23 March 2011
We've always intended to live 'off the grid' as much as possible. Paying to plug in to power would make our lifestyle so much harder to fund.
So we had plenty of solar panels installed, and all the fancy stuff in black boxes that makes it work.
Unfortunately, the builders took shortcuts when installing it (clearly they were already in trouble) and so it has never worked properly. We have had to plug in every couple of days to keep the batteries full. They weren't even charging up when we were driving because the cable from the alternator was too thin.
So, we've just spent a couple of days and over $4000 having this rectified. Not only did a lot of new wiring have to be pulled, we also replaced the battery charger and the solar controller.
It doesn't make us very happy having to fix things we'd already paid for, but this should be the last of the big costs. We got even grumpier when we found out one of our expensive AGM batteries had been dropped at some stage - the builders had just put putty over the crack and there was quite a bit of leaked acid in the battery compartment.
So, with that quick trip to Auckland and AA Solar out of the way, we're heading back down the country again, with a week to relax before we start a couple of weeks looking after Mercury Bay Holiday Park.
Hard to pay out again, but knowing that is the last big costs, now you can look forward.
ReplyDeleteWhat dates are yuo up in Whitianga? I'm there on the 1st through to the 3rd.
Glad to hear your back up and running.......let the adventure continue :)
ReplyDeleteOMG, that sort of stuff rips your knickers! Especially when you decide that you want to save money by having solar power and probably end up spending more than you would in 5 years on repairs you shouldn't have to!!
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