cold wet snowed in.... head north lol go spend a week in the artic circle so when you come back its only mildly inconvenient to be where you are. be thankful for what you do have. on that note thanks for the videos.
Be careful of "rated capacity" as it's not always the REAL number (can be 10-20% lower) vs the "continuous capacity";i.e. a 9750 is only 8000 (or less) continuous. "Rated" is usually "peak", dep on the mfg. Load testing will show the real numbers if "continuous" is not in the manual. We find this across the board with many brands, commercial and otherwise. I would step down the plant to about 10k or 9500.11k is pushing it. Also, break-in period. Don't load hard until it's had some break-in time, a few hours. See below about field tech advice.... Oh boy..."Oil in one of the cylinders.." Man, sorry to hear that, but not surprised. I'm real familiar with Kohler, both on a commercial backup level (both stationary and portable at ATT) and residential (long discussions with my genset maintenance contractors who also install and service residential as well). I 'll keep zipped about it, but let's just say I'm hoping the replacement is not a lemon. I'll leave it at that. Oh and avoid Generac if you change brands later. My advice would be to call a comm/res genset service company and talk to one of the field techs for advice on brand dependability first, should you decide to make a change later down the road. Good luck, guys! Love your work!
I've posted this very thing countless times. I think they (everyone who burys lines in the ground) prefer digging up the pipe and making a mess of things. WWOG, Trent & Allie, these folks and others.
@@badsanta69 Rocks slide on ice and a bump might push them into the supply line. I would rent an auger for the excavator and put in 6" x 6" posts around the tank.
Don't know if you're aware but as heating engineer, when connecting brass fittings always turn anti clockwise until you hear a click then clockwise to connect without cross threading.
Each project makes future projects possible. You 3 are a construction crew. "COR Co." Courtney, Oliver, and Riley. Oliver just hangs around now, (literally) but give him 15 years.
Propane is amazing stuff. I bought 160 acres of remote land in 2015. There were 4 campers disbursed on the property that were used as hunting shacks. The campers were junk but each one had 2 - 40 pound propane tanks. Most campers of this size now use 30 pound tanks, but these are older. Nearest I can guess is these tanks were last filled shortly after the property was logged in the early 2000s. So the propane in the tanks was 12-15 years old. So I had 8 nearly full propane tanks. I brought them in to my local propane vendor to see if I could save the tanks. They said they could save them, but I should use the propane in them first. I was surprised the propane would still be good, but it was. For the next 2 years I used that propane for my own hunting camper. As the tanks would empty I'd bring a couple at a time for refurbishing and filling. They had to be refurbished as 30 gallon because 40 gallon valving wasn't available, but now I have 10 - 30 gallon propane tanks (8 old ones, and the 2 that came with my camper) for the camper used on my hunting land. Great video guys! Oliver doesn't know how lucky he is to have you two as parents. You are quickly becoming my favorite channel. Editing and narration are pro quality. Keep it up!
Consider adding an empty duct for electrics to the tank? Add level monitoring, or even a light at the isolating valves? Also a "no dig" tape 200mm above the pipe, just in case someone goes fishing with the excavator in the future.
What I love about you two is that even when there is a problem, you take an up-beat look at it and just work to fix it. What a great example for all of us.
I drive for Ferrell Gas and occasionally help set up tanks. You may want to put on to two inch thick cement blocks under the feet of the tank. Every so often the tank will start to shift as things settle and may want to level out again. If you are going to paint it, do so with a lighter color.
@gregbailey45 ya, I've seen them in crushed rock like this which hardens. But, all have had the small rectangle cement pavers place under the stands or feet.
You need to build a snow shed over that propane tank just in case you need to fill it in the winter months. You don't want to get in the snowed in and buried
Let's all have a moment of sympathy for all the couples that struggle just to paint a simple room, fight all the way through and still have it look terrible! You guys are awesome!! DD
A few things to maybe consider.... Pound some stakes into the ground to secure the new generator & gas regulator. Order a new gas hose as a backup to the hose you damaged/fixed. Add some bollards around the new propane tank. Test for leaks. Soapy water. Close the valves when not in use.
Raiatea French Polynesia. Just a short hop to Taha and...Bora Bora. Plus Huahine is 20 miles to the eastwhich, by the way, is where workers from Borra Bora go to relax.
Hello from Portugal, you should put the generator's starter battery inside the container as the cold is not good for the batteries and it's easy as the container is right next to the generator
I have been watching your channel for a while. I wish I had the energy and youth to do what you two are doing. I am a former propane service tech. Adding a tracer wire is handy to locate the line when you have problems. Raise one end of the propane tanks at a time and install 4" solid concrete blocks. You need clearance under the tank. Order a new flex line and male connector that you machined down. That flare that you machined off is what makes it gas right.
You should consider putting some deep rods at the base of the generator pad, so it does not move due to vibration of the unit running. Because of that short gas line you have.
Get your propane supplier to put a liquid out valve and hose on your tank so you can fill your own propane bottles ! A true must have for off grid living !
Hello from Quebec Canada 🇨🇦 Maybe you should put up a gard rail or fence post to protect the Tank from getting backed into. That's something you do . 1 in each corner just a safety thing. We enjoy your show keep up the good work. You should be proud of what you have done, stay safe and enjoy life. Derrick & Family
Always live watching you guys do a project. Here’s an idea for your next winter: I recently moved to Italy in a beautiful but less known area of the country by the Adriatic Sea. I am looking to buy a country property here. Be my guests for the winter or as long as you like, whilst helping me with projects.
Congratulations on the upgrade. I would suggest if you are going to keep burying stuff around the property get a roll of metalic tape (burried conduit tape) and a metal detector so you can really find those lines in the future vs somewhere around here. Also might want to build a shifting screen with some fence and lumber (or go all out metal that is your specialty) so you can shift the rocks from the dirt.
When I first stumbled on to your channel, I got hooked and binged 2 or 3 episodes a day. It was a lot of fun consuming you two at a rapid pace. But after I did get all caught up, I was left with the glacially slow pace of one episode a week. Frankly, I got a little discouraged. I had an Ambition monkey on my back and I needed my fix. But no candy for me. :( After a bit of time passed, I found myself trying to watch a new vid at 9:50am on a Sunday. But it wouldn't play. To my delight, I realized I was going to share in your hijinks live (as it were). That was about two months ago. Now I find myself looking forward to Sunday morning with amusing anticipation. I am a city boy with no skills to do what you do and no plans to learn how to do them, yet I am locked in to your families journey. Thank you for bringing a ray of joy into this old mans life. I pray a blessing of joy and protection over your family. Tim K Charlotte NC
i love that your channel has as large variety of sponsors...ALL of the other channels I watch ONLY have these 3 sponsors: better help, surf shark and AG one. Thanks for the educational variety of your sponsorships that you also personally use!!
Bury it : 1. You can store more Propane in a buried tank. 2: Propane can run into supply at low outside temperatures as pressure drops. Burying it helps keep the tank warmer.
Riley - I'd recommend not totally draining nor totally filling your battery packs, leave a buffer at the bottom as well as near the top. Say it's 5-8% at the upper and lower end, to maximize the cycle life. You lose a bit of capacity, but stay away from the boundaries. It's a "best practice" to use a little margin.
Those emergency generators work great. My parents were buried in over 6 ft of snow in Orchard Park NY a few years back. The power line going up their street was damaged by a falling tree. Since the utility poles ran along the back yard, the utility company wasn’t able to get to it quickly or easily, they ran on natural gas for a couple of days. Central heat just kept on going, they had lights, etc. Great units. Regarding travel suggestions with a “little one”: honestly keep it simple. Find a place with surf and sand and modest temperatures. Just being on a beach with an umbrella to keep worst sun off, they kan be happy for hours just playing in the sand. No need for fancy outings … save if for when he is bigger. It willen stress free for everyone. Since you are West of the Continental divide, Southern California is probably easier to get to than Florida. The other option are looking for an off-week deal at a family friendly all-inclusive somewhere Caribbean, Mexico or one of the stable Central American counties. Sometime there are packaged deals with charter flights that amazing value. Since your aren’t tied to any sort of academic calendar there can be deals found when it’s now school or college vacation times.
By the way if you have a diesel storage tank that has any iron in it you will Grow a Black Algae. This algae will block your filter and you will need a back up. An Algaecide is available. So if you have barrels of diesel for extra storage use plastic or at least make sure you have a good filter on your transfer pump. (the black algae is very slimly and stringy)
Riley, you should put a couple of 24" patio stones under the legs of the propane tank. The crushed stone and dirt base is not enough. The weight of a full tank combined with the freeze thaw cycles will cause the legs to sink and the tank will rest on it belly and corrode or rust or worst case get punctured by a sharp stone. Just lift up one end at a time an slide a couple of patio blocks underneath the legs. What about Oliver's bedroom?? Regards Wayne Paddock
I use to get a D8 stuck up to its belly pan . Get a 10 foot long by 4 or 6 inch scrap pipe , a chain with hooks on both ends 1/2 inch or so. Lay pipe in front of dozer with chain through pipe . Hook to tracks . Now you have one giant cleat to drive up on drive out, it works . Be careful not to go to far and pull pipe into the back of the dozer
Swivel the boom to the right, angle the cab so the shovel is alongside the tracks. Boom specialty trencher mode. I never see anybody do this on youtube.
Started watching your videos when you were building the Overland truck camper, I could tell by the imagination and quality of that build that you 2 were exceptionally talented and driven. Sure enough you have proven my thoughts very valid. I enjoy watching everything y'all do, thanks for the first class entertainment.
Impressive work by both of you to make this happen. Having an automated system with another backup system is ideal for off-grid. You inspire us to automate more and ensure backups to automation.
For future projects where you have to move heavy objects and cannot lift with the machines try using some heavy thick walled pipe and roll your items over it. You will find life much easier without hurting your backs. Perhaps in the winter when there is downtime you could make some screeds out of lumber and desired steel mesh to sift out any Rock You all are definitely blessed to have all of this support and a good friend who is willing to lend you his brand new excavator!
Riley, Court; look around the "neighborhood"; somebody has a "Grizzly"; it's a big strong box you pour mixed rock and dirt into and through sieves that help separate the rock from the gravel and the dirt. Or find some plans- you have the cutting table up and at the ready!
I made one of those for use on our property. I used an old mine shaft door someone gave me. It's 5 x 10 woven mesh so I mounted it long way up. With the excavator being able to lift higher it does a fantastic job. All the rock slides down the grate and the dirt falls through. It works awesome without any shaker or spring system required.
Marker tape is a must at all points. I agree with the peanut crew comments below. Y'all are the perfect example of a couple who can do anything with time, ability, and knowledge. Have fun and be well.
Great video, you guys can do anything! You went from living in the camper to now having all the electricity you need. I really like Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, which is at the end of the Baja peninsula straight south of California.
Definitely put some identification for the gas line, so nobody digs up your line. I'm assuming you tested your gas line connections with soapy water. Great job Courtney, you excavator skills are excellent. Quick thinking on the fitting Riley. You two are amazing. Great video. Thanks for sharing.
Couple critiques, 1( replace that fitting that you altered and the hose, you have it on film that you did it, huge liability if there ends up being a problem. 2) as a Kohler tech, when we do start ups on these gens, we generally prime the oil pump in a dew different ways, take out oil sender and pour some oil down the hole, reinstall, turn off gas’s, and crank a cycle or two. Could have been the engine issue, also good reason to pay the extra for an official Kohler start up. 3) make sure you stay up on your updates, not necessarily installing them, but check and make sure they didn’t fix a bug. Otherwise, great choice on a Kohler, and great install for a homeowner. Didn’t see the 110vac hook up for the battery charger built into your controller, but I’m sure you did it, as your battery wasn’t dead. 😂😂
Courtney and the mini excavator are both so very cute and beautiful. Courtney running the mini excavator is artistry at the highest level. I love her energy, her love of creativity, her ability to overcome fear using a step by step process. I love that both of you are passing these processes into Oliver. Bless you both. Hugs to you both
Courtney & Riley, what an absolute awesome addition to your power grid and creature comfort. Courtney, you have such a gentle touch with that excavator. Inherent not learned. You guys ROCK!❤
I got so excited for you then with the lead in for the next video crash! I hope you are able to get it fixed quickly. Probably need to test its reliability before some place tropical. Well today Deb let me sleep in and brought me coffee to watch your video. We both agree we especially enjoy the videos when all 3 of you are in them. Oliver is getting so big. You guys are so much more than a how you have done it channel, for Deb and I we love getting to know you through your videos. I wish more people would treat each other like you two do. Love you guys!
Maybe it's just me, but since the gas line is coming out the front side of that tank, I'd sink a couple posts to make sure there is no chance of hitting or snagging that line. I might also plant some hearty plants or shrubs out in front of it. Either that, or paint it like a yellow submarine ;)
Concrete block under tank feet Locator wire and no dig tape in trench It would be nice if you put an oil filter heater on the generator that could be triggered when your batteries reach a certain level so it doesn’t cold start to 3500 RPM immediately with thick frozen oil. My philosophy is not to exercise a generator in the winter either just because I think the wear and tear exceeds the benefit.
My 14 KW Generac generator comes equipped with an oil heater as well as a battery heater, which is activated automatically depending on the season. It is even equipped with a charge maintainer for the battery, to extend its lifespan. Kohler and Generac probably have the same options depending on the geographic location of installation. Exercise mode is still recommended to maintain lubrication and prevent corrosion caused by moisture accumulation. My installer set it for a 15 minute start every 14 days.
Are you in the HOO DOO's? I see MT Spokane and MT Kit Carson in the background. Anyway i am in Spokane. Love what you do. Have some low energy ideas for you. Low energy in the sense of watts of power. You have the equipment to implement the idea. A small geothermal project could both cool/heat your Battery/solar container. You have room to dig down 10-12 ft into the ground and bury 1500ft of black sprinkler pipe. Fill it with a water antifreeze mix. add a 12 volt water pump and pump the earth cooled water through a car radiator with a car radiator fan attached. Place this in your container and keep your batteries and inverter cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The system can be controlled by a thermostat. No need to run a mini split for heat or cooling. More watts for other stuff or just cut the drag on your battery's. If that project works to your liking you can do the same for your house and shop. If you were creative you could also build a box to enclose your solar array and blow 45deg air behind your solar cells to keep them cool in summer and melt snow in the winter.
We love our Auto transfer and auto start Generac that also auto turns off and auto transfers back. So nice to not have to dress up in the cold to flip some switches. We have a 1K gal propane tank as it's for the generator and central heat.
Hi folks in the begining I looked at you and said this boy not going to make ,,so I watched and to my surprise you came through time after time ,,so I said this z lad he’s a goer and very smart man ,,and as I watched you came through with flying colours ..Now I have confidence for you to do any jog ,,I’m so proud of you ,,to me you are on top of your game I’ll give you a96.5 in my opinion you are true Tradie cheers God bless you and Family Champion ❤️❤️🙏🙏💪💪👍👍🦘🇦🇺🇺🇸😁😁
Just a slight correction for y'all, the propane tank is a 500-gal tank, but you can only fill it to 80% which is 400 gals. Also, one gal of liquid propane will make or develope 270 gals of vapor.
Hi I messed with propane lots but there’s so little information out there when I come across someone like yourself I feel you have some knowledge I’m seeking. I hoping you could kindly answer this; On a stoichiometric burn, does a formula exists to calculate the volume of combusted gases including the heat expansion ratio from a gallon of vapour? I have a turbo charged furnace and need to build the heat exchanger to reduce the exhaust temp to or about as close to ambient temperature. Thanks any help will be much appreciated.
Riley fill that hose up with compress air check for leaks before you run gas though remember safety first and make Dame sure there's no sparks around when starting motor
I’ve used scrap lumber/wood (without nails!), which will become humus sooner or later when laying plastic pipe or plastic conduit.. ❤🎉. You guys are a joy to watch!
You should always bury some caution tape when covering any cable, gas line or water line. This will help locate any buried lines if you forget where they are or someone else is digging. Also, if you bury some scrap cable along with plastic lines, they can be located with metal detector. Are you guys putting up some barriers in front of the tank? Everything is looking really good there.
Use a 3/4 inch or 1/2 inch hardware clothe screen in a frame to sort out the rocks. 2X2 frame. Place frame over the trench and just shovel dirt. Use soapy water in a spray bottle to test fittings..
You guys are marvelous! Compulsive viewing! Another great episode. It must be sometimes a pain to have to concern yourself with getting good video shots, when all you want to do it get on with the project. I can not imagine the hundreds of thousands of dollars you have spent getting where you are today. But you have bought a quality of life. Cheers from Calgary/Canada
The 14RCA is a great unit and and will serve you well for years of use. Don't forget to install a cold weather kit! I'd recommend at least a carb heater and breather tube heater. Thanks for choosing a Kohler!
Wonderful Guys!. Oh No! what happened? Come to Australia you will be very warm in our summer and we have plenty of beaches and rivers to swim in. You would love it here. xxxx
Your videos somehow manage to inspire me to create my environment with my hand and yet crush me when I realize I do not have an iota of your combined abilities!!! lol I love the snow and I am not a beach person so…no clue. 🙂
My mother had just landed in Cancun when she got the message from me that my brother (her son) had died. She had to turn around and next day got a flight to Colorado. Go to Cancun and enjoy for her!
Would you guys be willing to do a video discussing the cost of all the parts used in your entire electrical system, including the solar, batteries, inverters, controllers, generator, propane tank, etc? I know it's a lot of info and that there are a lot of variables involved, but I'm trying to figure out if a no compromise off grid electrical system like yours is within reach for me. Great job installing the new generator!
You need a trailer to transport your "heavy equipment" to the abandoned property. One that can be hauled behind the pickup. Should be plenty of used trailer on craigs list .
Hey, just want to caution you guys about running your compressor in that enclosed container. When compressors run they can produce oil vapor, especially if they run enough to get hot. That vapor, because it's hot will rise. Any little spark will set it off and the ceiling in that container will turn into flames. When those vapors cool they coat everything. I share this because I have seen it firsthand. Seeing flames crawl across the ceiling, while your in the room, is freaky. With all that power in there, please be careful. Check around, others will confirm what I've seen.
2 quick suggestions. First, ehen you have flared fittings, you should not need any sealing compound (definitely not on the face of the joint) but I would put something on the threads. Second, I don't know anything about your inverters, but I would want them to take power from 1) the battery bank (assuming it is charged), 2) the diesel generator (assuming it is running) and 3) from the propane auto-start generator. Contact Victor or your installer for proper wiring.
Nice video. You may want to check the install manual for the proper way to use the flex connector from the 2nd regulator to the gen. I don't know about the Kohler. Brigs and generac both want that flex connector installed in straight line. It's for vibration absorption. That bend can cause premature failure. Due to stress on the bend. Also should have a drip leg on the generator.
I would add a 6x6 base to your propane tank just like the genset If you dont want the tank feet to settle into the ground. At a minimum get a railroad tie and cut it in half and set the 4ft 3in tie butt under each set of tank feet. Did you spray some soapy water on each propane joint to make sure the connections are tight? Look for bubbles....that joint will need work.
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MY FAVORITE RUSH QUOTE IS "Our society is swimming in a SEA of information,yet drowning in IGNORANCE [6 april 2002 (3rd hour)
cold wet snowed in.... head north lol go spend a week in the artic circle so when you come back its only mildly inconvenient to be where you are. be thankful for what you do have. on that note thanks for the videos.
RFID wallet? Really? With most of the credit cards out there now using chip technology, RFID is useless. Doesn't work on chip cards.....
Be careful of "rated capacity" as it's not always the REAL number (can be 10-20% lower) vs the "continuous capacity";i.e. a 9750 is only 8000 (or less) continuous. "Rated" is usually "peak", dep on the mfg. Load testing will show the real numbers if "continuous" is not in the manual. We find this across the board with many brands, commercial and otherwise. I would step down the plant to about 10k or 9500.11k is pushing it. Also, break-in period. Don't load hard until it's had some break-in time, a few hours. See below about field tech advice....
Oh boy..."Oil in one of the cylinders.." Man, sorry to hear that, but not surprised. I'm real familiar with Kohler, both on a commercial backup level (both stationary and portable at ATT) and residential (long discussions with my genset maintenance contractors who also install and service residential as well). I 'll keep zipped about it, but let's just say I'm hoping the replacement is not a lemon. I'll leave it at that. Oh and avoid Generac if you change brands later. My advice would be to call a comm/res genset service company and talk to one of the field techs for advice on brand dependability first, should you decide to make a change later down the road. Good luck, guys! Love your work!
Looks like I might be buying myself an early Christmas present 😊
Consider installing "NO DIG" caution tape in the trench above the gas line.
👍
Amen!
Excellent call.
I've posted this very thing countless times. I think they (everyone who burys lines in the ground) prefer digging up the pipe and making a mess of things. WWOG, Trent & Allie, these folks and others.
AND A TRACE WIRE! Sometime, in the future, you're going to want to know where that propane line is buried.
I suggest installing a few safety bollards on the sides and in front of the propane tank. I can see Riley backing the snowblower truck into the tank!
Or a big rock wall! :)
@@badsanta69 Rocks slide on ice and a bump might push them into the supply line. I would rent an auger for the excavator and put in 6" x 6" posts around the tank.
It's never a bad idea to put up safety poles around a 500 gal tank of extremely flammable gas.
@@markmitchell457 Especially with the winters they get. Easy for a machine to slide sideways.
Or Oliver when he starts riding a 4-wheeler. 😂
Don't know if you're aware but as heating engineer, when connecting brass fittings always turn anti clockwise until you hear a click then clockwise to connect without cross threading.
The beauty of your new propane generator system is that from all your hard work improving your road, it allows for propane delivery with no problems.
Each project makes future projects possible. You 3 are a construction crew. "COR Co." Courtney, Oliver, and Riley.
Oliver just hangs around now, (literally) but give him 15 years.
@@markmitchell457he’ll be contributing to the build soon enough.
Propane is amazing stuff. I bought 160 acres of remote land in 2015. There were 4 campers disbursed on the property that were used as hunting shacks. The campers were junk but each one had 2 - 40 pound propane tanks. Most campers of this size now use 30 pound tanks, but these are older. Nearest I can guess is these tanks were last filled shortly after the property was logged in the early 2000s. So the propane in the tanks was 12-15 years old. So I had 8 nearly full propane tanks. I brought them in to my local propane vendor to see if I could save the tanks. They said they could save them, but I should use the propane in them first. I was surprised the propane would still be good, but it was. For the next 2 years I used that propane for my own hunting camper. As the tanks would empty I'd bring a couple at a time for refurbishing and filling. They had to be refurbished as 30 gallon because 40 gallon valving wasn't available, but now I have 10 - 30 gallon propane tanks (8 old ones, and the 2 that came with my camper) for the camper used on my hunting land.
Great video guys! Oliver doesn't know how lucky he is to have you two as parents. You are quickly becoming my favorite channel. Editing and narration are pro quality. Keep it up!
With your ambition your son will have a great upbringing.
It amazes me to see how much technology is involved in living off grid
not to mention the cost
LOL these guys have $$$ and chase it. Not so much about the lifestyle for them
Only as involved as you want it. Some just like all the comforts from city life.
You bet , you have to have a lot of money to save a little.
Lol! And money! Not for 90% of the population, too much $$$$$$$
I learned many moons ago the Rule of Thumb for threads is to rotate backwards until the click of the threads aligned.
Consider adding an empty duct for electrics to the tank? Add level monitoring, or even a light at the isolating valves? Also a "no dig" tape 200mm above the pipe, just in case someone goes fishing with the excavator in the future.
What I love about you two is that even when there is a problem, you take an up-beat look at it and just work to fix it. What a great example for all of us.
I drive for Ferrell Gas and occasionally help set up tanks. You may want to put on to two inch thick cement blocks under the feet of the tank. Every so often the tank will start to shift as things settle and may want to level out again. If you are going to paint it, do so with a lighter color.
As, I'm surprised they didn't put it on a slab.
@gregbailey45 ya, I've seen them in crushed rock like this which hardens. But, all have had the small rectangle cement pavers place under the stands or feet.
Better yet, PT 6x6, like the generator pad.
@@jackpatteeuw9244 agreed 👍
I'm an LP inspector, the concrete pads are a legal requirement.
You need to build a snow shed over that propane tank just in case you need to fill it in the winter months. You don't want to get in the snowed in and buried
Hadn't seen Bailey dog for quite some time. It was reassuring to see her again. Love your pups.
Let's all have a moment of sympathy for all the couples that struggle just to paint a simple room, fight all the way through and still have it look terrible! You guys are awesome!! DD
A few things to maybe consider....
Pound some stakes into the ground to secure the new generator & gas regulator.
Order a new gas hose as a backup to the hose you damaged/fixed.
Add some bollards around the new propane tank.
Test for leaks. Soapy water.
Close the valves when not in use.
Raiatea French Polynesia. Just a short hop to Taha and...Bora Bora. Plus Huahine is 20 miles to the eastwhich, by the way, is where workers from Borra Bora go to relax.
Hello from Portugal, you should put the generator's starter battery inside the container as the cold is not good for the batteries and it's easy as the container is right next to the generator
Winter, my two thoughts are first, don't live asher if snows! Second, go to the Exumas as quickly as possible!
I have been watching your channel for a while. I wish I had the energy and youth to do what you two are doing. I am a former propane service tech. Adding a tracer wire is handy to locate the line when you have problems. Raise one end of the propane tanks at a time and install 4" solid concrete blocks. You need clearance under the tank. Order a new flex line and male connector that you machined down. That flare that you machined off is what makes it gas right.
*gas "tight".
You should consider putting some deep rods at the base of the generator pad, so it does not move due to vibration of the unit running. Because of that short gas line you have.
When it gets cold over there come downunder we'll love to see you all
Get your propane supplier to put a liquid out valve and hose on your tank so you can fill your own propane bottles ! A true must have for off grid living !
Had one installed on 1000 gal tank 25 years ago. They called it a wet leg back then. Saves trips to town.
Install some kind of guardrail around the tank so a vehicle doesn’t back into since it’s in the driveway.
Hello from Quebec Canada 🇨🇦 Maybe you should put up a gard rail or fence post to protect the Tank from getting backed into. That's something you do . 1 in each corner just a safety thing. We enjoy your show keep up the good work. You should be proud of what you have done, stay safe and enjoy life. Derrick & Family
Cabo wabo San Lucas,Mexico,lands end,ya have too see it!,no picture ever did it right!!!! The bluest Waters,and warm!!! Fish tacos anyone?
I think your electrical set up (Main: Solar, with both fuel and gas as back ups) is PERFECT
Always live watching you guys do a project. Here’s an idea for your next winter: I recently moved to Italy in a beautiful but less known area of the country by the Adriatic Sea. I am looking to buy a country property here. Be my guests for the winter or as long as you like, whilst helping me with projects.
Congratulations on the upgrade. I would suggest if you are going to keep burying stuff around the property get a roll of metalic tape (burried conduit tape) and a metal detector so you can really find those lines in the future vs somewhere around here. Also might want to build a shifting screen with some fence and lumber (or go all out metal that is your specialty) so you can shift the rocks from the dirt.
* Sift, not "shift"
They should have buried a tracer wire
I don't know about you two, but Oliver sure has earned a vacation to the Bahamas for being such a cute kid!
When I first stumbled on to your channel, I got hooked and binged 2 or 3 episodes a day. It was a lot of fun consuming you two at a rapid pace. But after I did get all caught up, I was left with the glacially slow pace of one episode a week. Frankly, I got a little discouraged. I had an Ambition monkey on my back and I needed my fix. But no candy for me. :( After a bit of time passed, I found myself trying to watch a new vid at 9:50am on a Sunday. But it wouldn't play. To my delight, I realized I was going to share in your hijinks live (as it were). That was about two months ago. Now I find myself looking forward to Sunday morning with amusing anticipation. I am a city boy with no skills to do what you do and no plans to learn how to do them, yet I am locked in to your families journey. Thank you for bringing a ray of joy into this old mans life.
I pray a blessing of joy and protection over your family.
Tim K Charlotte NC
i love that your channel has as large variety of sponsors...ALL of the other channels I watch ONLY have these 3 sponsors: better help, surf shark and AG one. Thanks for the educational variety of your sponsorships that you also personally use!!
Yes, a tribute to Courtney's online and personal skills, I suspect!
Winter travel - Belize, Mexico or Aruba - great destinations in the winter
You can always paint the propane tank to blend in with the background, as we all "know" how much Cortney "loves" to paint.
Watch out for overheating in the summer. Maybe build a cover, and paint it green or brown to blend in.
Bury it : 1. You can store more Propane in a buried tank. 2: Propane can run into supply at low outside temperatures as pressure drops. Burying it helps keep the tank warmer.
Recommend putting some concrete barriers in front of and on the ends of the large gas tank. Enjoying the channel. Tks for sharing.
Your explaining the basics of how propane works and your solar/battery setup basics is very useful and enjoyable to watch
Riley - I'd recommend not totally draining nor totally filling your battery packs, leave a buffer at the bottom as well as near the top. Say it's 5-8% at the upper and lower end, to maximize the cycle life. You lose a bit of capacity, but stay away from the boundaries. It's a "best practice" to use a little margin.
Courtney is one of the best drivers of an excavator I have seen on the task in hand. Her accuracy and precise work is fantastic.
February visit to the U.S. Virgin Islands sounds nice and warm 🌞
Those emergency generators work great. My parents were buried in over 6 ft of snow in Orchard Park NY a few years back. The power line going up their street was damaged by a falling tree. Since the utility poles ran along the back yard, the utility company wasn’t able to get to it quickly or easily, they ran on natural gas for a couple of days. Central heat just kept on going, they had lights, etc. Great units. Regarding travel suggestions with a “little one”: honestly keep it simple. Find a place with surf and sand and modest temperatures. Just being on a beach with an umbrella to keep worst sun off, they kan be happy for hours just playing in the sand. No need for fancy outings … save if for when he is bigger. It willen stress free for everyone. Since you are West of the Continental divide, Southern California is probably easier to get to than Florida. The other option are looking for an off-week deal at a family friendly all-inclusive somewhere Caribbean, Mexico or one of the stable Central American counties. Sometime there are packaged deals with charter flights that amazing value. Since your aren’t tied to any sort of academic calendar there can be deals found when it’s now school or college vacation times.
By the way if you have a diesel storage tank that has any iron in it you will Grow a Black Algae. This algae will block your filter and you will need a back up. An Algaecide is available. So if you have barrels of diesel for extra storage use plastic or at least make sure you have a good filter on your transfer pump. (the black algae is very slimly and stringy)
Landscape looks great always like the contrast of gravel and wood chips
Beautiful our Dutch electronic equipment
Riley, you should put a couple of 24" patio stones under the legs of the propane tank. The crushed stone and dirt base is not enough. The weight of a full tank combined with the freeze thaw cycles will cause the legs to sink and the tank will rest on it belly and corrode or rust or worst case get punctured by a sharp stone. Just lift up one end at a time an slide a couple of patio blocks underneath the legs. What about Oliver's bedroom??
Regards
Wayne Paddock
Watching you from Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico 🇲🇽 you’d love it for a family surf vacation!
Well done Courtney she is a wife in a million xx❤
I use to get a D8 stuck up to its belly pan . Get a 10 foot long by 4 or 6 inch scrap pipe , a chain with hooks on both ends 1/2 inch or so. Lay pipe in front of dozer with chain through pipe . Hook to tracks . Now you have one giant cleat to drive up on drive out, it works . Be careful not to go to far and pull pipe into the back of the dozer
I love you guys. It makes my old heart smile to see the love between you. ❤️🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺
Swivel the boom to the right, angle the cab so the shovel is alongside the tracks. Boom specialty trencher mode. I never see anybody do this on youtube.
Started watching your videos when you were building the Overland truck camper, I could tell by the imagination and quality of that build that you 2 were exceptionally talented and driven.
Sure enough you have proven my thoughts very valid. I enjoy watching everything y'all do, thanks for the first class entertainment.
Riley, my God he's ever getting things done 👍💯🇯🇲
Impressive work by both of you to make this happen. Having an automated system with another backup system is ideal for off-grid. You inspire us to automate more and ensure backups to automation.
We’re learning we need backup systems for our backup systems up here! 🤪
@@AmbitionStrikes There is an old country maxim that goes " if you have just the one of something, you are just one thing away from out of luck".
I’ve been to Cancun it’s great! Our next trip to combat the winter time blues will be Costa Rica! We have heard a lot of great things about it!
For future projects where you have to move heavy objects and cannot lift with the machines try using some heavy thick walled pipe and roll your items over it. You will find life much easier without hurting your backs.
Perhaps in the winter when there is downtime you could make some screeds out of lumber and desired steel mesh to sift out any Rock
You all are definitely blessed to have all of this support and a good friend who is willing to lend you his brand new excavator!
Small diameter pipe does not work well on dirt/gravel.
Riley, Court; look around the "neighborhood"; somebody has a "Grizzly"; it's a big strong box you pour mixed rock and dirt into and through sieves that help separate the rock from the gravel and the dirt. Or find some plans- you have the cutting table up and at the ready!
I made one of those for use on our property. I used an old mine shaft door someone gave me. It's 5 x 10 woven mesh so I mounted it long way up. With the excavator being able to lift higher it does a fantastic job. All the rock slides down the grate and the dirt falls through. It works awesome without any shaker or spring system required.
Marker tape is a must at all points. I agree with the peanut crew comments below. Y'all are the perfect example of a couple who can do anything with time, ability, and knowledge. Have fun and be well.
Great video, you guys can do anything! You went from living in the camper to now having all the electricity you need. I really like Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, which is at the end of the Baja peninsula straight south of California.
When it's cold and wet there, Arizona is perfection 60's & 70's throughout winter. Javi G.
Definitely put some identification for the gas line, so nobody digs up your line. I'm assuming you tested your gas line connections with soapy water. Great job Courtney, you excavator skills are excellent. Quick thinking on the fitting Riley. You two are amazing. Great video. Thanks for sharing.
Couple critiques, 1( replace that fitting that you altered and the hose, you have it on film that you did it, huge liability if there ends up being a problem. 2) as a Kohler tech, when we do start ups on these gens, we generally prime the oil pump in a dew different ways, take out oil sender and pour some oil down the hole, reinstall, turn off gas’s, and crank a cycle or two. Could have been the engine issue, also good reason to pay the extra for an official Kohler start up. 3) make sure you stay up on your updates, not necessarily installing them, but check and make sure they didn’t fix a bug. Otherwise, great choice on a Kohler, and great install for a homeowner. Didn’t see the 110vac hook up for the battery charger built into your controller, but I’m sure you did it, as your battery wasn’t dead. 😂😂
Courtney and the mini excavator are both so very cute and beautiful. Courtney running the mini excavator is artistry at the highest level. I love her energy, her love of creativity, her ability to overcome fear using a step by step process. I love that both of you are passing these processes into Oliver. Bless you both. Hugs to you both
I have propane and a backup generator , for the days the grid is down. And a well and gravity septic . Life is good!
Courtney & Riley, what an absolute awesome addition to your power grid and creature comfort. Courtney, you have such a gentle touch with that excavator. Inherent not learned. You guys ROCK!❤
MY I WATCHING FROM INDIA 🇮🇳 & I watching all video's so amazing😍
I got so excited for you then with the lead in for the next video crash! I hope you are able to get it fixed quickly. Probably need to test its reliability before some place tropical. Well today Deb let me sleep in and brought me coffee to watch your video. We both agree we especially enjoy the videos when all 3 of you are in them. Oliver is getting so big. You guys are so much more than a how you have done it channel, for Deb and I we love getting to know you through your videos. I wish more people would treat each other like you two do. Love you guys!
Sand is also a marker so if someone is digging and they find a layer of sand they know to stop before they hit whatever is buried beneath it.
Maybe it's just me, but since the gas line is coming out the front side of that tank, I'd sink a couple posts to make sure there is no chance of hitting or snagging that line. I might also plant some hearty plants or shrubs out in front of it. Either that, or paint it like a yellow submarine ;)
Concrete block under tank feet
Locator wire and no dig tape in trench
It would be nice if you put an oil filter heater on the generator that could be triggered when your batteries reach a certain level so it doesn’t cold start to 3500 RPM immediately with thick frozen oil.
My philosophy is not to exercise a generator in the winter either just because I think the wear and tear exceeds the benefit.
My 12 kW Kohler generator has run 10 minutes/day and 10 minutes/day to cool off for 12 years. No problems. Nice to know it will work when needed.
My 14 KW Generac generator comes equipped with an oil heater as well as a battery heater, which is activated automatically depending on the season.
It is even equipped with a charge maintainer for the battery, to extend its lifespan.
Kohler and Generac probably have the same options depending on the geographic location of installation.
Exercise mode is still recommended to maintain lubrication and prevent corrosion caused by moisture accumulation. My installer set it for a 15 minute start every 14 days.
Pick Mattock is the name for your marvelous new tool!
That was a lot of fun and Ridge is making a good choice in supporting you. Thank you.
Are you in the HOO DOO's? I see MT Spokane and MT Kit Carson in the background. Anyway i am in Spokane. Love what you do. Have some low energy ideas for you. Low energy in the sense of watts of power. You have the equipment to implement the idea. A small geothermal project could both cool/heat your Battery/solar container. You have room to dig down 10-12 ft into the ground and bury 1500ft of black sprinkler pipe. Fill it with a water antifreeze mix. add a 12 volt water pump and pump the earth cooled water through a car radiator with a car radiator fan attached. Place this in your container and keep your batteries and inverter cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The system can be controlled by a thermostat. No need to run a mini split for heat or cooling. More watts for other stuff or just cut the drag on your battery's. If that project works to your liking you can do the same for your house and shop. If you were creative you could also build a box to enclose your solar array and blow 45deg air behind your solar cells to keep them cool in summer and melt snow in the winter.
We love our Auto transfer and auto start Generac that also auto turns off and auto transfers back. So nice to not have to dress up in the cold to flip some switches. We have a 1K gal propane tank as it's for the generator and central heat.
Hi folks in the begining I looked at you and said this boy not going to make ,,so I watched and to my surprise you came through time after time ,,so I said this z lad he’s a goer and very smart man ,,and as I watched you came through with flying colours ..Now I have confidence for you to do any jog ,,I’m so proud of you ,,to me you are on top of your game I’ll give you a96.5 in my opinion you are true Tradie cheers God bless you and Family Champion ❤️❤️🙏🙏💪💪👍👍🦘🇦🇺🇺🇸😁😁
Property is really looking so good!
Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome You three rock!!!
Did everyone else read that line hearing Clint Eastwood’s voice say it? :-)
Heartbreak Ridge
@@stflaherty63
Whoa. Thats so cool. As someone who loves things being automated is this so satisfying 😮😇 nice work!
Just a slight correction for y'all, the propane tank is a 500-gal tank, but you can only fill it to 80% which is 400 gals. Also, one gal of liquid propane will make or develope 270 gals of vapor.
Hi
I messed with propane lots but there’s so little information out there when I come across someone like yourself I feel you have some knowledge I’m seeking.
I hoping you could kindly answer this;
On a stoichiometric burn, does a formula exists to calculate the volume of combusted gases including the heat expansion ratio from a gallon of vapour?
I have a turbo charged furnace and need to build the heat exchanger to reduce the exhaust temp to or about as close to ambient temperature.
Thanks any help will be much appreciated.
Nerd
When it's ❄️ Cold and wet 🌧️ and snowed in you should go to Grenada 🇬🇩💯
I just installed a 200w solar panel on our RV and are amazed at what you guys do. For vacation anywhere with warm clear water for snorkeling or scuba.
Riley fill that hose up with compress air check for leaks before you run gas though remember safety first and make Dame sure there's no sparks around when starting motor
I’ve used scrap lumber/wood (without nails!), which will become humus sooner or later when laying plastic pipe or plastic conduit.. ❤🎉. You guys are a joy to watch!
You should always bury some caution tape when covering any cable, gas line or water line. This will help locate any buried lines if you forget where they are or someone else is digging. Also, if you bury some scrap cable along with plastic lines, they can be located with metal detector. Are you guys putting up some barriers in front of the tank? Everything is looking really good there.
Use a 3/4 inch or 1/2 inch hardware clothe screen in a frame to sort out the rocks. 2X2 frame. Place frame over the trench and just shovel dirt. Use soapy water in a spray bottle to test fittings..
You guys are marvelous! Compulsive viewing! Another great episode. It must be sometimes a pain to have to concern yourself with getting good video shots, when all you want to do it get on with the project. I can not imagine the hundreds of thousands of dollars you have spent getting where you are today. But you have bought a quality of life. Cheers from Calgary/Canada
How about a revisit on all these projects and tell us why or why not they were a good idea, and if you would do them again? Goods, bads, etc.
The 14RCA is a great unit and and will serve you well for years of use. Don't forget to install a cold weather kit! I'd recommend at least a carb heater and breather tube heater.
Thanks for choosing a Kohler!
Wonderful Guys!. Oh No! what happened? Come to Australia you will be very warm in our summer and we have plenty of beaches and rivers to swim in. You would love it here. xxxx
Your videos somehow manage to inspire me to create my environment with my hand and yet crush me when I realize I do not have an iota of your combined abilities!!! lol I love the snow and I am not a beach person so…no clue. 🙂
My mother had just landed in Cancun when she got the message from me that my brother (her son) had died. She had to turn around and next day got a flight to Colorado. Go to Cancun and enjoy for her!
Would you guys be willing to do a video discussing the cost of all the parts used in your entire electrical system, including the solar, batteries, inverters, controllers, generator, propane tank, etc? I know it's a lot of info and that there are a lot of variables involved, but I'm trying to figure out if a no compromise off grid electrical system like yours is within reach for me. Great job installing the new generator!
They did a video for the entire system pre-generator, but you should be able to ballpark the additional cost.
You need a trailer to transport your "heavy equipment" to the abandoned property. One that can be hauled behind the pickup. Should be plenty of used trailer on craigs list .
You both make projects look so easy. I love to watch you move heavy items with ease and care. Keep up the good work.
Hey, just want to caution you guys about running your compressor in that enclosed container. When compressors run they can produce oil vapor, especially if they run enough to get hot. That vapor, because it's hot will rise. Any little spark will set it off and the ceiling in that container will turn into flames. When those vapors cool they coat everything. I share this because I have seen it firsthand. Seeing flames crawl across the ceiling, while your in the room, is freaky. With all that power in there, please be careful. Check around, others will confirm what I've seen.
And so long as the propane is kept above its boiling point of -44°F (-42.4°C) it will flow.
Just hope it doesn't get that cold.
If it gets -45f they have more things to worry about than the generater not starting.
2 quick suggestions.
First, ehen you have flared fittings, you should not need any sealing compound (definitely not on the face of the joint) but I would put something on the threads.
Second, I don't know anything about your inverters, but I would want them to take power from 1) the battery bank (assuming it is charged), 2) the diesel generator (assuming it is running) and 3) from the propane auto-start generator. Contact Victor or your installer for proper wiring.
Wow! This is your best video in months! Keep them coming 😊
Thank you so much! ☺️
BALI! BALI!BALI, all 3 of you go there for 3 weeks youll love it!!!
Nice video. You may want to check the install manual for the proper way to use the flex connector from the 2nd regulator to the gen. I don't know about the Kohler. Brigs and generac both want that flex connector installed in straight line. It's for vibration absorption. That bend can cause premature failure. Due to stress on the bend. Also should have a drip leg on the generator.
*absorption, not "abortion"!
@@gregbailey45 thank you my friend. I should have my glasses lol
Hey family, Courtney is such an expert with these machines "gwan my girl 🇯🇲💯👍👍👍
What a cliff hanger. Can’t wait until next Sunday. Thanks for sharing.
I would add a 6x6 base to your propane tank just like the genset If you dont want the tank feet to settle into the ground. At a minimum get a railroad tie and cut it in half and set the 4ft 3in tie butt under each set of tank feet. Did you spray some soapy water on each propane joint to make sure the connections are tight? Look for bubbles....that joint will need work.