Tim the Tool Man Taylor's got nothin' on me!
Good neighbor Eric has come through for me again. Back in March, he generously gave me two great solar panels to add to my system. I installed them on the shop roof, and they gave the batteries a nice boost. It's been so hot this summer that I started dreaming about putting an air conditioner in the shop, but that would mean even more solar panels, so I contacted Eric again.
Not only did he find four more panels for me at a great price, he dug into his own stock again and gave me virtually everything I needed to install them, including the rails, roof mounts, wire, and a few other goodies.
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| It takes a lot of stuff to install solar panels |
Another good friend, and well-known Campo fixture "Rat Rod" Andy came over to help me hoist the panels up on the roof and get them fastened down. He doesn't share my terror of heights, so his help was much appreciated.
I installed a "weather head" to get the wires down into the shop...
... and a small breaker box in the shop to act as a combiner. All the panel wires come in, with one breaker for each set, then two wires go back up and out, to connect to the house.
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| Fourth breaker arrived broken. Didn't need it. |
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| E, C, W for East, Center, and West. |
The wires connecting to the house are cleverly (sez I) disguised by piggybacking on party lights.
Still waiting to actually use those lights for a party.
The astute among you will notice that I am also using my solar clothes-drying system...
As well as my patent-pending laundry cart and manly clothespin carrier.
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| Sign of the times... |
