I picked a random spot in New York state. It looks like the solar generation in January is about 68% of July. As solar keeps getting cheaper, one option is to just install more solar.
Don't get me wrong, there are still issues here, like snow or back-to-back-to-back cloudy days. But the rate of a price change for solar has been pretty dramatic.
I'm just generally impressed by their community efforts vs cFS. They really do their development on GitHub - not just a place to push out source, but issues, PR's, discussions.
FPrime has some rough edges, and it takes a bit to get used to, but the team's interest in continually improving the core for a wide range of users is the differentiator.
The most expensive tooling was the two floor jacks I purchased to make the process easier. The software needed was available from the manufacturer for a reasonable fee. The battery pack itself was surprisingly modular and simple to dismantle for repair.
I don't many things GM has done, but (at least back in 2010) they did a good job of letting owners do their own work.
Now I either need to charge it every day (and add the hassle of unplugging/plugging every time I use the car) or I need to think about it more.
I can't fathom not plugging my car in to charge when I park in my normal spot. It doesn't seem like much effort.
But my comment isn't to ridicule you - it's to point out how diverse and different our home charging experiences are, without awareness of others. I had no idea that anyone charged differently than I do.
Meanwhile, I have a motion-activated light switch in the garage. So I guess I don't want the hassle of flipping light switches, yet I plug/unplug daily.
You and I start from the same base information: the power from the solar in real-time isn't enough to drive a "real car", immediately. But we come to totally different conclusions.
The solar hitting the roof of this thing over the course of a day is enough to make my average commute in that thing. That's what batteries are for. I'm not driving from sun-up to sun-down. (And you can plug it in anytime you want.)
Yes there are some huge trade-offs to make it work: It's not a 3-row minivan, it's not a 4-door sedan, it's a bizzare-looking car-like thing that moves only two people, but does so in the comfort that I desire for my daily use. And the solar part is only going to work out in a sunny place, if you park it in the sun. That happens to be exactly what I'm looking for.
Even if it didn't have solar, it's a ridiculously efficient EV, which I'd prefer over a ridiculously fast car or very large SUV.
I would understand "That seems like a small market" or "that's too many trade-offs for me", but "It's just not a good idea" seems like harsh judgement for a vehicle because it doesn't appeal to your visual preferences or usage.
Those OAK cameras start at $400. Frigate is free, and any of the options for hardware acceleration it's detectors will be cheaper. I don't think OAK cameras are a good choice for home surveillance.
I think people get "install a home EV charger" mixed up with "install a fast home EV charger".
If your goal is to full-charge a multi-hundred-mile EV in 8 hours, then, yes, you're looking at a significant installation with a new circuit, maybe a new panel, and maybe a new main feed from your utility. This could cost as much as the car!
If your goal is to charge enough overnight to make up for 2x your average daily commute, then you're talking about a much smaller installation. It could potentially even be done with through an existing 120V, 12A wall outlet. Many plug-in hybrids and EVs come with a dinky wall charger like this, and they are enough 99% of the time. External DC fast charging can make up for the rest.
Everyone's needs are different, but I think too many people rush in and go too far with electrical upgrades.
Many caves are not particularly wet , slippery, or prone to flooding. Only a few have issues with a lack of airflow. I understand the interest in robotic exploration for some specifically risky caves, but I don't like this generalization that implies all caves are too dangerous for humans to enter.
