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Anode Rod Replacement – Double the Life of your water heater with a simple part!

In as little as 15 minutes, you can actually double the life of your water heater by changing out a $28 part – the anode rod. And best of all it’s an easy job that nearly anyone can do! We will take you step by step through the anode rod replacement process below!

What is an Anode Rod and why replace it?

An anode rod, sometimes referred to as a sacrificial rod, is a metal rod that is inserted into a water heater tank. It protects the tank from corrosion by attracting rust and other harmful particles in the water. It is typically made of a steel wire with a coating of magnesium, aluminum, or zinc. The anode rod acts as a sacrificial metal that corrodes faster than the tank and other metal parts around it, protecting them from damage. The anode rod should be checked and replaced periodically to ensure the longevity of the water heater. The anode rod is a metal rod that protects the tank from corrosion by attracting rust and other harmful particles in the water.

John Deere F1145 Electric Fuel Pump Mod / Upgrade

I have been mowing with a JD F1145 front mower for several seasons now. It’s powered with a 3-cylinder Yanmar diesel engine (3TN75RJ) and has been a great mower for our hilly property.

One thing that has always been a hassle though is the mechanical lift pump kept having issues. It is fed by two different fuel tanks, with a selector switch in between. This leaves a lot of fuel lines and connections for a vacuum leak. Once the lines get old and tanks get dirty it doesn’t take much for one suction leak to start pulling air into the fuel system. Then the engine cuts out and won’t restart until you bleed the air – usually on the steepest hill and farthest point from the garage!

Lithium Solar Generator Battery Upgrade

5 years ago I created a series of how-to videos for a DIY solar generator. It was very successful and one of the most watched DIY solar generator videos on YouTube. It has also received a lot of requests for a Lithium battery based version. Today we show you how to easily upgrade that system’s battery bank to Lithium (LifePO4).

Be Prepared for Natural Disasters: Create an Emergency Plan with Your Family

Depending on where you live, natural disasters may be a regular part of your life. Regardless of their frequency, it is always important to have a plan in place with your family in the event that disaster strikes. Just like fire safety, it’s equally important that your children are aware of the plans in place. Below are some basic emergency tips from Modern Survivalists to help your family be prepared.

A Homeowner’s Guide to Enhancing Safety and Security on a Budget

Modern homeowners place a premium on security and self-sufficiency. Knowing that you can retreat to your private space when you need a break from the world can bring great peace of mind. But how can you create a safe property—without breaking the bank? This guide tells you how it’s done.

Field Testing the OKMO 1000W Portable Power Station

OKMO has kindly provided me with their 1000 Watt Portable Power Station to test out and review. I was a bit skeptical of the unit at first since it was priced a little bit less than most of the competitive models. I was pleasantly surprised by its performance!

Setting up a MEP-802A Military Genset for Portable Power Needs

A good friend of mine bought a MEP-802A military genset recently. It so happened I was looking for ways to power a 240V arc welder and some larger 120V shop tools well away from any grid power hookups. I was considering renting a diesel powered welder / generator, but it turns out the military genset worked great instead.

Do It Yourself Home Energy Audit

Winter is here. Much of the country is experiencing windy bitter cold days that can sap the energy right of not only you – but your home as well! But on the bright side, you can actually take advantage of these frigid days to conduct your own DIY home energy audit. And it can cost you nearly nothing once you know where to look!

DIY – How to Convert an Electric Golf Cart to Solar Power – Part 1

If you have an electric golf cart, follow along to convert it to a solar golf cart and you might not need to ever plug it back in to charge again! If you don’t have one (yet), I am finding it super handy, affordable (and stealthy!) way of getting around the property. I highly recommend one!

What is a Solar Generator & How Does it Work?

A Solar Generator is a term for a device that can convert solar energy from the sun into electrical AC power. Most Solar Generators use one or more solar panels to generate DC electrical power. The DC electricity is then converted to AC electricity with an AC power inverter.

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