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It's the most wonderful time...

Yes, I'm excited about Christmas...here's a shot from 2003 (I think). The "bound" Christmas Tree pales in comparison to Chevy Chase's, but oh well...


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Of Ammonia Absorption Refrigeration & the Like...

It's interesting that I have not written anything here yet this year, not even a Happy New Year. I must be busy. During this season, I do much thinking about snowstorms, power outages, survival etc. I like to think that most bases are covered. I have enough firewood to last me into next winter, so a power outage is really only an inconvenience at worst. Of course winter helps in that the only real electric dependency, Refrigeration, is offset by the fact that it's cold. However, and to get to my point, I'm a little obsessed with the whole concept off "off-grid refrigeration". It's actually a childhood throwback on two fronts. Let me explain, first I remember going to our "camp" in the summer. Routinely, considerable quantities of Soda Pop (we just called it "drink") were lugged to the camp. Sometimes it was Co-op brand tin cans, Pepsi, or even green bottles of Mountain Dew complete with the hillbilly exclaiming "it'll…
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Paul Parsons RIP...

I didn't hear or realize this, but Paul Parsons, the Nfld Artist that did the infamous Nfld Map that many of "us" grew up with in school, died last year.


PARSONS, William Frederick Paul - Passed peacefully away at St. Clare's Mercy Hospital on Thursday, April 29, 2010. Predeceased by brother R. Austin Parsons and sister Helen Parsons Shepherd. Leaving to mourn sister Sheila G. Curren of North Vancouver, BC; nieces: Catherine Elaine Glitsch (Hans), Carol Ann Kroeger (Andre); nephews: Richard Wallace Curren (Megan) and R. Scott Shepherd.
Paul was born in St. John's, NL in 1925. His father was poet R.A. Parsons and his sister Helen was a distinguished portrait painter. Paul became well known for his water colors and oil paintings, as well as for his poetry. He was educated at Bishop Field College and the Newfoundland Academy of Art in St. John's, and in London at the Central School of Arts and Crafts. H…
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Deep Cycle Batteries

Another off-grid power component of course is the battery. There's not much point in generating electricity with solar panels unless you have somewhere to store it. There are many considerations. Many people opt to go with 2 6-volt golf cart batteries, joining them in series to produce 12 volts. I chose the less "hard core" option of 2 simple Costco Deep Cycle 12-volt batteries, wired in parallel. My considerations were centered around choices. For example, I can easily remove a battery temporarily and use it for another purpose, something that you can't really do if you go with the 6-volt option. I'm a bit of a scatter-brain, and might at any moment rip a battery out and embark on a different project etc. 
Costco has several Deep Cycle choices. Again, for the sake of options and versatility, I compromised and got two "Starting / Deep Cycle" ones. Each will function as a starting battery if needed, and they claim a respectable 115 amp hours. Time will …
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