jono

Ummmm, you don't use solar panels to "run" anything. The solar panels would be used to just to charge the batteries instead of plugging in or running a generator so not sure what you mean. They won't put as much juice in as plugging in but on a sunny day, why wouldn't you?? It's the perfect appication. Remember you don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.

So I could get 4 of the n200 batteries and a few flexi 100w solar panels and all the chargers and converters I would need and I would be able to power everything I would need? The espresso machine and refrigerator are going to pull the most power. I am going to use led lighting in the bus, no washer/dryer. I am using a gas stove/oven, and I will have probably 6 other 120v outlets for small things like laptops phone chargers ect... and during the summer I will have 1 window ac unit. Heater is going to be a wood burning furnace or a rocket stove, so no power there.... So would this work? I will have a generator as a just in case SHF power source and if hookups are available at a reasonable cost I will have it interchangeable between solar and the RV power hookups. Yep.

Get two N200 (truck/marine size) deep cycle batteries (around $400 each for an average quality but can spend a lot more or a bit less but quality does matter) that have around 1000Ah each connected in parallel which will still give you 12v but double the Ah to around 4000Ah. This will give you a longer period of use before having to recharge them I case of a week of no sunshine. Wire to a suitable inverter (converts battery power to mains power) powerful enough to run your most Amp hungry unit (anything that heats will use the most) $450. Buy a quality 12v automatic battery charger $600 and a solar panel. You can get soft flexible ones that would suit the job that you just throw out on the roof/anex/grass when needed and are about $1000 for average quality or you can get solid ones that don't store as easily for about $350. You can wire these so that the moment you plug them in they will start charging if there is sunshine and the charger will go into float mode when they are fully charged. You can get 12v/220v combo fridges so you can run off your batteries or mains power if you can plug in. I'd use a LPG stove because its cheap, doesn't consume power and is easier to cook with. Make sure all your lighting is 12v LEDS as they offer great light at bugger all power consumption with no heat output and last for ages. You can get a 12v LED TV with built in DVD player for about $250 that will run off your batteries. All up for batteries, solar panels, inverter and a charger for a slightly better than average setup like this I reckon your looking at around $3500 if you can DIY. It's not hard to do if you know what your doing. The only draw back is the room needed for all this. One N200 is bigger than 2 of your average car batteries but if you have the room, this is how I would do it.

I post about a 100yr old making his first jump and all you've got is a grammar mistake............ tough crowd. Remember you don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.

Is that possible??? Fully kitted up jumper plus wind drag would make it damn hard to haul him in on a what looks like 1inch webbing I would think. BSBD Remember you don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/19692620/us-man-skydives-on-100th-birthday/ Remember you don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.

Yeah don't see that happening. One guy whos job is security trying to drag two topless uncooperative protesting women all by himself off the stage and his hand ends up grabbing a boob whilst trying to remove them. Good luck trying to find a judge that would bring sexual assault charges. Then again, you are from the US where people sue each other for the stupidest things so I shouldn't be surprised really. How would you prove it was intentional? Remember you don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.

Would it have been bad form for the security guy to have "accidentally" grabbed a handful (or two) in his efforts to remove those nasty protesters?? Remember you don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.

Never do anything you wouldn't care to explain to a paramedic. Remember you don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.

Has anyone had any trouble/comments with showing up to fly in a tunnel with just the base plate attached? Would hate to drill holes and bolt it on only to find I couldn't use it in the tunnel. Remember you don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.

Haven't seen one up close but from pictures, it looks too small for me to be comfortable with just sticking it on. Remember you don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.

From Wikipedia - "The AC72 has the following maximum specifications: overall length: 26.2 metres (86 ft) waterline length: 22.0 metres (72.2 ft) beam: 14.0 metres (45.9 ft) weight: 5,900 kilograms (13,000 lb) maximum draught: 4.4 metres (14 ft) crew: 11 It was expected to sail faster than the wind: upwind at 1.2 times the speed of the true wind, and downwind at 1.6 times the speed of the true wind. But in fact it proved faster, averaging about 1.8 times the speed of the wind with peaks slightly over 2.3." Remember you don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.

Maybe. I was a bit worried about the shorter surface area from front to back to ensure a strong enough bond. Remember you don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.

I agree with that. However, that gopro mount is (a) expensive, and (b) requires drilling holes in my helmet. Really my biggest issue is (b) -- I'm not sure I like the idea of drilling holes. That said, I know the big piece comes out and leaves only the base there, so maybe something I should look into a little more You could always use Square 1s "snag resistant" mount and stick it on with the same 3M double sided tape Gopro use for their mounts like this....(see attached). Reduces the risk of a snag, no drill holes needed and is stable and secure as all hell. Remember you don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.

Yep, I have that cutaway system on my open face adapted to the chin strap but I'm having trouble seeing how it could be modded to a Gopro mount. Any tips/suggestions/photos?? Remember you don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.

Awesome Brian! Simple, cheap and effective.

My first second hand rel suit was a bright fluro pink tie-die number. I used to cop a lot of crap for wearing that suit but didn't care at the time because it fitted me perfectly and was mine (not a stinky DZ loana), at least that's what I used to tell myself. Remember you don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.

If you thought that was good, check out his other ones. He does them with such conviction that it's easy to believe they are real. He comes across as a well meaning idiot with just enough knowledge to one day kill himself. http://www.youtube.com/user/msadaghd?feature=watch Remember you don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.

Don't have a problem with hugs if the child is upset, scared or hurt but I think kissing the kids is a step too far. At least she was straight up with telling you. Kids need to learn that that sort of affection is for close friends and family not people in charge of them. This is a great idea. I think it's just a way to get their attention without having to stand there screaming at them. Getting 20 kindergarteners to all do what you want at the same time can be "challenging" to say the least. Remember you don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFjxEfg_mEw&feature=youtu.be Remember you don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.

If you are a bit creative and have the time......... Scan all the covers and using free program software, make a massive picture mosaic of something skydiving related (like a flying canopy) and put it up on the wall at home or donate it to the DZ. http://www.mosaickr.com/ Remember you don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.

Scrappy - 7 week old Jack Russel smooth coat Rocky - 14yr old Staffy x Jack Russel Scrappy's favourite game is running in circles around Rocky jumping on him to get him to play while Rocky pretends to be annoyed about something that small with so much energy but is given away by the wagging tail and air nipps that could easily connect.

Remember you don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.

Using the alloy mount for the GoPro positioned as low on the front as you can get it is low enough so it doesn't show up in the stills. Will up load a photo of my set up tonight. Remember you don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.

I think part of the problem is students fear making them stuff up. Sure I know NOW there was nothing to really worry about but given my first 10 jumps were from above 12k, 5k looked pretty low. And am glad is was not 3k at the time. What is wrong with doing a series of H&Ps starting a bit higher and working your way down? The extra height is not more time to get into a spin as Ryoder mentioned but to give the student more time to get stable after a poor exit due to nerves or a malfunction from poor body position at pitch time again from nerves. Remember by this stage you have proven to your instructors that you can exit stable and can hold a heading in freefall so you wouldn't be doing your H&Ps if you don't already have these skills. It about showing the student that you can safely get out low but as we all know, nervousness can do funny things to students so why not give them a bit more room for error until they realize its not a big deal and then take them lower?? Remember you don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.