**Off-Grid Living: Repairs, Sandstorms, and Solar Power Adjustments**
It’s Sunday, and after battling high winds and a **red flag warning** yesterday, we’re finally ready to repair the RV—assuming the winds calm down as predicted. Yesterday’s **sandstorm** made it impossible to work outside, but today looks more promising for getting the **new parts installed** and fixing the **shore power connection**.
### **Temporary Adjustments While Waiting on Repairs**
With no power in the RV, we’ve been spending our evenings in the **Greenroom**. It’s been a cozy alternative, giving us access to power for **watching TV, charging devices**, and staying comfortable without needing to run the **generator** in the RV.
Interestingly, we’ve also confirmed that **staying up later** and running electronics in the RV was a major factor in draining the **solar power system**. Thankfully, our system shuts down at **50% battery capacity**, which prevents a complete drain. Still, it’s a reminder of how easy it is to **overload off-grid systems** when schedules or habits change.
### **Battling Dust and Wind Challenges**
Today’s repairs depend heavily on the **wind conditions**. If the winds stay calm, we’ll tackle the repairs and hopefully restore the RV’s power connection. I’d love to capture some **videos or photos** during the process—if the dust isn’t too bad. Unfortunately, high winds and **dust storms** don’t agree with me. They cause **swelling and allergies**, which means I probably **should wear a mask** (even though I hate them!).
### **A Glimpse of Off-Grid Living**
Yesterday’s trip back from **Albuquerque** was a classic example of **desert living**—enough wind to send **sand and tumbleweeds** tumbling across the interstate. It’s moments like this that remind us of both the beauty and challenges of living off-grid in the **New Mexico desert**.
### **Final Thoughts**
Living off-grid comes with unexpected twists—from **solar system hiccups** to **weather delays**—but it also builds resilience and resourcefulness. We’ll share updates once the RV repairs are done and let you know how everything is working afterward.
Stay tuned for **videos and photos** (wind permitting) as we continue navigating the ups and downs of **off-grid life**!
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLiving, #RVLife, #SolarPower, #SustainableLiving, #OffGridChallenges, #DIYRepairs, #GreenEnergy, #TinyHouseLiving, #RVRepairs, #SolarEnergy, #DesertLife, #EcoFriendlyLiving, #SelfSufficientLiving, #AlternativeEnergy, #LivingOffGrid
Tag: solar energy
Off-Grid Life: Sunlight Struggles & Community Wins in the New Mexico Desert!
**Life Off-Grid: Balancing Sunlight, Solar Power, and Community in the Desert**
With the last bits of snow now melted away, the desert sun is shining brighter each day, though not quite enough to keep us powered through the night. Living off-grid means relying on solar energy, but even here in the New Mexico desert, sunlight isn’t always a guarantee. We’re planning to build another solar array soon to increase our energy capacity, but timing is everything. On the rare calm days with mild weather, other responsibilities often take priority.
### Building Our Off-Grid Community
We’ve also welcomed a few long-term members to our off-grid community, and it’s been rewarding to see them embrace the membership program. Here, members find a unique balance of freedom and security. They each have their own small piece of land to call home, creating a space that reflects their individual personalities and needs. But there’s also the reassurance of nearby support. Members can turn to one another for advice, help with projects, or even just a friendly conversation, while still enjoying privacy and personal space.
### Benefits of Off-Grid Membership
Our membership program isn’t just about living off-grid—it’s about building a community that values independence and self-reliance, while also supporting one another. Members experience:
– **Personal Freedom**: The freedom to live off-grid, with few restrictions, allowing members to create a lifestyle that suits them.
– **Community Support**: Having others nearby who understand off-grid living and are willing to lend a hand or offer advice.
– **Privacy**: The ability to enjoy their own space while being part of a close-knit community.
As we continue to build out our solar capabilities and enhance our facilities, our community remains at the heart of what we do. Here, we’ve created a space for those who seek both independence and camaraderie, and it’s rewarding to see others enjoy this way of life as much as we do.
Www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLife #DesertLiving #SolarPowerStruggles #WinterInTheDesert #NoPowerProblems #LivingSimply #CommunityLife #RVLiving #EcoFriendlyLife #SnowyDesert #SolarEnergy #KaHoonCampground #OffGridCommunity #MakingItWork #LifeUnplugged
Surviving a Winter Storm Off-Grid in the New Mexico Desert | Energy Conservation & Staying Warm
Life Off-Grid in the New Mexico Desert: Winter Storm Watch and Energy Conservation
When people picture New Mexico, they often think of warm days and sunny skies. But here in the desert, winter can bring a real chill, and this week is no exception. We’re currently under a winter storm watch, and three days of cloudy skies have made energy conservation a top priority. Living off-grid, we rely on solar power, which means every bit of energy counts.
### Solar Conservation During Cloudy Days
On cloudy days like these, we make careful adjustments to reduce our energy use and extend our stored solar power. Here’s what that looks like:
1. **No Rehearsals or High Energy Activities**: Normally, our animatronics and music studio take a lot of power, but they’re off-limits on low-sun days. That means no rehearsals or other activities that use a lot of electricity.
2. **Minimizing Device Charging**: We limit charging to essentials only. Staying connected is important, but unnecessary devices stay unplugged until the sun comes out.
3. **Reducing Light Use**: Evenings feel cozier with fewer lights, and the RV’s own batteries provide backup. However, we conserve those too, as the RV’s charging system can drain the main solar battery if we’re not careful.
4. **No Microwave Use**: Our RV came with a microwave, but we found it to be more useful as bread storage than as an appliance! This high-energy device stays off for good.
### Staying Warm Without Power
To avoid using up our propane too quickly, we bundle up in layers instead of running the heater. The propane heater is our last resort, so until it’s absolutely necessary, sweaters, blankets, and hot beverages do the trick.
Life off-grid comes with unique challenges, especially when the weather takes a turn. But with a few adjustments, we can weather the storm and enjoy the desert winter from the comfort of our cozy RV.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#LifeOffGrid #WinterInTheDesert #PlateauHameDeColquhoun #KaHoonCampground #DesertLiving #SolarPower #EnergyConservation #RVLife #OffGridLife #WinterStormWatch #MinimalistLiving #EcoFriendly #PropaneHeating #SustainableLiving #NewMexicoDesert
Living Off-Grid in the Desert: Daily Routine & Full Moon Adventure
### A Lazy Day in the Desert: Staying Cool and Getting Work Done
Today is one of those lazy days in the desert. With the sun blazing, we decided to stay in and focus on some much-needed tasks. It’s the perfect opportunity to catch up on work while staying cool.
First on the agenda was updating our website. We created new events on Facebook, ensuring our community is in the loop about upcoming gatherings and activities. Handling paperwork and sending out emails followed, keeping everything organized and on track.
As the day progresses, we look forward to welcoming today’s campers. There’s something special about the anticipation of new arrivals, each bringing their own stories and energy to our off-grid haven. Tonight, we have a live rehearsal scheduled on Clapper, which promises to be a highlight.
And of course, we’re excited to take in tonight’s full moon. There’s nothing quite like the serene beauty of a full moon rising over the desert, casting a magical glow over the landscape. It’s a perfect way to end a productive day, reminding us of the unique beauty and tranquility of off-grid living.
Stay tuned for more updates and events. Until then, we hope you find your own moments of peace and productivity.
Visit our website for more information and join us for an unforgettable experience under the desert skies.
Www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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Sure, here are 20 hashtags for your blog and social media posts:
#NomadLife #Camping #FullMoon #DesertCamping #NatureLovers #GreenLiving #OutdoorAdventures #RVLife #CommunityLiving #DesertSunsets #RemoteLiving #StarGazing #plateauhamedecolquhoun #KaHoonCampground #KaHoonEventCenter
Plateau Hame De Colquhoun dealing with heat and solar
Since we don’t have AC, during the really hot days we stay quiet, lay in front of the fans, or run errands. But this last week we haven’t been handling the heat so well.. It’s not cooling down as much at night, which doesn’t give us a chance to cool off. But it’s not just us it’s affecting, it’s affecting the solar.
When it’s hot (Yesterday it was 124° feel like 118 and over night in the 90s) the fans on the controller and inverter run, which is okay during the day, when there’s enough light to charge. But at night those fans draw a lot of power from the batteries. If we leave the big fridge on overnight the batteries will be dead by morning. Luckily the fridge is gas or electric.
We have few options to resolve this issue, and have everything to do it. We need to get cooler days to build and work outside. Until then we are busy trying to stay cool.
#artoftinyliving #plateauhamedecolquhoun #modernpioneerism #musicinthedesert #solarenergy #heatwave #airconditioning
Solar still not working
Well had electrician come out and look at the solar for us.. The combiner box is bad, the new controller is “back-feeding” power.. Which is confusing everyone, as it’s hooked up right and shouldn’t be back-feeding.. So consensus is this controller is bad too.. The electrician believes that the combiner box killed both controllers, or we got 2 bad controllers..
So now we are once again dealing with the company.. We’re not sure about getting any replacements as we want things that work..
artiftinyliving #modernpioneerism #solarenergy #shopsolarkits
Sitting outside
Sitting outside relaxing and taking in the clean crisp night air. Parts for solar supposed to be in tomorrow.. We are hoping to have the solar hooked up and going by end of this weekend (weather permitting).
#artoftinyliving #modernpioneerism #offgridsolarsystem
So many projects not enough sunny days!
photo is rain coming over #ladronepeak.. 2 days of rain and cloudy days is making hard on the little solar system. Rain has also slowed us even more on the bigger 8k system. We are very close to finishing but much of what’s left needs sunny days. Last week all our sunny days we’ve been busy with other life projects.
It’s now evening and clearing off, we are fully booked up with campers for weekend here at Plateau Hame De Colquhoun. We just finished up getting everything set up for the #campers. We’ve been so busy even Dreugan has passed out.
artoftinyliving #modernpioneerism #hipcamp #airbnbhost #solarenergy #harvesthosts #boondockerswelcome #offgrid #colquhoun #dogslife #dreugan #weather
Enjoying a good fire!
Spent a night sitting around the firepit! Worked on getting the batteries, inverter, controller all set up in the battery house. We need to make a run into Lowes or Home Depot to get few more items before we can hook everything up. It’s slowly getting close to being finished! Then onto the next project…
artoftinyliving #modernpioneerism #offgrid #solarpower #solarenergy #solarsystem #diyprojects
Solar build almost finished
The solar panels are mounted. Tomorrow we move the batteries and get them setup. This is the 8k system that will be powering the Music Studio/Library and the guest container. We have a small setup yet to build and move the smallest!
#artoftinyliving #modernpioneerism #solarbuild #solarpower #solarenergy #offgridhomestead #homestead
Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center 