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From: Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid>
Newsgroups: sci.electronics.design
Subject: Re: Grand Apagon - Electricity (not) in Spain
Date: Fri, 9 May 2025 19:37:15 -0700
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> Yes, of course. Around here we have many flat roofed houses. Many of those use 
> aluminum foil with asphalt. If well done, it could hold a pool.

Sadly, organic debris accumulates on them.  Then, water gets trapped
in the debris -- and slowly rots the roof in that location.  Drainage
being important and hard to accomplish with low pitch.

>> I've tried a new configuration where I am hanging many of the
>> UPSs off a couple of larger units.  The thinking being that I
>> only have to maintain the larger units' batteries (and still
>> get the benefits of a UPS per workstation).
> 
> Maybe just a big unit, and wiring around the place. Red coloured sockets. Lilke 
> in computer centres.

Wiring *in* the structure would necessitate an inspection.
But, plugging three UPSs (with long power cords) into a
single UPS is acceptable.  Then, the single UPS can
serve those three loads or any combination.

ONE set of batteries to replace (let the other three "slaves"
complain that they are missing batteries... who cares?!)

>>>> Digikey used to have a policy of free shipping for prepaid (cash)
>>>> orders.  I would buy batteries in lots of 10 and send prepayment.
>>>> Shipping charges can be a significant fraction of a battery's
>>>> cost.  They now exclude batteries from this policy (when I last
>>>> checked).
>>>
>>> Right, they are very heavy. Yep, the place above charges 5.25€ for shipping.
>>
>> As I said, I try to rescue them (often I come across NiB UPSs
>> that some moron in IT ordered but opted not to install.
>> As the recycle value of batteries is just weight (regardless of
>> ability to hold a charge), I swap my dead batteries for such
>> new batteries and everyone is happy!
> 
> :-D

An SLA battery is worth about 22c/pound for its lead content.
So, *taking* viable batteries is effectively theft (though on
a very small scale).  Replacing them with an equivalent
weight of recyclable lead leave no grounds for objection:
"How better to RECYCLE this *good* battery than to return it
to service?!"