Thoughts on Additional Groups

[Renewable Ray]

OK, in the never ending journey of making this a better forum we would like everyone's input on adding additional groups. When we look at the most success forums online we noticed that some of the most popular threads on in groups that are way off the subject matter. And we haven't done that here.

But hey, we are a "real community" of "real people". Should we also be sharing other aspects of our lives. We have been resisting starting a political group/thread, worried it would lead to so much negativity that it would end up hurting more then it would help. Since I personally am both a bow hunter and a professional musician I find myself drawn to the musicians threads on archery sites. Should we try that here? I am not a big sports fan myself but most of you are. Should we start NFL groups?

Maybe the reason it works is because we tend to be like minded people and it just might be a hoot to share other aspects of our lives with each other. Jim's thread [discussion] titled "We Are You"was the number one thread for a long time and it had nothing to do with our solar site ups. We received so many positive messages from members who enjoyed Gregory's astronomy photos, do we need more of that? An astronomy group?

This is the place to leave your comments, we are anxious to her your thoughts,

Renewable Ray

Site Administrator

[Hillbilly Gene]

Hi Ray,

 

The “Masthead” on this site says: “Harbor Freight 45 Watt Solar Panel Kit Community Forum”, and then says: “Join the conversation about the 45 Watt Solar Panel Kit from Harbor Freight”.  Keep it that way.

 

Deviating from that “mission statement” would be a mistake.  Where would it end?  A special interest group discussing and/or cussing Lindsay Lohan?  Or those watcha-call-it sisters?

 

There are already special groups here, but those groups directly relate to the 45-watt kit.  Even the “Harbor Freight 800 Watt Generator Users Group” does not stray much from producing ones own electricity, or using that generator to charge your “solar” batteries in a pinch.

 

Additional groups that could be welcome may be:

“Basic Electricity and Electronics Users Group” Anyone who wades through my posts know they are probably going to get some electrical theory and/or math.  I don’t do this to show off any skills I think I may have, but that theory and math backs up any statements I make.  The range of electrical knowledge on this board ranges from “disaster” to electrical engineers, of which I am neither  This would be a meeting place for those who want to either learn or refine their knowledge.

“Other Solar Projects Users Group” Is anyone using the HF 45-Watt kit for something besides saving electricity or avoiding grid power?  I like Carl Masters use of the 45-watt kit to just power a Mighty-Mule gate opener.  Other projects such as this could stir the creative juices.

“Sticky” This is not necessarily a users group, but would be a place for you to copy and paste any post that YOU consider explains the most common or obvious question that need to be answered, such as “Why won’t my HF charge controller work with more than one kit?”  The software for this site apparently has no provisions for a sticky.

 

Others have given their suggestions.

 

As my father used to tell me as he slapped me aside my head:  “STAY ON TASK!”

Sermon done.

 

Hillbilly Gene

[Renewable Ray]

Thanks Gene, always look forward to your constructive positive input. And the "stickys", it is not available to us with the program we use to host this forum. We are hoping it will be in the future though because your right. It's exactly what we need for the most comment questions a beginner has when they first visit the forum.

[Renewable Ray]

OK, it's obvious what members want......and that is to keep it do it yourself solar and based on a members first purchase being a Harbor Freight Kit and moving forward from there.

So be it, the members have spoken!

RR

[larry isaacs]

Thanks, Ray, we will now release your first born. Thanks for listening to the people.

Larry

[Tom]

Good call Ray ! and although i am fairly new here I dont see any one any where here being restricted from having and/or starting a reasonable topic here that we can ALL relate to !  The more i look around here the more I like what I see !

Tom

[Geekster Dave]

Hey Ray, as usual here lately I'm coming in a "day late and a dollar short" - just wanted to say I am happy to see this decision.

[Dale Marshall]

I was wondering when you would throw in the towel

[Dominick Paragano]

Hi guys,

First time poster here.....

I came here to read, post and most importantly, learn from those who truly appreciate energy indipendence without relying on the grid. It seems like there are a lot of us here. I wouldn't mind a discussion on the role the utility companies, their grids, regulations and the government play in the effectiveness of solar and renewable energy production for the masses. I'd imagine that the above mentioned are more hinderances to advancing energy independence than they are in leading it.

So I would suggest a Discussion somewhere along those lines.  There is a reason we want to be off-grid, and there really shouldn't be one.

Maybe also a Discussion on software applications and possibilities to a smart grid.

Look forward to continued discussions with you all, as I'm in the process of convincing my parents to allow me to install this system (need to show them why it makes sense $$$).  Until then, I am highly anticipating my first project.

-Dom

[Gregory Blount]

Hey, thanks for the nice comment on my photos, Ray. I'm looking forward to sharing some of my solar set-up photos when I get things together.

As for an astronomy group, I see no need for one in this forum.. There are plenty of them on the net. However, I'll be glad to be of assistance to anyone in the group who is interested in astronomy or astrophotography.

[Don McIntyre,Sr]

thanks Ray

[sl dl]

  I have been running my cabin off grid for 3 years with one HF kit and a 225 AH battery.   The HF kit has been a real relief from having to lug a 160# battery home to charge every trip or so and great not having to light the place with coleman lanterns as we did for years.  (I could do a whole I hate coleman forum).  This forum has been a real help and gave me the incentive, help nd confidence to put 250 watts on my house also.  Thanks to all of you.

I recently ran across an article about micro hydro.  I have a stream on my property with enough drop and flow most of the year.  Wouldn't mind seeing more of that here.

 

Merry Christmas.  Happy new year.

 

[The Brentster]

How about a forum on Energy Conservation?  Ways get around spending big bucks on electricity.  I know there's a lot of good ideas out there.