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Posted by greenbarn
- April 30, 2018, 22:17:53 PMThat's pretty cool.
Posted by Zoar
- April 30, 2018, 08:43:58 AMQuote from: Zoar on April 30, 2018, 08:23:33 AMHere is another map, I find this one even more useful because I can see it better! As you can see my area is the same as northern Ohio. We have tons of solar panels around here and when I went to Florida a couple of weeks ago there were NONE. So in my experience adoption of solar power has nothing to do with the solar index. It has everything to do with attitude and belief system. Some areas the general population just oppose or even hate solar because they associate it with being left leaning so they will come up with every reason NOT to use solar. It works at my house and in my region (with low comparative solar index).It is that simple, really. Yet for those who oppose it, no amount of facts or proof or actual history will change their minds.Yes, if you Google solar energy potential US you get:
https://www.energy.gov/maps/solar-energy-potential
Ohio and my area of NY are in the same boat as far as solar index.... and we are better off than GERMANY and Germany has adopted solar in a big way and as stated I have been making my own power fo 13 years so yes solar works in our solar index.
Posted by Zoar
- April 30, 2018, 08:23:33 AMQuote from: greenbarn on April 27, 2018, 21:03:35 PMYes, if you Google solar energy potential US you get:That's really cool. Is there a resource that gives you the "solar potential" of your immediate area, like a solar power map?? We have so many bloody cloudy days in the winter, makes me wonder.
https://www.energy.gov/maps/solar-energy-potential
Ohio and my area of NY are in the same boat as far as solar index.... and we are better off than GERMANY and Germany has adopted solar in a big way and as stated I have been making my own power fo 13 years so yes solar works in our solar index.
Posted by greenbarn
- April 27, 2018, 21:03:35 PMThat's really cool. Is there a resource that gives you the "solar potential" of your immediate area, like a solar power map?? We have so many bloody cloudy days in the winter, makes me wonder.
Posted by Zoar
- April 27, 2018, 09:40:59 AMQuote from: greenbarn on April 26, 2018, 22:22:57 PMWell, it is pretty straight forward, Here is an example of my system:That's something I wouldn't mind looking into, sometime.
Eight 300 WATT Solar panels (can be 275 watt to 325 watt each, it does not matter) (24Volt DC panels)
Two OUTBACK (FlexMax 80 AMP each) Controllers
Four 6VOLT Golf Cart batteries 240AH hours each (set up in series to make a 24VOLT DC storage)
One 3000Watt Inverter (converts the 24V DC to 120V AC)
Miscellaneous electrical junction boxes and some wires
Can't get any simpler than that!
Well, except if you use only one Controller. But this is really simple as you can see, and it works.
My home is powered with this I have a JET PUMP and refrigeration and washing machine and appliances and lighting and radio and TV just like other people. We don't suffer.
But we are not energy pigs either or energy oblivious. I have some people come to me and say "Oh, we don't use much power!", and I ask to see their Electric Bill. They use 25,000-32,000 WATTS HOURS a DAY!! Sorry, that is being energy oblivious. That is being an energy PIG. We use about 2,000 to 3,500 at my house and we are very comfortable and happy!
Posted by greenbarn
- April 26, 2018, 22:22:57 PMThat's something I wouldn't mind looking into, sometime.
Posted by Zoar
- April 26, 2018, 08:01:39 AMQuote from: greenbarn on April 25, 2018, 21:32:40 PMI did it myself. So I guess I am the best resource.So do you have some good resources for us?? I'm interested in looking into this.
I contacted and dealt with all the "solar Installation" companies in my region, and this area has a lot of solar/renewables, far more in 20 square miles here than the entire states of Florida and Georgia COMBINED. But these companies all quoted me far more than wanted to pay. So, yea, I have done it myself and don't have any other resources to recommend. I also made the FOOD Truck, pi Truck, all solar powered (for all ts electrical needs). And I want to do an RV next. I want another StepVan, like the Food Truck but my girlfriend really wants an Airstream or Boler or other small trailer.
Posted by greenbarn
- April 25, 2018, 21:32:40 PMQuote from: Zoar on April 24, 2018, 09:55:54 AMYes. It is not rocket science and you don;t need a NASA budget.
. I like making my own power. A LOT. After 13 years I would say it is one of the best things I ever did in my lifetime. What's THAT worth?
So do you have some good resources for us?? I'm interested in looking into this.
Posted by Zoar
- April 24, 2018, 09:55:54 AMQuote from: RockinRollin on April 24, 2018, 08:35:54 AMThat's pretty cool the Wife is a journalist and a few years ago she did a story about this guy who built a cottage up in central Ontario and was told it would cost about 20K to bring in power so he went off the grid, put up a few panels had a bank of batteries and all his appliances including fridge ran off the batteries. His cost was a fraction of the cost of bringing in power and no bills!
Yes. It is not rocket science and you don;t need a NASA budget.
I did my off-grid power system for under $18K and because it is OFF THE GRID I do not get state tax credit but I do get Federal credits so knock off another 30 cents on every dollar so knock off $6K. So it cost me less than $12K. And I have NO utility bill, and when the power goes OUT which is does a lot around here, my power is ON. I like making my own power. A LOT. After 13 years I would say it is one of the best things I ever did in my lifetime. What's THAT worth?
Posted by RockinRollin
- April 24, 2018, 08:35:54 AMThat's pretty cool the Wife is a journalist and a few years ago she did a story about this guy who built a cottage up in central Ontario and was told it would cost about 20K to bring in power so he went off the grid, put up a few panels had a bank of batteries and all his appliances including fridge ran off the batteries. His cost was a fraction of the cost of bringing in power and no bills!
Posted by Zoar
- April 20, 2018, 08:43:38 AMQuote from: CDNRatMan on April 19, 2018, 18:26:39 PMHere is a photo taken from yesterday. My bike photo was just for inspiration. It was actually taken BEFORE I put on the dual seat so autumn 2017. But this photo in this post is about 20 hours old.looks very nice and no snow in the picture, I still have lots in the front lawn.....
The days have also been gray and cold even when not snowing. I am off-the-grid and make all my power from solar and store it in a battery bank. Good thing because sun (and warmth) have been in short supply but I always have power. Lordy, this solar technology with batteries is pretty darn cool and wonderful and yes it works because I am in a low sun index place yet always have had power.... going on 13 years of off the grid living with 4 years with this larger solar array and it works.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- April 19, 2018, 18:26:39 PMlooks very nice and no snow in the picture, I still have lots in the front lawn.....
Posted by Zoar
- April 19, 2018, 13:05:12 PMQuote from: Zoar on April 04, 2018, 07:58:15 AMI am looking forward to riding my Drifter 800 again. It has been cold with occasional snow here since I posted last. But it is better than UP pf Michigan where my son lives. He texted me and said they just went over 300 inches of snow for the season, that is 25 FEET and it is still coming down. We had white on the ground this AM, so no motorcycle riding today. Again. I have been starting it and letting it run some. I am biting at the bit........I did not realize how lucky I was to get the speedo visor with the purchase of the bike!
Regarding the sliding forward, the only other bike I have right now with a dual seat is a Ducati ST4. Last year my GF rode on the Ducati with me and our only complaint was she was constantly sliding forward on the seat. Ducati are a challenge to drive without some aggressive movement. I am optimistic the Drifter will be vastly superior. We will see. Hopefully soon!
Posted by Zoar
- April 12, 2018, 11:50:24 AMQuote from: CDNRatMan on April 11, 2018, 17:03:50 PMAccording to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) ---- your product is "Made in the USA" means "all or virtually all" of the products' parts must be made here.Not sure but I recall reading someplace that as long as the packing and the assembly is done this side of the ocean it is American made, and so that caused me to wonder who decides where it is made.....
"Packaging" is hardly what the FTC demands.
HD is lying and it appears their workers are happy to just look the other way for the paycheck.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- April 11, 2018, 17:03:50 PMQuoteNot sure but I recall reading someplace that as long as the packing and the assembly is done this side of the ocean it is American made, and so that caused me to wonder who decides where it is made.....Actually there's a certain percentage I think it's 75 that the manufacturer has to actually make the product in country in order to say American made