Off-Grid Project Updates, Solar Gear Tests & DIY Builds
In Episode 839 of The LOTS Project Morning Show, I had a packed lineup of off-grid project updates from Delinquents Gully, exciting gear reviews, ongoing woodworking projects, an experiment in social fundraising and a solid visit from my friend Kerry Brown.
A Solid Visit from Kerry Brown
One of the highlights of the week was getting to spend a day with my good friend Kerry Brown from Strong Roots Resources. He made the trip all the way from Knoxville after doing some work up at Special Operations Equipment (SOE) for John and Amanda Willis. While he was in the area, he stopped by Delinquents Gully to hang out and get some hands-on work done.
We got a bunch of hops in the ground and scoped out a unique sloped area on the property for a pretty wild idea: using pulleys and guidelines suspended between trees to trellis hops across the hill. This setup won’t block sun to the food forest and could be a cool way to use an otherwise tricky slope. I’ll have to find someone to help climb trees—or I’ll bite the bullet myself—but it’s shaping up to be a fun summer project.
We also planted elderberry cuttings along a path to form a living hedge and carved out a new area for a guild setup. The soil there looks solid, so I might even start a new comfrey patch there to boost our biomass production.
The Food Forest Keeps Evolving
The food forest is taking off. Between the seeded herbs, volunteer plants, and the things we installed last fall, it’s becoming a solid mix. Kerry and I spent time identifying what to keep and what to rip out. I’ve got a plan to finish mulching the area with cardboard by the end of summer to help control weeds and boost long-term growth. Special thanks to Kori for flagging key plants ahead of time—it made the walk-through way easier.
Testing Solar-Powered Gear
I’ve got a few new gadgets in the review queue:
- A 25,000-lumen solar rechargeable LED work light with multiple color modes and folding solar panels.
- A solar-powered rechargeable fan with 12 speeds, a built-in battery bank, and three charging options—including a 20W solar panel.
So far, they’re both promising, but I’ll be testing how long the battery lasts and how well the solar recharges work in real-world conditions. These might be game-changers for RVers, off-grid setups, or tent campers.
Table Build Is Done, and New Projects Are Coming
The farmhouse table is officially done—stained, sealed, and already weather-tested by surprise rain. We’re wrapping up the two long benches and added two short ones using scrap. We also will be grabbing a compound miter saw to streamline the next builds. With a trip to Muscle Shoals on the calendar to pick up untreated 4x4s, we’re gearing up to make more tables—maybe even some kid-size picnic tables.
I’ve always loved building, and Kori’s gotten the bug too. Every table we sell will fund more tools and materials. We’re turning this hobby into a potential side hustle.
Truck Troubles Fixed (Finally)
After weeks of trouble, I finally cracked the code. Turns out, the truck’s long-term fuel trim had adjusted to bad conditions (thanks to old plugs and injectors). I reset everything using some scan tool data and ChatGPT research, and ever since—smooth sailing. No lights, no issues. Knock on wood.
GoFundMe: A Social Experiment
I started a GoFundMe last week. Not for charity, not for a sob story—just as a tongue-in-cheek experiment. I wanted to see if people would throw even a dollar at something that wasn’t a controversy, a scam, or a social media meltdown. It’s called “Help a Regular Guy Go Viral.” I expected zero traction, but someone actually donated $5. That’s five times more than I expected. If you want to join in on the fun, you can check it out here: https://gofund.me/fcc915de
This Week’s Sponsors
- Lever Gear Toolcard Pro + KT Clip – Killer Father’s Day gifts under $20. These slim tools go in your wallet or on your keychain and come in handy more than you’d think.
- Blockstream Jade / JadePlus – If you’re holding Bitcoin on an exchange, stop. Get a hardware wallet and own your keys. Use code TheLOTSProject at checkout for 10% off at Blockstream.
That wraps it up for Episode 839. From new projects to gear tests and a little social poking at the GoFundMe culture, it was a busy, satisfying week working on the off-grid property at Delinquents Gully. Thanks for tuning in—and if you’re picking something up on Amazon this week, hit the banner at the top of thelotsproject.com to support the show. Until next time!
