Nevadans?

[NevadaRon]

This past summer, my family turned the electricity off for entire weekend... we did it in July so we didn't need heat and could cook outside. We were allowed to have a refrigerator and alarm clocks, but the showers had to be cold and the food had to either be cold or cooked outside. It was very educational, and it really made them think about how much harder we'd have to work in the winter for all the things we take for granted. I'm glad we have a yard here, because, if SHTF for a week or more, we could cook on the grill or dig a pit and set a grate over it, then bring hot rocks inside for warmth.

That's a great experiment! You need to know beforehand how to get by without things. You also find the holes in your plan and areas that need work that way. Afterwards is too late!

 

[gitlost80]

WooHoo! I just won 12+ Standard Frizzle Cochin eggs off a BYC auction! They are shipping out this week! Better fire up my Bator

 

[NevadaRon]

Exactly! This is the perfect area for a combination of both. When it's not sunny it's usually windy. Certainly long enough to charge up some heavy duty batteries anyway. They even have smaller and better turbines now that can handle these strong winds. When I first looked into this eons ago that was a problem in high wind areas. I need to find a pic of one I was looking at awhile ago on-line. It is very sleek and low profile so it can take a pounding.

In my research on the subject I only found one that would continue to work all the way up to the speed the tower was rated for - 120 MPH!

It is a grid-tie system that also could have solar panels hooked up to it. Unfortunately, the company is located in Minnesota and they don't have any distributors out here. I'm seriously thinking about becoming their west coast distributor...

 

[sherylreno]

WooHoo! I just won 12+ Standard Frizzle Cochin eggs off a BYC auction! They are shipping out this week! Better fire up my Bator

Way to go!

 

[wolftracks]

Exactly! This is the perfect area for a combination of both. When it's not sunny it's usually windy. Certainly long enough to charge up some heavy duty batteries anyway. They even have smaller and better turbines now that can handle these strong winds. When I first looked into this eons ago that was a problem in high wind areas. I need to find a pic of one I was looking at awhile ago on-line. It is very sleek and low profile so it can take a pounding.

Geez we really do think alike. Scarey huh? I've seen some really cool turbines were DIY on youtube that I dream about using. Those and solar. I've been talking solar for decades and people thought I was nuts.

 

[sherylreno]

We had solar water heaters in California. I miss having them. Our water was so hot and you couldn't turn it down back then. Not sure if you can yet or not. The water came out almost boiling it was so hot.

 

[SunnyDawn]

Way to go Cecilia! Steve is getting my bator out of storage right now. I have eggs coming to hatch soon. I bought a new Brinsea one touch thermometer and a new hygrometer too.

We still have all our camping equipment and that tent set up in the living room will keep us nice and comfy. Camping used to be a huge passion of mine and so I've gotten really good at cooking on open fire. We've gone 2 weeks before without power when camping so it wouldn't be a big deal to me. The only thing I've ever really, reeeeally missed when camping was a working toilet. That little contraption is what I most take for granted! Such a simple thing but so wonderful to have!

I know I can't be the only camper on here...

Yes in your area Kim a DIY wind turbine would be just fine! You don't get these hurricane force winds we get here.

Ron do you have a link for this system? I can't find that one I saw the other day. Now I'm thinking it was in a magazine not on-line. Can't remember though. This area could definitely use a distributor for a system like that! I would love to be on grid with that set-up. I like the idea of being paid for the extra power I generate.
Up here we are on a coop electric company so they are already set up for it. They don't pay what it's really worth though. Still, it would be great to not have to pay them!

 

[NevadaRon]

It's called Ventera Energy in Duluth MN. Their system is great!

When I would go camping - also for long periods of time - we would take a 5 gallon plastic bucket and cut the bottom out of it. Then we attached a cheap toilet seat to the bottom. You then dig a small hole, and put the bucket over it upside down (i.e. toilet seat up), and presto! A throne fit for a king (or queen

). When you're finished, you just fill in the hole and it's all good.

 

[wolftracks]

Sunny the only camping I've done for the past 16 years is when we go to the Stanford Pow Wow. LOL We were looking for an RV just before Bill died, so last year I took a couple of the grandkids and my 2 youngest with me. I think Bill and I did too much on our own, because they were little help. Just to get out of there I had to have 2 of my older daughters come and help pack up. Also didn't have the right vehicle for camping. Boy was it a mess. Also found out you don't overload that car. Started the whole chain reaction of my problems. Maybe my van will actually get fixed. Would be nice to have it done by May, so I can get everything there again.

 

[wolftracks]

It's called Ventera Energy in Duluth MN. Their system is great!

When I would go camping - also for long periods of time - we would take a 5 gallon plastic bucket and cut the bottom out of it. Then we attached a cheap toilet seat to the bottom. You then dig a small hole, and put the bucket over it upside down (i.e. toilet seat up), and presto! A throne fit for a king (or queen

). When you're finished, you just fill in the hole and it's all good.

Almost how I make my homemade Doggie Doolies, minus the seat.