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Thursday, May 29, 2014

New Day



Even though it was cloudy and rainy most of the day, the solar panels did charge the batteries up a bit. The generator ran very little today. Once while pumping a lot of water from the well and another time while using power tools. All in all, not too bad.

It's supposed to be mostly sunny all day Thursday so that should boost the battery bank back up.

I've come to the conclusion that it's a waste of gasoline to try and top off the batteries with this generator. It does a good job boosting the batteries from a low state to a medium charge. After that, it's not very efficient at all. Until I have a better generator I'll just rely on the sun to top of the batteries.

I can limp along with the borrowed generator until it can be replaced with something that charges better. While there's more rain in the long range forecast most days are supposed to be at least partly sunny. That's all I need to get all necessary power from the sun. These dark days have been a strain, both on the electric system and my mood.

Even with a lot of clouds and an inefficient generator, it was still cheaper than being on-grid. I think we'll put that decision off for a while yet. Let's see how the next week or two works out.

-Sixbears

7 comments:

  1. Enough time usually furnishes the solution.

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  2. Replies
    1. It's just a matter, as you know, of going with the flow...
      When I was living on my junk-rigged yacht and the wind was blowing from the way I wished to go, I just decided to go somewhere else, and went the way the wind was blowing... life was so much easier... solar is like that, some days there's a lot of power and some days there's not...
      Just live with it...

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  3. The weird weather got me down for a bit. To much rain. The back roof sprung a leak and I went up and rigged a temporary patch,. But there is a bright spot when a neighbor stopped by with some work. Small job, but it will bring in some needed cash. Think of your solar as being in the doldrums. They'll be back up to speed in no time. You pull through sooner than later. You'll know best what to change up after this crisis passes by.

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  4. it actually takes more energy to fully charge a standard battery

    increasing your battery bank be more sensible

    Wildflower

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  5. Consider a small wind powered generator....they work both day and night, sun or shine and can fill in the gaps of no sun.

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