A word about generators and solar. If your system is grid tied or you otherwise use AC coupled inverters, make sure your generator idles at 3720rpm 62hz (3120rpm 52hz in Europe).

The reason for this is that when grid tied inverters see 60hz (50hz) they will synchronize with it and make all the power they can. They will happily backfeed your generator and harm it.

If the generator is idling at 62hz (52hz eu) the solar inverters will see this as either "out of spec" or "make 0 power" and not back feed your generator.

Older grid tie inverters will not sync when the frequency is >60.5hz. Newer grid tie inverters will make full power up until 61hz and throttle back power as the frequency rises to 62hz.

Attached is a screen shot of my battery inverter throttling the grid tie inverters.

Fire drill time:
Tonight while your wife and kids are watching TV, go outside to the highway. Approach your house as if you were going to rob it. Look at your house from an outsider's perspective. Could you look in the windows without anyone noticing? Could you have kicked in the back door? Think about how attractive a house with lights on would be after SHTF. Think about how far the smell of bbq can carry.

So how defensible is your house? How attractive is your house (in the wrong way).

Something to think about.

And I thought i had a fun childhood. 😂

I have no idea how good these batteries are, but they are 16kwh 48v. https://www.xihopower.com/xiho-51.2v-16kwh-314ah-stackable-lifepo4-solar-energy-storage-lithium-ion-battery-pack.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21OLkX8_Ou0

Another heads up. This is a reputable dealer. Not sure about the batteries. Never had my hands on these.


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Here’s a system a guy installed out in Utah. 20kw of panels, 24kw of 240v, 192kwh of batteries. Total system cost: $120k.

I speced out a guy here with 26kw panels, 20kw 240v and 64kwh battery for $24k. Home brew batteries save a lot of money.

https://youtu.be/3OEoyDBxjuc

Solid rocket fuel

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Here's the parts list for a project going on near here. 20kw of inverters making 120/240 , 26kw of panels and 64kwh of batteries for $24000.

This system has an unusually large amount of panels. The reason is the client was putting it on a 1:12 pitch roof. I had to increase the number of panels to make enough power for him in winter. If he had opted for a ground mount we could have changed the tilt and used half as many panels. In truth, the amount he would have saved on panels would have covered the expense of the ground mounts... this way he makes 3x as much power as he needs in the summer and 26% more than he needs in winter.

Recorded last winter. If I did this over again, I would have used ironridge x100 rails or the thicker unistrut. Ironridge brackets are cheaper than unistrut stuff.

These panels are short to not catch wind in hurricaine.

Tilt Angle... this data is from a client's actual usage (blue) and production of a 15.1kw PV array at various tilt angles. This data is from PVwatts website for 34degrees latitude. Note that the green data is pretty flat all year while the red data peaks in summer and plummets in winter.

This client's house uses much more power in summer than winter, so we will favor a flatter tilt. My house is much better insulated and tends to use the same amount of power each month, so I would favor the 40degree tilt (green).

Play with PVwatts until you match the production to your usage. Here we've matched his usage in July nearly exactly. Now we need to add 25% or more to count for panel degradation for hte next 20 years. It absolutely will not hurt a thing if you even added 50% or 100% more. Remember kids, the panels are the cheapest individual component.

We're on the 7th overcast day. My production is way down. I'm buying power from the grid that I previously produced. If we didn't have the grid, I'd be running a generator.

I planned for 4 days of autonomy. The weather here is typically 3 days overcast and sun on the 4th. This is very odd.

I have been using this setup for off grid solar for the past couple of years,it is working fine for our electricity needs,i like the idea of stackable batteries and inverters,whenever i upgrade i will definitely go with stackable. I put the panels on the roof but next time going with ground mount because of snow problems in the winter.

Wall of kitchen shelves…… done! Rustic

FIX Engine Surging on any small engine QUICKLY

A State Department of Fish and Wildlife sends a letter to a home/landowner asking for permission to access a creek on his property to document the decline in a certain species of unheard of frogs.

The property owners' response in the second letter is EPIC.

Letter from Dept. Of Fish & Wildlife:

Dear Landowner:
WDFWR Staff will be conducting surveys for foothill yellow-legged frogs & other amphibians over the next few months. As part of this research we would like to survey the creek on your property. I am writing this letter to request your permission to access your property.



RESPONSE FROM LANDOWNERS:

Dear Mr. Nemel:

Thank you for your inquiry regarding accessing our property to survey for the yellow-legged frog. We may be able to help you out with this matter.

We have divided our 2.26 acres into 75 equal survey units with a draw tag for each unit. Application fees are only $8.00 per unit after you purchase the "Frog Survey License" ($120.00 resident / $180.00 Non-Resident). You will also need to obtain a "Frog Habitat" parking permit ($10.00 per vehicle).

You will also need an "Invasive Species" stamp ($15.00 for the first vehicle and $5.00 for each add'l vehicle) You will also want to register at the Check Station to have your vehicle inspected for Non-native plant life prior to entering our property. There is also a Day Use fee, $5.00 per vehicle.

If you are successful in the Draw you will be notified two weeks in advance so you can make necessary plans and purchase your "Creek Habitat" stamp. ($18.00 Resident / $140.00 Non-Resident).

Survey units open between 8 am. And 3 PM. But you cannot commence survey until 9 am. And must cease all survey activity by 1 PM.

Survey Gear can only include a net with a 2" diameter made of 100% organic cotton netting with no longer than an 18 in handle, non-weighted and no deeper than 6' from net frame to bottom of net. Handles can only be made of BPA-free plastics or wooden handles.

After 1 PM. You can use a net with a 3" diameter if you purchase the "Frog Net Endorsement" ($75.00 Resident / $250 Non-Resident).

Any frogs captured that are released will need to be released with an approved release device back into the environment unharmed.

As of June 1, we are offering draw tags for our "Premium Survey" units and application is again only $8.00 per application.

However, all fees can be waived if you can verify "Native Indian Tribal rights and status".

You will also need to provide evidence of successful completion of "Frog Surveys" and your "Comprehensive Course on Frog Identification, Safe Handling Practices, and Self-Defense Strategies for Frog Attacks."

This course is offered on-line through an accredited program for a nominal fee of $750.00.

Please let us know if we can be of assistance to you. Otherwise, we decline your access to our property but appreciate your inquiry."

Sincerely,
The American Citizens!