I choose to support nostr:npub1tv8gmfhalwnxxquxjzeh6gtdsdz6vg7vx0s3rt7s7uuw6aujh32qn77wn2 because he makes the great memes in addition to his code contributions
Tractor is back in action but it still took a magic dance
Picked up the starter and alternator, cleaned them up, reinstalled them, turned the key, no start.
I thought for sure the problem was that the starter was just feeling neglected and needed a good cleaning but all the scraping and brushing went unacknowledged. When I turn the key I can hear the solenoid engaging but no crank. When I arc the starter posts with a screwdriver, it spins up but solenoid doesn't engage. I think, giving it a little spin with the screw driver before trying to turn the key again got the starter in the right mood. I was able to jiggle the key just right and brought the tractor to life. I think the folks at the repair shop were subject to the voodoo of the starer because they said it appeared to be in good condition. The batteries and alternator seem to be working properly.
The best way to protect Bitcoin is to participate as maximally as you can and to use it in a way that is best for you.
As I put my ferments in the grow tent I asked my chemist degree owning dad about carbon dioxide production from fermentation. To work this out is surprisingly simple. Pretty much half the sugar you ferment via yeast turns to CO2 and the other half turns to alcohol. So put 30g of sugar in and get 15g CO2 produced.
How does that relate to ppm not sure at the moment but it's a start....perhaps someone else can help with that part.
nostr:npub1f5pre6wl6ad87vr4hr5wppqq30sh58m4p33mthnjreh03qadcajs7gwt3z
#grownostr
#permies
#gardening
#weedstr
Maybe a more measured approach is required in the grow tent, but I would probably just put the ferments in there and see what happens.
I will be ordering some pallet tarps to try this system of hay storage out. Seems like good upgrade to what we have already been doing stacking the hay on pallets and covering with a large billboard tarp.
I like this technique, we have been using billboard tarps but they are hard to store properly when not in use and rodents have chewed more and more holes in them over time. The combination of the pallet covers plus the large tarp to improve the longevity of the pallet covers is a nice improvement on our existing system. Plus, if I had those pallet covers I could tarp off bales for a few days, like the current situation I'm in, to buy me some time until I can get them up on pallets and properly positioned and stacked. Ultimately, the long term goal is to need less hay, and to have a roof under which I can store any hay we do need but for now tarps seem to be the best solution.
Fingers crossed I can get my tractor started today
My tractor was having issues starting every once in a while starting over a year ago and had been getting worse and worse. I've tried a bunch of things to troubleshoot the problem with mixed results. Often I would do something and the tractor would start regularly again but only for a while. I finally decided to bring the starter to a rebuild shop to see if it was the problem. They say it's all good! One variable eliminated, now I will test the alternator and batteries.
The sheep have hay to eat for now but I need to get a round bale for the horses and get the other bales positioned and tarped so we waste as little as possible to moisture damage. After that I need to get more wood stacked up by the house. Going to be a busy day, especially if the tractor won't start!
#permaculture #permies #homesteading #grownostr #tractor #troubleshooting
Yeah, I didn't think to check the factory side to see if it was tight. Won't make that mistake again.
You want to run pumps?
How can I use "ai" on my phone to take podcast transcripts and create suggestions outlines for articles? #asknostr
I have an ac input on the inverter that I could use but I need some stupid module thing to actually change the settings on the inverter so it will work with the generator I have to charge the batteries. I can always plug the starlink into the generator or move it on grid if I'm desperate.
Cleaning off solar panels to keep the Internet on
The longer I participate in Bitcoin and Permaculture the more my mindset moves towards thinking about everything in terms of tradeoffs. In the last note about the solar panels, I explained my choice for more panels over storage. Today, is an example where more storage would be beneficial, in order to make sure the batteries are charged enough to power the wifi router tonight, I have to make sure the panels remain clear of snow. Because I installed these new panels with the batteries at a low state of charge during cloudy weather the batteries definitely wont make it through the night if I don't keep a trickle of power coming in. The next day with even a little bit of sunshine will surely top off the batteries charge and from there in think the residual power on cloudy days will be enough to keep the Internet running without such constant maintenance clearing the panels of snow. The forecast for the next week is clouds and more snow so it will be a great test to see how much a of a difference these new panels make in the worst conditions.
#permaculture #permies #homesteading #grownostr #meshtadel #selfsovereignty #solarpower #offgrid
Yeah, me too. I'm sure what kind of biomass and it's dryness makes a huge difference. I imagine the power output is going to vary drastically in my situation as I'll be using all sorts of different wood.
Basically as much as I can from whatever I end up building. 2-3kw seems realistic with intermittent usage. It's definitely one of those projects where it's too hard to figure anything out without just trying stuff and learning as I go. So many variables involved...
This is exactly what we shoot for every year, growing a nice stockpile of winter feed for the sheep. We have had success a few years and failed just as much. This year we thought we finally found someone to cooperate with by planting turnips after the barley harvest. Unfortunately, the barely didn't grow well and they planted corn as an emergency replacement. By the time we found out, it was too late to work a new deal with someone else. We scrambled and tried to plant something on a couple acres here at the homestead but we didn't prepare the ground well enough and ended up with nothing. Fingers crossed next year the cooperative plan comes together.
Hay has been pretty consistent, we've actually been able to find cheaper and cheaper hay the more people we get to know. Quality is all over the place though.
No bitdevs.
A well, I am planning on getting a metal roof on my house when my current roof needs to be replaced. Then I will start catching rainwater too. Hopefully the rainwater can be the main source of water for our daily needs and the well will be a backup.
No, I learned what I needed to with the first build. Now I will make a much larger more substantial one. Probably won't get around to it until next winter.
Just in time hay delivery
We underestimated how much hay we had to make it through the holiday season, and got this delivery with only one days worth of hay to spare. Hay is the largest input we have on the homestead and we make sure we get the most out of it not only feeding animals but simultaneously using the waste hay as mulch. This year since we have our Katahdin sheep and East Friesian dairy sheep in two groups there is more wasted hay. The hope is that even though we are wasting more hay that the extra attention to the dairy sheep will yield us more milk overall next season.
When I say wasted hay, what I mean is that the sheep aren't eating all the good hay and only leaving the stems. Even though some good hay might go uneaten, we place the hay in an area in which hay mulch would be beneficial. In the example of the dairy sheep, their paddock is very close to the food forest, so we will only have to move the manure packed hay a short distance to use when growing our potatoes this spring.
#permaculture #permies #homesteading #selfsovereignty #meshtadel #grownostr #sheep #hay #foodforest #forestgarden
I don't have much experience with wood gasifiers but this proof of concept experiment got pretty close to working.
Expanding the power production capacity of the homestead with 4 more solar panels
Slow and small solutions is one permaculture principle that comes to mind with the solar power system at the homestead. Every year I plan to make additions and upgrades. This year, the plan is to double capacity (done) and run the starlink internet directly on DC from the batteries. Last year, I added one more panel, and got a second charge controller as a backup after I thought the charge controller had failed but I was able to repair it.
I keep choosing to upgrade power production over storage because the power storage needs of the yurt guests is low. Plus, now that I have Bitcoin miners, any excess power production can utilized. Now, I think I have enough capacity to start powering some circuits at the house too so maybe power storage will be next year's expansion. Who knows, maybe more storage won't be necessary because I'll be able to generate power when the sun isn't shining with a wood gasifier...
#permaculture #permies #homesteading #grownostr #selfsovereignty #meshtadel #powerproduction #solarpower #solarpanel #plebminer #offgrid #offgridmining
I draft all my notes in obsidian now because of issues like this.