Dear Home Power, I have read about every Mother Earth News there was but my dream to be self-reliant, power wise never came about. Now less than a year on Home Power and I'm Free. I did not trust the system, but did not want to go back to the stone age either. We severed the utility companies umbilical cord and bills in May of this year. Thank you for helping the poor boys dream come true. We enclosed a photo of the utility pulling out. Thanks to your fine work. Thank you so much, Bill, Laurie, Tabitha, Desiree, Amanda, Betsy, Miekle, ?(past due) RICHARD INCLUDE SPACE FOR PHOTO Another Opinion Dear Editor, Joel Davidson's question, "What's wrong with PV?" compels me to respond. As the "solar guy" at a major industrial distributor near the oil patch and a veteran of Jimmy Carter's TVA sponsored, residential, utility financed solar project, it is easy to for me to empathize with Joel's wistfulness. However, to reply to the question "What's wrong with PV?", I have to say loudly, "NOTHING"! There is another question that has been asked frequently that may hit closer to home for a lot of people who would like to see PV become widespread and have a big effect in reducing the contamination of the water and air covered skin of the big rock we call earth. The question is, "How come PV's are not big business in the USA?" I think the answer is that, practically speaking, PV just isn't a big enough benefit to a big enough group people. I also think the solution to this stumbling block to widespread PV use is right on our doorstep. Let me explain. Most of us in the USA buy considerable electricity to keep the inside climate of our homes and workplaces similar to that of Northern Europe in summer. For most of us during North America's summer that means lots of air conditioning. One way to use PV to help reduce this major electric load is to mate a PV array with a DC motor driven, variable speed heat pump. Since the appropriate electronics to intergrate the DC array with the ac power lines are already in the pump, the high cost of an inverter is avoided. Also avoided is the hassle of interfacing with a utility and the problem of jeopardizing utility workers safety when maintaining power lines. The cost of storing the PV gathered cool is much less than electric storage. Thermal mass is much cheaper than batteries. There are at least two major US heat pump makers using DC motors. There do not seem to be any technical problems in the way. The whole stumbling block to this PV concept and any other PV concept moving forward is the unfair way in which non-renewable energy is subsidized and promoted and the woeful ignorance of the few urban pioneers that are willing to actually lose money to demonstrate the renewable technology that they support. We must not allow these folks to be victimized by unscrupulous and incompetent solar companies. Sooner or later, PV and other renewables will receive their just place in our energy mix. Thanks to all the brainstormers working to make the day sooner instead of later. Sincerely, Mark Wiener, Carrollton, TX Dear Perez People and others, Again, thanks for the wonderful job you are doing with Home Power. A tremendous magazine for information & philosophies (although some writers may be a bit different). But this is truly the personification of FREE speech which is on of the major TENETS this country was founded upon. So much of the press is either prostituted by advertising monies and are controlled by political pressures etc., etc. Thanks for staying as pure as a publication as I have seen in a long time. Some of the information from writers especially is a bit off the wall. But again "God Bless" it in spirit (renewable energy) and again personification of free speech. Well, with that over with a few things I want to state. A) All discussion about cold fusion and superconductivity. Even in reference to this topic in Home Power, authors fail to mention factors such as... cold fusion only is an augmenter/booster of DC input. A DC power source is necessary. Superconductivity is only a transmission and storage media. What we are failing to mention is where is the initial generation. PV from the sun is Pure generation of power. All the other things that have been getting so much press are only as good as the generator. B) In reference to NIcads for rechargeable batteries, they have been the standard but involve the major toxic waste cadmium & have a memory problem. Also pricing has gone up of late. More important, there is a rechargeable battery that is better, the Ovonic nickel-hydride battery of the Harding Think Tank. Please see attached literature which I have enclosed. Lastly we will probably be advertising in your great magazine in the near future. Thanks for your time, Nicholas Pietrangelo, Pres. Power By Sun, Sec. Harding Think Tank, 633 Washington, Grand Haven, MI 49417 RICHARD DO YOU REALLY WANT TO PRINT THIS???????????? Low Flush Dear Home Power, Enclosed is a donation meant to show our appreciation for your wonderful magazine. Even National Geographic takes 2nd seat to Home Power in our house. A note of interest for those folks looking for low flush toilets - Eljer, an American Company, makes a 1 gallon flush toilet called Ultra-One/G. A unit that I, (as a remodeler) have installed in several homes, with no complaints from customers. Since the unit is made by a well known plumbing fixture manufacturer, it is often available through local plumbing supply houses, and sells for around $170.00. Thanks again for everything. Sincerely, Doug Porter, Fordland, MO I teach 5th grade in the sunbelt. I need to bring the technological applications to the hands-on level that 10 year olds need. So I really appreciated #12's article on solar box cookers. We've been wanting to build a solar cooker for a long time, but were afraid of burning down the school. Thanks! I already receive Home Power at home - seems like it should be in schools. Kids need to learn that solar, wind, & other power sources are not merely the domain of NASA & the government on a hugh scale; individuals are potent enough to tap these resources on a small scale too! Lois Brill, Tomasita Elementary, Albuquerque, NM Dear Folks at Home Power, My wife and I are volunteers doing veterinary development with the Society of International Missionaries (SIM) in a remote part of SW Ethiopia. Our home is now powered by six Arco M-55 modules, enough for lights, music, communications radio and SunFrost refrigerator. We have lotsa sunlight and practically no other energy source out here! Thanks for the excellent work you're doing on the magazine. I have learned a lot from the experiences of others reported in HP, and it has filled a multitude of ignorance gaps. We had to plunge in to solar electricity-- then learn about it! We bake in a solar oven (the nomads are astounded), and we dehydrate our extra food in a solar dehydrator-- for preservation. We hope to change from gas to solar water pumping from the well, and install a solar water heater quite soon. Challenging all these solar projects based only on what I could find to read--I still had/have plenty of questions. Your magazine has provided some long-sought answers. Thanks very much. Enclosed is our check for back issues #2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. They should be mailed to the address in your computer--not to us directly unless costs cover overseas postage. My folks forward them to us. Please keep up the good work. Sincerely, Fred Van Gorkom, DVM, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, East Africa Dear HP, In response to M Riener's letter in HP12. About 1 year ago I bought a used China Diesel engine, model X195DN, with a 12.5Kw Winco generator. The unit had not been used for a couple of years and the oil had not been drained. This (unknown to me) had caused the brass screen on the pick-up of the oil pump to disintegrate because of condensation and acid build-up in the old oil. After I had run the engine a few hours, the pieces of screen plugged the oil line and the engine seized. That was when I wondered if I would have a problem getting parts. I completely disassembled the engine to see what I would need to rebuild it. I called China Diesel Imports (17549 Lyons Valley Rd, Jamul, CA 92035, 619/669-1995) and talked to Hardy Day the owner of China Diesel Imports and also to his mechanic Joe. They were able to fill my order for all the parts I needed which consisted of crankshaft, rod & main bearings, exhaust valve, gaskets, and questions. A couple of months ago the original starter began to have problems. I took it to a local starter repair shop and it was going to cost a bundle to have it rebuilt. So I called China Diesel Imports and they had a bracket that would allow me to use a 5.7 liter GM Diesel starter. This saved me some money and also starts the engine quicker than the original starter. I have also replaced the injector nozzle, which they have in stock. As you can see, so far I have not had any problems getting the parts I need, and they ship them as soon as they get the order. The only "horror" story I have is that the oil should have been drained from this engine before it was stored. A couple of minutes of effort on someone's part would have saved me a good deal of time and money. HP, I enjoy the articles in your magazine which are interesting and informative. Also it is probably one of the few magazines where everyone also reads the advertisements. Keep up the good work. Sincerely, Gordon Gronewold, Tonasket, WA Dear Person, I recently received six back issues in the mail and promptly read them all, cover to cover, in one sitting. Now I would like to order issues 2, 3, 4, and 5, to complete my collection. Now some comments and questions: 1. I urge the readers to make use of solar water heaters (in place of gas and wood) wherever possible to minimize environmental impact. Why burn things to make hot water when the sun does it so well. This year I installed a Solahart unit that works great and cost only $156.00 after the Oregon tax credit. water heater $1195.00, fittings etc. $48.00, minus $1087.00 State tax credit = $156.00. 2. I want to put in a good word for Bobier Electronics and their NDR-30 charge controller. I suggest a place in the "Things That Work" column. Have you seen their technical comparison document #1126B? Their warranty? Quite impressive! I use one, and it works! 3. Can anyone there tell me how to build a circuit to make 9vac 60Hz from 120VDC? My old Commodore 64 requires this to run the timing part of the interface chips. I know how to make 5VDC and 9VDC that runs the rest of the machine. 4. I would like to see more build it yourself type articles for the tinkers out there. For instance a schematic for a good 12V fluorescent light ballast. You've been doing a good job in this area so far. Keep it up. 5. The peoples energy fair is a good idea and if I can be of help in any way here in Central Oregon, I'll be glad to donate some time. Sincerely, Quintin Myers, Bend, OR Dear HP, I'm a new reader, as green as they come on getting "wattage in my cottage". Plan to build a tiny house within the next two years, so I'm beginning now to explore the literature--and must say that HP hits the spot better than most. I read your letters first and generally find them the most involving and interesting--then one or two articles such as "Simple Designs for Efficient, Low Cost and Reliable Systems", by Steve Willey, will ring a bell. On that particular article, the way Steve explains why a $35 fluorescent lamp is better than a $300 added panel is so nicely put that it gives me enthusiasm to go deeper into the whole field. BUT then he follows on with advice to wire for ac and DC both-- and I get an attack of the MEGO Syndrome-- "My Eyes Glaze Over"! I'm at the stage of knowing, in a general way, that it's better to be a net producer than a net consumer, beyond that I'm at the very beginning. I want to hear that I need to wire for ac and DC, but I also have to deal with the fact that I don't know anything about even the most basic stuff-- like what IS electricity, how does it work, what controls and directs it, etc.? So to reply to Dr. Bill's query in the letters column, YES to more info for those of us "low in electronic know how, trying to get up to speed". YES also to Jeff Damm's request to "see some actual home-grown systems", especially those of people like myself who had to make their start with no electrical savoir-faire, confronting in dumb stupefaction a great idea that seems overpopulated with neat products and diverse applications! About the direction of the magazine as a whole-- you're doing great. Articles that respond directly to reader's queries appear in the same issue, which means that there's healthy ferment going on. I agree with those who don't want to see you go upscale, downtown, and get slick. The mindset of our culture is tremendously powerful, and it's easy to get sucked right back in to where you were before you started. Stay alert! It seems to me that you should stay with the nuts-and-bolts of independent power production, letting the other critical issues such as gardening, lifestyle, politics be your SUPPORTING arguments. We live in a time when so many different big issues are truly important, that if you treated them all as they deserve to be treated in each issue, you'd be printing something about the size of the Manhattan Yellow Pages. Don't underestimate the great impact you're making by sticking to this one issue and doing it as well as you are. What this magazine/movement is REALLY about (as you know) is taking power (electrical and political) out of the hands of the money-grubbers, mystifiers and slave-drivers, and getting it into the hands of EVERYBODY. It seems like this should present enough of a challenge to those who really want to change the world... not that the other issues are not just as important, because they are-- and blessings on your favorite cause. Ideas on the People's Energy Fair: YES, the fair requires and organization, and you ought to hire a full-time director/coordinator/administrator NOW. You don't have to pay them a lot, even a couple of hundred dollars a month would do. The right kind of person will be into it for the free phone, contacts, challenge and fun anyway, not for the bucks. DEFINITELY set it up as a separate non-profit. I had experience in the early '80s starting a soup kitchen and we tried to do it under the umbrella of a sister organization. It's not worth the energy having to run everything through two staffs and two boards, even given good cooperation (which we had). The time/money investment to set up a small non-profit is small for those who know how. Start it as your own baby and my experience says you'll be much happier. LOCATION? I vote east of the Mississippi, because: 1-more population; 2- better chance of major media coverage (like it or not, the decisions and energy for this come from the east coast) 3-there may be a better chance to make the environmental case in a way that counts (acid rain is more of an Eastern problem) 4-would give the largely Western-based alternative energy crowd a chance to mix 'n' mingle with the more staid Easterners (we need it and you do, too). TIME: definitely August 1990. August is traditionally the slowest month for news, when media is willing to look around for "alternative" stories. ACTIVITIES: Include "the basics", so as to pull into your orbit as many as possible. I think the fair will suffer if you end up just preaching to the already converted. Reach out to Joe Six-Pack America! I think there's still a lot of idealism out there, but people have been burned pretty badly by recent culture and history-- so they want to see the nut- and-bolts demonstrations along with the "Better World Through Cheap Energy" type slogans. We have to give the fair-goers two big, and equally important messages-- there is Hope, and there is a Realistic Method. BUSINESS INVOLVEMENT? They've gotta be there! I don't want to but a concept, I want to but a panel! I want to get off the grid and I want to do it in reality. This requires the hardware and technical expertise that the business people have. Why not get those who are there to make a profit, also run critical parts of the fair as a cost of doing business? For example, get some of those who handle toilets to throw in on the sanitation end of things. And sell the toilets after the fair is over at a reduced price to people like me who would consider it a historic kick to get one of the VERY TOILETS that were used at the first P.E.F.! What a story for the grandchildren... FINAL POINT: be sure to locate on an active bus line with a good station to handle the flow. Amtrak accessibility not a bad idea, either. Rob Conrad, Abingdon, VA Dear Home Power, I'd like to share something which seems a small point. The PL series of lights has been a positive boost for solar power in my neighborhood. One stumbling block for them is they are awkward. I wish everyone to know that the ballast can be located three to four feet from the bulb. (Does anyone know the maximum?) My latest conversion to PL lighting is an articulated, spring jointed, study lamp. My procedure was as follows. 1) remove the bulb sock assembly and switch 2) plug the existing lamp wire into the PL socket 3) use small nuts & bolts to mount the PL socket to the lamp 4) cut the wires to the study lamp at about desk level 5) mount the ballast and a switch near the base of the lamp. The result of this simple retrofit is a very nice lighting system suitable for the home desk or professional drafting. NOTE: To make the mounting look like it came from the factory, glue the nuts to the PL socket with miracle glue, so the screw heads aim down and into the light area. This suggestion is for people with bulky fingers. By the way, as long as I'm boosting PL lights. The PL-5 makes a great area light which will keep friends safe on rough ground for at least 75 feet from your front door, maybe even 100. Sincerely, Garrett Connelly, Environmental Economics, 300 W. Mountain Dr., Santa Barbara, 93103 Dear Home "Power" Saw in your "Letters To Home Power" your comment on "Food Generation" & possible column on same. Home Power is already well into helping us become self-sufficient & "Food Generation" is part of our needs. Some basic info on hydroponics. There are basically 2 approaches 1. HIGH TECH. - w/pumps, heaters, chemical nutrients 2. SOFT TECH. - w/no pumps, & very limited chemical inputs 1st High Tech. sources of info. 1. Hydroponic Society of America, PO Box 6067, Concord, CA 94524 - Journal & book lists $25.00/yr 2. "The 21st Century Gardener Journal" Growers Press, Inc., POB 189, Princeton, BC, Canada V0X 1W0, $20/yr, sample Free? This is the best journal I'm aware of with lots of equipment sources, books, etc. SOURCES OF EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES Western Water Farms, 1244 Seymour St, Vancouver BC, Canada V6B 3N9, Ph. 1-604-682-6636 Crop King Inc., POB 310-CG, Media, OH 44258, Catalog Free. Aquaculture, 700 W 1st St, Tempe, AZ 85281, Ph. 602-966-6429, 1-800- 633-2137, catalog Free. I'm more interested in soft-tech hydroponics. Sometimes called passive water hydroponics. It is much easier, & cheaper to set up the system, & the system is a more easily adaptable to "organic" type growth. Some info on these systems is available from: "Echo Development Notes", RR2 Box 852, North Ft Myers FL, 33903, $10/yr and New Alchemy Institute, 237 Hatchville Rd, E Falmouth, MA 02356 Hydroponics systems can be used in your Home or in a greenhouse. Simple, cheap, small, greenhouses are available from: Shelter Systems, POB 67, Aptos, CA 95001, catalog $1.00. Materials & info on very cheap, rugged, do-it-yourself greenhouses are available from, Northern Greenhouse Sales, Box 42, Neche, ND 28265, Ph. 204-327-5540. For food growing with high nutritional value & with least impact on the environment please consider, these groups for information. Dan Carlson, Scientific Enterprises, Inc., 708 119th Ln NE, Blaine, MN 55434, Ph. 612-757-8274 (on use of sound & foliate feeding of plants). Don Weaver, POB 1961, Burlingame, CA 94010 or Soltice, 201 E Main St Ste. H, Charlotteville, VA 22901 (for info on soil remineralization with ground rock). The Permaculturae Activists, POB 101, Davis, CA 95617 (for info on a wide range of important growing info). If "Home Power" or others want more details on this sort of information & "underground greenhouses" for use in cold climates or underground houses for do-it-yourselfers & other appropriate technology subjects - Let me know. Best to you all, Jan, San Luis Obispo,CA Hi Folks, I, along with everybody else it seems, am excited with your magazine, and very much appreciate what you are doing. There is a lot of potential growing out of your efforts which I believe will be of benefit to many many people. Enclosed is a check for $14.00. Please send me one copy each of issues 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Something has begun to concern me these last few months as I have avidly read through your last four issues of Home Power (through 12). As a way of giving my perspective I will say that I am a licensed builder here in California, with over 25 years experience in the construction field. I began my career as an electrician, and branched out some 10 to 15 years ago. I also have some minor experience with electronics bases upon a stint in the Navy many years ago. In regards to solar energy and ecological concerns my primary interest has been in the area of passive solar solutions having to do with the design and construction of dwellings that are long lasting and require low maintenance. My desire has been to combine evolved technologies and natural materials to promote minimal consumption, balance, light, and groundedness, as well as esthetics and ecological harmony. Again, it has been a joy to discover Home Power. In any case, the concern that has come up for me (which could possibly be answered in one of your back issues?) is that I have seen no discussion regarding the costs, both in terms of actual energy as well as the ecological impact, of the manufacturing (and disposal?) of PVs, storage batteries, and the myriad other things associated with the systems of energy generation/retrieval, storage, and utilization, that are discussed in Home Power. Living near what is commonly called Silicon Valley I have become very much aware of the impact the manufacturing of computers (such as the one I am using here) is making upon our environment. I also wonder how the amount of energy that goes into the manufacture of a PV panel and itŐs support structure (including such things as the mining of itŐs materials, transportation, and disposal...) compares with the amount of energy it is expected to generate over itŐs lifetime... and how that ratio might be affected by other cost factors in the system as a whole. I am bringing up questions I have no answers to, but I do believe these questions might concern others besides myself. Perhaps there are those amongst your readers who have information that could answer some of these concerns? Sincerely, Gila Builders, John Fridinger, PO Box 8260, Santa Cruz, CA 95061, (408) 423-5349, Lic#554346 Hello, Thanks to Home Power for all the information. I live in a small motorhome equipped with two Arco M-75 panels. I made a very simple adjustable rack for the panels using two TV antenna mast poles. They are joined perpendicular with a bicycle handle bar stem. The panels are bolted to two straight angle iron pieces and U bolt directly to the horizontal mast. The vertical mast is supported by two TV type wall mounts. The whole thing can be raised up or down, circle 360ˇ, and the panels themselves can be changed from vertical to horizontal angles. It all folds down so the panels are flat on my roof in a safe position for traveling. All the hardware for the rack was purchased at Radio Shack and a hardware store for around $20; the handle Bar stem being salvaged. RICHARD INSERT GRAPHIC I'd also like to mention that the Radio Shack 12V amplified TV antenna is small but pulls in signals great. It draws only 100ma. Recently I bought a 13 inch color TV which I am powering with a 100 watt Statpower inverter. The inverter causes some speckled horizontal bands which move up the TV screen. They are slightly distracting to see. These do not occur when the VCR is playing a tape so I assume it is RF interference. Is there any way to stop this interference? I'm happy to share any information on my systems with anyone who needs help. Thanks, Larry Kapp, POB 151, Gays Mills, WI 54631 P.S. I built the expanded scale voltmeter and after some minor problems (I didn't know what I was doing) I've got it working! This publication is right up my alley! I was thankful for the article on page 38 (HP10) on DC fluorescents! I use PL type lights & love the watt savings but don't like the flicker & when voltage is low they're terrible. But after the simple modification described by Motorcycle Mike, it's like a new house! THANK YOU. EVERYONE in the nation should be using these lights & getting Home POwer mag. Keep up the good work. I have 1/2K of PV - Zomeworks hot water & heating w/ wood stove coil backup - Family of 3. Robert Bailar, Tijeras, NM Editors et. al; Am glad I found your publication. My family and I are operating our home in southwestern Colorado on "Home Power". I am always looking for ideas and sources of various equipment etc. I look forward to your upcoming issues. Keep up the good work -- good articles on home built stuff and "how-to" articles always needed. Further, as a Junior High science teacher in Farmington , New Mexico, many of your articles will be important contributions to my physical science classes. The need for informative articles written for the lay person is being met with your publication. Good job. I would appreciate a subscription for my science department at school as well. Do you object to my using (photocopying classroom copies) of some appropriate articles for courses. The graphs and discussions are good examples of "real life" applications of Physical Science. Graph interpretation skills are an important part of my curriculum and I can use many you publish. I would like to use some of your material in my class. Thanks for an interesting publication. David D Hanna, Science Dept., Tibbetts Junior High School, 312 E Apache St., Farmington, NM 87501 Thanks again, I look forward to your next issue. Home Power has been a deep source of hope for me, without it I am not sure I would have had the courage to sell everything, bring that truck up the Rockies at 10mph and look for land. Now if the contract will go through... Seriously my former electric company was economically involved with Shorcham Nuke. It was a great source of spiritual distress. My only suggestion is : A column for people like me, who want to build an appropriate tech. home. If I could find others to break up a larger parcel, land would be more affordable. Thank you, Deborah Marchand, POB 881719, Steamboat, CO 80488 Dear Editor, RE: June/July 1989 -- "Passive Solar Hot Water" by Kathleen Jaraschke- Schultze. I think that "Passive Solar Hot Water" is a very well written article about a simple design for a thermal siphon collector. I have experimented a little with solar siphons, and I would like to suggest some minor additions or changes in their system. One of the problems with thermosyphons is that 'thermal layering' sometimes occurs in the tank ie. the water in the very top of the tank gets too hot and prevents the system from siphoning further. This might be the reason that they only get 10 gallons of hot water out of a 30 or 40 gallon tank. First, to possibly avoid thermal layering in the tank sometimes you can mount the tank on its side or at an angle instead of upright. This allows for a larger mixing area inside the tank. If you are using an old water for a tank then you arrange it so the drain valve becomes your cold inlet to your siphon and, hopefully, you will have a hot outlet far enough up on the tank to take advantage of the most volume. PLEASE INSERT ATTACHED Graphic Secondly, I suggest mounting or positioning the siphon such that the top of the pyramid is below the lowest part of the tank. This insures that it will always get the coldest water to heat and that it will then siphon to the top of the tank. Finally, to avoid having to shut off the siphon manually at night they could install a check valve, a one-way valve, between the siphon and the tank so that it will not 'reverse' siphon at night. Also, I assume that they have their tank insulated so that it doesn't become a thermal radiator at night. Plumbing the system to switch from a solar siphon to an in-the-wood stove siphon can be easily done with the tank mounted high enough so it will work both ways and the addition of a couple more valves. The pyramid siphon could even have a drain cock on its low end and then they may not even have to disconnect a hose in the winter! It's a nice design, and pyramids are supposed to be magical, too! Best Wishes, Jay Lensch, Hornbrook, CA Dear Home Power, Count two big votes for the People's Energy Phair (PEP)! It's time to spread the news that we can live comfortably and sustainably within our daily income of solar energy. We're glad to see the proposed restriction on automobiles from the fair site. Along this line, we suggest the site be accessible by public transit, eg. bus or train. We live on a sailboat, so it would be nice also if we could get there by wind power. We want to thank Real Goods for their prompt response to a recent order. We've been enjoying cold drinks from our new PV-powered refrigerator and clean clothes from a 12VDC washing machine. Home Power enriches our lives. Keep up the good work. Phairly, Larry & Marge Warmberg-Welling, Nahcotta, WA Folks, Great mag love it etc. etc. I have something to share that I haven't read about anywhere else. I have a minimal 12V PV system in my ongoing Forever owner built home, a lifetime, never ending project. I have to pump or carry water up a 40' hill. To flush a conventional toilet takes a lot of water (heavy). Low flush toilets carry a premium price tag. I went to an RV salvage yard in the big city & got an old porcelain RV potty with a foot lever operated flapper valve. Uses miniscule amounts of water to flush. Of course it's not to code but it is a simple switcheroo. I think many times re: PV systems the point is lost to downscale energy demands rather than upgrade the PV systems. Thanks, Chuck Kondas, Breckenridge, CO Everything is good, any questions I need answered, all I have to do is be patient and wait for the next issue. Would like to see more info on proper cleaning of batteries and connections. Also would like to talk to other alternative energy users in my area. Thanks, Guy Stephenson Jr., RT86, Wilmington, NY 12997 After hauling water for 10 years......due to "Flowlight" (Santa Cruz, NM) I am about to have "running water" (HOT TOO.......indoors).... Can't wait for the first bubble bath!!! Chris Spanovich, Chimato, NM Dear Home Power folks, I can't begin to tell you how inspiring it's been to read your magazine. The useful and sensible information comes at just the right time for me as I finally move onto the land and create a sustainable lifestyle. Your high level of integrity comes shining through the pages. It brought tears to my eyes. It can be a struggle to maintain high ideals as you get larger and more recognized. Look at what happened to Mother Earth News. But the high place you guys are obviously coming from gives me great hope. It'll be interesting following your development as well as continuing to receive this important information. Enclosed is $14.00 for back issues #2-8. You are being a great service to the present. Thank you very much. Sincerely, Fred Mignone, Floyd, VA Your magazine is the best. I read a book and other articles on home power and felt completely overwhelmed. Then I ordered HP back issues. Now I feel psyched to be going off the grid instead of terrified. Bill St. Cyr, Cabot, VT Dear Home Power Folks: Is there anyone out there doing what I would like to do? I'm a 4 acre back-to-the-lander in the SE Pennsylvania suburban area near Valley Forge. I have accumulated many energy hungry 110vac appliances over the years and can't afford to discard them all at once. Nevertheless, I would like to cut the umbilical cords. I garden organically, solar heat water, and have avoided municipal sewers. I cannot trust a well in this area and rely on additionally filtering city water. Although I have some heavy shop equipment, I still want to eliminate electric utility dependence in other areas as much as possible. It seems best to start PV in a small way and gradually reduce the habit as finances permit. Unfortunately, for this enthusiastic reader, your articles describe systems "beyond the power lines". My desired application might not be as exciting, but the less dependency upon the energy sellers the better for all of us. Just as more solar hot water heaters have appeared locally, I think the same can happen with PV. Cost effective or not, it can be satisfying enough to some to pursue PV in this manner. If you are sitting on any such information, please publish it. Thanks. Sincerely, Howard Peters Jr., Berwyn, PA Good magazine. I liked the article on the (DOE) surplus PV cells. My brother bought one and a deep cycle. I showed him the article so he went out and bought two more. Your article on the durability of these cells took the guess work out of buying them. In my case, articles on the smaller 12 volt, no inverter systems are helpful. Any solar systems that run some form of swamp cooler would be very interesting. Mark Blair, Grenada, CA Yours is a magazine put out by "Real People" who care. I like everything about it! A free subscription magazine of this caliber is impossible - how do you do it? You are obviously putting much out more than you are getting and the only way you can do that is love. My wife & I are two school teachers that have just retired and are moving to the foothill country of Grass Valley, CA, where we intend to experiment with different forms of alternative energy. You will be hearing more from us. In the meantime, you are appreciated. John and Shirley Randall