Crossy

Done ????

@KhunLA - want me to update the topic title?

This ^^^ t-shirt I have, with my handwriting I should have been a doctor I make ours from decent copier paper, laser (ink jet works too of course) printed as required, trimmed to size then stuck on with glue-stick. Cheap and easily customised / changed (and they don't drop off).

And for an annual perspective (thanks @KhunLA for the idea). Averaged over the year we generated 84.46% of our electricity needs from fusion power. EDIT Over the year we totalled 10,897kWh from solar, at 4.5 Baht per kWh that's 49,000 Baht I've not paid to PEA. Madam is happy ???? EDIT 2 I've not updated my ROI spreadsheet for a while so I got a nice surprise when I punched in the numbers to date. We are just under a year from break-even and truly free energy ????

Happy New Year everyone! Let's see what 2023 has in store. Meanwhile, the generation numbers for December are in. Over the past week or so we've been generating more than we've used (cool weather = no A/C and it's been nice and sunny) so our "Monthly Energy" has been on a downwards trend. Must ensure we don't actually go negative! Blue = Total consumption Green = Solar generation Red = PEA usage.

I doubt there would be any issue using a common rod if the SPDs are close together physically. Our DC and AC SPDs share the car port metalwork as a common grounding point. The car port does have a rod too, but the metalwork alone actually tests better than the rod! But the rod is required to be "to code".

Not in stock at our local branch but available for delivery. https://globalhouse.co.th/product/detail/2014234503503

If you are in BKK the big Amorn branch in the Old Siam Plaza (Ban-Moh) sometimes have good deals that don't appear on their website. GPS 13.745733798113017, 100.50018885896024 Panels are zero rated for duty, just 7% VAT to add.

We had a supply (replacement) Chemmy teacher like that, boring as flip! He looked like Alf Garnet and so that was always his name "Alf", still don't remember his real name. Incredibly I still passed Chemistry O-Level. Of course, he had zero control over a class of rowdy teens, so high jinks were order of the day. A Bunsen-burner on the water tap projects a stream a long way! Connecting the gas tap to the water tap (using the rubber pipe off the bunsen) fills the gas pipe with water (there was a lot of trouble over that one, apparently it damaged the gas supply).

Alternatively, assuming you can get the dark switch apart, many of them have a change-over relay anyway, you should just be able to move the output wire to the normally closed contact.

Long ago in a galaxy far, far away. OK pretty close really ????

Yeah, oxidation needs oxygen and moisture (didn't you do the iron nail in water experiment in high school?), but differential metals will corrode with just a little damp.

It's already ruddy Baltic even here in BKK, "Global Warming" my backside We have friends in Buffalo who are really struggling ????

Good tyres and serviceable brakes optional then.

The issue is the battery terminals themselves; the differing metals (aluminium terminals vs copper busbars) can cause corrosion. Vaseline will definitely help by keeping the damp out but for a "proper job" use the real stuff. It's loaded with Al dust to fill any minor gaps (even the scratches from the emery) with conductive goop. For a few 10s of Amps, no major issue but when you get into "real" power every milli-ohm matters ????

If you are making up your own battery packs I would also invest in some Uni-Seal jointing compound. A quick rub over with emery on the terminals followed by a smear (you really don't need much) of this stuff will ensure a good and long-lasting contact. Use it on all your high-current joints. It's definitely not cheap, but one tube will last you a lifetime, shake well before use. https://www.lazada.co.th/products/i2156648662-s7185722295.html

I would add that wrenches/spanners, socket sets, screwdrivers, hammers, files, power drills (and drill bits of various formats) etc. etc. would come in my bracket of "normal DIY tools" rather than being specific to solar. But if you don't have them, now is a good time to go shopping ????

Yeah, good idea. In order to manage any job you really need both a 1/2" square drive and 1/4" square drive set (a decent 3/8" square drive set may do the trick). Have a look in your local DIY places, quality varies vastly and you really don't want the cheapest of the cheap.

Metric, although there are imperial fasteners on sale in some places the closest metric size spanner usually fits OK. Get a set of combination spanners Or

Yes, but you have to verify it does do DC current, many don't and do AC only.