Mike status update (Lucky Monkeys Ranch)

Mike here. Sorry about the long absence, but I'm really off grid, and get internet
via cell phone and oversold 3g data, or go to the public library, and use the service
there. Not conducive to much chatting at all.

Status
Totally moved from Los Angeles, and into the new house which just passed final inspection
on Nov 21.

Heating is mucked up, somehow the mason thought the "heated bench" needed some
insulation to keep it from being too hot. If 55F is too hot, he was right. The bench
surface composes about 30% of what was supposed to be a 140F radiant heat surface.
And if code requires damper to remain 5% open, then 50% open would be a lot better, right?
So the 21 hours a day the heater is not burning, it's thermosiphoning the heat that is supposed
to go into the house, up the flue. Dingbat! I'm trying to heat the whole outdoors, and
folks far north of me, are burning less wood. http://www.tempcast.com/testimonials.html
So I'm very busy hauling a huge cart of wood every couple days. That 2 cords is not going
to last past January !

Currently, we are expecting a monster rainstorm for the next 2-4 days, with 10-20 inches forecast.
Flood warnings are up for tomorrow (Sat) when all that rain hits. We are on a well drained rise,
and above any reasonably expected flood zone.

Solar, I've had several 4 & 5 day runs of clouds, and one 13 day run without getting to absorb,
when big batteries get low, it takes a long time to fill them back up. But I'm not using much water!

Generator(s), Currently, the "big iron" is down, all the gaskets started leaking coolant, and
need replacing. For my spare time, when not hauling wood. Belt alignment is off, and it keeps
throwing the belt, so I have to "tweak" the mounting bolt alignment till it's OK. Tedious.
Since "big iron" never powered up it's alternator, I think either the mice fired the windings (bad)
or the core lost it's residual magnetism. When the belt stays on, I'll diagnose that. And
since no power was coming out, I've not needed to wire up Aux input on the XW6048, so my 3600rpm
screamer is off line. So I'm down to the Honeywell 2000i and the 15A Iota charger. At least
that runs, after 10 minutes of pull cord.

Batteries: Calculating whats going in, and coming out, I'm needing 2 ah charge, to replace 1 ah
used. Not as I'd planned. I've got the carbonate test kit, but have not had time to set it up,
with all the other emergencies (oh, you want to pass final, do this.... and call me back), it
will have to wait it's turn. I'll run the generator between storm cells, and wait for sun.

Wife: Must have toaster. Camp toaster over stove burner, or frypan with butter not acceptable.

So, I've been quite busy, my clothes are spread between 2 storage buildings and none in my closet,
moving in, is the lowest priority. Gotta go, and hope to be back soon.
Mike