Grant Trebbin

I'm interested in things. I like to write about what I research & build. Always looking for work. Get in touch if you know of any opportunities. he/him
https://www.grant-trebbin.com
Brisbane 🇦🇺

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Last Notes

2026-02-13 04:30:19 GMT

My niece is out of school for a couple days on holiday with her family helping with newly hatched loggerhead turtles. That seems like a good reason to miss class.
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/116/061/424/573/045/087/original/afbc3034e591347a.jpg

2026-02-13 00:19:07 GMT

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Opening these without destroying them seems unlikely. Unfortunately all these devices are aimed at people wanting to control things instead of power nerds who like to log data.

2026-02-12 23:30:40 GMT

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I was aware of the risks but stupidly did it anyway. All I really want is an extension lead with power monitoring built in.

2026-02-12 23:28:40 GMT

Don't be like me. Putting a smart plug on a freezer to monitor power isn't a great idea. Relay died and it lost power. Luckily I had a lot of thermal mass in the freezer with frozen water.

2026-01-06 04:35:21 GMT

I need to get my shit together and write some blog posts about how to manage use by dates in supermarkets. If I'm lucky, some AI will hoover it up and someone in upper management will regurgitate it thinking it was their idea.

2025-12-27 04:40:21 GMT

My take on the Hot Cross bun situation is that Easter is 15 days earlier than last year. That's 2 whole weeks less I have to trip over them in the freezer.

2025-12-05 05:20:11 GMT

An interesting failure mode on the screen at the local train station.
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/115/665/266/589/530/800/original/7da22a752cb2627f.jpg

2025-11-26 01:13:52 GMT

Apparently aluminium is now magnetic.
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/115/613/334/431/121/403/original/da3c1e2dd2d410de.png

2025-10-22 23:55:24 GMT

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Side by side comparison of the old and new Brisbane Forecast page.
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/115/420/510/878/585/004/original/c76dde6b7fde913c.png

2025-10-22 21:37:21 GMT

If you go to the new BOM site and look at the forecast for Brisbane today it says "Partly Cloudy, No Rain". You then expand the "Show more about today" dropdown and it says "The chance of a thunderstorm this afternoon." That's kind of important to know.

2025-10-11 06:03:54 GMT

Would like to watch Bathurst but unfortunately I work Sundays.

2025-08-16 00:05:23 GMT

Well that was unexpected. I've never felt an earthquake before. #Brisbane.
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/115/035/511/876/907/787/original/2532fb54f41fc5c2.png

2025-07-29 19:48:01 GMT

If they turned off the YouTube comment section in Australia would it still be considered social media?

2025-07-25 22:25:58 GMT

This is in a job ad for a petrol station attendant. I'm not that excited about things I actually enjoy.
"As a Customer Service Representative, you build the energy and excitement in our bp-owned store. You help us learn from each customer interaction, so that we can evolve our products and services. Nothing gives you a greater thrill than making customers' lives easier and brighter, every day."

2025-07-21 21:21:05 GMT

A new #NEM battery discharge record of 2050MW on Sunday evening. The first time 2GW discharge happened was 10 minutes before this.
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/114/893/288/926/789/737/original/fb20f8409da70e7f.png

2025-07-18 09:05:48 GMT

#BNEStorm hail washed into a pile behind my brother in law's gym.
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/114/873/430/354/123/730/original/84c302f393880bf5.webp

2025-07-17 01:25:51 GMT

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depending on what you need my go to place for crates is https://www.equip2go.com.au/

2025-07-14 03:15:01 GMT

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Thanks for that. I was trying to look this up recently and couldn't really find much on their site.

2025-07-13 13:56:27 GMT

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may have a better idea.

2025-07-13 13:54:02 GMT

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not too sure how Amber works myself. In theory, retail should be more than wholesale, but on Amber, they do 30 minute intervals averaged from AEMOs 5 minute pricing and then add other costs (I think). If that is for VIC, Open Electricity has this pricing data for this morning that seems about right for those prices.
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/114/846/233/263/839/456/original/173378bb62e4111e.png

2025-07-06 09:45:31 GMT

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The NSFW bloopers. Good times.
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/114/805/643/536/038/689/original/e0718d74b64260d5.mp4

2025-06-27 04:56:14 GMT

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It feels like it's government support for a car industry we don't have any more.

2025-06-27 04:48:07 GMT

Why are novated leases a thing?

2025-06-11 11:26:08 GMT

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Just shy of 1.7 GW tonight
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/114/664/474/996/295/091/original/2a6a6b7557026f52.png

2025-05-28 03:58:02 GMT

Can anyone help identify this connector? It's about 20mm square and has two spade connectors and a locking tab on the outside. It looks like an automotive connector from Jaycar but I'm not having any luck figuring it out.
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/114/583/433/686/266/890/original/da9a85aa93a004a7.jpg
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/114/583/433/729/195/859/original/aa52dc57d98681ee.jpg

2025-05-15 19:50:44 GMT

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We've finally cracked 1.5GW of battery generation on the NEM.
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/114/513/575/561/497/564/original/24a0b6ca7f315811.png

2025-05-02 14:12:22 GMT

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A new record of 1.456 GW
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/114/438/642/284/951/168/original/4d675e538ac7e0df.png

2025-04-19 20:39:20 GMT

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from Brisbane Australia.
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/114/366/550/765/560/422/original/9adc61c5f3532ade.jpg

2025-04-17 22:29:35 GMT

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Looks like I've found the only other person that knows about Xournal

2025-04-16 20:34:06 GMT

Big opportunity to grab some bargains at Australian supermarkets in the coming weeks. They'll be closed for Good Friday and the following Friday for ANZAC day, so there will be a LOT of heavily discounted stock today and next Thursday. QLD get an extra opportunity on a following Sunday as they'll be closed on Monday May 5 for Labour day. Just ask staff when and where and they'll tell you.

2025-04-10 00:22:48 GMT

Do Australians still carry physical credit cards? I used to use Google Pay when you could make small transactions without unlocking, but it seems easier to use the card now.

2025-03-27 21:44:42 GMT

Gas turbines basically have a lead time equivalent to the next 3 year term of parliament. During that period, grid scale batteries will continue to roll out at a massive scale and make gas even more uneconomical.

2025-03-10 23:32:35 GMT

Weighing up backup power solutions for home. We don't lose power that often so It's more cost effective to replace fridge contents than get a battery bank or generator. Especially to cover a week. At that point a home battery with solar that can island or a lower cost EV with vehicle to load makes more sense.

2025-03-06 03:02:08 GMT

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Nope. The cyclone slowed down and they changed their minds. 5pm close now and open tomorrow. #clusterFuck

2025-03-05 20:23:51 GMT

With all that's going on you may have missed that batteries on the NEM supplied over 1.21GW of power last night. First time I think.
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/114/111/680/556/239/299/original/e4a40c89be8fbca1.png

2025-03-05 07:33:16 GMT

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Common sense has prevailed. We close at 2pm.

2025-03-05 06:39:30 GMT

The government is saying they don't want people out tomorrow and Friday while work are still saying they are going to trade as normal. So I guess I teleport to work then?

2025-03-03 03:15:28 GMT

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the agriculture link on the main page has a tool I check often for that.
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/114/096/318/318/475/075/original/fc4e7d19c7178332.png

2025-03-03 03:08:32 GMT

If you have some empty bottles laying around, fill them up with water and freeze them. If power goes out chuck them in the fridge or leave them in the freezer. It'll keep things cold for a bit longer. #CycloneAlfred

2025-02-26 05:39:00 GMT

It's wild what you can get on a single chip now. Integrated, isolated DC/DC converter on board. It's 10 AUD in single quantity, but may be worth it for the simplicity.
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/114/068/540/911/231/437/original/1bfd0a21a14152d5.png

2025-02-14 07:30:03 GMT

Reading a review for a KFC store. It's been eating away at them for a year. "Ordered food in November 2023, and there was a police incident and they shut the store. Order was processed and we were told to leave as the store is shut.
We were told to contact KFC for a refund. We did and lodged it online, received an incident number.
No one followed up, and we emailed again. No response.
Edit -It is now November 2024 still no response from KFC or refund. Essentially they have taken the money for the order, and never provided the service."

2025-01-24 03:33:57 GMT

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Out of curiosity do you have a write up of what your system is and how it works?

2025-01-17 06:08:24 GMT

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I knew what video you linked to even before the preview popped up. Time for a rewatch.

2025-01-17 05:40:28 GMT

Considering a lower power kettle for Mum. The cord on the current one gets uncomfortably warm. It's a good brand and it meets regulations It's just that I think the regulations suck. Who needs a 2200 W kettle when 1200 W is fine. A smaller one would be easier for her to lift too.

2025-01-16 00:52:05 GMT

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They've been having some real weird data problems the last week or so.

2025-01-08 22:18:18 GMT

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The thing that tipped me over the edge (besides someone donating to my blog) is that it has a replaceable 18650 battery.

2025-01-08 21:55:25 GMT

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I caved in and bought a ZT-703S. It has some drawbacks, but I don't have anything portable.

2025-01-08 21:41:14 GMT

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Marketplace has turned into scammer central. People posing as the FaceBook moderation team threatening to lock your account and people wanting to have something posted and they'll arrange the courier, but to get payment click on this dodgy link, are the majority of enquiries now.
About 75% of enquiries are scams and of the genuine ones, only about 10% go anywhere.

2025-01-08 21:26:05 GMT

So if I want to sell something I can choose between Marketplace, Gumtree, or eBay. All of these options suck.

2025-01-08 11:28:23 GMT

I don't usually get scared in storms but this is something else. #BNEstorm

2025-01-07 04:28:22 GMT

Dentist asked what my plans for the year were. Settle down. At this point my only plan is to get through it.

2025-01-04 04:14:39 GMT

Those handheld scope meters are becoming tempting. The function generators are pretty average and the software isn't great but for someone starting out it's not bad.

2025-01-04 03:34:33 GMT

I'm not sure if it's a first, but we hit 1GW instantaneous battery generation in the NEM yesterday.
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/113/767/974/323/998/093/original/56ce9f001456b77b.png

2024-11-25 21:34:37 GMT

Do they make e-ink modules approximately 25mm x 300mm. About the size of a ruler. More out of curiosity than anything

2024-11-22 06:35:14 GMT

Had about 50mm of rain in the last hour. #BNEWeather

2024-11-18 23:34:17 GMT

It's international men's day and for some reason we are celebrating it at work.

2024-11-07 01:18:24 GMT

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The LCD readout on the smart meter is incomprehensible trash though. And the impulse led flashes for importing and exporting. Not a problem for me as I don't have solar but it makes it useless as a power monitoring method for most people.

2024-11-07 01:14:25 GMT

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I bought a couple current clamps on the off chance that the electrician would install them when doing the meter change over. I got lucky and they agreed. I'm not sure what my next move is, but the rest I can do myself.

2024-10-31 22:39:41 GMT

Shout out to my local computer shop with its Windows XP promotional material still in the front window.
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/113/404/427/400/635/498/original/ade3d65cbc9c02ca.jpg

2024-10-23 11:38:17 GMT

Avoiding the train with all the school kids and walking home 4km after doing 90 minutes of cardio at the gym probably wasn't the best idea.

2024-10-18 00:18:20 GMT

The hardest part of voting is deciding if One Nation or Family First go last.

2024-10-16 03:32:00 GMT

The local bridge claims another truck.
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/113/314/985/265/816/151/original/6ff740cb1b772666.png

2024-10-15 19:03:45 GMT

I've been grappling with how to monitor total household power usage via the analog electricity meter for a long time. I've had a few ideas but I've kept putting it on the back burner. Got a letter today informing me that they're installing smart meters. I guess that problem took care of itself then.

2024-10-10 22:15:55 GMT

No matter what happens in the next QLD election, the ≈900MW MacIntyre wind farm is starting to send power to the grid.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/australias-largest-operating-wind-farm-sends-first-power-to-sunshine-state-grid/
https://nemlog.com.au/nem/stn/MCINTYR/
#renewableenergy #AEMO
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2024-09-26 05:37:37 GMT

You can draw your own conclusions about the state of grocery pricing in Australia from this graph. https://www.auscost.com.au/d/dd34eddb-26fc-48ce-88fb-19ef7b18734e/groceries?orgId=1&var-UserSelectedProduct=Pepsi+Max+No+Sugar+Cola+Soft+Drink+Cans+Multipack+375ml+X+24+Pack&from=1723346064904&to=1727328561700&viewPanel=5
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/113/202/222/335/331/831/original/009607990de15447.png

2024-09-21 04:49:54 GMT

I have about 100 small wooden boxes that need name plates that I may need to change occasionally. Do I give in and just buy those little metal screw on nameplate holders from AliExpress? Any better ideas?

2024-09-18 08:26:47 GMT

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Not sure what the end goal is but the project looks cool. Pun intended.

2024-09-17 08:30:02 GMT

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Yet a 6mm wood chisel is fine.

2024-09-17 07:34:25 GMT

At least the government is taking a tough stance on teen gangs armed with edger blades.
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/113/151/720/404/417/522/original/7c3e3b7405ad5590.png

2024-08-30 07:38:41 GMT

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Very hefty. It weighs in at just over 1.3kg.

2024-08-30 07:32:10 GMT

Got a new keyboard. Keychron V6. I've remapped some of the keys with via and have some macros programmed. Was hoping to use dynamic macros as well but I don't think the firmware supports it.

2024-08-29 02:43:22 GMT

I'm firing on all cylinders*.
*However, the firing order is random and the timing is sporadic.

2024-08-16 05:00:50 GMT

Is there a small macro program for Windows that can automate typing small phrases that you use multiple times a day? I feel a little uncomfortable with AutoHotKey.

2024-08-14 01:25:36 GMT

So.... The KNX automation protocol. Does anyone have any experience with it? Just interested in pros and cons. I'd rather use a protocol that already exists instead of creating something myself.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KNX

2024-08-12 23:19:52 GMT

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Not sure exactly, but it only has a few welds while most of the fabrication could be done in a CNC tube bender.

2024-08-03 07:56:09 GMT

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I'll think you'll find some interesting patterns. In an ideal world, the supermarkets should have to freely provide this data.

2024-07-31 07:49:21 GMT

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I wondered if it was a coincidence too. A lot of details here too. https://www.britishtelephones.com/menueric.htm
I'll have to sit down and figure out what this is.

2024-07-31 07:38:39 GMT

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certainly has a lot more character than modern phones.

2024-07-31 07:04:44 GMT

Found an old Ericsson phone in the shed.
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/112/879/811/780/270/631/original/380f3f8d79bad218.jpg
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/112/879/811/838/552/019/original/588b0e670eeab0b0.jpg

2024-06-19 22:39:47 GMT

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I struggle with keeping them well fed in winter but in summer there's no stopping them.

2024-06-19 22:33:19 GMT

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Hi. If any beginners are interested there are some good resources on the following site. I'm still learning myself. https://www.eawag.ch/en/department/sandec/projects/mswm/practical-knowhow-on-black-soldier-fly-bsf-biowaste-processing/

2024-06-08 16:25:09 GMT

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breaking down the music https://youtu.be/TMtGImlEmu0