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  • COMMAIK
    • Contact Form
    • Imprint
    • Privacy Policy
  • The Villa
    • The top floor
    • The upper floor
    • The first floor
    • The cellar
    • The garden
  • Stories from the construction
    • irrigation
    • Photovoltaics
    • Pool and terrace
    • SmartHome
    • The planning
    • The demolition
    • The installation
    • Machinery
    • Restoration and working techniques
    • This and that
  • Videos
    • Build & Renovate
    • Irrigation
    • Carport
    • Gabions
    • Garden
    • Garden kitchen
    • Pool
    • Smart Home
    • Drying
    • Tutorials
  • TESTED & RATED
    • Heating solutions & energy
    • Outdoor & Garten
    • Pool & garden kitchen
    • Security & Smart Home
    • Tools & DIY
  • Commaik Music
  • Privacy Policy
  • Imprint
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  • Optimize balcony power plant – New modules and 220V battery storage for maximum efficiency

    A person stands on a rooftop with solar panels and a balcony power plant, pointing toward a graphic showing a Zendure SuperBase energy storage unit. A modern house and trees are visible in the background. www.commaik.de

    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.

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    A fire barrel with flames rising from the top stands outdoors on dirt, with stacked firewood neatly arranged in the background. www.commaik.de

    Build your own smoke-free fire barrel: DIY instructions from a 200 L oil drum with secondary ventilation

    17. October 2025
    A metal heating box with hoses attached sits open next to a building, revealing machinery and a plastic container inside; the box appears to be an outdoor equipment unit or possibly a parking heater. www.commaik.de

    Installing a mobile diesel parking heater in the garden shed

    15. January 2025
    A black Reolink NVR device is shown against a gray background. A large text in German reads "Hard disk retrofitting". The Reolink logo appears in the bottom left corner. www.commaik.de

    Expand Reolink NVR storage space – Installing and configuring hard disks correctly

    26. February 2026
  • Reolink TrackMix PoE – 4K dual lens surveillance camera review

    A man stands beside images of a backyard with a pool. A Reolink Trackmix PoE security camera is shown on the left, with the Reolink logo at the top right and smart home icons above the garden scene. www.commaik.de

    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.

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    A surveillance control room with six security cameras surrounding a Reolink recording device on a desk, monitors displaying blurred Reolink footage in the background. www.commaik.de

    The best storage solutions for Reolink surveillance cameras: recommendations & experiences

    31. January 2025
    Two Anthbot robotic lawnmowers stand side by side on green grass, the sunlight illuminating their wheels and sensors in a backyard or garden. www.commaik.de

    Robot lawn mower without boundary wire in test: LiDAR vs RTK in comparison (ANTHBOT M5 vs M9)

    14. April 2026
    Reolink NVR device on a gray background with large "Reolink NVR" text above it; a hand can be seen in the background installing a hard drive inside the Reolink security system. www.commaik.de

    Install Reolink RLN36 NVR | Install hard disk and set up camera

    6. August 2023
  • Reolink Argus 4 Pro review: The wireless surveillance camera with 4K and ColorX technology

    A man stands on the left, fist raised, next to a large Reolink Argus security camera and solar panel. In the background, a modern backyard with a swimming pool is visible, with the Reolink logo in the top right. www.commaik.de

    The Reolink Argus 4 Pro is one of the newest and most advanced surveillance cameras on the market. With its impressive 180° field of view in 4K UHD resolution and innovative ColorX technology, it sets new standards in home and business security. In this blog entry, I will go into detail about the installation and setup of the Reolink Argus 4 Pro surveillance camera, explain its technical specifications and examine the advantages and disadvantages of this camera in a test.   I will also point out possible solutions for any disadvantages and provide information on the various sources of supply. This article will help you better understand the Reolink Argus…

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    Close-up of two wire connectors and a cut green boundary wire on grass, with wire cutters and a plier nearby; white stones are visible in the background. www.commaik.de

    Repairing broken wires: Finding and repairing the boundary wire for robotic lawnmowers

    23. November 2024
    Two Anthbot robotic lawnmowers stand side by side on green grass, the sunlight illuminating their wheels and sensors in a backyard or garden. www.commaik.de

    Robot lawn mower without boundary wire in test: LiDAR vs RTK in comparison (ANTHBOT M5 vs M9)

    14. April 2026
    Partially constructed garden kitchen with unfinished concrete block walls, a wooden roof, and a grill inside. The structure sits in a backyard, surrounded by trees visible in the background. www.commaik.de

    Build your own garden kitchen – solid half-timbered roof with OSB and welded sheeting for the outdoor kitchen

    22. March 2024
  • Build your own garden kitchen – worktop and jamb for the outdoor kitchen

    Partially completed garden kitchen with unfinished wooden cabinets, a dark worktop, an open window, and power tools on the counter. Trees and buildings can be seen outside. www.commaik.de

    After completing the electrics and water supply in my outdoor garden kitchen, it was now time to install the worktop. I wanted to build the work area of the outdoor kitchen in such a way that I would have individual zones to work in for the barbecue, the bar and also the washbasin area. In this post, I describe in a step-by-step guide how I used OSB boards and Fermacell boards to create a stable and moisture-resistant base for the vinyl tiles. These measures were necessary to make the worktop robust, scratch-resistant and easy to clean, so that it meets the requirements of an outdoor kitchen.

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    Lawn care equipment, including a lawn mower, fertilizer spreader, and a bag of fertilizer, is arranged on a lush lawn near a palm tree and garden bed with white stones. Stacked firewood sits in the background. www.commaik.de

    The 5 best tips for a healthy lawn – lawn care in spring

    2. February 2025
    Close-up of a partially constructed wooden deck, ideal for a garden terrace renovation, with a drill, screws, hammer, and metal brackets on top of the decking boards; metal framing and groundwork visible underneath. www.commaik.de

    Renovating the garden terrace: switching from wood to WPC and aluminum profiles

    17. March 2024
    Screenshot of a solar panel monitoring app displaying the Statistik section. The background highlights blue solar panels, with the main heading reading Balcony Power System and a note showing it was last updated 5 minutes ago. www.commaik.de

    Balcony power station – Set up the Solarman app optimally

    29. October 2023
  • Reolink Duo 3 PoE surveillance camera tested against 2 RLC 810A

    A man stands thoughtfully next to a large question mark, with three Reolink security cameras and the Reolink logo displayed on a gray background, highlighting Reolink’s commitment to smart security solutions. www.commaik.de

    In my latest smart home project, I replaced my two Reolink RLC-810A cameras with the Reolink Duo 3 PoE surveillance camera with dual lens. I was particularly interested in whether the 180° detection of the Duo 3 PoE could actually improve the monitoring of my driveway and carport. With its 16-megapixel resolution and 2-way communication capability, the Duo 3 PoE promised superior technology and more comprehensive security. But would all the effort and financial investment really be worth it or were the two old camera models better? I would like to explore these questions in this blog post.

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    Lawn irrigation system components, including pipes, valves, and wiring, are laid out on the ground next to an open valve box in a grassy area. A green garden hose and plastic cover are also visible. www.commaik.de

    Installing lawn irrigation: Valve box, Hunter solenoid valves and Rain Bird water distribution in detail

    1. March 2025
    A yellow excavator is digging earth along a muddy construction site, creating a steep dirt slope next to trees and residential buildings, where gabion baskets may soon be installed for added slope stability. www.commaik.de

    Securing the slope with gabions – preparing the ground with the excavator

    25. April 2020
    Partially constructed wooden aviary with a small building at the back and an open wooden frame extending in front, set on a gravel and dirt foundation, surrounded by trees and a fence. www.commaik.de

    Build your own bird aviary – outdoor enclosure for rabbits, birds and guinea pigs

    2. September 2021
  • Designing a smart and efficient garden kitchen – installing lights, sockets and water connections

    Modern garden kitchen with a wooden roof, barbecue grill, counters, and bar area illuminated by soft yellow and purple LED lights, set against a twilight sky for an inviting light-filled outdoor retreat. www.commaik.de

    The development of my garden kitchen has made significant progress, particularly in the areas of electrical installation, water installation and the integration of smart technologies for lighting and control. I’d like to give you some insight and practical tips on how I overcame these challenges, from carefully planning the lighting to installing smart sockets and light switches that enable flexible and efficient use.

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    A rectangular outdoor swimming pool with clear blue water is surrounded by gray tiled paving and pool edge stones. There is a small palm tree, green grass, and hedges in the background. Some tiling work appears unfinished on one side. www.commaik.de

    Laying pool edging stones and building your own pool terrace for the perfect pool surround

    8. December 2024
    A construction site with a stone retaining wall and gabion wire mesh reinforcement in front of a modern house; soil and building materials are scattered in the foreground. www.commaik.de

    Slope stabilization – stack gabions safely on top of each other

    21. August 2020
    An irrigation control system with pipes, valves, and wires is installed beside a stone-filled trench near a raised bed in the garden. Purple flowers and soil are visible in the background. www.commaik.de

    Building a raised bed on a slope with gabions and automatic irrigation

    2. August 2020
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Autor & Blogger

In this construction diary, we share our experience in the renovation and modernization of our Art Nouveau villa and hope to give a few suggestions and tips to some of you.

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