Time flies when you are having fun. /sarc
Well, it isn't quite like that. A week has gone by without any posts here. When I re-activated this blog, I didn't realize how little I would post on it.
But the off-grid project continues.
Some of the posts on the other blog belong here, but I was too lazy to sign in over here, and so I neglected this blog.
On the other blog, I mentioned some RV training I was considering. I signed up for an online course to get some education on how to drive this thing. Despite doing deliveries for over 30 years, I never handled anything like this trailer before, so the training is going to be necessary.
The training only costs 39 bucks, so it is a bargain. Another alternative would have been to take the trailer out to the school, but I don't want to undo a lot of stuff that has been done around here. If I undo it, it will be to move out permanently. That is a big step.
Thus far, I have covered about 20 percent of the course.
Let's be realistic here. Even with a course like this, there is no substitute to actually driving the thing around. So, this is just a start.
Sunday, January 20, 2019
Sunday, January 13, 2019
Old dog learning new tricks
One of the goals of living out in the desert is to use the least amount of water possible.
Today, I tried an experiment in cooking. This method of cooking isn't new to me, but what is new is how I did it. I adapted it to something that I have done before. The result wasn't that bad, and may be adaptable to more dishes.
Anyway, here's what I did. I took some meat and put it into some aluminum foil. In addition to that, I took some frozen french fries, and also put it into some aluminum foil. However, they are separate from each other. I put both of these pieces of aluminum wrapped around some frozen food into a pot with a lid. The pot was put on a stove at the lowest or nearly the lowest setting. I let it cook for thirty minutes, and voila--- a meal.
The advantage to this is that it doesn't make a mess that requires a lot of water to clean up. No dishes to wash, in other words. The aluminum foil might be reusable for something else, or it can be thrown out.
So, at the cost of NO water, I was able to cook a meal. Instead of water, it cost some aluminum foil, which might be usable for some other purpose.
These kinds of methods have allowed me to cut my water usage down to nearly nothing besides drinking water.
However, in the summer, I will need plenty of water for the "swamp" cooler. What I am saying is that I think I can reach the goal of five gallons of water per day or less. Even in the summer. At peak usage, I can get about an hour for a gallon of water. If I stretch it, I may get a bit more. That should be close to enough.
But I am always thinking up new ideas like this. It may be possible to recapture some of this water using the dehumidifier. However, that takes a lot of energy. This could be a topic for another post.
Today, I tried an experiment in cooking. This method of cooking isn't new to me, but what is new is how I did it. I adapted it to something that I have done before. The result wasn't that bad, and may be adaptable to more dishes.
Anyway, here's what I did. I took some meat and put it into some aluminum foil. In addition to that, I took some frozen french fries, and also put it into some aluminum foil. However, they are separate from each other. I put both of these pieces of aluminum wrapped around some frozen food into a pot with a lid. The pot was put on a stove at the lowest or nearly the lowest setting. I let it cook for thirty minutes, and voila--- a meal.
The advantage to this is that it doesn't make a mess that requires a lot of water to clean up. No dishes to wash, in other words. The aluminum foil might be reusable for something else, or it can be thrown out.
So, at the cost of NO water, I was able to cook a meal. Instead of water, it cost some aluminum foil, which might be usable for some other purpose.
These kinds of methods have allowed me to cut my water usage down to nearly nothing besides drinking water.
However, in the summer, I will need plenty of water for the "swamp" cooler. What I am saying is that I think I can reach the goal of five gallons of water per day or less. Even in the summer. At peak usage, I can get about an hour for a gallon of water. If I stretch it, I may get a bit more. That should be close to enough.
But I am always thinking up new ideas like this. It may be possible to recapture some of this water using the dehumidifier. However, that takes a lot of energy. This could be a topic for another post.
Some video about the Starship
Comment:
This was an idea that I had. Go down there to Boca Chica ( near Brownsville Texas ) and check it out.
Seems like this lass has it covered.
This was an idea that I had. Go down there to Boca Chica ( near Brownsville Texas ) and check it out.
Seems like this lass has it covered.
.@SpaceX is working hard to build the first Starship prototype at Boca Chica, Texas. It's exciting to see it unfold! Inspiring!— Evelyn Janeidy Arevalo (@JaneidyEve) January 9, 2019
Can't wait for the first hop tests! #SpaceX @elonmusk #SuperHeavy #Starship pic.twitter.com/f18FQmhMkq
Saturday, January 12, 2019
This isn't Memorex, it's real
Comment:
Looks like a pic from a sci-fi movie of long ago. But this thing is real. It is the "hopper", which is a test vehicle that Spacex wants to begin making for real this year.
The test vehicle is similar to what Spacex did with its reusable booster development, which is now fully operational.
No info about when this thing begins testing.
Looks like a pic from a sci-fi movie of long ago. But this thing is real. It is the "hopper", which is a test vehicle that Spacex wants to begin making for real this year.
The test vehicle is similar to what Spacex did with its reusable booster development, which is now fully operational.
No info about when this thing begins testing.
SpaceX reveals picture of fully assembled suborbital Starship hopper https://t.co/AIsRSiPbhb— Greg Meadows (@BootsandOilBlog) January 12, 2019
Starship test flight rocket just finished assembly at the @SpaceX Texas launch site. This is an actual picture, not a rendering. pic.twitter.com/k1HkueoXaz— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 11, 2019
Friday, January 11, 2019
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Stratolaunch gets ready for takeoff with 136 mph taxi test
Comment:
Could someone do what Musk did with reusable boosters, and get the Dream Chaser in orbit with this platform?
Looking at the specs would seem to be doubtful. Therefore, you may need a different rocket.
A methane fueled booster might do it, since it has higher ISP, and therefore would need less fuel. But you need to shave about 1/3 of the mass of the thing to get under the weight limit.
Guess the better question is how much mass can the Stratolaunch system boost into orbit. Depends on the rocket, but the Stratolaunch itself can hold 500k pounds. The Atlas V can boost 46k pounds to orbit on a rocket that masses out at just less than 750k pounds.
You wouldn't need as big a rocket since it would already be airborne, but it is still a big rocket. Maybe too big.
Stratolaunch gets world’s biggest airplane ready for takeoff with 136 mph taxi test https://t.co/0sN2Ita9zF via @GeekWire— Greg Meadows (@BootsandOilBlog) January 10, 2019
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
ThorCon to end energy poverty
Comment:
It may be better to say that the WILL end it, as opposed to "can" end it.
Why should it not be successful? It is a proven concept for 40 years. Up until now, it has not been commercialized.
ThorCon is not re-inventing the wheel. They are just building upon what has already been done.
It may be better to say that the WILL end it, as opposed to "can" end it.
Why should it not be successful? It is a proven concept for 40 years. Up until now, it has not been commercialized.
ThorCon is not re-inventing the wheel. They are just building upon what has already been done.
ThorCon can end energy poverty and global warming with cheap, nonstop power. https://t.co/KQVDcOHuY5— Thorcon Power (@ThorconPower) December 16, 2018
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Bill Gates on Nuclear Energy: "It is ideal"
Comment:
Too bad he won't spend his money on PROVEN concepts though, like the molten-salt reactor. If he did that, the tech would commercialized by now.
Bill Gates on #NuclearEnergy: “Nuclear is ideal for dealing with #ClimateChange, because it is the only carbon-free, scalable energy source that’s available 24 hours a day” https://t.co/D1QG5XlP04— Terrestrial Energy (@TerrestrialMSR) January 2, 2019
Spacex attempt to catch fairing
Comment:
This attempt fails, but it is still really cool to watch. It comes very close to a catch, but the paraglider took it just short of the net.
One of these days, they will succeed. Then it will be another feather in the cap for Spacex.
This attempt fails, but it is still really cool to watch. It comes very close to a catch, but the paraglider took it just short of the net.
One of these days, they will succeed. Then it will be another feather in the cap for Spacex.
Recent fairing recovery test with Mr. Steven. So close! pic.twitter.com/DFSCfBnM0Y— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 8, 2019
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
NASA gives the thumbs up for production of Dream Chaser space plane
Comment:
The Dream Chaser is an unpowered space vehicle. That means that it needs a rocket in order to achieve orbit. Presumably, it can be launched using a multitude of launch vehicles. If not, I have to ask what good is it?
Still, I am all for it if it really works.
The Dream Chaser is an unpowered space vehicle. That means that it needs a rocket in order to achieve orbit. Presumably, it can be launched using a multitude of launch vehicles. If not, I have to ask what good is it?
Still, I am all for it if it really works.
NASA gives the thumbs up for production of Dream Chaser space plane https://t.co/bqA1MxBg9M via @YahooNews— Greg Meadows (@BootsandOilBlog) January 2, 2019
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