Terra-Dome Earth Shelter Build

[SamWalton]

Well after multiple attempts we have success on the installation of our water line into our home. We cleaned out our conduits for the water and electric, extended them to the electric box and to just before the water meter and replace an area of the 3" water conduit close to footing which hand unnecessary bends. We used High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) SDR 9.0 (Series 200) Copper Tube Size (CTS) Municipal Service Tubing and fittings after an unsuccessful attempt with the cheap black pipe. We will have the water flowing into our home very soon. We will need to decide on the electrical service wire basically to use current code or not. The "Y" connection at the end 3" water line to for a future fiber optic internet connection which will share the water line conduit and later occupy a 3/4" the rest of the way.

My son also fixed our Play Station 3 by re-flowing the CPU and GPU ball grid arrays with a heat gun.

 

[arkbound]

Another project well done Sam and family. I see improvising runs in the family. Good idea on the Play Station. It won't be long now before you start moving in. Did you ever get the insurance thing worked out? Would they give you insurance on the contents? Perhaps that won't cover theft of tools and equipment. Seems the insurance company would tell you what they can do to cover your situation. Good Luck with it.
arkbound

 

[SamWalton]

Another project well done Sam and family. I see improvising runs in the family. Good idea on the Play Station. It won't be long now before you start moving in. Did you ever get the insurance thing worked out? Would they give you insurance on the contents? Perhaps that won't cover theft of tools and equipment. Seems the insurance company would tell you what they can do to cover your situation. Good Luck with it.
arkbound

We have insurance through our current policy and will skip the builder's policy. After we move we will get better coverage for much less. I sealed the 3" cap with silicone and installed the future fiber optic conduit with pull string in hole and buried. We now have water into our utility room with a great flow rate.

 

[SamWalton]

We picked up 216 fee of 4/0-4/0-2/0 from Lowe's. The matched the Home depots Low price of $1.89 per foot. I would have purchased it at Home Depot but they didn't have enough length and told me they wouldn't order more until this was sols and the price was likely to go up. We pulled from the garage to the meter a 158 feet away. We used some lube and a large rope. It was relatively easy with the four of us unrolling, pushing and pulling. We installed the transfer switch and then installed the power feed from the transfer switch to the 200 amp main panel. We got a late start so we plan on finishing the terminations tomorrow. We will officially have water and electric inside our home.

 

[radioman]

nice progress sam. however, I am confused with last pic. your panel is built in wall and I don't see how you can punch out the holes with all that wood in the way, plus much less to drill holes from outside part of fram to line up where the holes would be? Am I missing something here ?

 

[SamWalton]

nice progress sam. however, I am confused with last pic. your panel is built in wall and I don't see how you can punch out the holes with all that wood in the way, plus much less to drill holes from outside part of fram to line up where the holes would be? Am I missing something here ?

The CH panel has five conduits into it. Two 2-1/2" on bottom and three 2" on the right side into our junction panel.

 

[arkbound]

Hi Sam,

Looks like you are "gitting 'er done". You had mentioned earlier that you work for the Army. You may already be aware that Home Depot and Lowes will give you a 10% discount on all your purchases if you show proof of being a veteran. I usually use my VA card. They do not advertise this, but I have since I found out about it last year from a hunting buddy. I believe Tractor supply does it also. Pass this info on to all vet's.

I have been re-cuperating after my knee operation. I am hobbling along with a walker and keeping the knee elevated and buzzzing on the meds. :confused2: :laughing: Gotta keep the ice on it to keep the swelling down.

 

[arkbound]

Sam,
Have you looked into a "Whole House" spike arrester for your installation? They may be available from your utility provider. Some companies will install then charge you a monthly fee, which is ridiculous. So many of our appliances now need protection of any surge over 5v it may be worth it to have a whole house protection system. I think one of the other guys mentioned it earlier in the blog.

 

[ND Vet]

Here are some pics of our build.

Are these ventilation tubes based on the earth tube idea? I have been reading about them and considering using them for our ventilation. Anybody else have any experience with them? Terra Dome is recomending the heat exchangers.

 

[carpolisher]

The earth tubes serve to temper the fresh air to the HRV unit improving its efficiency . TD recommends a central de-humidifier with fresh air inlet. The earth tube/HRV arrangement has worked well. John Hiat's book Improving the Earth Shelter gives a comprehensive guide on the passive use of earth tubes.

Bob