With Great Power, Comes the Need for Large Batteries
To my horror, I have nothing to offer in the area of click bait for this one.
Having purchased 40 acres of off grid property in Arizona, I knew the first course of action would be providing power for this large piece of land. With the nearest power poles over 8 miles way, I knew I did not have near enough extension cords.
In a flash of light ...forgetting to put down my welding helmet, an idea occurred to me. After the obvious acknowledgment of possible retina damage, I realized that I can harness the power of light to solve my dilemma. I would use an electric utility truck to transport my electricity to everywhere I needed it, and adorn the top with solar panels so I never had to charge it.
I managed to find a 48V Taylor-Dunn utility cart at auction. Like a high school romance, it had been ignored and disposed of when something shiny and new came along. However, I saw the potential in its sturdy frame that lie hidden under a patina of rust and dirt. The water had shown no mercy to the steel frame and the paint that was used by the factory was about as useful at protecting the metal as tit on a bull.
After thoroughly steam cleaning the cart, removing the dead batteries and grinding down the rust, I was able to fix all the damage with minimal welding.
After thoroughly steam cleaning the cart, removing the dead batteries and grinding down the rust, I was able to fix all the damage with minimal welding.
Unwilling to compromise, I welded a hitch to its rear, and laid down the expectations that it would pull a tool trailer to the ends of the property and provide the power for all that was within it.
I pulled out the big guns with the red oxide primer to give the protection and nostalgia of the Golden Gate Bridge. The side rails were damaged and left in disrepair. I quickly removed the worthless wood and welded up some more manly steel rails that can live up to whatever the future might bring.
Unwilling to do the real work, I riveted diamond plate over the damage and swept the rest of my concerns under the cart.
I pulled out the big guns with the red oxide primer to give the protection and nostalgia of the Golden Gate Bridge. The side rails were damaged and left in disrepair. I quickly removed the worthless wood and welded up some more manly steel rails that can live up to whatever the future might bring.
Unwilling to do the real work, I riveted diamond plate over the damage and swept the rest of my concerns under the cart.
With their original batteries failing, I needed something mighty to breathe life back into the beast. In a rash of mis-ordering, I was able to find some surplus batteries that were slated for a fire alarm back up system. Unlike the standard golf cart batteries, these were gel cells, and had the potential to last for up to 25 years. Using some massive wire and some Anderson power connectors I felt confident that I can do battle with the gods.
I added a solar charging system that would quench the thirst of the ever demanding batteries. I wired power throughout the frame and terminated it in plugs that would offer both 110 V and 220 V power. There could be no compromise as the demands would be many.
As a foundation for all that would be to come, I installed a massive 48 V inverter that was capable of both charging the batteries in the event of an emergency and providing the power that all the plugs needed.
This glimmering aluminum box could be installed and removed if it was deemed irresponsible to leave it out in the elements.
This glimmering aluminum box could be installed and removed if it was deemed irresponsible to leave it out in the elements.
A tower was to be constructed to appease the Sun God. It would have to be sturdy and dimensionally accurate to securely hold the solar panels that would bathe in its glory.
Knowing I could never compete with the power of the sun, I still found it necessary to add some lights of my own. LED floods were put on both sides and across the front. Hopefully the sun would understand as we stole its power during the day and shone it as our own at night.
The solar panels were wired and the strands neatly arranged as if to showcase the importance they provide. Always humble, and rarely recognized, this wire was the unsung hero of the day.
The solar panels were wired and the strands neatly arranged as if to showcase the importance they provide. Always humble, and rarely recognized, this wire was the unsung hero of the day.
As a project nears completion, it is not time to cut corners. The seats are all reupholstered and the wooden deck replaced. Ready for its second life, the story comes to its end.
