jelun

I might need 2 weekends, I always end up doing something upside down.



Build a DIY solar-powered backyard tiller

Derek Markham (@derekmarkham)
Technology / Solar Technology
March 24, 2015
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© Dennis Evers
Instead of adding a lot of noise and pollution to your backyard garden with a gas-powered tiller, build a DIY solar-powered version that's clean and quiet.

One of the surest signs of spring is the Saturday morning roar of two-stroke gas engines coming from lawns, gardens, and backyards, as people start to till their gardens, cut their grass, and trim the weeds. The lightweight small gas engines that power rototillers, lawnmowers, and weedeaters are handy, as they can drastically cut the time needed for yard maintenance, but they also come at a price, both financially and environmentally.

Many of these small internal combustion engines used for yardwork can release as much as 30% of the fuel/oil mixture as unburned pollutants into the atmosphere due to incomplete combustion, which not only wastes fuel and money, but also contributes to air pollution.

"USEPA estimates that a gasoline powered lawn mower emits 11 times the air pollution of a new car for each hour of operation." - EPA

Solar energy is a great clean power solution for some of these small garden tasks, but there really aren't a whole lot of options for solar-powered home yard machines available just yet. However, just as the solar lawnmower project demonstrates, building a DIY solar tiller could be an option for the green and clean homeowner, as one resourceful tinkerer illustrates below.

Dennis "Bones" Evers, a Colorado prepper, converted a conventional garden tiller into a completely solar-powered version, using only scrounged parts and taking about 6 hours to complete:



I asked Evers about some of the details of his solar tiller, because the video doesn't give the specs on the components he used, to which he replied, "This is one of the easier, yet more rewarding projects I have done," along with some more info on the build:

"It [the solar panel] is a 5 Watt panel, and I use a simple blocking diode (one way) instead of a solar controller. The batteries are two [12V] 5 Ah computer backup batteries that provide enough power to till several beds. I could easily add two more batteries, but as it is it is very easy to use and t***sport. I salvaged 120 batteries that were perfect and was looking for projects to use them up. One is a four battery micro welder that works fantastic for field repairs.

The motor is a Briggs and Stratton lawn mower starter. I just got in from my garden and it works fantastic. I just leave it out in the garden facing south and use it when I need it. If a person wanted a bigger one, you could easily upgrade with a larger starter from a Ford or Chevy and a full size battery."
Evers documents his DIY projects at Proficient Prepping, so if you're looking for some pointers or ideas about building your own home and garden gear, including solar hot water and solar electric systems, or emergency preparedness, head over there and dive in.


http://www.treehugger.com/solar-technology/diy-solar-powered-backyard-tiller.html

the waker Loc: 11th freest nation

Solar tiller huh, and it had enough balls to get the job done?
Good to know thanks :thumbup:

mongo Loc: TEXAS

Thanks for the info, but I've already found a solution. I just piss my wife off and tell her she better not tear up the garden. She then grabs an old knife and can finish a quarter acre in a day.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

SEMPER FI

jelun

That works, too.
I always found that I was very ambitious after a good high, probably the reason for the upside down and backward thing.

grace scott

You should cherish that lady. Women who would use that knife on the garden instead of you are few. :)

jelun

You are a waste of oxygen and space, tell you what...
you get off the planet and I won't make one of these.

AuntiE Loc: 45th Least Free State

Laughing my derrière off over your idea. :lol: :-) :-) :lol:

the waker Loc: 11th freest nation

So would that be LMDO? It was funny though.

AuntiE Loc: 45th Least Free State

Everytime I do LMDO no one know has been able to t***slate the acronym. It is somewhat like YAFOD. T***slate that one. It is not meant directed toward you, just one of mine I cannot use, because no one understands how to utilize words not full of filth.

jack sequim wa Loc: Blanchard, Idaho

Excellent post, I love solar.
I have a 2008 Prowler 28 ft, travel trailer. Less than $500 for a 3000 watt with 6000 watt surge converter, $20 for a remote electrical interrupter to disconnect the convertor, $1,100 for 750 AH Trojan deep cycle batteries, $525. For 4 solar panels with charger, total 400 watts. $425 for a tankless on demand hot water heater, $700 for an incinerator toilet (no waste to dump) replaced septic tank, for a fresh water tank, and now have An extra 90 gallons.
With this low cost conversion, the shore power cord plugs directly into the convertor.
My RV is 100% self powered 120volts, I can run air conditioning all day, Tv, laptops, coffee pot, lights, toilet, electric stove and start all over the next day. I do have a 800 watt super quite, super small generator that runs 14 hours on a tank of gas should I run into days and days of dark clouds for $325. On amazon. To charge batteries, but combined with solar only need to run about 45 min.
$2,200. Anyone can have a power plant to run there Rv, no plug in, and clean. Hot water tankless electric allows for long never run out of hot water showers.
Homes could be set up just as simple, for low cost just by learning the systems required, then finding how to do it yourself and shop for deals.
Get off the grid, I did and the savings benifits comes back fast. OFF THE GRID!!! RV'S IS for beginners too.

boatbob2

I must be a beginner also,Though ive owned RV S,for the last 30 years,,so,to save $10.00 in gas you've only spent $2200.00,,,thats a hell of a savings....

rjoeholl

I have a beer powered one; it's called a hoe.

jack sequim wa Loc: Blanchard, Idaho

I'm 9 months traveling, no rv park fees 75% dry camp, $10. Gas maybe for a weekend, hot showers cooking.
It pays for itself in one and a half years and is t***sferable if one buys a new RV.