# Turtles as a Service

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2024-07-25
- Episode: 674
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-07-25-turtles-as-a-service
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/674-turtles-as-a-service/

## Summary

Dave Jones of EEVblog and Chris Gammell of Contextual Electronics discuss the complexities of home energy systems, including a Reclaim heat pump hot water system that began oscillating after a video release, and the decision to install 19-inch rack-mount batteries from an Australian manufacturer. They explore automation tools like n8n and Zapier for API integration, contrasting high-level modules from 4D Systems with low-level FPGA design, and debate the reliability of sourcing components from AliExpress versus legitimate distributors like LCSC, DigiKey, and Mouser. The conversation also covers industry events like Embedded World and Hackaday Supercon, highlighting the growth of the Australian electronics scene and the emergence of services like TinyTapeOut for ASIC prototyping.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-07-25-turtles-as-a-service#t=0) Introduction: Murphy's Law and Heat Pump Failures
- [5:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-07-25-turtles-as-a-service#t=304) Solar Panel Cooling and Heat Pump Efficiency
- [12:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-07-25-turtles-as-a-service#t=733) Rack-Mount Battery Storage and Installation Challenges
- [15:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-07-25-turtles-as-a-service#t=956) API Automation with n8n, Zapier, and Home Assistant
- [26:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-07-25-turtles-as-a-service#t=1619) Career Advice: High-Level Modules vs. Low-Level Design
- [33:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-07-25-turtles-as-a-service#t=1990) Electronics Trade Shows: Embedded World and Supercon
- [44:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-07-25-turtles-as-a-service#t=2642) TinyTapeOut and ASIC Prototyping
- [48:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-07-25-turtles-as-a-service#t=2892) Component Sourcing: AliExpress, LCSC, and Counterfeits

## Topics

- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Reclaim (product)
- n8n (tool)
- Zapier (tool)
- Home Assistant (tool)
- 4D Systems (company)
- TinyTapeOut (product)
- LCSC (company)
- DigiKey (company)
- Mouser (company)
- AliExpress (company)
- Embedded World (other)
- Hackaday Supercon (other)
- ASML (company)
- Ben Krasno (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [T-26-012 : Founders From The Show Floor - CES 2026](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tradeoffs/2026-02-04-t-26-012-founders-from-the-show-floor-ces-2026) (TRADEOFFS)
- [069 - Canned Cheese and Onion Rings](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2024-04-17-069-canned-cheese-and-onion-rings) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [Ep013: Naked Components, Shocking Power Supplies, Eye-Popping Clock, And The Hackaday Prize](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-04-05-ep013-naked-components-shocking-power-supplies-eye-popping-clock-and-the-hackada) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [The Spark Gap - Episode 44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-12-25-the-spark-gap-episode-44) (The Spark Gap)
- [31: If You See a Dongle Run Away](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-12-19-31-if-you-see-a-dongle-run-away) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-07-25-turtles-as-a-service. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Amp Hour.