Solar Sheds, Smart Gardens, and a Reality Check from CES 2026 with TJ Huddleston – HGG670

Описание: In this episode of Home Gadget Geeks, Jim Collison is joined by TJ Huddleston to talk through real-world tech experiences—from navigating a rare Level 3 snow emergency in Ohio to building a solar-powered backyard shed and automating a large garden.

The conversation spans TJ’s hands-on shed install (including a wild delivery using a “shed mule”), powering outdoor spaces with solar and an EcoFlow battery, and the realities of running solar gear through a Midwest winter. Jim and TJ also dig into smart irrigation, weather stations, soil sensors, and why native plants and automation matter when you’re managing a big garden.

The episode wraps with TJ’s first-time experience at CES 2026, including why robots were everywhere, why none felt revolutionary, and what CES still does best: bringing people together. They also preview upcoming topics on HomeTech.fm, including growing concerns around Z-Wave and future smart-home regulation.

If you’re into practical home tech, solar, automation, gardening, or just honest takes on CES hype—this one’s for you.

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Chapters

0:04 – Welcome to Home Gadget Geeks
Jim introduces episode 670 and guest TJ Huddleston.

7:54 – Snow Emergency in Ohio vs Nebraska
11 inches of snow, a Level 3 snow emergency, and how Ohio’s rules compare to Nebraska’s approach.

13:47 – CES 2026 First Impressions
TJ’s overall take on CES, interviews, and why nothing felt truly revolutionary this year.

21:01 – Why TJ Needed a Shed
No garage, no basement, and the motivation behind adding a backyard shed.

24:13 – Shed Delivery with a “Shed Mule”
A tight delivery, neighbor coordination, fence removal, and a determined driver.

26:31 – Solar Powering the Shed (EcoFlow Setup)
Using a 400W panel and portable battery to avoid trenching, permits, and high costs.

33:12 – Winter Solar Reality Checks
Cold batteries, charging limits, and realistic expectations for winter solar.

34:47 – Gardening at Scale
12 raised beds, clay soil, and why watering becomes the biggest challenge.

37:54 – Wildflowers, Sunflowers, and Neighbors
Front-yard wildflowers, edible sunflowers, and community reactions.

40:00 – DIY Irrigation Strategies
Hose timers, Zigbee devices, and plans for per-bed irrigation control.

43:54 – Soil Sensors and Automation Logic
Using weather stations and moisture data to automate watering decisions.

49:14 – CES Robots Everywhere
Robot mowers, vacuums, humanoids—and why the software still isn’t ready.

49:54 – Vegas, CES Logistics, and Connectivity Issues
Crowds, poor cellular service, and why CES is exhausting but valuable.

1:05:18 – Z-Wave Concerns and Future Topics
Upcoming discussions on spectrum, regulation, and smart-home stability.

1:07:35 – Upcoming Guests and Wrap-Up
What’s coming next on Home Gadget Geeks and HomeTech.fm.