Indonesian here Electrical safety here is based on common sense. When I was a kid I always told by adult to don't touch a switch with wet hands, don't touch a wire, electric bulb, the appliances body, electric pole, etc. Wiring is mostly a bit dodgy (no exposed wire of course. Wire junction is always taped or wrapped with plastic) And don't even think about grounding system here. They simply doesn't exist (or if present they are often have high impedance) And I think what prevent a burning wiring here is that the most household here is having low power capacity The most common main circuit breaker here is single pole 2A or 4A Type C breaker (that's 450/900VA) But that's how people live here. All you need to ensure your safety is common sense :)
@@patrickcannell2258 Actually, there's a health and safety wiring code or guidelines issued by the government, and most new buildings tend to adhere to it. Unfortunately, for houses with 450VA to 1300VA, it's not strictly enforced. They only strictly require some sort of inspection by a certified electrician if the house is running 4400VA or above, or has a three-phase line (which is very rare).
I would definitely watch - and quite possibly donate - towards projects to bring safe solar systems to islands like these. I would dare say that there would be companies prepared to sponsor such projects. You're the perfect person with the right know how and interests to do this sort of thing. I bet an EV charging company would even donate a charging unit and an electric cart to the project.
Great video as ever, I think getting them some basic battery powered solar charged lights not joined together would be the best idea, as lighting is the main basic requirement, get a big company to sponsor them, they are super cheap anyway and no maintenance, plus more reliable. Could probably do that island for £100 same for the phone chargers
Great until the batteries sh★t them selves Realistically a long cable to each building and a decent generator Is all they need as they can maintain and repair it Oh and THATS why you need travel Insurance when you go to these places because if the sh1t hit the fan you are on your own
You don't need to go far to see things like that. Just come to eastern europe, dodgy electrics are everywhere. When you swap out an MCB panel in the UK to all RCBOs, we swap out Diazed boards to MCBs and sometimes the owners can't justify an extra 12 euros to fit one residual current device.
I'd come up with some ready made set of kit with solar and batteries and keep everything 12 volt with USB power. No matter how bad the wiring you won't get electrocuted.
@@Ragnar8504 Using that 0.75mm² cable they were using and giving each building 6A (the usual current rating for 0.75mm²), which should be plenty for a light and a phone charger, your losses over 20m of cable, say, at 23 ohms/km is only 2.76V. While 23% voltage drop may seem crazily high compared to the 12V DC setups we're used to, it would work absolutely fine for what they need it for. Upgrade to 1.5mm², which is hardly chunky, and you half that.
You could order 1,000 wagos and 100 wagoboxes to a mainland address, pay someone to pick it up and you'd still have money left over from the profits of a recent £35k rewire. No exposed copper is all thats required. Remember they have to maintain it after you're gone, they also need to see all cabling to keep an eye out for cables melting.
Looks similar to what we see in remote villages in the Philippines. Education on basic electrics would be key as it is needed to maintain the suggested improvements. Working with only the materials that are actually available is a real challenge in remote areas, as this Island even has an apparent shortage of quality electrical tape. They also to not seem to have a preferred type of wire. Finding out what is easily and cheaply available would be the first step, otherwise even trained locals will not be able to maintain an improved system. Also you need to find out what the legal minimum wire sizes are and apply that knowledge in teaching. For example in the Philippines AWG14 would be the legal minimum for fixed installations such as these huts, capable of 15A for short distances, but less if you carry power for 100+ meters. Certainly more than enough for lights and cell phone chargers, but probably already considered too expensive on that island. Sometimes aluminium wires are used in this case to save costs. Twist and tape connection splices are very common in the region, but can be done a lot better than seen in the video. Also, if bamboo is available, bamboo posts could be used to keep all these wires above the ground.
Love to see a series of low cost solutions for these islands. Not trying to import all of our crazy western, super safe systems but systems that are safe enough and low cost enough that they could be replicated.
Your correct. Education is key. I think you should run a set of instructional videos for poverty electrics. Getting hold of quality electrical materials on remote islands is expensive and a logistical challenge hence the use of materials they find or put hands on as and when they can. Solar is again expensive and batteries require maintenance and replacement periodically which again is more expense. My thoughts would be to further simplify their current system. Hopefully it is a extra low voltage system which would be safe to touch anyway and if it isnt then maybe it should be converted. Vehicle alternator and regulator at 12v then vehicle lamps and lamp holders. These items can be obtained at local trade posts or market towns. By way of sockets 12v to usb automotive sockets again are probably easier to come by. By way of education its a case of training for simple cable joints using minimal tools and materials. Maybe the twist and tape method isnt so bad if its done correctly. There are plenty of old linesman tutorials for joinging cables by knotting and twisting the copper. Burying the cables in the sand would go a long way to eliminating trip hazards and part way to strain relief. Cable joints could be made above ground on short wooden posts with nails to wrap the conductors around. Hope this provides you with some ideas to think about. Have you ever looked at some of the very early versions of the wiring regs? May be worth a look back at when times were simpler.
Solar lanterns are the classic thing for these kinds of situation. They're very cheap, safe, and many of them have phone charger sockets, and they don't require refueling.
The established way used in Africa is one or 2 solar panels and something like a Bluetti. Enough to power some Led lights, and chargers. Those will enable education. It also enables things like more time for making items to sell, that in turn provides more income.
Remember Trevor Bayliss and the clockwork radio or those gravity powered lights? Design some robust PV + battery units for individual households/tourist accommodation.
Did he really shaft all the guys, before christmas putting them ,all out of work.. Sounds like he jumped on the lifeboat ..while the rest all went down with the boat ..the pub scene..seemed like the writing on the wall ,for all of them .
Well hopefully it is but would you trust it enough to grab one wire and find out? It's sitting on the ground all it takes is loss of isolation in the genny itself, not to mention all the open splices just itching to touch the ground to remove isolation and ... there's nothing between you and Monsieur Grim but sand and salt water.
Almost no device there requires 230V. Create tiny systems with couple solar panels and portable battery banks. Not a lot is needed during night time - LED-s and USB-s - 100-400W load constant? How long are those cables from generator to all buildings?
You have a big heart, good on you. I would do 12V per hut and have a common kitchen house that has high voltage for induction cooking and water pumps. The common kitchen house would be built with fire safety in mind and could also charge e bikes and power tools. Education is a good starting point and working out what method would be most cost effective while being safe and good for the environment which will in turn help slow down rising water levels that are impacting small islands like these.
Go the progressive approach: go Solar! -Safe Low voltage ! they use 1W led's which can easily be replaced with decentralized solar battery powered solution
@@artisanelectrics There's lots of solar chandeliers/pendant lights/shed lights kits that are just a solar panel, battery and a light on the end of a cable. Would be simple to install the panel on the side of the house and the light indoors. Just have to be mindful of the switch being within reach since some of them have it on the back of the panel or, worse, use a remote that'll need batteries.
SELV solar system are the answer, a backup gen, battery bank, use the proper underground direct burial cables, add a fuse box and light switches, use all led lightning easy fix! and safe 12VDC.
All about the local resources and the money they have to spend on things and it's what they know and what works for them. The good thing about shitty connections and shitty gens is the available fault current to begin with. Yes, it only takesa few mA to kill you, but with an ungrounded or poorly grounded, tiny generator, with green, corroded wires strung about you severely limit the fault current. Sure the kids have all learned either the hard way by getting shocked or by seeing their friends get shocked. They aren't stupid and in a lot of cases, smarter than western kids who are effing clueless to everything because most everything is made so safe there is no risk to daily life. And, lets keep power off these islands. The last thing is for all these islands to get all built up and destroyed by tourism. There are plenty of touristy places to go, leave the less traveled places less traveled. But even here in Vietnam, you can buy electrical tape for 10 cents a roll. yet, a lot of older people will wrap up a connection with a plastic bag and melt it with a lighter. That 10 cent roll of tape is a waste to them, why use tape when a melted bag works (for them anyway)? Espcially when the average monthly income is $250 or so. $1 for this, $5 for that adds up quick.
Solar and battery storage would work a treat on these islands, you could mount the solar panels relatively flat above the battery storage area to keep stuff dry. Due to its geographical location, the sun is always directly overhead, no need to have solar panels mounted at steep angles like in higher latitude locations. The above idea would need to be financed somehow.
Even better if it can be open sourced and built locally. Allow the locals some agency to improve on the design where possible... we have no need for the occurrence of the benefactor white man, when the locals could do a better job if guided properly... and perhaps cheaper...
@@PrograError Absolutely, that was my thoughts all along. Give these guys locally a chance. If i could afford it, i would go there myself, help these people and get them up and running.
The problem I see is that any solution that involves newer technology would not be maintainable locally. As soon as a failure occurs they would fall back to what they know (knackered old generators and dodgy cabling). It would be great for a few years and then back to square one. Education is key then maybe they could maintain solar lanterns and battery inverters but the education must come first.
I've seen much worse, where it been DIY electrical on the 11KV side too, with live overhead cables only 2M above ground 6.35KVAC to gnd. Illegal live 11kv hookups using hill hoist wire, and even some 2.5mm2 TPS. Live 11kv transformer terminals at waist height in the bush in India. truly unsafe and awful.
I’m sure this has already been mentioned in the comments, but it seems to me that a small solar/battery setup would be best in this situation. Completely remove the need for AC wiring strung all over the island. This technology has become so inexpensive and they would save a fare bit of money not having to burn gasoline for the generator everyday. It would also be much safer while serving the need for lights and phone charging.
Great video, you are right the electrics in many places in Asia are very dodgy, education and funding are the way to go. On the grand scale if the governments put a small tax on the tourism say 1% or 2% and put it in to funding education and materials for safer electrics that would be great. They could train proper electricians and get the money back over time whilst making everyones life better. I noticed on one of your other videos about donating old solar panels, which is also a great idea and would work well in most of Asia too. Imagine if the island you are on had solar and battery backup. A go fund me page is a great idea for buying materials in bulk, you could combine it with working holidays for qualified electricians and make videos of them for training locals. I bet local politicians, mayors etc... would love to put their name to it and help endorse it. Keep up the great work, and make it so number one 😄
In a few weeks time a video “Sorry MADE A MISTAKE” - business is struggling and he needs to come back to work 😅 It was all fake to up the subscribers. IMO an electrical company is not something that can be run without a boss present or a partner. But hey, prove me wrong.
Solar power and battery storage with that nice weather, and maybe backup generator. Just as well there is no rcds they would be sick of resetting them.
Having travel'd and lived and worked in some very remote places, their off grid system actually seems strangely safe in comparison to what i have seen and worked with. At least the genie is only live in the evening. Ethiopia was the worst i've seen. Even in hotels and Government offices you would see hanging twisted wires everywhere. But they had far worse worries than electricity poverty. If you do want to do something, gofundme to fund some junction boxes and solar\genie fund. simply portable solar generator system. A 1kw inverter would probably be sufficient. Solar powered lights in the huts etc. I'm currently in Portugal installing an off grid 10kw system in a friends very remote cabin. No running water, wood fired, but he has 230v grid, very erratic and unstable. Incoming voltage varies wildly from 180v to 240v on a good day !! After consulting with his local elect supplier he's decided to bin the incoming grid supply and go it alone !! enjoy your travels
Well there is some safety as they probably can easily bog down that generator or just plain blow a joint. And if you do start getting shocked on something just give it a good yank circuit interrupted.
Your a guy with a big heart. I also live in asia and trust me when i tell you thats the norm here. As the local has no money, they will not spend money on such things a food is their priority. I was amazed when i first came here 15 years ago and saw this standard. That standard is the same today. The big elec companies want profit and greed and dont care about the customers. Solar can be a solution but again......the upkeep etc. i shall watch with interest........
Since all they need is light, I convert the system to 24VDC or even just 12V depending on voltage drops, and setup a solar and a new backup gen. Replace the wiring, move some of the run to underground and some, use proper connection and junction boxes all mounted safely. These piss poor diy electrical jobs are found all over the world, its only really UK and Aust where we have strict rules and codes for safety. Use 12V LED lights, cheap add a few light switches, and a rcd and properly grounded Inverter for 24V / 240V stuff.
Look on the bright side - the generator doesn’t look to be earthed so any shock would be across your hand if you touched one of these joints, not via your body to ground - so shouldn’t cause atrial fibrillation - just a burn and not death!
7:10 How cool was the water? They give me one day one fresh how was hung in the sun - it was hot coconut water. 😂 But do you should eat some of the coconut white part too - it is delicious! 🥰
Touch base with Khan Academy. Also something like a raspberry Pi, small screen and speaker with a USB of videos, then a small solar battery to power it. Then replicate the hardware solution to disperse learning further.
What voltage is the generator outputting? If 110V, then the risk of a fatal shock is significantly reduced (compared to 230V+). Also, as there is no earth bonding, the likelihood of a shock is slightly reduced as you'd have to touch both live and neutral wires for current to flow though you. Nevertheless, it would massively benefit from some Wagos!
I would donate a new Honda petrol generator and rewire the site in 2.5mm2 with new light fittings and IP65 outlets and a basic distribution board. Perhaps plenty of solar-powered lights too. Probably cost £3,000 in parts but how amazing would that be for the people on the island.
A few folk in other comments are mentioning LV systems & solar lighting, and one pointed out the difficulty for folks living in these places to acquire materials & parts, often salvaging whatever washes up on the beach. I'm not a man of means myself (Invalided) but I *do* have many reels of Osram white surface mount LEDs I'm unlikely to ever use. Might these be handy, at least for low input light sources for these folks? 💡💝😇 Low voltage systems (12V or even 5V) which could be driven by solar, wind or dynamo (Hand or bicycle operated) might be worth considering, as these won't only be safer than a 110/220v generator but - more importantly - *Will remove any dependence on gasoline* as power can be generated by hand if required. Dynamos can also be made in such a way that they're resilient to start off with, and can be made easy to repair in-field with rudimentary tools. 👍 (See the _BayGen FreePlay_ for an early 2000s example of this principle, applied to wind-up radios that were targeted toward remote African communities where batteries are hard to come by.) But yes, *Education* will be the most valuable gift for these folks where they are _already_ using electrical systems, both so they understand how electricity works, its dangers and benefits, and - Crucially - How it can be generated or collected. After all: _If you give a man a Fish, you feed him for a day...But if you _*_teach_*_ a man to fish, then you'll give him the skill to feed him for a lifetime!_ 🧑🏫🎣👍
It's true that most villages in SEA actually living with that kind of electronics and power supplies (mostly DIY) but believe it or not, they're the safest ones too. I'm from Myanmar and most villages without main power from government are actually DIYed their own stuffs and it's safe and lasts about many decades 🤣 Glad you're enjoying your holiday with some shocking things in Asia xD
I think it's pretty obvious what you do, you get a load of the companies who manufacturer all the required components to sponsor a team, perhaps your team. You fly out there with everything required and you rewire that island. You record the entire thing, they get great publicity, you get great publicity, you market the entire thing to death and everyone wins.
Great video!! I think run a small go fund me project, and then use the funding to run a mini series with using one of the islands as an example but go into a lot of detail around the project and not just electrical like funding/planning.
It seems the bigger problem is not the generator, but the joins/connections that are unstable, not firm, not protected from rain, lack of strain relief to make it robust and too easy to touch by a mistake. How many junction boxes will be as expensive as a battery powered light for one room? (charging form photovoltaic panels) 800 lumens takes about 8 W for an average (not 'top-of-the-line') bulb shaped light source. So 10 W for 5 hours goes a long way, and 50 Wh is what 1 large or 2 small laptop batteries holds.
I have been lucky enough to travel a fair amount around the world and I’ve seen some bad electrical work, however I think that your examples are definitely the worst I have seen
The primary requirement there appears to be lighting at night and power to charge cellphones. This doesn't need a generator or petrol and all of the problems that go with those. Everything could be done at low voltage. LED lamps - plenty of 12 and 24 volt DC options. For charging cellphones you can get USB chargers that will run from 12 or 24 volts DC. Each hut could have a solar panel or two on the roof and one or two batteries inside that the panel(s) charge up. Or you could do a centralized system with half a dozen panels on a shed, the same number of batteries inside and run 24 V out to the huts. 24 is better than 12 when accounting for losses in the distro cables (depending on the size of them).
Since the generator's output is floating with respect to earth, touching just one conductor would't result in any current through the body (comparable to working behind an isolation transformer). Worst case scenario would be touching one conductor with one hand, and the other conductor with the other hand. A nice solution would be to use solar power with battery storage, then they can have power all day long.
The batteries are a substantial cost factor though. Someone from Germany recently told me he calculates his solar power at 40 cents per kWh just for the batteries alone. Overcurrent protection likely wouldn't do much in this setup, I mean how small is that generator? Surely less than 1000 W, so I can't imagine even a dead short right at the generator would trip an MCB, at least not the magnetic trip. The thermal trip of something like a C4 might protect the windings I guess.
A long shot, dont expect this to happen but a good idea would be to set up a charity to provide basic electrical education and to also go around, re wire the places making it safe and possibly a solar panel and/or better generators. Then in addition you could make videos on doing that stuff with generating revenue which can be directly put back into the charity. I would donate to that monthly. As the videos make more of a connection to what my money goes towards as well as generating more money itself for the charity as a biproduct
As bad as this may seem, just wait until you come across bare galvanised fencing wire, oh let's be honest about it an actual open wire fence with wooden posts running through a village, being used to carry 240V. At least they have mostly insulated wiring on this island.
Many of the points i have thought about have already been raised / discussed. But there is a need to help these people. Solar panels that have already been used may not be as efficient but these islands have plenty of sun. I don't think a generator is the best way to go. Used panels and inverters could easily be wired at 110 volts leaving lamps at other equipment readily available but reasonably safe. Used batteries from cars and returns from battery suppliers could easily make a good system. Many people and many suppliers would be happy to help with equipment and time. A charity must exist that already has the organisational skills and ability to assist the electronics and electrical industry. I hope this scheme gets off the ground and helps these islands. Regards Mike
I think they’d benefit from a solar installation and for their lighting a low voltage circuit Also, I’ve seen in places in Africa that there are simple ‘dynamo’ type of battery chargers and lighting power systems that have a thin paracord rope over a pulley and a bag that you add weights to , then lifting the bag you let gravity pull it back down powering the dynamo
To add to my comment, you could do just 1 island and forget the rest or do one island and have 1 representative from neighboring islands to come and help, learn and take the knowledge back with them.
My dad wired that whole island in 1952. He’d be glad to see it’s still working. His name was Robinson. He was known for his singing “I’ve got a lovely bunch of coconuts” with Kid Creole
Great video Jordan and I love the way you think. My suggestion would be to fund a trained person (maybe yourself) to be “on the ground” there for a month and the trained person can teach the locals the required safe practices. If you combine the visit with the necessary resources you could have the locals doing the “hands on repairs” so they can put what they learn into practice. A go fund me for to raise the funds is also a great idea
So, I would suggest focus on the island and people you've built a connection with,. Discuss with them (through an interpreter) that you want to help improve their electrics and teach them how to do safer/better etc. Don't gold plate a solution, try and source materials in a way they could repeat source, maybe they can build a side line helping neighbors improve Maybe there are charities working in this area who you could work with or provide support and guidance to you on this initiative. Given that the electricity demands are modest, a small solar/battery system might be beneficial - e.g. would a portable/camping solution be better/simpler e.g. ecoflow type things...?
Sourcing is the most important thing for the longevity of the project. He should use the electrical standards and parts from the nearest country that actually has some (probably Oz) so they can get pro help relatively easily, if they need it.
Love these videos, it would be awesome if we could set up a fundraiser for these people, so they could run their islands on something more stable and safe. Maybe some solar panels or something.
I am up for going out; maybe try to get some sponsored solar and battery setups, as they are only used at night. Not a massive expense 14 islands in 14 days :) And no real change to their lives just safety. We could provide JB and wago, show them how to use it and leave them to it.
Seems 2 me led has changed the life of the i island, once they needed 4 gennys. When i was in Cuba water was heated with 2 something in a big bucket of water ( you would know what it was) and i was told not to put my hands in the water otherwise i would be electrocuted😅
I would suggest to invest in (portable) solar panels (at several houses, therefore no cables laying on the beach) with a portable powerbank/station that will be charged during the day (with plenty of sun) and at night the powerbank/station will deliver enough to the needs of the villagers and tourists.
I think we should sponsor you or set up a go fund me thing for next year when you are on your holidays. You can go and then make safe. Do a deal with them so you get your holiday reduced or free😊
I know you’re on holiday, but I would love to see you help these people out like you said the worst electrics ever, but if you love the country you love the people you’ve got to give them a little something something keep their spirits up and teach them new thingsgive them a plug and he should make something out of it in my world each one each one one love Jordan If it’s possible, give them a masterclass at least 50 of them that would be interested in learning how to do electrics that would help them big time
Why not get trades people through your channel to donate a shoe box full of electrical goodies like the kids do at Christmas for underprivileged children and send it out to the islands, just need someone in the know to manage where they go.
I think maybe you could get in touch with the government saying what you would like to do. But not Sure if this could be a sensitive thing, as in they could think you are insulting them. That chap in the first video where you was staying at spoke to, seemed quite knowledgable. Are there laws/regulations over there? Educating the locals is a good idea, so long as you can be sure no one will try take risks. The other thing, if you only managed to help one or two small islands, it’s still one or two big steps forward, maybe they can then help other islands.
Mm. Could u gift them i mean the artisan team a little solar ststion with a battery and some good wires. Like train one man propely oht and help. To. Do new awsome electrics there
You need to learn how to dry shave without using any water. I had to do sometimes while in the AirForce when stationed in Thailand in the early 1970s. I was a struggle the first two or three times but then I got used to it. While there I watched a 76-year-old man climb up to get a really fresh coconut from the top of a palm and when back on the ground hacked at it with a machete without a care and he didn't hack his fingers. As for wiring isn't wire just wire? At least to them it is and looks like nobody gets killed.
I do wish you luck in pursuing your ideas that on the face of it appear completely achievable BUT I started a project to provide solar powered water disinfection units to areas of the world where infant mortality rates are shockingly high. At great expense I developed the product and tried to get it on site in different locations and then politics and buroqracey swept all my efforts into the bin. I was accused of trying to save the world and lining my pockets from impoverished parts of the world. If you can overcome the intergovernmental interference in a project like this I think you stand a chance. You are an amazing guy and please don't give up.
Why not see if you can partner with jackery or ugreen etc etc to get power stations and solar panels, this would be a green alternative to replace the generator then like you said partner with other electricians to do the wiring get them sweet videos in
I think another video, but this time bring 2 new geny's, wire, jb's etc and re wire the lot for free. Use solar panels for low draw stuff like lights, phone chargers etc I think you could raise all the cash through sponsorship and sub's I would happily donate something because that way I will be able to watch my money being spent and know for 100% sure that it was going on a good cause. I am a hobby woodworker not a sparky but still love the vids.
I understand the concern however having lived in Asia for over 20 years this is quite normal standard and for all your good intentions nothing will change - whether it’s the electrical installation or the bucket of water in the toilet for washing your butt -which incidentally causes more infant fatalities than the electricity per year
Would it be unrealistic to start a go fund me or maybe get a solar company to sponsor a trip back? That would be an amazing video you doing a solar install on the island and sorting the electrics out 😮 assuming your up for doing it of course 🤔 Edit... ignore me I've just finished the last 5 minutes 😂
The simplest method of preventing electrocutions where there is such wiring as you have shown, is to disassemble their generators. Now, being serious:----- Of course, rewiring their entire system is needed - and a new, good generator or generators. PLUS of course, education for the islanders, as to how to wire up and repair breaks. Some form of basic electrical education will be necessary. Good luck!
6:00 Why so many RU-vider in the last months have viewer but they not added them to the list before - and they complained this? It is named "RU-vid algorithmic" how show you suggest videos - they do it since over 15 years. Be also angry about RU-vid and not your viewer how looks your shit advertising through your videos too. Some have over ten advertising over a video from you! 😮
