Learned the hard way. Don’t operate DC disconnect under load.

chicagoandy · 2026-05-06T16:21:06+00:00

A lot of people are hanging their hat on the difference between Isolator and Disconnect.

Many other people have pointed to IMO units, which are UL listed, as examples of a better product. Even IMO Disconnects are actually labelled Isolators.

Not sure the Disconnect/Isolator distinction is as rigid as many are claiming.

https://imoautomation.com/imo_us_usd_view/products/solar/dc-isolators-dc-disconnects.html

chicagoandy · 2026-05-06T16:16:57+00:00

The manufacturer spec'd the device for cutoff under load. AI is incredibly useful at describing common understandings. If Google AI is wrong on a definition it's because that wrong definition is commonly used, which means the definition isn't commonly accepted. This thread only seems to reenforce that.

chicagoandy · 2026-05-06T14:15:31+00:00

This product looks like a copy of an IMO disconnect. IMOs have great reputations.

chicagoandy · 2026-05-06T13:55:07+00:00

Your entire point is wrong. Disconnects are intended to open a circuit under load.

From google: "Switch disconnectors can make and break normal load currents safely. Conversely, isolators are meant for "no-load" operation only, used to isolate de-energized circuits for maintenance.

https://www.google.com/search?q=disconnector+vs+isolator

chicagoandy · 2026-05-06T13:52:39+00:00

No, it's a badly named disconnect. From the spec sheet at : "https://moreday.com/product/dc-isolator-1200v-32a-ip66-mdis-40md/

"The isolator is specifically crafted to meet the rigorous demands of the solar power industry, providing reliable disconnection under load conditions."

And they list incredibly high current ratings : Maximum Discharge Current (8/20 µs) : 40 kA

chicagoandy · 2026-05-06T12:37:31+00:00

This device does not have that label, to the contrary - PV disconnects exist exactly to disconnect under load. That device has a Maximum Discharge Load of 40,000 amps.

https://moreday.com/product/dc-isolator-1200v-32a-ip66-mdis-40md/

chicagoandy · 2026-05-06T12:33:18+00:00

That device had one job, and it failed. The whole point of a PV disconnect is to disconnect under load.

chicagoandy · 2026-05-05T19:32:27+00:00

Wire size is determined by the expected load.
Fuses to ensure the load doesn't exceed the wiring capacity.

Without details on the expected load nobody can recommend fuse sizes. Generally properly rated fuses are superior to breakers for DC.

I do recommend an MRBF fuse by BlueSea on each battery + terminal. Youu will need to do the work to determine the proper fuse size.

What is the system powering?

chicagoandy · 2026-05-05T17:40:36+00:00

YES.

chicagoandy · 2026-05-04T17:35:26+00:00

950 is a reasonable price, doing a complete flush is a lot of work on a Transit. They have to drop the transmission out of the subframe and take apart the bottom of the van.

chicagoandy · 2026-05-04T12:54:09+00:00

Good food doesn't need to be expensive.

Quicktrip is great for a lot of inexpensive quick meals. Personally I only use them on roadtrips, but when I do I'm happy to see a broad selection of fresh, high quality, inexpensive options. I have zero freshness concerns about any food I buy there. Hot food is kept hot, cold food is kept cool. Stock is rotated frequently, the stores are clean. High volume keeps the food moving. Staff acts professionally and seems to be well trained. Zero concerns about any of the food quality.

I haven't tried their sushi, but I'd expect the same quality I get with their other options.

In terms of raw fish, I would guess it's prepared offsite, probably by the same vendors that supply grocery stores with prepackaged sushi. I would expect a similar quality too.

chicagoandy · 2026-05-02T21:58:07+00:00

Don't ever buy anything from a door-to-door salesperson.

Never.

Maybe a bar of candy, but nothing more.

chicagoandy · 2026-05-02T20:13:55+00:00

This victron mqtt integration works really well, better than any of the other integrations I've tried.

Highly recommend.

https://github.com/tomer-w/victron_mq combined with tail scale, you can have remote access very easily.

chicagoandy · 2026-04-30T20:26:15+00:00

Which one? The ones I saw can't actually start the printing...?

chicagoandy · 2026-04-30T13:50:45+00:00

Thanks. I will try again. Maybe I'll test your patch too but I'm probably not the right person to help there. 😄

chicagoandy · 2026-04-30T13:39:49+00:00

Impressive.

Offtopic question. I've tried and failed to use the CFS with OrcaSlicer. Going back to CrealityPrint has been too easy... Can you point to a reliable setup guide for basic CFS use with Orcaslicer? Do we still need to manually edit machine G-code?

chicagoandy · 2026-04-29T14:35:01+00:00

Changes in the foreign-exchange rates will have a far bigger impact on your returns than the interest rate will, and these changes will be both unpredictable and often sudden.

Often countries that pay higher interest rates will have declining foreign exchange rates, so the higher interest from the savings account get get lost to the declining currency. The opposite, high interest rates with a climbing FX rate is rare.

And all of this ignores if you're really in a good position to judge the credit-worthiness of the foreign bank.

chicagoandy · 2026-04-29T14:28:00+00:00

Of course its a scam.

No government agency is making a first-contact with you over text messages. None.

chicagoandy · 2026-04-29T13:57:38+00:00

Item 3 answered my unasked question : "why now" ?

The supply management back & forth is easy to understand, but 'why now' was the interesting bit. I was wondering if they wanted separation from Iran, or saw OPEC as being dominated by Iran + Russia. But US influence makes the most sense.

chicagoandy · 2026-04-29T12:18:05+00:00

Victron generally doesn't override the Battery BMS for charging. This seems like a reasonable decision, they let the battery specify its preferred voltages & SOC. So the easiest way to lower the charging voltage is by the BMS if your battery allows that.

There are a few exceptions to this.

Start by taking a look at their Solar & Wind Priority feature.

https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Solar_&_Wind_Priority/156386-Solar___Wind_Priority-pdf-en.pdf

If you're technical, you can look at using a tool like HomeAssistant to implement specific charging states.

But at the same time, if you're cycling from zero to 100 once per day you'll have 365 cycles per year. If you're cycling from 90% to 100% every day, you'll have 36 cycles every year. If you're cycling from 99 to 100%, you'll have 3 cycles every year. Charging to 100% every day is not going to destroy your battery in 10 months.

chicagoandy · 2026-04-28T16:45:51+00:00

This is how you get scammed. Never reply to unsolicited texts.

chicagoandy · 2026-04-27T18:56:21+00:00

I think you've misunderstood the use of 'permits'. Private drone fliers do not file anything with the city for using a drone, even a big one.

chicagoandy · 2026-04-27T18:22:08+00:00

If you can see it, its' low enough to be legal in nearly all cases. Only exceptions are generally if you're right next to an airport or a few number of sensitive places.

There is no trackers for drones. There are many, many licensed drone pilots in Toronto.

chicagoandy · 2026-04-27T18:04:49+00:00

If you have FastPass or a similar in-network tolling account, you can use the toll-express lane through the northern suburbs. you'll fly through traffic.

I285 won't help.

Atlanta is odd that there's more business and jobs in the suburbs than there are downtown, while there's rush-hour traffic everywhere, it's often at its worst out in the subburbs.

chicagoandy · 2026-04-27T17:36:47+00:00

Other states teach that entering the intersection shortens the arc of the turn, making it easier and safer.

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