BotusBuild

Yes, that's a safe assumption. Agreed. I will be adding a wooden edge on the end of the cantilever, then 2x3 or 2x4 right across the whole width at 400mm c/c, before the final balcony coverage on top of those. The 2x3 or 2x4's should reduce the torsional impact.

Looking for some input/kind critique (he asks hopefully 🙂 ) Am I missing anything apart from the steel sizing for the bridge framework and finish? Is the bridge over-engineered? We need to add a series of "struts" to extend the outer edge of the balcony to where it should be. The current I-beam is in three parts. The two joins in the middle connect to "perpendicular" I-beams. Each perpendicular I-beam (203 x 133 x ??) is supported on a square section post at the midpoint, and columns at the inner side of the balcony. The plan below shows this: Each blue line above is a proposed new "strut". Below is my proposed strut design to be provided to steel fabricators for quoting against. I'll have it red oxide painted (or will do it myself when it arrives) At the left hand end of the balcony there is an opening through a poured concrete wall. From this we propose to install a "bridge" that will connect the end of the balcony back to a level area of parking created using concrete lego bricks for a retaining wall. Below is the proposed framework for that bridge (the opening is somewhat taller than shown in the Side View). We will then "deck" the framework once installed. Bridge from balcony.pdf

We have a sloping ceiling in our open plan living area. Over the kitchen island we have 3 pendant lights that hang down. Each cable is about 1m. At each end of the cable there is a "grommet" on the fitting (i.e. at the ceiling rose, and the light "socket") that has a plastic grommet screw that holds the cable - these take the strain of the weight than the cable screws inside the fittings.

Hi Mark, That was me, which i corrected with the reference to the Carwow article. But that charger you mention sounds interesting. If it does turn out to work with non-V2H cars that could be a boost to this option.

One of the AI responses stated that an RCD was required. More research required on that point, and its something that I would require the charger installer to specify.

I should have known that as another member who has the same car prompted me to investigate this idea. Update on compatible cars and chargers. I found this article this morning. Far more cars and some info on which chargers https://www.carwow.co.uk/editorial/going-electric/ev-charging/what-is-bidirectional-charging

Bidirectional Charger Availability in the UK Bidirectional chargers are expected to become available in the UK during 2026, with the first commercial launches expected in the second half of the year. However, availability will be gradual and limited initially. Nissan's 2026 Launch Nissan has announced it will launch affordable bidirectional charging on selected electric vehicles starting in 2026, with the UK as the first market. This is significant because Nissan has already achieved G99 Grid code certification with an AC-based solution, which is required to supply electricity to the UK national energy grid. The company aims to price its AC bidirectional charger comparably to a standard mono-directional charger available today, making it more accessible than previous estimates. Other Manufacturers Enphase Energy has announced its IQ Bidirectional EV Charger will be available globally in the second half of 2026. This DC-based charger delivers up to 11.5 kilowatts of bidirectional power and includes features like "black start" backup capability for powering homes during outages. Current Barriers in the UK Despite the promising timeline, the UK still faces regulatory and technical challenges. Current smart charging legislation doesn't fully accommodate bidirectional charging yet, and there are complications around: Standardisation of communication protocols between chargers and vehicles Tax and regulatory implications for selling electricity back to the grid Integration with existing electricity grid infrastructure The bottom line: While chargers are coming to market in 2026, widespread availability will likely take time. Early adopters may see options from Nissan and other manufacturers, but it will be a gradual rollout rather than an immediate, universal availability.

That didn't take long Explore More What are the minimum battery levels required for V2H operation? The minimum battery levels required for V2H operation vary by vehicle and charger, but most systems allow you to set a minimum state of charge to prevent draining the battery too low. Typically, you can set this between 20% and 30% to ensure you have enough power for driving. Check your specific EV and charger's manual for exact settings.

Sort of .... In case anyone was wondering, as I was, the following 5 vehicles support Vehicle to Home (V2H):- Hyundai Ioniq 5 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Kia EV9 Nissan Leaf Cupra Born You do need a bi-directional charger as well. With most car batteries seeming to have more capacity than your standard home solar batteries, and if you are considering one of the above cars anyway, then a bi-directional should be a no brainer decision IMHO. Except, they do not yet appear to be available in the UK 😞 - see later post. Further investigation required to see if there is an auto cut off feature for when the battery gets down to a preset level, say 20%.

I think so, especially if @Nickfromwales has done something close to what I have described 😀

Our soil pipes are in the compacted type 803 and sand blinding. A 1m length close to one of the stack foots comes up about 20-30mm into the 250mm insulation.

Ours is mounted on an offcut of 2x6 that has multiple fixings into our ICF external walls. Located in the plant room.

We did the same as the last two posters. Standard buildings and contents insurance, no completion cert yet

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It's a garage - I don't think this is of much concern in this situation 🙂

All the buildhubbers who are classic car owners are now gnashing their teeth (incl me) 🙂

FYI - It is not unheard of for sloping roof trusses needing to be strengthened when PV panels are fitted, so based on @TedM's findings I would be looking to add extra wood to the existing timbers. A friendly SE's input would not go amiss in this situation, especially as you are talking about ballast systems

That is SH1T - a technical term 🙂 What I'd expect from a week 4 apprentice. I'll PM you the details now!

IMO, do NOT use this person for anymore work, particularly above ground. I had someone do some work for me recently who I can heartily recommend, based RG6 4 postcode area (S Reading) PM me for details

You're doing well. When your there every day, or very regularly, you don't see the progress - a bit like watching your own child grow up. The palm sunday walkers noticed the change. The grandparents notice the change in the grandchildren because they don't see them that often. You are progressing, as we progressed, seemingly slowly, but impressively to others who see it occasionally. Keep going. The first 4 years of our build was done at weekends and holidays, and sometimes it was laborious (pun intended), and at other times I took a couple of monthe out in prime building time as I needed a break from it. Looking forward to the next instalment - do you have a planned date by when you'd like to have the roof on? That will make a lot of difference.

So, here's a bit of a joined up idea .... If there is a proposal to provide "free electricity", then use it to do something (AI, urban heating/hot water) that may end up generating excess heat. Take that excess heat and use it to warm greenhouses to grow food. Keep costs of producing stuff (data processing, hot water, tomatoes) to a minimum by using the excess "free electricity". Gizza Job!.

From this article - "After The Times contacted Microsoft, the company said it had updated its projections to reflect new water-saving techniques, including a new data center design and better information from facilities that it leases. It now expects to use about 18 billion liters of water in 2030, up 150 percent from 2020. The new forecast does not include more than $50 billion in data center deals that the company signed last year." It seems, as always with M$, that they didn't tell the whole truth.

And there we have it. We have in this thread,working together, but maybe not all agreeing, shown that both OIL and COAL are not the fuels that are going to make us energy secure in the UK in the long term, and maybe even not in the medium term, due to supply (local or imported), cost of extraction, labour skill availability (coal mining). Generally, I think we all agree that a mix of primary fuels is required to provide our electricity. The mix will have to change over time, but the general move should be to a final position (IMHO) of: Base load of Nuclear (fission to start, maybe fusion in the long term (maybe more than 20 years 😁)) Base load of Gas Turbines with 90 day storage Hydro (as in Wales) Tidal Solar Wind 3. through 6. is where the focus needs to be, both planning, investment and implementation. Planning rules need to be applied to minimize local and irrelevant objections. (e.g. noise, "they're ugly") 1., in my opinion, needs planning and regulation changed to make planning and implementation quicker, and therefore, costs lower. As they say on LInkedIn I'm "Open to Work". Just get out of my way 🙂.

This is the biggest thing that almost everyone seems to be missing. Even if we extract the oil, we don't now, and won't in the future, use it to do much useful stuff in the UK. Therefore drilling for UK oil is NOT going to make us energy secure. End of.

Combine the two ideas 👍🏻