HELP KEEP THE HELPING HANDS NETWORK ALIVE! We are out of money and operated only by volunteers until we get more donations and sponsors so please help! PLEASE HELP by donating directly via paypal ID tfrentz@hotmail or contact us for other options such as paying a causes bills directly etc.
We were granted stewardship of a potentially magical 1300 sq. foot house in early 2022. The wooded property sits a few acres northwest of Cade’s Cove at the northern tip of Palestine Lake. This 1970’s ranch house had been lacking in maintenance and begging for a restoration makeover.
The 2.5 acre oak covered lot was the site of the original homestead farm for the surrounding 1000+ acres. At the turn of the 1900’s, the Cade family with four sons took up deeds for all the surrounding land. In 1970, this lot split from the farm and claimed the designated address of 305.
The original 1900’s cabin remained on the south acre and they shared a long circle driveway entrance. The north fence line is bordered by Spruce Cedar while bamboo displays a lovely circle boundary towards the cove to the east. Century old Oak trees shade the rest of the lot.
305 has a rose brick exterior; wood soffit & facia; covered front & back entry; single garage and original single pane aluminum windows on the exterior.
The back yard has two studio buildings. One for each of us to setup for our own desires. For me, it’s a place to display my collections while having a tool shop. For Vanessa, it previously served as her grandmother’s hair saloon so she is keeping that theme around using it as her interior decor consulting office.
As we entered for the first time, the property had not been used so long that everything was covered in mildew, corrosion and dirt. A full demo to the framing was soon to commence.
Follow along with us as this blog story will be composed of several chapters through 2023! From building with Helping Hands Tim to decorating with Cade Republic’s Vanessa Price (*Extreme Home Makeover, Hometown Takeover & many other HGTV productions).
Continue reading the full blog series to experience our journey. 🙂
$105 w/ Side Windows : The poles are a middle thickness in comparison. These are not 2inch wide like the industrial poles. I would not recommend this unit for a permanent installation but rather temporary use. – https://amzn.to/36C25tY
Pex Crimper $60 : This is the $200 model that has a rotating head for hard to reach places. This is sold out within a few days every time they list new inventory so IF you find it available you better order it. – https://amzn.to/3ftrhXH
Cell Signal Booster $200 – I mounted my antennae about 18 feet up while at a location that sits close to the average elevation of the land between the signal tower and it works as expected. I maintain a near constant connection with triple the results of what I have without it. It is worth the investment. I can watch videos with minimum buffering in a rural setting. https://amzn.to/3dmYd1U
Over 20 years of research is finally published and available for purchase in this daily self help, DIY reference book. Please contact me directly (tfrentz@hotmail.com) to purchase so I do not have to give the marke-teers >60% of my revenue!
This book is full of lesser known knowledge, guides, advice and facts surrounding the culture of the United States circa 2020. In this book you will also find my recommendations for some of the latest products and technology that improves our standard of living. I also share everything I have researched about minimalist and survivalist living and prepping for pandemics. The best way I can summarize IT all is to just call the book, LIFE Wisdom.
The following pages share my efforts to organize and shed light on the most useful information in my life. This book categorizes the knowledge based on whether IT involves helping, simplifying, making, stretching, spending, living or sharing something.
The main objectives of this book are:
1. Educate the reader.
2. Connect with sponsors and increase funding for the Helping Hands Network volunteer and emergency cause programs.
3. Connect with global connections to help establish international programs.
Please submit any product or other helpful information you would like to see included in future editions and you will receive future editions for FREE!
At times the line may be blurred between opinion and fact but I do the best I can. My definition of fact refers to a first encounter experience by myself or another credible source. Some of your experiences surrounding certain wisdoms may not hold up to my experiences I share in this book.
Updates after publishing can be followed at [freeHelpingHands.wordpress.com] We look forward to publishing many more editions.
The proceeds from sales go to help fund our programs so if you are given a copy please consider contributing to our cause through paypal id tfrentz@hotmail.com or mailing a check payable to Tim Frentz.
About the Author
Tim Frentz (T) is an artist, eco activist, gardener, soccer player, business consultant, fitness trainer, author and practitioner of Yoga who recorded his spiritual journey in this new age work “the Helping Hands Spirit” and a comic book series called “the ventures of HELPING HANDS”.
He was reborn in Grand Island, Nebraska USA in 1977. His early autobiography was first published in 2012, seven years after the death of his father whom inspired T to leave home and give himself to causes in urgent need.
T describes how his experiences inspired him to trade in his possessions and hit the road. Several times he was robbed of resources but instead of relying on a flawed legal system to recover his losses, T accepts it as a lesson from his former guru’s.
This early autobiography shares T’s early life in the central United States, his college days at the University of Nebraska, visits to spiritual communities, meetings with various saints, his training of disciple volunteers, T’s building of the Helping Hands Network, his time helping causes in need and his steps to become a new age yogi.
T brings a new age meditation method known as “Creative Meditation” into the light. This is achieved through combining traditional meditational practice with the act of artistic expression and creation. He is known for his wood sculpting and other art which is largely created during a meditative state.
T continues publishing books & comics, teaching yoga & fitness, and speaks widely in the United States. His organization “The Helping Hands Network” is growing daily in the United States and continues to connect causes in need with thousands of resources through http://netvibes.com/HelpingHandsNet
I’ve been following renewable energy trends for 20 years. Products and prices are always changing so I am creating this blog source to help organize everything in one source.
I’m always spending time looking for different schematics and the best prices for products and I want to help everyone save time on their searches as well.
Please comment below and help contribute to the search for the best relative information.
FIRST, we need to divide the schematics by category.
Small Range Solar Only
Small Range Wind ONLY
Small Range Solar & Wind Combined
RV travel OFF Grid
Mid Range System with EV charging
Here are the best sources I found to gather the following information.
SOURCES
TechDirectClub.com – Parts Supplier & 48 volt video guides.
YouTube – AverAge Joe – Jehu Garcia – Will Prowse – Jay Summet
Mobile-SolarPower.com has great videos and diagrams.
Forum: BuggiesGoneWild & TechLuck
Dan Fink info@otherpower.com
Ed Toribio Kearney Wind (Nebraska Green Energy)
CFRA cfra.org/clean-energy
057Tech.com/Solar (Amazing details on a HOME Tesla Module power station) 186kwH STORAGE!!!
POWERWALL (24v or 48v)
24 VOLT OPTIONS (12 volt is a waste of time. Don’t even consider it.)
$283 60A MPPT PCM60x Maximum Solar Taiwan – w/ Monitoring Software
$199 40A MPPT Tracer 4215BN w/ Meter.
If you wish to use this controller to charge exotic/strange voltage lithium battery banks (such as a tesla/nissan leaf battery), you can change the charge controller parameters manually with the mt-50:
Go to the main menu and select “4. Control Para.”. In this menu, use the arrow keys to navigate around and see the current charge profile parameters. You need to arrow up first and start changing your settings with the lowest voltage setting which is “Discharge Limit”. If you do not do this you will get “PARA ERROR” messages.
If you want to change a parameter, hold down the “ok” button. If it asks for a password input, leave it blank and hold down “ok”. You will see the number flash, and you can use the arrows to change the parameter.
When you are done editing the parameter, press “ok” and it will ask you to save the settings. Press “ok” again. You need to repeat this process every time you change parameters on a screen (so you can only edit two parameters at a time).
When you are done editing, use the navigation arrows to ensure that all changes have been saved.
Connect your system to solar power and watch the charge voltage. If it charges up to the charge limit voltage that you programmed, you are good to go.
My 24v setup with Tracer Controller, Victron BP, MT50 control
Here are most of the items I ordered pre installation.
$490 Leaf G2 bundle – $70 /ea. module x 7 from Tech Direct Club [est $140 per 1kwH]
These Leaf batteries have a smaller variance of useful voltage but if you balance your energy input with your consumption, that will not be a big factor. For my initial tests, I only have 2 [100 watt] Mono Solar panels bringing in an average of 30 volts of charge which results in .1 of a volt of storage being added to the battery bank PER HOUR with 0 draw on it.
On the consumption end, I have my office equipment drawing .25 volts per hour. So if I want to be off grid completely this helps give me a more accurate idea of how much more input to add to the system.
$60 BMS full kit (circuit board, BMS, quick disconnect w/ 16″ cables, hardware) [NO VIDEO’s Showing how to customize this for 6s 24v yet but I got it just in case something is posted or in case I decide to up the system to 48v with 7s.]
$30 LCD display (NOT NEEDED) It is not color and the function buttons are hidden behind the casing so I am returning it and installing a simple $14 DROKing.com monitor in the slot.
$25 Side Panel Controller Box for BMS & Display
$30 Screws, bus bars, cables, bolts
$15 All thread bars
$0 salvaged wood for frame and handles
$0 TAX $0 SHIPPING +$30 discount coupon!
OTHER OPTIONS I CONSIDERED
-Power Out Inverter
*$80 24v/12v 1.5/3k Pure CHANGI
*$135 24v 2/4k Pure CHANGI via BangGood (1 universal outlet w/ multi function display)
$989 ALL IN ONE – Inverter/Charger/Grid Tie 600 watt Sigineer APC6048D 24v
$126 24v 1k/2k GIANDEL Pure Sine outlet power inverter w/ Remote on eBay *open box
$298 24v 2.2/4k GIANDEL Pure on Amazon
$228 24v 2.5/5k RELIABLE Pure Sine on eBay *live auctions
$196 24v 2.5/5k Bang Good
-Grid Tie Inverter
$100 Bang Good 600w Pure Sine ($89 on Amazon) 12v/24v variable
SALVAGE VALUE (I recommend getting an old tv tower from nearby for $75ish) I currently use 2 inch round pipe with support fasteners attached to my 2 story deck framing.
-Stop Switch
$128 eBay: StellaVolta (Can be auto triggered by the auxiliary function on some charge controllers. *Not the Tracer Series unfortunately)
$2 – 30A Inline Fuse
$10 – 4 fuse Holder Box
-Charge Controller
$199 40A MPPT Tracer 4215BN w/ Meter. This controller has great reviews for smaller applications. The MNF rep does not recommend it for Tesla Modules at this time. There is no auxiliary feature to program the Wind Turbine stop switch remotely or automatically.
YouTuber – DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is great for RV and Tiny Home Applications
OTHER PRODUCTS TO CONSIDER
$199 40A MPPT Tracer 4215BN w/ Meter. This controller has great reviews for smaller applications. The MNF rep does not recommend it for Tesla Modules at this time. Buy from eBay: DomiTronic
If you wish to use this controller to charge exotic/strange voltage lithium battery banks (such as a tesla/nissan leaf battery), you can change the charge controller parameters manually with the mt-50:
SOURCES
EV West is great for Electric Vehicle Focus but they also share their Solar Powered PowerWall Schematics.
Amazon Seller services has the absolute worst customer service we have ever encountered.
The best way to help them improve is to share negative reviews like this one with all of your network.
AMAZON SELLER SERVICES is SO PISS POOR because they rely on Artificial Intelligence and Auto generated algorithms to respond to customer trouble tickets.
In our dealings with this service, we filed 5 identical trouble tickets and received a wide variety of responses. The responses were often not relevant to our complaint. Some of the responses even came from a department in Canada.
The problem with our sales account started when we sold an item on amazon but the physical item was sold earlier that day before we could unlist it. We refunded the online buyer but the auto generated system suspended our account anyway.
We could not access our inventory to unlist our items and the Amazon system is not setup to remove the listings either. This resulted in another item selling with no way for us to notify the buyer or send them a refund.
While all of this is happening, we are submitting trouble tickets to report the issues.
We received the following paraphrased replies:
1.) We are reviewing your account and you will not be able to sell. Please provide a Utility bill and any sales related documents to help us decide if you may sell on Amazon again.
2.) In response to our files being submitted, we get this response FROM AMAZON.CA (That’s CANADA support NOT .com USA) …. “Let us know how we did. Were you satisfied with the support provided?”
HAHAHA – seriously??? All the remaining follow up replies also come from Amazon.CA
3.) This is an auto reminder… we need more information to resolve your case. If you still need assistance, please respond to this message. If we have resolved your issue, take no further action and we will close your case.
SO WE RESPOND and we get #4.
4.) We have not heard from you so your case has been closed. If you still need further support please contact us.
OMG – this is getting ridiculous.
5.) Please view the open cases section in your seller account to read our response to your support request.
SO WE DID and get a notice that our request was denied and we can not sell on Amazon.
6.) So we open a second account and the system says it will review our account information before activating the new account.
AND WE GET the same responses as #1-5 all over again!!!
GAME OVER! WE GIVE UP AND PUBLISH THIS BLOG TO EXPOSE THEIR PISS POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.
7.) 10/20/17 – We email Amazon CEO Bazos – Jeff@Amazon.com with this story.
8.) 10/27/17 – He has an Amazon Seller Manager email us with a basic hello. She says….
“My name is Nithya, and I’m a member of the Amazon.com Seller Performance Team. Jeff Bezos received your email and requested that I research this issue and respond on his behalf.”
SHE THEN GOES ON TO SIMPLY COPY AND PASTE THE PREVIOUS MESSAGE ABOUT SUBMITTING A proposal to how we will rectify our sales complaints….
This is beyond ludicrous. Amazon Seller customer service is absolutely the definition of insane!!!
9.) We oblige “NITHYA” and again submit our story about being locked out of the account and unable to control any sales support issues and submit the link to this blog once again.
10.) 10/28/17 – We again receive the AUTOMATED BULLSHIT REPLY that simply says, “we reviewed your account and conclude that you can no longer sell on Amazon.”
11.) We again email Jeff with this link for his continued review of his departments failures in customer service. There is no reason non profit foundations should be treated like this when they are cooperating to fix issues on their donation sales platforms.
12.) We again receive the same auto generated reply as #8 above with Nithya. This time the name has been changed to Francine but the message is the same. WTH???
13.) We also received a random reply from the Amazon.Ca email stating…..
“I understand your concern regarding the account password reset and
login. I’ve checked your email correspondent. You’ll need to
contact our partner site, Amazon.ca, for more information about account password
and login, as our international websites operate independently. You can contact
them directly at:”
THIS IS THE REPLY WE GET IN REGARDS TO OUR COMPLAINT THAT WE ARE GETTING NOTICES FROM amazon.Ca in the first place when we are not even signing in to a amazon.ca account.
THE SAGA CONTINUES!!!!!!
This case is making a wonderful youtube video and we are enjoying slandering Amazon as much as possible in our public presentations because they need to get their act together!!!!!!!!!!!
*Disclaimer: Please note restrictions of use at the end of this article.
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Summary:
Maximize your use of affiliate programs Amazon, eBay and google. Use services that simply ask you to mention and create a buzz about products/services like BloggerParty http://bloggerparty.com/referral/626daeda and SponsoredTweets http://spn.tw/r4a2g .
Use sites that pay 75-100% ad revenue. These sites include Flixya, Oondi and InfoBarrel. Use sites with high community traffic like Facebook, Twitter, HubPages, Squidoo and forums such as eBay. IF you have time, apply for weekly writing assignments from companies like Examiner at http://apply.examiner.com/?editionid=966&etid=2454&cid=bit.ly#topics.
Provide a Link to this blog post, http://frentzshelpinghands.blogspot.com/ and TJF.8k.com from your sites. We can see where our traffic comes from so we will give you 25% of click revenue from your site. Our “Problem Solver” Blog at http://FreeHelpingHands.wordpress.com gives people a chance to ask us questions and we answer for penny donations. This can be a good money maker for you also because when users mention how they found us we reward the referrer another 25% from that program.
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C. Get Paid To Write
Here is our list of useful website sources that can make you money online. Your options can vary from writing articles on given topics and reviews on products or writing business reviews. Some only pay on ad revenue share.
I am testing the results of the major Content Paying sites by giving each one 30 days to host this FULL article. After the first cycle is complete I will rotate the article through a second cycle and use the average views to conclude the winner as the site to provide the most revenue in this experiment.
If you locate an article nearly identical to this which does not include our disclaimer at the end, please notify TJ Frentz Publishing. All our proceeds go to benefit the Helping Hands Charity at http://facebook.com/freeHelpingHands so please use our links as much as possible. –thank you.
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*Disclaimer: Copyright TJ Frentz Publishing 2011. To avoid breaching any contract with each site in regards to duplication clauses, this article has a 30 day maximum release clause attached that requires any hosting site to delete this article at the request of TJ Frentz within 24 hours of notice. This article can be copied to secondary sites by readers BUT MUST RETAIN THIS DISCLAIMER and SOURCE LINK copied from the current browser location and noted in size 12 type bold with active hyperlink (http://frentzshelpinghands.blogspot.com/ ).
Contact:
Tim Frentz
308.258.xxxx
tfrentz@hotmail.com
Genre: Religious / Inspirational
Style: Written in Second Person
Target Readers: All ages. This book appeals to all with religious curiosity and interests and stands above the competition because it is written for the penny pinchers who are hardest to sell to. This will tap the spending vault of the tightest pockets like no other book can. My readers like religious, self help, inspirational, relationship building, action/adventure, romance, political and current events. It has it all. Readers lead spiritual lifestyles rich in wellness activities. They also show strong efforts of self educating and pro-action for current events. This book will be bought and read by those with voids in their lives. My social network fans read my short blog stories and pray for more full length books so they can be inspired to increase their own philanthropic efforts and restore faith and hope for man kind.
Word Count: 100,000+ (400 pages)
Biography: I am special and unique because I have lived the life of the character in the book. I have sold my material possessions, moved into a storage unit, lived in a van, traveled on foot and motorcycle, been around the world, started several companies, founded a Charity and given 80% of my net worth and I do wander the streets as a super hero with my eyes and ears open for people in trouble.
Worthy Mentions: This will be self published 1/2012 if not under contract.
Title: undecided
Subtitle:
Author: TJF
Premise: The USA is overtaken by greed and industrialization of natural resources. The majority of citizens have become pawns to change. The chosen few prophets reborn, walk the country setting examples of change. Here you read about their efforts as seen through the eyes of Saint-to-be Timothy.
Benefits: After completing The Knew Bible, readers will be inspired to create change around them, citing examples from this book to inspire others and be able to use chapters as quick instructional guides. A modern look at the traditional bibles before it is here.
Features: Pages of instructional self help guides and scientific facts and studies will deliver these benefits to the reader. Real life examples and results of Saint-to-be Timothy‘s efforts light the path for all.
Overview: The book is divided into [number] sections and [number] chapters.
The Manuscript Status: 70%
Anticipated Length: 400 pages (100k+ words)
Anticipated Completion:
Material Time Stops: 8/8/11
Manuscript Ready for Publisher editing: 1/1/12
The Market:
Characteristics: The target audience for this book is made up of all people of all ages and types. Strong Christians and other religious folk will read to be reminded of their duties to improve the communities around them. People who have made mistakes in life will read to find inspiration of change. Parents and educational bodies will distribute this book because it represents a fictional view of the concepts of modern life based on the Christian 10 Commandments and solutions to fix their communities mistakes. Activists will purchase this book because of the facts and examples of progress.
Motivations: Religious spiritual types will read because they want to read about all the good deeds and solutions to battle evil. Political activists will read to find contacts and examples of others like them battling their frustrations. Everyone will read to self educate on solutions for all their problems. Nearly everyone desires to live free and sustainably and travel the world like the character of this book.
Affinity Groups: Church and spiritual groups. Educational bodies. Governing organizations.
Differentiation: There is no direct competition because this lifestyle mostly has only survived in Islander, Buddhist and Hindu cultures. This book brings a unique story to readers who have chosen materialistic temptation and need to get back on the true Christian path.
The Author Background:
Timothy Frentz, born 8/8/1977 in Grand Island NE; Grew up under the guidance of the traditional cultures of his grand parents. A strong Christian childhood etched the 10 commandments into his adult life. He studied English, Indigenous History and Business at the University of Nebraska from 1995-2002. Frentz has assisted in the founding of many business‘ and continues consulting several to this day.
In 2004, his father battled poor health and passed away July 4, 2005. Frentz saw it as a sign he needed to do more philanthropy and spend more days as if they were his last. He founded a Helping Hands Network to gather the efforts of all the small organizations in the world doing great deeds. He took to the road and has been following the path of fate ever since, helping as many as possible along the way. His publications tell the stories of all the efforts along the way.
Previous Writing:
Self published online self help books include: “Life‘s Little Secrets“ ; “Dart Training Tips“ ; Several Auto/Technical “How To Guides“ ; “The Life of a College Student“ ; and “Must Have Computer Dr. Tools”.
Possible Endorsers:
Mike Nappi – Professional Philadelphia Recording Artist who wrote an Album based on Frentz’s story.
Julian – NY Times Best Selling Author who spent time with Frentz during his wetlands project in New Orleans.
NO Park – Save the Wetlands Coordinator. Frentz volunteered 2 weeks of help in New Orleans City Park.
Debbie – East Texas Arts and Humanity Council. Frentz has worked with Youth support groups.
Pastors – New Orleans (Jim Morrison) Replant Central Park, Tyler Texas, Joplin MO, Lincoln NE. Frentz has worked with several Church groups to volunteer for projects.
Personal Marketing:
Facebook Fans – 700+ ; Twitter – Infinite reach with Hash tags ; Blog – 1000+ reads a month ; YouTube – 200+ channel views a month ; Examiner Sustainable Life Journalist – 1000+ reads a month ; eBay Fundraising Sales Store – 2000+ reads a month ; Amazon Sales Store 1000+ reads a month. Websites 1000+ month. Painted Vehicle – 5000+ views a month. Discussion boards (Facebook, twitter, reader/writer specialty) 500+ a month. BitTorrents Teasers 100+ Month Downloads.
Chapter Outline:
[Provide an annotated outline of the book. This outline should include section titles, chapter titles, and a two- or three-sentence description of each chapter’s content.]
Sample Chapters:
[Attach two sample chapters that best represent the book.]
Summary:
A fictional story of a young man, reborn as a prophet of the creator, who is on a quest to restore the Elders Traditions along his journey to Sainthood. Timothy uses new age resources such as Facebook to direct those who want to help others WITH those who need help. When he spots someone not qualified for Bureaucratic support systems, the Helping Hands Network reaches out to fill in the blanks the best they can.
Living sustainably in the traditional sense means that one is living 100% from resources within their own local location and non reliant upon aid from others. In a more modern sense, sustainable living generally means a family or single residence is using less resources then what is calculated as producible per capita in their area from local resources.
Living a sustainable life comes with sacrifices most Americans do not want to accept.
Most of the world’s civilizations keep their traditions alive by supporting laws made to encourage standards of living that require a bit of “sacrifice”.
Now when I talk about “sacrifices”, I am referring to the act of physically meeting the primary needs of survival with minimal use of technology.
Starting right now as you read this, you need to get your faith back. You once had a dream of creating material wealth without relying on others by means of self employment. Make those dreams reality just like all your ancestors before you. For over 99.9% of the recorded history of man, our elders lived long comfortable lives living sustainably and recent infatuations with industry and capitalism is changing populated societies.
It is easy to live sustainably in rural areas if you follow the guidance of traditionalists like me. I spend my time in rural areas of Maui, East Texas, Nebraska, PA, and California mostly so you will read about sustainability in these areas. Occasionally I end up in other countries as well.
Here are some examples of the sacrifices we make in the USA but that are still considered part of the norm around most of the world.
– Minimize Everything from consumption to waste. The process begins by growing and collecting natural resources. Use/make/buy 1 natural dish each instead of having cabinets full of unused items; wash dishes with home made soap and cold water or solar warm water after each use. Use and make natural products when at all possible. It is amazing how much is made out of hemp. The process is the circle of life so the beginning closely follows the end in time. Meaning, that we reuse as much as possible until the end of the useful consumption life and then we recycle the resources into new things.
– Learn to maintain and maximize the efficiency of what technology you do use. Repair your own vehicles; fix your home appliances; do your own yard work; use one laptop and a mobile smart phone with a satellite connection *(see http://cannonsatellite.com ) or phone data plan; use the laptop for practically everything including tv/movie loading. Do your best to power everything off of renewable energy.
– Travel with mass transit and bikes. For those heroes who sacrifice their lives doing public services and health care, some duties can not be avoided without extreme uses of fuel but for most people in urban areas there is enough fuel wasted to power the rest of the world every HOUR!
These are just a few broad examples of what principles I try to follow as much as possible. Many more specific examples are focused on in follow up articles so bookmark this link and enjoy my many stories.
I am writing a lot this month before traveling again and here is a quick list of links to all the networks I am writing for to raise money for our causes in need. This list will be updated every 2 days.