Mike Wieger with Generator Interlock Kits, Meshtastic and LocalSend – HGG619
Mike Wieger is my guest this week. Mike shares his experience installing a generator outlet and interlock kit for backup power, detailing the wiring and safety measures. He also talks about using a Jackery portable battery for minor power outages. Jim plans to upgrade his generator to 50 amps and discusses the cost and benefits of different power solutions. They also explore the Mesh Tastic project, a DIY off-grid communication system using LoRa radios, which can create a mesh network for communication during power outages or emergencies. Thanks for listening!
Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg619
Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #619 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.
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Links
50AMP 15FT Generator Cord with Pre-drilled Power Inlet Box
Generator Interlock Kit Compatible with Eaton Cutler Hammer BR Series 150 and 200 amp Panels
PREDATOR 13,000 Watt Tri-Fuel Portable Generator with Remote Start and CO SECURE® Technology
https://meshtastic.org/docs/introduction
Show Segments
- Weather and Lawn Updates[0:00]
- Jim Collison mentions the upcoming hot weekend and the return to 80s weather.
- Mike Wieger shares his recent camping experiences and the nice weather conditions.
- Jim and Mike discuss their lawns, with Mike noting the good condition of his lawn due to recent rains.
- Jim thanks Patreon subscribers and mentions the Amazon link on the website for affiliate support.
- Amazon Purchases and Home Improvements[2:50]
- Mike Wieger talks about his recent Amazon purchases, including a new wine opener and battery-operated salt and pepper shakers.
- Jim Collison shares his wife’s recent purchases, including a new wine opener and battery-operated salt and pepper shakers.
- Jim mentions the HelloFresh service and plans to provide an update on it.
- Jim corrects the episode number from the previous show, which was recorded two weeks ago.
- Power Outage and Generator Setup[5:14]
- Mike Wieger discusses his experience with a minor power outage and using a Jackery portable battery to power a fridge.
- Mike shares a story about a neighbor’s generator and the importance of having backup power for sump pumps.
- Mike describes his plan to install an outlet for his generator and an interlock kit to prevent backfeeding power to the grid.
- Mike provides detailed steps for installing the generator outlet and interlock kit, including wiring and safety precautions.
- Generator Installation and Testing[8:21]
- Mike Wieger continues to explain the installation process, including the use of outdoor-rated wire and the importance of a weatherproof cover.
- Mike mentions the need for a 30 or 50 amp generator and the associated wiring costs.
- Jim Collison shares his experience with a similar generator setup and plans to upgrade to a 50 amp generator.
- Mike and Jim discuss the importance of testing the generator’s output frequency and voltage using a watt meter.
- Backup Power Solutions and Cost Considerations[30:20]
- Mike Wieger talks about the cost of different backup power solutions, including generators and battery setups.
- Jim Collison mentions the cost of a 13,000-watt generator and the potential for using natural gas as a fuel source.
- Mike and Jim discuss the pros and cons of different backup power solutions, including the cost and ease of installation.
- Jim shares his plans to install a 50 amp generator and interlock kit, including the need for a permanent stand and grounding rod.
- Mesh Tastic Project Overview[45:18]
- Mike Wieger introduces the Mesh Tastic project, a network of long-range, low-power radios for off-grid communication.
- Mike explains the components of the Mesh Tastic system, including the radio, battery, and solar panel.
- Mike describes the setup of his outdoor nodes and the benefits of using the system for communication during power outages.
- Mike shares his experiences with the Mesh Tastic community and the potential for using the system for telemetry and other applications.
- Mesh Tastic Community and Usage[56:24]
- Mike Wieger discusses the Mesh Tastic community and the support available for building and using the system.
- Mike explains the different modes of operation for the Mesh Tastic radios, including client and router modes.
- Mike shares his plans to continue building and using Mesh Tastic devices, including exploring different form factors and applications.
- Jim Collison and Mike discuss the potential for using Mesh Tastic for communication during emergencies and the importance of having a backup communication system.
- Final Thoughts and Future Plans[1:19:57]
- Mike Wieger shares his excitement about the Mesh Tastic project and the potential for future development and usage.
- Jim Collison and Mike discuss the importance of having a reliable backup power and communication system for emergencies.
- Mike mentions the potential for using Mesh Tastic for telemetry and other applications, including hunting leases and remote property management.
- Jim and Mike conclude the discussion with plans to continue exploring and improving their backup power and communication systems.
Here is a list of products that were mentioned during the conversation:
1. Jackery portable battery
2. Generac generator
3. Predator generator (from Harbor Freight)
4. Generator Interlock kit
5. MeshTastic radio modules
6. Helltech v3 Mesh Tastic radio
7. Solar panel for Mesh Tastic outdoor node
8. Outdoor-rated electrical box and wiring
9. UPS (Bluetti)
10. Local Send file transfer application
12. Lube Logger car data tracking software
More from Chat GPT
Based on the discussion, one area that holds the most promise for further development or testing of Mesh Tastic in the near future is using it for remote property management and monitoring. Mike mentioned the potential for using Mesh Tastic on hunting leases or other remote properties that lack good cell coverage. The ability to set up a decentralized mesh network to enable communication and telemetry in these off-grid locations seems like a valuable application that could be explored further.
Action Items from Otter
Set up a 50A generator transfer switch and outlet. Run new wiring from the main panel.
Bring a mesh tastic kit for Jim to try out setting one up.
Schedule Mike to return on a future episode to discuss self-hosting car data tracking.
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Popular Tags: Podcast, Home Gadget Geeks, Jim Collison, Mike Wieger, backup power, generator, interlock kit, mesh network, meshtastic, off-grid communication, remote property management, telemetry, power outage, emergency preparedness, DIY home improvement, amateur radio, ham radio, IoT, LoRa
