C++ programming pioneer hacks off-grid, DIY, smart home

#1

Post by yason » Tue, Apr 03, 2012, 6:01 AM UTC

C++ programming pioneer hacks off-grid, DIY, smart home
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Re: C++ programming pioneer hacks off-grid, DIY, smart home

#2

Post by 6ren » Tue, Apr 03, 2012, 8:05 AM UTC

Reminds me a bit of Paul Lutus http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1681247

Automated homes seem to be like video phones: common in science-fiction, we now have them, but they (curiously) aren't used that much.

Re: C++ programming pioneer hacks off-grid, DIY, smart home

#3

Post by cageface » Tue, Apr 03, 2012, 8:06 AM UTC

and he wired it for pure DC lighting (which makes sense with solar, but Amelang also likes how “peaceful” DC lighting feels).

Congratulations are due to him for his resourceful unreasonableness but this sounds a little tinfoil-hat to me.

Re: C++ programming pioneer hacks off-grid, DIY, smart home

#4

Post by chao- » Tue, Apr 03, 2012, 8:09 AM UTC

cageface wrote: post #3

and he wired it for pure DC lighting (which makes sense with solar, but Amelang also likes how “peaceful” DC lighting feels). Congratulations are due to him for his resourceful unreasonableness but this sounds a little tinfoil-hat to me.

In what manner? I can't say I have an opinion about the way DC lighting looks, but if it made for easier work with the solar power of an already custom-beyond-reason job, why not?

Re: C++ programming pioneer hacks off-grid, DIY, smart home

#5

Post by cageface » Tue, Apr 03, 2012, 8:17 AM UTC

chao- wrote: post #4

cageface wrote: post #3

and he wired it for pure DC lighting (which makes sense with solar, but Amelang also likes how “peaceful” DC lighting feels). Congratulations are due to him for his resourceful unreasonableness but this sounds a little tinfoil-hat to me.

In what manner? I can't say I have an opinion about the way DC lighting looks, but if it made for easier work with the solar power of an already custom-beyond-reason job, why not?

He says it "feels" different. I think it's very unlikely that people can perceive AC power cycles.

Re: C++ programming pioneer hacks off-grid, DIY, smart home

#6

Post by wladimir » Tue, Apr 03, 2012, 8:23 AM UTC

cageface wrote: post #5

chao- wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In what manner? I can't say I have an opinion about the way DC lighting looks, but if it made for easier work with the solar power of an already custom-beyond-reason job, why not?

He says it "feels" different. I think it's very unlikely that people can perceive AC power cycles.

It probably does feel different. To him. Please don't blame people for their feelings or force them to over-analyze or rationalize them. We're all human. It would be different if he was writing a scientific paper on the subject, of course.

Re: C++ programming pioneer hacks off-grid, DIY, smart home

#7

Post by dazzawazza » Tue, Apr 03, 2012, 8:37 AM UTC

cageface wrote: post #5

chao- wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In what manner? I can't say I have an opinion about the way DC lighting looks, but if it made for easier work with the solar power of an already custom-beyond-reason job, why not?

He says it "feels" different. I think it's very unlikely that people can perceive AC power cycles.

Is he not referring to the flicker that AC lighting has which some people can see (at least out of the corner of their eye)

Re: C++ programming pioneer hacks off-grid, DIY, smart home

#8

Post by draven » Tue, Apr 03, 2012, 8:42 AM UTC

cageface wrote: post #5

chao- wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In what manner? I can't say I have an opinion about the way DC lighting looks, but if it made for easier work with the solar power of an already custom-beyond-reason job, why not?

He says it "feels" different. I think it's very unlikely that people can perceive AC power cycles.

Anecdotal data point: I can see it. Not when looking directly at a light but on my peripheral vision it is very noticeable at times. I'm pretty sure lots of people are able to perceive it but do not mind.

NB: I'm in Europe and the AC is 50Hz.

Re: C++ programming pioneer hacks off-grid, DIY, smart home

#9

Post by chao- » Tue, Apr 03, 2012, 8:52 AM UTC

cageface wrote: post #5

chao- wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In what manner? I can't say I have an opinion about the way DC lighting looks, but if it made for easier work with the solar power of an already custom-beyond-reason job, why not?

He says it "feels" different. I think it's very unlikely that people can perceive AC power cycles.

I don't know about "feels", unless he has some serious synesthesia issues, but it's far from unheard of to be able to see it.

Speaking from personal experience, I have two data points to contribute. I have been able to see a flicker quite clearly from my peripheral vision coming from an LED christmas light fixture. I remember this clearly as it was so distracting that I had to reposition my body during the conversation to face away from it entirely. In another instance, it was noticeably irritating the first few minutes I ever sat in front of a television in Europe (being used to the higher refresh rate in the US).

Re: C++ programming pioneer hacks off-grid, DIY, smart home

#10

Post by gouranga » Tue, Apr 03, 2012, 8:57 AM UTC

cageface wrote: post #5

chao- wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In what manner? I can't say I have an opinion about the way DC lighting looks, but if it made for easier work with the solar power of an already custom-beyond-reason job, why not?

He says it "feels" different. I think it's very unlikely that people can perceive AC power cycles.

You can "feel" AC - not the power but the sounds that it creates inside devices. There is a resident "hum" from most mains AC devices, particularly energy bulbs, linear tranformers, CRTs, switch mode power supplies, heating, appliances etc.

If you're all DC with LED lighting etc, there is no 50/60Hz hum any more.

You genuinely don't notice it until it's not there any more.