Don McGrath’s SparrowWelcome to the new age of Greener vehicles.

Time was, electric vehicles were promoted as the zero emissions saviours of the future, but the distance they could travel before recharging, and long recharge times led searchers to the hybrid vehicle, combining the advantages of a quiet, zero-emissions electric motor, with the …
>>Keep reading “EVs PHEVs and Hybrids”

MicroHydro GeneratorIf your homestead can take advantage of water sources to produce electricity, then you have come to the right place. Here are the ins and outs of water-powered electrical production, from the microhydro web site. The link at the end takes you to the site for more info.

Water poweris as old as civilization . If you live in an old mill or have an upland stream flowing through or close to your property, you probably have a site suitable to generate some or all your domestic power requirements. If there is insufficient power for your needs electrically,you might still be able to use water power to drive a water source heat pump.

The main power requirements are in the winter months, so there should be little or no conflict with other river demands. Adequate provisions may have to be made for migratory fish, and if construction is needed, take care not to dam up the area. Check land drainage upstream of your intake. Construct all schemes in an unobtrusive and environmentally sensitive manner, and where appropriate buy drawings of proven designs.

>>Keep reading “Waterpower 101″

Burbank Resident Robert Beher on the roof with his 2 kW solar PV systemHere on our off-grid homestead, we use PV panels as part of our energy solution. PV takes the energy in the sun’s light, and converts it directly to DC …
>>Keep reading “Photo-Voltaics (PV)”

Electric Car conversionVictor Tikhonov converted a Honda from gasoline to DC Electric. A few years later, he upgraded it to a AC Electric propulsion system. Everything he modified, from removing the engine, installing the electric motor, control and instrumentation systems, adapting existing accessories, to performance testing is laid out for all to observe, …
>>Keep reading “Convert your gas car to electric”

DIY Wind Generator

With a regularly windy site, a wind generator can be an inexpensive source of electricity, especially compared to photovoltaics (PV). Commercial wind generators can be pricey, initially, as are the towers and installation. This can be done Do-It-Yourself (DIY), with proper education and experience. My friends at Otherpower.com …
>>Keep reading “Building your own Wind Generator”

Ancient Kalamazoo FranklinWe had a very old Kalamazoo Franklin wood stove that was coming apart at the seams, literally. The final straw was this week when the cast iron chimney elbow separated from the firebox. We decided that it needed to be replaced, and in a hurry. Out door Temps were -10F, and …
>>Keep reading “Installing a wood stove”

Solar Water HeaterGood ol’ John Canivan – guru of sun heated water systems, related the following to me:

In 1970 a friend of mine left the civilized comforts of a New Jersey home to seek out and experience the free, wild wilderness of an Adirondack hilltop in upstate New York. Jake loved the country …
>>Keep reading “Solar Heated Water”

CHARLEY Boorman went off-grid with best friend Ewan McGregor but has not been able to find work since.

Since the pair returned from their motorcycle journey in aid of UNICEF, very few job offers have come his way. Charley has had to make do with promoting the DVD and book of the pair’s Long Way Round adventure.

McGregor, on the other hand, is one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. He is currently in Los Angeles filming the sci-fi thriller The Island with Scarlett Johansson.
>>Keep reading “Long Way Round”

Solar Haven’s Rain Water SystemWells in our area average nearly 1000 feet deep. This is “historical” water which will never be replaced. At today’s prices, a well would cost in the neighborhood of $25,000 — far in excess of our budget.

Ever since we visited New Zealand almost 20 years ago, we have thought about catching and storing the rain from our roof. There we found New Zealanders, rich or poor, collected the rain from their roofs and stored it in barrels or tanks. Wells were the exception rather than the rule, municipal water system almost non-existent. Why not do the same thing in our part of the Sonoran Desert where rainfall averages about 12 inches per year?

We have over 3000 square feet of roof surface to collect rain water between the greenhouse and new straw bale house. TO FIGURE HOW MUCH WATER IS COLLECTED: approximately 600 gallons of rain water is collected for every 1000 square foot of collection area for one inch of rain. Thus one inch of rain produces about 1800 gallons of water and comes close to filling the storage tank. The new above-ground storage pool will hold about 4500 gallons.

There’s even a book which will answer all your questions when you come to install your own rainwater gathering setup – Rainwater Harvesting: The Collection of Rainfall and Runoff in Rural Areas – Buy it from Amazon – £14.95
>>Keep reading “RAIN WATER HARVESTING”