Solar Project Update!
Yesterday, despite the rain and cold that swept through Elephant Butte, Bill and Kathy complete the wiring for the charge controller and the circuit breaker, both mounted on the battery box next to the inverter.
Connecting wires to the inverter is difficult.
Whoever mounted the inverter on the wall of the PTV put it in a vertical position, rather than horizontally, like it was designed. This means the front of the inverter is now the top, and the back of the inverter is now the bottom. The wires need to be connected to the “bottom” of the inverter which is about 6 inches off the floor and impossible to see.
Bill gets the bright idea of taking a photo.
The photo shows an allen wrench is needed. After a few tries, Kathy finds the right size allen wrench and Bill sets to work loosening the screws in order to connect the wires. Uh oh. The last screw is giving Bill trouble. He can’t budge it with the allen wrench. Hmmm. Weird.
To add to our frustration, the rain comes and goes all day, sending us into our trailers for cover.
At last, Bill solves the mystery. The last screw requires a star wrench, a very tiny one. Kathy finds the right one and Bill completes the wiring. Whew!
All the connections to the batteries have been made. The batteries are securely strapped down. Kathy puts the lid on the box and seals it shut with the six screws.
“Well, we’ve just turned a corner, ” says Bill.
Soup pot
We smile at each other and decide to call it a day.
Kathy tells me her minestrone soup has been simmering for several hours. She’s going to add the pasta, and it’ll be ready in less than a half-hour.
“Would you like to have some?”
I give her one of my soup bowls and before long Kathy’s knocking at my door with my supper.
I turn on the tv, cozy up in the corner of the bed with the crew, and slurp down some of the best minestrone soup I’ve every tasted. It’s been a good day. And the desert got rain!
Minestrone
1 can beef broth
1 – 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 can kidney beans
1 can butter beans or garbanzo beans
1 can diced tomatoes
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and sliced or 1 can sliced carrots
1/2 head of green cabbage, chopped
Green chilies (optional, to taste)
Put ingredients in pot and cover with water. Boil until vegetables are soft. Reduce heat and simmer to “stew.” About 1/2 hour before eating, add 1 cup small shell or elbow macaroni and cook until macaroni is soft. Salt and pepper to taste.
Solar update . . . to be continued.
rvsue
rvsue and her canine crew 