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 SILICON CHIP www.siliconchip.com.au Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Leo Simpson, B.Bus., FAICD Production Manager Greg Swain, B.Sc. (Hons.) Technical Editor John Clarke, B.E.(Elec.) Technical Staff Ross Tester Jim Rowe, B.A., B.Sc Nicholas Vinen Photography Ross Tester Reader Services Ann Morris Advertising Enquiries Glyn Smith Phone (02) 9939 3295 Mobile 0431 792 293 glyn<at>siliconchip.com.au Regular Contributors Brendan Akhurst Rodney Champness, VK3UG Kevin Poulter Stan Swan Dave Thompson SILICON CHIP is published 12 times a year by Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd. ACN 003 205 490. ABN 49 003 205 490. All material is copyright ©. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Printing: Hannanprint, Warwick Farm, NSW. Distribution: Network Distribution Company. Subscription rates: $105.00 per year in Australia. For overseas rates, see our website or the subscriptions page in this issue. Editorial office: Unit 1, 234 Harbord Rd, Brookvale, NSW 2100. Postal address: PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097. Phone (02) 9939 3295. Fax (02) 9939 2648. E-mail: silicon<at>siliconchip.com.au ISSN 1030-2662 Recommended and maximum price only. 2  Silicon Chip Publisher’s Letter Petrol power tools are anathema Now that we are in the middle of the Australian summer, part of the weekend ritual seems to be that everyone in suburbia needs to drag out their mowers and related paraphernalia to inflict a lot of unnecessary noise on the neighbours. Most of these mowers, whipper-snipper lawn edgers and leaf blowers are 2-stroke and are inevitably noisier and more polluting than the usually more expensive 4-stroke equivalent, if one is available. But this noisy and polluting ritual is no longer necessary – you can use electric mowers and power tools instead. For some years now, I have used a mains-powered electric mower. I love it. It is much lighter than my not-so-old 2-stroke monster and indeed I can carry it up stairs and over fences with one hand! Nor is there any fiddling about with 2-stroke mixture, priming the carby and then pulling the retractable start. My petrol mower would typically start on the first try (due to regular maintenance!) but there are many men and women for whom starting such a mower is a virtually insurmountable physical hurdle, if it cannot be started quickly – they are simply not fit enough! Not only is the electric mower no problem to start, it is much quieter. In fact, I don’t need to resort to protective ear muffs. That brings about another advantage because not having to wear ear muffs means that you don’t get so hot while you are doing the mowing. Nor do I have to put up with the smoky, smelly exhaust of a 2-stroke motor. In fact, mowing the lawn is a breeze and I have no qualms about doing it in the late afternoon after work (during daylight saving) because I know that the mower’s noise will not disturb the neighbours. (I know that because two of my neighbours now have electric mowers too!) There is one disadvantage in using a mains-powered electric mower and that is the power cord. You have to be vigilant at all times to make sure that the mower does not run over and cut the power cord. That has never happened to me fortunately but at the end of each run along the lawns, I have to swing the cord right out of the way, to make sure that it is well clear for the next run back in the opposite direction. But if I was buying an electric mower today, I would not necessarily purchase a mains-powered version; I would carefully consider a lithium battery-powered model. These are still more expensive than mains-powered models but they are much lighter than the nickel-cadmium battery-powered models of only a couple of years ago. On the other hand, if you only have a small lawn, there are now small battery powered mowers which are very cheap. Mind you, actual mowing time capability does seem to be less than typically claimed and the way around this can be to buy a second battery pack (expensive!) or buy another power tool of the same brand with the same battery pack. I also have a mains-powered electric leaf blower but sadly, I have to report that it is probably just as noisy as a petrol-powered job, albeit with the inconvenience of a power cord. I still prefer it though, because it does not have a smelly exhaust. Fortunately, I only use it about once a month so it is not a regular part of the weekend ritual. So if you are a “weekend warrior”, you should seriously consider pensioning off your petrol-powered mower and garden power tools. Not only is there less chance of losing your temper while trying to start the intractable beast(s), you will find the whole job much more enjoyable. You stay cool and your neighbours will like you better too. They may even follow your lead and change over to electric power as well. Isn’t that a pleasant prospect? Have a quiet, peaceful weekend. Leo Simpson siliconchip.com.au