3 ms·

Would you share a bit more about your off-grid setup? (Power, water, sanitation etc...) Or do you have any pictures you've shared or would like to share public

by eksith 13y ago

Would you share a bit more about your off-grid setup? (Power, water, sanitation etc...) Or do you have any pictures you've shared or would like to share publicly?

D9u 13y ago
My neighborhood is under served by municipal utilities (No telephone, no electricity, no water, no sewage, no cable, no pavement,) so for water most here use rainwater catchment systems using above ground cisterns or pools for storage, and various treatment methods such as UV, RO, and charcoal filtration. (Many haul drinking water from county provided spigots) For sewage most use cesspools dug a minimum of 12 feet deep by 6 feet wide capped with concrete & steel, although those with small lots are required to use septic tank systems. For hot water I have a solar collector thermosiphon setup augmented by a propane tankless (on demand) water heater. For electricity I use PV panels (8 Kyocera 135 W panels) going through an Outback charge controller and a Solar brand voltage inverter, with 6 Interstate 6 volt deep cycle batteries for storage. This is enough to run all of my light electronics, as well as a refrigerator/freezer and more. For heavy electrical loads I have a backup gasoline generator, which I rarely use anymore. Since my area has one of the highest electricity rates in the USA my system began paying for itself after less than three years. My home has a lot of windows, which helps to provide airflow as well as making air conditioning unnecessary, thus I have no need for lighting during the day. (I had some pictures on one of my phones, but am unable to locate them now...)
- eksith 13y ago
  Thank you. I've been interested in going off-grid for a while, but never could find the appropriate time (or the location, since land here is pricey as well). If you do find those pictures, I'd love to see how you've setup everything. There's a big demand these days for off-grid and sustainable living so if you happen to document your experiences, a la blog or similar, that could be invaluable for a lot of folks. Nothing really beats getting the details from someone who actually walks the walk. How do you like living off-grid? I imagine you've had more than your fair share of hiccups on the way.
  - D9u 13y ago
    I'm honored to share my experiences here. While the initial expenses related to going off-grid may be exorbitant (to some) the resulting savings more than makes up for it, and you can always incrementally add to your system as finances permit. I have had damage due to electrical storm, but placing a TV antenna higher than the panels has worked for the past 10 years or so. Another concern is equipment replacement, with batteries being replaced at about a five year interval, depending on usage and maintenance. Most of the newer panels are warranted for 25 to 30 years at 90% of rated output but the panels will continue to produce power for many years afterward. You'll learn to be frugal if you begin with a small setup, as I did, but that's what we're trying to to so I've adjusted well. My electronics are definitely better off as a result of cleaner power from my pure sine wave inverter, which produces much better electricity and no voltage sags or spikes unlike our local municipal power monopoly. I'm definitely a believer in alternate energy.
    - eksith 13y ago
      Thanks a bunch! Yes, I thought the first things to go would have been excess luxury. An annual budget for maintenance, I think, actually wouldn't be too hard to setup if the rest of your expenses are proportionally lowered. I've been told that metal roofs are a better fit with solar panels, but that's an additional cost. Hopefully that will pay off in longevity. I hadn't thought about expanding incrementally. I can see how that will significantly make things easier as upfront costs won't be as far out. Also, efficiencies are better with newer models so you actually end up paying somewhat less per watt. Frugality is something I've had some (involuntary) experience with in the past. ;) I don't think it'll be too hard to return to some of that. Also it's better for all of us in the end.

by eksith 13y ago

Would you share a bit more about your off-grid setup? (Power, water, sanitation etc...) Or do you have any pictures you've shared or would like to share publicly?

D9u 13y ago

My neighborhood is under served by municipal utilities (No telephone, no electricity, no water, no sewage, no cable, no pavement,) so for water most here use rainwater catchment systems using above ground cisterns or pools for storage, and various treatment methods such as UV, RO, and charcoal filtration. (Many haul drinking water from county provided spigots) For sewage most use cesspools dug a minimum of 12 feet deep by 6 feet wide capped with concrete & steel, although those with small lots are required to use septic tank systems. For hot water I have a solar collector thermosiphon setup augmented by a propane tankless (on demand) water heater. For electricity I use PV panels (8 Kyocera 135 W panels) going through an Outback charge controller and a Solar brand voltage inverter, with 6 Interstate 6 volt deep cycle batteries for storage. This is enough to run all of my light electronics, as well as a refrigerator/freezer and more. For heavy electrical loads I have a backup gasoline generator, which I rarely use anymore. Since my area has one of the highest electricity rates in the USA my system began paying for itself after less than three years. My home has a lot of windows, which helps to provide airflow as well as making air conditioning unnecessary, thus I have no need for lighting during the day. (I had some pictures on one of my phones, but am unable to locate them now...)

eksith 13y ago
Thank you. I've been interested in going off-grid for a while, but never could find the appropriate time (or the location, since land here is pricey as well). If you do find those pictures, I'd love to see how you've setup everything. There's a big demand these days for off-grid and sustainable living so if you happen to document your experiences, a la blog or similar, that could be invaluable for a lot of folks. Nothing really beats getting the details from someone who actually walks the walk. How do you like living off-grid? I imagine you've had more than your fair share of hiccups on the way.
- D9u 13y ago
  I'm honored to share my experiences here. While the initial expenses related to going off-grid may be exorbitant (to some) the resulting savings more than makes up for it, and you can always incrementally add to your system as finances permit. I have had damage due to electrical storm, but placing a TV antenna higher than the panels has worked for the past 10 years or so. Another concern is equipment replacement, with batteries being replaced at about a five year interval, depending on usage and maintenance. Most of the newer panels are warranted for 25 to 30 years at 90% of rated output but the panels will continue to produce power for many years afterward. You'll learn to be frugal if you begin with a small setup, as I did, but that's what we're trying to to so I've adjusted well. My electronics are definitely better off as a result of cleaner power from my pure sine wave inverter, which produces much better electricity and no voltage sags or spikes unlike our local municipal power monopoly. I'm definitely a believer in alternate energy.
  - eksith 13y ago
    Thanks a bunch! Yes, I thought the first things to go would have been excess luxury. An annual budget for maintenance, I think, actually wouldn't be too hard to setup if the rest of your expenses are proportionally lowered. I've been told that metal roofs are a better fit with solar panels, but that's an additional cost. Hopefully that will pay off in longevity. I hadn't thought about expanding incrementally. I can see how that will significantly make things easier as upfront costs won't be as far out. Also, efficiencies are better with newer models so you actually end up paying somewhat less per watt. Frugality is something I've had some (involuntary) experience with in the past. ;) I don't think it'll be too hard to return to some of that. Also it's better for all of us in the end.