Caturday
5 hours ago
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Difficulties
I must admit I'm not at my best right now. It's easy to write a blog when things are going really well. When they aren't it's tempting to keep quiet. However, in the interests of full disclosure, I'm sharing some difficulties with my solar electric system.
The main problem right now is the complete lack of sun. Days of constant rain cannot be made up with the occasional break in the clouds.
To make matters worse, the borrowed generator is not the best match for battery charging. No matter how long it runs, it never really tops off the battery bank. I know there are reasons that happens, but I just can't remember exactly why or how to fix it.
When we had access to the grid it was easy to give the batteries a full charge. My lovely wife has suggested that we might have to go back to using grid power for backup. This is the first time she's really complained.
I'm feeling a bit under the weather, so that doesn't help. Maybe the world will look better after a good night's sleep.
-Sixbears
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Sixbear you are way a head of most people on being independent. You and the wife are not teens anymore have the power turned on as a back up.You have systems in place that lessen the cost of heating, water ,sewer, power and transport.What is more important total self suicient or options and choice.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement Gary. We aren't at that point yet. It was a bad. They happen.
DeleteI can't offer a short-term fix, but I assume you're planning for a better generator at some point.
ReplyDeleteThat's probably the key.
DeleteWish we lived closer because I'd let you use mine.
ReplyDeleteAt least you now know what the weak link in your system is so now all you need to do is come up with a wad of cash to fix it. In the mean time maybe you could try a New Hampshire 'sun dance' :-)
Thanks for the good thoughts. I'm willing to try a sun dance. Sounds like fun.
DeleteSorry for your troubles - I hope once the sun comes back out and you get some needed rest, your situation will get resolved. It sounds like a temporary problem - maybe sitting outside and thinking about it will create some new options.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't worry about the blog, you have bigger fish to fry. We'll stay tuned - same bat time, same bat station. :^)
Thanks! Yeah, it's probably a temporary thing.
DeleteWhile I can't offer anything that wouldn't simply just be silly from a technical standpoint, I will say that you haven't failed simply because you've gone back to the grid as a back up. As one of the others said you've found your weak link. Look at it as an opportunity to expand what you already do very well to begin with as a means of solving your problem: "Thinking outside the box."
ReplyDeletePlus, as you already know, keeping the wife happy is always important.
Keeping the wife happy is the main thing. However, she didn't even suggest it today, so I think I have time to trouble shoot a bit more.
DeleteSetbacks will happen. Any chance you could use some kind of wind power setup around your home? Hope you feel better. Let me know if you need help with any projects.
ReplyDeleteI am tempted by wind power. However, I'd need a really tall tower to get above my trees.
DeleteHere, where the sun usually shines, it has been raining and is suppose to off and on for the most of the week. My son has solar and it is barely keeping his batteries up if he doesn't draw from them.
ReplyDeleteEven in TX the sun can hide. I don't feel so bad now.
DeleteAs Little Orphan Annie sang: The sun will come out tomorrow!