Sensors

One of the frustrations in planning our heat sink and solar heating system is the lack of documentation available to support the theories. Many systems have been designed and used, with some being more successful than others, but few, that we can find, have data to support their successes or failures.

Brad has been in touch with Don Colvin of Mukilteo, WA to set up a system that will record the actual results of our system. Don has ordered 18 sensors to place in the heat sink at different locations, plus sensors to place outside the heat sink, some nearby and others further away. In this way there will be a record of the actual temperatures, recorded on a daily basis, so we can evaluate the success of our solar heating system.

More will follow on this topic...

Judy's Story

Brad went skiing today; I ran errands; Ed worked on accounting stuff; and the crew had the day off. This is what we missed by being off site:

***

So I was outside this afternoon...actually doing a little yard work. (And yes it was cold.) There was a car stopped in the lane, near your trailer, so I thought I would ask the driver my standard question...i.e., "Are you lost?". But then I saw he had a camera in his hand. So instead, I said, "Guess you aren't lost..." He was photographing the carport/guest house. Said he was wondering about the empty space at the top. So I told him a little about the building, and he said that he is an architect. As the conversation continued, he mentioned that the person he trained with taught him that "you can do anything", but that when he started working, he found that it wasn't true. Finally said that he was trained by Frank Lloyd Wright. And yes, he was the right age. While he could have been some kind of inspector, I think not. (Also, he and his wife were in a rented car.) He seemed wistful, that someone was able to design and build an unusual building. I explained about recycled materials and wished that Brad were there to take the "kudos". I'll tell him, if/when I see him. But if not, be sure to tell him that the building was admired by an architect trained by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Barn's Electrical

passed final inspection!

No Squished Utilities...

This is a temporary plank road for crossing the utilities.
The end of next week we'll be ready for tractor work, and
the tractor is heavy with the capacity to damage the utilities.
The planks are in preparation for the tractor work. Check
out the beautiful mulch from Ken Petry in the background
waiting to be spread.

Coming soon -- guesthouse roof

The push the past two days has been to clean up the beams
and rafters for roof building next week. Staging is a big part
of any project. Travis has just carried another prepared
rafter to the guesthouse. Note behind the guesthouse,
plywood is also ready.

The Sun's Energy...

Brad with Chris and Kelly of Whidbey Sun & Wind Renewable
Energy Systems dialed in the details of our solar system today.

Ben laboring to cover utilities

which is no small task. He's checking the
levels for drainage; making sure the cables
are protected from bending, rocks and sharp
objects; bundling so cables don't separate;
and checking on a million details to insure
years of no interrupted service on our
guesthouse and main living utilities.