Sat, 12 Nov 2016 at 3.13 p.m.
Christchurch Driver [CD] phones in a query about the Delta truck parked at Dunedin harbourside: “This jury rig set-up has been in place for at least 6 months – Richard may have more info.”
Photos received at 10:21 p.m.
Images: CD
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What if? query to Richard
Sat, 12 Nov 2016 at 5:42 p.m.
Someone is about to send me photos (not sure when today), of what I think from their description must be a mobile substation? There’s a Delta truck hooked into the network on Willis St, Dunedin harbourside, it’s been there for a few months – can you tell me what the truck is and what it’s there for? – Presumably delivering for local businesses in the industrial zone ? Typically these trucks (if a substation?) are used for continuous supply while maintenance is carried out but given how long this one’s been parked we wonder why the lengthy deployment.
DCC Webmap – Location of Delta mobile substation (arrowed), 24 Willis St
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Reply from Richard Healey
Sat, 12 Nov 2016 at 6:03 p.m.
Yes, that is a mobile substation. It was installed to take the load of a failed transformer nearby. Classic Delta story.
The network refuse to keep strategic spares. Transformers have a 12-week lead time. In this case we ordered a transformer and installed it near that mobile sub but another transformer failed just as we were about to liven it and we pulled it out again to replace the new failure.
A short while ago we had five transformers fail in one night (lightning). Because there are no spares we ended up going to the scrap pile and pulling out five discarded transformers. After painting over the letter s on the side of each one we changed the oil, tested them and put them back on poles.
The second failed transformer was on the corner of Strathallen Street and Andy Bay Road. It was hit by a car.
That means waiting another 12 weeks for a replacement.
[ends]
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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr
This post is offered in the public interest.
What if? Dunedin... 
If you pay ridiculously high salaries to too many staff, then the only way to meet budgetary requirements is to rob the customer.
@Gurglars November 13th
As Dr. Parton would say ‘this is an operational matter and not appropriate to be discussed in the media’ – and I would add any media. So why are you discussing this? Dr. Parton would not be amused – or impressed.
Like Grady Cameron, Graham Crombie, Stuart McLauchlan and Trevor Kempton, Dr Parton has proven incompetent.
The core business of Delta is the provision of power. It is not obfuscation, ignoring intelligent staff vis a vis highly paid monkeys, or creating $40 million worth of losses in property developments.
The mayor, councillors and DCHL directors are CULL pable.
And people thought “freedom campers” were a worry!