3R Home and Barn Project
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PAGUY
Gold Member
Rob - First let me say I'm no expert on snakes but I do know they have their young in September so where you seen one their could be more. My opinion of seeing snakes around those boulders is that snakes a re coldblooded and seek heat. Now that your weather is cooling down they are seeking the warmth of those rocks that are probably holding heat from the summer months. They should hibernate once the weather stays cold.
The pics of your place from above shows how big it is. Quite a spread for two people. It definitely is beautiful. I enjoy your posts and I'm getting an education about solar power. Who knows we all might be heading that way in the future and you and Loretta are the pioneers showing us what to expect.
Your deciding to finish the wrap around deck was definitely a good idea. It really adds to the looks of the place. Keep up the good work and posts.
The pics of your place from above shows how big it is. Quite a spread for two people. It definitely is beautiful. I enjoy your posts and I'm getting an education about solar power. Who knows we all might be heading that way in the future and you and Loretta are the pioneers showing us what to expect.
Your deciding to finish the wrap around deck was definitely a good idea. It really adds to the looks of the place. Keep up the good work and posts.
OP
3RRL
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Thanks guys,
Loretta and I sure love living up here too.
Since it's cooled down we've been going on our daily walks around the property. Those views from above really show that we have all kinds of forest and different terrain on the property. Last time we even brought our shotguns since it's quail season here. We're not interested in shooting the ones right around the home, but near camp and other areas is OK. I got a recipe for dove and quail that is delicious. It's deer season too, but I haven't hunted yet. I'm waiting for my 12 year old to come up again so he can take his first buck. There is no pressure on them in this area.
We did build larger than we first started out. We knew we'd be sharing my 12 year old, Wesley with his mom, so we have a bedroom for him. Then, we though a guest room was a good idea. So the home turned out larger than we really wanted. To me it seems like a small lodge, and really love it. I know it'll be a lot of work keeping the place up, but what the heck. It gives me something to do everyday and keeps me fit. I love it up here, did I say that already?
We're also going to spend a couple weekends fixing up South Camp. The large overhead tarp is now torn and needs to be replaced. We plan on keeping it because we stroll down and spend some time down there at least once a week. Plus, it's in a great location with that big meadow right there. It will be in good shape for the kids and grandkids when they visit. We've already replaced 2 of the tents under the canopy. We keep all the sleeping bags and blankets in plastic tubs down there, ready for use.
Loretta and I sure love living up here too.
Since it's cooled down we've been going on our daily walks around the property. Those views from above really show that we have all kinds of forest and different terrain on the property. Last time we even brought our shotguns since it's quail season here. We're not interested in shooting the ones right around the home, but near camp and other areas is OK. I got a recipe for dove and quail that is delicious. It's deer season too, but I haven't hunted yet. I'm waiting for my 12 year old to come up again so he can take his first buck. There is no pressure on them in this area.
We did build larger than we first started out. We knew we'd be sharing my 12 year old, Wesley with his mom, so we have a bedroom for him. Then, we though a guest room was a good idea. So the home turned out larger than we really wanted. To me it seems like a small lodge, and really love it. I know it'll be a lot of work keeping the place up, but what the heck. It gives me something to do everyday and keeps me fit. I love it up here, did I say that already?
We're also going to spend a couple weekends fixing up South Camp. The large overhead tarp is now torn and needs to be replaced. We plan on keeping it because we stroll down and spend some time down there at least once a week. Plus, it's in a great location with that big meadow right there. It will be in good shape for the kids and grandkids when they visit. We've already replaced 2 of the tents under the canopy. We keep all the sleeping bags and blankets in plastic tubs down there, ready for use.
rox
Veteran Member
Rob- I LOVE the animal mounts in the lodge. They really really add ambience.
I have been on vacation visiting family for a month so I haven't logged in. Long sad story on that if I get the ambition I'll start a thread. Great vacation but lousy end to it. Anyway yours is one of the first topics I looked at and even though i have no interest in electricity I did learn a few things. The rattle snakes creep me out though.
I don't know if this will be of any benefit to you but I did learn from my mother in law a trick about wasps that might be applicable to your snakes. She showed me that instead of trying to kill the wasps when they are bothering you while trying to dine outside, instead to give them what they want but far form you. She places a small bowel of sugar water far away from the table and the wasps go there and leave us alone. Do you think if you got some mice form a pet store or somehting tha you could lead your snakes away form your home? Probably a dumb idea but thought I would throw it out there. Again love the stuffed animal trophys, they look GREAT in thier current setting. I like having them placed up high, it draws the eye to the height of the structure.
I have been on vacation visiting family for a month so I haven't logged in. Long sad story on that if I get the ambition I'll start a thread. Great vacation but lousy end to it. Anyway yours is one of the first topics I looked at and even though i have no interest in electricity I did learn a few things. The rattle snakes creep me out though.
I don't know if this will be of any benefit to you but I did learn from my mother in law a trick about wasps that might be applicable to your snakes. She showed me that instead of trying to kill the wasps when they are bothering you while trying to dine outside, instead to give them what they want but far form you. She places a small bowel of sugar water far away from the table and the wasps go there and leave us alone. Do you think if you got some mice form a pet store or somehting tha you could lead your snakes away form your home? Probably a dumb idea but thought I would throw it out there. Again love the stuffed animal trophys, they look GREAT in thier current setting. I like having them placed up high, it draws the eye to the height of the structure.
OP
3RRL
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Oh wow Rox, thank you.
I've had those animal mounts for many years but I never had them on the wall in my Rancho home except in the garage.
The ceilings were just too low. When Loretta and I first got together she wasn't too hot about them either. It wasn't until we started camping up here at the property that she started shooting and hunting. I think she developed a new awareness for guns and hunting and how responsible hunters respect all animals. That there exists a reverend bond between hunter and game. Although she only dove hunts, she has a totally different outlook on it than before.
What was really cool is that she was really excited about having them mounted in our new home ... which really blew my mind. I let her pick out where she thought they would look the best. She says they are a handsome addition to the log home and very fitting for the environment, so I'm very happy about that. To tell yo the truth, I was worried that they would be offensive to some people. I was trying to be considerate, but then I remembered they don't pay my mortgage. lol ... Loretta agrees with that too.
Needless to say, I'm very happy to hear you like them so much too.
About the snakes, there are plenty of field mice and ground squirrels for them all around (everywhere) so I don't think they would go away for that. I think they will go where it is most comfortable for them. They use those rocks for shelter. We just have to keep a sharp eye out for them.
I've had those animal mounts for many years but I never had them on the wall in my Rancho home except in the garage.
The ceilings were just too low. When Loretta and I first got together she wasn't too hot about them either. It wasn't until we started camping up here at the property that she started shooting and hunting. I think she developed a new awareness for guns and hunting and how responsible hunters respect all animals. That there exists a reverend bond between hunter and game. Although she only dove hunts, she has a totally different outlook on it than before.
What was really cool is that she was really excited about having them mounted in our new home ... which really blew my mind. I let her pick out where she thought they would look the best. She says they are a handsome addition to the log home and very fitting for the environment, so I'm very happy about that. To tell yo the truth, I was worried that they would be offensive to some people. I was trying to be considerate, but then I remembered they don't pay my mortgage.
lol ... Loretta agrees with that too. Needless to say, I'm very happy to hear you like them so much too.
About the snakes, there are plenty of field mice and ground squirrels for them all around (everywhere) so I don't think they would go away for that. I think they will go where it is most comfortable for them. They use those rocks for shelter. We just have to keep a sharp eye out for them.
tony123
Platinum Member
Rob, unfortunately, you will probably get to know the snake population on a first name basis.
I'm enjoying all the photos!
tony
I'm enjoying all the photos!
tony
OP
3RRL
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Hi Tony, yeah, you're right about that!
Good news on the solar power.
Yesterday the contractor came out to do the final "initial charge" to the batteries and to hook all 6 inverters together ... one master and 5 slaves. First thing I did was check to see if the 10hp 3 phase converter motor would start. IT DID easily. Man, am I happy about that. Now I can get to wiring the 3 phase machines up.
The batteries for the first time showed (via specific gravity) that they were fully charged ... all of them. Some were slightly above 1.265 and some were slightly below, but way better checking from battery to battery. We set the generator to start on low voltage only instead of the 1 hour run at 8:00pm. Well, it never came on last night and the batteries got down to 50v as the lowest point. We'll see today if that continues. If so, under normal power usage, the batteries will finally be doing their job. I did a lot of welding last night in the barn too, so really sucked the power down. If they didn't hold their charge, the generator would've come on last night for sure.
So far it's all good news!
Good news on the solar power.
Yesterday the contractor came out to do the final "initial charge" to the batteries and to hook all 6 inverters together ... one master and 5 slaves. First thing I did was check to see if the 10hp 3 phase converter motor would start. IT DID easily. Man, am I happy about that. Now I can get to wiring the 3 phase machines up.
The batteries for the first time showed (via specific gravity) that they were fully charged ... all of them. Some were slightly above 1.265 and some were slightly below, but way better checking from battery to battery. We set the generator to start on low voltage only instead of the 1 hour run at 8:00pm. Well, it never came on last night and the batteries got down to 50v as the lowest point. We'll see today if that continues. If so, under normal power usage, the batteries will finally be doing their job. I did a lot of welding last night in the barn too, so really sucked the power down. If they didn't hold their charge, the generator would've come on last night for sure.
So far it's all good news!
Last edited:
charlz
Elite Member
Good news on the batteries and the phase converter. Hopefully no damage was done to the batteries with him not having them set up, charged etc etc.
It will be interesting to see how your first winter goes as that will be the true test of a solar power system.
It will be interesting to see how your first winter goes as that will be the true test of a solar power system.
OP
3RRL
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Thanks Charles, yeah, it is good news. Over the last few days the generator has not come on once except Saturday's 20 minute exercise period. We haven't altered our power consumption either. In fact, as you say, we are very hopeful. I think it's definitely working better as the Sun hits the solar panels later in the morning now and ducks down sooner already. With the mountains on the East and West of us, it's made a good 1/2 hour each way in the last month already...very noticeable.
Next week I'll starting a couple new projects around the home where I'll be doing some welding and maybe some machining too?
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Thanks for posting your success!
It's great when a plan comes together as envisioned.
Due to Licensing constraints in the SF Bay Area I've had to start running the Hospital generators once every 2 weeks instead of once a week. It's been two years and haven't noticed any operational changes except my diesel consumption is now half of what it was.
It's great when a plan comes together as envisioned.
Due to Licensing constraints in the SF Bay Area I've had to start running the Hospital generators once every 2 weeks instead of once a week. It's been two years and haven't noticed any operational changes except my diesel consumption is now half of what it was.