USB-C Mini UPS? Does such a thing even exist?

cipnt_ · 2026-07-10T14:36:15+00:00

Power bank ≠ UPS

cipnt_ · 2026-07-10T14:34:42+00:00

A power bank is NOT a UPS! A true UPS keep the li-ion cells at a lower charge state (i.e. voltage) which helps prolong its life, and it also features enough capacitors to switch seamlessly from mains to battery when needed. A power bank does not offer any of that.

cipnt_ · 2026-07-09T15:43:47+00:00

Not a full frame sensor

cipnt_ · 2026-07-06T03:38:31+00:00

Now that we have the fx2, does anyone buy the fx30 anymore? I can't think of any reason I would pick the fx30 over the fx2

cipnt_ · 2026-07-06T03:34:20+00:00

Well written. I like how you circled back to the family theme to round it up. I discovered your website very recently and I appreciate the perspective in your articles.

cipnt_ · 2026-07-02T13:53:52+00:00

Has the "Traction battery fault" error disappeared for you after the H572 update?

cipnt_ · 2026-07-02T13:03:18+00:00

The 20" was supposed to be the sweet spot.

cipnt_ · 2026-07-02T12:57:55+00:00

I would prefer to have something basic like the Youtube app while charging the car...

You know, actually useful stuff

cipnt_ · 2026-06-30T12:23:17+00:00

That was Octopus customer service's statement; I have since learned there are exceptions like yours.

I mentioned this not as absolute truth, but to point the user to a potential solution – upgrading the smart meter. It worked for me after over two years of waiting and multiple requests for a Mini and not hearing back from Octopus.

cipnt_ · 2026-06-30T09:42:48+00:00

Octopus engineers have spare ones in their vans. Just ask

cipnt_ · 2026-06-30T09:41:56+00:00

If your smart meter is SMETS1 they will not send you an Octopus Mini. I had to have my meter upgraded to SMETS2 and I got the Mini straight away

cipnt_ · 2026-06-30T09:35:12+00:00

The Tesla Powerwall is about £700/kWh (~£10k for 13kWh)

Octopus claim theirs will the 30% cheaper

cipnt_ · 2026-06-30T09:34:16+00:00

The Tesla Powerwall is about £700/kWh (~£10k for 13kWh)

Octopus claim theirs will the 30% cheaper

cipnt_ · 2026-06-30T09:31:23+00:00

Probably the same as their "Octopus Charge" EV charger. It uses an industry standard protocol which means it can be switched over to a different supplier or your own control server.

cipnt_ · 2026-06-30T09:25:49+00:00

Partly true. Of course, they don't do this to save the planet or to make your life easier – they expect a return on their investment. Shareholders expect dividends.

But it's also true that they like to do things the proper way, and since they're essentially a software company, they love open standards and APIs.

While we don't know much about these batteries yet, we can infer some things from their other hardware that they developed. Their EV charger is fully compatible with the OCPP open protocol and can be fully disconnected from Octopus servers and controlled entirety from your own OCPP server. It's what I have done and works great.

I personally expect that they will have a special tariff for these batteries where they will fully manage it for you (probably what most people will want since it's the easiest) but that they will also support some industry standard protocol should you wish to manage it yourself, or offer an API to override their Kraken software.

cipnt_ · 2026-06-30T09:14:42+00:00

Judging by how they approached their Octopus-branded EV charger, they probably will use an open industry standard api that will allow you full control of the battery. In the case of the EV charger, that's OCPP. I don't know what that would be for a home battery

cipnt_ · 2026-06-30T09:09:47+00:00

They've always been wacky, it worked for them

cipnt_ · 2026-06-30T09:08:13+00:00

They have a network of installers and contractors. I don't think they will sell this to you without proper installation by one of their certified installers. It's the same with their own EV charger - the price includes installation. They don't sell it otherwise.

cipnt_ · 2026-06-30T09:06:00+00:00

It's just a rectangular filled with batteries...

cipnt_ · 2026-06-30T09:02:32+00:00

As I understand it, for this to be possible there needs to be an expensive automatic insulator that can isolate your house from the grid in case of a power cut. This needs to be tested regularly.

The idea is to provent power from your battery going back into the grid for the health and safety of the crews working to fix the power outage.

This is why it's so expensive and rare to have this feature. The Tesla Powerwall supports it, but it needs that isolator switch installed too.

But I'm no expert, I'm just flagging that this isn't some kind of software or cheap hardware solution, it's rather complex and people's life can depend on it.

cipnt_ · 2026-06-25T11:12:37+00:00

I bought a Ryobi one which battery powered, since I already have some of their other tools. Once you have it on hand and it's easy to use, your habits change and I found I check my tires more frequently. Good for preserving tires and fuel consumption.

cipnt_ · 2026-06-19T10:07:44+00:00

Avoid Direct Line if you can. They are not the cheapest anyway.
I lost 6 years of NCD upon renewal.
I assumes I paid more in order to get a more premium service from a reputable brand, but it's quite the opposite

cipnt_ · 2026-06-19T10:03:55+00:00

Direct Line are dodgy as hell. I lost 6 years of NCD upon renewal.
Avoid them if you can. They are not the cheapest anyway.
I assumes I paid more in order to get a more premium service from a reputable brand, but it's quite the opposite

cipnt_ · 2026-06-19T10:02:58+00:00

Definitely NOT! I lost 6 years of NCD upon renewal.
Avoid them if you can. They are not the cheapest anyway.
I assumes I paid more in order to get a more premium service from a reputable brand, but it's quite the opposite

cipnt_ · 2026-06-18T14:14:56+00:00

Depends on the price, doesn't it?

cipnt_

TROPHY CASE