ESE-WK 2
Sol-Era Log Entry 2013-2-06 Earth Continuum 7 358
For whom the bell tolls. Well haven't set an alarm clock in many months now but seems the natural alarm is working very well. Today is Wednesday, and a lot of people refer to " Wednesday " as hump day. Hump day means that when you get done with Wednesday you are over the mid way point of the week, and just two more days till the weekend. Well out here their just aint no hump day cause every day is a hump day. Nevertheless I am hoping that today will get us over the hump with this Solar electric system. If all goes well, today the system for the first time should be online and this new project will be officially running on Sunshine.
The fog is so thick this morning that you literally cannot see the Lake. It is like I am living in the clouds. The best thing about mornings like this is watching the fog, " burn off " as we say, as the Sun rises.
The day went extremely well. The Solarium is now a fully functional Solar powered structure.
Sol-Era Log Entry 2013-2-06 Earth Continuum 7 357
We worked a little later into the evening yesterday, but we finally got done with all the test, and now the Solarium Power system is online. It feels really good. The startup went immaculately.
This morning it is pouring rain so there will not be much Sun here today. Good grounding is essential
in a Solar electric system, and we spent a lot of time testing each piece of equipment. We worked our way through the system as follows. First we ran the 8 gauge primary copper conductors from the AC inverter to the battery bank through a 80 amp inline fuse, but we didn't make the connection yet to the batteries. Next we ran the 4 gauge wire from the AC inverter to the AC breaker box where a few 20 amp breakers were installed. Next we hooked up all the AC circuit wires that will operate lights, another for plug outlets, interior and exterior, and another for outside lights for the Solarium. We also ran one circuit into the existing breaker box that will operate one bedroom lights, one bathroom lights, hallway lights, and the front porch light for now, during the test. Next we installed the 24 volt to 12 volt converter. Next we ran a green 10 gauge grounding wire from Inverter chassis to the AC breaker box, then another ground wire to the PV module frames. Then connected the ground wire from each box back to the Earth ground rod.
Okay next we hooked up the main terminals to the 24 volt D C battery from the AC Inverter with every switch in the system turned off. Okay, now it was ready for the first actual live test. We turned on the master switch from the PV array to the charge controller first and tested for voltage, and we got 33 plus volts at the input on the controller. Next we switched on the master switch to the battery bank. The voltage coming to the batteries jumped 4 points from 24.2 to 24.6 instantly. Okay, moment of truth. We turned on the AC inverter and got a blinking green light, plus a green power light. We had the power saving mode set to high so we just turned that off for now. The light quit blinking. I plugged a lamp directly into the inverter and it lit up brilliantly. Very confident at this point we turned on the breakers in the AC box, and switched on all the Solarium's 6 lights, a power hammer drill, a lamp in an outlet, and a shop vac. I also plugged in the C D player and started playing some music. The Inverter handled all these loads wonderfully.
We turned on 6 more lights in the other rooms of the house that were wired into the system. All powered on as the inverter fans came on. I left the full load on the system on for about 30 minutes, then powered down to just the Solarium lights. The room looked really great all lit up at night, especially outside. WOW! I am impressed. We are off to a great start at getting this place fully off the grid and solar powered.
All the componets mounted inside the Solarium will be enclosed inside a special cabinet when finished that will hinge open for easy access, and act as a desk otherwise. I walked outside where BB and Little Mac were feeding, and she looked up with approval. I think she could sense we were all in a good mood.
It rained all day here, so mainly stayed inside and organized stuff for the next step. Several more outside lights, and outlets then we can start the finish carpentry on the inside of the Solarium. I repaired the water line leading down to the greenhouse today so there is water inside there for irrigation. Right now there still isn't any electricity down there except for the portable propane generator, but I am hoping that we can get some permanent power there soon. Other than the rain a pretty good day. I did test all the power tools like circular saws, jig saws, sanders, side grander, plus several types of drills. The new inverter handled them all with ease sometimes several at a time. The idea now is to finish the whole inside of the Solarium using mostly just the power from the Sun. A Solar powered construction company is always a plus out on remote locations anywhere.
Blogging Off and Happy Trails :)
Sol-Era Log Entry 2013-2-08 Earth Continuum 7 356
Up early today. Watching the weather channel and it looks like some bad blizzards developing in the north east. Here, though it shows a full Sun. Well that is great cause I have lowered the batteries quit a bit yesterday playing around with loads. Left a lot of stuff on intentionally so we could test the charging ability of the system today. Today some of the guys are coming back over to help with the building of a upper deck in the Solarium, and some more planter boxes for the green house. I plan to use Solar electric to run the power tools during construction.
Today went really well. We also got another pasture area fenced in for the Animals. When the Animals were turned out into their new area you could see the curiosity on their faces, and they went exploring the new space. Other than that we got the upper deck built inside the Solarium as pictured below is the view from that location.
The views outside are quite spectacular from that vantage point. The Solar system preformed really well all through the day. We will add some more lights under the deck to light the entry way. I saw a really neat drafting table type cabinet that can be easily modified to house the Inverters and other electronics. The design will be a lot like the one pictured below. I will use all Solar energy to construct the table if all goes well in the shop next week.
Sol-Era Log Entry 2013-2-09 Earth Continuum 7 355
Saturday has rolled around once again, and it is a very bright Sun shinny day. Wow! The system topped out up early around 10:00 this morning, so that is a sign that I should add more batteries soon, and add more loads on the system. I added four more lights under the upper deck in the Solarium, and some more outside lights over the entry doors. The type lights we have chosen to go with are the Hampton Bay LED Outdoor wall lantern over doors, and the Lithonia lighting wall-mount outdoor bronze mini floods which features two 13-watt 4-pin compact fluorescent bulbs in corner soffits. These lights in concert did a great job at illuminating the whole yard area last night. Then we ran three more circuits into the existing structure, then after testing the older circuits, will add in some more loads onto the Solar. My hope is to add as many electrical devices onto the Solar system as possible.
Sol-Era Log Entry 2013-2-10 Earth Continuum 7 354
Okay our second Sunday. Well, looks like some very nasty weather is heading our way. A very much inside day. The solar system is still topped out so moved a computer setup out into the Solarium for online music stations, research and documentaries. Along with readings out there on a daily basis from magazines like the " Mother Earth News, Solar Today or Home Power now we can listen to some soft tunes, but sometimes jazz.
The storms are here, and lightning is flashing all around. It is almost like being inside the storm out in the Solarium, while some areas south of here are getting tornados the radar is showing that most of the worst stuff will evade off to the south of here. Keeping taps on the storms around here is crucial for some can turn deadly quickly almost like events coming from the Sun. Today have been checking on some of the data coming in from some of the satellites in orbit around the Sun where they monitor conditions on the Sun and in the solar wind, magnetosphere, ionosphere and thermosphere that can influence the performance and reliability of space-borne and ground-based technological systems and can endanger human life or health."
Sol-Era Log Entry 2013-2-11 Earth Continuum 7 353
Today has started out well, as the rains have dissipated for now. I have added some more fencing to allow Little Mac into a new pasture area near the Solarium where a lot of fresh grass has grown. He is the only Animal that can be allowed into this area as for now He is not that reckless. Just knowing how much rain fell last night I went down to check on the spillway and it was gushing down with some force. I cant hardly wait to tap this hydro-electric potential.
The rain is still coming down, relentlessly all evening, so I have reverted back into the shop repairing computers. The forecast is calling for two more days of rain. I know the next time, will be better prepared for the deluge and hopefully transfer a lot of its power into electricity. Even though there has not been much Sunlight the system is staying strong and has met the demands of all the loads given it over this overcast period. The diffused Sunlight is still sufficient at creating a charge for the system and it is surprising just how much electricity can be made even on cloudly days.
I find myself spending a whole lot more time in the totally solar powered rooms as I am moving more and more of the activities into these areas.
It rained so much yesterday that I had to fully suit up in a rain suit, and rubber boots, and hood just to go out and feed the Animals and then secure them in the barn for the night. When I came back in from the outside it was almost like going through an airlock into the inner world as if a space man out on a space walk. The Solarium is proving to be a great place to come in during a storm because it is constructed to handle the wet, and even more so when we are finished with the underlayment and ceramic tile floor.
Sol-Era Log Entry 2013-2-12 Earth Continuum 7 352
The day is off to an early start. I dont hear any rain on the roof so maybe it has slacked up for a bit.
The lull will not last long because the radar is showing that a lot more rain is coming. The main plan for today is to get back inside the green house and get some more planting done. I have stocked up a lot on dry goods which include wheat, oats, flour, rice, beans, peas, lentils, corn, pasta, sugar, salt, pepper, ...etc. These are stored in good sealed canisters, along with a lot of canned foods from the garden last year. Also there is a freezer full of frozen foods like fish, tomatoes, corn, okra, squash ,beans, peas, bell peppers, banana peppers, chicken, beef, and venison...etc. No I am not a
" Doomsday Prepper " It is just a good idea to have some food stored up just to keep one from having to drive to that super market on a daily basis and or when there is bad weather out, and in some cases the roads are even closed. In a lot of rural areas during most severe weather the roads are full of fallen trees, and or power poles and the like and sometimes days before power is restored so just having a backup plan out here is wise.
The day went really well. We got a lot of the green house tilled up, and planted. We planted strawberries, turnips, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, spinach, early Alaskan peas, radish, striped beans, and carrots. None of these crops need a lot of heat so they should do really well in there this time of year. Some of the plants were planted in raised beds, or trays on shelves. It rained all day so being inside the greenhouse planting a garden was quite magical. We had six planter boxes that we moved inside then added some new potting soil into the mix. Gosh it is still pouring down rain like cats and dogs. It is so nice to get back , a hot shower, and some dry clothes.
Sol-Era Log Entry 2013-2-13 Earth Continuum 7 351
The day has started before dawn again, so will have some time to get in some research before the Sun comes up. It is very cold and breezy this morning, as I went out to put out hay for the Animals, then walked down to the Greenhouse to snap a few shots. The plan now is to build some raised walkboards for human access to all the planted areas, and maybe as suggested by a friend, have the walkboard panels lift out for compost and worms below. The trench that channeled the rain water around the building was stopped up, so quite a bit of water was seeping in. In the very near future we are hoping to have a gutter and rainwater cistern installed to aid in irrigation down there.
I know there is a, " truth" out here hidden within nature, natural energy, the Sun, the Earth, and I know that before this experiment is over, We will discover some of what nature has in store for all us out there in the future. I know a lot of very business minded people are out there right now laying bets on what they call " Futures" on the so called, " stock market. " Well as for me, will lay my bets on nature herself as my stock and trade. She is very full of surprises, sometimes disappointments, but she is the most powerful force in the universe, and to understand her secrets is to understand the mind of creation itself. I know this farm needs a lot of work, but I'd rather work here than any factory, or business in the whole man made world. Once this kind of lifestyle gets in your blood there just isn't any turning back. You may talk about a healthcare plan, well this is it. The most healthiest way for the human family to enterprise is to manifest around themselves structures that will produce their own power, electricity, food, warmth, light, and most of all community.
This is the close of week two of the experiment, and things have went really well, for we are truly on our way now. Next week should bring some more exciting projects to head. The, " Future" awaits!
No comments:
Post a Comment