I've spent much of this last week prepping the new inverter stack for the solar. Last December I got the thing home. It's HUGE. It took 2 strong folks to drag the thing into the shed. This presented a problem for installation. I solved that by removing the two 80+ pound inverters from the panel. I carefully mapped out what went where and have a process map for reinstall after the panel is mounted. Then I finished prepping the panel by selecting where things would come in and doing at least the preliminary hole drilling/knockout set process and putting in fittings where I could. Following that I installed the Automatic Generator Start (AGS) module. This means finding a place within the panel raceway that will accept something that size without getting in the way of the cabling that'll be put in there and allow me to get to it well enough to still wire it in after setting the panel.
After that I started on the combiner box prep. With the new higher voltage panel strings I"ll be running I had to get a 12 place combiner box that ends up accepting 6 double breakers. Equipment manufacturers have discovered that the original solar DC breakers tend to explode at the higher voltages even if they're rated for that voltage and the solution is this double breaker thingy. It's weird when one is used to the old way. The wiring both enters and exits on the top side of the breakers and there's this giant buss bar you have to assemble. That and I needed a larger knock out than the pre-made knockouts allowed so I had to remove one neutral bar (only needed one, not two) so that I could drill a hole and use my knockout set to make the right size hole on the right side (correct side, it was actually the left side) of the box.
Now comes the battery box DC disconnect. Yes, the double stack inverter setup from Magnum Energy has a set of disconnects in the panel. 2015 National Electrical Code requires a rapid shut down system be installed on roof top mounted solar for the purpose of safety for fire first responders. That and I like being able to completely kill out the feed to the panel if I need to get in there and work on stuff. This one was the easiest one to set up . The knock outs are already the right size. I did have to swap out the Midnight 250 amp breaker for one that will accept the Rapid Shutdown System (RSS) breaker. It looks like I can also wire in some din mounted breakers for various low voltage stuff later on if I like. The breaker has a spot for a ground so I drilled a hole for that and it also has a ready stud for the neutral from the battery box. No, I'm not running double 4/0's into the breaker, they'll run directly from the battery box to the inverter stack. I will run a nice little #4 or #6 from the battery box to the stud for later. It's always good to do it now, not later. Later you have to back up 3 freakin miles to undo stuff so that you can re-do what you need to.
Then I had to map out how to run the piping. This is no small thing. Into the inverter stack come two 2" battery feed pipes carrying two 4/0 wires each. Then there is an 1 1/2" carrying the house power feed. Then an 1 1/4 from the combiner box, another 1 1/4 for the generator power feed, a 3/4" feed for the generator control wiring (can't run control wiring and power in the same pipe (NEC again). Then you have your ground wire (#4 copper) and various lan cables.
I have a map for that. :D
Hopefully this weekend we'll be able to throw the dang thing up there. Crys will help as we can now handle the weight of the stripped panel together. I sure hope I've pre-measured everything right.
When that's done I can start getting the rails up for the new solar. We're going from 2 KW in panels (9) to 6 KW in panels (24). It'll cover the roof and should take care of things nicely for us. The old system will go into a building I've already set in place to supply Crystal's fiber studio when we get that built.
I keep thinking if I was just retired I would have time to do all this stuff much quicker.
On another note, Crys gets home today after being gone for a week fetching our niece, Autum. We're looking quite forward to our summer.
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Maybe I'm just getting lazy.
Didn't get any physical work done on anything today.
That's beginning to be a habit.
Crys is out in LaJunta taking care of Nana. That's a good thing. Yesterday was a Denver trip day for me . I left at 6:30 AM and got back at 11 PM. I got a little done. Dropped off a friend from work to pick up a car in Denver, then got to my meeting, and the lunch before hand. I like lunch. I'm sitting there with people I respect that share the same fight I make every day. Generally we're the taken for granted bunch that do it day in and day out for free for our fellow employees. I really needed it this month, I'm dealing with an employee that I have trouble understanding. I'm pretty sure it's a generational thing, and I'm really tryin my best but it's leaving me pretty exhausted with the process. Perhaps exhausted enough to finally take a step back and let someone else do the work. If I'm not going to be effective it's time to step aside.
But the main, good, point is that I get to hang out with my fellow organized labor warriors. I'm proud and honored to know each and every one. And they like and respect me. It feels pretty good.
Then leaving town I tried to stop by the distillery that I took a gift distilling class from. The gift was from Crys, the class was at Downslope Distilling in SE Denver/Centennial. They were closed, so I picked up fiber from Kitty Mine Crafts in Highlands Ranch and dropped off some stuff as well (for Crys). Then it was on to Costco where I got loads of stuff for high energy, low calorie snacks.
That's cause we're on a health kick. We're walking 10,000 steps a day and we've curtailed our diet and drinking. It's feeling good, and we're making some health progress. It's good.
From there to home was a long ride and then the days chores and then bed.
Today was a nice long walk, dishes, chores, research on fixing some stuff and pre work for the new solar system. Now I'm in a bath with some rum.
Still missing the girl and really glad she's coming home tomorrow.
That's beginning to be a habit.
Crys is out in LaJunta taking care of Nana. That's a good thing. Yesterday was a Denver trip day for me . I left at 6:30 AM and got back at 11 PM. I got a little done. Dropped off a friend from work to pick up a car in Denver, then got to my meeting, and the lunch before hand. I like lunch. I'm sitting there with people I respect that share the same fight I make every day. Generally we're the taken for granted bunch that do it day in and day out for free for our fellow employees. I really needed it this month, I'm dealing with an employee that I have trouble understanding. I'm pretty sure it's a generational thing, and I'm really tryin my best but it's leaving me pretty exhausted with the process. Perhaps exhausted enough to finally take a step back and let someone else do the work. If I'm not going to be effective it's time to step aside.
But the main, good, point is that I get to hang out with my fellow organized labor warriors. I'm proud and honored to know each and every one. And they like and respect me. It feels pretty good.
Then leaving town I tried to stop by the distillery that I took a gift distilling class from. The gift was from Crys, the class was at Downslope Distilling in SE Denver/Centennial. They were closed, so I picked up fiber from Kitty Mine Crafts in Highlands Ranch and dropped off some stuff as well (for Crys). Then it was on to Costco where I got loads of stuff for high energy, low calorie snacks.
That's cause we're on a health kick. We're walking 10,000 steps a day and we've curtailed our diet and drinking. It's feeling good, and we're making some health progress. It's good.
From there to home was a long ride and then the days chores and then bed.
Today was a nice long walk, dishes, chores, research on fixing some stuff and pre work for the new solar system. Now I'm in a bath with some rum.
Still missing the girl and really glad she's coming home tomorrow.
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Weather delay
Haven't gotten much done on projects for the last couple weeks.
We've been having snow off and on for that time, and that tends to slow down our production.
Crys did get the trees planted somewhere in there. There's a legendary account of her battle with the mud monster but I'll leave it to her to relate it. I'm pretty sure I couldn't do it justice.
I spent a lot of time working to get power back on in Evergreen and back down in the valley. That included 2 days of being up at Summitville Mine along with some snow shoeing and a fair amount of wicked driving. Finally, today is a bit quieter. Only one call out so far today. It's kinda windy so we're not what you'd call pumped to get outside and lean into the wind.
Crys is working on her Phat Fiber boxes and I'm cooking and cleaning. It's a good spring day.
We've been having snow off and on for that time, and that tends to slow down our production.
Crys did get the trees planted somewhere in there. There's a legendary account of her battle with the mud monster but I'll leave it to her to relate it. I'm pretty sure I couldn't do it justice.
I spent a lot of time working to get power back on in Evergreen and back down in the valley. That included 2 days of being up at Summitville Mine along with some snow shoeing and a fair amount of wicked driving. Finally, today is a bit quieter. Only one call out so far today. It's kinda windy so we're not what you'd call pumped to get outside and lean into the wind.
Crys is working on her Phat Fiber boxes and I'm cooking and cleaning. It's a good spring day.
Sunday, April 3, 2016
A step at a time
The dome green house is still relaxing a bit before we spend time altering it's shape to fit what we wish it to be.
Today I worked on the solar shed roof in prep for the new panels. That meant cutting out the terribly ill advised raised port hole for pulling the pump rod on the well and replacing it with a flat and water repellent roof. That and replacing the shingles where the original satellite dishes were. Did you know that when they move the dishes they leave the old mounts in place?
Do you wonder why?
I'll tell you.
It's because they use some kinda crazy stickum that removed the shingles if you try to remove the mount.
Fuck that. I replaced the shingles.
Perhaps in a weekend or two I'll get to work on placing the new rails for the new solar panels. That'll be fun.
Today I worked on the solar shed roof in prep for the new panels. That meant cutting out the terribly ill advised raised port hole for pulling the pump rod on the well and replacing it with a flat and water repellent roof. That and replacing the shingles where the original satellite dishes were. Did you know that when they move the dishes they leave the old mounts in place?
Do you wonder why?
I'll tell you.
It's because they use some kinda crazy stickum that removed the shingles if you try to remove the mount.
Fuck that. I replaced the shingles.
Perhaps in a weekend or two I'll get to work on placing the new rails for the new solar panels. That'll be fun.
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Snowy day schedule
It's a snowy day schedule here at Gypsy's Rest.
That means it's a lot like an art movie. We talk slowly, we move around slowly, music plays in the background. It's supposed to snow all day. So we ran the generator (Genny) this morning to top off the batteries, and we're sitting in bed with coffee and internet (laptops and using the personal hotspot on the iphone) while we watch the snow come down and hear the wood stove tic from time to time as logs move around.
Hopefully I won't get called out to work.
We're doing a little shopping and planning. Our rock climbers are back this spring, although not today :D. I'm hunting up a gas grill for them to use and trying to think up a shaded seating option. I originally thought about one of those charcoal park grills for up by the rock, but it gets so dry the charcoal would be a fire danger we're not willing to bear. We'll probably use the little 2 burner gas grill we keep down by the creek. It's a little rough from having been blown off the deck a couple times and hammered back to something close to normal with a hammer. (Thanks art school). For the shaded seating what I have to avoid is making too big a project for myself. I'm thinking of using the poles I have laying around. I'll dig a hold and set up 2 of them straight up, then angle another 2 up to those from a few feet away. Then I can cover it with whatever I can find handy. They're good kids and I'm betting they'll help out if I'm doing the heavy parts while they're here. It'll make a nice spot for them to rest up between climbs and a shady place for their dogs.
Oh and we're thinking of getting some more pans from Le Creuset for our cook pan pile. Stainless steel this time.
So far the solar panels are staying mostly clear from the little bit of weak sun they're getting. We'll see how that goes.
That means it's a lot like an art movie. We talk slowly, we move around slowly, music plays in the background. It's supposed to snow all day. So we ran the generator (Genny) this morning to top off the batteries, and we're sitting in bed with coffee and internet (laptops and using the personal hotspot on the iphone) while we watch the snow come down and hear the wood stove tic from time to time as logs move around.
Hopefully I won't get called out to work.
We're doing a little shopping and planning. Our rock climbers are back this spring, although not today :D. I'm hunting up a gas grill for them to use and trying to think up a shaded seating option. I originally thought about one of those charcoal park grills for up by the rock, but it gets so dry the charcoal would be a fire danger we're not willing to bear. We'll probably use the little 2 burner gas grill we keep down by the creek. It's a little rough from having been blown off the deck a couple times and hammered back to something close to normal with a hammer. (Thanks art school). For the shaded seating what I have to avoid is making too big a project for myself. I'm thinking of using the poles I have laying around. I'll dig a hold and set up 2 of them straight up, then angle another 2 up to those from a few feet away. Then I can cover it with whatever I can find handy. They're good kids and I'm betting they'll help out if I'm doing the heavy parts while they're here. It'll make a nice spot for them to rest up between climbs and a shady place for their dogs.
Oh and we're thinking of getting some more pans from Le Creuset for our cook pan pile. Stainless steel this time.
So far the solar panels are staying mostly clear from the little bit of weak sun they're getting. We'll see how that goes.
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Framing done on the dome.
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Invisible invested hours
One of the things that never shows in a project is the hours and hours invested in research and prep to even get started on a job.
Our current solar upgrade has materials on site but nothing actually installed yet. I spent at least 40 hours on research and development to ensure that I have the correct stuff and that all of it will play well together. It took about a day to get everything on site from the place I bought all the solar stuff. We've just spent at least 4 hours working through all the customer service issues to get the 2 satellite dishes moved from their current spots on the roof to make room for the new panels without shading.
(Shading is BAD m'K?)
It'll take a day to do a bit of reconstruction to clear a roof obstruction.
After alla that? We'll actually get to start putting some of the damned stuff up. That'll be 24 new 260 watt panels, 8.8 KW in new inverters and a whopping huge assed 100 amp charge controller.
Of course to put the new stuff up we have to take the old stuff down. We'll do that in stages. Stage 1 will be swapping out the old inverter/charge controller for the new one. That's a day at least. Then we'll swap out the solar panel combiner box. Probably a half day. Then I can set up the new rails as much as possible before changing panels. The panels will be another day. They have to get done in a day or we don't get to shower.
As opposed to common beliefs held by some of our friends, I do like to shower.
SO that's the job plan. I'm sure it'll come off without a hitch. :D
AND pigs can fly.
Our current solar upgrade has materials on site but nothing actually installed yet. I spent at least 40 hours on research and development to ensure that I have the correct stuff and that all of it will play well together. It took about a day to get everything on site from the place I bought all the solar stuff. We've just spent at least 4 hours working through all the customer service issues to get the 2 satellite dishes moved from their current spots on the roof to make room for the new panels without shading.
(Shading is BAD m'K?)
It'll take a day to do a bit of reconstruction to clear a roof obstruction.
After alla that? We'll actually get to start putting some of the damned stuff up. That'll be 24 new 260 watt panels, 8.8 KW in new inverters and a whopping huge assed 100 amp charge controller.
Of course to put the new stuff up we have to take the old stuff down. We'll do that in stages. Stage 1 will be swapping out the old inverter/charge controller for the new one. That's a day at least. Then we'll swap out the solar panel combiner box. Probably a half day. Then I can set up the new rails as much as possible before changing panels. The panels will be another day. They have to get done in a day or we don't get to shower.
As opposed to common beliefs held by some of our friends, I do like to shower.
SO that's the job plan. I'm sure it'll come off without a hitch. :D
AND pigs can fly.
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