WinSol Operations
Over the years I've done videos, written O+M (operations & maintenance) manuals, drawn system diagrams and even had a few people operate some of WinSol's systems. But if I ever leave WinSol for more than a month or two, it would be difficult for someone else to get up to speed on operating WinSol.
And as elders know: who would take this place over when I'm gone and how will they come to operate it with knowledge? So I'm currently in a 'death O+M mode' seeking caretaker/s, friends/family, AirBnB/helpers, etc. who could learn to love this place and take care of it for the next generation. This blog is a short version of WinSol's operating systems.
WATER - this is the most important of all systems. WinSol operates on 100% rainwater. If there's an active summer garden, then filling all water tanks before springtime is a priority. There are two main collection systems: the big green roof and the upper carport. The latter gravity feeds the large white tank. There are six storage tanks totallng over 25,000 gallons. The upper two tanks are for the main house only. The white tank supplies all the irrigation water. Each main tank has a smaller holding tank that has isolating valves (to prevent accidental discharge of the main tank). The GHS can get water from it's own black tank, or from the large white tank (valves just inside the northern GHS wall).
WinSol3's main roof collects up to 500 gallons per hour during a steady rain. That fills up the western cistern pretty quick. There's an overflow pipe on the cistern that gravity feeds the GHS tank. The cistern pump can be used to pump cistern water to the white tank or (in-line valve by white tank) to the top two domestic tanks.
It's important to be vigilant for water leaks - especially from July-Sept. Keeping all the valves closed, and using only the holding tanks will minimize water loss.
ENERGY WinSol operates on 100% solar & wind. The two SunRiver AGM deep discharge batteries located under the floor by the main e-panel, were purchased in 2012. As long as they retain 12.4vdc or more on a cold winter nite, they'll be fine.
There's a 2300watt Ryobi genset that is used (mostly during winter) for charging the batteries (using car battery charger and hooking cables to the solar battery - bottom of e-panel). The Genset can also be used for operating the fridges, X-box, water pump, etc. if the solar voltage is low.
The wind generator is not used a lot - the cables do run from the unit to the batteries, but they are currently shorted to prevent blade overspin (armature freezing).
GARDENS It's important to keep the raised beds covered with chicken wire or else the animals will dig it all up. Deer can easily enter the gardens and chew on everything. The olla pots when filled, will last for 10-15 days in hot summers.
WinSol3 MAIN HOUSE I wonder how WinSol would succumb to the elements. We've all seen old barns and houses collapsing off rural roads. first the roof gets broken, then rain and wind slowly finish off the walls with a little help from wildlife. With the singular metal roof and 12ton granite fireplace in the middle, it'll take at least 50-100 years. WinSol3 was built to withstand fires and high winds - metal and stone... so it'll take a while. First the side windows would pop, the weakest rafter or beam would start shifting in a high wind and eventually rattle loose, and then the creeping process would erode the floors - heavy snow and freeze/thaw cycles would quickly break loose the floor beams. UNLESS, unless there's someone there to put a little TLC into caulking and repairing windows and doors.
WinSol's main water shutoff valve is located in the pantry. There are two other valves in the bathroom to isolate possible leaks (esp from winter freezing). There's a main drain valve (red) located inside the bathroom compost toilet. between October-April the house lines are always drained after each departure. Repairing a broken water line (due to freezing) is no fun!
The propane tank (north side of house) feeds directly to the kitchen stove with a shutoff valve located at the left bottom of the stove. The oven needs to be manually lit and has the option of keeping the pilot on (wastes gas) if needed.
LEARNING CENTER
...under construction...
The water leaking onto the common area (big table area) floor will sag and drop within 5-10 years. The Dome will probably sink down but stay together as a one piece shell - it'll look funky leaning over!
And as elders know: who would take this place over when I'm gone and how will they come to operate it with knowledge? So I'm currently in a 'death O+M mode' seeking caretaker/s, friends/family, AirBnB/helpers, etc. who could learn to love this place and take care of it for the next generation. This blog is a short version of WinSol's operating systems.WATER - this is the most important of all systems. WinSol operates on 100% rainwater. If there's an active summer garden, then filling all water tanks before springtime is a priority. There are two main collection systems: the big green roof and the upper carport. The latter gravity feeds the large white tank. There are six storage tanks totallng over 25,000 gallons. The upper two tanks are for the main house only. The white tank supplies all the irrigation water. Each main tank has a smaller holding tank that has isolating valves (to prevent accidental discharge of the main tank). The GHS can get water from it's own black tank, or from the large white tank (valves just inside the northern GHS wall).
WinSol3's main roof collects up to 500 gallons per hour during a steady rain. That fills up the western cistern pretty quick. There's an overflow pipe on the cistern that gravity feeds the GHS tank. The cistern pump can be used to pump cistern water to the white tank or (in-line valve by white tank) to the top two domestic tanks.
It's important to be vigilant for water leaks - especially from July-Sept. Keeping all the valves closed, and using only the holding tanks will minimize water loss.
ENERGY WinSol operates on 100% solar & wind. The two SunRiver AGM deep discharge batteries located under the floor by the main e-panel, were purchased in 2012. As long as they retain 12.4vdc or more on a cold winter nite, they'll be fine.
There's a 2300watt Ryobi genset that is used (mostly during winter) for charging the batteries (using car battery charger and hooking cables to the solar battery - bottom of e-panel). The Genset can also be used for operating the fridges, X-box, water pump, etc. if the solar voltage is low.
The wind generator is not used a lot - the cables do run from the unit to the batteries, but they are currently shorted to prevent blade overspin (armature freezing).
GARDENS It's important to keep the raised beds covered with chicken wire or else the animals will dig it all up. Deer can easily enter the gardens and chew on everything. The olla pots when filled, will last for 10-15 days in hot summers.
WinSol3 MAIN HOUSE I wonder how WinSol would succumb to the elements. We've all seen old barns and houses collapsing off rural roads. first the roof gets broken, then rain and wind slowly finish off the walls with a little help from wildlife. With the singular metal roof and 12ton granite fireplace in the middle, it'll take at least 50-100 years. WinSol3 was built to withstand fires and high winds - metal and stone... so it'll take a while. First the side windows would pop, the weakest rafter or beam would start shifting in a high wind and eventually rattle loose, and then the creeping process would erode the floors - heavy snow and freeze/thaw cycles would quickly break loose the floor beams. UNLESS, unless there's someone there to put a little TLC into caulking and repairing windows and doors. WinSol's main water shutoff valve is located in the pantry. There are two other valves in the bathroom to isolate possible leaks (esp from winter freezing). There's a main drain valve (red) located inside the bathroom compost toilet. between October-April the house lines are always drained after each departure. Repairing a broken water line (due to freezing) is no fun!
The propane tank (north side of house) feeds directly to the kitchen stove with a shutoff valve located at the left bottom of the stove. The oven needs to be manually lit and has the option of keeping the pilot on (wastes gas) if needed.
LEARNING CENTER
...under construction...
The water leaking onto the common area (big table area) floor will sag and drop within 5-10 years. The Dome will probably sink down but stay together as a one piece shell - it'll look funky leaning over!
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