Expanding Our Solar

A couple of years ago we got our freezer and secondary fridge on solar. At the time, we only used three of the five solar panels we bought off Craigslist. That's left two panels that we've wanted to put to use. One of our miscellaneous spring projects was to make a start on getting those up and running. While the project isn't completed, we've made progress!

Solar panels on the roof and concrete
pad for the battery bank on the ground.

For the battery bank, what we've decided to do is to use the bank we originally set up for the freezer and fridge. At 705 amp-hours, it just isn't enough when we have a dark, cloudy spell. But it will be perfect for this system, where we plan to use it to power radios and computers, and for emergency auxiliary lighting if the power goes out. For the freezer and fridge, we will install a new, larger amp-hour batter bank.

For now, the project is on hold because "food first." We hope to make more progress as soon as planting season is over. 

Expanding Our Solar © May 2022 by Leigh

at http://www.5acresandadream.com

Swale Project: More Experiments

Digging swales is our big infrastructure project for 2022.

Proposed plan for approximate swale placement.

The first swale was for the kitchen and canning garden. We dug this one by hand. It was a lot of work, but not too bad with the two of us working on it.

Blog posts with more pictures here and here.

It still needs a bit of leveling, but it works well and captures a lot of rainwater.

Next, Dan hand dug a second small swale for the little production patch next to the driveway. No roots and soft soil, so it went pretty quickly.

After we get a good rain to see how
level it is, we'll fill with wood chips.

This spot is where we plant a plot of something, like corn or wheat, rather than a bed. But because it's located on a high point of our property, it dries out quickly once we hit our summer dry spell. Whatever  rainwater we can catch here will hydrate the soil more deeply than just rain. 

The more challenging swales are the ones for our pastures, because they are too big to dig by hand. But we've finally made a start! We started with the pasture closest to the garden, where we can use a spillway to direct garden swale overflow into the pasture swale.

After we moved that big mound of dirt, the next step was to find and flag a level line for the swale.

We used an inexpensive transit to find a level line for a swale.

Being level is key to a swale's effectiveness, because it ensures the water will be distributed evenly across the length of the swale.

Flags mark a level path for a future swale.

The how-to has been the big question. People often use large equipment such as a backhoe to make swales. But a lot of folk have been creative with what they have and have used turn plows or scraper blades. 

Dan decided to see what the scraper could do and made a start.

Then he ripped it and scraped it again.

Then the tractor called it quits and stopped running. At least we've made a start.

Swale Project: More Experiments © May 2022

by Leigh at http://www.5acresandadream.com

Blogger Problems: Embedded Comments

A friendly neighborhood public service announcement here. 

This isn't a new problem, but it's a recurring one that's back once again. It's this: some of us are having problems commenting on blogs that use embedded comments. 

Specifically, with embedded comments, Blogger won't let folks login to leave a comment. The bug is that the sign into Google button doesn't work. It doesn't sign you into your account. It does nothing. And actually, this is ironic, since I'm already signed into my Google account!

The problem varies depending on who is allowed to comment on the blog.

1. Comments allowed by anyone including anonymous
2. Comments allowed by those with a Google account

On blogs that have selected option #1, the comment box looks like this.

Click to biggify

Our choices look like this:

The "Google Account" option doesn't work, so if I want you to know it's me, I have to use "Name/URL." If I have the time and enthusiasm, I'm willing to do that. But if I'm in a time crunch or it's late and I'm tired, I'll leave it for later and usually forget about coming back. It is a bit inconvenient, so I'm guessing some folks don't even bother.

On blogs that have selected option #2, the comment box looks like this.

Click to biggify

Clicking on "Sign in with Google" only refreshes the page. It does not allow you to sign in, so it doesn't allow you to comment! There's no workaround for this one.

So, If you're wondering why you aren't getting comments or why some of your regulars seem to have disappeared, it's likely because of choosing embedded comments. If you want to change it, here's how.

On the lefthand side of your dashboard select "Settings."

Click for larger view

Scroll down to "Comments" and click on "Comment location"

Click for a better look-see

Make your selection and save.

If you want to change who can comment, click on that one.

Click to biggify

Make your selection and hit save.

I love the concept of embedded comments because it allows numerous side conversations that are interesting and helpful. But it's routinely had enough problems that it frustrates people. As a courtesy to them, I don't use it. But of course, what you do is up to you!

Next time, back to homestead stuff.

Blogger Problems: Embedded Comments © May 2022

by Leigh at http://www.5acresandadream.com