-
Repairing broken wires: Finding and repairing the boundary wire for robotic lawnmowers
A robotic lawnmower can be a considerable relief in the garden, but what happens if the boundary wire or control cable is damaged? In this blog post, I describe step by step how I quickly and easily repaired the defective control cable and the broken boundary wire on my robotic lawnmower. A cable break on the boundary wire of my robotic lawnmower recently presented me with a challenge. While I was out with the gas mower, the mower was set too low and cut the boundary wire. Although the cable was laid in the ground, it was completely cut through.
-
Draining the basement with a new horizontal barrier – conclusion after 9 months
It is now nine months since our old damp cellar was drained with a retrofitted horizontal barrier – time to take stock. In a building over 100 years old like ours, which was built without the foundation waterproofing that is common today, moisture in the basement is a real challenge. As the rising damp in our cellar became increasingly visible, I installed a new horizontal barrier with injection cream in the thick cellar walls to create a barrier against the ground moisture. In this article, I show in detail what effect the moisture barrier has had, where problems still exist and what other measures seem sensible to keep the cellar…
-
Designing a garden kitchen with a concrete look: Instructions for robust walls in the outdoor kitchen
In my garden kitchen, I designed the walls in a concrete look to create both a modern design and an easy-care, high-quality surface. The design of my self-built outdoor kitchen not only offers functional extensions for the outdoor area, but can also be a visual highlight. The concrete look is particularly popular in combination with the spatula technique, which gives the kitchen an industrial flair and creates a durable, weather-resistant surface. In the article, I describe how I proceeded step by step: from preparing the Ytong walls to the filling technique and sealing. I also compare alternatives such as tiles and clinker bricks and provide insights into the challenges of…
-
Reolink Altas PT Ultra: The powerful 4K battery-powered surveillance camera in a test
The Reolink Altas PT Ultra is an impressive surveillance camera that I tested in my latest project. With 4K resolution, ColorX night vision and 360° auto-tracking, it offers powerful functions for outdoor use. In comparison to the Reolink TrackMix PoE and the RLC-1212A, I examined the image quality during the day, at night and at dusk and found interesting differences. In this article, I describe my installation procedure, how the cameras work and which models are particularly suitable for certain areas of application.
-
Optimize balcony power plant – New modules and 220V battery storage for maximum efficiency
In this blog post, I describe how I optimized my balcony power plant to maximize self-consumption and reduce dependence on grid power. I have installed new modules, improved the alignment and will integrate a battery storage system that supports bidirectional AC charging. I go into detail about setting up the EasyPower app and integrating the new APSystem EZ1 inverter into my Home Assistant for monitoring, as well as the results achieved and future plans to further increase efficiency. The aim is to maximize the efficiency of my system and make optimum use of the solar power generated.
-
Reolink TrackMix PoE – 4K dual lens surveillance camera review
The Reolink TrackMix PoE is one of the newest and most promising smart 4K surveillance cameras on the market. In my detailed test, I put the camera through its paces to discover its strengths and weaknesses. From the easy installation and impressive image quality to the intelligent tracking options, the Reolink TrackMix PoE offers numerous features that I have tested extensively. Find out in this article how the camera performs in practice and why it could be an excellent choice for monitoring your home.













