The EV Experience — One Year On About a year ago, we purchased a Hyundai Ioniq5 electric vehicle. There were several reasons: __________ We’ve had the vehicle just over a year now, and it’s time for an update. The car itself … Continue reading →
I’ve made about 20 posts regarding my adventures in Solar Energy. They all lead to a Solar-powered “Gas Station” for an Electric Vehicle (EV). As prices for solar equipment have come down, the idea is within reach on my budget.
Continue reading →With the completion of 95 copper bus bars, I was nearly ready to assemble the Really Big Lithium Ion Battery. There is a little process involved though. The Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePo) cells I was using had been in storage for a while and though new, would need a some maintenance. There would be 64 of them, arranged in 16 sets of four cells.
Continue reading →With 8 kilowatts of Solar panel to meet our power needs, it was time to think about winter heat. The solar power could be used to pump water, provide lighting, charge various devices and run small appliances, it just wasn’t going to be enough for heating — especially at night. We have a nearly endless source of deadfall live oak here at the ranch though, and a wood stove was the obvious answer.
Continue reading →Two years ago, I installed a small solar system to pump water at the ranch. This solar generator makes us independent from the grid by insuring we can always pump water — even in a grid down event. I’ve learned a lot about solar power and want to continue. What about refrigeration? In a power failure we cannot refrigerate food or produce ice.
Continue reading →As houses age, repairs are needed. I have been living in the Log Home for nearly 14 years, and it is no exception. We originally installed a propane water heater reasoning that we would have hot water without electricity, and modest amounts of … Continue reading →
