Sarah you are a BEAST!! That was brave climbing up that ladder right next to the water. I'm not a good swimer and i don't like heights, so there is no way in hell I'd be able to pull that off lol. I'm impressed! And you're kicking ass with the editing and voiceovers in your videos! Keep up the great work!

Holy crap! That was scary to watch, let alone actually doing! Girl, you got nerves of steel! I had visions of those panels sliding back down the ladder and taking a dip. Good job, Sara! Boy, that Brandon is a jack of all trades! This was a great video. Hope y’all have a wonderful weekend and we’ll see ya next week!

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Trust me I had the same visions! 😆 It all worked out though! Sure helped that we had a really nice calm day. Thanks so much! 🙏

I love how gentle he was being with you up there because he could tell you were nervous but believed in you that you could do it. 🥰

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Agreed 🥰

I'm glad you got those solar panels up on the roof and are O.K. More power to you ! That was electrifying to watch... LOL Bad Dad joke. Have a great week!

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

😆👏 well played!

Another great video…. Thank you for sharing! Always impressed with your workmanship and knowledge. And strength. Holy crap!!!!

I was sitting on the edge of my seat watching you with those solar panels! You did it! Next time secure it with a rope! Glad you’re safe! Great information! You’ve got a lot of self sufficiency with the solar. Is the electric heat a heat pump? Is that gas heater vented? Is carbon monoxide an issue ever? Sorry for all the questions. The life you’ve building for yourselves is inspiring. The fact that you tackle all sorts of difficult and adventurous things on a daily basis make your videos a must see.

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Haha thank you!! The electric heat is not a heat pump, I am not sure what the technical term is haha but it’s just a self contained unit kind of like a ceramic heater but very efficient, operating off of our solar. The gas heater is a ventless heater! The main downside of ventless propane heaters is that they produce a lot of water vapor as a byproduct, so we usually run a dehumidifier if we’re gonna have it on so we don’t get mold. We do still have a carbon monoxide detector because well it’s just smart to have one in general, especially when you’re using anything with propane in the house. But we’ve never had it go off before or otherwise had any indication that carbon monoxide is an issue, ventless heaters are considered perfectly safe (just a little annoying with the moisture thing!). 🤍 thanks for the sweet comment!

@judischarns4509

4 ай бұрын

@@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses thanks for the answers. Moisture is a huge problem in small spaces. We’ve lived in small Rvs and in a small house now. Dehumidifiers are essential. So glad to see your new solar is working so well. We live along a creek in the woods. Moisture is always a problem here, I imagine it would be there too, living on a lake.

Such a cool couple. Loving your channel!

Sarah you and Brandon work together like two peas in a pod! Although I was nervous, I never doubted you two. Way to go!

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

🤍🤍 thank you!!

Way to hike those solar panels up to Brandon dinky! Can I call you dinky? Sorry! That was so cute I couldn’t resist! We love you guys! T&C as always enjoying seeing you two on a Friday night! Have yourselves a great weekend!

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

🤣🥰 isn’t that cute? Hahaha this made me laugh. Thanks guys!!!

My hubby and I were staying outside of Byson City in a little cabin last week. Drove to Fontana Dam and stopped by the marina. 😊 Talked with a real nice gentleman in the marina store. We really enjoyed the area.

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Perhaps Kevin?! Taller guy, will talk your ear off? 🤪🤍

@nanaobx

4 ай бұрын

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses yes! It was Kevin. He and my husband, Mark, had a nice conversation while I looked around the store. He mentioned Brandon had gone to pick up supplies for a project, and you were out of town. We hope to come back to the Bryson City area in milder weather, possibly in the fall, when the leaves are changing. I bet it's beautiful!

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

fall is a beautiful time to visit for sure 😍 if you do, swing back by the marina! Maybe we’ll be able to catch ya the second go round. ☺️

Really great videos, you got a new subscriber today. Had the pleasure of talking with Brandon yesterday and it’s funny I asked a lot of the same questions you addressed in this video. I came in solo to the marina at 3pm. Would love to have a guide to do some fishing on the lake, so if Brandon would do it let me know. You both have a great future ahead. Super impressed with his knowledge about building and solar power and equally with your beautifully documented journey living a life few would ever dare to do. All the best to you, I’ll be eager for the next video. -Bill

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Thank you for this kind comment Bill!! Brandon says he’s probably not much of a guide in comparison to the actual guides on this lake, but he’d still love to go fishing! 🤠 Thanks again Bill!!

Loved your video, talking about how everything is put together. I was a little bit worried for you on that ladder picking up those heavy panels, that was nerve racking to say the least. I could tell Brandon was too, but he stayed very cool, calm and collected and just talked you through it all!! AWESOME JOB GUYS!!

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Thanks so much Scott!! 🙏

Great video as always! Tie that ladder to a pole! Gosh why am I so worried about this? LOL

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Hahaha thank you for the support!! 💪 certainly wouldn’t be a bad idea, though wind seems to be the biggest threat to our ladders & it was a lovely day this day at least! 🙌

It increases the cost and complexity, but you can use multiple charge controllers that work together to combine disparate panel outputs. Boats often do this to deal with different size panels and shading they have to deal with.

Thanks!

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

🙏 appreciate the support!!

👍Great job on the solar swap‼👏 No doubt, you're gonna love all that power🌞⚡

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

The more the merrier! 🔋🤠

I wanted to see you guys getting OFF the roof. 😉 That’s sometimes worse than going up. Glad you made it both ways safely. And absolutely gorgeous views from up there! The solar panels are awesome. So great how much home construction/maintenance you two can do yourself. It’s inspiring! Good work and loved the video. Always learn something while keeping up with the Joneses!

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Hahah good point! Getting off was much easier luckily, Brandon just hopped right down to the porch roof (not a big drop for him since he’s tall), I kind of laid in an L-shape with stomach on the top roof and legs hanging down and then brandon helped lower me down the last few feet 👍 all good! thanks so much for watching as always and for the comment ☺️

Yikes! That was a bit nail biting watching you trying to hoist those panels up the ladder! Great job, though! I was sitting here telling Brandon to tie a rope on it for him to hold onto for extra stability but I guess he couldn't hear me. Haha. That will be nice having that extra power!

Sarah! OMG… you are amazing! I was holding my breath swaying in my seat watching you hoist those panels. 💪🏼 Brandon is a lucky guy… Thanks for another great video! ♥️

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

💙💙 you’re too sweet. thanks for watching!

Girl, you are fearless! Great video. Love how you showed us the solar upgrade and tied it in with an explanation about the rest of the utilities.

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! 🙏🙏

You have a beautiful home! Seriously had me on the edge of my seat watching you lift and attach those solar panels. 😮 You work together like a well oiled machine! As always, I loved watching Iko enjoying the snow! She is so beautiful. ❤ See you next week😊

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Thanks so much!! Appreciate your comment. see you in just a bit! ❤️

Hiya Joneses Fam 👋🏾

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Hiya hiiii! 🥰

Should have used a 3/8" rope and just sling choked the panels or just put clips on each end of the rope and clipped it to the mounting brackets and pulled them up, much safer that way and easier in your strong misses lol, love the new house nice design, more room for furbaby to play lol, and wood stoves are great when things break down for emergencies, always nice to have a back up plan to a back up lol and thanks for info and videos, editing can be a royal pain and time consuming lol

Depending on the charge controller(s) you use, you CAN mix different panel sizes. Just not different sizes on the SAME controller (unless it's a multi-channel). It looks like you would have enough room for another 4 panels on the upper roof (barely) if you want the extra juice.

Y’all are so inspiring. Great video

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! 💙

we have the entire roof full of solar panels and even now in winter we have more than enough power, we can occasionally charge the batteries which we use for sailing👍🌞⚓😊

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

That is so awesome!!!

Very informative session. Excited for your solar upgrade. More power to you ! (Oh, I see that pun was already plugged in)

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Hahaha NICE add on to it tho! 😉

Excellent video team. Also, thanks for introducing me to the Berkey filtration system.

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Thank you! Oh we love our Berkey. Only thing is you have to be careful not to buy mimic filters on amazon for cheap, they don’t filter almost anything but look the exact same. Make sure to get them from a reputable supplier. Boroux is the affiliated company we get them from if that helps! 🫶

Another great video, always look forward to watching

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Thank you! 🙏

Love your vids 😊

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

So glad you’re enjoying! 💙💙

Absolutely love you guys channel and lifestyle

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

🫶 thank you!!!

Just to put those power figures into perspective: an LED light is around 5 Watts, a laptop charger between 50 and 70, a toaster 600-1000 W, a hair dryer more like 2000. If the sum of the appliances you've got turned on at the same time is higher than what your solar system provides (and those figures are maximum numbers with the sun shining full strength straight onto the panels, on a rainy day you get a lot less) you're draining your batteries. As you mentioned, at some point you have to turn everything off and wait until the batteries are recharged. Your typical US house on the other hand gets 36000 or even 48000 W from the power company. If you compare that to a few hundred W of solar you can tell that living off grid is going to be a bit frugal in comparison.

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Oh agreed, it’s very expensive (as of now at least) to deck out a single home with enough solar & battery storage to equal what an entire power company can provide haha. For folks who want every electronic luxury life can offer and have enough disposable income to spend 20-30 grand on a solar setup, it’s possible. But for most working class folks like us, going off the grid in an affordable way will require a change in lifestyle choices that also benefit both your pocket and the environment. Not having 36000w to work with doesn’t mean you can’t still have most of the luxuries of a normal home, such as the hair dryer or the toaster oven, but like you mentioned, you’ll need to learn to be mindful and frugal with your use of them. Which is a great practice for anyone and everyone to work towards, on or off grid! 🙌😊

Very informative. Thanks 👍

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Sure thing! Thanks for watching!!

Really cool video! Love, from the North Oregon Coast 🌊💙

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

💙💙💙

Very good upgrade. Nice.

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Thanks!! 👍

Love the videos and the paint colour …..nice choice

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Thank you! Cheers!

This was fabulous info! Thanks for sharing!

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! ☺️

Thanks for sharing 😊😊😊

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

My pleasure 😊

No visible tattoos, straight, wholesome. Of course KZread does not like your channel. We love it though!

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Brandon’s got a half sleeve on one arm but I certainly don’t think that takes anything away from his excellent character haha 🤍 Thanks so much guys! Hopefully youtube will get their stuff together!!

Great video. Maybe look into a mini split.

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Thank you! We went back & forth on a mini split for a while! Seems like it would work just as well, if we got one of the more efficient ones.

Just curious how will this boost in wattage affect you guys o a daily basis now. It is just have ore stored power for rainy days or is there things you will be using/running that you weren't able to do before. I know you said hair dryer. Just wondering how much this will change your lives and in what way. You ALWAYS do such a good job and explaining things. You would make a wonderful teacher. Can't wait for you to teach us about nature on a hike. As always another GREAT video. I don't know how you keep coming up with content but you do it well.

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Oh good questions!! Mainly like you said for rainy/cloudy days so that we don’t have to use the generator as often, that is always the goal we’re working towards - true energy independence, no need to rely on gas ever. We’ve slowly been using the less and less over the years as we can afford more solar and one day maybe we will never have to! But it will also be nice for some little luxuries like running AC in the dog days of summer or me being able to get this hair curling wand I’ve been wanting 😋🤍 Thank you so much!!

I'm glad it was a calm day for moving the panels. Good work and vid.

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

That sure helps! 🙌 thanks so much!

Maybe consider puttingi n a small block n tackle set up off the roof to help lifting heavy things in the future :) that was a bit scary to watch at times :)

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Thank you! 🤠

❤

I think Star Link costs a lot for sat internet but it is all you can get I understand it because the most I had pay for the internet was 100 dollars per month for fiber

It was hard to watch you struggling with those panels.

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

I bet, it sure was hard to struggle with them! 😆 but a similar struggle to lifting weights in the gym, nothing I can’t handle (but definitely higher stakes with the panels haha). Alls well that ends well!

Excellent video as always! I noticed that your roof is a dark color and metal. What are your new panels rated temperature wise? And will they be ok during the summer?

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Thank you!! I can’t find the rating on the website description for these panels, it’s probably in the manual somewhere haha but I couldn’t tell ya off the top of my head. Temperature wouldn’t be a concern in a very mild climate like ours though, even with a dark roof! 🙌 the old panels on this same roof did just fine this past summer 🌞

Speaking of utilities, it’s very beautiful out there, love the incredible scenery. But I’ve always wondered (as a huge sports fan) is there another way to have decent TV viewing out there besides streaming over the satellite internet (which I’m sure is limited due to data). Do some people put satellite dishes on the shore and run cables underwater to their floating homes or is that forbidden? Is any kind of OTA antenna reception possible? (Which I’m sure would be difficult at best especially in the months where the lake level is much lower). Anyways, I was always curious about that aspect of living out there. Keep up the great work, love your channel!

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Yes! There are some satellite dishes on the shoreline, folks used to run cables underwater for Tv and internet. A few still do, but almost everyone in the harbor now has switched to starlink. Our neighbors who are big sports fans just use the streaming services like KZreadTV that have live coverage of ESPN and other sports channels! 🙌 And then we’ve also got a big communal TV on the back deck at the marina with some grills and stuff so sometimes all the sportsy folks go over there for a big game and tune in! 😋

@SteveTJ001

4 ай бұрын

@@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses Thank you for the response and I look forward to your future episodes!

Why didn't you guys lifts the panels up on the porch roof first, then up to the top roof?

I'm sure you guys have some rope around there that would have helped to lower and pull them up. 😅

Try cb radio with all ur neighbors. Safety

@frankevans2203

4 ай бұрын

ship to shore on water

You live in beautiful place!! I drove by your marina in Dec. 23❤!! Would you stay at any lake in your area!! ???

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

It is gorgeous here indeed 😍 all lakes here in the mtns of western NC are genuinely beautiful but obviously we are partial to fontana! 💙

see he should have got down to the lower roof and you hand them up and can out on the roof from there and let set until all are on the roof then have come and help

If you have internet but lack cell, have you got something like Google fi where as long as you can reach you wifi you will still have phone service?

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

There is a setting built in to your phone called wifi calling that you can turn on and it preforms that same service, allowing you to make calls over wifi with no cell service 🙌 the “SOS” feature is also a good backup in case the wifi ever went out or we were out on the lake and something went seriously wrong - by law if you call 911 and don’t have any service with your provider but another provider might have a tower somewhere that can pick you up, any provider that can HAS to pick up your call using their towers. So that helps expand coverage for emergencies at least 🙏

If you guys get snow do you need to go clear the solar panels off?

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Nah they are rated to hold a pretty significant amount of weight from snow, and in terms of efficiency, at least with our last panels snow kind of had a similar effect to a cloudy day. Might be an issue if we were in an area with really consistent and heavy snow, but here it only snows every once in a while and usually melts within a day or two 🙌

Do you guys have a Patreon? I thought you did but I don't see the link.

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

We do! 😊🙏 Here’s a link- www.patreon.com/KeepingAfloatWithTheJoneses?

Do ya'll have a separate Grey water tank or does your Grey water go to the lake?

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Grey water goes into the same tank as black water! Except when we use the hose outside of course

Still wish Oklahoma would allow Boat Houses!😢 Edit: Is there a list of states that allow Boat Houses?

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

There isn’t! We haven’t been able to find any single resource with comprehensive info on these, mainly because regulations vary so much depending not only on the state but mainly on the specific entity that owns the lake. Lakes owned by corps of engineers for example have totally different rules vs lakes owned by power companies or vs private lakes. This all being said… I do happen to know off the top of my head that some lakes in Oklahoma do allow these! I’ve seen them online on Lake Murray for one. 🙌

@Brian-mp2mv

4 ай бұрын

@@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses 😲 I'll be sure to check into it, thanks! I've seen before that Lake Murray has floating cabins on the lake, for crazy $$$

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

I bet!!

Ok, Brandon. Where was your thinking cap. Tie a line to the solar panel. Easier on Sara and much safer. I think you just might know a knot or two!! lol Love your house and all the beautiful work. Kudos

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

He’s a knotty guy! 🤪 ropes probably woulda made it easier. luckily it all worked out and I got me a good workout in! 💪 haha thanks Jim!!

Urine is a great fertilizer. The trees on land would love it.

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Awesome, who knew! Thanks for sharing 🤠

This solar installation was hard to watch. A little bit of rope would have gone a long way for both up and down.

Since I was Paying 650 bucks a month on my all electric house I put in a 16 400-watt array at the house and a special electric building. Then I bought 3 Totaled Tesla's took the battery packs and added the proper charge controllers Sold the cars for salvage parts good money there with the help of a genius who is a master Genius Electrician and Solar Outlet who I grew up with my Cousin . It gave me 6400 watts which is not much plus Battle Born Batteries that added 2000 more watts and added again 5 more solar panels the best of everything. My heater takes 15kw to heat this big house and the 2-3 ton a/c Units and I charge when needed the batteries online, but it still will not run this house. I managed to save $280 a month but the cost to build was 20g. Certain times a year I do not need heat or A/C the biggest cost. I am changing Heat and Ovens out to Propane to kill the 15KW Cost on heat and electric. I bought a 2000 Gallon Propane tank. I will let ya know what that works out to. I wanted to try. Then I bought a 20kw Natural gas Generator when all else fails. Insane costs but if I live to be a hundred years old it may be worth it. But at least in this Very Rural Setting when the Electric goes out for days at a time I can survive but I would rather live on the water where you do cheaper less trouble. And I do not need a Genius Scientist to figure it all out. Put Soft Starts on your A/C Units. At least all the Electric is in a Concrete Building as required by the Dang Insurance Company away from the House. You need a College education to go in there. So you know what I did I bought a wrecked 1 year old Refrigerated 18 Wheeler Trailer at Auction removed the A/C unit and now I have over the duct men hooking up the cooling unit to my existing duct work and a special 2 Party Thermostats to cool the house and a 500 gallon fuel tank to use as needed. Then we will compare savings. The Tank is in a special storage area too. Place looks like an Army Test Facility. This is North Louisiana Hot Humid Miserable with no electric. Sorry this was a long one. Smile and double your solar you will thank me.

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Oh man! Sounds like you got a wild setup! 🤪 Love all the DIY touches haha

@renoflames

4 ай бұрын

Yes it is absolutely Insane but you never know what tomorrow may bring. You have a good channel. I like it.@@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

Why not make rail shutters chrome paint led lights make electric at night 🌃......2/29/2024

Um... Rope is a thing, guys.She was in a very dangerous situation

How much does it cost to live on cabin barge there,do u taxes insurance, do u need boat stickers to anchor on bouy ball on the water 💦......???????????? 2/29/2024

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Our annual mooring fee in this harbor is $5k a year, other harbors without city water are closer to $2k. Insurance is just a few hundred bucks a year. The floating cabins aren’t registered as boats because they aren’t navigable, they aren’t boats. So they have a different registration system unique to them

@hildebertocarreiro9232

4 ай бұрын

@@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses that's to much to pay

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Rent in most places is $1,500-$3000 a month lol. We’re thrilled about $5k a year! All a matter of perspective.

@hildebertocarreiro9232

4 ай бұрын

Any way to make it cheaper to live on water

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Yeah if you live on a sailboat out in an anchorage (not at a marina), many anchorages are free. Just the cost of your boat and maintaining it (no small feat, be warned haha)

Unsubscribed again. Thanks for the reminder to check!

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

3 ай бұрын

So weird! Ugh. Thanks for checking! 🫶

There comes a time in life when hiring some help or calling in favors is cheaper than hospital bills. At 77, I know that well now, but I was a slow learner due to being a life long jack of all trades, expert of few. My wife is younger than I am, but she baled on me and made me wake up. A rope and pully system adds strength for a time for lifting heavy items. Levers too help in some cases, but not high lifting.

Unsubscribed again. #4 I think. 🙁

@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses

4 ай бұрын

Absolutely insane. ☹️👎 thank you for continuing to check & resubscribe!