6 ms·

The HTML title starts "The Landlord-Friendly...". It really depends on the landlord. I like the idea of solar, and of backups, and of figuring out how to live

• cmclaughlin 3y ago
  I just left a similar comment. We were probably composing a the same time. Good point about the possibility of a roof leak and placing blame. I didn’t think of that.
  • hinkley 3y ago
    Years ago I fantasized about making a transformer designed to pass through a window. One coil on the outside, one on the inside. Unfortunately I don’t think you can split the core of a transformer and still get anywhere near the efficiency Also more recently I learned that these things can vibrate. Which would not be good for a window. You’d be better off passing a wire ribbon around the sash.
    • Animats 3y ago
      Split transformers for power transmission exist, but are rare. Here's a 3 KW system used for non-contact charging of electric forklifts, industrial mobile robots, and such.[1] 93% efficiency claimed. Probably not worth the trouble just to get power through a window. [1] https://www.wiferion.com/us/ https://www.wiferion.com/us/
      • hinkley 3y ago
        Witricity is trying to do the same with electric cars.
  • 35mm 3y ago
    You can get flat cables for solar DC wiring designed to pass through the gap in a closed window: https://es.ecoflow.com/products/super-flat-cable?currency=EUR&variant=46772169736539 https://es.ecoflow.com/products/super-flat-cable?currency=EU...
• cavisne 3y ago
  Good video on the issues with extension cords in the US https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_q-xnYRugQ&t=1131s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_q-xnYRugQ&t=1131s
  • Spivak 3y ago
    Yeah, I spent the money on good quality 12/3 extension cords that can safely pull more power than the circuit will deliver and have been quite happy with them. Being able to run a space heater off them is really nice in the winter.
• r00fus 3y ago
  I think the Lithiun-Iron-Phosphate battery is actually not a fire hazard (not nearly as much as Lithium NMC ones - which are quite rare also). Explaining that to the landlord may not be fruitful however.
  • dubcanada 3y ago
    They are classified a fire hazard in Canada.
    • angiosperm 3y ago
      Incorrectly, if so.
    • Scoundreller 3y ago
      Who/what certifies things as "fire hazards" in Canada?
      • dubcanada 3y ago
        ESA (electrical safety authority) > Rule 64-918 (1) further prohibits ESSs with storage capacity greater than 1 kWh or utilizing lithium-ion batteries from being installed in dwelling units. The reasoning for that rule is "fire hazard". There is zero exceptions. The 2024 edition has 2x 20kWh allowance in a 1h fire proof room spaced 1m apart. And you need a series of fire prevention tools like an extinguisher and such. But that is not yet implemented.
        • r00fus 3y ago
          Yeah, that "or" is doing a lot of work. So no NMC (aka Lithium-Ion) at all or LFP or Sodium-Ion or anything if it's > 1kWh. Wow.
  • mdaniel 3y ago
    I always thought any concentration of power represents an opportunity for things to go off the rails; do you happen to have a citation for "not a fire hazard" that I could read up on? That's actually one of my bigger concerns with these solar into battery stunts is where to place such a massive array of batteries such that if something caught fire it wouldn't take out my roof or other flamable stuff
• spacecadet 3y ago
  No insurance would. Yes, looks super hazardous for a lay person to attempt. Ive taught a bunch of in person classes on DIY solar and I would never have published this, its asking people to get evicted or worse. I should add, mine are all in the context of fringe living... vans, campers, boats, alleyways, etc.
• repiret 3y ago
  As a landlord, I would not approve of this tomfoolery in any of my buildings. Safety hazards I see include: Solar panels on the roof that aren’t bolted dow; I don’t care what wind speed they’re rated for. Wires running from them to the inside of the house not in conduit and not secured. A high energy battery pack not NRTL listed. Extension cords draped through the house permanently installed (within the expansive definition of permanently installed used by the NEC) In addition running the wires in through a cracked window creates an unacceptable risk of water damage. That said, it’s a cool project. Just do this in a barn you own not a house I own.
  • jrockway 3y ago
    There is also the risk of lightning hitting the wires and causing damage indoors.
  • jonnycoder 3y ago
    While the article probably doesn’t use UL listed equipment, I’ve found that equipment exists that does such as eg4. They run 48v which makes it legal in addition to being Ul listed. It’s typically the installation between solar panels and power inverter/converter that needs to be up to code.
  • earthscienceman 3y ago
    "Just do this in a barn you own not a house I own." Someday we'll wonder why we thought it was a good idea to make the need for shelter into an investment vehicle. Until then, I hope people use your properties as they see fit.
    • waveBidder 3y ago
      there's nothing wrong with paying someone else to maintain your dwelling and dealing with capital costs. people don't have a problem with the market solutions to the basic right to food, for the most part. The main problem comes with the unearned profit that comes from owning land that benefits from improvements made by others. tldr: land value tax and less restrictive zoning yesterday
    • 3y ago
• sudobash1 3y ago
  The extension cord "alternate electricity system" as they call it seems particularly harrowing. You had better make sure that you know what the load rating is on each of those cords and what they are going to be supplying (or better yet, just don't do this). Unlike household wiring, there will be no breakers.
  • angiosperm 3y ago
    The "load rating" on the cords exceeds the total power delivery capability of the system. It has its own circuit breakers. The manufacturers are well aware of risks, for liability reasons if nothing else, and have contained them in the uniform-electrical-code mandated manner. The system is no more risky than any other plugged-in appliance. We don't need to invent problems. Extension cords are just extension cords.
    • fragmede 3y ago
      no they're not. Not when you're dealing with potentially large loads. an extension cord rated for 13 amps with 16 gauge wiring, with a 110v dryer running on it, will cause a fire, sooner or later. A proper 10-gauge, 20 amp-rated extension cord will not. that this system won't exceed ratings is a fair point, but extension cords are not just extension cords.
      • angiosperm 3y ago
        Obviously the extension cord you use needs to be rated for the power it carries. Anyone buying extension cords can see there are different sizes. They are well-labeled, and it is easy to look up the gauge needed for its length and what is to be plugged into it. A correctly-rated extension cord is no more hazardous than the same-rated Romex, and often cheaper. All the appliances mentioned are rated to be used with appropriate extension cords, and cords are sold at retail for such use.
        • fragmede 3y ago
          "obviously" is doing a lot of work there. What's obvious to you isn't obvious to the next guy, who's just going to look for the cheapest cord there is. They're not well marked at Home Depot, you have to bother to look for the right gauge, the cables aren't even necessarily in the right place, and if you don't know jack about being an electrician, it's easy to buy a cheap 2-prong 18-gauge indoor-rated cable for use outside in a wildly inappropriate fashion. No one at Home Depot is going to stop you and ask what you're about to do with the cable. yes, For people with half of a clue, it's possible to buy the right cable and be safe, but we have to plan for the lowest common denominator, and tell people that extension cords are just extension cords when they come in all sorts of flavors, some of which are happy to burn your house down, is irresponsible.
• flemhans 3y ago
  Yeah at certain points I thought they were trolling. But still inspired me to perhaps to something like this that bypasses the meter and the city grid, but just a little more limited in scope than running duplicate wiring everywhere.
• secabeen 3y ago
  > Would insurance even cover a fire? ... And would insurance cover any of that? (leaks, etc.) Yes. Insurance is a contract, and the standard insurance contracts used by nearly all insurers do not contain exclusions for permits, code violations, or things like this. They would absolutely not renew you after a loss caused by something like this, and would probably report the loss to the industry databases. Insurance companies will often try to impose liability on other parties when losses happen, but they don't sue their own customer, as the whole point of an insurance contract is that they are assuming liability for loss in exchange for your premium. (If you believe this to be otherwise, try to find a recorded instance of an insurer denying coverage for code violations or un-permitted work. I've never been able to do so, and would be very interested in reading the case study.) If you want to be sure, just ask your insurer for a copy of your contact, and read it. They aren't that complex.
• hindsightbias 3y ago
  Looking at the video, his apartments wiring probably dates to the 50’s or so. Which would be the norm here. Hard to do worse. Most landlords here are pretty low maintenance (both ways) as long as you pay on time and willing to bend. Did not blink an eye when I asked to go roof WISP and drilled my own hole next to the cable line. No roof penetration so they didn’t care. I’m thinking of asking about a weighted panel to cover the 4-9pm PG&E quadruple pricing via a LFP bank.
• mozman 3y ago
  The haphazard cabling and use of potentially subpar cables to deliver power is a fire waiting to happen. I wouldn’t condone this or any variation thereof that violates the NEC, a lot of liability is being assumed by doing this. I realize not everyone can afford a new home but with the proper knowledge and tools you can make electrical changes to achieve your goals that can be reversed on move out. I might have previously done things against my landlords wishes but it was done - and removed - professionally. The other option is to talk to your landlord and do it right, making it permanent upon your separation from the property.