Hacker News: conk

New comment by conk in "‘Energy independence feels practical’: Europeans building mini solar farms"

conk — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 03:49:31 +0000

Because NEC 210.12 requires all devices to be protected. Which means if you have a switch or splice before a plug the only way to protect those is with an AFCI breaker. The only exception is a continuous run from the breaker to an outlet in metal conduit or MC cable. Given how much is romex this effectively forces AFCI branch breakers.

New comment by conk in "‘Energy independence feels practical’: Europeans building mini solar farms"

conk — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 03:42:51 +0000

There are inverters with local only monitoring and control. I have one integrated locally with home assistant. You can also add an external current transformer and monitor the production with that independent of the inverter.

New comment by conk in "Fear and denial in Silicon Valley over social media addiction trial"

conk — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 02:28:55 +0000

Show me one ice cream parlor that has license psychologists on the payroll for “persuasive design” or GTFO with your bad faith argument.

New comment by conk in "iPhone 17e"

conk — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 20:40:29 +0000

I moved off the mini to get satelite messaging which I use while hiking. But now that T-Mobile/starlink support satelite on the 13 mini, maybe I’ll go back.

New comment by conk in "iPhone 17e"

conk — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 20:38:52 +0000

I really want to like the lower cost e phones, but the lack of ultrawide band support is a deal breaker. Does adding this feature really increase the cost, or is this a calculated move by Apple to ensure those who use this for air tags or keyless entry continue to buy higher end phones.

New comment by conk in "Banned in California"

conk — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 21:34:07 +0000

I want a more efficient truck!

New comment by conk in "Meta to retire messenger desktop app and messenger.com in April 2026"

conk — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 21:19:11 +0000

I think some in your situation will reactivate Facebook, which must be part of the decision to stop messenger.com.

New comment by conk in "Trump Accounts"

conk — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 04:28:15 +0000

Then why don’t you have a child to take care of you in your old age.

New comment by conk in "Adoption of EVs tied to real-world reductions in air pollution: study"

conk — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 05:11:34 +0000

Braking from regen or braking from a brake pad has the same net impact on tire wear. EVs can coast too and don’t apply full regen the moment you apply brakes. Some even have brake coach alerts to get you to gradually apply the brakes to maximize energy return.

New comment by conk in "Adoption of EVs tied to real-world reductions in air pollution: study"

conk — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 04:41:50 +0000

Just get a used one that’s a decade old. The cell providers will all move on past 3g/4g etc and the cars won’t be able to connect. Plus I’m sure no one is paying to keep a cell connection going for a decade old EV.

New comment by conk in "CATL expects oceanic electric ships in three years"

conk — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 04:34:53 +0000

My guess is not every port can supply bunker fuel. It prob makes sense to load up when the ship is near a refinery and then make several trips before refueling.

New comment by conk in "GM Deprecating In-Car App Store for Models as Recent as 2020"

conk — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 04:05:40 +0000

GM is removing CarPlay, and now this story that they are dropping support for in car infotainment apps for cars that are 5-7 years old. Are consumers really going to buy their cars? I won’t consider a new car that doesn’t offer CarPlay/android auto.

New comment by conk in "Rivian's TM-B electric bike"

conk — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 02:55:37 +0000

I think the MPH limit for ebike classification makes sense. But why do they need a 750W limit? Whats the harm in a motor putting out 3000W to get a loaded cargo bike up a steep hill at 8 MPH.

New comment by conk in "DIY solar launches in US – no installers or permits needed"

conk — Mon, 12 May 2025 05:54:10 +0000

I like the idea of this product. Simple, safe, plug and play solar should be a thing.

I was looking at this product last week. I remember seeing a photo with a current transformer (CT) in it. Maybe they have the user install a CT on the upstream breaker to ensure the total load for the branch circuit isn’t exceeded. Without that they run into an issue where it could overload the branch circuit wiring.

New comment by conk in "Pakistan pulled off one of the fastest solar revolutions in the world"

conk — Fri, 02 May 2025 03:55:32 +0000

There’s no funding crisis from EVs. A car that drives 12k miles/year is going to net at most ~$250 in gas tax revenue (using CA rate ~.7/gal). This can be added to the vehicle registration easy enough.

New comment by conk in "Show HN: Nissan's Leaf app doesn't have a home screen widget so I made my own"

conk — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 04:17:02 +0000

I don’t want to drive a computer. I want to drive a machine. Give me some buttons to control the car and a decent screen for nav (CarPlay/android auto) and I’m happy.

New comment by conk in "MacBook Air M4"

conk — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 04:03:14 +0000

My MBP is physically uncomfortable to hold in my lap because it runs so cold ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

New comment by conk in "Schools reviving shop class"

conk — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 06:52:07 +0000

There are enough shop teachers out there with missing digits to prove this statement is not true.

New comment by conk in "Nokia's internal presentation after iPhone was launched (2007) [pdf]"

conk — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 03:30:56 +0000

WhatsApp supported windows phone through 2019.

New comment by conk in "Hospitals gave patients meds during childbirth, then reported them for drug use"

conk — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 01:26:30 +0000

Both are akin to major surgery.