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Friday, June 5, 2026

The OGLS Newsletter

The day's best off-grid reads, hand-picked for you.

SunForge 12kW Off-Grid Kit (Sponsored)

Power your entire homestead off the grid with the SunForge 12kW system. High-efficiency panels, a 20kWh LiFePO4 battery bank, and a hybrid inverter keep the lights on through any outage. Pre-wired, expandable, and backed by a 12-year warranty. This week only: 30 percent off the complete kit plus free shipping.
Solar

Buried in negative equity? These EV deals can help get you out of that gas guzzler (4 minute read)

The biggest obstacle to buying an EV isn’t always range anxiety, it’s the negative equity on their current car loan. If that’s you, don’t worry – these EVs have enough cash on the hood to help dig you out from under that gas guzzler.

Is BYD Making A Better “Ferrari” Than Ferrari? (6 minute read)

The Denza Z was the big news this week from the 408th monthly MIIT regulatory filings. The sports car has a 500 kW motor on the front axle and two 340 kW motors on the rear axle for a total of 1180 kW (1582 horsepower). 0-100 km/h has previously been ... [continued] The post Is BYD Making A Better “Ferrari” Than Ferrari? appeared first on CleanTechnica.

GridGone 5kW Power Station (Sponsored)

Silent, fuel-free backup power that recharges from solar in about 4 hours. The GridGone 5kW station runs your fridge, well pump, and tools through any outage, then folds away when you are done. No gas, no fumes, no noise.
Gardening & Food

Tips for Companion Planting in Your Herb Garden (7 minute read)

Herbs make powerful companion plants, and not just in your vegetable patch. With strong aromas and tastes, their pest-repelling, beneficial insect-attracting, and other benefits can extend to fellow herbs as well. Learn which ones do well planted near each other, and which don't enjoy each other's company. The post Tips for Companion Planting in Your Herb Garden appeared first on Gardener's Path.
Camping & Hiking

Pancakes! – Fox’s AT Thru Hike – Day 82 (9 minute read)

The Appalachian market was my first stop of the day. Their popularity was evidenced by the tons of locals getting breakfast on their way to work. I ordered a double order of pancakes with a large coffee. After sipping ¼ of the coffee, I topped it with sugar and half and half. Do I like it better that way? No. But it adds calories. Before leaving, I grabbed a Fairlife protein drink. It is expensive, but covers nutrients I struggle to get enough of. ... The post Pancakes! – Fox’s AT Thru Hike – Day 82 appeared first on The Trek.
Hunting & Fishing

What did your father teach you? (5 minute read)

Father’s Day is just a week away, and it got us thinking about the lessons that stay with us long after childhood. Some fathers taught us practical skills—how to change a tire, cast a fishing line, balance a checkbook, or work with our hands. Others taught us something less tangible but just as important: patience, […]
RV & Overland

Save thousands on RV slide-out maintenance with this (5 minute read)

Did you know that proper slide-out maintenance can save you thousands of dollars in costly repairs? In this article and video, we’ll explain how the Camco RV rubber seal conditioner protects your RV slide-outs and keeps them in top working condition. Regular maintenance of these seals prevents damage and extends the lifespan of your slide-out […]

RainKeeper Gravity Filter (Sponsored)

Clean, safe drinking water anywhere with no power, no plumbing, and no chemicals. The RainKeeper gravity filter removes 99.999 percent of bacteria, parasites, and microplastics from rain, creek, or well water at up to 12 gallons a day. Built for homesteads, cabins, and bug-out kits.

Use self-fusing silicone tape for weatherproof connections (5 minute read)

By Greg Illes Standard vinyl electrical tape has been around for a long time—too long, some would say. The problem with this commonly used product is its adhesive. It doesn’t really stick very well and after awhile it starts to peel loose, leaving a gooey mess behind. But now there’s a self-fusing silicone rubber tape […]

New musical roads added to Route 66: Hear the Mother Road sing (5 minute read)

Route 66 is pulling out all the stops to celebrate its centennial. RVers won’t want to miss the Mother Road’s new musical roads! What is a musical or singing road? A musical road is the kind of roadside surprise that turns an ordinary drive into a delightful memory. (I previously wrote an article about singing […]

The slow down and move over law—Are you doing it right or breaking the law? (5 minute read)

When you see a vehicle stopped on the shoulder with lights flashing, what do you do? A recent AAA Foundation study found lots of drivers know the phrase “slow down and move over” but are unsure what it actually requires. This helps explain why roadside workers and stranded motorists remain at risk. RVers should know […]

HearthStone Heritage Wood Stove (Sponsored)

Heat your whole cabin on a single load of wood. The HearthStone Heritage stove burns clean and slow with a soapstone core that radiates warmth for hours after the fire dies down. EPA-certified and built to last decades.

RV review: Outdoors RV Backcountry 20MKS—Boondocking champ (5 minute read)

Today’s RV review is of the 2027 Outdoors RV Backcountry Series MTN TRX 20MKS travel trailer. Outdoors RV is unusual in that it is located in La Grande, Oregon, and specializes in travel trailers and fifth wheels that are truly ready for more extreme climate conditions. The company also builds its own chassis and states […]

Another quirky micronation stop for RVers (5 minute read)

Recently, I wrote about Slowjamastan, believing it to be the only micronation within the U.S. Turns out, I was wrong! Reader James Starling commented that another (older) spot also claimed to be its own micronation. It’s located near Dayton, Nevada. I just had to find out more. The Republic of Molossia If you like offbeat […]

Why do tires fail at 0 mph? (5 minute read)

Sometimes people apparently think tires “fail” because of “magic.” Or, at least “magic” seems to be the only explanation if you do not understand tire design, materials and engineering. The real reason for tire failures can many times be traced to a force we Tire Engineers call “interply shear.” Here is a picture of a […]

TrailMule 72-Hour Pack (Sponsored)

The bug-out pack preppers actually carry. The TrailMule 72-Hour Pack fits a 40L weatherproof main, MOLLE webbing, a hydration sleeve, and a quick-access medical compartment into a 3.2 lb frame that hauls like a daypack. Trail-tested and built to outlast you.
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