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Grid power went off last night
By Birdmmjb, Section Diaries Posted on Sun Mar 9th, 2008 at 03:22:46 PM MST
solar back up worked well

As some of you know my husband is NOT! on board with my solar, wind ect projects.
Well last night he was glad I had my system in place. The lights went out about 8:00 my computer never burped, I let him set in the dark for a little while before asking him if he wanted me to turn on the inverter and run the solar back up for lights. The bedroom is all solar but I have not wired the dinning room (our hanging out room) for dc power yet.
No suprise he was more than glad to have light. He then stated that he wished he had some coffee. Well his wife who he as called a survalist (sp) pulled out the propane camp stove and hot coffee was just minutes away.
We live in an all electric home that we have added two propane space heaters. so we were warm and happy while the power co worked out the problem.
Five years ago when we were without power for 10 days I learned a lesson that he didn't, ie. Have a back up system to keep warm cook something to eat and read to pass the time with.
I'm glad to say that I now have that system.
I wonder if now is the time to try to add to my system while the memory is fresh? :-)
Jan

Grid power went off last night | 7 comments (7 topical, 0 editorial)

Re: Grid power went off last night (3.00 / 0) (#1)
by thirteen on Sun Mar 9th, 2008 at 10:56:30 AM MST
(User Info)

As a safty feature it would be better to extend a light here or there farther into the darkest part of the house. Or say get an extension cord that will reach to other parts. If you can get him to stumble over the cord then maybe it would better if he helped you wire a couple of extra lights here or there. He is not getting any younger and with his eyes going bad maybe some more lights would help. I do not know if his hearing is still there but some one should tell him that solar or wind or hydro power sure makes a good cup of coffee and is a good way to be. As long as the sun shines you'll have power for the house. Did you look and see any neighbors with lights on? Just an idea.

Re: Grid power went off last night (3.00 / 0) (#2)
by thefinis (thefinis@hotmail.com) on Sun Mar 9th, 2008 at 11:15:12 AM MST
(User Info)

Go for it while the memory of how nice it was is still there. He may even get to brag to someone about how ya'll had power when the neighbors were dark. Now might be a good time for it to become his idea too.

Good luck
Finis
Texas born and bred

Re: Grid power went off last night (3.00 / 0) (#3)
by jonas302 on Sun Mar 9th, 2008 at 11:31:01 AM MST
(User Info)

sure is fun when the everyody else is in the dark!

Re: Grid power went off last night (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by Birdmmjb on Sun Mar 9th, 2008 at 11:46:34 AM MST
(User Info)

Well the neighbors are about a mile down the road so I couldn't see is they had power but as far out as we live I would think they had some back up.

Funny thing the cell tower down the road has a back up generator but last night the warning lights were also out.

Jan

[ Parent ]

Re: Grid power went off last night (3.00 / 0) (#5)
by TheCasualTraveler (a.miklos@yahoo.com) on Sun Mar 9th, 2008 at 01:05:51 PM MST
(User Info) http://thecasualtraveler.com/wind.htm

and remember Bird, HF panels are on sale for $179 this month, I think someone said till the 28th?

How many sets would that give you, 4?
Andy

Re: Grid power went off last night (3.00 / 0) (#6)
by Birdmmjb on Mon Mar 10th, 2008 at 02:06:58 AM MST
(User Info)

Andy I have 2 sets of HF and one set of 65 watt Sun force and an 80 watt I don't remember what brand. My wind gen is out of action right now as the high winds a few weeks ago cracked all 3 blades.

I have the wood to make new but have not had the time and with the horse show season comming soon and 23 horses to train and care for I think it will be fall before I can even think of fixing the wind gen.

I have started work on a solar water heater for the barn I really hope it works becase washing horses in cold water in April and May is NOT fun for anyone involved.

I am using the 4inch black plastic drain pipe sealed at both ends in an insulated glass covered box the cold water is piped into the bottom of the pipe and forces the warme water out the top. When several of these are hooked top to bottom I expect to have 40 gallons of hot water to wash the horses with which should allow me to wash 2 or 3 horses a day on sunny days.

[ Parent ]

Re: Grid power went off last night (3.00 / 0) (#7)
by Capt Slog (Capt.Slog(at this)gmail.com) on Mon Mar 10th, 2008 at 04:40:10 AM MST
(User Info)

Pleased to see that you hung in there Jan, and that you are at last getting some approval of your efforts.

I'm fortunate in that Mrs Slog has lived through similar projects in the past, where things come together out of a bunch of chaos. So she stuck with the mess when I said I was putting in a few new lights, and was impressed with the results.

What you are doing HAS to make sense, and you've proved you were right all along.
"Slowly changing the world, one watt at a time!"

Grid power went off last night | 7 comments (7 topical, 0 editorial)

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