Tag: DesertLiving

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Off-Grid RV Repairs: Fixing Power Cord Issues in the Desert!

Ka-Hoon Campground

**Off-Grid Living: Power Cord Repairs and Troubleshooting Electrical Issues** 

Yesterday, we tackled an important repair—**replacing the end of our RV power cord**. With **football starting at 10 AM** and company coming over to watch, the only time we had to make the fix was **early in the morning**. Despite a **chilly 30-degree temperature** (which our **Minnesota friends and family** would probably call warm), we got it done, and the RV is now **back up and running**.

 

### **What Caused the Issue?** 
The big question—what caused the power cord problem in the first place? 

After discussing it with a **licensed electrician friend**, we learned it could have been caused by several factors: 
– **Faulty manufacturing** – The plug might have been defective from the start. 
– **Physical damage** – It may have been **snagged or pulled loose**, possibly by **cattle, dogs, or cats** wandering around. 
– **Wear and tear** – Over time, connections can break down and lead to shorts. 
– **Environmental factors** – **Moisture, dust, or sand** could have gotten into the plug, creating a short. Living in the **desert**, it’s no surprise that **sand gets everywhere**. 

In the end, we couldn’t pinpoint one single cause—it might have been **one or a combination** of these possibilities. 



### **Lessons Learned** 
– Regularly **inspect electrical connections** for damage or signs of wear. 
– Keep connections as **sealed and protected** as possible, especially in **dusty or humid environments**. 
– Always have **backup parts** available to make quick repairs when living off-grid. 

### **Final Thoughts** 
While off-grid living comes with its **challenges**, it also builds **resilience** and **problem-solving skills**. We’re glad this fix was relatively simple, and we’re back to enjoying **power in the RV** without relying on the generator. 

Stay tuned as we continue sharing updates about **off-grid repairs, challenges, and solutions**! 


http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com

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#OffGridLiving, #RVRepairs, #DIYFixes, #SustainableLiving, #SolarPower, #DesertLiving, #LivingOffGrid, #TinyHouseLiving, #ElectricalRepairs, #EcoFriendlyLiving, #SelfSufficient, #RVLife, #OffGridChallenges, #AlternativeEnergy, #SolarEnergy

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Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Celtic Vibes, Bonfires, and Serenity in the Desert Wilderness!

Ka-Hoon Campground

Hail and Blessings Upon This New Year’s Eve!

Gather round, kindred spirits, as the wheel of the year turns once more. With hearts full of hope and gratitude, we bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, under the vast desert skies that shelter our humble haven. May this night find you warm, safe, and surrounded by the flicker of hearth and heart. 

Here at **Plateau Hame de Colquhoun**, our plans for this eve are simple, yet steeped in the spirit of the season. A few wayfarers shall join us, their wagons resting upon our lands for a time. Should the winds be kind and the stars shine bright, we may kindle a bonfire, letting its glow chase away the shadows and invite merriment into the night. 

Though the echoes of laughter may drift through the stillness, there is a certain solitude that lingers here—a quiet that speaks to the soul. We cherish this peace, yet our hearts remain ever open to kind company and shared stories. For what is life without fellowship? 

Even as the flames dance and the night hums with ancient whispers, we find ourselves reflecting on the balance of solitude and connection. The desert’s serenity is our sanctuary, yet the warmth of shared laughter and song stirs something timeless within us. 

So, as the hour draws nigh and the old year bows to the new, we raise a toast to each of you—those near and far, seen and unseen. May your path be bright, your burdens light, and your hearts ever full. 

**Sláinte and Blessed Be!**

http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com

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#NewYearsEveCelebration, #CelticVibes, #RenaissanceFestival, #DesertRetreat, #OffGridLiving, #BonfireNights, #DesertSerenity, #NewYearBlessings, #AncientTraditions, #HearthAndHome, #GatherAroundTheFire, #StarryNights, #FellowshipAndFestivity, #NatureRetreat, #SimpleLiving

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Living Off-Grid: Solar Challenges, Desert Life, and Prepping for HORRORDAZE with Advocatus Diaboli!

Ka-Hoon Campground

**Life Off-Grid: Balancing Busy Days, Solar Projects, and Event Prep**

Living off-grid in the New Mexico desert means constant adjustments, planning, and a bit of trial and error, especially when juggling daily responsibilities with larger projects.

### Busy Days on the Road 
May days include a 90-minute trip to take Anne to work, navigating the desert terrain. Depending on whether we take the car or the pickup, the trip takes longer as we manage the dirt roads: the car averages 20-25 mph, while the pickup handles it slightly better at 30-35 mph. These drives are a reminder of how even the simplest routines are more time-consuming when living off-grid.

### Preparing for HORRORDAZE 
Amid our daily tasks, we’re also getting Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band   ready for their upcoming performance at the ** HORRORDAZE Extravaganza** on December 21 at Black Wall Arts & Productions  . Rehearsals, equipment prep, and fine-tuning animatronics are all part of the process to ensure a memorable show.

### Tackling Solar System Challenges 
One of our biggest ongoing projects is setting up a new solar system. Yesterday, Brent and I spent hours cleaning and reorganizing the Greenroom to prepare for Thanksgiving dinner with neighbors, but this effort also served as a reminder of the solar build we’ve been putting off.

We’ve debated several locations for the new system, each with its pros and cons: 

– **Battery House Option:** Keeping the batteries in their current house avoids moving them (each over 100 lbs!) but makes it tricky to find a sunny spot for the panels without shading. 
– **Anne’s Battery Setup Location:** This option means reorganizing the trailer and moving the heavy batteries again, a task we’ve already done more than once. 
– **Behind the RV:** Placing the system behind the RV sacrifices some of our stunning views, which feels like a significant tradeoff. 
– **Existing Panel Stand:** Adding the panels to the current stand may overload the structure and prevent us from adjusting them for optimal sunlight. 

Another idea we’ve considered is creating a mobile solar system. Folding panels into a trailer would allow us to transport them as needed, but we’re cautious about adding unnecessary weight to our RV.

### The Balancing Act 
Decisions like these take time, especially when weather, schedules, and other priorities like running Anne to work keep interfering. The key is committing to a solution and sticking with it, but with so many factors to consider, the decision hasn’t been easy.

For now, we’re focusing on small wins—like getting the Greenroom ready for Thanksgiving—and tackling one challenge at a time. Living off-grid may not always be simple, but the rewards of self-sufficiency and freedom make it all worthwhile. 

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If you’re interested in off-grid living, solar power solutions, or unique challenges in the desert, stay tuned for more updates on our journey!

http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com

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#OffGridLiving, #SolarPower, #SustainableLife, #DesertLiving, #RenewableEnergy, #GreenEnergy, #SelfSufficiency, #TinyHomeLife, #SolarSetup, #EcoFriendly, #RVLife, #SustainableLiving, #SolarPanels, #MinimalistLifestyle, #Homesteading

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Can You Handle the Challenges of Off-Grid Living? Solitude, Freedom, and Electricity as a Luxury

Ka-Hoon Campground

Is It Time to Call Off-Grid Living Quits? 

Living off-grid is not for the faint of heart. It’s a lifestyle filled with challenges that often push people to their limits. Over the past four years, we’ve watched many try—and fail—to make it work. 

Success in this lifestyle requires a willingness to simplify. It means learning to conserve water by skipping daily showers or reusing clothes to limit laundry. It’s about embracing solitude, silence, and the raw sounds of nature, like the wind howling or coyotes calling in the distance. 

Electricity is a luxury. Unless you have a massive solar setup or rely heavily on generators, you’ll find modern conveniences like air fryers, electric heaters, and AC units impractical. Personally, I prefer the quiet over the constant hum of a generator, even if it means giving up certain comforts. 

Having grown up on a dairy farm in rural Minnesota, I’m no stranger to isolation. Our nearest neighbor was a mile away, and the closest town with more than the basics was 45 miles from home. Surprisingly, moving to the New Mexico desert feels like I’ve moved closer to civilization. At least now, we can gather supplies without an hours-long journey. 

Off-grid living isn’t easy, and there are moments when quitting feels tempting. But for those who treasure independence, self-reliance, and a deep connection to the land, the rewards far outweigh the hardships.

http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com

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#OffGridLiving #SustainableLife #SimpleLiving #SelfReliance #RuralLife #EcoFriendly #Minimalism #NatureLife #DesertLiving #FreedomLifestyle #SolarPower #Homesteading #OffGridCommunity #IndependentLiving #ReconnectWithNature