The best part about solar

[braegen]

We are still mostly grid connected, yep, bulbs have been replaced (CF), and I am gathering what I can with some small PV's. Today was cloudy and rainy, not the best day, but what can you do?

Amazing, lights are always off unless we need them, TV, etc. Freezer/Fridge and water heater still using, but otherwise.....

It's fun, I get 3 hours in on PC time (more than plenty), about 2 hours on my TV (wife and daughter still watching the 72 watt 19" tv on grid), but, no complaints, I enjoy the downsizing and conservation myself.

This next week I am off to make a wind genny, more fun!

I have no intention to get off grid, but I am hoping to get it down to nothing via solar/wind.

[fredusa]

Good for you! I think your approach is not only great, but will probably be one of the more common ones!
Stay connected to the grid, using back-up power generation, hopefully giving you all you'll need. But, should you go away for a while--a vacation or the like--you'll have someone maintaining your system---someone?---the purveyors of that grid line, of course!

[braegen]

I agree Fred, grid is cheap, but backups are nice as well. I think the longest we were off grid was about 12 hours due to a fire trashing the main lines coming into town.

Just for backups now (or target practice) which ever comes first ;D
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/3492/img0058no9.jpg

A couple more things yet to pick up before playtime....
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/8140/img0054wr5.jpg

[JAK]

I agree that the best part about energy conservation and renewable energy technology is that it is fun.

[ByExample]

We are off the grid and I agree, its a lot of fun. We built our own LED lights and the Alternative Enrgy Club got together to build a solar panel from a kit. If you want to read about our panel building project check out http://www.byexample.com/projects/current/panel_buiding/

[12vman]

Great site! I see a lot of parallels compared to my humble beginnings. Especially the phone line issue.. (2200ft.) ;)

Did you get your kits here?

http://www.siliconsolar.com/shop/catalog/Build-Your-Own-Solar-Panel-Kits-8W-p-16188.html

[ByExample]

Actually, a friend of ours bought the solar panel kit, I think it was advertised in HomePower magazine. Thanks for the link, I've been looking for a good online source for DIY solar panels!

Someone in the Alternative Energy Club bought individual solar cells, and is wiring them into a panel. While the kit, cost lest per watt than an out of the box panel, we think that making panels from individual cells will get us the best price yet - tedious though!

The real advantage to building your own panels is the ability to replace damaged cells without sending your panel back to the manufacturer. You can stock parts and keep them for an emergency.

[DavidOH]

In that picture there is a "cold" sodering iron.

Anyone ever worked with one of those?

http://www.asseenontv.com/prod-pages/heat_cold_soldering_set.html

I'm thinking about getting one for eletronics projects.


Wow! :o Glad I read a review first. This thing sucks!
http://www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk/cold-soldering2.htm

[12vman]

I use this type.. (WSTA-3)

http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/weller/butane/butaneselect.htm

I've been using this model for years. Great all around device. I've built several kits with it and it will solder 12 gauge wire togather..

[DavidOH]

Thanks 12V . I was wondering how to go about that without using my 25 watt AC iron. ;D