[=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=]
       [<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>]
       [=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=]
       
       Stardate: 20190802.1154
       Location: Passenger in a Toyota SUV en route to Lake Tahoe
       Input Device: Gemini PDA
       Audio: some Olivia Newton John song
       Visual: Freeway traffic and scenery
       Energy: 75%
       Mental: 65%
       Emotional: Cramped, confined.
       
       [=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=]
       
       The fam and I are on the way to Lake Tahoe today for the weekend.
       I don't have to drive so I get to chill.
       
       Lately, I have been reviewing my disaster prep supplies and
       procedures.  I brought out my solar generator rig that I built
       several years ago for camping (I use a CPAP machine) and have added 
       to my disaster supplies.  Unfortunately, the panels are not as 
       effective as they once were.  The panels I have are the flexible type 
       that are light weight and you can roll up, but have been showing 
       their age.  
       
       There are 3 panels, 2 of which are small 5 watt panels and the 
       other being 20 watts.  I connected these together and my meter only 
       registered between 100mAh and 300mAh, with the voltage around 16v 
       in direct sunlight.  So I was only getting between 1.6 to 4.8 watts,
       not the 30 watts that they were originally rated at.
       
       The original batteries I used were 2 12v, 12Ah lead acid batteries
       that I got used and wired in parallel for a maximum capacity
       of 24Ah, or 288 watt hours...if the batteries were brand new.  The
       setup didn't last that long so I decided to use smaller 12 volt
       batteries.
       
       I was able to fit the whole rig in a plastic tool box, panels, 
       batteries, controller, meters, etc.  I took it on a few trips, but 
       it wasn't too practical and the charging setup wasn't a good one.  I
       was able to learn quite a bit about solar charging and electricity.
       
       With this recent test, I have been given the opportunity to revisit
       this project.  I thought about rebuilding the setup and finding
       new panels.  Then I thought about it some more and decided to keep
       the setup, but replace the tool box since it is a bit banged up and
       use this rig for maintaining batteries in my garage.  Let's see how
       that works out.
       
       For the disaster/camping kit, I picked up a manufactured kit that is
       much more efficient and lighter than the previous setup.  The panels
       are 50 watts that fold up like a brief case and the battery is 150
       watt hours.  That might work better.
       
       [=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=-=x=]