Jim Kerkhoff

The Lonely Bull Editor’s Note: (2026) A family gathering in our North Platte, Nebraska home during the 1950s. In the background sits the Mason & Hamlin console piano that would later become the center of my earliest musical memories. This article is part of the Weber Piano Project. Long before I encountered the 1893 Weber grand piano, I was introduced to music by my childhood piano teacher,…

Editor’s Note (2026) When this article was originally written, I thought I was simply documenting the restoration of an old piano. I had no idea that the instrument would eventually lead me into Omaha history, remarkable friendships, and a much larger story. Looking back, this was where the journey truly began. It began innocently enough. But then these things usually do.  My friend Jack was…

Editor’s Note (2026) The article below tells the story of how the Weber piano entered my life. Looking back, it was the first event in a chain of circumstances that eventually became the Weber Piano Project. I’ve left the article largely unchanged because it captures the surprise and excitement of that moment better than any retrospective account could. Finding My Way As I puttered along in…

Editor’s Note (2026) The article below was written shortly after I received an unexpected email from Omaha historian Jeffrey Spencer. Looking back, I now recognize it as the moment the Weber Piano Project truly began. I’ve left the article largely unchanged because it captures the surprise and excitement of that moment better than any retrospective account could. An Unexpected Email From:…

At a Glance Solar Garage Array • Panels added: 24 × 250 W = 6 kW • Combined System Peak: 10.5 kW • EV charging rate achieved: 9.6 kW • Build timeframe: About a year (with interruptions) • Primary purpose: Faster EV Solar Charging The Solar Garage is producing power.  After purchasing an Ioniq5 electric vehicle (EV) last year, it became obvious that increasing the solar array size would be…

This post is an overview about building the Virtual Pipe Organ Stop Tab MIDI Encoder, and continuation of “Building a Great Virtual Pipe Organ: MIDI Encoders for Pedals and Stops.” For readers interested in the technical design and firmware details of these MIDI encoders, I’ve documented the development process in more depth on my technical blog at jimkerkhoff.com. Designing the Stop Tab MIDI…

This Virtual Pipe Organ MIDI encoder bridges traditional organ hardware with modern software such as Hauptwerk. Making the Pedals and Stop Tabs Visible: The Virtual Pipe Organ MIDI Encoder With the structural modifications to the organ console complete, it was time to turn to a less visible—but absolutely critical part of the Virtual Pipe Organ project: how the physical controls would be…

This post describes the design of a multi-input MIDI encoder intended for switch-heavy control applications like Virtual Pipe Organs or Amateur Radio Station Automation. Why a Multi-input MIDI Encoder? Most of the hardware projects I enjoy start the same way: with a physical problem that doesn’t look very complicated until you try to solve it cleanly. In this case, the problem was easy to…

Back to the Virtual Pipe Organ Project (VPO) It’s been a while since I worked on the Virtual Pipe Organ (VPO) project, using Hauptwerk software, but it’s not forgotten. Last week, with Marilyn’s son visiting, I had a chance to resurrect the project. Frankly, modifying the heavy console was daunting, and I needed a helper to even get started. It was necessary to lift and reposition the console…

Preliminary steps With the completion of 95 copper bus bars, I was nearly ready to assemble the Really Big Lithium Ion Battery. There is a little process involved though. The Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePo) cells I was using had been in storage for a while and though new, would need a some maintenance. There would be 64 of them, arranged in 16 sets of four cells. Battery Safety When creating a…

Designing the Inverter Upgrade With the purchase of the Ioniq5, I started thinking about how to improve the Solar Power System. As explained on Free Solar Charging, the Emporia Level 2 Charger could provide power to the car at up to 11.5 kilowatts. The inverter I installed in 2020 was limited to 6000 watts output, not enough to reach the minimum specification for Level II charging, 7500 watts.…

The EV Experience — One Year On About a year ago, we purchased a Hyundai Ioniq5 electric vehicle. There were several reasons: Improve our resiliency and reduce reliance on commercial power systems Reduce our use of fossil fuels Generate fuel (electric power) using onsite solar energy Simplify vehicle maintenance Reduce our impact on the climate __________ We’ve had the vehicle just over a…

About a year ago, Marilyn and I made the leap and purchased a Hyundai Ioniq5. Our motivations were rooted in reducing fossil fuel reliance, harnessing solar energy for transportation, cutting fuel costs, and simplifying vehicle maintenance. After a full year of ownership, it feels like the right time to reflect on our experience. Check out “Solar Ioniq5 EV Charging: Self-Reliance and Reduced…