Glenn's Underground Cabin Update

Started by glenn kangiser, January 30, 2005, 10:24:03 PM

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glenn kangiser

Did a couple things today... [ouch]


Sassy asked me to put some wood chips in the carport, as there was a bit of mud from the rain, so while taking care of that I took the tractor down to the cul-de-sac where the chips were and graded the driveway on the way....





After that I hopped on the Bobcat and did a bit more digging on the cut through the mountain - jackhammered it last week, and cleaned up out in the back where I am making the flat spot bigger.... I like to minimize changes between the jackhammer and the bucket if possible.  It doesn't take that long but I think it is a good idea to try to work smarter... not harder... [idea]

"Always work from the general to the specific." J. Raabe

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glenn kangiser

Reminder.....check your batteries water and connections more often than I do.  [ouch]

Had to spend half a day filling batteries and cleaning terminals yesterday.  I had 4 batteries that were low on water. I couldn't tell if the low charge was due to low water or bad connections. 3 bad connections too.

I desulfated  them with my welder and some EDTA.  At this time it looks like they will come back. It was the remains of my batteries from 2004-2005. I was almost ready to spend another $1000 for 4 more..... [waiting]
"Always work from the general to the specific." J. Raabe

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considerations

Glenn, does your inverter have a low battery voltage shutoff setting, and if so, what do you have it set to? I'm confused on this new inverter, it has one, and, on a 12v system the default is 10.  Doesn't seem right, but I just don't know and internet searching is not getting me anywhere so far.  Input?

Windpower

Considerations

if I may step in for Glenn

Usually you do not want to dischage batteries below 50%  most lead acid batteries are at just over 12 Volts at 50% discharge  --I would suggest setting it at 12.1 volts if you can

That would protect your batteries from discharging below 50%
Often, our ignorance is not as great as our reluctance to act on what we know.

glenn kangiser

Windpower is correct Default settings on most inverters are set to keep you in AC power. Not what is best for the batteries. That said, I am very guilty of abusing my batteries sometimes.

Mine seldom shuts down for low power, but they hold up better if they are down then back up than if they are down and not charged for a while. It takes good batteries such as L16 or Golf Cart batteries with heavy plates to handle that and survive at all. Normal automotive deep cycle batteries will be gone within a year.
"Always work from the general to the specific." J. Raabe

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ben2go

While we are on the subject of solar,I have a few questions for the man of the hour.Glenn,are you guys using standard energy efficient washer,dryer,hot water heater,refridgerator?I've considered solar here, since we average 10 hours of sun light per day.That's the only advantage of living on top a hill.If the trees out around us keep growing,that could be lessened over the years.With urban sprawl and people logging their properties for money,I don't see it being a big problem.May even end up with more sunlight at the risk of being blown off the hill during wind storms. :-\

considerations

"setting it at 12.1 volts if you can"

Thank you so much! I will

glenn kangiser

Ben, we are using normal regular appliances for the most part. We upgraded system sizing as we added another appliance for the most part.

Antique monitor top refrigerator, new LG semi efficient refrigerator, 24 cu. ft. Kenmore freezer...new....8 cu. ft. Converse efficient chest freezer, 17 or so cu ft upright freezer. ..normal large load Washer and Dryer. 1.5 hp water well pump.

Propane  appliances. Bosch continuous flow water heater...gas range.
"Always work from the general to the specific." J. Raabe

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ben2go

Quote from: glenn kangiser on October 28, 2012, 12:48:49 AM
Ben, we are using normal regular appliances for the most part. We upgraded system sizing as we added another appliance for the most part.

Antique monitor top refrigerator, new LG semi efficient refrigerator, 24 cu. ft. Kenmore freezer...new....8 cu. ft. Converse efficient chest freezer, 17 or so cu ft upright freezer. ..normal large load Washer and Dryer. 1.5 hp water well pump.

Propane  appliances. Bosch continuous flow water heater...gas range.

Thanks Glenn. I'm not sure I can set as much solar as you have on the half acre lot I'm working on.I'd have to go with super efficient appliances, solar tracking rack(s),and possibly a HUGE genny.My SO refuses to operate gas appliances.She is terrified of them and won't even enter a house with them.However,she loves cooking on a gas grill.Go figure.One place I plan to save a little power and money is using a wood fired indoor furnace.I want to use Staber washer and dryer combo.I seem to have bad experiences with washers blowing seals and transmissions.At least the Stabers use off the shelf parts and few brand spec parts.Cut power consumption now and hope to have a little reserve for later.I hate listening to a genny run all night.


ben2go

Glenn,I know I'm being a pain in the hiney.Can you give me some tips and idears for a garden next year?We're planning an above ground garden planter, aka raised bed garden,roughly 12x12.We can go bigger and/or use a different location in the yard.We're looking at some different veggies than the run of the mill stuff we usually eat.Right now we usually go for corn, which don't do well here,green beans,okra,green onions,carrots,and tomatoes.We're looking at possible freezing or canning.I am on a high fiber low acid diet and eliminating as much fats and grease as possible.I'd like to broaden our veggie pallet so to speak.We kind of have a few veggies that we stick with and I want to break that cycle and branch out.IS it possible? We're creatures of habit.  [waiting]

glenn kangiser

Well Ben, I didn't see potatoes, cauliflower or  Mennonite Sorghum on your list. Also plant heirloom beans along with the Mennonite Sorghum. They will grow up the stalk.

I would suggest contacting Baker Creek Seeds at www.rareseeds.com for a free catalog of heirloom seeds.

There are lots of ideas in there.

Also if you're so inclined the pastor at the church mentioned he used EM on his garden this year after I told him about it. Some of the plants grew to about 10 times the normal size and the tomatoes are about 8 feet tall.



I'm guessing there are probably 1000 or more cherry tomatoes on that plant at this time.
"Always work from the general to the specific." J. Raabe

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ben2go

 [cool]

Thanks Glenn.I am following the EM thread.I need to go back and reread the info.Sounds promising.Our dirt has lost it's nutrients from the days when our lots were our family garden.Weeds won't hardly grow here.That's why I am looking at above ground options for gardening.I didn't think to metion potatoes.I don't know why.We eat them a lot.Nothing like an old Irish supper of stewed potatoes with a little salt n pepper and a side of baked bread. [hungry]

glenn kangiser

Add some compost, leaves,chips,manure etc. for the EM to break down for the plants. Extra nitrogen such as chicken or turkey manure with carbon such as straw or chips.They need it to break down without robbing it from the plants.
"Always work from the general to the specific." J. Raabe

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ben2go

Quote from: glenn kangiser on October 30, 2012, 03:12:58 PM
Add some compost, leaves,chips,manure etc. for the EM to break down for the plants. Extra nitrogen such as chicken or turkey manure with carbon such as straw or chips.They need it to break down without robbing it from the plants.

Thanks.Good tip.


glenn kangiser

Exploring and fishing while Sassy is on conference. :)

Yesterday I explored the Malakoff Diggins. On mobile now so a few pix one at a time or I lose my post.... [ouch]

In some places the gold bearing gravels were high on mountains. The miners figured out that millions of gallons of water sprayed by giant water cannons....monitors could move mountains.




....clear down to the valley below.....
"Always work from the general to the specific." J. Raabe

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pmichelsen

Hey Glenn, you weren't kidding about the snow. Obviously you know that both 120 and 108 were shut down so we ended up having to take 88 up through Nevada to connect to 395 and on into Bridgeport/Twin Lakes.

Boy was it worth it though, due to snow we had to cut our trip down to just in to Peeler for a few days and back out. Backpacking in the 2-3 feet of snow without snow shoes really wears you out. As much as we bummed we had to cut the trip down because of the snow it really made for some beautiful scenery.

Here is a link to some of our pictures if you're interested: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pmichelsen/sets/72157631884132693/

glenn kangiser

Didn't hear all of them closed but not surprising.  108 closed again yesterday if it ever opened. Snowed last night I'm sure.  Glad you had a great time Paul. Thanks for the link to the pix.

I have another pix of Malakoff. Amazing what a little water can do, eh?

"Always work from the general to the specific." J. Raabe

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ben2go

Kind of sad how much damage was inflicted in such a short period of time. :-\

glenn kangiser

Yeah....and they won't even let me in there with my metal detector.... [ouch]
"Always work from the general to the specific." J. Raabe

Glenn's Underground Cabin  http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=151.0

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glenn kangiser

#4244
Caught some nice fish yesterday.  I think this is the pix of the native Brown Trout.... nope... that was the big Rainbow.



Caught a bigger rainbow or two and some smaller ones.  Had to eat some for lunch so I wouldn't go over my limit... technically that is not in possession is it... nah .. I didn't think so.... :)



Cooked them over the little $8.95 camp stove.  It gets really hot so butter and keeping it moving seems to be required to keep it from burning... but it was good, and I had the mess kit this time so had a real pan to cook in.  [hungry]

Note my emergency gold pan from my back pack that also doubles as a food bowl for preparing fish... I know.. clean it good to get all of the oil out so I don't lose gold... [ouch]
"Always work from the general to the specific." J. Raabe

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glenn kangiser

Went out to the garden yesterday to see how things were doing there.  I was surprised to find a giant broccoli on the fall plants that is ready to eat....





...as soon as Sassy returns and cooks it for me.... she is on conference now in FLA.... Wouldn't want to eat all of the broccoli myself...  [ouch]


It must be close to 8" across....  :o
"Always work from the general to the specific." J. Raabe

Glenn's Underground Cabin  http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=151.0

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Windpower


Wow nice broccoli, Glenn

I had one like that at the farm a couple years back -- let it go one more night


deer ate the whole plant down to the ground     d*

Often, our ignorance is not as great as our reluctance to act on what we know.

glenn kangiser

Oh... the curse of the giant rodent.... [ouch]

I have just had a deer problem about 20 feet from this plant.  I put up string fences higher on the cow fence and added mylar tape streamers around the area... hoping it keeps them away from this and the rest of the garden.

I love deer...... Whitlock's wife makes the best venison taco's..... [waiting]
"Always work from the general to the specific." J. Raabe

Glenn's Underground Cabin  http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=151.0

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glenn kangiser

Jackhammer time... still trying to dig a bigger flat spot. 

I have so many projects I need to do sometimes I just have to sit back and think which one is most important... yet while I ponder that question.. I'm not getting anything done.... [ouch]

It is working though moving dirt from one as I make another on the next level down.  Hopefully I'll have enough done before snow Thursday to at least cover some more unnatural resources with tarps, but then again... going off topic tomorrow to go to the valley, pick up a few things and pick Sassy up at the airport... back from her conference.

Also an old friend and shirttail relative expressed an interest in learning to use the computer for research so I hope to buy him a laptop and get him started.  He is over 80 years old and still wants to stay on top of things.  My pleasure to assist.  :)

"Always work from the general to the specific." J. Raabe

Glenn's Underground Cabin  http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=151.0

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glenn kangiser

For those who are interested... :o

A Podcast by Paul Wheaton of Permies.com where he interviews me and I answer his questions regarding building processes, do's and don'ts concerning the building of the Underground Complex....

An hour and nine minutes of wholesome entertainment.... [waiting]

This was totally unscripted....off the cuff.. and there is no dead space... indicating that both Paul and I are full of hot air just waiting to get out...... [ouch]

http://www.richsoil.com/permaculture/2036-glenn-kangiser-oehler-structures/

Podcast #215
"Always work from the general to the specific." J. Raabe

Glenn's Underground Cabin  http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=151.0

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