Seeking the sun

 I recently partnered up with a friend to purchase a travel/utility/toy hauler trailer for motorcycle vacations.

We invested in a 30 amp power system including a large group 31 marine battery and 2000 watt inverter and installed it ourselves.

Job done right?

But what about those times we might end up somewhere without power and have to live on the battery?

Solar of course! 

And this brings us to my blog post today.

A few years ago i owned a smaller personal camper with all of the same features as the new one, but not motorcycle friendly.

I did purchase a 100 watt solar panel and a 400 watt solar battery from Anker and used it on several trips including a motorcycle trip when i had a pull behind trailer.

So the plan was to always incorporate it into the new trailer, but figuring out the best way was a challenge. 

Since it's supposed to be for keeping the new trailer battery charged, how do i get the power into it and also charge the electric brake battery as well?

I found a very simple solution on YouTube using a 7 pin connector from a vehicle to a solar charger connected to the panel.

Problem solved.. Right? 

Sort of ....

What about the panel?

I'm not keen on the idea of mounting it to the roof, and just laying it on the ground or propping it up against the trailer didn't seem like a good idea either.. Especially given that it's a flexible panel and doesn't stand up very well.

My solution was to build a stand that could be folded flat and carried like a briefcase yet unfolded and angled to maximize it's position relative to the position of the sun..

So i turned to home Depot for the parts, several websites for ideas and my longtime friend Jim for his expertise in precision fabricating... And voila!

I present to you the Moon Solar panel travel stand! 

Made out of lightweight aluminum and stainless steel it's folds flat with a carrying handle for travel, yet opens up to a max 60 degrees inclination with 5 adjustable stops.

It uses a  hitch pin for tool free setup and uses the same pins when closed to secure the panel for travel.

Jim has been a tool and die fabricator for over 50 years and you can see by the detail the quality of his work..

We have built a lot of crazy things I've conjured up over the years, but admittedly this is our best work yet !

 

WATCHING US GROW

By Kim J. Moon

It seems like only yesterday

I knew a little girl named Jamie

Who giggled when she hugged me always calling me her sweetie

Her long thick, pretty pony tails tick-a-ling my face

as I threw her up and down

holding hands and laughing as we played

and as I watched her grow and bloom beautiful and wise

seeing her warm smile touched my heart

looking at me

with such innocent eyes

knowing she loves me so much sometimes it hurts

sharing our laughter and our tears

we have both been there

when we needed each other most

best friends through all our fears

My love for you runs so much deeper than any words can say

I will always love you dearly

at 8 - 18 or 80

my child, my friend, my soul mate HAPPY EIGHTEENTH BIRTHDAY !!!

Playmates (a girl named SUN)

 by Kim J. Moon

I met someone special tonight, someone vibrant and smart

Your eyes tell a story that went straight to my heart

I've made a special friend tonight, can it possibly be

that you would like to come out and play with me?

While I was watching you dance all I saw was your smile

you seemed to happy to be here, like an innocent child.

I am so much like you, independent and carefree

but sometimes I get lonely always being with me

We could walk in the sand or shimmy up a tree

would you please come out and play with me?

I'm just a big kid with an even bigger heart

sometimes I get hurt by women vibrant and smart

but your eyes tell a story, your smile is warm and carefree,

PLEASE PLEASE come outside and play with me!

We can discover new places new people new streets

the world is our oyster! we can walk in bare feet!

we can sing and dance and run with scissors if we want

we can be our own parents, no one can tell us to stop!

grownup kids we can be, take a romp in the park

if  you come play with me we can stay out after dark!

responsibility and maturity we already know

but that aint no fun if thats all that life has to show!

So c'mon let your hair down be as silly as you can be

Please come outside and play with me.......

Don't you think its a little odd that a SUN and a MOON

could have found each other in such a big room?

It wasn't a coincidence, it was meant to be

LETS CREATE AN ECLIPSE!

COME OUT AND PLAY WITH ME!

Reflections

 by Kim J. Moon

As the second hand ticks across the face of my life,

I pause for reflection.

So many ambitions have come and gone and yet I remain unfulfilled.

Is a mans worth measured only by his success, or the number of times he tried.....yet failed?

Is a man who achieves greatness without failure truly complete?

Or is there a greater truth, as yet unknown,  unseen?

And if so.....what?

As my time in life slowly winds down, what is truly more valuable? 

The reflection of my success...or the sweet satisfaction of my triumph over failure?

As I age I reflect,

and the second hand continues

Tic-tic-tic...

Heavens Night Light

 by Kim J. Moon

Warm breezes softly caress my face as I gaze upon the evening sky.

Searching the endless heavens hoping to find answers to questions I have yet to ask.

Against the unending backdrop of stars I see an orange Moon as it slowly rises up from the horizon,

Quietly beginning its nightly sojourn across the darkening sky.

Timeless, yet ever vigilant, it stands guard for my tomorrows.

An evening protector, faithful in its friendship,

Always there when I look for it, never wanting or needing me.

Quiet company, listening to my dreams, my hopes, my fears.

Catching my yearnings in its moonbeams, casting light on my evening darkness,

Never critical, it paves the way for my new days journey.

Sometimes white, not orange, sometimes only partially awake, always faithful..

A friend forever when I have none.

When I wish upon a star, it is the orange moon that carries my message to the heavens

Always guarding my dreams as I sleep...

Goodnight old friend....timekeeper of the dark

Thank you for my tomorrow.....

A Dedication Page

 by Kim J. Moon

Softly said, gently touched, lightly kissed

Feelings shared; friendships missed

to Theresa for caring, Terri for sharing and Sonia for bearing

The weight of my mistakes and unwavering belief in me

most of all to Jamie, through her I've learned to see

Riches spent, Loves lost, Memories faded

The Poetry of life through my eyes........