Few updates. Getting closer to an April completion and COO. Still dealing with generator power, but with most tools now being cordless, the subs do not seem to mind too much. Biggest hassle is running the generator to power the circ pumps for the boiler, and feeding the boiler wood. I've now gone through 4 cords in a month, but have been able to keep the shop floor in the upper 60s, and upstairs 65* so we could finish drywall, paint, and start tile. I've discovered that lithium batteries do not like cold temps. I have a pretty hefty 1200w solar and 9 kwh battery bank on a camp trailer, so I was hoping that would run the circ pumps and boiler blower, but they won't charge in temps below 25*. I've got both a Yamaha 2000W and HF 2000w generator and I have to say that I like the HF one better. It's quieter and more fuel efficient that the Yamaha. It's been run more or less nonstop for 600 hours without any issues. With temps finally warming up a bit, I've been able to switch over to the solar/battery setup., which works fine as long as I have at least 5-6 hours of sun per day.
Finally got USFS approval for the power easement on their 20'. Since the power run is 800', the utility required this monstrous vault box. Putting both the 200 and SVL 97 to work.
Of course the weekend after I got USFS approval, it snowed 12". Got to use the blower and it cleared my 1000' dirt driveway in 10 minutes with me in pajamas and slippers. I was pretty impressed. Later, the snow turned to rain and I had to dig this 10' section under archaeologist supervision and with their scheduling, I couldn't wait for a better time. Trench is 5' deep, power pole is 6' deep. Trench was a muddy mess but the inspector wanted me to cover up the first 10' before we got 40mph winds that evening. I did not want to be responsible for taking out power for the entire neighborhood.
Definitely a lot going on upstairs. Had the floors installed, then the mason did the stone on the fireplace and tile crew started too. Moved all cabinets upstairs (those furniture moving straps are awesome) and staged them for install. Garage door contractor installed the openers. I was not impressed with Liftmaster's current offerings and ended up with these commercial spec Micanans. They should outlast the doors.
Started install of cabinets. Tile crew finished the kids bathroom and are working on the master bath. Tile work is pretty messy but I was able to put some RamBoard and tarps down on all the floors.
Getting closer with power, probably 1/3rd done with conduit. That pole in the background is 280' away. Getting the pull box into place was a little difficult, but luckily I had a friend help with that part. I now see why the bid for the electrical service was so high. There is a lot that goes into not just digging the trench, but trucking in sand, setting conduit, more sand, compacting, and backfilling. Wrestling with a 150# jumping jack compactor is a workout. 8 hours of that and I'm almost too tired to move, but it is a very satisfying kind of tired. I'm hoping to have power to the meter/panel in another 3 weekends.
Still worth it.
