http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ Off-Grid Forums: Recent Posts en Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:50:12 +0000 http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2312#post-4926 Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:05:05 +0000 elnav 4926@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>Don't split your bank. A customer of mine inherited such a system and it did not work. Why so much power? Save money, get a pair of 3kW which is plenty.<br /> Whatever you do don't go for a split center tapped system. It will give you grief. I have a better ikdea that works better and the system does not get unbalanced.<br /> Do not assume you need as much inverter power as you would need in generator capacity. That is a fallacy. All my systems only need 6kW total even for driving air conditioners. Bigger inverters also have greater parasitic losses. I understand why you went 24V but 48V would be better for seveal reasons to do with battery service life, and there are 48V alternators available. </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2313#post-4925 Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:55:49 +0000 MKULTRAarchitecture 4925@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>Ive been in the cumulative process of amassing research on modular home and alternative architecture building recently for awhile now and would like to get a little project going here as well. What Im trying to do is establish an economical wilderness retreat in isolated Illinois. Ive explored a menagerie of housing options from Yurts, to mobile homes, to pre fab, to modulars, to container conversion. Pretty much the ones that I think are the neatest and most cost effective are the containers. Alibaba is a killer site that has cutting edge pods for next to nothing. Id like to spend anywhere from $5000 to $15000 on the aggregate project, land, shelter, and services all including. What Im wondering is If anybody has any creative thoughts on how to implement a project like this as far as building a financially thrifty container or modular, finding land in Illinois on the cheap, and procuring services to automate the whole process from design, assembly, delivery, and finally installation. Im trying to find "Off the Grid" land in Illinois with no population around it for approximately 5 radial miles. This being rare I may need to employ a real estate agent or researcher of some kind in my project plan. Any tips or pointers on how to find suitable construction property in Illinois, dwelling concepts, and services for research and full scale project automation? I may go the custom design route and submit my modification schematics to a supplier for tweaking. Alibaba has lots of providers that do this on the cheap. Good luck on your project, you can do amazing things with these modulars…make a LeCorbusier masterpiece for next to nothing </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2312#post-4924 Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:12:53 +0000 Tooltime66 4924@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>FYI... I have a 1 cylinder diesel engine with 24 volt altinator that came off an old sign board. I plan on useing it to help recharge the batteries. I hope that it will be fuel efficant. I need to test run it on a gallon of fuel to see how long it will run. </p> <p>Tooltime66 </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2312#post-4923 Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:04:42 +0000 Tooltime66 4923@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>I am gearing up to make the move. Found 20 acers with a house that has no electricty. With in a year I hope to own this place. After doing a lot reading I hope to be ready for the big change. I think I want to have 8 6 volt "golf cart" batteries hooked up for 24 volts. I think I want to use 2 4000 watt inverters. wind and solar for recharging. The question is can I or do want to hook both inverters on the same bank of batteries or have each inverter run off its own bank. Thanks for your exportise and advise.</p> <p>Tooltime66 </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2298#post-4922 Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:29:48 +0000 Alrod53 4922@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>Truthseeker,<br /> I don't know how you think it is easy to live off the grid.<br /> Unless you have a but load of money and have somebody else set everything up for you. Then it might be easy. There is a lot of planning and design work that goes into setting yourself up off the grid. Your dreaming if you think it's easy.<br /> I'm there. ALROD </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2311#post-4921 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:02:31 +0000 Alrod53 4921@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>Hmm, Echo friendly and caravan do not sound synonymous. LOL.<br /> I would definitely go with diesel/bio diesel.Because in pinch you can use kerosene,lamp oil,transmission fluid,filtered used motor oil from gas engines mixed with diesel fuel. Although the last mix makes for a real smoker, been there. Just because diesel is more heavy duty and will hardly ever let you down.<br /> Myself I'd look for an older model that does not have all of the computer crap on it and has an actual injection pump.<br /> I always thought that a UPS/bread delivery truck as most are made from aluminum, I think it would suck to have my house rust away. Happy Trails </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2311#post-4920 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:25:27 +0000 terrypray-ee 4920@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>Hi guys..I'm gonna start a new adventure but need some help and expertise from you, lovely off-grid veterans!!<br /> I'd like to buy a second-hand eco caravan but don't know where finding the right option..<br /> some tips?<br /> Thank you<br /> Love and Light<br /> Terry </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2301#post-4918 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:54:35 +0000 psimation 4918@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>We're off grid. The good news is, we got everything paid off. The bad news is, now we're both handicapped. Barely able to maintain our critters and the 20 acre farm. We have the knowledge, materials, and the tools, just lacking in ability to do much.<br /> Looking for help in return for help.<br /> <a href="http://www.poohcornersfarm.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">www.poohcornersfarm.blogspot.com</a> </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2298#post-4917 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:49:10 +0000 TreasureGift 4917@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>Well, I'm back and ready to reply to Truthseeker. When I first read your message, my response was to try to defend against what you said about religion, I will say that after thinking about it and praying about it, it is clear that you have had some sort of (or perhaps lots of) bad or negative experiences with organized religion, and for that I am truly sorry. I too had trouble with religion, and to that I will say that religion is how "man" messed up the relationship with God, fortunately that is something I got past, yes I have deep faith and a wondrous and wonderful relationship with my Savior. Perhaps it's easier for me because I have experienced death and I KNOW there is more after this body is gone, when I pass from this life I want to go back to that wonderful place so full of peace and love. I have experienced pain and suffering, I just don't allow the negatives to define who I am or where I am going, the hard times made me a stronger person, as hard as things were for me, I wouldn't change a thing, I happily stand here with a smile on my face with all the bumps and bruises that go with it (life).</p> <p>I sincerely wish you would disregard what the world has done and is doing to your faith and turn back to God, things here on earth are not perfect, and for now, will not be, but this life here on earth isn't what is important, it's eternity that is, and the day will come, sooner or later when you will be standing before your Maker and you will answer for yourself. This is simple, accept the free gift that is Jesus, or don't, it's completely your choice and your responsibility, if you are reading this, then you have no one to blame for making the wrong choice but yourself.</p> <p>I generally keep my personal beliefs to myself (though I'm getting better at being able to spread the good news), that is until someone says that I need to shoot myself in the face for my beliefs :)</p> <p>You are clearly angry, or at the very least unhappy, it comes through loud and clear in the words you chose to write above, you have the choice to continue living in that state, or you can choose to be free, free from anger, free from the big rock that is weighing you down, I sincerely hope you make the right choice, it is your choice to make, your responsibility.</p> <p>Wretha </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2308#post-4915 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:53:18 +0000 caverdude 4915@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>I hope you get some replies. I think most people wouldn't be able to take advantage of the ram pump. Its nice when a person can though. </p> <p><a href="http://larrydgray.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow">http://larrydgray.wordpress.com</a> </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2308#post-4914 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:19:49 +0000 briank 4914@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>Any one use a ram pump? We have been off grid for 10 years, and for the past 3 used a ram pump. We built a ram pump with parts from the local hardware store and plans we found on line. Our pump feeds from a spring below the house and pumps up hill about 40 vertical feet through 400 feet of 1/2 in pipe.Just wanting to know others experience with ram pumps. </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2303#post-4913 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:59:02 +0000 elnav 4913@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>I now have the manual but I must have missed it. I was looking for how long the wires to a sensor can be.<br /> The temperature sensors for a woodstove could be a challenge given the range they have to meet. Special insulation wires like the pyro on truch engines. </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2303#post-4899 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:09:59 +0000 caverdude 4899@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>I'm not sure just yet what I want to do with it, the guy that told me about it wants to use it to monitor a mushroom farm.</p> <p>I'd say our primary interest is in monitoring gardening and green house stuff. </p> <p>I'd just like to get it and try it out. I have always been interested in programmable controllers. Just never wanted to mess with ladder logic. </p> <p>I'd like to use this for some home automation maybe. Smart home type stuff. Automated shading etc. More automated ventilation control. </p> <p>I'd also like to use it for some energy efficiency design experiments. Stove design, oven design, rocket mass stove design etc. </p> <p><a href="http://larrydgray.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow">http://larrydgray.wordpress.com</a> </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2301#post-4898 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:03:12 +0000 elnav 4898@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>I am curious how many of the people expressing a wish to start a new community for off-grid people have any background in sociology. I am at present reading a book ( 508 pages) detailing the history of pioneer days and before with specific emphasis on the dynamics of the social culture of various peoples beginning with aboriginal people right up to about 1981. The book includes an analysis why various etnic groups suceeded or failed. All of them began with the premise they shared something in common; be it language, religion or simply ethnic background. All of them left established society with the intent to live away from the existing society (old off-grid concept) </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2303#post-4897 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:52:10 +0000 elnav 4897@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>Larry what did you plan on using such a thing for? </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2307#post-4896 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 10:58:20 +0000 TreasureGift 4896@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>I used to live in the DFW area, that would have been right up my alley, now I'm living in far west Texas off grid, good luck, hope you find the right buyer for your property. I can understand the problems of coming in and trying to make things work that you didn't build or setup (speaking of the water situation), I have wondered what someone would do if they came in and took over our place with no instructions from us... it would be tricky at best, our systems have evolved over the years and aren't exactly "regulation"... :)</p> <p>Wretha </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2306#post-4895 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 10:54:22 +0000 TreasureGift 4895@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>Welcome, there are lots of friendly folk here who would be more than happy to give advice and answer questions... could you elaborate a bit more on your setup, the location of your property (general, not an exact address...), what is on your property? Water, woods, mountains, desert, wet...? Are there any structures, neighbors, utilities of any sort? Can you hunt there? Are you just starting out (young) or experienced with life, the comment you made about wishing you had started sooner makes me think you aren't just starting out in life... hopefully you are a handy person as well as your fiancee, being able to do things for yourself will go a long way toward making your dream come true. There are many of us living on a shoestring but still living quite nicely, trying not to get too nosy about your shoestring (lol), the more you can elaborate, the more we might be able to help. :)</p> <p>Wretha </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2307#post-4894 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:06:35 +0000 Cedar_Pond 4894@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>Rural property with underground building, rainwater collection system above and gravity-fed water system. Animal pens, garden areas, wooded areas 3-1/2 acres, no deed restrictions. $65,000.<br /> Website is <a href="http://www.CedarPondHomestead.com" rel="nofollow">www.CedarPondHomestead.com</a> </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2306#post-4893 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:43:02 +0000 Intmd8rBlk3 4893@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>Hello fellow off-gridders....I am new to this site and just wanted to say "HI"!! My fiancee and I recently purchased 10 acres of property and plan to start our new life together off grid!! We've been doing research and visiting different people with the same mindset. Wish I've done this much sooner. Hopefully, we can get some good ideas on how to live off the land. We are confident that we can do this. </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2272#post-4892 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:51:12 +0000 elnav 4892@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>SES out in California is scrapping their entire stirling solar power system so maybe you could scrounge something there. They don't want to be bothered with the mechanical maintenance. These units were on trackers. </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2272#post-4891 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:12:15 +0000 Alrod53 4891@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>Yes a solar powered Stirling engine would be cool but I haven't seen one yet that is twenty hp. Or that is in my price range..Like free. Like most folks we only run the genny when we have no wind or sun, So it is not that big of a deal. As I said it is just something that I'm tinkering with, Crap that I found for free. </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2297#post-4886 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:40:22 +0000 gordo 4886@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>my thoughts.....i know with my small battery bank 360 amp hours. (4 l16/24 volt) even when they where new and i eq'ed them it took roughly 16 hours. call the battery manufacture for a eq voltage. it may also be a good time to select the best batteries at this moment and reduce the bank size(as enlav suggests) this way you can do it through the solar array and charge controller. if you want to use an inverter/ with a gen set to eq you may need an accessory control modual. for example with outback inverters the mate will perform this.. talk with tech support of your inverter manufacture. take the rest of the batteries to a location with grid service add a desulfator and try to revive the remaining batteries(maybe 6 months if you do it slow and proper.)</p> <p>either way it will cost you in time or money.</p> <p>once you get pack to par you should do gravity test regularly. maybe every week for starts to see how the batteries are holding up. then ideally about once a month. </p> <p>cheers g </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2272#post-4885 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:40:20 +0000 elnav 4885@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>Instead of burning wood to make steam, consider using a Stirling engine to generate the power from burning wood. Although the resource of natural wood is available, its the time needed to gather the wood and keep feeding the fire that is wasteful. Time better spent in other activity such as food production and storage. </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2297#post-4884 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:26:51 +0000 elnav 4884@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>you have bigger problems than was first apparent. Your original post indicated your daily use was 75 -100 amp hour. The comment that you only need to run genset every few days suggest the existing solar panels are choking on the over sized battery bank. It would be far better to have a much smaller battery bank that the solar panels can cope with. I have seen the exact same problem on sailboats where the owner spend thousands on a huge battery bank then proudly announce to eveyone that they only have to charge the bank once every two weeks. Within two years this oversized battery bank is reduced to a pile of useless lead sulfate because the lead sulfate formed in the first few hours of use is then left sitting until charging is finally done. By that time its very hard to convert back to lead oxide and sulphuric acid. Every battery maker has fine print saying recharge immediately after using. By that they do not mean tomorrow or next week they mean right now this same day. They also know most people ignore the advice so they will soon be back buying new battery replacements.<br /> For off-grid applications a nickel iron ( NiFe) battery would make more sense but most people are put off by the higher initial unit cost. Brandon who owns a company providing such batteries can maybe chime in here with more data. He did post something about six months ago.<br /> My own calculations suggest that by making best use of NiFe characteristics you will get better and more reliable service and the price premium is nowhere near as high over a 10 year period compared to lead acid. Critics will argue that NiFe is less efficient but ignore that once purchased solar cells provide power at virtually zero cost. NiFe became unpopular when we still used generators to charge off-grid banks so cost of fuel was a significant factor. </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2297#post-4883 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:01:49 +0000 happyearthhomes 4883@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>the voltage was a steady 2.06 volts per battery the specific gravity tests had 12 of the batteries reading 1.175 on hydrometer and 11 had no reading only the clear part of the hydrometer was bobbing above the fluid and 1 battery the dead one showed .010v and the bobber did not float in the hydrometer </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2298#post-4882 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:52:24 +0000 elnav 4882@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>I echo Dustoffer's words and would add that his words "Don't be too hard on those who have a faith that is peaceful" should be given consideration. Notwith standing the OP derogatory reference to religion, keep in mind that few man made communities exccept those built around some common theology has survived the test of time. It sounds like OP had a bad experience with some branch of a religious group. But don't throw the baby out with the bath water.<br /> I too had a bad experience some 40 years ago that caused me to turn my back on the church but recent events have proved not all denominations are bad.<br /> Small towns are more likely to have charitable and well meaning people willing to help each other that those living in proximity to big city contamination.<br /> This is not a place for testimonials but check it out before condemning these people out of hand. That is simply perpetuating the vary prejudice and bigotry you seek to avoid by moving away from big cities and going off grid. Building sustainable communities is a delicate art. Only a few organizations know how to do it right so it perpetuates itself. </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2297#post-4881 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:33:49 +0000 elnav 4881@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>Are you saying the average voltage is 1.1V or the specific gravity reading is 1.1?<br /> Either case indicates way too low a reading indicating severe sulfation problems. </p> <p>I have rejuvenated batteries that have been left unused for two years and showed low readings but never ones with such high capacity.<br /> The issue with sulfation is you need to not only deliver a voltage sufficiently high but also at a charging current that brings up the plates to a usable level.</p> <p>For two volt individual cells this requires a power source where you can adjust the voltage and current independently while monitoring the internal battery temperature. I speak from hard learned experience trying to salvage battery packs from telecom installations. Yes it can be done but preferably using lab grade adjustable power supplies and grid power so you can run tests continuously. Sometimes you need to be able to run the charge equalization cycle for several days at low currents. The voltage typically has to be adjusted every few hours. </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2303#post-4880 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:19:13 +0000 elnav 4880@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>I did look but am still thinking about if and how this would interface with Arduino boards. Perhaps I have created the wrong impression.<br /> I am not a techie for technologys sake.<br /> When I worked on boats I spent my week days playing with rich peoples toys.<br /> I spent my week-ends on a sail boat which did not even have a radio on board.<br /> I wrote articles about the latest high tech navigation gear but never bothered to install any of the free samples on my boat. I preferred it simple. </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2303#post-4879 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:58:52 +0000 caverdude 4879@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>I thought at least Elnav would touch this one. </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2297#post-4878 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:52:05 +0000 happyearthhomes 4878@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>Hello all,<br /> Due to weather and work here. I have not been able to get back on here till now (my internet was down). We were able to due the specific gravity tests today with the hydrometer after having used no power for 2 days letting the system charge and rest we had an average of 1.1 </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2304#post-4877 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:25:29 +0000 elnav 4877@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>In other words you are not really that far out in the wilderness. You are close enough to a community to make the daily trip to school and back. Which is exactly what I mean. Some people are thinking of getting so remote it's an all day trip just to reach anywhere. One of our friends sent their daughter to live with people they knew in town. She could maybe come home on week-ends. </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2294#post-4874 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:27:57 +0000 bwingler 4874@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>I think they add more drama to movies to make it more interesting then what really goes on. There is alot more crime here in Atlanta then out there. </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2304#post-4873 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:25:25 +0000 bwingler 4873@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>We are keeping our kids in the public school system for now, we use to home school but they wanted to attend regular school. Its going to be enough of a shock to our teen lol but the 7 year old boy is excited about it. We already have contacted the schools and know where we will enroll them. We will enroll them on feb 27 give them a couple of days to adjust after the long road trip before starting school. </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2297#post-4872 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:39:28 +0000 elnav 4872@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>Dustoffer, I will be the first to admit desulfators are not a magic solution.<br /> However I have also had sucess in some cases.<br /> The original poster has a very unique problem. The battery bank is way too big for the available charge source. What the battery manufacturers are not telling us is there is a minimum limit as well as a maximum charge current limit. Joe's problem is he cannot accumulate enough charge in a day to bring the battery bank up enough with the available solar panels. Consequently the bank is constantly under charged. circumstances beyond his control or even his knowledge compounted the situation.<br /> You are right, adding one good cell into a bank of older batteries is not good. Its worse when the batteries are in parallel. With care it could sometimes be done when the cells are wired in series.<br /> When I first had to deal with this kind of problem I always yanked the whole bank. After testing and recharging the batteries I kept the good ones for single battery use, and junked the rest. Prior to that we were lucky to get 18 months from a bank of mixed new and old. Things improved after that. Unfortunately company policy dictated I use size 8D because this was what we could buy at a resonable price from the wholesalers. These are not the best choice for deep cycling. The banks were typically made up of 3 - 6 of these 8D wired in parallel to power 2500 watt inverters in a rental fleet. We had a dozen charters and I was forever changing batteries. Now I know better and would argue the point with the boss because such a practice was not cost effective. But this happened 20 years ago and the industry has learned a lot since then. </p> http://www.off-grid.net/forum/topic.php?id=2304#post-4871 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:13:21 +0000 elnav 4871@http://www.off-grid.net/forum/ <p>Many people have expressed a wish to form off-grid communities and a few have even mentioned having children or even teen-agers.<br /> One thing I have never seen is any mention of schooling. Several of my friends have done home schooling. In every case it either relied on the postal system (a kind of grid) or real time computer internet access (another form of grid). It’s a bit like toilet paper; you never think about it until it’s not available. Talk about being dependent on something from the greater society and the dreaded grid.<br /> It requires a special talent to home school your kids once you are past the basic three R’s. Most of my friends who home school end up sending their teenagers to a public school for one or two years simply to acclimate them to dealing with other people (mostly strangers) coming from different backgrounds and who may not share their perspective.<br /> Kids can be cruel and are not above labeling someone from an off-grid background as a hillbilly hayseed from the back woods. Kids often center out others just because they wear different clothes.</p> <p>Friends who live on a boat full time and cruise the world find this kind of off-grid home schooling to be advantageous because almost every month they sail to another city and sometimes another country. This kind of social diversity is beneficial but on land the extent of kid's education is likely to be mostly about permaculture and animal husbandry.</p> <p>This is why I feel it might be beneficial to live near a small village or town. You can still be pretty much off-grid but close enough to have social interaction with an established community. Small communities are also more likely to have a self sufficient mindset because they live far from big cities, </p>