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Post by scrub-buster on Aug 29, 2023 20:57:40 GMT -5
12 hours of digging solid clay dirt today. Most of that was on hands and knees with a small gardening shovel. Lots of leveling too. Doesn't look like much was done but this was the part I was dreading the most.
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Post by esshup on Aug 29, 2023 21:22:58 GMT -5
Good job!!I'm lazy. I would have dug it deeper with power tools, put packable sand in there to level it.
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Post by scrub-buster on Aug 30, 2023 8:13:54 GMT -5
Good job!!I'm lazy. I would have dug it deeper with power tools, put packable sand in there to level it. I don't want a sand bottom. I'm using foam insulation boards for a flat surface. That's what a lot of people are using now. Sand bottoms don't stay flat and are hard to vacuum. I'm putting roofing paper and a couple layers of tarps down too.
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Post by esshup on Aug 30, 2023 15:28:12 GMT -5
Good job!!I'm lazy. I would have dug it deeper with power tools, put packable sand in there to level it. I don't want a sand bottom. I'm using foam insulation boards for a flat surface. That's what a lot of people are using now. Sand bottoms don't stay flat and are hard to vacuum. I'm putting roofing paper and a couple layers of tarps down too. The local carpet place has a special fabric that is designed to go under swimming pools. It's dang cheap. About 1/8" thick and 10'-12' wide. You can cut it with a knife but you can't poke a stick through it.
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Post by scrub-buster on Aug 31, 2023 21:14:06 GMT -5
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Projects
Aug 31, 2023 21:23:36 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by whitetaildave24 on Aug 31, 2023 21:23:36 GMT -5
You still going to put it up this season? About the time you’re ready it’ll be time to close them down. I figure after the 90s next week that’ll probably be it for any warm water.
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Post by scrub-buster on Aug 31, 2023 21:36:42 GMT -5
You still going to put it up this season? About the time you’re ready it’ll be time to close them down. I figure after the 90s next week that’ll probably be it for any warm water. Yes. We are putting it up to close it down. The ground is flat and smooth. After a winter of freezing and thawing it won't be. Plus my garage is full of pool parts. We need to park in there this winter.
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Post by Mack Apiary Bees on Sept 11, 2023 6:17:49 GMT -5
I started a new project this weekend. During last winter the solar company called me and had two sun dual axis tracking systems for me - free . I helped them during the summer on their hybrid controller of an electrical issue. It was awful nice of them. I dug through rock and clay two concrete pads. 30 x 30 x 12. I have four 3 foot long rebar poles in each pad. Two hammered down and two on angles. All hammered through scale rock. I'm installing them on the southside of the mountain ridge. Next will be the main posts and frame to hold the panels. I will start this later this week to weekend. One hole almost finished with a pile of rock. The orange lines are the boundaries of the panels. I would file the hole with water to soften the clay-rock then dig.
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Post by Mack Apiary Bees on Sept 19, 2023 6:40:10 GMT -5
The first tracking system is almost finished and 2nd half way. The instructions are one of the worst. Each one will require 24VDC to run. I will wire it last. The solar will power itself.
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Post by Mack Apiary Bees on Sept 20, 2023 6:50:20 GMT -5
I got a little bit farther on the tracking system after dinner. I had about an hour of light, but after about 20 minutes or so those little bugger mosquitos showed up. They ran me out of there. I didn't feel like spraying up just for another 20 minutes or so. I have 4 more 200AH batteries being delivered today. That will be my last set of batteries. I will have 2000AH of battery storage for those long cloudy winter days. That should get me about 4 dark cloudy days in a row.
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Post by Mack Apiary Bees on Sept 20, 2023 18:51:43 GMT -5
The left tracking stand only needs the wind sensor and then panels. The right needs the controller with sun sensor, wind sensor and panels. Both still need 24VDC. Each stand will get a top and bottom extension for the 7th and 8th panels. I will add the extensions when I move the panels. The 4 batteries were delivered. It on a 4 x 4 pallet. The pallet weight is 660 pounds. Each battery is around 160 pounds estimating the pallet is around 30 pounds. At 62 years old I can still lift 160 pounds. All my projects keeping me young.
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Post by scrub-buster on Sept 24, 2023 23:09:24 GMT -5
We finally have the pool up and filled. The first liner had 2 cuts in the bottom and leaked. Now we get to close it up for the winter. We are waiting until next year to install the skimmer and return jet. I'm working on the electric now.
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Post by Mack Apiary Bees on Sept 27, 2023 10:39:39 GMT -5
I modified the pallet for the batteries to fit under the table. I will wire the batteries Thursday or Friday after work. The two trenches are dug and wire from stand to batteries (24DC) is finished but not terminated. The trench between stands is dug so when I move the panels Saturday I can lay the 24VDC and the solar panel wires and put the sod back. Hopefully, by end of Oct 1st the project is finished.
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Post by jtkelly on Sept 29, 2023 14:34:59 GMT -5
I finished a big rocket stove I built yesterday and tested it out today with a little fire. Melted a couple pounds of lead in about 30 minutes starting from a cold stove on the first try.
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Post by scrub-buster on Sept 29, 2023 17:52:31 GMT -5
I finished a big rocket stove I built yesterday and tested it out today with a little fire. Melted a couple pounds of lead in about 30 minutes starting from a cold stove on the first try. Got any pictures?
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Post by jtkelly on Sept 29, 2023 20:47:37 GMT -5
Guess I can't figure out that picture thing here.
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Post by HighCotton on Sept 29, 2023 20:55:21 GMT -5
Guess I can't figure out that picture thing here. I gotcha! Here's the pic!
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Post by jtkelly on Sept 29, 2023 21:05:29 GMT -5
Thanks.
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Post by Mack Apiary Bees on Oct 2, 2023 6:15:58 GMT -5
I have one solar tracking system finished and it up and running. I had to double up on the frame to handle two more panels. Each one weights 21.5 pounds. Each tracking systems holds 8 solar panels. I still need to tie wrap the wires to clean it up. This week after work I'll install the other tracking system solar panels and hopefully finish by next weekend. I have four of the last eight uninstalled and reusing about 75% of the fixed solar frames that I'm replacing. Today after work I'm cutting grass that I didn't do over the weekend. I can't wait until I retire. No pictures on the weekend work.
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Post by Mack Apiary Bees on Oct 10, 2023 7:28:39 GMT -5
Both sun tracking systems are up and running. I still need to tie up the cables on the right one and install the wind sensor for both of them. Right now I'm watching how well they track and make program adjustments. I will adjust V1 and V3 settings in a couple weeks. Yes, I live on top of a mountain! I'm modifying the wind sensors and putting a small generator on the shaft to create more electricity. I might tie it to the solar grid. On right are two horizontal hives that I made out a shipping crates. I wrapped the crates with 1/2" all weather plywood. Yes, I'm crazy and love to work on projects. My youngest son Sam has the same disease.
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