Snow and cold.

I was waiting for something to post about before this week's post, but I don't think anything is going to happen.

 

The weekend was mostly just snow.  We got about 6" on Saturday.  I stayed inside and played games most of the day.  Typically every year I get a new game to play, and this year I picked up Sea of Stars.  It will get reviewed when I finish it.  

 

Sunday was waiting for the snow to finish and then clearing the snow.  It took a few hours, since the bucket is slower, but I got the full driveway done.  There might have been a little play time on the tractor too.  

 

Other than that, not too much has gone on.  I did do a little legwork on the water situation of the box truck.  In short, 75 gallons should be enough for 2 weeks, with some to spare (though maybe not as much as you might think).  I had enough room for a 75 gallon tank under the bed.  But this allows me to use water freely, like I do at home. No consideration for conservation, outside of maybe keeping showers short.  It also allows for a dishwasher and a laundry machine.  I don't know yet if I can make the laundry machine fit, but I intend to try.  The dishwasher is already in the kitchen plans, so I can even run those while boondocking safely.  These are the more specific numbers:

• Showers: 5 @ 7gallons = 35 gallons
• Tea: 14 @ .5 gallons = 7 gallons
• Cooking: 14@ .25 gallons = 3.5 gallons
• DW: 4 @ 3 gallons = 12 gallons
• Cleaning: 2 @ 2 gallons = 4 gallons
• Laundry = 2 @ 6 gallons = 12 gallons

I also started to poke around the core computer that will run the house, listing out what I want it to do and stuff like that.  The list is longer than I expected:

• Daily PC driver

• Browser, open recipes, shopping list, etc.

• MP3/audio player

• Compress videos and connect to NAS for photo stuff.

• HTPC

• Connect to and play HD movies from NAS.

• Run emulators for consoles.

• Requires it to run a TV in addition to a display for home automation.

• Run the home automation control.

• This will be a touch display thing on the wall.

• Ideally this will control the following:

• Lights

• Water Pump

• Tank Heater

• Solar Disconnect

• Battery Disconnect

• Water Heater

• 110 AC enable/disable

• Outlet controls

• DC DC charger enable.

• Security Cameras

• Starlink and internet.  

• Can it be a router as well?

• Fan controls for electrical setup.

• Maxx Air vent control?

• In addition, there are sensors that I would like it to be able to read and display

• Water tank sensor.

• Battery Gauge

• Solar Input

• Input and Output power

• Statistics over time

• Back door and stairs sensors.

• Temperature of electrical, inside and weather 

• Level sensors

• Run a picture monitor.

• This is just decoration and might get eliminated.

 

The cold has taken hold this week.  I am thankful now that we got the battery changed.  It is still really sluggish turning over, but it is kinda nice having a car with a remote starter when it is -5 degrees outside.  There is potentially more snow coming this weekend too.