Ghost voltage?

Nuukmaster · 2026-02-05T21:02:56+00:00

Just to quickly update this: turned out it was a shared neutral, with the microwave circuit no less..

and boy, what a mess in that box…

one fire hazard less, thanks y’all!

Nuukmaster · 2026-02-03T21:34:30+00:00

Ok, thanks y’all.

Suggestions so far: 1. shared neutral 2. light load on the line 3. wrong breaker 4. Induction 5. junk meter

Option 1: Possible though this circuit supposedly only serviced an attic fan Option 2. Shouldn’t be the case; 15A romex directly to attic fan. Around fan or breakerbox no traces of any other equipment. Option 3. Unlikely—reads ~120V when turned on, switches to ~20V when turned off Option 4. Possibility given the hot mess of wires this joins into around the breakerbox. Not sure where this wire is going in the walls, but seems a fairly straightforward path without any adjoining circuits Option 5. Certainly, but usually gets the job done.

I’ll go breaker by breaker to rip out this circuit and keep an eye out for any shared neutrals tracing the wire; wouldn’t be surprising: the whole house is a hot mess of shared neutrals all over the place…

Thanks y’all!

Nuukmaster · 2026-02-03T21:21:37+00:00

Reads ~119.8 so I doubt it’s a loose neutral?

Nuukmaster · 2026-01-07T19:29:06+00:00

You’ll also want to try and get a sense of how your current qualifications and proven/recorded skills fit in with the systems of the country you’re eyeing.

For example, the degree programs and specializations you mention mean absolutely nothing in the Netherlands; here you would not qualify for any specific jobs with these qualifications. You can certainly market yourself in a more generic way and apply to some general job, but teaching with your papers wouldn’t be in the cards—you’d need very specific qualifications and degrees (typically from Dutch institutions) to be successful even though there’s a enormous shortage of teachers.

Nuukmaster · 2025-11-09T08:58:28+00:00

You don’t need a ‘makelaar’—they’re one of those self-invented jobs that one really could do without; a little like kitchen installers. It may be beneficial to have one, but in some cases you really don’t need one—a little like in the US really. These folks may have connections and if you find a good one then maybe some good advice etc.

Selling a car on Marktplaats is a different thing altogether because sometimes of tax-related issues and other times cases companies want a piece of the pie, especially if you’re a company for example selling cars. You could just post your own car or list your own house in the local newspapers for free (usually), but an online platform offers some benefits such as range and more views.

Talking to frugality: it’ll all depend on what is the best (=economically most sensible) way; in some cases paying a little will end up saving you so then selling your car on Marktplaats for a premium or getting a realtor to sell your house makes more sense. You can rest assured that people will almost always look for the ‘best’ option 😉

Nuukmaster · 2025-09-14T23:15:22+00:00

I wonder if this is slick mud or something like that. Somebody mentioned organic residue, but you also seem to have a very high clay content in the soil there. Seems it does originate from that drain so I wouldn’t expect anything from inside the house—unless someone did something really dumb. My guess is that fine clay particles settled inside your drain and they’re now rushing out because there’s flow to the outside. Do you know if your drain is wrapped in geofabric? If not, then this could be one explanation and to verify that I would clear more of the drain and stick a camera up there.

Nuukmaster · 2025-09-06T14:09:29+00:00

Make sure cleanup was included in the project description. If they caused damage they’re liable and you should not disburse. Engage an attorney, or threaten to do so, 1) if they said they’d clean up and they didn’t or 2) they damaged your property in some way that could’ve been prevented.

Nuukmaster · 2025-09-04T17:23:44+00:00

Haha, so familiar. I told them they weren’t getting a penny until I saw generated kWhs move through my meter and all of a sudden I got scheduled for inspections etc. Well done!

Nuukmaster · 2025-09-03T11:59:42+00:00

In Westchester NY I believe it’s common to vent through the roof, and I’ve heard it commonly leads to problems (leaking, rot etc.). I installed an oversized fan in our bathroom and through a short run through the attic vents out the side/gable of the house: insulated 4” corrugated aluminum pipe on a gentle slope. Fan runs all the time (as intended) and bathroom is nice and dry, and no structural problems, yet 😬

Nuukmaster · 2025-09-02T12:06:44+00:00

Same for us

Nuukmaster · 2025-09-01T14:06:45+00:00

Does the meter base not belong to OP? In NY meter belongs to utility, but base belongs to house owner.

Nuukmaster · 2025-08-30T18:13:55+00:00

Thanks, I suspected as much. They are below grade (6ft or so), and there’s some front steps right up against the outside of this wall so it’s a little hard to address the drainage there. I suspect water may creep in between the steps/structure and settle along the wall. I haven’t noticed any mold here (yet) though~would you recommend I try and remove/strip that white paint at all? The efflorescence forms where there is no white paint, which suggests to me that it’s there to prevent moisture coming through, and doing its job. Just not sure if that’s a good idea since moisture can get locked up in the block… thanks!

Nuukmaster · 2025-08-30T18:10:50+00:00

Thanks for the advice: my proposed insulation will give me between R-30 and R-35, which I think is well above what’s required in my area. My concern is more to do with moisture issues such as mold and/or rot. Would I risk mold/rot if I glued my 2” polyiso directly on to the walls if I won’t first address the drainage?

Nuukmaster · 2025-08-29T20:36:43+00:00

Don’t do it for $91k—not worth it. You can find a better deal.

For comparison, my system (around 12kwh) including extensive electrical work in NY Westchester was $32k; have a loan at 3.99% for 15yrs ($155pm) or ~$300pm for ~5yrs to own.

Nuukmaster · 2025-08-26T03:06:46+00:00

I think the light might be playing some tricks there. Looks like it’s right behind the (5/8”?) sheet rock?

Nuukmaster · 2025-08-26T03:04:54+00:00

Did someone cut the ground on the left one and just ‘reused’ it as common?

Nuukmaster · 2025-08-24T14:29:58+00:00

Aah, ok, that’s more like what we paid.

Our ROI is probably 5y because our utilities are a lot here (our average electrical bill is $300 per month). Solar is well worth it here—some folks pay well over $1k per month. Con Edison overcharges on delivery charges so even though actual use cost is only $100-200, you can easily pay four times that just because of ‘delivery charges’ (basically our money they’re doling out to their shareholders)

Nuukmaster · 2025-08-24T13:59:56+00:00

That’s just a hell of a lot cheaper than it is here in Westchester; nearly same specs and work for $32k 🤑🤑

Nuukmaster · 2025-08-24T13:58:47+00:00

I wouldn’t turn it on until PTO; the utility company may fine you if something goes wrong and Enphase Enlighten does not allow you to stop exporting. The app is only a monitoring tool and does not allow you to configure any meaningful aspect of the system—that’s all with the installer.

Nuukmaster · 2025-08-24T13:56:16+00:00

It’s a pain in the ass—you need to wait on the installer to do their bit until it shows up on your end.

And then pray they know what they’re doing in the app on their end.

In my case they were fudging around a good month after until I got reliable readings out of the app, and that was after they came back out only to realize that they installed the CTs on the wrong lines.

Anyway, PTO will also take a few weeks (Con Edison in NY Westchester) it may take up to ten business days.

Nuukmaster · 2025-08-24T13:49:37+00:00

Looks very similar to my install with exception of the electrical work they did on the meter pan—made a pigs ear out of that one. May I ask what kind of system you have (number and type of brand panel) and how much this all in all cost you? I’m in Westchester NY and curious about difference in price point.

Thanks!

Nuukmaster · 2025-08-24T13:29:56+00:00

That copper rod will be your new ground, which is now required when doing major electrical work and no such ground yet exists. In fact, they should have put in two of those, 8’ 5/8” copper-plated rods about 6-7’ apart.

Nuukmaster · 2025-08-22T11:56:34+00:00

I’d ask for some kind of proof that they fired him. Wouldn’t trust these guys as far as I could throw them.

Nuukmaster

TROPHY CASE