finally added solar

[greenkarson]

I have to start by saying i felt pretty proud spending the last few days at my cabin generater free.  Many of you are fimialiar with my 100watt hydro turbine setup.  It works beautiful when there is water.  Which is about six months of the year.  So i finally got around to adding solar. Five thirty watt panels.  I figgered 150watts was a good starting point for my small cabin system.  I built the frame with hinges so it can be adjusted  for the different times of year.
  I ran into a problem finding true south when building the frame.  The rocks in the raven where my cabin is are very magentic and made the compass bounce all over the place.  Finally had to use two compasses at the same time to cross check. But in the end all went well. 
  Built this rack to hold my five panel sets. Got it all installed before christmas.  Then my wife buys me another panel for christmas.  But i guess i won't  complain.  So soon i will have 180watts!







-edit JW- fixed pictures

[bj]

     Congrats--should augment the hydo nicely.  About to jump into the solar as well.
     Wishing for a creek, bu oh well.

[DanG]

Find sunrise & sunset times for the next day you'll be there - use lat & long - split your day length in half, and be ready at that minute to use Solar Noon to make a permanent legend - use a straight rod, six or eight feet long and spray paint or otherwise mark the shadow at solar noon. You'll be amazed how fast it slips onward if'n you're not prepared or talking etc.. Then, if you use a compass over top that mark, you'll know the local correction required for true south

http://www.srrb.noaa.gov/highlights/sunrise/sunrise.html
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?

[David HK]

Your cabin looks to be very small.

Are you likely to have a problem with wolves, bears and other nasties that may consider you good breakfast material?

David in HK

[thirteen]

I would suggest putting your wire in condeit to protect it from creatures. If you do have bears and other large wildlife you may consider putting a good fence around it. Or even washing down everything with bleach to kill the your scent. Animals will fine where you  worked and will try and get the salt from where you have handled things or just from your sweat. If you put up a fence I would think that a couple of strans of real sharp barbed wire migh twork on top of it. Just an idea.

[Striider]

You will be amazed how much energy you get from those panels.  Nice job!

[greenkarson]

Ha ha.  Thats actually the shed not the cabin.  The cabin is about a 150' away.  And the wires are in a conduit from the panels to the shed.  Here is a pic of the cabin taken yesterday.








-edit JW- fixed pictures

[greenkarson]

Forgot to mention the second pic is the turbine in the winter. Works perfect.

[greenkarson]

DanG.  will have have to give that a try when the snow is all gone.

[greenkarson]

And no laughing at my snowmobile.  Its paid for!!!

[thirteen]

Looks like the your doing things right in the woods and in the sticks, off grid which is a good place to be.
A good power source and a nice warm cabin with fresh veges and a good steak and a ride in the snow couldn't get any better in my view.  Looks good to me.

[dave ames]

SWEET 

Thanks for the look Karson. Good clean living there! ..and a ton of fun too. 

Cheers, Dave
Off topic PM sent.

[wilfor03]

greenkarson....

where is the cabin located at? (which state?).......reminds me of Montrose, Colorado. I would have loved to retire up there, but, the "Boss" says hell no on the boonies......

Anyhow, really love the pictures and your plight to use solar/hydro up there!

Have fun, stay warm and don't forget the cold ones in the snow when ya pack back out.......been there, done that   

Bill

[greenkarson]

Actually its in Ontari, Canada

[greenkarson]

Ontario

[thirteen]

Butte, Montana no snow here