Archive for the ‘DIY’ Category
Solar Panels For Electricity – Just the Tip of the Iceberg
It seems that lots of people are searching for information about Solar Panels for Electricity. Although Solar Panels are a big piece of the puzzle, there are lots of other pieces that must be considered to complete the puzzle that is Solar PV, or formally known as Solar Photovoltaic.
Photovoltaic Solar Panels convert the suns rays to DC (Direct Current) electricity. For those that don’t know, there are two types of electricity Direct Current and Alternating Current. Without getting into technical details, lets just say that DC electricity is the type of electricity stored in batteries and used to power the electrical components of your car. AC electricity is the type of electricity used to power your home lights and appliances.
Once the Solar Panels for electricity have converted the suns energy into DC current, it must either be stored in batteries or converted to AC power to use in your home.
Although battery based systems are available they are extremely expensive and not cost effective unless there is a real need. Legitimate need for battery based systems include locations with no grid tied power available as well as locations where the grid tied power is extremely unreliable. Unless you have one of the afore mentioned issues, I would strongly recommend you avoid batteries in your system.
So, if you are not going to couple batteries with your Solar Panels, then how are you going to store your electricity? Well, first we need to convert the power to AC power. This is done with an inverter. The inverter is an electronic unit which converts the DC current to Ac current. It can be converted at the Solar Panels with a “Micro-Inverter” or at the electrical panel with a “Central-Inverter”. Regardless of the type of inverter, the current is converted to AC current at a cost of somewhere between 15% and 23% power loss. Once converted, the power is distributed into your home through the breaker panel.
As for power storage, you can think of the utility grid as your personal battery. When you are generating more power than you are using, the power goes to the grid and decreases your electric bill. When you are not generating enough power, you can take power back from the grid. It is important that you obtain your power from a Renewable Energy Friendly company. Not all electric companies will pay you fairly for the power you generate so it is imperative that you do your homework before signing an electricity contract if you are serious about installing a Solar PV System.
It is a common misconception that if you want to generate electricity, all you really need are Solar Panels for electricity. In reality there is a lot more required. Besides solar panels, you will need racking, wiring, inverters, maybe batteries and charge controllers. Before spending any money for equipment I would strongly recommend that you obtain as much information as possible from someone with knowledge and experience.
If You Want A Garden Shed, Why Not Build It With Plans?
Why do you need garden shed plans? You have a beautiful garden, after all. Your flowers are blooming, and your vegetables are growing. So what’s the problem? The problem is all of the garden tools that are laying against the house; exposed for all to see. You can’t put them in the garage because it would displace your car. Instead they end up lumped together in your backyard. Wouldn’t it be better to store your garden tools in a shed?
Naturally, you want your shed to match the garden that you have worked so hard to perfect. Each of us has a style of our own, and the garden shed should match yours. You can try a store bought unit, and it will probably work just fine. The price may be higher, though. An economical, and downright fun, way to solve your garden storage needs is to build your own garden shed from plans. You will be surprised at how easy it is to find the perfect plans for your situation.
Before you go on your quest to find the perfect garden shed plans, get a good idea about how much space you will need. If you have a smaller yard, for instance, a lean-to shed may be a great option. This type of shed can be built up against a fence or home to maximize your storage space and your yard space. Lean-to sheds are also easy to tuck away against a little visited side of the house. Whatever the case, you can find plans for a garden shed that will perfect for your individual space.
If you have a larger back yard, then the sky can be the limit. There are all sorts of things you can do with a shed. Maybe you want a shed that can house everything from your riding lawnmower to your garden glove. Or perhaps, you want to have a 2-level shed. This is absolutely possible if you have the space. Think about it. You can have a spot to wheel in that nice lawnmower. Your tools can be hanging neatly on the wall. The second level can house the stuff that does not need to be used all of the time. Essentially, it will be your own playhouse. It is exciting just thinking about it.
After picked out your garden shed design plans, you need to think about the type of foundation that you will need. If the space where you want to build is on hard, solid soil that is even, you may be able to forego a foundation. If that is not the case, you could think about using concrete as a foundation. A concrete slab is a good choice because it will give the shed a very solid base. You can also think about using treated wood posts for your foundation.
Whatever you decide, always remember to check with your local building codes. Municipalities will often setup regulations based on the type of foundation, the square footage, or other criteria. You don’t want to have to tear down the wonderful shed you have built, so be sure to play by the rules. Above all, have fun with this project!
Creating a Simple Box Plan Design
Of all woodworking projects, creating a box seems to always appear as one of the most interesting end creative crafting ventures. Boxes of different shapes and sizes can be used as a storage tool, a decorative piece, a jewelry box, a specialty keepsake box and many other purposes. It is a really wonderful piece to have and it is truly a magnificent piece to enjoy and take advantage of. Finding a box plan is easy. However, it would be best if you create your own box plan that will serve a particular purpose in your home or personal space. Draw the image of the box and take note of how the sides will merge together and how you want it to open. You have to get an idea of what will happen in the interior and exterior so that you know how much wood will be necessary.
Cut the panels using a cutting tool. You can also use a power tool to cut the wood into the desired shapes. Once you have all the pieces cut, sand them and make sure that there are no splinters and rough surfaces on the wood. Some crafting experts design their panels with jigs that will fit perfectly with the other panels. This is also a great way to create a unique style for the box and to veer away from the commonplace straight seams that you find in common box plan layouts. You can cut the jigs manually but it would be best to use power tools to get a smooth and perfectly rendered shape.
Some crafting experts wait till the whole piece is assembled before re-sanding and varnishing. Some do this process before the pieces are assembled. It is up to you how you want to do the design. The most common option to piece these things together is to glue them using wood glue. To reinforce the bond, small nails can be hammered (nail size depends on the size of box) into strategic areas box.
Closures for the box plan can vary greatly. There are those covers with hinges for a classic style. Some boxes can also have covers that just sit on the top. It all depends on what you envision for the design. You can opt not to put any covers at all. This is ideal for those who want to use the box as a temporary compartment for stuff. It is all about choosing the design that fits your purpose.
Once you are done with your box, you can create even more designs and versions. You can use it as a fancy gift box or a box where you can place goodies. Paint them or even cover it with leather for a more luxurious and sophisticated look. Overall, the design of the box all depends on your particular design needs as well as level of expertise. You can take classes on woodworking or explore the whole crafting experience by yourself and come up with your own unique box plan designs.