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Burbank Resident Robert Beher on the roof with his 2 kW solar PV system Here on our off-grid homestead, we use PV panels as part of our energy solution. PV takes the energy in the sun’s light, and converts it directly to DC electricity for battery charging. A inverter then takes the low voltage DC, [...]
Author Archives: sspence
Convert your gas car to electric
Friday, January 21, 2005 – 3:24 pm
Electric Car conversion Victor Tikhonov converted a Honda from gasoline to DC Electric. A few years later, he upgraded it to a AC Electric propulsion system. Everything he modified, from removing the engine, installing the electric motor, control and instrumentation systems, adapting existing accessories, to performance testing is laid out for all to observe, and [...]
Building your own Wind Generator
Friday, January 21, 2005 – 3:03 pm
DIY Wind Generator With a regularly windy site, a wind generator can be an inexpensive source of electricity, especially compared to photovoltaics (PV). Commercial wind generators can be pricey, initially, as are the towers and installation. This can be done Do-It-Yourself (DIY), with proper education and experience. My friends at Otherpower.com build their own wind [...]
Installing a wood stove
Friday, January 21, 2005 – 1:45 pm
Ancient Kalamazoo Franklin We had a very old Kalamazoo Franklin wood stove that was coming apart at the seams, literally. The final straw was this week when the cast iron chimney elbow separated from the firebox. We decided that it needed to be replaced, and in a hurry. Out door Temps were -10F, and heading [...]
Solar Heated Water
Wednesday, January 19, 2005 – 8:36 pm
Solar Water Heater Good ol’ John Canivan – guru of sun heated water systems, related the following to me: In 1970 a friend of mine left the civilized comforts of a New Jersey home to seek out and experience the free, wild wilderness of an Adirondack hilltop in upstate New York. Jake loved the country [...]
WC=Waterless Closet
Friday, January 14, 2005 – 11:06 pm
Composting Sawdust Toilet On our homestead, we have greatly reduced our water usage by eliminating the flush toilet. The idea of polluting fresh drinking water with humanure is an odd concept, but widely held as the only solution. At the same time, we have embarked on a process that builds topsoil depth and quality. By [...]
RAIN WATER HARVESTING
Thursday, January 13, 2005 – 8:37 pm
Rain water harvesting, rainwater, rainwater collection,
