Random Thought Thread

Nathan the Machinist said:
I was going to wait until solar got down to a dollar per watt. $20 per watt is a no-brainer. The ROI can't be much more than a year.
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Looked into solar a couple of times but the upfront costs were too high to be of any benefit to me when amortized over what time is left to me, even though my summer electric AC driven bills are skyrocketing.
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
I was going to wait until solar got down to a dollar per watt. $20 per watt is a no-brainer. The ROI can't be much more than a year.
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Don't know if that was a typo, but the price with discount is twenty CENTS per watt, for those solar panels.

Of course, you still need batteries, chargers, inverters etc., but yeah, $1/watt wasn't uncommon for solar panels.

$0.33/watt was a pretty incredible deal at some places. This is the first time I've seen $0.20/watt for monocrystalline panels.
 
sgt1372 said:
Looked into solar a couple of times but the upfront costs were too high to be of any benefit to me when amortized over what time is left to me, even though my summer electric AC driven bills are skyrocketing.
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Consider looking into the solar powered mini split setups. Some of them are VERY efficient (i.e. 100% solar in the daytime), and if you have the capability to install them yourself, the setup is ~$2k, and only requires a 3" pass through.

Could REALLY cut down the AC bill in the summer. Depending on the electric costs in your area, it could pay for itself in a single summer.

Here’s an example

 
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sgt1372 said:
Finally talking to an attorney about setting up a living trust & pour over will.

Been procrastinating about that for years but not that many more years left to me. 🤷‍♂️
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I don’t think people realize just how much of a clusterf***k it is for those left after you pass if this stuff isn’t prepared in advance. Everyone I know is probably sick of me harping on them about this, but if you’re 45, have a family and some assets, and DON’T have things in place (including a will, living will, proxy, executor, etc), you are effectively leaving everyone you love in the hands of the insane, chaotic, spiritless and soulless legal system. I know too many people that have passed unexpectedly, and the shit their families had to go through just to keep what they had was pure insanity.

I have a friend that lost the house he lived in for 30 years, and rebuilt himself, because his father hadn’t followed up on the paperwork. Ended up having to get a mortgage and pay off his siblings (because their was no clear path through the assets, and it ALL had to be divided). So, now he’s paying for a house he already owned, and it has destroyed any relationship he might have had with his siblings. Everything changes when there’s money to be had…
 
⬆️THIS !!⬆️

Years ago, in a woodsman mag., there was an article for building a 12V waterwheel using an alternator. We live one car width, + the bank from a healthy stream. I’m not sure how Game & Fish would feel about it.
The only thing holding me back, are my Black Belts in two different disciplines of laziness.
 
bluemax_1 said:
Don't know if that was a typo, but the price with discount is twenty CENTS per watt, for those solar panels.

Of course, you still need batteries, chargers, inverters etc., but yeah, $1/watt wasn't uncommon for solar panels.

$0.33/watt was a pretty incredible deal at some places. This is the first time I've seen $0.20/watt for monocrystalline panels.
Click to expand...

Yeah $1 per watt was the threshold where I figured it made sense to start using solar. $0.20 per watt is a no-brainer. I need to look into that.

A solar system plus an electric plug-in hybrid vehicle of some kind equals quite a bit of self-sufficiency independence that appeals to me.
 
All new construction in around here has to have some solar and sprinkler systems inside for fire. We are supposed to get a 50% rebate for all of the materials for a solar system. But they refused to reimburse me because I’m not connected to the grid. It was pretty lame.
 
GmpaJim said:
⬆️THIS !!⬆️

Years ago, in a woodsman mag., there was an article for building a 12V waterwheel using an alternator. We live one car width, + the bank from a healthy stream. I’m not sure how Game & Fish would feel about it.
The only thing holding me back, are my Black Belts in two different disciplines of laziness.
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2 guys with large cabins out near mine have hydro from the creek (obviously only when not frozen). Very cool setup they can lower into the creek and take out when not in use. A large hunting/fishing lodge on Rasperry Island is totally run by hydro.
 
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Nathan the Machinist said:
Yeah $1 per watt was the threshold where I figured it made sense to start using solar. $0.20 per watt is a no-brainer. I need to look into that.

A solar system plus an electric plug-in hybrid vehicle of some kind equals quite a bit of self-sufficiency independence that appeals to me.
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Oh, and golf carts/electric side-by-sides for tooling around the CPK compound 😁
 
SharpBits said:
This is so often true that it is sickening. You must assume it will happen and take the steps required as Matthew says.
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Working in ICU for a long time, I saw so many instances of vultures in the family as end of life circumstances were happening. Having things in order well in advance is very prudent. It is amazing how cut-throat and nasty people can be if there is money to be had- it doesn’t even have to be a lot.
 
beeinak said:
Working in ICU for a long time, I saw so many instances of vultures in the family as end of life circumstances were happening. Having things in order well in advance is very prudent. It is amazing how cut-throat and nasty people can be if there is money to be had- it doesn’t even have to be a lot.
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I've made my wishes clear. I don't want anything from anybody. This way, they don't have to concern themselves.
 
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