I’m such a fan of this. Nicely done! I opted for a $3k Costco shed and went off grid with it even though it’s in my back yard: https://drodio.com/going-all-in-on-an-off-grid-workspace/ Off grid = No need for a permit but more importantly, a proof of concept that with starlink, this small office “shedquarters” could be placed anywhere in the world — say a beach in Costa Rica for example!
Was the fast internet stuff worth it? I have a google mesh router in my garage about 20’ from my house and I get ~180mbs out there.
Not that anything about this shed is built to code, but this takes the cake: > PRO TIP Use screws for everything; if you mess up, remove the screws and redo it; with nails, it’s a lot harder to do that. You absolutely should not do this for framing, and most building codes specify the type and size of nails that you must use when fastening load-bearing structural components. Screws are convenient, sure, but they are…
Also it sounds like he ran both the low voltage network cable and the high voltage line-level power wiring inside of the same conduit which is a big no-no for various code and safety related reasons. From what I understand messing with electric code violations is not a good idea, if your homeowners insurance finds out you put in some janky stuff like that and your house burns down, they might invalidate your policy b…
Home insurance covers stupidity as well as acts of god, in most cases
They might send an inspector and then refuse to insure, but if you are paying the premium and make an out of code change that causes a claim, they are going to have to pay out for the most part unless your out of code changes are super negligent. Using screws instead of nails would definitely not be considered super negligent. Nor would anything ever be inspected close enough to notice that. Running electrical through the wrong type of PVC is also not likely to be considered negligent enough to deny a claim. Of course, doing everything right the first time is the better way to go anyway as you never know when an insurance may become super petty and try to deny a claim for whatever reason they can find.
I’m such a fan of this. Nicely done! I opted for a $3k Costco shed and went off grid with it even though it’s in my back yard: https://drodio.com/going-all-in-on-an-off-grid-workspace/ Off grid = No need for a permit but more importantly, a proof of concept that with starlink, this small office “shedquarters” could be placed anywhere in the world — say a beach in Costa Rica for example!
Was the fast internet stuff worth it? I have a google mesh router in my garage about 20’ from my house and I get ~180mbs out there.
I’m using Ruckus setup which is bulletproof inside the house but wasn’t consistent in the shed, so yes, worth it
I was going to post about code violations but I’ll just tuck it under yours here so we don’t flood the top level (although one could argue that this really deserves it). I had to stop reading r/diy because half the stuff in there made me angry. Especially people building lofts to store heavy stuff without knowing anything about construction. You can’t overlap rooflines like this. That’s how they allow people to build…
Keep in mind, while yes this is a huge code issue mixing low voltage and high voltage - ‘it depends’ in a lot of jurisdictions on other elements. Following is for other folks running across this, in case it helps them. At least in California, I’m pretty sure it’s code compliant to use rated non-metallic conduit for outside high voltage runs for instance. That conduit is made of PVC. It’s the grey plastic electrical c…
> It’s a much better idea to use EMT
You cannot bury EMT underground.
One of the nice things about actual metal conduit, depending on the nature of the soil where you live, is that it only needs to be buried 7" down to meet NEC rules. PVC conduit requires significantly more depth.
I’m such a fan of this. Nicely done! I opted for a $3k Costco shed and went off grid with it even though it’s in my back yard: https://drodio.com/going-all-in-on-an-off-grid-workspace/ Off grid = No need for a permit but more importantly, a proof of concept that with starlink, this small office “shedquarters” could be placed anywhere in the world — say a beach in Costa Rica for example!
Being off-grid wouldn't normally get you around building code; where are you that it does?
I’m such a fan of this. Nicely done! I opted for a $3k Costco shed and went off grid with it even though it’s in my back yard: https://drodio.com/going-all-in-on-an-off-grid-workspace/ Off grid = No need for a permit but more importantly, a proof of concept that with starlink, this small office “shedquarters” could be placed anywhere in the world — say a beach in Costa Rica for example!
Looks awesome. I'd love something like that in my backyard. Only wish the write-up was longer!
That was the first thing I noticed as well. I don’t blame him mind you since I would have assumed they are better and easier as well but recently my brother who is a carpenter told me you have to use nails they are needed. This just reminds me that being handy is good but knowing code is critical for some thing. In this case he will probably get away with just screws.
> being handy is good but knowing code is critical for some things The subject of building code seems vast. How can you get to the point where you even know what you don't know?
You can always do it the hard way and have an inspector tell you what is wrong, fix it, repeat. The whole point of inspection is to get it right. This method isn’t cost efficient for starting. Find friends to ask questions before starting to reduce inspection failures.
Not that anything about this shed is built to code, but this takes the cake: > PRO TIP Use screws for everything; if you mess up, remove the screws and redo it; with nails, it’s a lot harder to do that. You absolutely should not do this for framing, and most building codes specify the type and size of nails that you must use when fastening load-bearing structural components. Screws are convenient, sure, but they are…
> Screws are convenient, sure, but they are necessarily much harder than nails and are prone to embrittlement and cracking,... That sounds like bike-shedding :D
Ya, it is bike shedding in most cases. I've seen a few side by side comparisons of nails vs screws for framing and while it's true that screws are more likely to sheer off, nails are more likely to pull out. And assuming you used a reasonable size and quantity of screws, the load required to sheer them will be so far and above anything required by code that it becomes a distinction without a difference.
I’m such a fan of this. Nicely done! I opted for a $3k Costco shed and went off grid with it even though it’s in my back yard: https://drodio.com/going-all-in-on-an-off-grid-workspace/ Off grid = No need for a permit but more importantly, a proof of concept that with starlink, this small office “shedquarters” could be placed anywhere in the world — say a beach in Costa Rica for example!
Imagine if all the nerds that could afford it set up their shacks on the beach in Costa Rica. Instant slum. I prefer the beach without such structures.
Replace “beach in Costa Rica” with any remote (or not) global location of your choice, which is the point.
We’re 1 year away from a low latency, gigabit speed ”shedquarters” workspace being available anywhere in the world for under $10k.
Ah yes, I know about the grey PVC but spaced on it. Typically this is for external runs bolted to the side of a building though. Or at least, that’s almost all I ever see it used for. Can you use it for open air horizontal runs? Say between two buildings? Data you want shielded, for the reasons I stated. Stringing Ethernet between buildings often ends in tears.
I ran outdoor-rated cat6 in metal conduit between my house and shed, about 6 feet, and it has worked very well. What do you see as the problem?
The cat 6 is fine, it's the power cable that's an issue. Realistically in this scenario it's fine too, it should be branched off of a GFCI. The only issue with the network cable is that it picks up static from lightning and blows some equipment, you can put Ethernet breakers on both ends though.