We can't all be powerwall genius

kazbach

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Jun 22, 2017
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(What is plural for genius? Genusi? )

I just wanted to point out, as a noob, I've made many mistakes. Mistakes are easy to make.

For one, I took the simplest 1p2scell possible to practice soldering.

+ -
- +

The first side went ... ok (I needed a hotter iron)... so I started on the other without thinking much about it. Doh, bad idea :sWell at least I got to try out my first spot weld.

Did the same thing,connecting 2 1p4s cells together in series.

Then I shorted out something on the load side, testing one of these cells. On the bright side, I got to witness first hand what it looks like to split a weld tab in half. It acted like a fuse, splitting cleanly in half. These cells have a lot of power.If anyone asks I was just experimenting.

Maybe I should take up crochet instead.

PS:Careful out there!
 
LOL glad you're ok. Especially with the 4s one you worked on. Now, next time, make sure you video it so we can all say "DOH!!!" :p

But seriously, thanks for the psa. Some ppl take it for granted that this stuff is plain easy and completely safe. There is a big potential to kill someone if not done right.
 
Korishan said:
LOL glad you're ok. Especially with the 4s one you worked on. Now, next time, make sure you video it so we can all say "DOH!!!" :p

But seriously, thanks for the psa. Some ppl take it for granted that this stuff is plain easy and completely safe. There is a big potential to kill someone if not done right.

...would have videoed it but I did not anticipate so much electrifyingexcitement.!

Connecting the 4s cells(16+v), I did learn first hand another lesson. More volts means more arc'ing. At 32+ volts it made quite a fuss when I tried to short them out, haha.

Lessons learned. I think. Thanks Korishan.
 
kazbach said:
...would have videoed it but I did not anticipate so much electrifyingexcitement.!
Umm, maybe a re-enactment video(?) :p
Jk, the first time you came out unscathed, the second might be as fortunate.
 
Korishan said:
kazbach said:
...would have videoed it but I did not anticipate so much electrifyingexcitement.!
Umm, maybe a re-enactment video(?) :p
Jk, the first time you came out unscathed, the second might be as fortunate.

Sounds like an episode of Jackass. No, no thank you.I draw the line at being a jackass _on purpose_.

Hard learned lessons learn ya the best ::p Hopefully others will come away thinking ... I'd better be careful.
 
I built up a 4s8p pack a few weeks ago. Mostly uneventful.... until I absentmindedly picked it up walked a few steps and shifted it to my other hand (which was holding a bunch of keys).

Thankfully I did have individual cell fuses. One fuse vaporised very quickly (and thankfully that fuse wasn't against my skin!)
 
we all make mistakes, I guess, check out this:


image_wjzseb.jpg


While wiring my batteries, I accidentially shorted the whole system (the isolation of the cable was transparent before!). Within less than a second, I was standing in white smoke and couldn't see anything anymore... fortunately, I installed a 150A fuse, which blew up instantly :D .

Of course, I'm aware of the danger and risk playing around with batteries. And I was pretty carefully before this happened. Now, I'm even more careful, double check everything, never work on my powerwall when I'm tired, stressed or in a hurry.

Surviving is not just good luck ;)
 
Been there done that. I present a video of mine where i managed to get it recorded when i failed :D

 
daromer said:
Been there done that. I present a video of mine where i managed to get it recorded when i failed :D

Wow man all in all I'd say you came away pretty damnlucky. I'm 100% certain that won't happen to you again. :D

Glad you are safe.
 
In regards to "we cannot all be geniuses" I can only say one thing and that's the saying that gets mentioned from time to time and that is "We stand on the shoulders of giants". For those who don't quite understand what that means is that we learn from others in the past and also from those who make mistakes and humanity progresses from it.
This is why we all come together on DIYPW and share our experiences and discoveries, that's to pass on knowledge whether a good experience or bad and we all get better at it.

And this is one thing I'm tired of seeing is youtube videos of HowTo's where people doing things the wrong way, know it, and then on video say "don't do this, it's not the right way and can be dangerous". If that's the case, don't put it on the video. daromer yes, you're one culprit. hehe

In regards to fusing, they are usually not in open air or varying in length, hence why you see most are in glass casings, plastic(blade fuses) etc because they are measured to length and protect from exploding bits by encasing it so it stays inside.

Always plan out your steps so you can think of any issues that might occur and always think of safety and worst case scenarios (ie be paranoid, never killed anyone).

George (tremors a.k.a phizicks on youtube).
 
Arrr, the issues I've had! Expert just implies they have already done it all before :)

 
It'll buff out .... perhaps...lol
 
Too bad I dont stil have my screwdriver when I playin electrician a decade and half ago.

Needed to hook up power to the old house (long story) to get lights so I could get stuff out of it. So my grandmother was in the other house and I didn't want to inconvenience her for like 15mins w/o fans or a/c, I go and start to hook up a breaker to the mains panel. All went well, till I need to wire in the ground wire. A friend said something to me and I glanced up for a second. The screwdriver dropped slightly and hit mains rail. That was the brightest spark I have ever seen. He said it sounded like a gun went off. Needless to say, the power went off to the house anyways. :p

Won't do that again! That switch goes off!!

I guess it was extra bright cuz that breaker is set to go at 300Amps. So, that was a lotta sparky goin on there.
 
Korishan said:
Too bad I dont stil have my screwdriver when I playin electrician a decade and half ago.

Needed to hook up power to the old house (long story) to get lights so I could get stuff out of it. So my grandmother was in the other house and I didn't want to inconvenience her for like 15mins w/o fans or a/c, I go and start to hook up a breaker to the mains panel. All went well, till I need to wire in the ground wire. A friend said something to me and I glanced up for a second. The screwdriver dropped slightly and hit mains rail. That was the brightest spark I have ever seen. He said it sounded like a gun went off. Needless to say, the power went off to the house anyways. :p

Won't do that again! That switch goes off!!

I guess it was extra bright cuz that breaker is set to go at 300Amps. So, that was a lotta sparky goin on there.

That's why a lot of good screwdrivers have insulation up to the tip ;)
I guess with that spark, that was an instant $50 extra on the electricity bill. hehe
 
Hahah, maybe. I dunno. However, that makes me AN EXPERT!!! :p
 
that was only there for a few videos and to test. long gone now..
 
Yeh, probably shouldn't have blown up his gear ..... well at least tried too
 
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