The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[armorfirelady]

@armorfirelady
Are you looking to run the heat on direct solar power or are you wanting to have a battery to keep the electric running all night long?

I figured it would need a battery so that it would run all night since I don't want the food & water to freeze during the night. I think it would take awhile to defrost in the morning

If you don't have a battery to run the dog bowls during darkness, I think you'd be defeating the whole purpose, because generally at night is when the temps are lowest. You can go to Tractor Supply Co and get a Thunderbolt Magnum Solar 45 watt solar kit that includes the solar panels,, (2) 12v dc lightbulbs with wiring, and a charge controller that has 12v, 3v and 6v dc outlets and a 5v USB outlet (cost about $130 to $190 for the kit, depending on if you catch it on sale). I have an older model of this and that charge controller also had a built in ac outlet. I use this setup in my shed/chicken coop to provide lighting (also have it hooked into a deep-cycle battery). With the current setup they're selling you'd also need an inverter. I like having the solar panels because I know that even in a power failure I can still run vital things off battery power (can charge my phone, have light, etc) even if I can't run the gasoline generator. The solar panels are pretty much install and forget, the only thing that really needs maintenance is the battery, which I check twice a year.

If you are serious about off-grid power, I highly suggest a book called Living on 12 Volts with Ample Power http://www.amazon.com/Living-Volts-With-Ample-Power/dp/0945415052 You can find it other places besides Amazon.

Thank you for the info. I am going to print it out & see what I can find. And thanks for the book suggestion. I would love to get more off the grid if I could.

 

[vpatt]

If you don't have a battery to run the dog bowls during darkness, I think you'd be defeating the whole purpose, because generally at night is when the temps are lowest. You can go to Tractor Supply Co and get a Thunderbolt Magnum Solar 45 watt solar kit that includes the solar panels,, (2) 12v dc lightbulbs with wiring, and a charge controller that has 12v, 3v and 6v dc outlets and a 5v USB outlet (cost about $130 to $190 for the kit, depending on if you catch it on sale). I have an older model of this and that charge controller also had a built in ac outlet. I use this setup in my shed/chicken coop to provide lighting (also have it hooked into a deep-cycle battery). With the current setup they're selling you'd also need an inverter. I like having the solar panels because I know that even in a power failure I can still run vital things off battery power (can charge my phone, have light, etc) even if I can't run the gasoline generator. The solar panels are pretty much install and forget, the only thing that really needs maintenance is the battery, which I check twice a year.

If you are serious about off-grid power, I highly suggest a book called Living on 12 Volts with Ample Power http://www.amazon.com/Living-Volts-With-Ample-Power/dp/0945415052 You can find it other places besides Amazon.

Amazon has the book for $95!!

 

[ChickChickChicky]

I have the book in pdf format, I'm not sure where I got it perhaps 7-10 years ago but can guarantee you that I didn't pay that much for it!

 

[vpatt]

I have the book in pdf format, I'm not sure where I got it perhaps 7-10 years ago but can guarantee you that I didn't pay that much for it!

Lol....I believe you. It seems I am always wanting out of print books. I wonder if there is a comparable book floating around....my problem with pdf is that I don't know how to use them from one device to the next and if I get a new computer/phone/whatever I don't know how to save them. Doubt if I am likely to learn all that now. Back in the cave we just scratched it all on the rock walls and there it was......until we left the cave, lol.

 

[jtn42248]

That must be one very special book. I looked online at some of the used and rare book dealers I use and they have it with prices ranging from 77 bucks to over 200. For a used paperback???? Must be very special indeed.

 

[alldembirds]

Its hard to find on ebay but they do have that book there I found it from a couple sellers.. the first one I found was 68$ when i looked on amazon... minutes ago... they had it for 56$

edited to say i found it on ebay for 17$ plus 4$ shipping item is sold

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Living-on-T...089?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3aa5922729

 

[CherMoz]

The book may also be available at your local library.

 

[vpatt]

The book may also be available at your local library.

They have put it on hold for me....is it illegal to copy if it is out of print? Probably

 

[alldembirds]

unless it's in public domain you can't copy it legally....works published after 1977 will not fall into the public domain until 70 years after the death of author, or, for corporate works, anonymous works, or works for hire, 95 years from the date of publication or 120 years from the date of creation, whichever expires first.

 

[Lacy Blues]

There's another one here:

http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?k...olts+with+ample+power&mtype=B&hs.x=26&hs.y=27

$23.40 shipping is probably additional.