Just to be more precise, Lermer is almost right. It does not "take more energy to increase from 120 than from 240" - what it takes, is more windings of copper wire, and this results in slightly greater losses in the iron core and copper windings. Because you have to provide a bigger "electrical leverage", and due to facts of life with electricity, increased leverage comes with the cost of higher losses. Losses in copper/iron systems increase by the square of the current, so if we need twice the current, losses are 4 times as much, in proportion. That means that for instance a 400 watt ballast might lose 20 watts if using 240V but will lose maybe 80 watts if using 120. (double current means 4 times the core loss) That might mean an extra 60 watts of loss, or 15% of the 400 watts. (this is where the 18% figure from lermers post comes from - he is providing a simplified almost correct explanation, and is pretty knowledgeable, although always verify everything for yourself independently). However, the TOTAL HEAT, will be still either 420 watts one way, or 480 watts the other way - both ways still put out lots of heat to get rid of, and the savings in electricity by using 240v are only justified for a very large operation, and probably only if u are handy with doing the wiring urself - it is actually very easy, easier to wire, than for example do plumbing. For instance, if my setup called for 6x 400 w ballast, i would consider running 240, because it would only take one half of the amount of wire, and standard house wire will handle up to 300 volts. For instance 15 amperes of 240v would supply the 6 ballasts above, whereas if i was running 120 volts, i would need 15 amperes TIMES TWO, or double the amount of wire. The space on the electrical panel would be exactly the same - 2 separate 15 ampere breakers in one case, and 2 ganged 15 amp breakers in the other case. But the ganged breakers would be served by one cable, and the separate breakers would be served by two cables. so 240 v will give a neater job, because it uses one half of the amount of cable, if u have a large enough operation, and there might be a 15% savings in electricity, but the TOTAL HEAT will still be huge, and the lamps will still all be just as bright. The price of 240 v electrical plugs, and 240v electrical receptacles is MUCH more than 120v plugs and receptacles, but now it becomes a question of what are you growing and will your growing profits easily cover these costs. In terms of hiding this electrical useage from "the man" - that's another story, especially with modern meters that the utilities want to install - "smart meters" that determine exactly at what point ur power is being turned on and off, and very easy to spot a large indoor operation that is being turned on and off always at the same time every day, or a consistent on and off pattern of significant amperes. Here is a link that might be useful: the explanation about efficiency, voltage, copper, and iron.

Using the Advantium as a workhorse MW will really shorten the lifespan of the magnetron. How often does this happen? I think my aunt did finally wear out her Radar Range after 35 years, but I don't know anyone else who has killed one? I know someone who had a problem with the door latch, but it was easily fixed. Do people really wear out the magnetron? How long does it take? I've been trying to learn to use the speed oven part of my Advantium, but so far I haven't been happy with the results. Definite learning curve. But Fiddledd, the MW and oven part are pretty straightforward and don't take a lot of learning. Hint for the MW--if you press Express it turns on for 30 seconds. Pressing again adds 30 to the clock, but you can use the wheel to adjust the time up or down to suit yourself. That's the easiest way to get precise control. You can change the time that way once you've pressed start if you're using the menus as well.

That's an amazing transformation. You were so smart to take such well-targeted "befores" so that each area's rehab is perfectly documented. The knife holder idea is smashing. Casey

what does it look like inside. And is there a wiring diagram on the inside of the cover.