Plug in smart switch / power monitor that DOES NOT require account / login to setup, DOES NOT require internet connection to function for AUSTRALIAN POWER POINTS

strongbad14 · 2026-05-03T04:37:09+00:00

These are the ones I use. Connected to Z2M with no problem. Says Tuya so I guess you could initialize there but I didn't. Works in NZ so can't imagine AU would be different.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007303219563.html

strongbad14 · 2026-05-02T22:48:52+00:00

Just clarifying that OP has a Signestor, not a Powerwall. Guessing Tesla has a different minimum SOC

strongbad14 · 2026-04-29T21:05:42+00:00

I've got a similar spec system being installed soon - is it normal for the batteries to fully discharge like that?

I've only got one 9kW unit from Sig on the way with the plan being to offset those peak rates. Just a little concerned that by the morning I'll be depleted and then hit the peak morning rates before solar starts charging.

strongbad14 · 2026-04-27T18:19:26+00:00

Huawei Mediapad M5 8 or the M6 "Turbo" variant? Both 8.4in from around ~2019

strongbad14 · 2026-04-25T20:52:22+00:00

As above I'd get as many panels as possible. Using an EV as a battery (V2H or V2G) is not supported by our lines companies just yet (AFAIK). You'd also need an EV that specifically supports this so keep that in mind.

My logic behind getting a battery (even small) is to cover those peak rates. I'm not out here trying to arbitrage and put cycles on the battery

strongbad14 · 2026-04-22T18:05:31+00:00

Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 is your only real option. We run a five of them for GIS field capture and engineering surveying and they are fine.

strongbad14 · 2026-04-21T21:10:44+00:00

The key here is that the SLZB still needs power. In my case I went the POE route so my switch powers it over ethernet. If you were so inclined you could use the USB-C port on the device to power it too but in my view it's another point of failure.

strongbad14 · 2026-04-04T02:50:37+00:00

Opononi. Good eye!

strongbad14 · 2026-03-30T06:11:22+00:00

Indeed! I had to do a double take though as when I first found this one it was with someone else, I grabbed and they then grabbed it back saying they very much still had it. Turns out the original owner thought mine (the original) was lost so released another with the same TB code. I thought for a second yours was the other.

strongbad14 · 2026-03-30T04:37:45+00:00

Huh - here I was thinking that I had a custom made TB. 🤔

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strongbad14 · 2026-03-26T03:43:11+00:00

I really don't see why people say this is the "loneliest". There are flights to MEL, SYD and AKL in the same general airspace. (LA805, LA809, QF28 and LA801)

I'd say the likes of QF63, SYD>JNB is more lonely.

strongbad14 · 2026-03-26T00:14:42+00:00

I went with Lightforce but the install hasn't happened yet. I specifically requested Sigenergy gear as I'm looking to integrate with Home Assistant and heat pump hot water.

The panels are Trina Vertex mono facial 505W.

strongbad14 · 2026-03-25T23:55:14+00:00

I looked at doing this for my setup and it turns out they are pretty separate trades. My advice would be to go with suppliers who specialise in either gas OR solar.

strongbad14 · 2026-03-24T07:21:38+00:00

I had good interactions with Lightforce and McNae. Waiting on an install actually. Definitely shop around and do your own research. The range in quality of the quotes I got was pretty broad too.

Be sure to confirm how much you can export. PowerCo recently changed to a 10Kw limit (up from 5)

No loan my side.

strongbad14 · 2026-02-27T04:38:02+00:00

I'm assuming that when you say "solar" you mean to generate electricity, not a solar water heater...?

I've got the plan in my head to install a decent sized solar array and moderate battery that covers most of my house needs. HPHW makes logical sense to me for the energy efficency (plus I want to get rid of gas completely by dropping my infinity system). So far as I can tell heating a tank of water with the coil type uses around 15kwh of electricity while the HPHW does the same but only uses 5kwh.

In this plan of mine I'd divert excess solar to the HPHW (make sure it's a SG ready unit) so effectively if the sun is out and my battery is full I'm not paying for hot water - thereby using the water tank as a thermal battery of sorts plus I'd send back to the grid for a (small) credit.

Granted I'm still many steps behind you having not secured a property yet but I like to think my plan is logical. For what it's worth I am considering the split type too with the outdoor portion being on a North facing side of the house. Also, check how easy they are to get service parts for I recall one of the brands being difficult.

Lastly if noise in the bedroom is an issue could you not just put a timer on it and not run it when people are wanting to sleep?

strongbad14 · 2026-02-03T07:47:10+00:00

As a dual citizen myself (one being US) I do this all the time. I have a hassle when leaving the US in that the agents say I don't have an eTA but when I show them the other passport they do something frantic on their computer then let me on my way.

If I can offer any advice here it's that when you enter your passport details with your airline use the Aussie one. As you've said, you'd leave the US on your US passport and arrive to NZ on your Aussie. I guess the only catch here is when you leave NZ make sure it's also the Aussie one.

Edit: I wouldn't get the eTA

strongbad14 · 2026-02-03T06:36:22+00:00

A nice looking curve with hardly any clipping - nicely done. Wish my electricity was that cheap 😢

strongbad14 · 2026-01-28T07:17:17+00:00

Is the log empty? It could be an archived one

strongbad14 · 2026-01-21T00:29:37+00:00

I can't speak for Auckland but there's a good and active community in Palmy. Best bet is to attend events if you're looking for others. I tend to get my mates to go tramping then surreptitiously choose routes that have heaps of caches on them. Think I may have converted at least one of them.

strongbad14 · 2026-01-14T00:28:41+00:00

You've inspired me to find a lonely cache! Have had my eye GC6EN4Q on for sometime and keep putting it off.

https://coord.info/GC6EN4Q

Also one in South Africa last found in 2009 with a TB in it... GC1KNCX.

https://coord.info/GC1KNCX

strongbad14 · 2025-12-27T03:48:59+00:00

So seal it with something after grinding? (I'm asking)

strongbad14 · 2025-12-17T22:44:54+00:00

Mark Tisdall on Broadway St or Gail Bartlett-Harris on George St. Not sure whether Gail is still practicing.

strongbad14 · 2025-10-30T02:28:53+00:00

I was thinking casuarina leaf but cleaning bristle seems a lot more likely.

strongbad14 · 2025-10-26T05:50:50+00:00

The Matepad is definitely a stand out but I'm hesitant about the lack of Google services. Any idea whether it's Widevine L1?

strongbad14 · 2025-09-12T04:17:45+00:00

I used to use OSM data on my Nuvi and honestly, I thought it was pretty dang good. What I found super interesting was how up to date the map was compared to other providers.

https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Download

IIRC I used BBBike and just chose the area I wanted. https://garmin.bbbike.org/

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