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WATCH BILL XAM LIVE EVERY NIGHT AT 6:30 PM, EST ON THE ANIMAL FEEDER SETUP SHOW!

Disaster planning should be part of every single household across America, strike that, the world. When disaster strikes, people die or lives are changed. In times of plenty, forego the Playstations and buy extra food. You can explain a lack of toys better than a lack of food to your children.

Three years ago, our home caught fire. I spent time in intensive care and almost died, thus I know from whence I speak. 

As we go into our third season of "This Old Shack", disaster planning and survival episodes become more important. After all, that's what alternative energy is - the ability for you to survive without an infrastructure. All of our episodes of This Old Shack and our new show, "CSI:SALINE" will reflect this in 2009. Oh, of course there's going to be laughs and beer drinking - this survival crap is depressing to think about.

So, practice your fire drills with the crumbcrunchers, practice evacuating yourselves, your pets, your neighbors. Learn how to use a fire extinguisher. And watch our videos!

WATCH BILL XAM LIVE EVERY NIGHT AT 6:30 PM, EST ON THE ANIMAL FEEDER SETUP SHOW!

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Earthquake/vocano activity

But why solar power?

There were several reasons for the switch:

  • Sprinkle of rain = power failure.

  • Giving a little back by not using so much.

  • Independent living.

Benefits:

  • Renewable power.
  • Learning about solar power.
  • Own stock in the solar panel company. :-)
  • I like batteries.
  • I can sit around smoking a cigar because I'm an energy mogul!

Drawbacks:

  • Maintenance.
  • Installation.
  • Bunch of black glass panels sitting around.

sunset_over_ypsi1.jpg (389444 bytes)Northern Michigan Solar Cabin

Discussion Forum here

Learn more about alternative energy

 

Alternative Energy Learning Resources

 

  National Weather Service Article  

 

Xantrex C12 Charge Controller, 12A, 12V

DiaryDex

See the installation link at left for more photos and installation details.

Diary entries 2007

May, 2007

April, 2007

March, 2007

3-18-07

3-20-07

Once in a while, something sets me off.

Rant 1

Rant 2

Death of a battery; They were ill, but with modern charger science they are once again healthy!

 

Archives from 2006

First week of April; my vacation - Install new ceiling, re-insulate, built battery bank box, finish utility room.

Second trip; Install the panels, start garden, install new charge controller and battery charger.

Third trip: Check how the new charge controller and the solar panels work together. Installed new battery. Finished back wall, built generator house.

May 5, 2006; The veggies are up! Ran the generator in the gen. house and started hooking up the breaker box.

May 25, 2006; Well, off to the cabin. Will the veggies still be alive? Will the battery bank be charged after 3 weeks of rain? Can I write a dopey intro? Tune in next week after I get back! 

June 9, 2006; More fun at the cabin as I kick myself.

June 18, 2006; Using the bigger bank and the generator is dead.

July 2, 2006; The new generator is installed and tested with the line conditioner.

July 16, 2006; Opps, my bad. 

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