Time Crisis!!

Two days left...well, there would be if we hadn't extended our time a bit more. We're not ready yet, not even close!
A few delays, more costs, a cancelled project...what more could go wrong? Yet, even now, we are safe in God's hands.

I have spent more time in my house, and accomplished less than I can remember in a long time. Well, I haven't accomplished nothing, but less than I wanted to. We still don't have reliable power, our wood stove isn't installed, we have no stairs to speak of, the water is non functional, a sewer pipe needs to be reinstalled, and I haven't cabled the sucker to the ground yet. Add to that the ground rods that need to be pounded into the ground (with a sledge...phew), and you got more work than I can physically do in two days! So, our landlord has graciously allowed us another week or so to get things moving.

Electric: I built the battery box (kind of, it still needs a little work), and placed the massive batteries inside it. I wired them together according to the diagram, and tried to hook them to the inverter. The cables are too short!!! I had to get another 4 feet of the massive DC cable that ties the inverter to the batteries. Placing the inverter and DC disconnect was interesting too...so many holes drilled...don't tell anyone...
After establishing where the components were too be placed, I need to protect the cables from damage, so they all have to be placed in conduit pipe, which is unwieldy to work with, and requires fitting, and glue, blah blah blah. I ran short of the fittings I wanted, but I just got more today.
I opened the main panel to try and connect the AC side of the inverter...holy cow, what a confusing jumble! I tried several different configurations before abandoning the effort. I wasn't using the right size cable anyhow. I have the right cable, and the proper knowledge now, so it's off to the races tonite!
We also had the wrong kind of inverter. The new one cost $1100 more to exchange...there goes the wind turbine. We don't have enough for it now! But, the generator will fill in, charging the batteries so we can have power until I can afford the turbine. I really want to put one in, because there's so much wind out there, it would be silly not to take advantage of it! Hopefully in the new year...

At least the propane is taken care of. The guys came out with the tank, filled it out, piped it under the house, and hooked in the furnace. Once the power is up, all I have to do is flick it on, and we'll have heat! I also have a new hot water tank, dryer and stove to be hooked up. I wasn't strong enough to lift the appliances 5 feet straight up on my own, so I've left them outside for now. Thank God it hasn't snowed out there for a while.

My mother came over and expressed her concerns...sort of. Actually what she did was berate me about every mistake she thinks we made, starting with acting impulsively and buying the land right away. If I tried to defend anything, she would shut me down. It was a brutal, discouraging conversation, but it was mainly centered around the 15k that they co-signed on to help finish the project. I was hoping that this wouldn't happen, but it did. I need to make sure that this project works, or we will be in a world of hurt! After a year, we will be in a good spot to manage the costs, put some animals and plants in, and hopefully generate some income!

It's time to go for my daughter's birthday party, and after that...work time. I need that electrical running by tonite, and I'll work my fingers to the bone to get it! Hopefully without cutting myself again...

Next time I post, I'll have some project pictures to show.