Water pumps and such

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Another water subseries post in the main series of off-grid posts.

I need a way to get water to a "faucet".  I figured a faucet may be just a garden hose with a sprayer type attachment.  I'd use it to wash with and maybe wash dishes, too.

The apparatus would fit in with other things I plan on putting into the bathroom trailer.  It would have a water connection from a water source, and a water drainage either to a water treatment system ( reverse osmosis), or to a holding tank.  The holding tank or septic tank would have to get approval, but I think I'd rather not use it, and treat the water instead.

The apparatus linked to above looks expensive.  One that I looked at before could put out the rate of water needed for my purposes.  It uses aquarium pumps.  A couple of aquarium pumps would be smaller and use much less electricity.  But the aquarium pumps are not made for stopping and starting.  Would need a way to make it work so that it would be natural and smoothly operating.

You could have a switch to turn on the pump and it would route to the "faucet".  The sprayer could direct it to wherever.  When finished, turn off the switch.  It would require a bit of fancy footwork, as you would have to operate two controls.

There would be a double sink.  One for black water, the other for gray water.  If I chose to treat the black water from the sink, I would use a valve that diverted from the septic system to the water treatment system.  If the water treatment is unsuccessful, it can still be sent to the septic system.

It would all fit into the trailer, except the black water treatment system.  The trailer would be hooked up with the water source, the water treatment devices, electricity, and the septic system.

Update:

The double sink may need to go.  That's okay.  I can modify the plan.  Also, I may need two toilets. One to get approval from the county, and the other one.  The reason for the change is the tight space.  Two toilets in there?  Even the county may raise their eyebrows.  The other toilet may need to go too, but I will put it elsewhere.

Update:

Come to think of it, all water handling should be done in the trailer.  The trailer can be constructed out on site.  Everything needing to approved by the county can be installed as well at that time.  All except the connections to the septic system.  That will be built once approval is obtained.

With this idea, all black water is from the trailer.  There will be no plumbing in the cabin.

The incinerating toilet will go elsewhere.

Update:

Here's a link to some aquarium pumps.  Sounds a bit ridiculous, but these will output as much water as the sinks and shower heads in my apartment.

Building ideas

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This post will go into the Construction sub-series of the off-the-grid main series of posts.  These posts can be accessed from a table of contents and watched individually or in series from beginning to end.

The idea of using the trailer to house the incinerating toilet is to make things prefab.  The trailer could be "ready to go" while you drive out to the location.  It then becomes a matter of securing it once you get there.

With that in mind, I figured this: why not build parts of the structure before leaving? 

I actually tried this on the trip out that last year.   I used pallets.  But the pallets were not of uniform size, so they didn't fit together well.

The whole flooring idea was poorly executed, but that doesn't make it a bad idea.  I can make it work better the next time around.

I can anchor it, and set it up so that it can be framed out.  I didn't do this the last time.

A better way to deploy the tarp can be thought out too.  I can make it unfurl a little at a time.  This allows me to keep control over it.  The two walls can also be built first.  Install the tarp, then the plywood around the tarp.  Insulation can go between the tarp and the plywood.  The roof will be of metal.

I can still use the Quonset concept to save on building materials and time.

I can also build the "kitchen sink" while here in Houston.  I can even test it before leaving.

This idea includes the Quonset, the 5x8 trailer w toilet and sink, a carport, a solarium, and a greenhouse.

It may seem ambitious, but it economizes on materials, so it should not cost too much.

Update

No Quonset ideas will be implemented, although prefabbing as much as possible is something to think about.

Reagan DID support Ford

Reagan endorses Ford in ad in 1976.

Cruz is no Reagan.  The comparison between Cruz and Reagan is not apt.

But Trump isn't Reagan either.  These are different times.

Trump's acceptance speech

Didn't see it, not enough time.  The transcript is here.

I've read through most of it, then scanned the rest.

It looks okay.  Maybe better than okay.

We've got the opportunity to turn things around.  Time will tell if that is what happens.

Much cussed and discussed Cruz speech

The full transcript can be seen here.  Much has been made of the fact that he didn't explicitly endorse Trump.

But he didn't denounce him either.

It's no big deal.

Limbaugh says that Trump pulled off GOP unity.  If that's the goal, then it can't be all that bad.

Guadalajara, Mexico

One of my customers lives in Mexico, and went on and on about how great it is.  So, I researched it a bit.  It is indeed a big city, but not much different than Houston.  He said it was as big as LA.  I don't think so.

He said a number of Americans have retired down there.  The cost of living is cheap, he said.  My research confirms this.

Too bad I didn't check into this before I started my project!  But living in the USA is still more important to me than leaving it.

Maybe in ten years if I am still around.

Obligatory, 7.20.16

Been awhile since I did one of these posts.

Reason is that as always, I am pressed for time.  When I am not pressed for time, I am out of gas.

Trying to focus more and more upon my move.  An idea flashed into my mind to build a storage shed as an adjunct to the living quarters.  That is to say, build the shed first, then the living quarters next.

I want to build along an east-west lengthwise line, with doors and windows at each end.  To the south to be built later, will be a solarium.  To the north, a carport.  The idea is to keep the sun off in the summer, and use the sun for warmth in the winter.  Finally, along the northernmost edge, there will be a greenhouse.

The idea includes digging post holes for the pylons to build the cabin on, as well as the carport.  It could include post holes for the solarium and the greenhouse as well.  That's a lot of holes and a lot of concrete.  One 80 pound bag for each hole.

I figure six holes for the cabin/storage shed.  The cabin/storage shed will be like two rooms when completed.  That makes two doors.

Eight holes will be necessary for the carport.

Four holes for the solarium.

Six holes for the greenhouse.

Total so far:  24 holes.

Time is up.  Have to go.  Will take this up later.

Update:

If each side shared holes, then the number of holes can be cut down significantly.

For example, the cabin and the solarium share two.  The carport and cabin shares three.  And the greenhouse and carport shares three.  You reduce the number to sixteen holes from 24.

Sobering reflections

Just spent a little time reviewing what I did out on my property last year.  Left Houston on the sixth of April, and came back on the seventeenth.  That is twelve days.

Two days for travel.  Several other days were lost, too.  The whole first day was lost because of unanticipated problems.  It was like that the whole time.

By the way, this computer sucks.  I just wrote several paragraphs and this thing just deleted it out.  I don't know why it does that.  Whoever designed this thing needs their heads examined.  It is a piece of shit.

Anyway, I spent twelve days out there, and it was a struggle to get things done.  Mostly, it was the weather.  It was unpredictable, and there's no weather service out there.  You could have a weather event on you before you know it.

One thing you don't want is get caught out there and it rains really hard.  You could get stuck for awhile waiting for it to dry out.

Secondly, the roads are really slick when it rains.  That mud is slick.  There are deep ruts on both sides of the road in many spots.  If you go off into that rut, your chances of getting out of it without a lot of expensive help aren't good.

I was really cautious out there, and it paid off.  It may have taken twelve days to get up a shack that didn't last, but at least I got home in one piece.  It could have been a lot worse.

What does it all mean?  Should I give up?  No.  Just have modest goals and plenty of time to achieve them.  Give yourself plenty of leeway.  Leave a lot of room for errors, while keeping errors to a minimum.  Mistakes are very costly to correct.

I should move out to El Paso into an apartment first.  Then go out there on a frequent basis laying the groundwork so to speak.  There's a lot to do before I even start building anything out there.

Hopefully in six months, there can be a structure into which I can move in.

[Shared Post] Climate Apocalypse Cult-Ideology Drives Green Energy Disaster

alfin2101 posted: "Without the Climate Apocalypse Cult, Why Would Anyone Buy Into Unreliable Intermittent Energy? The people and government of South Australia are discovering to their horror and regret what happens when bureaucrats buy too deeply into the intermittent, unr" moi has shared a post from al fin next level Climate Apocalypse Cult-Ideology Drives Green Energy Disaster by alfin2101 Without the Climate Apocalypse Cult, Why Would Anyone Buy Into Unreliable Intermittent Energy? The people and government of South Australia are discovering to their horror and regret what happens when bureaucrats buy too deeply into the intermittent, unreliable green energy … Continue reading → Read more of this post alfin2101 | 17 July, 2016 at 00:42 | Tags: Climate Cult, Green Corruption, Green Idiocy | Categories: Climate, Energy, Green Quagmire, Groupthink | URL: http://wp.me/p37EOG-2c8 Comment    See all comments Change your email settings at Manage Notifications. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: https://alfinnextlevel.wordpress.com/2016/07/17/climate-apocalypse-cult-ideology-drives-green-energy-disaster/ Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

Stuff just keeps happening

Not necessarily talking about in the world, either.  Here at home, I've just had to hard reset this computer.  Don't know if I was hacked, but precautions had to be taken.

That reminded me how much I detest Microsoft.  But I'm stuck with it, as I am afraid we all are.

While the computer was resetting itself, I went through my book collection.  Talking about a stroll into the past.  It kind reads like the story of my life.

It is hard to throw this stuff out, but some of it is clearly obsolete.  Besides, the parts that can still be used are so technical that to go back into it will take too much time.  Time is a commodity in short supply.  Time and energy.  I don't have the energy I once had.  When I have time, I don't have energy.  When I have energy, I don't have time.  Having both at the same time is getting a bit rare.

With respect to the world scene, Ronald Reagan once asked in reference to the Carter administration this:  Can you look back at what this bunch has done and say to yourself "well done"?  The same with this outfit in Washington now.  They have made a mess beyond all description.  You cannot look back at this colossal failure and say "well done".  That is to say, unless you are wielding a wrecking ball.

But the stock market is doing okay

Obama is accused of having blood on his hands.

Goal of the day: make a visit to storage

Yep, just got her done.  Only about a half dozen small boxes.  Whoop-de-doo.

The problem is that I cannot decide what to throw away and what to keep.  A lot of this should just be thrown out.

One positive thing is that the old recliner is definitely outta here.  That leaves two big items, and one of these, I may be able to get out by myself.  The other recliner is not going to meet the same fate as the one I just dismantled in order to get it out.  But that means somebody will have to help me get it out.

I organized the boxes better, at least.  I have four big boxes of junk mail.  Several boxes of books, maybe five.  There's income tax records going back to the seventies.  Plus some more electronics junk that may need to go to the recycler.

There's still a lot of junk in here.  I've got plan to get rid of the paper, if necessary.  I may get rid of some of these books.  Still need to pare this down.

Traveling light ain't as easy as it sounds.

Something to be concerned about

When it come to Trump's politics, I'm not so sure that he isn't a globalist himself.  If he is, he may be a disappointment.

There's something reported on Steffie Stephanopolous' show that Trump wants to declare war on ISIS.  That is starting to sound like a neo-con.

What the hell are we doing fighting Israel's wars if the Jews here won't vote Republican?

It's the same with the corporations.  The corporations are Democrat now.  What the hell are we doing favoring them with tax breaks when they crap all over us every chance they get?

The Dems don't do it that way.  Why do we?  Oh, yeah.  Principle.  I say BULLSHIT.  If you don't support US we don't support YOU.

Now the thing to be concerned about is the neo-cons hijacking the Trump presidency, if there is one.  I think they want to hijack his campaign and make him sound like a neo-con.  They got Pence.  That's all they should get.

If they are successful in hijacking Trump, they will make him fail. 

Separating the wheat from the chaff

Yesterday is supposed to be busy, and it was.  But I took off early to attend to the house cleaning.  Yes, I'm am cleaning out a lot of stuff.  That project was on hold while I earned some cash, for I still need it.

I must have been tired when I came home, so I fell asleep yesterday, and failed to do much.  Early this morning, I start in on it again.  There's still a lot of junk around here.  Went through a few boxes of it, and it is hard to tell what to keep and what to throw away. 

I want to keep posting here, too.  So, I need to keep ideas in my head for posts.  What to use for an idea?  This cleaning up process.  But it involves a larger principle that can apply to us all, don't you think?

Don't we have a lot of junk in this society that needs cleaning out?  It no longer serves a purpose, and it is time to throw it out.  The wheat has to be separated from the chaff.  A more modern term:  recycling the junk!

What do we keep and what do we throw away in this election season?  For choices have to be made, and it is sometimes hard to tell what is good and what isn't any good anymore.

I have been tough on globalists.  I think their usefulness is no longer evident.  At one time it seemed to be, but that is no longer the case.  We are getting some bad side effects of globalism.  It is making the body politic rather sick.  Like eating bad food.

Globalism was supposed to be the anti-dote to nationalism.  Nationalism is what is being blamed for the World Wars of the Twentieth Century.  Okay, nationalism isn't always so hot.  But what has Globalism done for us lately?  It has destroyed a lot of institutions, like Christianity, which once had been the bulwark of Western Civilization.  The idea is that somehow, Christians are the blame for the wars that nearly destroyed Europe. 

Yes, and it is Europe that has become so secularized.  It is the birthplace of Western Civilization, and it is dying right in front of our eyes.  We have globalism to thank for that.

A comparison between Europe and America may be apt.  I recall when I was still in school that a comment was made that Europe was much more relaxed about moral standards than America was.  What that tells me is that the moral standards of Europe have been further degraded than here in the US.  I have never been to Europe, but I have read a bit.  It does seem that Europe is much more "relaxed" about morality.  It struck me that Europe has decided that Christianity is the chaff that must be thrown out.  And so they have.  I have read that the Churches in Europe are empty.   Evidently, they don't believe in it anymore over there.  When you have applause for a priest that "came out", then you realize that a big change has occurred.

Global warming is bigger in Europe than over here.  Of course it is.  It is a religious cult that has disguised itself as not a religion, but it is.  Nature abhors a vacuum, so when religion went out, the secularized cult of humanism has replaced it.  Amongst their beliefs is the belief in this man-made destruction of the environment and a concomitant embrace of nature.  The trouble is that it isn't tested scientifically for truth.  It poses as science, but it is a religion, because it is accepted non-critically.

The truth is that you can recycle just about everything if you have sufficient energy. That is the science.  The cult tells you that it is used up forever, or that only nature can restore things to their former utility.  But you can't get enough energy from solar power and wind to do that.  It can only come from nuclear, but since that isn't green and it isn't "natural", then it is no longer acceptable to modern day secularized Europe.

Not much better over on this side of the pond.  So much fear has been stirred up that no nuke plants can be approved.  Those that are still operating are hard pressed to continue.  In fact, the globalist unitroid faction over here is attempting to wipe out all energy production that isn't what they claim to be "sustainable".  Sustainable is the word.  Globalism isn't sustainable in the biological sense.  That's because it still takes a man and a woman to have and to raise a child.  No amount of science can figure out another way yet, but that doesn't mean they won't try.  Bruce Jenner still has a Y chromosome that determines his sex.  There's no getting around that fact.  To deny that is what we used to call insanity.  Well, the lunatics are in charge of the asylum, in case you haven't noticed.

Christianity was biologically sustainable for centuries.  Secular humanism, which is a part of globalism, is still new and untested.  The early results are not good.  Time to evaluate that fact honestly and courageously, and start taking the necessary steps.