Power hog

I've been editing some videos for a friend. That requires a lot of computing power, the processor working as fast as it can almost constantly. That sucks up electricity from my big storage batteries. The computer also powers the old-school external hard drive (spinning platter rather than solid state memory) that holds all the digitized video and related files. That means more power consumption. I need to keep the laptop plugged in all the time I'm working.

Meanwhile, there's the fridge doing its power consuming thing. I've turned up the thermostat a little. (Well, not actually "turned" up. You push buttons. But "pushed up the thermostat" doesn't make much sense, does it?)

We're creeping toward winter (yuck, winter), so there's less daylight for my solar panels. On top of that, we've had some overcast days, further reducing the amount of light available to charge the batteries. I've had to keep an eye on the charge monitor.

But today the sky is clearing, so I'm soaking up solar like a sun worshipper. O, Lord Sol, blessed be your glorious plasma orb and its nuclear fusion that gives us light and life! Shine on! Shine on! Banish the clouds that hide your gleaming countenance.