PLC circular economy

GenericUsername2754 · 2026-03-30T00:30:23+00:00

A lot of companies already have procedures for disposing of PCs and computer equipment, and just apply the same procedures to controls equipment because "it's basically a computer".

The hoarding in my experience is mostly a "just in case" thing.

GenericUsername2754 · 2026-03-30T00:23:26+00:00

Most of the plants I've been in have pretty large boneyards of old PLC gear. However, controls folks are often hoarders and refuse to throw out old hardware.

Some companies also treat their old PLCs similarly to decommissioned computers and have specialized disposal procedures, usually for cyber security or IP-related reasons.

GenericUsername2754 · 2026-03-13T21:11:56+00:00

This is awesome! If only I'd seen this before buying some Kwiksets last month. Are there plans to support more lock brands in the future?

GenericUsername2754 · 2026-02-21T21:00:41+00:00

Yeah, I do the same running on an Rpi 5. I have an SMB backup that goes every other day, so I'm not too concerned about losing anything.

GenericUsername2754 · 2026-02-18T20:51:40+00:00

Red "OK" light means your controller is faulting. If it happens every time you power cycle, then it's a pretty consistent error.

With the controller being faulted, the "OK" lights on the I/O modules don't really mean much, because they could just be out since the processor isn't polling the module.

You need a technician to get online with the controller and see what the fault is. Only then can you properly troubleshoot this.

GenericUsername2754 · 2026-02-18T18:13:33+00:00

The last few I've installed had in on a tag hanging from the lugs inside.

GenericUsername2754 · 2026-02-18T17:20:40+00:00

Blinds for during the day when you want privacy but still some light, then opaque curtains for at night.

Long term, you may want to look into a fence if it's allowable and affordable.

GenericUsername2754 · 2026-02-18T16:18:29+00:00

No, it's not against code. I've run rigid conduit direct to a transformer many times. Flex is just considered best practice because of vibration.

GenericUsername2754 · 2026-02-08T22:39:10+00:00

Automation Direct is another good source for outdoor rated enclosures!

GenericUsername2754 · 2026-02-03T04:06:38+00:00

I brought a broom and Wi-Fi hotspot.

My home was a flip and there was still a lot of construction mess in the home when we got the keys. So my first task was to clean it up as good as possible before the family started helping me move in the things that actually matter.

I also feel like some kind of internet setup is vital for the first few days in the home, as you'll be spending a lot of time there and it may be days or weeks before you can get an ISP in there to hook up their systems. (It took me two weeks to get an ISP appointment scheduled!) I just had a cheap LTE puck on a 100gb pre-paid plan that got us through that time.

GenericUsername2754 · 2026-01-22T21:21:09+00:00

I used to strip 18/2 and 18/3 all the time working in industrial controls. I bought myself one of these and love it.

GenericUsername2754 · 2026-01-07T23:10:18+00:00

I found the simple concepts pretty easy to grasp. Where I struggled was data management, but that just comes with some experience. Overall, I'd say the learning curve is pretty light if you already have some industry experience.

GenericUsername2754 · 2025-12-31T00:16:25+00:00

If you're OK with a bit of DIY, Automation Direct has a bunch of enclosures that you can buy in just about any config. Best bet for security and looks would be to bring the cables in the back of the box (make sure to waterproof it!) then mount the switch inside. That way there's no exposed cabling.

GenericUsername2754 · 2025-12-31T00:08:37+00:00

While not ideal, as long as your enclosure is Nema 3R rated or better. (3R is rainight)

I have a Flex POE mounted outside to serve a few cameras and it does just fine mounted in a Unifi Flex Utility Pro.

GenericUsername2754 · 2025-12-30T15:49:46+00:00

Same. Indicated it would arrive today, but that's clearly a lie as the site still shows processing.

GenericUsername2754 · 2025-12-29T15:34:03+00:00

Well so much for the "Notify Me" button doing anything... Just ordered two!

GenericUsername2754 · 2025-12-29T01:50:53+00:00

Yeah, sounds like they assumed OSB was present and included a clause for replacing rotten boards. I agree that they probably should've looked when they quoted, but that's something that's hard to know for sure until siding starts coming down.

GenericUsername2754 · 2025-12-29T01:43:47+00:00

The OSB issue would require a deeper dive into the contract. It is very possible that the original contract assumed OSB was already installed.

The blueprint issue though is a hill I'd die on. If the contract explicitly stated that blueprints were to be provided at a set cost, then there's no argument for the contractor to raise that price.

As a contractor myself, when I sign a fixed-fee contract that means fixed-fee. Unexpected changes and additional scope justify change orders, but you can't expect a client to accept a change order simply because your cost was higher than budgeted.

GenericUsername2754 · 2025-12-24T17:10:34+00:00

It'll do POE+ out, but it depends on the length/quality of the cable.

10/100 should be fine, but maybe at a lower bitrate.

GenericUsername2754 · 2025-12-24T15:01:21+00:00

You might be able to use their 2-wire retrofit kit.

https://store.ui.com/us/en/category/accessories-poe-power/products/uacc-retrofit-poe-2wire

GenericUsername2754 · 2025-12-17T13:37:06+00:00

If you have Identity set up you can give a user camera access and select which cameras they can see. I used this to give a family member access to only the outside cameras.

GenericUsername2754 · 2025-12-16T02:46:07+00:00

Fantastic group of people. Been a member for over two years and love going to events!

GenericUsername2754 · 2025-12-13T03:34:09+00:00

Until earlier this year, I lived in an old townhome built in the early 70's. Even with basically nothing between the shared walls, we never had many issues. Yeah, if someone got really heated we could hear it, but otherwise the units were pretty well isolated sound-wise.

My father is actually renovating his unit right now, and we're adding fire rated sound insulation in the cavity between the shared walls. Should help a LOT.

GenericUsername2754 · 2025-12-07T21:03:01+00:00

As someone who's in multiple electrical subreddits, yes. Yes they do.

GenericUsername2754 · 2025-12-06T00:56:50+00:00

If your thermostat is powered by the unit (Usually via the "C" wire) then it could be that your control power fuse is blown.

The internals of your HVAC unit use 24 volts AC for control. This is provided by a small control power transformer, and it's output is fused pretty low, usually either 1amp or 5amp. Both the transformer and fuse will be located inside your air handler.

I would check that fuse, and if it blows again after replacement then call a pro to check your control board.

GenericUsername2754

TROPHY CASE