KhunLA

Read a couple of first post on that thread, for cost, as mine was expensive, compared to DIY w/no real warranties. And a few posts on last page of thread, and more final thoughts. Because I abuse the ACs and have EVs, our ROI could be between 5.5 - 8 yrs. Looking like closer to the low number of late, since using 20-23kWh a day, and it's not even hot out yet.

Our panels are 540w, and using 18 panels with 8kW inverter. https://aseannow.com/topic/1268214-solar-8kw-hybrid-inverter-w10kwh-upgraded-to-20kwh-in-sept-2022-essbattery-not-diy/

If he's conservative, 15kWh should be enough. I was surprised 10kWh was actually enough, IF being conservative, as we were when first installed ours. Don't think we actually 'needed' the grid, and we had weeks of krappy weather. I think I turned the grid on 2X to avoid the ESS (10kWh) from going below 35 or 30%. That was in the early morning, before producing. Probably could have been avoided, if paying attention the previous day, with AC & appliance use. Upped it to 20kWh ESSs, and way more than enough, now. If wanting more ESS, he may need to add another inverter and string of panels. Not sure 5kW inverter and panels will produce enough, if overcast for a few days. Generator is good back up, or just conx to grid when needed. Didn't watch vid, so grid might not be a option.

So far we like using MG & PEA Volta CSs. Easy, no CC/debit card needed. Tested EV Station the other day, and easy enough, though payment w/CC. Many are adding app/bank transfer payment, along with CCs, or so I read.. Always make sure you start & finish charging from app. As we had a 'user error' moment, and had to ring cust. serv. to verify disconx from CS. While on a 'testing run', stopped at 2 EA Anywhere, and the first was 'time charged only', which is something like ฿50 per hour, which is silly, so passed. Second one was at BluPort Mall/Hua Hin, having 2 fast charger (charged by kWh used), 1 was taken, 1 was inop. Had 2 'timed' chargers, and seems nobody cares to use those, as both empty. On the weekend, so hard to believe nobody not wanting to top up while there. Told rate per kWh was ฿10, a bit of price gouging for the convenience. Only ฿2 ish baht more than normal 7.5-8 rate, but equates to 25%. Not sure 2 whole baht is going to discourage the HiSo crowd from topping up. Also supply an outlet, if wanting to use your granny charger. EleXa, we tried to use, but couldn't ... a bit of 'user error' ... oops Only one we haven't tested, or tried to, having card or app for, is eVolt. That's more than enough options for us, 3 that we used, and are available country wide. Will get around to testing the other 3; EleXa, eVolt, EA Anywhere. Noticing a lot more CS, and PTTs adding them to their petrol station network. The test run was done on weekend, and first time I saw another vehicle at a CS. So good idea to reserve if O&A on the weekends, especially if in an area, with only a few CSs, like in between Hua Hin & Chumphon. Gmap still sucks for CS info. PlugShare website & Charge Loma app, are great for info. MG promo was one within every 150 kms, which seemed reassuring at the time, and now, pretty hard to go 50 kms without seeing a CS. I still like keeping 25-30% reserve if O&A, which still gets me 3 hrs driving, and time for break.

I have no problem being alone ... actually prefer to by myself. Never lonely, if don't want to be, but not a social person. If in a relationship, which I usually am, not big on socializing with their friends or family. In between relationships, quite enjoy being alone.

Last month, Jan. was almost 20kWh a day. This month, Feb and 23kWh a day. On a 30 day month, knocking on 700kWh, and, not really hot yet. Actually still chilly over night. 700kWh = ฿3800 PEA monthly bill. EV savings ~ ฿3000 monthly ฿6800 a month, and that ROI is going to arrive quite fast (<5.5 yrs) ????

"I can neither confirm nor deny' ... my source. Why would anyone burn their source by disclosing. May need in the future. Bat soup, or USA funded research (illegal in the USA), and released (accident or on purpose) ... don't know about y'all, but I know which one is more credible to me. Especially since the guy that testifying about the NIH's involvement, that funded the weaponizing, oops, sorry, research, couldn't even keep his stories straight while trying to deflect the truth. https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/10/nih-admits-funding-risky-virus-research-in-wuhan

Irrelevant, since not a member. As good or bad as NATO or EU/US FTA .. If a member or not. Trading alliances are a good thing .. for the members. I just hope TH doesn't do a FTA with USA, or if so, simply don't honor it ???? as will jack up the price of pharmaceuticals here. One difference, I do noitice, I think from reading, and IMO, USA bullies their way in FTA's and seems BRICS & ASEAN countries, are having more mutual respect & fairness when talking together. Don't seem to attach conditions to everything as USA does.

Bored & curious, so weighed my morning/1st meal of the day, as I prepped it. Damn healthy, and only iffy part is the milk, although, 1 cup seems to be my new daily intake, 150 w/cereal & 50ml with my coffee, if making a 'flat white'

If that's how you want to read it ... although, use of 'them folks ... And that's a lot' isn't all inclusive of <50 yr olds, unless you read that way. UP2U

One can only take being oppressed for so long, especially when it seems every peace agreement & UN resolution is ignored. Even the TH chang has had enough every now & then, and kills it's mahout.

They'll be going forward, just not dependent on US/EU/UK/NATO nations. BRICS & ASEAN, and learning Chinese will get you further, as a Thai than learning English. Think TH has realized, tourist ฿฿฿ is nice, but something you can't depend on. Commerce & trading partners takes the priority, for every day, month, yearly income, not hit & miss seasonal tourism, that drops with every other year's news-blip.

Them folks under 50 yrs old, or less income than 800k a year. And that's a lot, and why so many have departed since the Imm rules have been 'enforced'. Non issuing of income letter was the last straw for most, as simply couldn't met the financials ... income vs cash in hand, after child support & alimony deducted. "SHOW ME THE MONEY" ... ???? On Topic ... following YT'er Paddy Doyle, for a while, transitioning from TH to VN, can definitely see what SHTF stated above as true, and what I suspected with my readings of VN. Main point for me would be infrastructure & roads. As first week or so their, Doyle was stuck behind landslide after landslide. Visa issues, how to legally stay. Does seem to be cheaper, but you get what you pay for, and if hostel living, food & beer is your priority, then join the hippy dippy crowd that seem to be enjoying themselves there. Problem with that is, past couple years, and the hippy dippy crowd is a bit skint, unless traveling on mommy & daddy's wallet. From his vids, you technically aren't even allowed to drive a motorbike there. Some lovely landscape though, along with even more pollution & trash than TH. NO brainer for me, TH wins for SEA living, unless living out of your backpack on the cheap. Not my vision of comfy retirement or holiday.

At times is an understatement. How about all the time during high tourist season, just worse on some days. The infrastructure simply can't handle the amount of tourist ... everyday. That's why the beaches were so pristine during covid. I'll only visit again, during the next pandemic, as it was lovely before they returned. As he stated ... swim at your own risk. At least keep your ears out of the water, and don't swim with any open skin cuts.

I'm sure there's plenty of folks that quit drinking & smoking, that didn't believe in a higher power. Along with so many other things. They just didn't go to meetings or do the 12 stepper. That some thought they had 'inspiration' from above, doesn't mean it's needed for all who decide to quit and take control of their bodies & mind. Issue I have, is AA seems to push, 'if you don't believe, you can't recover'. "If that be the case, you may be suffering from an illness which only a spiritual experience will conquer."

Seem to be meeting my expectations now, when planning the solar system, of 600-700 kWh a month. Not even hot season yet. February ... best day was the 12th

????

It all flows down to those that act responsibly. Theft = lost revenue, and enough loss revenue, results in higher prices, less competitive, possible closing, and lost jobs, lost available money to be spent elsewhere supporting the economy. Butterfly effect from criminals .... probably leads to global 'cooling', and maybe why global warming has taken a break ... ????

But still a crime .... Not Cool @warrima

I'm sure the production, actors, characters & budget is much better. But from the trailers I watched, still a bit too much soap opera-ish for me. Plus not a big fan of HiSo folks in TV series. Can't relate at all. Same with most minority, poor intercity, drug/crime sagas, can't relate, so usually give them a pass. That's a lot coming from me, as lived in an 'economically depressed' area/slum a couple times myself. If you can't speak at least broken English or hold a handgun properly ... don't insult my intelligence. Why actors even take those degrading roles is mind boggling, as some don't need the money.

So ... what's a normal 'local' O&A like. Local = 100-250 kms, no CS, and topping back up at the house. Popped up to Hua Hin, about 100 kms away (~ 200 km day), for a munch, and CS tester, before being 'on the roads' over night. Tested EV Station, plugged in, started charging, 5 mins, unplugged & paid via CC. Just a test / No issues ???? Hua Hin, nice munch, very little shopping and returned home about 1600hrs Topping MG ZS back up, with solar, still an hour producing, partially, so plugged in, 1st day ???? 2nd day, up before sunrise, 0615 hr, plugged in till about 1645 hr, didn't quite finish. Could have, but didn't want to take the ESSs down any further. 3rd day, topped up, most from ESSs. Of course, could have used 2 other options; wall charger or MG CS, or combos of all. I went with -0- baht option.

You obviously haven't been on the other side of collecting larger claims. They stonewall, wait as long as possible, as their money is earning elsewhere, and if you die, even better. Most people don't have the funds to sue, or to live on while waiting a settlement.

I enjoy my carbs, cereal and especially bread & pastry ... making bread now (no sugar). Have to go easy on cheese, too bounding, unless on a taco or salad. Cut back on butter intake also. Dairy being my worst vice, food wise. Ice Cream, usually once a week @ Swensen's Tues, 2/1 scoops, and now 2 instead of 3 or 4 scoops. Milk (whole only), I've cut way back on, as 1 liter a day is a sip for me ???? Limit 1 cup for my cereal & cappuccino. Maybe wash down a pastry, which I no longer eat 2 or 3 times a day ???? Once or twice week. For sweet tooth, peanut butter (homemade) and jelly works for me. Red meat seems to only be burger, couple a month, with an occasional ribeye if at Hua Hin, once a month, maybe @ You Hunt We Cook. Seem to eat a lot of skinless chicken breasts. Pasta instead of rice. All in all. much healthier than last year. Eating healthier since Oct 2022. Alcohol intake isn't worth mentioning, the past 10ish years. Most drink more in 1 sitting than I do in 1 month. Above & blood work mentioned before, but all good. Blood sugar still top limits of normal. Cholesterol normal now, actually quite good. Taking a statin (only 10mg), so can't take all the credit for that. Stopped my liver from making krap cholesterol.

Damn ... another Malay Viper at the house/garden. 3rd one in 2 months ????