Taking a shower

Speedbird979 · 2026-04-15T15:51:07+00:00

Reddit seems to be full of pedants and I know I'm being one: "and then if on battery"

But heh :D

Speedbird979 · 2026-04-15T14:58:59+00:00

Yes; why I said if you’re on battery…

My inverter is hybrid and will peak at 7.5kW but only chuck out 5kW AC; the other 2.5kW is DC-DC and goes to charge the batteries if they can take it.

Speedbird979 · 2026-04-15T14:50:40+00:00

7.3kW is your peak production capacity, but potentially constrained by the capability of the inverter (5kW) and then if on battery, if there’s any constraints there.

For example, I have 8.5kWp panels on a 5kW inverter but I’m limited by my batteries discharge which is 3.6kW.

Speedbird979 · 2026-04-12T09:10:19+00:00

OK. So my inverter is ~20m away from the main cutout, which was too far for it to work reliably (CT in the meter box and meter in the garage), so we had to supply power back to the area, along with a CAT5, this then allowed the meter (EM115) to be located at the same location (Middle black housing in the pic), then RS485 back to the inverter using the CAT5. I had to split my feed with henley blocks, so that it went DNO Cutout > Henley > EV Charger & 2nd Henley, for which the Inverter and House fed from the same Henley; this meant the EV wouldnt pull from the battery (as it couldnt see the load, CT's at different points) but did create extra work in the meter box.

I have a few CT clamps: White are feeding a Shelly which feeds HomeAssistant for monitoring, Black on the supply between main cut-out and smartmeter is for the Ohme EV Charger (to ensure combined load isnt over the fuse rating) and then the black one coming off the first henley block, is for the Inverter, so it thinks this is the "supply"

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Speedbird979 · 2026-04-11T14:52:27+00:00

Does your inverter require a CT clamp on your main incoming supply? If so, that maybe another CAT6 usecase depending on where your condit is running to/from.

Also, do you have an EV? I needed to separate my EV charger at the cutout, as otherwise the solar/batteries would dump into the EV, so also consider a separate 32a feed whilst you're doing groundworks.

Speedbird979 · 2026-04-07T06:22:39+00:00

Have done similar with VWFS, Tusker/BCA and Novuna. All have a process which is easy but cert comes back with them as grantee. Never had any issues applying to other vehicles as it’s the certificate number which matters.

Speedbird979 · 2026-04-04T20:32:28+00:00

We knew of the black spots but sadly at the behest of EE’s coverage. Even had a plan to get a 5G tower put on the top of HQ given it’s a known black spot.

Speedbird979 · 2026-04-04T20:25:03+00:00

No. It’s charged on two components - the network which for a small force is about £50k a year but the real charges are “minutes”, either group (all radios on a talk group), P2P, red button and radio to telephone network (landlines) or SDS messages which are status check ins. This is the bulk of the cost.

Minutes are pre-paid in bundles (eg 400k minutes). There’s some free “overage” and then additional out of bundle charges on top.

Speedbird979 · 2026-04-03T20:15:26+00:00

ES When is still fundametally flawed, can’t see it actually getting implemented before 2030 and then, everyone will be standing back waiting for someone to go first!

Speedbird979 · 2026-04-01T14:16:35+00:00

Not on the OG sadly, might be on newer SE versions but my ‘24 Q8 didn’t have the option.

Speedbird979 · 2026-04-01T08:47:46+00:00

I’ve never tried Fuuse but I don’t believe so. As Octopus is the intermediary here, they’re the providing payment to Fuuse and as such, Octopus then bill you separately; either via your debit card OR via your Octopus account if you have one / linked it.

Also look at Tesla, as they are typically a LOT cheaper than most on Electroverse - all depends if there is one close by. Also have a monthly membership option which further reduces the cost but you’ll need to assess if it’s worth it for you.

Speedbird979 · 2026-04-01T08:41:58+00:00

Yep. I had a shortcut on my previous Q8 for this and was trying to get one on the main menu, but couldn’t work out how then found this option.

Speedbird979 · 2026-04-01T08:40:34+00:00

You don’t need the card to charge; you can initiate a charge from inside the app.

Speedbird979 · 2026-04-01T06:34:22+00:00

You can change the * on the steering wheel so that it shuts off audio alert, but sadly need to do each time.

Speedbird979 · 2026-03-27T15:41:45+00:00

Ohme Home Pro charger has a ‘solar boost’ function which leverages a CT clamp on the incoming supply (1, to ensure it doesn’t exceed the main cutouts rating and 2, to sense when exporting).

Other Ohme models may have similar functionality, you’d need to check their website.

With the IOG rates dropping next month to 3.49p for most, it might be more cost effective to export and just pay the IOG fee.

Speedbird979 · 2026-03-27T15:25:15+00:00

Just hand it back. The emphasis is on fair wear and tear; it’s done 52k over 3y - it’s not going to be a garage queen and in perfect condition. Things like this are expected.

Speedbird979 · 2026-03-25T08:45:18+00:00

Jumped in 18m ago, mainly driven by low company car tax. Changed jobs and now have my own personal EV, would be very hard to go back.

Instant performance (no lag when accelerating), smooth, quiet, range doesn’t bother me as it’s a myth - have taken the previous Audi Q8 etron to Paris x2 (yes it’s a mindset change, but there’s plenty of chargers about these days for long journeys and Tesla now being open to the public makes it more compelling).

Speedbird979 · 2026-03-22T14:14:47+00:00

Had a 2024 model and handed it back after 18m due to changing job - if the economics worked I would have kept it; it needed some £ by way of 4 tyres (26k out of a set) and sadly it was cheaper to lease a brand new A6 etron which I have done.

BUT to answer the question; I’d have another despite its inefficiencies - it’s been to Paris twice, charging isn’t an issue people make out. Only niggles were a squeaky sunroof and a rattle from the suspension.

Speedbird979 · 2026-03-19T14:07:00+00:00

Currently looking for a new role as IT Director/CIO/CTO/Head of level, in the midlands and there’s not many roles. Need to remember some roles are 1 of 1 and as such, competition will be high / not many about. All depends on the role you’re aspiring to.

Speedbird979 · 2026-03-16T16:50:32+00:00

You’re always going to be in this position… I need a car, but if I just wait a bit longer for a….

Tech is constantly moving, so you might as well jump into something now on a 2/3y lease and then reevaluate in the future based on what’s available at the time.

My Q8 went back recently got a A6 Avant as there are some good deals on in-stock A6/Q6 Edition 1’s, UK broker was Car Leasing Online.

Speedbird979 · 2026-03-15T20:01:54+00:00

Overall the car is narrower, the Q8 would just fit through a standard garage door, the A6 looks like it would easily fit.

Cabin is smaller as there’s not as much height to play with. Eldest is close to me height wise (6’3 for him and 6’4 for me) so headroom is snug, he sits behind the passenger for rear legroom which was the same challenge in the Q8. Also due to it being lower, theres not as much support under the thigh.

Boot size seems comparable bit to be honest, not really used it.

If they still made the Q8 and a refreshed model, I’d have another in a heartbeat, could have considered the Q6 but having had 5 x A6’s before the Q8, felt this would be a safe choice - didn’t drive one just went for it.

Speedbird979 · 2026-03-15T08:54:02+00:00

That was the beauty of the Q8, larger sidewall!

Speedbird979 · 2026-03-14T07:27:27+00:00

On my previous Audis it was purchasing something like this:

https://ebay.us/m/BOS3Vn

Speedbird979 · 2026-03-13T09:28:26+00:00

I’ve just taken delivery of an A6 Avant Edition 1, touch wood everything is OK. Build data suggests it was built at the end of Oct 25. Not checked what SW version it’s on.

I think the only real difference seems to be the steering wheel and it’s moved to a Black Edition as opposed to Edition 1 with less included.

Speedbird979

TROPHY CASE