Arizona Chickens

[CaroleW]

Where do you have your panels?? I agree on the roof install.. although my plan is to have the solar roof shingle installed when this roof is a tad older and the technology a little more streamlined.

My husband built a sun tracking pole with about 6 or 8 panels in the yard. It is as big as a tree. He followed a guy on YT on how to build the tracking controls. Tracking made the panels more efficient by pointing toward the sun (like sunflowers heads track the sun throughout the day).

We also had some cheaper "hobby" solar panels that we started with from Harbor Freight that were installed on the shed roof. A couple of panels for the DC pool pump are on a shade structure by the pool. I think there were even a couple panels on top of IBC totes that make up our rain storage (IF it might happen to rain) - these just ran circulating pumps for the rain water.

 

[CaroleW]

@CaroleW Here's some idea's. You could also play with it to adjust to what you like..

https://practicalselfreliance.com/pickled-eggs/

WOw - they make them sound SOOO good. Now I have to try to make them! Thanks for the link!

 

[AngBantamLuv]

My husband built a sun tracking pole with about 6 or 8 panels in the yard. It is as big as a tree. He followed a guy on YT on how to build the tracking controls. Tracking made the panels more efficient by pointing toward the sun (like sunflowers heads track the sun throughout the day).

We also had some cheaper "hobby" solar panels that we started with from Harbor Freight that were installed on the shed roof. A couple of panels for the DC pool pump are on a shade structure by the pool. I think there were even a couple panels on top of IBC totes that make up our rain storage (IF it might happen to rain) - these just ran circulating pumps for the rain water.

That is so cool!!

 

[BlueBaby]

This is a warning to all of us to be stocked up on what is most necessary.
IF no electricity = no water, no gas, no elec heat/AC, etc... what can I do to be more prepared for those circumstances?
Remember coastal TX never thought this weather was possible -- Metro Phx also rarely sees those conditions. Don't be caught in the same mindset if you can stock up and have alternate ways to deal with the lack of power. Even if it means eating for a month out of canned food or coffee made over outdoor cooking. Please remember never to use outdoor cooking stuff inside or generators inside, near or under eaves of your house or garage, the poison gas can kill you and your entire family.

FYI- We had a solar setup with battery storage (not connected to the grid & NOT connected to my house roof- I abhor roof penetrations by solar contractors with no accountability if it leaks & I will never lease out my roof top/panels to/from the power co). I made sure it had a building permit (since that is directly related to my day job) which meant a power transfer switch hooked to a traditional generator (the solar battery bank was hooked up as the generator later as recommended by a consulting electrician). We are in process of dismantling the solar array to move it to another property.

Also for emergency water supply use your pool. And there is a way to use a solar pool pump (DC - no battery bank required, no tie in to any other power system, runs whenever the sun shines for free) -Arizona company in Safford - https://www.sunpumps.com/ We have replaced parts on this pump a few times and they have even sent us a replacement pump under warranty before.

Your right about that in stocking up. Just build up your stock of those can good's, and as you buy more rotate them. Put the new one's in the back like they do on the shelves in the grocery store so that the older one's get used up first. If you store any dry good's like rice, pasta, etc., remember that it's going to take water to cook those type of thing's. Store more water than you will be using for just drinking. Also, think of food and water storage for any pet's of other animal's that you have. If you need some of those bucket's that have the lid's, Firehouse Sub's sell those empty pickle bucket's for like $2.00 each. They only had pickle's in them so they are food grade, and each can hold 25 pound's of crumble feed for the chicken's.

 

[BlueBaby]

Yeah, I don’t think we have enough wind, but also.. so much for green. Plus did you see all the articles about how to dispose of the broken blades? I mean we can not go back to the cowboy days as thinking in a green living. Never gonna happen. We would all have to give up our phones, t.v., buying new furniture, household item & so on. We are a through away society. Greta would be furious if she knew all the gloves that restaurants toss in a day! Then what about all the take out containers oh man that would really piss her off, or I mean her handlers.

I know what you mean. Also don't forget that something has to be done with all of those million's of vaccination needle's. How do they dispose of them?

 

[AngBantamLuv]

I know what you mean. Also don't forget that something has to be done with all of those million's of vaccination needle's. How do they dispose of them?

Landfill, with all the other medical equipment, plastic, fast food wrappers, junk.

 

[BlueBaby]

I'm currently testing out (without any eggs inside) my new incubator (not my DIY incubator that I still needed to buy a few parts for). I'm not planning on hatching anything for a few months but wanted to see how this Rite Farm 24 egg incubator works to hold temp and humidity steady.

Are you going to be doing a Easter hatch with the Easter Hatch-A-Long here at BYC?

 

[CaroleW]

Are you going to be doing a Easter hatch with the Easter Hatch-A-Long here at BYC?

I'm not sure if I'll hatch-along or just wait for when I think the time is right as eggs get bigger. But I will follow the thread for sure. So much to learn - best way is learn by doing - and having experts for company on that thread!

 

[springvalley123]

How is this not something people prepare for? Like, at all? No water, no canned food, no propane tank, nothing? And absolutely no solar option for your cell phone..?? its 2021.. No common sense? I have never lost power anywhere i have ever lived, and still have those things. I'm becoming less sympathetic to people who choose not to think at all.

not to stray too far off topic, but these people not planning for this, are the same group whose parents negotiated their jobs and oversaw their job interviews...

 

[AngBantamLuv]

not to stray too far off topic, but these people not planning for this, are the same group whose parents negotiated their jobs and oversaw their job interviews...

I can't tell you how many people in their 50s, 60s, 70s, that i have to help complete the most mundane tasks.. i don't know how they are even alive. It truly is universal.