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Solar Powered Rainwater Project – Grid Tie vs Off Grid Solar

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on March 22, 2017 by JimApril 20, 2026
48V split-phase pure sine wave solar inverter charger with MPPT controller for off-grid solar system

Learn how solar power system sizing drives real-world decisions about charge controllers, inverters, and grid tie vs off grid solar design. A practical guide to building a reliable, resilient solar system.

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Posted in Projects, Ranch Life | Tagged amateur, build, charge, controller, deep cycle, DIY, equipment, Grid-assist, grid-tie, ham radio, how to, howto, Interstate, inverter, kill-a-watt, kilowatt, kilowatt-hours, kWh, marine, maximum power point transfer, mppt, off-grid, panel, pulse width modulation, pwm, rainwater, renogy, solar, storage, Sun Gold Power, teardrop, trailer, wb0mmc

Weber Piano Project – Keyframe Cleanup

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on March 5, 2017 by JimSeptember 12, 2025

With key bushings installed, it was back to the piano shop. In order to test the work, we would need to try a few keys in the keyframe and see they fit. First though, a little cleanup was in order. … Continue reading →

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Posted in Projects, Ranch Life | Tagged action rebuild, animal hide glue, back rail cloth, Bernerd, blanco, blanco texas, DIY, felt bushing, flitz polish, hill country, how to, key pins, keyframe, Mollberg, music, piano, piano punching lifter, punchings, restoration, scotchblue, Texas, texas hill country, weber, weber grand piano, windex, wippens, woodworking

Weber Piano Project – New Bushings!

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on March 5, 2017 by JimSeptember 12, 2025

So far, we’ve removed the action from the piano, disassembled, and cleaned it. There’s a surprising amount of effort involved in just those steps, and it was great to finally make progress in the rebuild. Make no mistake, the disassembly and … Continue reading →

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Posted in Projects, Ranch Life | Tagged action rebuild, animal hide glue, balance rail, Bernerd, blanco, blanco texas, brush, build, bushing felt, DIY, felt bushing, front rail, hill country, how to, Mollberg, music, pallet knife, piano, piano action, razor blade, restoration, Texas, texas hill country, watercolor, weber, weber grand piano, whiting, woodworking

The Shed Roof — Storing Lumber in the Shop

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on May 7, 2016 by JimSeptember 12, 2025
photo of the shop, as built in 2000

I built the shop at least 15 years ago, and it’s been one of the most useful projects here at the ranch. Originally, I was imagining a woodworking shop, and I even built a large, low bench and acquired some … Continue reading →

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Posted in Projects, Ranch Life | Tagged DIY, hill country, homesteading, how to, repurpose, roy creek ranch, shop, Texas, upcycle, woodworking

Penning the Plants

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on April 18, 2008 by JimSeptember 11, 2025

In an earlier post, I alluded to “bins” or “pens” That I constructed in the greenhouse.  Something of a cross between a raised bed and a giant pot, these miniature gardens are very efficient, and easy to construct.  Here’s how: … Continue reading →

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Posted in Gardening & Food | Tagged container, DIY, Growers Supply, hill country, homesteading, how to, planter, temperature, Texas, vegetables

The Greenhouse “Flowers”

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on March 8, 2008 by JimSeptember 11, 2025

The greenhouse has been in operation for a couple of months now, and beginning to show some results.  Since this is my first real experience with one, I’m learning as I go along, and there are some surprises along the … Continue reading →

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Posted in Gardening & Food | Tagged DIY, Growers Supply, hill country, homesteading, how to, temperature, Texas

A Commercial Greenhouse

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on January 14, 2008 by JimSeptember 11, 2025

This morning marks the completion of a long-standing project here at the ranch. You may recall the construction of a greenhouse last year, one made of PVC and plastic sheeting. Well, now for the rest of the story: it was … Continue reading →

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Posted in Gardening & Food | Tagged DIY, Growers Supply, hill country, homesteading, how to, plastic, Polycarbonate, Texas

The Greenhouse (part 2)

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on December 2, 2006 by JimSeptember 11, 2025

Saturday dawned clear and warm.  The perfect day for completing the greenhouse!  I had a nearly square frame to use for the foundation, done the previous weekend, and now it was time to level the ground and anchor the frame. … Continue reading →

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Posted in Gardening & Food | Tagged DIY, hill country, homesteading, how to, PVC, Texas

The Greenhouse (part 1)

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on November 26, 2006 by JimSeptember 11, 2025

One of the problems we have periodically here in the Hill Country are hard freezes.  Given the length and heat of the summers, it’s a surprise to some and it catches many off-guard.  Folks with tropical plants in their gardens … Continue reading →

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Posted in Gardening & Food | Tagged DIY, hill country, homesteading, howto, PVC, Texas

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