tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294304458677955232.post3602196475562896468..comments2023-10-23T17:44:39.517-07:00Comments on Paratus Familia Blog: Bit by BitEnola Gayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12719123975236426938noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294304458677955232.post-49785297407548710162012-11-01T17:04:49.660-07:002012-11-01T17:04:49.660-07:00Off topic I know, but I really like the current wa...Off topic I know, but I really like the current wallpaper and background images, so warm any cozy. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294304458677955232.post-30524299588272108492012-10-31T16:57:37.609-07:002012-10-31T16:57:37.609-07:00i agree with TC...give an inch, take a mile. we a...i agree with TC...give an inch, take a mile. we are not "off grid", but let me tell you i watch those meters closely and budget them as carefully as i do with my checkbook. some folks will call me a cheapskate, but so be it. everything that we have that has had to be replaced due to wear and tear is paid for in cash with what we saved by being frugal and responsible. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294304458677955232.post-4184956121679701752012-10-31T14:20:19.335-07:002012-10-31T14:20:19.335-07:00This post can transfer to other daily life applica...This post can transfer to other daily life applications also. My mom always says "What you allow in moderation, your children will do in excess". Kind of like the power, use a little then pretty soon you are using a lot without realizing it. So many of us can and should cut back on "usage" of stuff in our lives that is not pleasing or necessary to our spiritual growth. TChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11404472377727658686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294304458677955232.post-74708648241901995692012-10-31T10:02:29.081-07:002012-10-31T10:02:29.081-07:00I'm in the process of converting my suburban h...I'm in the process of converting my suburban home to on/off grid. I got all of the electrical work done installing the Outback inverter, two charge controllers, 60 lithium ion 3.2 volt 200 ah battery cells, and the system control box hours after the rain started for hurricane Sandy. When the power failed, we were the only ones on the street with power - the only reason I knew power was out was that I forgot to switch one circuit (TV room) to the battery protected panel and the kids complained when the TV went dark. Still have more work to do on the power generation side (have solar modules but waiting on racking and tigo optimizers to show up; have a biomass gasifier working and the 48 volt alternators but am still waiting on some of the parts for the genset) but I'll have that done by Thanksgiving. It has been a lot of work but it is really nice knowing that I have my own grid and will be able to power it indefinitely once everything is hooked up and debugged.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294304458677955232.post-42064888275821547692012-10-31T09:55:45.199-07:002012-10-31T09:55:45.199-07:00It never stops amazing me how easily we can become...It never stops amazing me how easily we can become used to what we have. Reminding ourselves we can do with less is always put back into check. Nice post!<br />MelissaKids and Canning Jarshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04794388845414644018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294304458677955232.post-16868741942173438052012-10-31T09:28:56.649-07:002012-10-31T09:28:56.649-07:00How long do your batteries typically last? Two job... How long do your batteries typically last? Two jobs ago, I've seen lead-acid batteries that still were useable crowding 30 years old (car batteries have short lives because of heat and vibration), and nickel iron batteries crowding 50 years old. When I go off grid, I'm going with the nickel-iron. You get less out of them than lead acid, but they last much longer(they're expensive, though). At my last job, part of it involved taking care of two 325 KW backup generators. The 24 volt battery pack that started them was 16 years old, and passed the load test(I got a scar from the load tester-it gets hot *fast*) every 6 months just fine.<br /> I suppose being off grid is a great way to be reminded everything comes from somewhere..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294304458677955232.post-66970239687685066852012-10-31T07:18:16.393-07:002012-10-31T07:18:16.393-07:00Well written Enola; very good points to remember -...Well written Enola; very good points to remember - conservation and living within one's means is always a good thing. In the future (for others) there may be no other option, so get used to it now!Jonathan Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10476185257203343474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294304458677955232.post-71388550235032343092012-10-30T23:18:17.491-07:002012-10-30T23:18:17.491-07:00As we have found, all things in moderation :) Tha...As we have found, all things in moderation :) That also helps one appreciate what one has instead of taking (using) it for granted.<br /><br />Nothing to beat being off grid!Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04020970904311512357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294304458677955232.post-46838233298367876392012-10-30T22:34:41.182-07:002012-10-30T22:34:41.182-07:00Thanks for the post. A good reminder to everyone, ...Thanks for the post. A good reminder to everyone, even on grid families.<br /><br />If folks get in the good habit of not wasting power, and turning off things they aren't using, it'll be much easier for them to make the transition to 'off grid'.Wild Cookery!https://www.blogger.com/profile/08533295278236725505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294304458677955232.post-13662810854134197012012-10-30T20:21:02.557-07:002012-10-30T20:21:02.557-07:00It's very easy to forget, and find yourself in...It's very easy to forget, and find yourself in a bind. Great post :-)Sandy Livesayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06183449816586125720noreply@blogger.com