The Solar System
I spend today single-handedly hooking up a solar power system for our central laser facility. Being in the middle of nowhere, the CLF is solar powered. However, during the winter months, it does not generate sufficient power to run all the time, so an additional system was required to generate more amp-hours.
I learned a lot. Two days ago, I knew next-to-nothing about photovoltaic systems. Now I am reasonable confident that I could install such a system on my house if I wanted to. Today, I mounted a couple of solar panels onto a frame. Then I wired six solar panels in parallel, attaching the appropriate jumpers and a diode. After that, I connected the last panel to a charge/load controller -- a device used to prevent overcharging the batteries. Finally, I hooked five 100Ah batteries in parallel and attached the ends to the controller.
This took all day -- about eight straight hours -- but it was satisfying to get it all done. The only disappointing part was that the work was completed after the sun went down, so I do not get to see the system working until tomorrow.
Signing Off For Now
This is the last time that I will be writing in my journal until after the RNC, and possibly after labor day. Tomorrow, I go work in the field one last time. Then I pack and grab whatever sleep I can before waking up at 3am to get to my bus. Thirty-one hours later, I will walk off the plan in NYC, and join in the "festivities." Hope to see some of you there!!!
I've been reading on NYC Indymedia about the RNC Critical Mass ride that happened tonight. Five thousand bikers -- wow! Wish I could have been there. I'm bummed about missing that and the big march on Sunday, but psyched about the rest of the RNC. Silly me, when I made my travel plans, I only figured being in NY for the actual days of the convention, and didn't plan on pre-convention actions taking place.
Ah well. Hope to see some of you soon, in the streets!
I spend today single-handedly hooking up a solar power system for our central laser facility. Being in the middle of nowhere, the CLF is solar powered. However, during the winter months, it does not generate sufficient power to run all the time, so an additional system was required to generate more amp-hours.
I learned a lot. Two days ago, I knew next-to-nothing about photovoltaic systems. Now I am reasonable confident that I could install such a system on my house if I wanted to. Today, I mounted a couple of solar panels onto a frame. Then I wired six solar panels in parallel, attaching the appropriate jumpers and a diode. After that, I connected the last panel to a charge/load controller -- a device used to prevent overcharging the batteries. Finally, I hooked five 100Ah batteries in parallel and attached the ends to the controller.
This took all day -- about eight straight hours -- but it was satisfying to get it all done. The only disappointing part was that the work was completed after the sun went down, so I do not get to see the system working until tomorrow.
Signing Off For Now
This is the last time that I will be writing in my journal until after the RNC, and possibly after labor day. Tomorrow, I go work in the field one last time. Then I pack and grab whatever sleep I can before waking up at 3am to get to my bus. Thirty-one hours later, I will walk off the plan in NYC, and join in the "festivities." Hope to see some of you there!!!
I've been reading on NYC Indymedia about the RNC Critical Mass ride that happened tonight. Five thousand bikers -- wow! Wish I could have been there. I'm bummed about missing that and the big march on Sunday, but psyched about the rest of the RNC. Silly me, when I made my travel plans, I only figured being in NY for the actual days of the convention, and didn't plan on pre-convention actions taking place.
Ah well. Hope to see some of you soon, in the streets!