gas meter with LCD display was fitted to my
house. A year or two later it was swapped for an old fashioned
mechanical one, apparently because those responsible (I've long
lost track of who now has the contract for this aspect) for its
maintenance didn't want to have to replace batteries.

Same here. Although it took longer than a couple of years. I was told some
batteries were failing long before their projected life (no surprise
there) so it was changed as a precaution.

It really would take some 'gifted' engineer to design something like that
where it was easier and cheaper to swap the entire gas meter than the
battery.

:-) My gas metering is close!

I've told this before so I'll keep it short... gas supply from medium
pressure main, gas meter battery powered, BG started long correspondence
about needing to change the meter. After several abortive visits they
coincided with a National Grid man who told them to change the battery!

I stood well back but I think the issue is something to do with the
pressure reducer fitting not suiting the meter connection BG wanted to
use. Must be about due to start over again....


--
Tim Lamb

On Wed, 2 Nov 2016 21:31:15 +0000, dennis@home wrote:

They have to swap them every few years so as long as the battery lasts
that long its fine.
They have to be safety checked and calibrated for some reason.

No doubt why our "mandatory to replace every ten years" lecky meters
have calibration date codes of 1967, 1980 and 1996. Those dates
corespond to when the supplies would have been installed.

--
Cheers
Dave.

"Chris Green" wrote in message
...
Andy Burns wrote:
Chris J Dixon wrote:

Some years ago a gas meter with LCD display was fitted to my
house. A year or two later it was swapped for an old fashioned
mechanical one, apparently because those responsible (I've long
lost track of who now has the contract for this aspect) for its
maintenance didn't want to have to replace batteries.

There is a button you can press on my smart gas meter to illuminate the
display, following installation I think I've pressed it twice and a
meter-reader has pressed it once, beyond that it's only used for short
distance (wireless M-Bus?) communication between the gas and electricity
meters, once every 30 minutes.

So if one rigged up a device to hold the button down continuously it
could well stop the smart meter working.

Likely it does have a way of signalling that the
battery has run down before it stops completely.

And likely it will continue to record the gas used
even when it can no longer report the gas used
to the electricity meter and will do that once the
battery is replaced.

"Michael Chare" wrote in message
...
On 02/11/2016 12:50, Harry Bloomfield wrote:
on 02/11/2016, Andy Burns supposed :


You really couldn't make it up - £11Bn wasted. When will these companies
ever learn - loyalty and keeping those customers counts for a big saving
for them? The more customers shop around and move regularly, the sooner
the (special offers for new customers) bubble will burst.

Yes, the government want to encourage people to switch energy companies by
ensuring that people who don't move are told about alternatives. But as
you say if more switch the incentive to switch may well reduce.

I would argue that the government should not have intervened as I benefit
from these incentives.

Switching energy suppliers is just a paper exercise. I really don't
understand why I can not switch by ringing up a new supplier and giving
them my meter reading there and then. Job Done.

I can and have just done that. Didn't need to give them the meter
reading either, the supplier is automatically changed on the meter
reading that is done by a person who shows up ever 3 months
when it's a stupid meter.

As a heating oil customer, I can ring various suppliers for a quote, chose
the cheapest, ring them back and even get a year's supply of oil delivered
the next day. The last time I changed electricity suppliers it took
several weeks and even then they used some estimated reading.