Turns out there was a huge gash made in the tire wall, having to replace the whole thing.
A picture from later in the day, after Dad's curtain hanging project.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Had a flat tire...
On my way to my Dad's I hit a huge hole in I-75 where a chunk of concrete popped out of the road. About 9 miles later I noticed the van in front of me had a left rear flat tire. I flagged him as I passed him. Then 2 miles later (just shy of the Mackinac Bridge) I noticed my same tire was also flat!
Turns out there was a huge gash made in the tire wall, having to replace the whole thing.
A picture from later in the day, after Dad's curtain hanging project.
Turns out there was a huge gash made in the tire wall, having to replace the whole thing.
A picture from later in the day, after Dad's curtain hanging project.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Always fixing something
The wife's 2001 Pontiac Montana needed a new wheel bearing. When I had it apart, Adam notices the tie-rod end was shot, so replaced that too.
Did you know the axle nut is bigger than 32mm but smaller than 34mm? I didn't!
Did you know the axle nut is bigger than 32mm but smaller than 34mm? I didn't!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Christmas at the farm
Drove up to see the Rudyard Ross's, Dawn and Rachel followed at their own pace (long story there!)
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Chains on!
Got the chains on the tractor again this year. Figured out the one side was so hard to get connected because it was missing two links! Must be a joke in there somewhere!
Friday, December 25, 2009
All the kids were home for Christmas
Couldn't ask for much more. But we got it!
Especially that TV in the background!
Especially that TV in the background!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Twas the night before Christmas
The tree and the stockings are all set to go!
Notice it didn't take too long for the entertainment center to get cluttered up!
Notice it didn't take too long for the entertainment center to get cluttered up!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
La Senorita for Dawn's Birthday dinner
Mary joined us for dinner at La Senorita to celebrate Dawn's birthday.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Starting my own project
I intend to take this wood
and put it here in our living room and see what happens...
and put it here in our living room and see what happens...
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Got a chance
I got to go see what my brother and Dad have been working on while I was working out of town: the solar panels are up:
The 10Kw backup generator is installed:
The batteries have a box, vented to the outdoors and are connected to the charge controller:
From the right, the charge control system, the 2500 watt 110v inverter and generator transfer switch:
And (left-most) connection to the house:
They've got it all connected except the backup generator auto-start, controlled by low battery voltage.
The details are:
6 Kyocera KC130TM (130 watt, 12v) panels wired in 3 pairs then paralleled to a Flexcharge Charge Controller (Charlevoix MI 547-9430) This goes to a bank of 12-6v NAPA 8144N (115min @ 75amps) lead acid batteries, 3 groups paralleled of 4 in series.
The inverter is from Outback Power Systems and supplies a maximum of 20amps at 120v to the house.
Pretty cool to have power in the house!
The 10Kw backup generator is installed:
The batteries have a box, vented to the outdoors and are connected to the charge controller:
From the right, the charge control system, the 2500 watt 110v inverter and generator transfer switch:
And (left-most) connection to the house:
They've got it all connected except the backup generator auto-start, controlled by low battery voltage.
The details are:
6 Kyocera KC130TM (130 watt, 12v) panels wired in 3 pairs then paralleled to a Flexcharge Charge Controller (Charlevoix MI 547-9430) This goes to a bank of 12-6v NAPA 8144N (115min @ 75amps) lead acid batteries, 3 groups paralleled of 4 in series.
The inverter is from Outback Power Systems and supplies a maximum of 20amps at 120v to the house.
Pretty cool to have power in the house!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Back home!
After a solid 3 weeks of preparation and a week on the road, got a presentation off my 'to do' list at work. Haven't had any time to get to my Dad's all month!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Oh, No!
Got a call this morning that Rachel was feeling sick at the hotel after the marching competition. I took her to the Dr. after she got back to town where we learned she officially had the flu -- probably H1N1 (swine flu)! Joy.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Marching Northmen!
Took the day and went to watch Rachel march in a competition at Jenison, MI (west of Grand Rapids). They put on a great show, the last one I am able to see as I have to be out of town next week.
They took second (the only 2nd they got this year), though they are #1 in my book!
They competed against the same school later that evening in another competition and won there!
They took second (the only 2nd they got this year), though they are #1 in my book!
They competed against the same school later that evening in another competition and won there!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Back from a weekend of rafting!
Tom & Deb joined Gerald & I for a double upper Gauley White Water Rafting adventure. The last time I went was two years ago with Tom & Jim.
You can see more pictures at Leisure Sports Photography. Once you click there and give them your email, come back here and click this link to jump directly to #89. We have shots 77-90 (IMG_2374 - IMG_2386).
The food was awesome, the weather was perfect, the company was pun-tiful, Tom was the only one to go floating, and Jackie was a great guide!
Oh, yeah, the White Water Rafting on the Gauley was top notch as well!
My HTML picture repository can be found here.
You can see more pictures at Leisure Sports Photography. Once you click there and give them your email, come back here and click this link to jump directly to #89. We have shots 77-90 (IMG_2374 - IMG_2386).
The food was awesome, the weather was perfect, the company was pun-tiful, Tom was the only one to go floating, and Jackie was a great guide!
Oh, yeah, the White Water Rafting on the Gauley was top notch as well!
My HTML picture repository can be found here.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Off grid supplies have arrived
Dad called to say that Bob has delivered all the expected supplies, and that solar panels are now hanging from the tractor shed.
Still a lot of assembly to go!
Still a lot of assembly to go!
