Monday 13 February 2017

Free Log House built in 1850 ... Take down and Haul away




Log House built in 1850. Free. Would make a great cabin or retreat. Cabin to be removed from property. You take it away. I would like it gone by April 1st if possible. Terms are – you are responsible for taking it down and hauling it away. It’s free for the taking.....  

Address Rockwood, ON N0B2K0 ..... Near Guelph Ontario

Friday 10 February 2017

20 Watt - 12 Volt Solar Power system with 400 Watt Inverter for $ 115

I am going to build a very small  20 Watt Solar Power - 12 Volt generator to power some small DC and  AC appliances. Here in Ontario Canada, if I rotate the Panel I should get a good 8 hours of sunshine. So 20 watts * 8 hours = 160 Whr of power to trickle charge a 12 Volt Battery.


I'm on a very small budget of about $100 and I'll be looking for the best deals at Amazon and Walmart. This is the best deal Solar Panel I have found so far: ECO-WORTHY 20W 12V Solar Panel Kit: 20 Watt Polycrystalline Solar Panel & Battery Clips & 3A Charge Controller:


http://amzn.to/2kcu75C   


$59.99 with Free Shipping


Can be applied to varies DC appliance, Ideal for everyday use
  • High efficiency solar cells, small in size and easy to take
  • Water-proof solar panel with long lasting aluminum frame provides over 20 years lifespan
  • 3A 12V/24V PWM charge controller, overcharge and over discharge protection for the battery.
  • Battery clips with 2m extension wire, easy and convenient for operation


  • This is the Battery I am looking at :  http://amzn.to/2l1s6gH

    $16.27 with Free Shipping


    ExpertPower 12V 7 Amp EXP1270 Rechargeable Lead Acid Battery
                
  • BATTERY TYPE - 12 Volt 7 Amp 20 Hour Sealed Lead Acid Battery With F1 Style Terminals
  • RUGGED CONSTRUCTION - The High Impact Resistant Battery Case Is Made Up Of A Non-Conductive ABS Plastic. This Material Has a Strong Resistance To Shock, Vibration, Chemicals and Heat.
  • AGM TECH - The Acid Inside Is Absorbed Between The Plates And Thereby Immobilized By A Very Fine Fiberglass Mat. This Along With The Valve Regulated, Spill-Proof Design Of Our Batteries Allows Trouble-Free, Safe Operation In Any Orientation
  • USER FRIENDLY - Easy, One-Time Installation Of Our Maintenance Free and Valve Regulated Batteries Will Get Your System Or Application Running In No Time At All

  • This is the Inverter I am looking at ... http://amzn.to/2l1n2J5  

    $38.99 (45% off)

    BESTEK 400W Power Inverter DC 12V to AC 110V Car Adapter with 5A 4 USB Charging Ports

    BESTEK Advantage America's #1 power inverter brand. Provides 400W continuous DC to AC power and 1000 watts of peak power             
  • Dual 110V household electrical outlets provide enough power
    for your laptop, digital camera, TV, fan, refrigerator, game console, DVD/Blu-Ray player, GPS, lamps, and more
  • 5A/ 4-Port USB charging ports make this power inverter ideal for charging your phones, tablets, and other USB-powered devices
  • Built-in replaceable 30A/32V*2 fuses and cooling fan for safety and easier maintenance. This power inverter has over voltage, overload, over-current, under-voltage, overheating, short circuit protection
  • Comes with 2.3ft car cigarette lighter plug and 2ft black/red battery clips to plug into your cigarette lighter or connect directly to your vehicles battery

  • I will add a list of AC and DC appliances I can run with this  $115 set up. Definitely my 6 watt LED Lights....


    10 - 6 watt LED Light bulbs ( 60 watts)
    Lap top (45 watts)
    Ceiling Fan (25 watts)
    Clock radio (2 watts)
    Electric Blanket (200 watts)
    Smart Phone Charger (7 watts)
    TV 19" (40 watts)



    Sunday 5 February 2017

    The Lodge at Killarney Ontario

    The beautiful Lodge interior at Killarney Mountain Lodge in on the shore of Georgian Bay in Killarney Ontario.  http://www.Killarney.com

    One of the most spectacular landscapes you will ever see.

    Killarney is about a 4 hour drive North of Toronto Ontario in Canada and it's where many of the Group of Seven and Tom Thomson created their most iconic paintings.

    You can camp at the Killarney Provincial Park and rent kayaks and canoes and paddle crystal clear waters next to the white Quartzite mountains of La Cloche.

    There is also land available in the area at reasonable prices to build your own remote Offgrid Log Cabin,




    SaveSave

    Saturday 28 January 2017

    A perfect winter's day.



    I'd say it doesn't get much better than this. If you like snow and Log Cabins that is ....

    Friday 27 January 2017

    Safety with Solar Power Installations


    Photovoltaic System - Equipment
    •A photovoltaic solar system typically consist of the following equipment:
    –Modules
    –Inverter(s)
    –Combiner(s)
    –Disconnecting Means (i.e., switches or disconnects)
    –Overcurrent Protective Devices (i.e., fuses or circuit breakers)
    –Conductors (or Cables)
    –Connectors
    –Raceways
    –Load Center (s)
    –Equipment and System Ground
    –A Utility Meter

    –Solar Panels
    Risk of Fire or Personal Injury Fundamentals
    •A circuit is considered to be able to start a fire or cause a personal injury if it is able to deliver no less than 2 volts and any one of the following conditions:
    –An available continuous power level of 240 volt-amperes or more, or
    –A reactive energy level of 20 joules or more
    A fire may also be started by excessive temperature due to overload or arcing effect....


    More:
    http://sites.ieee.org/clas-sysc/files/2012/11/What-are-the-basic-electrical-safety-issues-and-Version-2.pdf
    https://www.osha.gov/dep/greenjobs/solar.html
    http://www.coshnetwork.org/sites/default/files/OSEIA_Solar_Safety_12-06.pdf

    Saturday 21 January 2017

    Longest Life Batteries for Solar : Trojan T105 RE 6 Volt



    Specifications: Model: T105-RE Voltage: 6V 20 Hour Rate: 225Ah 100 Hour Rate: 250Ah Weight: 67lbs Length: 10.375in.
    Width: 7.125in.
    Height: 10.875in.
    Country of Manufacture: U.S.A.  Flooded lead-acid batteries have the longest track record in solar electric use and are still used in the majority of stand-alone alternative energy systems.
    They have the longest life and the least cost per amp-hour of any of the choices. However the other side of the coin is, in order to enjoy these advantages, they require regular maintenance in the form of watering, equalizing charges and keeping the top and terminals clean.
    Some examples of flooded lead-acid batteries used in solar and wind electric systems are 6 volt golf-cart batteries, 6 volt T105's and 2 volt industrial cells for large systems. Specially designed deep-cycle cells are much less susceptible to degradation due to cycling and are required for applications where the batteries are regularly discharged, such as photovoltaic systems, electric vehicles (forklift, golf cart, electric cars and other) and uninterruptible power supplies. These batteries have thicker plates that can deliver less peak current, but can withstand frequent discharging. Trojan Battery Company is the world leader in deep cycle battery technology. Since 1925, Trojan has been a pioneer in the development of superior deep cycle batteries..... 
    _________________________________________________________________________


    Trojan batteries have been used in standalone power systems in remote cabins for the past 25 years with great success. Because of their low initial cost, they are the most affordable true, deep cycle batteries. The T105 golf cart battery is designed to be used in small electric vehicles where they are cycled heavily and last about 2 years. In a remote home system where they are cycled down 20% every day they can last 3 to 6 years. Trojan’s Renewable Energy (RE) Series is a line of technologically advanced lead-acid deep cycle batteries, optimized for renewable energy applications such as solar PV, small wind, and micro hydro. They have heavier duty separators and plates designed for longer life and their warranty has been extended to two years free replacement and 60 months additional pro-rated on the L16s and 36 months pro-rated on the T-105.
    This series of deep cycle, lead-acid batteries from Trojan are optimized for micro-grid, solar, small wind, and other renewable energy uses. Designed for extended lifespan, the Premium line has a full two-year warranty, and a prorated for up to five years.

    Trojan Premium line of batteries are made with a 10-year battery life in mind. They feature Alpha Plus Paste with T2 Technology, which considerably improves the porosity of the active material resulting in improved performance over longer periods of time; combined with Trojan’s DuraGrid design it increased the overall life cycle of the battery.

    The case of of all the Trojan Premium batteries use their branded Polyon container which is a rugged protection against difficult environments and prevents potential acid leaks.

    Providing increased lifespan, Trojan’s Smart Carbon technology is now featured in both the Premium and Industrial lines, improving partial state of charge (PSOC) performance and longevity alike. The specially designed formula of Smart Carbon enhances charge acceptance and efficiency by increasing the electrochemically active surface area of the battery. This is particularly beneficial (and efficient) when batteries are not regularly charged to full capacity.

    Mechanical especifications:
    Lenght: 10.375"
    Width: 7.125"
    Height: 11.25"
    Weight: 67 lbs

    Electrical especifications:
    Voltage: 6 V
    Capacity @ 20hr discharge rate: 225 Ah
    Capacity @ 100hr discharge rate: 250 Ah


    Available here $166 :  http://webosolar.com/store/en/deep-cycle-batteries/630-trojan-t-105-re-225-ah-6-volt-deep-cycle-battery.html?gmc_currency=2&gclid=CJKax7TBztECFUW1wAodor4HJw

    __________________________________________________________________________
    Note: I found the Trojan T-105  Available in Canada (Toronto) for $160 here :  http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-other/city-of-toronto/trojan-t105-t875-battery-deep-cycle-battery-acid-lead/1231714508?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true
    I have contacted owner for Shipping Costs from Canada to USA, but $160 Cdn =  $112 US dollars so this is a very good deal.
    ___________________________________________________________________________



    Wednesday 18 January 2017

    Portable Cabins Delivered to your Offgrid Property.

    Side Lofted Barn Cabin:

    Barn Style Roof with 6'6" height under loft
    One 36"x70" 9-lite door and three 2'x3' windows are standard
    10' wide buildings have 2'x4' loft joists, and 12' and wider buildings have 2'x6' loft joists
    2'x6' pressure-treated floor joists spaced at 16" on centre
    5/8" tongue-and-groove flooring
    5/8" pressure-treated DuraTemp® siding
    4'x8' porch positioned on side of building
    All buildings can be upgraded to metal siding

    Premier Portable Buildings is a family owned business that sells a variety of treated and metal buildings in 22 states and three Canadian provinces. Being in the building industry for over 16 years and fostering long-lasting relationships with skilled Mennonite craftsman across the United States and Canada, Premier Portable Buildings takes great pride in their work and is continually helping customers with solutions to all of their storage needs with backyard sheds, garages, utility buildings, lofted barns and cabins. They construct an attractive, affordable, high quality, hand-crafted, and often completely customizable building the old fashioned way!


    Available here : http://www.premierbuildings.ca/models