Category: Grid Down and Preparedness
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Project: Portable DC Toaster Oven – direct solar electric cooking to go
Hi folks, hope you’re doing well. In what is possibly a first, I am unveiling a new prototype invention – a mini PV solar electric toaster oven. It is lightweight, portable and I think would be fairly cheap to produce. It easily bakes or roasts bread, meat, vegetables and whatever else – all day using…
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18V tool battery bakes bread! Mini Oven prototype part 2
Is it possible to bake bread using an 18V Power Tool Battery? Recently, I set out to answer this question. In the back yard I set up a table and connected my mini solar electric PV2L oven to a Ryobi 18V power tool battery with alligator clips. After a few adjustments and a short wait,…
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Mini 100 Watt solar electric oven prototype – Simple Solar Cooking!
Can a single 100 Watt 12V solar panel supply enough power to cook or bake food by itself? I’ve been thinking about this question for years. A simple portable electric oven that operates off of such a small amount of power could change everything. Finally, after a long wait, the opportunity came to test the…
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Simple PV Solar heating for beginners – plus video guide
For years I have been using excess solar power to heat my home with various types of directly PV powered DC heaters. I wanted to help beginners who want to try tapping direct PV Solar power to heat their home or shop. So I created a detailed video guide (it’s posted below). Background Previously, I…
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Low Voltage Solar Panels can cook food directly – And why it matters
Did you know it’s possible to cook food directly off low voltage solar panels? No inverter, no high voltages, no battery, no charge controller. It’s technically feasible, and I have done it several times now with prototypes developed in my solar workshop. The simplicity and efficiency of such a setup is nothing short of astounding.…
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What’s the easiest way to start learning about solar power?
Question: What is the easiest and quickest way to get started in solar energy for backup power and resiliency? Answer: To easily learn about solar PLUS making it immediately useful to you and your family, get a Solar Generator and 1 or 2 12V 100W solar panel. What is a Solar Generator? A solar generator…
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Making Hot Water if the Grid Goes Down – Cheap Easy DIY
Have you ever thought what you would do if the electrical utility power service was down for a week or a month, and you couldn’t easily get a hot shower? Believe it or not, there is a cheap and easy DIY solution. If you already have a few solar panels, they can heat water for…