Hello Don. Thoroughly enjoyed this video. No stupid music, no over editing and no trying to speak at light-speed. An easy watch and entertaining too. Sincere greetings from the UK John. ps Yes, I have subbed and hit that notification bell :)
I love your almost child like enthusiasm for everything you do even hard labor and even things you may not know how to do your never afraid to just do it be careful and stay safe God Bless All you do 👍🏻
Wow Vince. That is going to make me tear up friend. Thanks so much! Yeah I consider this like a big ol adventure and hard labor has always been part of my life so I actually find it therapeutic to be honest. Just hoping the oldster physique stays intact so that I get the hard labor projects done before I am too ancient LOL.
I can predict big problems if that fills more than halfway. But, for the sake of good fortune, I hope that works well for you. If it doesn't, you at least learned through experience. ;)
I too don't shy away from a job because it's too hard, I'm too old, I don't have the fancy tools, I'm told it can't be done, etc... Your living my dream sir. 😊👍
I love the way you always find things to improve your builds and come back to tweak them into perfection. Good idea for the water tank. Looks like you got your workout in the dirt
This is only the second video of yours that I have watched. I'm a brand new subscriber. I love your attitude and sense of humor. You are doing exactly what I wish to do. Unfortunately I'm a C5 and complete left leg including my hip amputatee. So I'll never get to do what you're doing. But I'm so happy to see that you are doing exactly what every free man should be able to do. I will definitely be keeping my eye on you. Take care.
Hi Dan. So delighted to have you here and thankful I can provide some enjoyment for you as I work away at this beautiful property. Thanks so much for subscribing!
Don, I’ve been very reluctant to do any “I would do it differently“ comments on your videos, partially because I’ve learned a lot and partially because of different folks different strokes etc. However this is one project where I clearly would have done things differently, and I had thought about it when you first put up your solar panels. Before putting the solar panels up I would’ve installed some cheap galvanized roof panels specifically for gathering rainwater and then put the solar panels on top of those. Then you wouldn’t have to mess with tape or anything of that sort and if they would all drain down into the gutter. I haven’t had much luck with any duct tape, black, silver, or whatever, in during long in the Arizona sun. Eventually you may need to replace that with something like Eternabond tape, Which is made for patching RV roofs and is very watertight and UV resistant. Also, for all the money and effort you spent building that tank I simply would’ve bought a couple IBC totes and have the water drain into that. It would’ve been cheaper and easier by a long shot. To be honest I’m really surprised I haven’t seen any IBC totes in your videos - there seem to be pretty ubiquitous among of breeders, particularly for rainwater gathering, and I have used them very successfully in the past. Put a coat of paint on them to give them some UV protection and they’ll last good while. The home star runner makes UA-cam channel has a lot of really good information o pretty ubiquitous among of breeders, particularly for rainwater gathering, and I have used them very successfully in the past. Put a coat of paint on them to give them some UV protection and they’ll last good while. The homesteadonomics UA-cam channel has a lot of really good information on rain water gathering. He’s based south of Tucson so he talks are language. Just my thoughts.
@@roberthayward9299 How I have seen them done and will build my own, the mounting support channels for the solar panels would be above the corrugated metal roofing so there would still be significant airflow under the panels.
@@sodbuster330 I’m not sure you’re understanding what I’m proposing. Just take a look at all the of the millions of rooftop solar installations. That’s exactly what I’m proposing. No different. Lots of air around the solar panels.
Lots of thoughtful input there Scot. The good thing is that the simply old Gorilla tape works amazing even when soaked and baked in the AZ sun. Also just like changing the oil in a car if I have to replace it then I can. Its only about an hour job.
Great idea Don! I lived in Hawaii for ten years and my water source was by catching the rain. However, it rained a lot there so we never came close to running out. God bless you!
great idea to use solar array for rain catchment 👍 i was thinking ahead if i had a carport before i built a tiny cabin that i could do rain catchment on that structure, happy trails 🥳
Another good job Ron. I like your initiative. I've been reading through your comments. They're overwhelmingly positive and that's awesome! I have one positive suggestion to improve the strength of your water holding structure. When it fills, water pressure will tend to push the sides apart. I'd be thinking about a horizontal zigzag of fencing wire between those top rails to counteract that pressure. Those structural screws you like so much would be perfect to hold the wire in place. As a bonus the wire zigzag would help stop your tank cover from falling into the water.
@+①④④⑦②⓪②③⓪①⑦WhatsApp Hi Ron. I've been living off rainwater tanks for about half my life so I've a little experience with what water pressure can do. In fact water pressure is one of the reasons water tanks tend to be round. Yours is rectangular but it's also quite shallow so the pressure problem won't be too hard to fix hopefully. If your rectangular tank is full, it will already be spreading in the middle. It might have enough intrinsic strength to hold together but it might slowly collapse outwards as water pressure pushes those long sides apart. I thought about how best to solve the problem and the wire zigzag was the simplest idea I could come up with. If you have suitable lengths of timber, that would work too. I'm Australian so I use the word timber where you might say lumber. The wood only needs to be small in section say 2" X1" but obviously it would need to be long enough to cover the width of your tank. You would need about 4 or 5 over the length of your tank and you would fasten them in ladder fashion. .technically these wooden pieces are called "cleats" Hope this helps. All the best from Australia. Bob H.
@@roberthayward9299 I'm sorry Robert, but Don has misfired on this one. I calculate that there's about 500 gallons and 4000 lbs. of water in his tank, putting somewhere between 12 and 14 PSI pressure on the sides between the braces. On styrofoam? Susceptible to rodents? And to UV degradation? With gorilla tape on the panels where they need to expand and contract? He's done a huge amount of work for a bad setup. I'd have talked him out of this idea after an hour of thinking about it.
Don, one more comment, I’m living in the mountains southwest to Tucson and my personal weather station has measured over 5 inches of rain since 1 June, even though Tucson has had far far less. You should really get a weather station so you can see what’s happening there, and if you hook it up to your Internet connection we could see it as well. They’re not that terribly expensive anymore and would go good on your wish list. I would buy you one if I could afford to.
Nice design to make your own water tank. I fear it may be a little flimsy to hold a lot of water, but we'll find out. I would really brace over the top from side to side for added strength and put tarp on top to protect from the sun, critters and pollutants, but this is made to be for your pond or plants, I guess? In that case the water quality is not paramount.
Hello Don I was getting worried with you not posting. I'm glad to see your back and still doing. WOW an off gridder with a pool how cool I take it the water from that will go to the plants ? Well thanks for sharing Don take care and stay safe.
A suggestion for lumber that touches the ground is to wrap it or put under it tar paper. For posts wrap the ground portion. For wood against the ground lay it under the wood. You can staple it if you need to.
At 7:45 or so you really sped up your work. I was thinking of firing you for working so slow but now I want to keep you on the job and give you a raise. Good work... I enjoyed this...
Great! You've inspired me once again Don. Now with every build, I will consider including rain water catchments. I think for mine I will forego the rain gutter and just build the catchment directly underneath the solar panels, effectively making it one very large rain gutter/catchment all in one. Thanks again Don!! Oh, btw, you're getting much better with your post video editing and musical overlays!
IMHO, this would have been much simplier. No need to cut the metal. No buying gutters, gutter ends, piping or creating a flange. He could have used a 1x4 or maybe 1x6 at an angle from the solar panels to the tank covering it with the excess 6 mil plastic. As a bonus this would also add to the surface area of rainwater collection.
Very creative Don! This week should be good to test it out. 🌦️ It will be interesting to see how long the tape lasts in the sun & hopefully it won't cause any issues for your panels. 😎🏜️
Hope you guys got lots of rain these past several days too REd & April! Yep it worked great and the gorilla tape is designed to withstand wet unlike duct tape which goes squishey and is easily destroyed by the sun. No issues at all with the panels. Still getting more power than I need.
@@affordabledesertliving3487 Awesome, glad it's working well! We got an inch of rain on Wednesday, which was a good amount without being too crazy. 😊🏜️
Hi Don, you might be better of using a couple of 275 gallon IBC totes dug into the ground... In fact, coupled together via their own bottom spout should be very good. These totes are great, especially underground (uv protected). Very scalable as well...
Sorry guy. If this is something that I plan to leave in place and use for years, I would invest in an appropriate food grade tank and put good drains on the panels. Experiment with some cheap rain gutters and a plastic tank used to haul water in a truck. Keep track of how much water is recovered and works for me.
Hi Michael. Yep a food grade tank would be great but they are an odd size for this spot and with pressure treated lumber I figure I can get a good 10-15 years out of the tank. We shall see. Thanks for watching!
It's a good experiment. Afraid water weight will blow out the sides-bottom but, thats how we learn. I would be on the lookout for cheap food grade 55 gal drums. Make pvc header from gutter to fill barrels and same to discharge to hose etc.... Also, you have to put a value on your labor-time sometimes the big money item is best value.
I thought about food grade drums etc but they are an odd shape for what I wanted to do. I have a plan to make it all sturdier. As for the value on my labor-time. Nope. I am retired so that isnt a factor.
I would get about five of those white square plastic container`s with the metal cage`s around them you can buy them on craig`s list where they sell plastic barrels and connect them together , when one fills up and get it to flow into the next and so forth , will help keep out the mule and other critter`s .
Great workout Donner dude, and admirable utilization of "scraps". As some clever folks have suggested, the bulkhead will be a good feature, and bracing the sides seems necessary. I think one very important addition is 'chicken wire' cover over the top to keep critters out. (Make them use the spa…and eventually, if you get enough traffic, you might charge admission!). 🤣
Oh and remember it isn't free water until you have covered your initial costs. Which in this case is sweet fanny Adams. Good use of "free" collection" area.
Don you could also use a tarp... you can get pretty heavy ones for less than your pond liner too. thanks for the video... stay healthy and hydrated my friend... Deb from South Dakota
Dang! Don't kill yourself! The water tank will work great I think. You always keep your videos interesting and I just love your humor! I'm glad you have so many subscribers!
My goodness Don, you really know how to make the very best of your circumstances. I think it`s amazing when you think that both your electricity and extra water are being processed by the one unit, and the fact that you used free electricity using your rechargeable tools to build the structure .Good idea lifting the structure off of the ground, it will make it last much longer.I`m looking forward to seeing it`s completion .You don`t need to visit a gym mate ,your way of life is filled with worthwhile workouts. ATB
I've been thinking about solar panels for water collection, and what keep crossing my mind isn't tape or aluminum extrusions to make a continuous collection surface, but overlap. Not a big overlap, just the bottom edge of the frame of the panel above, just a tad over the top edge of the panel below. You might lose a tiny bit, but the panels can still expand and contract as necessary and don't have to hope tape will last in the sun.
Hi Leif. With the solid super strut metal mounts and cone nuts in place I needed to go with just the tape. The good thing is it only takes about 1 hour to replace the tape. Kind of like changing the oil in the car or something. So no worries I figure.
@@affordabledesertliving3487 I hope one day in the not-too-distant future to have the opportunity to test it for myself. Then again, as a pro handyman I have plenty of experience with tape, especially aluminum foil tape like you'd use for HVAC. Sticks great, won't disintegrate in sunlight, and won't leach any weird chemicals into water. So if overlapping isn't in the cards, I'll probably go the same way you did. If it works, it works.
Don, I went back and watched your first video. Titled Living Debt Free as a Senior? How can it be done. Great topic as the baby boomers are retiring and many with only Social Security. You talked about your thoughts of an RV. I understand many do that and live free on BLM land. You have a 14 day stay then you must move. Its better than living under a bridge! You talked about the 55 plus parks but you did not want rent. I found in AZ there are around 7 to 10 properties where you can buy the land and home! We did this three years ago. $50,000 we got a park model with 10 x 12 building all under an awning. HOA is 160 a month water, sewer, TV, Phone, and all the of resort goodies. You talked about living in CA for 28 years as a renter. Is there a reason for not buying something years ago? For us it was the job we were given a free home and so never bought for 20 some years. You talked about making a plan and I think everyone needs to do that! We did and in 4 years saved up the money to pay for our tiny home. Perhaps people are lacking the will power to make and stick to a plan, or wont give up their things. I see things as an issue as its hard to let them go! Many pay on a storage unit and have no idea of whats in it! So, your basic foundation of how to retire on little to nothing is really a need that many today have.
Hi Storage Mann. Thanks for the great comment. I carefully examined a place called Golden Vista Resort in Apache Junction. I almost purchased. But everything I read about the Park Models is that used ones like I was looking at would need major repair when I am 80 years old or something. So I knew I wouldnt have the budget for that. Also a HOA at $160 per month is reasonable but I dont trust folks I guess. Thinking it would keep rising and me not having any control over that. For $30,000 I realized I could have a much better cabin than a park model, my own land and rainwater catchment and solar etc. So by number crunching I made this choice. As a renter in CA I simply could never afford to buy. Even a super cheap condo went for $200,000 20 years ago. So I saved for about 5 years and am blown away with how it has all worked out. I dont have the amenities of a 55 plus park or the built in relationships but I do have beauty and quiet in nature. Spoiler alert I have saved enough for another building where I hope to have lots of guests! Stay tuned! Oh and I am doing a LIVE chat tomorrow. Your welcome to come by!
The plastic should last along time if you keep the sun off of it. You could put a double layer of 6mil Plastic if you wanted too. A few of pieces of 2x4 across the top will keep the sides from bulging out from the pressure. Thanks for the video
One point to remember, is don't cover ANY of the Solar cells with the Tape, not even an edge, if it gets covered, it becomes a resistor, so will drop the overall voltage coming from the entire panel. Same if you cover one corner, the whole Solar panel is compromised.!
another thing that may work for those that can dig Is to get used bill board tarps Dig an appropriate hole and install the tarp and make a roof for it and yes you'll need a pump
Recently binge watched your whole journey. You are such an inspiration and I can't wait to do something of my own soon. Keep up the great adventure and your channel! 👍🏽
@@affordabledesertliving3487 Well it was a topic I am very interested in, and hope to be doing it myself, and you are a great content creator and have shown the complete journey from the beginning to where you are now. I will def. try to say hello on the LIVE chat!
Wow! Pretty innovative! Took some elbow grease but you it done! I can’t wait to see if it works! Sure hope so. I thought about moving to AZ before but not quite like you have! Very impressive (I like your singing too, hahaha)
Hi Don 👋! That’s a really cool idea! I’ve been “blinded by the light” many times. Lol. One of my favorite 70’s tunes. I’m sure that tank is overflowing with water now. 💜😊👍 We have an overflow barrel under our carport and the bees have been just going crazy around it. Lots and lots of bees and other flyers. I keep an empty 5 gallon bucket like that too and the other day there was a little mouse in it. I just set him free. 😃
Another very nice job accomplished. eing exceedingly lazy myself - I would have laid plastic 55 gal barrels on their side and connected all with hoses. (Or even easier just line them up with individual filler hose connections to top bung. When one gets full just unhook and bring in another. I guess about a dozed barrels might be used.)
Thank you for sharing this. We are starting our little homestead in New Mexico as folks who are not extremely adept at things and your information and journey has been immensely helpful!
@@affordabledesertliving3487 we are nervous but excited. It will be a 2100 mile move. We are very inspired by you-- my son really likes your videos-- he's 29 and he says he can relate to you 😁😁
@@affordabledesertliving3487 we really enjoy watching your videos. We are in southern Cochise county as well. Maybe we can get together sometime! But keep up the great videos!
I'm thinking about doing rain water harvesting from solar panels in a future homestead. My idea would be build the system higher off the ground to provide more space for a first flush system and water storage. Since I'm starting from scratch, I'm thinking of "shingling" the panels so that they overlap slightly vertically, without shading each other when the sun is the highest. Also, since the panels as typically installed are so steep, I'm thinking of skipping any effort to keep water off between the panels. What do you think about these ideas?
So glad to see Notification of your video just now, really missed ya and was a tad concerned. Consider asking UA-cam to open your channel's Community tab. Helpful spot for you to communicate with your viewers, other than uploading videos.
Consider putting in a trap at the input or something to help dust and dirt to me managed. A drain plug at the bottom of the trap might be good too (not all glued together) ... a few drips here or there but majority goes into the tank...
Personally planning to test just spraying cool water on panels to get that top 20% power back that panel overheating reduces! Just draining and cooling same water with 1000 liter tank. Getting max 8 to 8,5 kW on sunshine and after rain 10 kW always on my 10 kW system.
Great idea and execution, Don! Will you have to change how you access the solar panels to clean them now? And just want to say, even though you may change how you do something later, at least you are brainstorming ideas, creating solutions and learning, and you are busy. All very important to a healthy life. I think so, anyway.
If I have to I can just take a few moments to unscrew the gutters. They are only held down by a few screws. Then I can get right in there for panel maintenance. I simply let the rain clean them these days anyway.
@@affordabledesertliving3487 I though they were the same kind of tape just different company names. another good tape is TUCK, its red and hold plastic together out side in Canadian weather for years.
If you used Duct tape it may come off in the rain, I think Gorilla Tape is waterproof, or maybe Eternabond (expensive!) that they use on RV roof seams. I saw a UA-cam video on tape applied underwater on a hole in a bucket that sealed the hole. If the water gets to hot, you may get Alge, you may have to add some Cholrine to kill it. Good Luck!
Hi Chuckrit. Yep I thought I would lose lots of effectiveness as well. These are high quality panels and dont seem to be bothered by the heat at all. I still have more power than I need.
Don, have you thought about using Shou Sugi Ban method to help preserve the wood? I am impressed with all you are doing! Such an inspiration! I love seeing each new project you tackle!
Hello Don. Thoroughly enjoyed this video. No stupid music, no over editing and no trying to speak at light-speed. An easy watch and entertaining too.
Sincere greetings from the UK
John.
ps
Yes, I have subbed and hit that notification bell :)
Hi PatricK. Thanks so much for subscribing. Your welcome to come by for the Live Chat tomorrow if you like. I scheduled it with my UK mates in mind.
So clever! Really imaginative and practical way to make the most of what God provides! Keep it coming
So delighted you watched this one Mel! Great comments and thanks for the blessings.
Having coffee with you this morning .. you and the Cardinals that visit me every day.. looks amazing!! Have a beautiful day!!
Thanks so much for watching Gabe!
Easy enough for some extra water. Nicely done Don. Thanks for the video.
Thanks so much douglas! Yep I am loving all the extra water I am getting these days.
I love your almost child like enthusiasm for everything you do even hard labor and even things you may not know how to do your never afraid to just do it be careful and stay safe God Bless All you do 👍🏻
Wow Vince. That is going to make me tear up friend. Thanks so much! Yeah I consider this like a big ol adventure and hard labor has always been part of my life so I actually find it therapeutic to be honest. Just hoping the oldster physique stays intact so that I get the hard labor projects done before I am too ancient LOL.
I can predict big problems if that fills more than halfway. But, for the sake of good fortune, I hope that works well for you. If it doesn't, you at least learned through experience. ;)
Thanks KH I have plans to deal with any sturdiness issues of my fun tank. Stay tuned!
Dang, I so get a kick whenever you sing, remark, etc., something from the 1950''s - 70's
LOL I guess when you are 67 and have lived a bit older songs/sayings just happen.
Thank you Don, you are a creative, get things done DIY! I’ve learned a great deal watching your videos!
So thankful to hear comments like that. Appreciate that Don!
@@affordabledesertliving3487 Don, your journey has encouraged me to staring looking for vacant land! You’ve created the blueprint! Thank you again!!
@@BuckJones1909 For some of us with a modest retirement budget its the most effective way to move forward I believe. I hope you find a great property!
So my daughter came running out of her room saying "Dad, you've got to watch this guy. He's just like you". Like your video's.
Wow thats so fun to hear Gerry H. I wonder how she thinks we are similar.
I too don't shy away from a job because it's too hard, I'm too old, I don't have the fancy tools, I'm told it can't be done, etc... Your living my dream sir. 😊👍
Way to be creative and thinking "outside or better yet inside" the box.
LOL thanks so much O. Smallwood!
I love the way you always find things to improve your builds and come back to tweak them into perfection. Good idea for the water tank. Looks like you got your workout in the dirt
Thanks gare! So far I am LOVING this tank. No end to free water now from the panels!
This is only the second video of yours that I have watched. I'm a brand new subscriber. I love your attitude and sense of humor. You are doing exactly what I wish to do. Unfortunately I'm a C5 and complete left leg including my hip amputatee. So I'll never get to do what you're doing. But I'm so happy to see that you are doing exactly what every free man should be able to do. I will definitely be keeping my eye on you. Take care.
Hi Dan. So delighted to have you here and thankful I can provide some enjoyment for you as I work away at this beautiful property. Thanks so much for subscribing!
What a great way to make sure you don't miss out on today's rain!
Yep I am loving all of this rain!
You're a regular '70s juke box, Don.. 🤣
Looks good -- I hope it lasts & serves you well!
Thanks Lane! Mostly I sing for stress relief during monotonous work etc.
I would recommend that you make some kind of a lid or cover for your tank to keep the sun and creepy crawlies out.
Yep you will see that in Part Two.
Don, I’ve been very reluctant to do any “I would do it differently“ comments on your videos, partially because I’ve learned a lot and partially because of different folks different strokes etc. However this is one project where I clearly would have done things differently, and I had thought about it when you first put up your solar panels. Before putting the solar panels up I would’ve installed some cheap galvanized roof panels specifically for gathering rainwater and then put the solar panels on top of those. Then you wouldn’t have to mess with tape or anything of that sort and if they would all drain down into the gutter. I haven’t had much luck with any duct tape, black, silver, or whatever, in during long in the Arizona sun. Eventually you may need to replace that with something like Eternabond tape, Which is made for patching RV roofs and is very watertight and UV resistant. Also, for all the money and effort you spent building that tank I simply would’ve bought a couple IBC totes and have the water drain into that. It would’ve been cheaper and easier by a long shot. To be honest I’m really surprised I haven’t seen any IBC totes in your videos - there seem to be pretty ubiquitous among of breeders, particularly for rainwater gathering, and I have used them very successfully in the past. Put a coat of paint on them to give them some UV protection and they’ll last good while. The home star runner makes UA-cam channel has a lot of really good information o pretty ubiquitous among of breeders, particularly for rainwater gathering, and I have used them very successfully in the past. Put a coat of paint on them to give them some UV protection and they’ll last good while. The homesteadonomics UA-cam channel has a lot of really good information on rain water gathering. He’s based south of Tucson so he talks are language. Just my thoughts.
The good thing about how Don has built his photovoltaic array is how it allows free air circulation under the panels.
@@roberthayward9299 How I have seen them done and will build my own, the mounting support channels for the solar panels would be above the corrugated metal roofing so there would still be significant airflow under the panels.
solar needs air around it, if you put roof panels under solar panel it makes it hot, heat will make less power off panels
@@sodbuster330 I’m not sure you’re understanding what I’m proposing. Just take a look at all the of the millions of rooftop solar installations. That’s exactly what I’m proposing. No different. Lots of air around the solar panels.
Lots of thoughtful input there Scot. The good thing is that the simply old Gorilla tape works amazing even when soaked and baked in the AZ sun. Also just like changing the oil in a car if I have to replace it then I can. Its only about an hour job.
A wheelbarrow would have it's benefits my friend. Love your do it yourself attitude. God Bless ♥️
I have a wonderful gorilla cart but it was such a short distance I simply turned it all into a workout.
Great idea Don! I lived in Hawaii for ten years and my water source was by catching the rain. However, it rained a lot there so we never came close to running out. God bless you!
Yeah Hawaii is famous for rainwater collection. Very very cool!
Thank you so much for sharing - educational and inspirational. Look forward to next video - rain, water, and the tank top.
Thanks free2bfree. Part two will show much more.
Have a blessed day amen.
and you as well!
Love what you do grandpa, stay safe. I’m no handy man, but I like the idea of making do with what you have
Thanks for watching!
You are such an inspiration love your videos
Love that you come by and watch them Vince!
the soil looks fantastic when dug❤❤❤❤❤❤
Hoping to do a garden in the future.
No need for toy cars and trucks, you seem to be really enjoying your sandbox my friend
Hi Dave. Will be excited to see this project complete. Stay tuned for Part 2.
great idea to use solar array for rain catchment 👍 i was thinking ahead if i had a carport before i built a tiny cabin that i could do rain catchment on that structure, happy trails 🥳
Carport rainwater catchment hopefully down the road in the plans.
Willie on The Simpsons: "It ain't pretty but it'll do!"
Yep and I will paint it up to make it more pleasing to look at too.
I love your strength and. Enthusiasm 😎☮️
So kind. Thanks for that encouragement!
Well Don. Mike from Charlotte here. I must admit from your first video till today you're becoming quite the little handyman.
Yep at five six I guess I could be considered a little handyman. A short one anyway LOL. Thanks Mike!
@@affordabledesertliving3487 ha
Another good job Ron. I like your initiative.
I've been reading through your comments. They're overwhelmingly positive and that's awesome! I have one positive suggestion to improve the strength of your water holding structure.
When it fills, water pressure will tend to push the sides apart. I'd be thinking about a horizontal zigzag of fencing wire between those top rails to counteract that pressure. Those structural screws you like so much would be perfect to hold the wire in place. As a bonus the wire zigzag would help stop your tank cover from falling into the water.
@+①④④⑦②⓪②③⓪①⑦WhatsApp Hi Ron. I've been living off rainwater tanks for about half my life so I've a little experience with what water pressure can do. In fact water pressure is one of the reasons water tanks tend to be round. Yours is rectangular but it's also quite shallow so the pressure problem won't be too hard to fix hopefully. If your rectangular tank is full, it will already be spreading in the middle. It might have enough intrinsic strength to hold together but it might slowly collapse outwards as water pressure pushes those long sides apart. I thought about how best to solve the problem and the wire zigzag was the simplest idea I could come up with. If you have suitable lengths of timber, that would work too. I'm Australian so I use the word timber where you might say lumber. The wood only needs to be small in section say 2" X1" but obviously it would need to be long enough to cover the width of your tank. You would need about 4 or 5 over the length of your tank and you would fasten them in ladder fashion. .technically these wooden pieces are called "cleats"
Hope this helps. All the best from Australia. Bob H.
Stay tuned for more developments in Part 2.
@@roberthayward9299 I'm sorry Robert, but Don has misfired on this one. I calculate that there's about 500 gallons and 4000 lbs. of water in his tank, putting somewhere between 12 and 14 PSI pressure on the sides between the braces. On styrofoam? Susceptible to rodents? And to UV degradation? With gorilla tape on the panels where they need to expand and contract? He's done a huge amount of work for a bad setup. I'd have talked him out of this idea after an hour of thinking about it.
Don, one more comment, I’m living in the mountains southwest to Tucson and my personal weather station has measured over 5 inches of rain since 1 June, even though Tucson has had far far less. You should really get a weather station so you can see what’s happening there, and if you hook it up to your Internet connection we could see it as well. They’re not that terribly expensive anymore and would go good on your wish list. I would buy you one if I could afford to.
Thanks Scot. Very kind and super suggestion. I kind of just look online to tell whats going on with the weather. That and listen for thunder LOL.
Nice design to make your own water tank. I fear it may be a little flimsy to hold a lot of water, but we'll find out. I would really brace over the top from side to side for added strength and put tarp on top to protect from the sun, critters and pollutants, but this is made to be for your pond or plants, I guess? In that case the water quality is not paramount.
Only partly done. I will make it much more sturdier and different in Part 2. Stay tuned!
Hello Don I was getting worried with you not posting. I'm glad to see your back and still doing. WOW an off gridder with a pool how cool I take it the water from that will go to the plants ? Well thanks for sharing Don take care and stay safe.
Hi Den. Yup this is specifically designed for plants and hopefully will turn into a drip irrigation system. Stay tuned...!
Another enjoyable video, do appreciate hearing the thought process & watching the projects develop
Thanks for watching everything Vicki! Great to have you here.
Love watching and be inspired by people that has an idea and pull it off. Human ingenuity is a powerful thing!
Very kind of you to say Magnus!
A suggestion for lumber that touches the ground is to wrap it or put under it tar paper. For posts wrap the ground portion. For wood against the ground lay it under the wood. You can staple it if you need to.
Thanks for the suggestion John.
At 7:45 or so you really sped up your work. I was thinking of firing you for working so slow but now I want to keep you on the job and give you a raise. Good work... I enjoyed this...
Wow I am so relieved and at 67 I definitely was hoping for a raise.
Great! You've inspired me once again Don. Now with every build, I will consider including rain water catchments. I think for mine I will forego the rain gutter and just build the catchment directly underneath the solar panels, effectively making it one very large rain gutter/catchment all in one.
Thanks again Don!!
Oh, btw, you're getting much better with your post video editing and musical overlays!
IMHO, this would have been much simplier. No need to cut the metal. No buying gutters, gutter ends, piping or creating a flange.
He could have used a 1x4 or maybe 1x6 at an angle from the solar panels to the tank covering it with the excess 6 mil plastic.
As a bonus this would also add to the surface area of rainwater collection.
That's a super suggestion Russ! Thanks.
Thanks for all of that great encouragement R&R South Rim Ranch!
Very creative Don! This week should be good to test it out. 🌦️ It will be interesting to see how long the tape lasts in the sun & hopefully it won't cause any issues for your panels. 😎🏜️
Hope you guys got lots of rain these past several days too REd & April! Yep it worked great and the gorilla tape is designed to withstand wet unlike duct tape which goes squishey and is easily destroyed by the sun. No issues at all with the panels. Still getting more power than I need.
@@affordabledesertliving3487 Awesome, glad it's working well! We got an inch of rain on Wednesday, which was a good amount without being too crazy. 😊🏜️
Great idea use every surface you can my friend even puts clean buckets out to catch the monsoon rains in south west texas
Every bit of water is precious here.
That's some nice looking soil for the desert.
Once you mix it with other things to make it more fertile its pretty good. Thanks for watching Vieux Rawls.
Hi Don, you might be better of using a couple of 275 gallon IBC totes dug into the ground... In fact, coupled together via their own bottom spout should be very good. These totes are great, especially underground (uv protected). Very scalable as well...
Sorry guy. If this is something that I plan to leave in place and use for years, I would invest in an appropriate food grade tank and put good drains on the panels. Experiment with some cheap rain gutters and a plastic tank used to haul water in a truck. Keep track of how much water is recovered and works for me.
Hi Michael. Yep a food grade tank would be great but they are an odd size for this spot and with pressure treated lumber I figure I can get a good 10-15 years out of the tank. We shall see. Thanks for watching!
It's a good experiment. Afraid water weight will blow out the sides-bottom but, thats how we learn. I would be on the lookout for cheap food grade 55 gal drums. Make pvc header from gutter to fill barrels and same to discharge to hose etc....
Also, you have to put a value on your labor-time sometimes the big money item is best value.
I thought about food grade drums etc but they are an odd shape for what I wanted to do. I have a plan to make it all sturdier. As for the value on my labor-time. Nope. I am retired so that isnt a factor.
I would get about five of those white square plastic container`s with the metal cage`s around them you can buy them on craig`s list where they sell plastic barrels and connect them together , when one fills up and get it to flow into the next and so forth , will help keep out the mule and other critter`s .
Thanks for your helpful suggestions eulalao!
Great job Don, love your videos:)
Thanks so much for watching robordm.
Great workout Donner dude, and admirable utilization of "scraps".
As some clever folks have suggested, the bulkhead will be a good feature, and bracing the sides seems necessary.
I think one very important addition is 'chicken wire' cover over the top to keep critters out. (Make them use the spa…and eventually, if you get enough traffic, you might charge admission!). 🤣
Thanks Sean. I sill sturdy the whole thing up in a soon to come video!
I’ve used that same tape on my above ground swimming pool. Works great.
Wow thats really reasuring! Thanks Michael!
Thank you for sharing 😍
Your so welcome Rena. Thanks so much for watching!
I don't know that water from the tank would be potable but certainly a great way to store water for a veggie garden!
Thanks theheilious. Yep never my idea to use the water for drinking. Hopefully for the irrigation scenario I will create.
Nice job Been following you since day one
Many thanks Toriano TV ! Hard to believe only 2 year anniversary in OCT and over 10,000 subscribers!
Oh and remember it isn't free water until you have covered your initial costs.
Which in this case is sweet fanny Adams.
Good use of "free" collection" area.
Yep once the initial costs are over let freedom ring right?
Haha good going Mate.
We used to use the yacht sails to collect rain Water, Just had to rinse the sails of salt first.
Wow what a great way to use yacht sails!
I wondered where you were. Glad you are well and continuing your awesome work.
Thanks Sue! Yep doing well and super busy!
Don you could also use a tarp... you can get pretty heavy ones for less than your pond liner too. thanks for the video... stay healthy and hydrated my friend... Deb from South Dakota
Thanks so much Deb!
Hope it works out the way you want it to Don,
Looks sturdy enough. 😊
Yep its working like a charm so far Olive!
Dang! Don't kill yourself! The water tank will work great I think. You always keep your videos interesting and I just love your humor! I'm glad you have so many subscribers!
Thanks Carol. I would never have dreamed this many people would stop by to watch these vids.
Looking forward to your next video
Thanks so much A1F1L Appreciate you watching!
Pretty ingenious there Don.
Thats a high compliment. Many thanks for watching Rags!
My goodness Don, you really know how to make the very best of your circumstances. I think it`s amazing when you think that both your electricity and extra water are being processed by the one unit, and the fact that you used free electricity using your rechargeable tools to build the structure .Good idea lifting the structure off of the ground, it will make it last much longer.I`m looking forward to seeing it`s completion .You don`t need to visit a gym mate ,your way of life is filled with worthwhile workouts. ATB
Thanks for the lovely comments Graeme! Would be lovely to see you tomorrow on the 10 K subscriber LIVE chat.
I've been thinking about solar panels for water collection, and what keep crossing my mind isn't tape or aluminum extrusions to make a continuous collection surface, but overlap.
Not a big overlap, just the bottom edge of the frame of the panel above, just a tad over the top edge of the panel below. You might lose a tiny bit, but the panels can still expand and contract as necessary and don't have to hope tape will last in the sun.
Hi Leif. With the solid super strut metal mounts and cone nuts in place I needed to go with just the tape. The good thing is it only takes about 1 hour to replace the tape. Kind of like changing the oil in the car or something. So no worries I figure.
@@affordabledesertliving3487 I hope one day in the not-too-distant future to have the opportunity to test it for myself. Then again, as a pro handyman I have plenty of experience with tape, especially aluminum foil tape like you'd use for HVAC. Sticks great, won't disintegrate in sunlight, and won't leach any weird chemicals into water. So if overlapping isn't in the cards, I'll probably go the same way you did. If it works, it works.
Don, I went back and watched your first video. Titled Living Debt Free as a Senior? How can it be done. Great topic as the baby boomers are retiring and many with only Social Security. You talked about your thoughts of an RV. I understand many do that and live free on BLM land. You have a 14 day stay then you must move. Its better than living under a bridge! You talked about the 55 plus parks but you did not want rent. I found in AZ there are around 7 to 10 properties where you can buy the land and home! We did this three years ago. $50,000 we got a park model with 10 x 12 building all under an awning. HOA is 160 a month water, sewer, TV, Phone, and all the of resort goodies. You talked about living in CA for 28 years as a renter. Is there a reason for not buying something years ago? For us it was the job we were given a free home and so never bought for 20 some years. You talked about making a plan and I think everyone needs to do that! We did and in 4 years saved up the money to pay for our tiny home. Perhaps people are lacking the will power to make and stick to a plan, or wont give up their things. I see things as an issue as its hard to let them go! Many pay on a storage unit and have no idea of whats in it! So, your basic foundation of how to retire on little to nothing is really a need that many today have.
Hi Storage Mann. Thanks for the great comment. I carefully examined a place called Golden Vista Resort in Apache Junction. I almost purchased. But everything I read about the Park Models is that used ones like I was looking at would need major repair when I am 80 years old or something. So I knew I wouldnt have the budget for that. Also a HOA at $160 per month is reasonable but I dont trust folks I guess. Thinking it would keep rising and me not having any control over that. For $30,000 I realized I could have a much better cabin than a park model, my own land and rainwater catchment and solar etc. So by number crunching I made this choice. As a renter in CA I simply could never afford to buy. Even a super cheap condo went for $200,000 20 years ago. So I saved for about 5 years and am blown away with how it has all worked out. I dont have the amenities of a 55 plus park or the built in relationships but I do have beauty and quiet in nature. Spoiler alert I have saved enough for another building where I hope to have lots of guests! Stay tuned! Oh and I am doing a LIVE chat tomorrow. Your welcome to come by!
The plastic should last along time if you keep the sun off of it.
You could put a double layer of 6mil
Plastic if you wanted too.
A few of pieces of 2x4 across the top will keep the sides from bulging out from the pressure.
Thanks for the video
Thanks for watching Johnn Davis. Yep lots of improvements coming in Part 2.
Nothing like going to the gym and doing the Biceps for Broads Routine.
I gave Pilates a pass that day. ha ha.
One point to remember, is don't cover ANY of the Solar cells with the Tape, not even an edge, if it gets covered, it becomes a resistor, so will drop the overall voltage coming from the entire panel.
Same if you cover one corner, the whole Solar panel is compromised.!
Great tip David! So far nothing seems altered and I still have more power than I need!
another thing that may work for those that can dig
Is to get used bill board tarps
Dig an appropriate hole and install the tarp and make a roof for it
and yes you'll need a pump
Whatever gives more water right?
Great to see your video and you great ideas! I’m glad you didn’t got to work out😂
Thanks AMarie. I was just teasing about the workout. Not going to waste money on a gym membership. But maybe pilates? LOL. just kiddin.
Recently binge watched your whole journey. You are such an inspiration and I can't wait to do something of my own soon. Keep up the great adventure and your channel! 👍🏽
Wow such high praise and thats a lot of video watching! Thanks J Wulf. Perhaps you can come by and say hello tomorrow on the LIVE chat.
@@affordabledesertliving3487 Well it was a topic I am very interested in, and hope to be doing it myself, and you are a great content creator and have shown the complete journey from the beginning to where you are now. I will def. try to say hello on the LIVE chat!
Great idea and project.
Thanks Jack! This thing rocks and currently has about 200 gallons of water in it!
Great deets!
Nice job on the “ pilot holes “
Thanks so much 10 minute New Hampshire. Pre-drilling should be my mantra by now.
Great job Don I never would of though of that.
Thanks RvBadlands2015. Its definitely increased my free gallons of water here during the rains!
Wow! Pretty innovative! Took some elbow grease but you it done! I can’t wait to see if it works! Sure hope so. I thought about moving to AZ before but not quite like you have! Very impressive (I like your singing too, hahaha)
Thanks for the kind comments about the singing Jeri. Its simply a good stress release for me so thats why I do it. By the way the tank works great!
Your very inventive there Don looks good hope it all works
Thanks Kriss! Yeah it works super mate. Lots of free liters of water!
Great 👍🏼 work!!!
Thanks a ton Cynthia!
great job Don !!! keep on making videos you are awesome
Thanks Michal! Tons of vids coming!
Hi Don 👋! That’s a really cool idea! I’ve been “blinded by the light” many times. Lol. One of my favorite 70’s tunes. I’m sure that tank is overflowing with water now. 💜😊👍
We have an overflow barrel under our carport and the bees have been just going crazy around it. Lots and lots of bees and other flyers. I keep an empty 5 gallon bucket like that too and the other day there was a little mouse in it. I just set him free. 😃
Yep love old tunes Pam. So great all the water we have been getting!
Good job Don
Thanks so much for watching James!
Another very nice job accomplished. eing exceedingly lazy myself - I would have laid plastic 55 gal barrels on their side and connected all with hoses. (Or even easier just line them up with individual filler hose connections to top bung. When one gets full just unhook and bring in another. I guess about a dozed barrels might be used.)
Thanks so much for watching Robert!
Thank you for sharing this. We are starting our little homestead in New Mexico as folks who are not extremely adept at things and your information and journey has been immensely helpful!
Way to go Hilary! Its all about loving the adventure of learning and moving forward!
@@affordabledesertliving3487 we are nervous but excited. It will be a 2100 mile move. We are very inspired by you-- my son really likes your videos-- he's 29 and he says he can relate to you 😁😁
Good job!!!!!!
Thanks Gideon! So appreciate it.
Great job Don! That is what I need to do to our panels as well. I can’t wait to see the finished product!
So appreciate you being here The Lazy E Homestead!
@@affordabledesertliving3487 we really enjoy watching your videos. We are in southern Cochise county as well. Maybe we can get together sometime! But keep up the great videos!
I'm thinking about doing rain water harvesting from solar panels in a future homestead. My idea would be build the system higher off the ground to provide more space for a first flush system and water storage. Since I'm starting from scratch, I'm thinking of "shingling" the panels so that they overlap slightly vertically, without shading each other when the sun is the highest. Also, since the panels as typically installed are so steep, I'm thinking of skipping any effort to keep water off between the panels. What do you think about these ideas?
So glad to see Notification of your video just now, really missed ya and was a tad concerned.
Consider asking UA-cam to open your channel's Community tab. Helpful spot for you to communicate with your viewers, other than uploading videos.
Hmm. Thanks Vicki for all of your concern and thoughtful comments. I will have to explore youtube Community tab.
Great idea.😃
Thanks Judy! It works great!
Don what a brilliant idea, for increasing water harvesting,was showing my neighbors your video.
Brilliant hope it rains soon.
Keep safe
Simon 😁🇬🇧
Lots of rain and lots of water Simon! Thanks for watching!
So excited to see part 2!
Thanks so much for watching Bookkeeper!
Seems to be a banner year for monsoon rains this year.
Yep no end to rain which is fantastic!
Excellent video. You will be great solar ray consultants and water harvesting expert too
Still learning here Abid but thanks so much!
Consider putting in a trap at the input or something to help dust and dirt to me managed. A drain plug at the bottom of the trap might be good too (not all glued together) ... a few drips here or there but majority goes into the tank...
Thanks David. Lots of improvements will show up in Part 2.
Creatative
Appreciate that Wayne thanks!
Personally planning to test just spraying cool water on panels to get that top 20% power back that panel overheating reduces! Just draining and cooling same water with 1000 liter tank. Getting max 8 to 8,5 kW on sunshine and after rain 10 kW always on my 10 kW system.
Thanks april7. The super thing is that my panels dont seem bothered at all by the heat and crank out more power than I need!
Great idea and execution, Don! Will you have to change how you access the solar panels to clean them now? And just want to say, even though you may change how you do something later, at least you are brainstorming ideas, creating solutions and learning, and you are busy. All very important to a healthy life. I think so, anyway.
If I have to I can just take a few moments to unscrew the gutters. They are only held down by a few screws. Then I can get right in there for panel maintenance. I simply let the rain clean them these days anyway.
duck tape is great, its holding my fender together on my car.
The gorilla tape works much better even than duct tape.
@@affordabledesertliving3487 I though they were the same kind of tape just different company names. another good tape is TUCK, its red and hold plastic together out side in Canadian weather for years.
@@unofficialobserver Great info thanks!
Proof, where there's a will there's a way.
Thanks so much for watching Gregory!
@@affordabledesertliving3487 your welcome. Do you get much wind in your area?
@@gregoryjeffries8475 Yes! Blows things every which way for months on end to be honest. Super Windy from December until May.
I pray it works fer ya.
Its working super these days Mountain Lovers!
I think you need to "ladder" the top with crosspieces to prevent the sides bowing out at the top. I'd estimate 4 to 6 cross pieces.
Yep all to happen in Part 2 F Huber!
Glad to see you are doing great and love the video ☺️👍
Thanks a ton Hattie! Glad to see you here!
If you used Duct tape it may come off in the rain, I think Gorilla Tape is waterproof, or maybe Eternabond (expensive!) that they use on RV roof seams. I saw a UA-cam video on tape applied underwater on a hole in a bucket that sealed the hole. If the water gets to hot, you may get Alge, you may have to add some Cholrine to kill it. Good Luck!
Thanks mush. So far the gorilla tape is working super!
You might need that water to cool the panels as they lose effectiveness with heat in our sun, looking forward to part 2.
Hi Chuckrit. Yep I thought I would lose lots of effectiveness as well. These are high quality panels and dont seem to be bothered by the heat at all. I still have more power than I need.
Don, have you thought about using Shou Sugi Ban method to help preserve the wood? I am impressed with all you are doing! Such an inspiration! I love seeing each new project you tackle!
Hmm. I thought of that pandacheckienmama but figured the pressure treated wood would be okay without it.