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| From Winter-2011 |
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| From Winter-2011 |
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| From Winter-2011 |
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| From Winter-2011 |
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| From Winter-2011 |
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Friday, November 19, 2010
Rainwater Harvesting Cistern
So I finished installing the PEX plumbing, and started on a different water supply:
The decision to try a rainwater harvesting system came about for two reasons. One: Solar power and and a 2500+ watt well pump don't exactly play well together. Two: The cost of a water treatment system required to soften, remove iron, and remove sulfur is ridiculous. Plus, this alternative stuff is addicting :) The over simplified principle is to catch the water, remove large debris, and transfer it to the tank.
The more complex version requires a first flush device, a completely dark tank, a way to control sediment in the tank, a way to pump the "best" water from the tank, a filter system, and a purification system if the water is used as drinking water.
A "first flush" is an automated way avoid the first 10 or 20 gallons from the roof. It allows the dirt, leaves, bugs, bird shit, etc.. to get washed off the roof.
A rough filter in/on the gutters keeps leaves and/or sticks out of the water. (I'm actually pre-filtering the water down to 50 microns before it even hits the tank)
The tank, in my case, is a modified precast "pump house"(basically a septic tank) sealed with Thoroseal, a potable water safe concrete sealer. The rainwater enters the tank through a "calming inlet". This stops any rush of incoming fresh water from stirring up any sediment they may have made it into the tank. The complete lack of light in the makes impossible for any algae to grow.
The pump hose pickup is designed to pull water from about 8 inches below the surface of the water. This way it is above any sediment on the bottom, and below any surface debris floating on the surface. There is also a float switch to make sure the pump stops when the water level is too low.
The water is pumped into a pressure tank. From there it goes through a series of sediment and charcoal filters. In my case I use a 25 micron sediment filter into a 10 micron, and then a 1 micron charcoal filter. At this point water can be used for just about everything. For drinking water I plan to install a point of use UV purifier in the kitchen.
So after that long winded explanation: I'll have better water, and I only need 100 watt pump. Oh, and 1" of rain will produce about 600 gallons of water per 1000 sq. ft. of roof surface area. So with my 2000 sq. ft. of roof surface, and living in central new york, I should be able to completely cycle the cistern every couple weeks... on average.( almost 50,000 gallons a year from one roof!)
The decision to try a rainwater harvesting system came about for two reasons. One: Solar power and and a 2500+ watt well pump don't exactly play well together. Two: The cost of a water treatment system required to soften, remove iron, and remove sulfur is ridiculous. Plus, this alternative stuff is addicting :) The over simplified principle is to catch the water, remove large debris, and transfer it to the tank.
The more complex version requires a first flush device, a completely dark tank, a way to control sediment in the tank, a way to pump the "best" water from the tank, a filter system, and a purification system if the water is used as drinking water.
A "first flush" is an automated way avoid the first 10 or 20 gallons from the roof. It allows the dirt, leaves, bugs, bird shit, etc.. to get washed off the roof.
A rough filter in/on the gutters keeps leaves and/or sticks out of the water. (I'm actually pre-filtering the water down to 50 microns before it even hits the tank)
The tank, in my case, is a modified precast "pump house"(basically a septic tank) sealed with Thoroseal, a potable water safe concrete sealer. The rainwater enters the tank through a "calming inlet". This stops any rush of incoming fresh water from stirring up any sediment they may have made it into the tank. The complete lack of light in the makes impossible for any algae to grow.
The pump hose pickup is designed to pull water from about 8 inches below the surface of the water. This way it is above any sediment on the bottom, and below any surface debris floating on the surface. There is also a float switch to make sure the pump stops when the water level is too low.
The water is pumped into a pressure tank. From there it goes through a series of sediment and charcoal filters. In my case I use a 25 micron sediment filter into a 10 micron, and then a 1 micron charcoal filter. At this point water can be used for just about everything. For drinking water I plan to install a point of use UV purifier in the kitchen.
So after that long winded explanation: I'll have better water, and I only need 100 watt pump. Oh, and 1" of rain will produce about 600 gallons of water per 1000 sq. ft. of roof surface area. So with my 2000 sq. ft. of roof surface, and living in central new york, I should be able to completely cycle the cistern every couple weeks... on average.( almost 50,000 gallons a year from one roof!)
Solar Power Starter Kit
Well, it it won't power my shop tools, but it should power just about anything in the apartment.I welded up an aluminum mount and put it on top of a steel pole. The concrete, and location, is temporary... It definitely won't stand on it's own in a wind with that little bit of concrete. The array consists of 6 195 watt panels, and will eventually track the sun automatically.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
One more basic necessity provided
Well it's not concrete yet, but a few months of settling, a couple of layers of tamped sand and stone and it's close.
It's a bit of a religious debate as to where the plastic should be (below stone or below concrete), but I needed to stop the moisture until the slab is poured, so...
no hand tamping here...
My "Sanford & Son" scrap pile had to be replaced by a leach field. YES, more tree and stump removal...
With the cost of stone delivery going through roof these days, it was actually much cheaper, and easier, to go with a chamber system instead...
The prettiest it'll ever be...
Speed levelers ensure that all 3 trenches are used equally...
150 feet of trenches
I just need to back-fill...
It's a bit of a religious debate as to where the plastic should be (below stone or below concrete), but I needed to stop the moisture until the slab is poured, so...
no hand tamping here...
My "Sanford & Son" scrap pile had to be replaced by a leach field. YES, more tree and stump removal...
With the cost of stone delivery going through roof these days, it was actually much cheaper, and easier, to go with a chamber system instead...
The prettiest it'll ever be...
Speed levelers ensure that all 3 trenches are used equally...
150 feet of trenches
I just need to back-fill...
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Did I say 5 year plan?... Make that 10...
OK, so I haven't posted anything, anywhere in a couple of years, mainly because I haven't really done much. BUT, I finally got back into it this fall. Still moving slow, but it is moving...
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Done... maybe
Well, I think I've done all that I'm going to. Which is alot. I really didn't plan on doing anything after October, so I as far as I'm concerned this entire building is a bonus. Other than making the window for the dormer, I think I'm done until spring, which, this winter, isn't far away :-) I slapped on some Z-Brace doors, but I never got around to putting the battens on. Basically I ran out of sawn siding. 800 sq. ft. wasn't nearly enough wood! I had to mill a couple more trees just to have enough for the doors. The problem is that once you slice hemlock as thin as 1", you start to see alot more shake (splitting between growth rings) Of course you don't see it until you go to crosscut a board and it just falls into two pieces :-(
Hmmm, my shed just got a whole lot smaller, and the lawn mower still needs to be put away.
I noticed the crows seem to like my new roof, which didn't bother me until I noticed they have actually been ripping off my shingles. Muther F*&%$!! Time find a real scare crow.
On to indoor activities: Bridgeport Mill :-)
Hmmm, my shed just got a whole lot smaller, and the lawn mower still needs to be put away.
I noticed the crows seem to like my new roof, which didn't bother me until I noticed they have actually been ripping off my shingles. Muther F*&%$!! Time find a real scare crow.
On to indoor activities: Bridgeport Mill :-)
Friday, December 22, 2006
Monday, December 18, 2006
Yet another week in Dec.?, I'll take it :-)
Put a little work in on Saturday, 2 1/2 sides done. The snow came and went and it looks like it won't be here by Christmas. Can I still say Christmas???? 
This was the little bit that I received just after I finished the roof :-), Although I had about a foot and a half at the other house. Even that's melted now.
This was the little bit that I received just after I finished the roof :-), Although I had about a foot and a half at the other house. Even that's melted now.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Shed Construction Continues
One down 3 to go...
This is why I used 2x4 nailers, lots of shelves :-)
Click here for a 1 meg flash animation shed.swf
This is why I used 2x4 nailers, lots of shelves :-)
Click here for a 1 meg flash animation shed.swf
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Roof Complete :-)
Finally done( with the roof), including ridge vent. It's a little crooked, but that may be because of my ridge beam being so straight... not!
It was just a little colder this morning,
Just in time, and this is why I chose a 12/12 slope. :-)
It was just a little colder this morning,
Just in time, and this is why I chose a 12/12 slope. :-)
Friday, December 01, 2006
So, Close...
I almost made it, but the rain, 60 m.p.h. winds and snow will be here today. The backside is only about 75% covered :-(
