A Dummy’s Solar Recommendations

Nora McNamara

A friend of mine emailed on facebook about my solar power system.  Not that I know much, but the system is working.  I thought about blogging my response in case anyone else cares, and then my connection got way too slow for facebook, but not for Windows Live Writer so I am blogging, with a cross posting to facebook.  In case you care.   

And my cat came back last night relatively unscathed, in case you care about that.

Anyway.

Hiya!

How are you? So fun to reconnect on facebook!

Ok, solar system. My solar panels are ancient random Finnish panels that came from a Dutch aid organization. Even if you could get them in the States, I wouldn’t, because they’ve come up with newer ones that are less expensive and more efficient. They roll up, pretty cool. I have a friend who has one, I can ask him the brand name.

I have a charge controller that I really like, it’s a Xantrex C 12, I like it because I can set the voltage that the controller cuts off whatever is connected to the battery, to protect the battery.

I just got the C 12.  For years I’ve used a SunSaver 20 which is simpler, and cheaper.  The low voltage disconnect is preset on the SunSaver, though, and it’s too low to protect the batteries.  So, I’d recommend something from Xantrex.

I also have a volt meter that I really like, but it was pretty expensive, a Trimetric. A cheaper option which I’ll be trying soon is a $35 dealie called a Voltminder. It gives a voltage readout on the batteries, and has an alarm that goes off when they get too low. Like the C 12, it can be set to the voltage you want for the alarm to go off, that’s the nice thing.

I hate my inverter, don’t buy one at Pep Boys! They were on sale. The brand is Peak. It’s loud and inefficient.  I don’t have a brand name for a good one, but on solar websites or discussion boards you should be able to find some recommendations.

You’ll be able to get better batteries cheaper in the States than I can get here, your best bet is deep cycle marine batteries. They do better on a solar panel system than the car batteries that I can get here. Long technical discussion avoided here…

Something I’ve always wanted to try in the States is an idea I read on the internet for getting free solar panels. You get the number of the company that owns the highway warning lights off a warning light, then call them up and ask them if they have any damaged panels that they would give away. Drunk drivers hit them, and then they only work at 50-75% of their capacity. No good for the warning lights, but fine for home use. Solar panels are hugely expensive. If they weren’t also heavy and tricky to ship, I’d try to get some over here.

I have a battery charger that I like too, it’s a Samlex America. I use it when city power is on to top up my batteries at night.

I don’t know if you’ll want 12v fans that can run directly off the system instead of through an inverter, but if you do, I really like O2 Cool. There’s a guy in Aurora who has a website that sells them, I don’t have the web address for them, and my internet connection is pathetic these days, but if it speeds up I’ll send it to you.

Aaah, all the wonderful new skills I get to learn to live over here. Can you just see the new neural connections blossoming in my brain?

Are you thinking of going off grid, or is this for camping? I love being green and not polluting, but there is a pretty big initial outlay. Also know that what I do here in Africa is nowhere near compliant with American code!

Great to hear from you!

Nora

Cat Lady

Nora McNamara

scp I think it’s time for me to embark on a new career as a  quirky cat lady.

Unfortunately, I find myself without a cat at present.

Scruffy, or Madame la Chatte, has developed a habit of moistly expressing her displeasure any time I spent the night away from home on any cushions or upholstered furniture accessible to her.

So yesterday before I left, I locked her in the kitchen. 

She has a cat door in there, but I got tired of worrying about her being out all night (come on, I’m single no kids, I shouldn’t have to worry about anybody being out all night), so I duct taped it shut.  Should have tried Gorilla Tape.  I shoved her litter box in front of it blocking it, she is one strong kitty.  Yesterday we wired it shut, and then duct taped it for good measure. 

I come back today to find all the duct tape removed, paw prints on my counter, and no cat.

Tom Cat was seen walking on my wall last night.

Then I saw my screen.

I unwired the cat door, opened a $3 can of tuna and put it next to her food, and am hoping for the best. 

How can I be a cat lady without a cat?

Positive Polish

Nora McNamara

opipos Will this nail polish really fix a crack in my toilet?  That’s really good to know!  But, my creative use for it was to avoid sparks, short circuits, flames and explosions.

Ok, maybe I’m not risking all of those, but still.  If I reverse the positive and the negative on my 12 volt solar panel power system thingy deal, nothing good at all will happen.

And so, I sacrificed some of my precious polish.  Because I can’t find my red Sharpie.

#3 Camel Day generosity

Nora McNamara

Ncml  Dear Colleen and Katie,

Guess what came to visit today?  A camel!  He and his rider came all  the way down from the desert in Niger.  It's really hot up there, and sometimes the people don't have enough food.  But when the camels come down to where I live, lots of people help them out and give them food to take back.  You can see the food that this camel and his rider got tied in the black bags on the camel's saddle.

Would you like to ride on a camel?

I miss you.

Love,

Auntie Nora

Sldrty

Niveleuse

Nora McNamara

Nvls Here's our brand new road builder.  It got here around 10 pm, and am I ever glad, because the welcoming party that's been going on since noon across the street ended.  No sleeping chez moi while those big drums are going.

There's a name for this thingy in mmmBELLYmay.  Learned it tonight.

Catapilla.

Love it.