I should have known better than to have something delivered just before Christmas. While a DC-DC charger from the alternator was delivered, it was not the right one and utterly useless in a chassis that cannot serve as ground.

In the past, this sort of error has been fixed by returning the errant item to the locker and having a replacement on its way. That’s apparently no longer an option. I have to go through the replacement process, wait for the money to be refunded to my credit card, and then wait for the thrill of being allowed to order again. I sent the requested photographic proof, showing I’d received the box for a nonisolated version, and the rep said he was an electrician and immediately saw the problem on an aluminum chassis, but his hands were tied.

Earliest I can now attempt to receive the correct item is Dec. 30. Because it’s cloudy often this time of year, this charger is the baseline needed for solar to consistently be reliable; last year at this time, I had two mains options to plug into.

It’s beginning to look a lot like a shit Christmas. There’s nowhere in town that sells what I need. On the plus side, at least I can’t work without reliable internet, and it looks like T-Mobile just decided it doesn’t like my 5G SIM card for that.