Frustrations...

It's May, and spring is here. I have been very patient up till this point, but my patience is starting to crumble, especially concerning the government. They owe me almost $7000, and I've been waiting for the stupid cheque to arrive! I sent in all the documents a month ago, and nothing has arrived yet. We're trying hard to keep things together, but it's pretty hard with no money.

The turbine is running decently enough. I had to take it down and fix the tower, a piece was loose, and the top of it was wobbling around. I'm not sure how that happened, but I can tell you that the next tower will be welded together, and I'm going to make it myself from the same materials, but stronger.

I also purchased a battery charger, that cost me nearly $550. The idea was that I could charge the batteries while still using them normally. Right now, when the generator is charging the batteries, it's also running the house, and the slightest surge pops the breaker on the generator, which means we have to reset it. Even typing this, I've reset the breaker three times! If the generator is just charging, the inverter will provide all the surge power we need, while we restore power to the batteries. Seems like a good idea, but the STUPID CHARGER STOPPED WORKING!! There no lights flashing, no noise coming from it, and no charging. Just, nothing. So, now I get to take it back and find out why the heck it crapped out. I tell you, when I realized that yesterday, I went into a foul mood, and snapped every crayon I have! My poor family....

I hate operating with a deficit, it makes doing anything just so much harder. I've got some substantial pay raises coming soon, and we'll be in the black before long, but it still sucks for the time being. If anyone who reads this feels like they would like to pray for us, don't hesitate.

Here's what I advise for anyone who wants an off grid power system...Buy the best quality components you can find, even if it means you have to delay the purchase of some other desired item. Get yourself at least 2 days of battery capacity, and the best quality BATTERY STARTED generator you can afford! You should be able to fully recharge the batteries in 4 hours or less. You must have a functioning backup plan in case a generator or some other component fails. Get a battery meter that can tell you exactly how many amp hours are left in your battery, and be prepared to adjust your life around peak production times (Do laundry on windy days!) If you could afford it, a permanently mounted back up generator with auto-start would be the cat's pyjamas.

On the brighter side of things, my windbreak trees are being delivered on Saturday, and most of my vine-bearing plants like mellons, squash and cucumbers are now growing in flats inside my house. I really would love a greenhouse!!! That's on my wish list for the summer. If I sell my motorcycle, I could probably afford the materials to build such a wonderful item. I need some more raspberry plants, and I would love about 50 strawberry plants as well. I might get some of both items from our old garden in the city, if the new tenants are ok with my pilfering the garden. I'm sure they don't care, most city people don't like gardens.

For anyone who's curious, I am a regular on Homesteadingtoday.com, and my user name is adamtheha.