nikodunk

7 ms·

61.
Learning about Bootc(sean.thrailkill.cloud)
63 points by nikodunk 2y ago|60 comments
62.
Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS now on Best Buy for pre-order(gamingonlinux.com)
1 points by nikodunk 2y ago|0 comments
63.
The 7th version of Framework Laptop 13 with Ryzen AI 300 [video](youtube.com)
1 points by nikodunk 2y ago|0 comments
64.
A Smart Home Battery Any Homeowner or Renter Can Install(cnet.com)
2 points by nikodunk 2y ago|0 comments
65.
by nikodunk 2y ago
This is one of the coolest articles I’ve come across on HN ever. Also - it’s true steam punk (sorry).
66.
by nikodunk 2y ago
I love DIY solar and have built a few of my own systems too, long before Pila. I posted something called $200 solar self sufficiency to HN many years ago in 2017 and it got me onto this train. Will Prouse is the best, agreed!
67.
by nikodunk 2y ago
Thanks so much for taking the time to write such an in-depth, thoughtful set of questions and feedback! Thanks for sharing your experience re: the Feb 2021 freeze, and cool that you got your kid a big battery for their apartment! Which colo
68.
by nikodunk 2y ago
It definitely does load shifting and utility rate arbitrage (and solar power charging) as a side benefit, but it’s not built to be an arbitrage machine. Its primary use case is backup, for now.
69.
by nikodunk 2y ago
Great point, thank you!
70.
by nikodunk 2y ago
TLDR it's so that we can seamlessly synchronize settings and events between them. When to charge from solar, cheap utility rates, or when a storm is incoming. Consumers (incl me) will not update their 2nd Pila to their new Wifi passwor
71.
by nikodunk 2y ago
I hear you - while I'm privately a static-site afficionado, this is squarespace so that the whole founder, business _and_ engineering team can edit it easily :P
72.
by nikodunk 2y ago
This is a great thought, and I just surfaced it again for our founder. There has already been some thought into this. Thank you!
73.
by nikodunk 2y ago
Yes, great question! As the software person, this is very close to my heart. All of our software and hardware is local-first, and will work without our servers/cloud, without any connection to the outside world. We are a backup company
74.
by nikodunk 2y ago
I hear you, and I'm also sorry to hear that! Here at SXSW we've heard from a bunch of Aussies, plus Brazil and Puerto Rico (where we actually ship) are some of the most requested beyond mainland US. We'll be there ASAP!
75.
by nikodunk 2y ago
Probably only passing power through when it's still on-grid, because it's more efficient is our current plan for now. Surge protection we will cover though, just voltage drops are not planned to be covered for above reasons. As so
76.
by nikodunk 2y ago
It does have power cleaning functionality when it's off-grid, let me check in with hardware if it does that in pass-through mode. Voltage drops it should detect and cover though. Automatic load shedding will be configured by appliance
77.
by nikodunk 2y ago
It's 2.4kW continuous, 7.8kW surge (ie to start up a sump pump, etc). Thanks for considering!
78.
by nikodunk 2y ago
Thank you! This is super important to me (one of the software guys) personally. We want to make the software as open as possible, and will publish our MQTT topics and spec publicly so you can hook Home Assistant, whatever into it. My person
79.
by nikodunk 2y ago
Thanks so much! We'll address as much feedback as we can of course, but I hear you :D
80.
by nikodunk 2y ago
Great question! Unfortunately no, it'll only power devices that're plugged into it. It's basically like a very large, connected UPS. It's unfortunately illegal to push energy back into the circuit without a permit in all
81.
by nikodunk 2y ago
Definitely! It’s primarily backup, and secondarily an arbitrage device :) The average fridge loss is estimated at $300 per outage, and the average fridge outage insurance claim is $600 I just learned today from an insurance agent at SXSW at
82.
by nikodunk 2y ago
TLDR depends on the efficiency of the fridge. You’re right of course though - I edited linked comment to be more conservative at 2-3 days also. I can get my personal lab fridge to last 5 days though (110W power draw, once every hour for 5 m
83.
by nikodunk 2y ago
The point IMO is not to backup your whole home though. That already exists with Generac (20-50K if you need to dig a new gas line) or Powerwall (10-20K depending on electrician and needs). All need permits. This is meant as a more precise,
84.
by nikodunk 2y ago
We can start a Sump Pump with the 7,800W startup power (2,400W running). I’d recommend DIY if you don’t want/need/can’t afford an integrated solution. I built my own with parts off Amazon but it doesn’t take a bit of knowledge and
85.
by nikodunk 2y ago
This can start up a Sump Pump with a 7.8kW surge (2.4kw running output)
86.
by nikodunk 2y ago
100%! This is a great solution, many people also freeze a glass of ice and put a coin on top so if there is an outage when they’re out, the coin will be frozen at the bottom when they get back (and they know their meat won’t be any good). P
87.
by nikodunk 2y ago
Great points! This is meant as whole room backup - so it’ll keep your fridge (and a few other small devices like wifi, etc) running for 2-3 days - a pretty long outage. It’s basically a huge, 21st century UPS. It can also do arbitrage and c
88.
by nikodunk 2y ago
And Italian. It’s actually named after Alessandro Volta’s (the guy who named the Volt) name for the "Pila di Volta" - his stack of soaked rags that stored electricity, or what we'd nowadays call a battery stack. Pila is a Pil
89.
by nikodunk 2y ago
Great question. It’s 1.8kwh and 2.4kw out (7.8kw surge) can run a fridge for 2-3 days, and is meant as room for room backup. For sure you can build something yourself for cheaper - I have - but most Americans don’t. Only 0.03% of the US has
90.
by nikodunk 2y ago
Big Pila Energy? lol not the same in Brazilian, but interesting :)

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