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Tag Archives: equipment

Installing a Littelfuse PumpSaver to Protect a Water Well Pump

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on May 26, 2021 by JimMarch 14, 2026
photo of The PumpSaver as part of the Solar Rainwater System

With summer on the way, and an end to our rainy season approaching, I am reminded of the dry summer last year and concerns about the water table here at the ranch. Fortunately, our water well performed during the last year’s drought, but a number of our neighbors had trouble with their wells. Some troubles were resolved by a visit from the well-service company and a replacement part of two, but at least one well’s water level was low — resulting in low or no water output.

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Posted in Ranch Life | Tagged DIY, equipment, how to, littelfuse, protection, pump, pumpsaver, rainwater, solar, well

Farming Bluebonnets is Easy

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on November 6, 2019 by JimSeptember 12, 2025
photo of Our backyard filled with Bluebonnets

For the last ten years, we’ve been farming bluebonnets (Lupinus texensis) around the place. It started when I planted a few seeds and gradually, they’ve bloomed and spread. Because I’m impatient, I also helped them along by mowing the plants after they had gone to seed and spreading the clippings to other parts of the ranch.

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Posted in Gardening & Food | Tagged back to the earth, Bearcat, bluebonnet, bluebonnets, chipper, equipment, farming, ferguson, harvest, hill country, how to, howto, Lupinus texensis, Massey, model 65, Mother Earth News, saving seeds, scythe, shredder, snathe, Texas, texas hill country, wildflowers

Buying A Great Massey Ferguson 65

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on November 6, 2019 by JimMarch 14, 2026
1964 Massey Ferguson 65 diesel tractor with Perkins AD4.203 engine

A Massey Ferguson 65 is nice to have. Over the years, I’ve learned that a tractor is essential. The point was made in about 2002 when I decided to buy a truckload of decomposed granite to improve the driveway. After spreading 10 yards of material with a wheelbarrow and shovel, I realized there had to be a better way.

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Posted in Ranch Life | Tagged 65, Craig's list, diesel, equipment, ferguson, homesteading, kingsland, Massey, model 65, Texas, texas hill country, tractor

Solar Water Pump for Well Completed | Solar Powered Rainwater Project

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on November 15, 2017 by JimApril 22, 2026
photo of Completed Solar Powered Rainwater System

Solar water pump for well—measured power consumption, battery capacity, inverter losses, and real-world off-grid system performance.

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Posted in Projects, Ranch Life | Tagged amateur, ampere-hours, battery bank capacity, 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, mppt, off-grid, panel, panel wattage, pwm, rainwater, renogy, solar, solar panel wattage, storage, teardrop, trailer, wb0mmc

Adding Solar Panels to an Off-Grid System | Solar Power Rainwater System

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on November 14, 2017 by JimApril 21, 2026
adding solar panels to the water shed

After testing our off-grid solar system, it became clear we needed more capacity. By adding solar panels, we improved charging performance, and expanded the system for real-world use.

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Posted in Projects | Tagged amateur, ampere-hours, battery bank capacity, 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, mppt, off-grid, panel, panel wattage, pwm, rainwater, renogy, solar, solar panel wattage, storage, teardrop, trailer, wb0mmc, woodworking

Off Grid Solar System Final Assembly and Testing | Solar Powered Rainwater Project

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on July 15, 2017 by JimApril 21, 2026
the entire off grid solar system

Bringing all the pieces together, we assemble and test a complete off grid solar system—wiring panels, configuring the inverter, and proving it can run a real-world load.

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Posted in Projects, Ranch Life | Tagged amateur, ampere-hours, battery bank capacity, 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, mppt, off-grid, panel, panel wattage, pwm, rainwater, renogy, solar, solar panel wattage, storage, teardrop, trailer, wb0mmc

Solar Battery Bank Design and Wiring | Solar Powered Rainwater Project

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on July 11, 2017 by JimApril 20, 2026
photo of Battery cart with batteries

Designing a solar battery bank isn’t just about capacity—it’s about balancing cost, weight, and real-world constraints. Here’s how we built a practical 48 volt battery system for our off-grid rainwater project.

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Posted in Projects, Ranch Life | Tagged amateur, ampere-hours, battery bank capacity, 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, mppt, off-grid, panel, panel wattage, pwm, rainwater, renogy, solar, solar panel wattage, storage, teardrop, trailer, wb0mmc

Solar Panel Tilt and Mounting | Solar Power Rainwater Project

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on March 23, 2017 by JimApril 20, 2026
Planning solar panel tilt and mounting on the Spring Garden Shed

Learn how to optimize solar panel tilt and mounting for real-world performance. This off-grid rainwater project explores panel angle, seasonal adjustments, and practical installation decisions to improve solar output efficiently.

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Posted in Projects, Ranch Life | Tagged amateur, build, charge, charge controller, compass, controller, deep cycle, DIY, equipment, framing square, Grid-assist, grid-tie, ham radio, how to, howto, inclinometer, Interstate, inverter, iphone, kill-a-watt, kilowatt, kilowatt-hours, kWh, marine, mppt, off-grid, panel, pwm, rainwater, renogy, solar, speed square, storage, teardrop, trailer, wb0mmc

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

Solar Power for the Amateur Radio Station

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on December 8, 2015 by JimSeptember 12, 2025
photo of a 150-watt solar panel

After adding some solar power to our teardrop trailer, I realized how easy it would be to power part of my amateur radio station the same way. Solar panels and charge controllers had gotten relatively inexpensive, and with the addition … Continue reading →

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Posted in Projects, Ranch Life | Tagged amateur, build, charge, controller, deep cycle, equipment, ham radio, Interstate, inverter, marine, mppt, panel, pwm, renogy, solar, storage, teardrop, trailer, wb0mmc
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