I guess I made a showing today, but didn't get near as much done as I wanted to. I guess that's about par for the course though. I finally pulled the plug on the generator and tried to put one of the new ones in, but both were totally wrong and wouldn't work. I wound up just cleaning it again instead and was able to use the hammer drill to drill through the rock and pound three stakes about 2 feet in to the ground .They won't go anywhere even without concrete. Also managed to pound a 9 foot base pole in the ground where all of the critters have had success digging. I managed to pound that sucker about 4 feet deep using the fence post driver so it ain't going nowhere either. The pole in the picture will only put the wind generator up about 15 feet, but where it is there are no obstructions to block the wind so I'd imagine it will do the trick. I don't want to put it any higher until I get the right pipe to put it on anyway and will be real lucky to man handle the genny up that high by myself anyway. Only managed to get one of the guy wires strung out, but hope to get the others finished also tomorrow to stabilize the pole. Hopefully tomorrow I can have the genny up and its early duty will just be to charge the new treated batteries and the others that I'll be treating pretty soon. Now that I have my digital volt meter fixed I find that it only takes the gas powered charger 15 minutes a day to top off the four bank batteries. I could stretch that to every three days, but I like to leave the lap top on all the time and use the over head light a lot, plus have several battery powered devices charging at the same time also.
Don't remember if I've ever posted a shot of my newer solar lights charging or not so here's how its done. I put them out early in the morning and bring them in just before dusk and you already know that those 8 do a pretty good job on lighting this place up when I'm not running the 120 volt light. I gave up 4 of my older solar lights yesterday to a guy I met at the Legion because he doesn't have any way to get electricity and only depends on a flashlight to read by at night and for lighting. When I went to Study Butte yesterday he was at the Cottonwood store on his old Honda trail 70 and that's his only transportation. A 36 mile round trip on it is about a 2 hour affair on the mountain roads between here and there. I wound up hauling his Igloo cooler back here so he could haul other stuff and when he got here I gave him 4 of my older solar lights. I've been leaving those outside since I put the others on the sealing anyway. Hope it makes life a little easier for him. Also offered him a ride in to town and to Alpine when I go. I could use the company and no sweat off of me otherwise.
It was a little cool all day so I spent the first part of the day in here tinkering with more junk trying to make the cell phone my home phone. Made a little headway on that and found another signal back toward Alpine that might be a better tower to try and use. Also found another back toward Marathon, but it wasn't that great. Its supposed to be a little warmer each day and to be in the 80s by the weekend so MAYBE I can start getting something done around here. (If the wind doesn't blow like hell!)
That was a nice thing you did for that guy.
ReplyDeleteHello, I'm Mama Crow ... nice to meet you.
How is your mule injury to the chest?
Well you don't waste any time in starting a new project with that wind generator. Is that a home made one or store bought and how many watts does it put out.
ReplyDeleteI think you did a nice deed by helping the guy on the m/c. he may turn out to be a good friend and someone that can give you a hand when you need one.
Keep up the good work
Good to meet you to Mama Crow. I've seen your post on The Field Lab and OGT's Blog. Glad you decided to join mine.
ReplyDeleteAnd to you and River I say it never hurts to help another person out. I've heard how the Terlingua community goes to bat for others and helps out, but so far I've only had one person help me out besides family. That would be Just Me and I figure I owe it to her to pass the favors on.
Oh... I'm about over the mule kick.
ReplyDeleteI got over here as soon as I could ... still trying to figure out what in the world this blog world is all about.
ReplyDeleteDisappointing you've had no one around there for moral support ... YET ... some good'uns are heading your way, so keep that chin up where it's been.
Oh, and I'm glad to hear it :)
Oh... and River its a commercial one. An old Wind seeker I bought just before 9/11. I painted the blades red, white and blue just after 9/11 so when it spins it looks sort of like a round flag. Its just a 500 watt so I'll have to build others. I sold the ones I built before. When I do they should be good for about 1000 to 1500 watts each depending on wind speed.
ReplyDeleteI have several friend who use wind power as a charging source. 500 watts is a lot of power when you can store it in those big battery banks your building. Your in the right place for wind power, the important thing is to get as many battries in line as you can, 6 is great, that way you have a big backup when you have no wind.
ReplyDeletea friend of mine has a mountain cabine without phone service. he got a "Yagi antenna" that hooks up to his phone and he has full bars. this is a beam type antenna that has to be fine tuned to the cell tower antenna. I think Wilson makes one check on the internet.
Hey Unc,
ReplyDeleteLooks like your starting to get things rolling your way, I'm glad. Pop would be proud on the helping the other fellow out, he was always doing that too. I don't see why I can't get all that stuff you need on my bike with NJ, then we'd have Rhonda's bike to load up. I figure she could carry some stuff on her back. lol She got a real kick out of that. You be careful out there trying to do to much alone, we don't want to get there and find you laid up or worse. Going to go by the Aunties place in the big O on the way out, looking forward to seeing them again too. Keep up the good work, let me know if I can do anything here.
David, You have made some head way man! And its good to see your reconditioned batteries are going strong.
ReplyDeleteI wish I was out there with ya , but it just goes to show that Terlingua attracts the right people. You helpin that other fella was what its all about.
How many batts do you have now? and only 15 minutes of battery charging to top em off with the geni? I knew about $30 bucks worth of gas would charge a small system up. soon itll be free and youll have all the power you need.
Funny comment on my blog, but you gave me an idea now. The OGT Dancers, wonder if the chicks would pay to see us in cowboys and speedos?
So what is your total power generation goal your trying to achieve?
ReplyDeleteBTW - Always good karma helping others when you have nothing to gain from it.
This chick wouldn't ... geez, y'all are trouble.
ReplyDeleteMama Crow, I didn't even know what a blog was 6 months ago, but I'm learning quick I guess. I imagine a lot of the people that talk about all the help they got around here already knew a few people here. I didn't so that was a pretty good disadvantage. I am starting to make some friends here though and there are some good people already here. Will be nice to see more of them as long as they don't move in 50 feet away. ;)
ReplyDeleteRiver, I've heard of the "Yagi antennas", but they don't give them away and I need to do everything on the cheap. I think it will be more fun that way anyway. The more I can do with out spending $ the better.
Dale, you'll might bring me a few sets of 34, 32, 30 and 28 bluejeans. If I keep loosing weight I may be running around here in a loin cloth by the time you'll get here.
No OGT!, I ain't doing that speedo thing. Snake boots and a loin cloth is as far as I'll take it and I think Mama Crow has already dashed any hopes of selling calenders to the ladies.
Sacvenger, It would be nice to have a fridge, microwave and a few other creature comforts without paying an electric company or spending $ on gas. That's where I'd like to go, but only time will tell whether I make it or not.
heehee ... I just meant I wouldn't pay.
ReplyDelete*ducking for cover*
Going back to my safe lair now ... dang, what a first impression I've made.
Hey David, you might check into a propane refrigerator. I know they work in motorhomes, but don't know how much gas they use. I would also keep my eye out for a bigger tank, maybe on Craig's list, so your supplier could deliver. Looks like things are starting to come together out there. Thanks for keeping us posted. Dennis
ReplyDeleteDennis, I've thought about those, but they are very expensive. The only way I could do that would be to find an old motorhome that someone wants to get rid of cheap and has a working one in it. That way I could salvage everything else in it for the cabin.
ReplyDeleteAs for the wind genny I just hit a major snag. Looks like that project is on hold until I can get a 2" pipe nipple to adapt the genny to the size of pole I have there now. Not sure where I'll come up with that yet. I'd forgotten how the base of the genny swivel was made and I just got it out and made the discovery that there is a part of the clamp that has to stick down in 2 inch pipe so I'm SOL on that. Guess its switch to some other project until I can come up with what I need. (probably some time next month when I go to Alpine.) er.... Maybe my nephew can bring me one down here in his Harley saddle bag?
You reading this Dale? I need a 1 foot pipe nipple. (2" pipe)
I see that, now that's probably something I can find space for. lol I'll swing by Home Depot or Lowes and see what I can find. Is your cell service up out there now, I may give you a call when I'm there to make sure what I'll be getting.
ReplyDeleteHow quick do you need it? I can mail today or tomorrow. Dennis
ReplyDeleteDennis, thanks for the offer, but I'll let Dale bring it and then he'll have to help me put the genny up. ;)
ReplyDeleteDale, I got the 2" pipe I had it up on in Plano at Lowe's in Plano. They didn't have it at the Lowe's, Home Depot or McCoy's in Odessa though. It would probably be impossible to find it anywhere in Alpine. You might have to go to a pipe yard or plumbing supply house?
I was afraid of that, no, I meant looking forward to that. I'm off tomorrow, I'll swing by and see what I can find then.
ReplyDelete" he shall toil inthe earth to bring forth its produce and by the sweat of his brow he shall live until all his days"
ReplyDeleteyour brow has been sweatin a bunch lately, you could use a break.
Well Dale, there's always the outhouse basement that needs to be dug (Through solid rock) Build my 3 story condo, and a few other small things like that. Ah... forget the outhouse basement we'll just dig a septic system. And you thought this was going to be a vacation!
ReplyDeleteOGT, I haven't got much done today besides figure out exactly where I want to build and lay it out with iron stakes drilled in to the rock. Picked out the best view from the front window. Now all I've got to do is save up for the lumber, buy the material and build it. I guess today was my break?
Great post today, Dave. Lots of good information. Glad you got SOMETHING done. Don't kid yourself, you ARE making progress!
ReplyDeleteAllen, denniswalker (Who is also a member on my site) is sending me the pipe I need so hopefully I'll be able to go ahead and get the genny up before long. Would otherwise be next month before my nephew could get it to me. In the mean time I may see if I can get it up higher by changing the way I'll put it up. If I have too much trouble then I'll wait until Dale and family get here and let him help me. I think I can do it by myself though. Main requirement will be that it will have to be a real calm day because trying to put it up in wind is out.
ReplyDeleteBTW I just got an email from my uncle where he said a small plane had crashed in to the federal building in Austin Texas. I just checked that out online and don't see any evidence that it was the federal building or that it was a terrorist attack. Appears to be some storage facility or something else. First link I found on it was one of the tabloids and according it one person that was supposed to be on the plane was missing. Yeah... I guess they just got out and walked off. Maybe it was an alian? ;)
It was an IRS building between Research Blvd and Jolleyville Rd ... dang, I used to live right there near the Arboretum.
ReplyDeleteI had to make a run to Study Butte for supplies and checked back about it on the internet when I got back. I guess I got the right story this time? Earlier it was hard to figure out which story was true.
ReplyDeleteOn another note: Sure will be nice when I get a solar shower built. The one I took at BBMI sure made me feel better! Also picked up more distilled water, Epsom Salt and a 120 volt light for the storage area. Sure is dark in there even in daylight and a flashlight doesn't cut it. Also got more wire to process more batteries and get them ready to go on line. I have 8 going right now. Hope all 10 of the 6 volts will be usable and so far all that I've doctored have been good.
Woops... That's 6 batteries and not 8. I must have been thinking about my IQ? Have a 7th doctored and will probably doctor the other 3 tomorrow, tie them in and give them their first 130 AMP jolt. Maybe they will be like Frankenstein and the other 6 and come to life?
ReplyDeleteyou officially gave me comment envy, and I just gave you another one.
ReplyDeleteDavid it is so heart warming to read that there are still caring individuals out there that are willing to help out their fellow men.
ReplyDeleteI like your other reader believe in Karma and you have lots of good Karma my friend!!