Increasing Solar Array

As I Post this the installation of additional solar panels and storage batteries is being started. First shelfs had to be reconfigured for holding all the batteries with plenty of head space for ease of maintaining them.

I can't overstate the fact that solar power is not free and the payback period takes years of not paying an electric bill. Plus unless you spend many thousands of dollars for an extensive system, power needs to be conserved. This is especially true in the winter months. We are one month from the shortest day of the year and the sun is lower on the horizon resulting is a reduction of incoming sun. Add to that is maintaining batteries.

The value of solar power is that it allows for living off-the-power. This summer I was in town and people were talking about how long the power was off. Didn't effect me. Another advantage to solar.

Having a wind generator would be a nicr-to-have for overcast days but is a long range possibility.

A final comment, all the talk of free solar from the government; the government only has money raised from taxes so what sounds free is being paid for by taxpayers. More income redistribution?

All my goodies

As I welcome further encroachment of civilization into my off-the-power-grid summer home... Recently I added an electric coffee pot, electric can opener and microwave oven to my other goodies, 32 inch flat screen TV, satellite and 23 inch all-in-one computer plus other electronic gizmos. Now I'm giving very strong consideration to adding a energy efficient refrigerator to the list of goodies. This is something for later this year so I will not get to enjoy it until next summer. I may have to add a few more solar panels and batteries so something to save up for this winter. Meanwhile I'll have my old propane frig moved to my craft (formally mice party trailer) trailer as a backup. Next year I'll have freezer room for ice cream, life is good.

I so enjoy the peace and quiet here in remote land, however, soon time to pack up the TV, electonics and more and return to my on-the-power-grid winter home. My summer home (trailer) is not suitable for winter. Well, if things go crazy after the election who knows.

Back to the Power Grid Shortly

Next month after the Presidential Election I'll wait for the dust to clear before I return to my winter home. I'm firmly on the Trump Train and praying for his becoming POTUS. However, should Hillary win most likely by fraud she will continue the failed and destructive policies of Obama. I often refer to the trifecta of sins committed by America that God hates.

1. The Jews are God's chosen people and have several unconditional covenants with God for the land and more. Israel is continually being pushed to give up land for a peace that never seems to work out well.

2. Pagans sacrificed their babies by placing them on the heated arms of their god. The baby died a horrific death. Today in America millions of unborn babies are ripped from their mother womb.

3. The acceptance of homosexuality as the norm.

Genesis 18:20-21, “And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.” And fire and brimstone rained down from heaven.

Billy Graham was quoted saying, "Some years ago, my wife, Ruth, was reading the draft of a book I was writing. When she finished a section describing the terrible downward spiral of our nation’s moral standards and the idolatry of worshiping false gods such as technology and sex, she startled me by exclaiming, “If God doesn't punish America, He’ll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.”

Living off the power grid involves a little more effort

Today when I came home from working in my weekend shop I discovered that I had run out of propane for my trailer. This happens about every three weeks because all I can really handle is a small 5 gallon propane tank. I swapped an empty tank for a full tank so I can cook my breakfast tomorrow. My propane refrigerator always ices up so I'm waiting for it to thaw out so I can light the pilot again.

Now that I have my solar system pretty well set up it's time to address the water availability question. Currently I have a 300 gallant storage that I draw water from a gallon at a time for washing dishes and such. As a friend jokingly put it. I have running water, as fast as I can run in into my home. I have a water transfer pump and solar to support it available. It just takes time to get things done but I hope to pump water into my trailer before the end of the summer. For now I have a wonderful shower that has a rechargeable submersible pump. The joy of a hot shower, a real treat in my remote home.

I am very much into using solar so I often am able to get my shower water warm enough by using the foil solar cooker pictured below.

I love living off the power grid. For six months each year I leave the power grid and rough it with a propane refrigeration. satellite TV, 32 inch flat screen TV and Internet. I'm currently testing out several solar means of cooking.

More about solar power. Anyone who tries to tell you that solar power is free doesn't have a clue. What solar allows one to do is to live off the power grid. It's been estimated that there is a 20 year payback.

Six months out of the year I live off the power grid in North Eastern Arizona. November through April I am back on the power grid in an RV park in the swap meet capital of the United States, Quartzsite Arizona. 

I am blessed to be able to spend six months in a  mild Arizona climate at 6000 feet and six months in the far warmer and lower elevation part of Arizona.

Three years ago I spent six weeks on my high desert property with two portable solar panels, a 15 W and a 100 W connected to a small storage battery. Both solar panels had built in controllers. I used the smaller one to charge my MP3 player and cell phone. The 100 watt panel plus small inverter powered my computer. I used lanterns for light.

Two years ago I bought three 120 W solar panels and had them installed along with four deep cycle battery. Of course there is a lot more to solar power than just panels and batteries. There are controllers and inverters and lots of wire.

Last year I added another three 120 W solar panel and four more deep cycle batteries plus an expensive and upgraded controller. The setup was temporary in nature and three of the solar panels were located close to the ground, very inefficient.

This summer I invested in lots of expensive 6 and 4 gauge electrical wire, electrical boxes and a system interrupter. All panels are now properly installed on the roof of my storage shed and the batteries are charging away.