Re: Grand Apagon - Electricity (not) in Spain

On 2025-05-09 23:32, Don Y wrote:

On 5/9/2025 5:07 AM, Carlos E.R. wrote:

There are places where copper products (wire, plumbing) are stolen
for their "recycle value".  The solution, so far, has been to
require recyclers to get and record identification of people
bringing in such items.

>
Not enough, apparently.
>
The hut they vandalized has a notice board that says all the cables are aluminum.

 I wonder if the would-be thieves even bother to READ...
 

I think there have been cases of people trying to steal the wiring in
outside lighting systems -- and not taking adequate provisions to
protect against electrocution!

>
Yeah, here too. They even tried to rip the railway catenary at some place. Some of those died on the spot.

 How much "protection" do you think a SIGN would provide?  "Hey, Bob,
don't these got electricity in them?"

That was a different theft, eh? Different thieves, city, all. :-)

 

I would like to make some backlit copper lighted displays for the house
(AZ is The Copper State) but am afraid its oxidized color would attract
some thief eager to make a few dollars off it.

>
Sigh.
>
Some places have copper roofs.

 Yes.  We had looked into it (because it is far more durable than
virtually any other roofing material in common use, here (including
tile).  But, you need a minimum pitch to ensure the water doesn't
pool on the roof.

Yes, of course. Around here we have many flat roofed houses. Many of those use aluminum foil with asphalt. If well done, it could hold a pool.

 

25€. A 9Ah item, high discharge rate.

>
Different grades exist, here.  If you buy from an electronics supplier
(e.g., Digikey), you will likely get a "fairer" price (value for money)
than a local battery store (which may be 50% higher).  UPS manufacturers
typically charge about double what a reasonable price might be (though
the usually assemble the batteries into the requisite "packs"...
a trivial exercise for even 48V units).

>
Let me check. The computer place here offers:
>
Phasak PHB 1209 Batería SAI/UPS 9Ah 12V        29,17€
>
Salicru UBT 12/9 Batería para SAI/UPS 9aH 12v    18,98€ (was 20,63€)
>
So the brand name battery replacement for my UPS is actually cheaper than what I paid. Surprise!

 The nominal 12V 7.2AHr batteries (also available at 9AHr in the same
case size) that many of my UPSs use are ~20-30, here, neglecting
shipping and tax.  Putting two (for smaller UPSs) or 4 in each UPS
gets pricey -- if you have to do it every 3 years (and have a dozen
UPSs)!

Indeed!

 I've tried a new configuration where I am hanging many of the
UPSs off a couple of larger units.  The thinking being that I
only have to maintain the larger units' batteries (and still
get the benefits of a UPS per workstation).

Maybe just a big unit, and wiring around the place. Red coloured sockets. Lilke in computer centres.

 

Digikey used to have a policy of free shipping for prepaid (cash)
orders.  I would buy batteries in lots of 10 and send prepayment.
Shipping charges can be a significant fraction of a battery's
cost.  They now exclude batteries from this policy (when I last
checked).

>
Right, they are very heavy. Yep, the place above charges 5.25€ for shipping.

 As I said, I try to rescue them (often I come across NiB UPSs
that some moron in IT ordered but opted not to install.
As the recycle value of batteries is just weight (regardless of
ability to hold a charge), I swap my dead batteries for such
new batteries and everyone is happy!

:-D
--
Cheers, Carlos.