Jacqui Ehninger

Hi Everyone:
Just to answer some questions.
The greenhouse is 60' long by 17' wide.
We only dug down about 2 feet rather than 4, because our water table is so high. Instead we put 1 foot thick styrofoam insulation 8 feet wide all around the greenhouse, covered with about 1 foot of soil, so it is well insulated.
The passive geothermal is just 10 pipes (4" non-perforated, corrugated pipes) buried in a 250' loop, 8 feet deep, with both ends emerging inside the greenhouse and a blower on top of one end. The idea is to circulate that air through for cooling in summer and heating in winter. Unfortunately the pipes have all failed – we are not sure if they got crushed or cracked by the weight of soil and water seeped in or condensation built up, but we have been unsuccessful at pumping them out, so no air is circulating through them at this point.

I think I still have an old Franklin wood stove kicking around somewhere, maybe I can make use of that somehow, instead of a barrel?
I did order the Wisner's book.

Hi Rocket Mass Heater Experts:
I'd like to build the simplest possible version of a Rocket Mass Heater inside my "Greenhouse in the Snow", where unfortunately the passive Geothermal system has failed.
The current problem with this goal is information overload – I just don't have the time to watch a pile of movies and read through a truckload of documents on rocket mass heaters.
Could someone please point me to the place where I am most likely going to find the info I need for a simple rocket mass heater?
If I can build one directly into the ground (or at least partially into the ground), it would be ideal.
Note that the greenhouse is also heated by my large outdoor boiler, but that thing eats a lot of firewood when it has to heat 2 dwellings, hot water tanks and the greenhouse.
If I can do at least some heating with a rocket mass heater in the greenhouse, it would take pressure off the outdoor boiler and reduce my wood usage.
Thank You!

Thanks Samantha!
Unfortunately there does not appear to be a way to see what is available and what's already booked. Is that possible online or do I need to call or email you guys?
Maybe I'm just not looking in the right place for reservations...

Samantha Lewis wrote:

Jacqui Ehninger wrote:Could you post up-to-date info about accommodations for the Jamboree, please and thank You?

Hello Jacqui!


Thanks for asking!
Here is the link to the SEPPer program

https://permies.com/wiki/sepper


Here is the link to the event rentals page:

https://permies.com/wiki/rentals

Could you post up-to-date info about accommodations for the Jamboree, please and thank You?

Hans Quistorff wrote:

Thank You Hans! Is there a make or model number of what you are using that you could give me? Or did you build this thing yourself?
Given my personal situation, I just need to be able to buy something off the shelf. Unfortunately I have neither the skills nor knowhow to rig anything up.

I have good success with this one It will work initially as it comes but I recommend sharpening it with a round file to gradually change the teeth into the scythe shape.

THANK YOU! :-)

Hans Quistorff wrote:

I just don't want the grass all chewed up, I'd like to keep it long, so it's easy to pick up and feed.

The little minnie scythes filed int a saw blade will cut gras and winnow it exactly like a long scythe. With the advantage that whether you swing it fast or slow the scythe blades are always going fast enough to cut evenly.  Mowing light grass the scythe is just as easy and quiet but with heavy grass the power scythe is more productive.  It cuts on both the outward and inward swing if you wish and still leaves the grass long.  Most blades sold have large square or pointed teeth so that they are reversable but they tend to catch the grass and throw it back at you.
File the hook of the tooth like one would a chainsaw tooth with the sharp edge toward the ground.  Try to get the tip of the tooth the same shape as a chain saw tooth which will make it cut through brushy material as well as the grass.
In the 1950's two or three family members would take the truck out to fill it with gras for our dairy goat herd.  With the power scythe I could do it by myself.

Thank You Hans! Is there a make or model number of what you are using that you could give me? Or did you build this thing yourself?
Given my personal situation, I just need to be able to buy something off the shelf. Unfortunately I have neither the skills nor knowhow to rig anything up.

John Weiland wrote:

Jacqui Ehninger wrote:..... if anyone has ever come across such a thing or MacGyvered something together, I'd love to hear from you!

Is this more along the lines of what you are looking for?  I don't know how adjustable the angle on the trimmer is for the desired use, but maybe..??

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-40-Volt-Max-20-in-Dual-Cordless-Electric-Hedge-Trimmer-1-Battery-Included/1001415984?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-sol-_-ggl-_-CRP_SHP_PLA_SOL_Online_C-D-_-1001415984-_-online-_-0-_-0&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwo6GyBhBwEiwAzQTmc1Pak4PCii0PB5wTLj-NVetQXjZ2OTdZ9xOYGfmp2l027VcYwceIHBoCQ3QQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Yes, that's exactly what I was looking for – thank You! I guess I'll simply have to try and see if the hedge trimmer, help upside down, would to the trick for me. Unfortunately Hans, who commented below, did not have a great experience with it apparently.