KatahdinMaineHomestead

In this video we use rough sawn Hemlock for the woodwork. It looks nice! All of the power to run the tools came from the sun.

Today I got the new cabin painted. In the next video we will do some woodwork!

We were able to get another burn permit so we took advantage!

Here's how we rigged up a bathtub to the grey water system.

We aren't impressed with Sungold Power. Here is why. #1. Their "kit" doesn't come with all needed components. You have to find additional components to get it in to operation. #2. Their system as is, can't handle the panels supplied with the "kit" because of over voltage. On a cloudy day it can't handle 2400 watts much less the 2700 supplied on one PV connection. You need to buy a combiner and series/parallel to keep the PV voltage low. They only supply one pair of PV cables so you'd think you can series the panels together. NOPE! #3. When I buy a kit, I expect it to be complete and able to be put in to service on arrival. I don't expect to have to source more components from elsewhere to get it to work.

Today we moved a 300 amp hour, 48 VDC battery bank in to the new place and connected it to the inverter. Then we discovered that the Sungold "kit" ....again....didn't come with all needed components. Sungold is subpar. Standby for another video about them. If you want a spoiler...we ain't impressed.

Last year a leach field was built. This video shows running the pipe from it to the new cabin.

Here be we, setting up solar for the other cabin.

During this trip brush was burned, more brush was made, firewood was cut, solar panels were set up and sheetrock was taped & mudded.

Mudding and taping was on the project list this trip along with some other things. Stay tuned for another video coming soon with other projects!

You'll be seeing this again. The plan is to use it on the homestead with the Ham Radio set up.

Get a lazy guy....or is it a smart guy and he'll find an easier way to do things.

The chain brake on the Husky broke, I ordered a replacement which arrived and doesn't work. Here I am trying to conjure up something. Part of off-grid and homestead life is being able to fix things yourself. Although I didn't fix it this time, it's because of a bad part and it was worth a try to see if I could make something work using new/used parts.

Winter hasn't been much to speak of, but the homestead got a whopping early spring snowstorm. Ol' Red came through.

Over time things wear out on these so called "roads". Here I'm replacing some worn trailer suspension parts. Part of being a homesteader is being able to fix your own things.

Mud season is here. We are taking advantage of early melting and getting rid of more brush. Summer might be dry and the better months are needed for other projects. There are many things that need to get done this year!

The sheetrock is near completion. Only a couple of more smaller pieces will need to be put up when the time comes. After the ground thaws and the building settles, it'll be a mudding and taping party. It's getting there!

The building was delivered last fall. A winter's project is working on the interior. The original plan to stick build just wasn't feasible because of time constraints.

This tiny wood stove throws a ton of heat and uses very little wood.

Now he can plow snow with heat and a radio! He paid $200 for the plow and MacGyver'd the controls. Yep, it works. The total cost is just a few bucks under $1,000 including the plow to get this truck going.

Dave resurrected the old 2005 Chevy. It wouldn't start and now it's running good.

It was cold, but 6 panels are set up.

This was a free machine, but after starting it gas began pouring out of the vent. Here is the problem and solution. If the issue begins to happen again, then we might have to rebuild the carb. It'll come handy around the homestead.

I extended uni-strut from 10' to 12'6" to mount solar panels on. Now it's Dave's show to get them put together.

We got another daytime burning permit so more brush went away. It seems like this will be a never ending project. In time we plan on opening up more area for pasture so yeah...that'll make more brush too.