Green-Trust.Org » solar

Preparedness is fun at the Bitterroot SOS Co-Op

Steve Spence — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:30:10 +0000

Our friend Jim Farley sent us a newsletter put out by their preparedness co-op. We though you might find it interesting to see what other groups are doing. I have included an excerpt, and contact information for the group:

I was glad to see Dancing Bear express his fun in doing these things which is our whole intent of the Bitterroot SOS Co-op as I’ve said from the git-go. In expressing this to the group last night, I said people pretty much do all they do in life, either out of fear or fun. People are seeing we are all having these meetings out of fun, not fear. It is fun to create all the many self-reliance tools, systems and products, not because of fear of the boogy man, but the sheer enjoyment of doing things for ourselves. It is a true warm, fuzzy feeling of knowing you can do so much to free yourself of total life sustainment from outside sources. I’ve never seen anybody that was not happier with themselves when they learned and built something that helped them to become a more self-reliant person.

Prepared people have more fun in life. Even if no catastrophic event ever happens, we will all still get to enjoy the fruits of our labors in this effort, become far more independent and save a lot of money in the normal costs of living in producing/generating much of our own food, energy, shelter and all of those activities of the 7 task forces.

jpf@sosgeneralstore.com
http://www.sosgeneralstore.com/

Shell, and others, sponsoring Fuel Efficiency Technology

Steve Spence — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:25:35 +0000

Shell is investing heavily into fuel efficiency and alternative energy solutions. Please comment on how you perceive the traditional oil companies are moving towards efficiency and environmentally friendly solutions. Read more about Shell’s Alternative Energy Projects.

Energy Efficient Water Pumps

Steve Spence — Mon, 11 May 2009 17:43:53 +0000

A few years ago we invested in a high quality dc pump for our offgrid
water system. It was recommended we go with a solar force piston pump
with a 12v motor. Although it is a fine pump, and is much more efficient
than our old jet pump, it was well over $1000. Piston pumps were well
known 50 years ago, and can last a century if taken care of. We have
replaced the rubbers and packing in a few of the old ones, but parts are
getting hard to find. We now have the same pump available that the solar
force is built on, brand new, and can easily get replacement gaskets and
packing, for less than half the price that Conergy (formerly Dankoff) is
selling the Solar Force. You can hand crank, pedal, or install a ac or
dc motor to this pump. 300-400 rpm is recommended.

http://healthynaturalclean.com/shopping/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=10

Jim Juczak of Woodhenge.org has finished his book, The High Art of Scrounging, and his DIY Hand Powered Deep Well Pump. See http://www.woodhenge.org for details.

Make your own DIY Water Filter

Steve Spence — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 14:16:01 +0000

There’s a lot of info on the net for building your own water filtration. One of our favorites is the Slow Sand Filter, because it uses every day common materials (sand, gravel and a container). Here is one design that is easy to duplicate using whatever containers you can find. I’d suggest 35 gallon drums. 5 Gallon pails could work but may not give enough filtration.

http://www.cms-uk.org/GetInvolved/TheConcept/tabid/308/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Off Grid, Self Sufficient Humor

Steve Spence — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 18:38:53 +0000

A good friend sent this to me this AM. Thought it fitting. Thanks, Beth:

Making Steam from Solar Energy – redux

Steve Spence — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:41:46 +0000

A while back, Robert Saunders sent us an article on a steam turbine he was working on. Then he sent another on solar energy steam electric. Well, here is his third chapter in this continuing quest. Hope you enjoy:

http://www.green-trust.org/wordpress/2008/12/07/solar-powered-steam-generators/

Brainstorming battery technology and human power

Steve Spence — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 13:27:37 +0000

Melvin Martin was over last night. He’s greatly recovered from his accident, but still has a ways to go. We were discussing home built NiFe (Edison) batteries and how to make your own. These batteries have the ability to last 50+ years, and we have a bunch of info on them in the files section at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/12VDC_Power/files/. We were also discussing human powered devices, specifically pedal powered water pumps, grain mills, and electrical generators. I have had a very good resource for this for 20 years called “Pedal Power: In Work, Leisure, and Transportation”, and just picked up a wonderful companion to it produced in 2008 called “The Human Powered Home”. Detailed drawings and parts lists for mixers, pumps, grinders, and many other projects where fuel or electricity may be in short supply, or you just need to lose 50 lbs. These books and more can be found it the Human Power section at http://www.green-trust.org/bookshop/.

Rechargeable Sun Jar

Steve Spence — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:28:05 +0000

There’s a product on the market called a Sun Jar (and companion “Moon Jar”), that sells for $40, and consists of a frosted jar, a led, solar panel and rechargeable battery. Stick it in the sun during the day, and it glows amber (or blue) at night. It suffers from poor workmanship and low output. There’s a Instructable to help you build your own, but we think we can do better.

Our list of materials:

Twelve 1 quart ball canning jars – <$10
One 11 oz. can of Rustoleum frosted glass spray - <$6
Twelve surplus solar walkway lights - <$40

Spray the inside of the jar with the frost material, mount the solar panel to the top of the jar lid, and the battery and electronics with LED light to the bottom of the lid, seal the hole where the wire goes through the lid with a dab of bathtub caulk, and you have a DIY Sun Jar for about $6 each. I'll have a video download and ebook for you shortly. Just send $10 to sspence@green-trust.org (Paypal) or mail it to me at:

Steve Spence
93 Sheldon rd.
Winthrop, NY 13697

I’ll send you a completed Glow Jar for $15 + S&H.

AIR-X Wind Turbine Arrived, More Rocket Mass Heater Videos

Steve Spence — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 03:55:22 +0000

The 24v AIR-X arrived today, and the Whisper 500 watt unit arrived last week. The Whisper was donated by Jim Juczak of woodhenge.org. Allan Smith, the creator of the Rocket Mass Heater came for supper, and we discussed his design, and alternative implementations. We will be building one of these soon. A ebook of the heater with video and Sketchup diagrams will be available from us shortly, as well as one with the wind turbine setup and installation. He has also added a couple more video’s on startup of the heater, and heat circulation. The manual wood splitter mentioned in the video’s is found at Bailey’s Online.

Freshly Ground Horseradish, and keeping warm in sub zero (F) temperatures

Steve Spence — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 19:33:51 +0000

I suffer from sinus congestion, and one thing that really helps me is horseradish. Whether the green Wasabi paste at the local Chinese restaurant, or the traditional white found in the grocery store, if done right, it opens me up and drains the sinuses. The problem has been finding good horseradish. Most preparers add the vinegar too soon in the process, and tone done the heat and vapor qualities. I bought a large root, peeled it like a potato, cubed it in small 1/4″ cubes, and ground it, using our minichopper. I waited 5 minutes before adding 2 teaspoons of white vinegar to the chopped horseradish. Worked like a charm, and I’m breathing through both nostrils now. I’ll be planting horseradish this spring, and selling roots as well as prepared horseradish.

It was -18F last night, and I fired up both wood stoves this am, bringing the house up to 80 from 51. My friend Allan sent me links to a few more videos showing his Rocket Mass heater. I recommend you spend a few minutes looking at them. It uses very little wood, because it burns so cleanly and completely, and it cost very little to make. See all the videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/LarsMith217.