I usually run the washer and dryer off a small propane generator. Running any motor off a batt bank would drain the batts way too fast. A small generator run once a week for washing will only cost $1 or two in fuel. In summer I dry my clothes outside in the sun.
I hauled in water for two years before hand drilling a water well. Small propane heaters work well. Think of it as an adventure and you will learn a lot about yourself along the way!
I do not us an AC unit. The cabin is well insulated and the windows shaded. A passive air turbine expels any excess heat and a small fan keeps me cool. Shade trees and passive cooling are free.
Stumbled onto your videos a couple months ago and have watched every one since. I just graduated high school and my goal is to build myself a house like that by the time I'm 22. Great work and thanks for sharing it with everyone. Mitch
It depends on the county. Many rural counties have few or no codes. my place ws grandfathered in because there was a home on the property at one time and is part of a larger family homestead.
You did a good job of clarifying that you can live quite comfortably with all of the devices that you want, on 12V. Dispels the "small house=doing without" concept. You can do with/without what you want or need.
getting ready to move in my new tiny house that only takes 10/20 footprint, but it is a 2 story on some land we bought some years ago right on Lake Hickory N.C. it also has a wrap around porch that I designed as a tiny painted lady, 90 % all used on large painted lady's that have been torn down! I can't wait to get in it and start posting pic's of what I have along with some great subcontractors. I love and thank you for posting appliances as I'm loosing it at the wait as it's only a year late!!! Love your place, thanks again.
I found your channel the other day and I love how informative all of your videos are. I have been wanting to live off of the grid for a while, but my husband didn't want to because he was sure we couldn't have all of the same amenities we have now. Thanks for helping me show him that we can. :)
Ashley, so many people like yourself want to go off gird but are concerned about things like you said, giving up all your amenities. My husband and I sold everything and moved to the mountains to be 100% off grid. We have a homestead that is warm, comfortable, and we are free! 100% free from monthly bills like water, sewer and lights, free from gmo foods since we grow our own. Granted there is planning involved and a conservative lifestyle in consumption is a must..BUT what you gain in the end is priceless. Good luck and hope you and your husband one day venture to the "otherside" of the grid!
If you need to store a lot of frozen food look at the Sundanzer units. Propane fridges work and you can use a conventional fridge if your solar power is big enough.
Thanks- I added 2 more 6 volt batts to my system last year and I am adding a new 120 watt panel to my camper that will also be used by my cabin in the winter and will add probably 4 more batts for storage. I have more solar power than I have storage for right now so more batts are in the plans.
Actually the land belongs to me. I and my brothers and sisters all inherited a piece of our fathers homestead so my brothers property is connected to mine. I pay property taxes of $170 a year and the cabin is not taxed as a home because it is considered a dry cabin without utilities.
All things being equal I will be off grid by the end of the year. Land here in the UK is stupidly expensive and regulated to death! So...I am going to be living on a canal Barge 60x10foot. All solar power feeding a battery bank. Power will provide both domestic use AND propulsion via an Agni/Lynch motor. 90% efficiency. With a little work I can grow a lot of my own food too. I WILL make this dream come true.
will do. I will put some vids on TH-cam of the fit out as I am having the hull built and then fitting it out inside myself. Total cost about £35kGBP (circa $60kUSD ) as opposed to £200k just for land! Have a blog of sorts: livingonanarrowboat.co.uk/blogs/gypsy-lady Which gives some back ground and some of the info I have come up with in my researches. All electric, especially solar only, powered boats are rarer than an honest politician! So it is going to be fun!
Well, just to say I am still knocking! A slight (divorce type legal) delay will now mean I wont get the hull till next year. But still getting there. refining the plan and keeping up with my research. Technology and ideas keep coming so there is rarely a single "correct" answer but more ideas means more chance of success so I keep learning.
I'm in Oz and solar panel price is more like nearly $4 a watt. but solar is almost like magic. no checking or adjusting things, no fuel to buy, no noise. first few months at my place I had no power, and when I got a solar rig it was fantastic to just come home and flick lights straight on. BTW, been watching for a while and am a bit of a fan. i live off grid in Oz and stuff you do is very reminiscent of how I'm set up.except i go for wood heating coz I'm surrounded by old wood and forests nearby
Thanks Mary- yes we do have harsh winters here. My well is free flowing and as long as water is running through a pipe it won't freeze. My holding tank is inside the cabin so it won't freeze. I have an overflow and the water is always running to keep it from freezing. That is how most old homesteads are set up.
I have built solar air heaters and plans are in my book. I only need heat at night so a small wood stove or propane heater works best. I will have a video up of the wood stove installation in the near future.
The cabin is small and well sealed so more insulation isn't necessary. I heat the cabin with a small 20,000 BTU propane heater or my small woodstove. Windows are double pane and doors are steel insulated. Eliminating drafts is what is important.
The small DIY solar setup videos i've seen so far on YT have been somewhat lacking to say the least. Your's have explained it better, so MUCH thanks and blessings to you. Subscribed.
They make small RV swamp coolers that would probably work. Good shade trees, porches and window shades help. The passive air turbine on my roof helps alot and I just use fans.
Solar panels are about $1 a watt. Air X 400 watt wind turbine is $700. I traded some advertising for the turbine. You could have a 1kw system for about $1500.
Yes chest freezers are easy to convert and controller is on Amazon. I use an energy star fridge freezer that uses a little more power but runs fine off a small solar array.
When we lived off grid ('98 to 2000) people would ask us the dumbest questions. Example: How do you wash your clothes? Answer: At the laundry mat. I cut cedar every day to buy my animal feed and bartered freezer space at the feed store for half a hog. (Feed store was about 8 mi. away) Planning now for retirement and looking at building a one story 800 sq. ft small home incorporating lots of tiny house ideas.
I am getting rid of junk right and left!! So maybe we'll need less than 800 sq. ft.--you never know. I do want full sized appliances and a king sized bed, but the bed can double as a couch, so no worries!
I'm going off-grid in New Hampshire using a variation on your 14x14 plans in August. I've already purchased my parcel and I'm hoping to start uploading progress videos soon! You've been a real inspiration for me and I hope that you keep up the great work!
Beryl is a nice area. My well is freeflowing so no pump necessary. Look at the shurflo 12 volt well pumps that use less power. Northern Arizona Wind and Sun carries them.
My power shed is also my work shop and houses my washer and dryer so it is very useful. You want your batts protected from the weather and warm in winter so a shed works well. Batts off gas and can produce dangerous fumes so never store them where they could exhaust fumes into the house.
I'm also gonna try to build my own house like yours, Lamar. But with modifications such as a passive solar powered ice maker and a passive solar water heater with a propane backup. I have a million ideas that I'm trying to compress. I'm struggling to save up, but that's my goal
I would like to thank you for taking the time to post all the videos filled with valuable information. I have started to get into the solar systems. Thanks again.
The "Ultimate Off Grid Guide" has all my current projects in it. I am working on a new book "Ten Tiny Cabins" that will be available first of 2014 but you will still want the off grid book as it covers many related projects.
You could do that but I have bad knees and the ladder is actually easier to climb than stairs for me. The ladder is designed to be slid up against the wall or you could use a foldup attic ladder. Stairs take up more space.
Love your videos. Sometimes others see something you don't. Two suggestions: 1. Maybe heavier gauge DC wiring to your kitchen appliances etc to help with voltage drop. 2. This may be an important one. Extending your ladder higher up into the loft so you can get a firm grasp of it while standing and then getting your footing on it to descend...and even when climbing it and alighting to the floor. Same principle as extending a ladder above a roof-line for safer use. You are an inspiration to us
A big hungry dog and my friends Smith and Wesson are my security system. Good fences and gates and solar motion activated lights. Other stuff are secrets.
well said my friend, your channel is really helping me, im 26 and have been fed up with all of the above mentioned. Youre an inspiration to a lot of us, please keep the videos coming. -Todd
I hand drilled a water well and I use an OD water heater. You can see the water heater in my other vids.
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My wife and I are getting a pole barn. One of those new fangled ones that looks like a house on the outside. We're going to put an RV inside of it and use the floor space of the barn for our living area and kitchen. You've given me a lot of good info on solar power and appliances.
I tested my Koolatron P75 with an inside temp probe (able to check temps without opening lid). Cooler empty. Motor was old (relubed with bit of 3-in-1 oil), cleaned fans and heatsinks on both sides, cleaned and put on new thermal paste and replaced the TEC1-12706 with a new one from ebay (8$). Measured temperature at different time intervals (plugged in AC socket): 00:00 --> 20.9 °C (69.6 °F) 00:05 --> 17.5 °C (63.5 °F) 00:10 --> 15.0 °C (59.0 °F) 00:15 --> 13.3 °C (55.9 °F) 00:20 --> 12.1 °C (53.8 °F) 00:25 --> 11.1 °C (52.0°F) 00:30 --> 10.3 °C (50.5 °F) 00:45 --> 8.3 °C (46.9 °F) 01:00 --> 6.0 °C (42.8 °F) 01:30 --> 4.9 °C (40.8 °F) 02:00 --> 3.8 °C (38.8 °F) 02:30 --> 3.1 °C (37.6 °F) 03:00 --> 2.8 °C (37.0 °F) 03:30 --> 2.5 °C (36.5 °F) 04:00 --> 2.4 °C (36.3 °F) 04:30 --> 2.3 °C (36.1 °F) 06:00 --> 2.2 °C (36.0°F) So it gets down almost 18.7°C (33.7°F) below ambient. So safe to use at ambient temps of 26°C (79°F) and below, to keep food a 5°C (41°F) and below. The thing to remember with Peltiers is that the hotter the ambient air is, the biggest temperature difference you get between inside of cooler and outside temp (Peltier perform better when ambient temps are higher). So if it's 10°C (50°F) outside, you might only be able to get 16°C (28.8°F) temp below ambient. At 20°C (68.0°F) you can get 18.5°C (33.3°F) below ambient. At 30°C (86°F) ambient temp, you can get 23°C (43.4°F) below ambient. At 37.0°C (98.6°F) ambient temp, the Peltier is able to get the cooler down to 11.3°C (52.3°F), so that's about 25.7°C (46.3°F) below ambient temperature.
Thank you Loader. I'm hoping to live off grid but I'm going at it slowly. I've been on my own for about 5 1/5 months. I started out with solar batteries charger to make sure my phone would not run down. I've been having fun.
In a hurricane or tornado no home is really safe. Most homes on wheels use 2x4 framing and 1/2 inch plywood and wafer board. Steel cross ties are used to strengthen the walls.
Just wanted to say i love your videos, you have inspired me to start planning my own homestead project here in PA. I also found it interesting that you altered your loft access to move the ladder out of the center of your cabin, while i was planning my cabin floor plan i actually did this too except i am planning on attaching the ladder permanently to the wall next to the bathroom. Can't wait to see more videos!
You are an inspiration to me. Right now I'm paying 382.00. /month just for propane. I hate it...I'm researching alternative power now..and I can't wait to tell the propane Co. To go to h&**.... thank you for all your videos and inspiration.
No body said being off grid using solar and wind means not paying something for electricity but it does mean no monthly utility bills. At $1 a watt solar is very affordable and panels last 25 years or more. Batts last about 8 years. It would cost a lot more to have power lines put in for a home away from power lines plus a monthly utility bill.
Your videos are beyond awsome! Thank you so much! They're very helpful and you are so positive and supportive. (I just subscribed). One of the best tiny house channels on youtube, IMO. God knows i've watched TONS of them! :) Love it that you are off grid! I want to be downsized (from a 1,500 sq ft ranch home) to something like this - and totally off grid - 1 yr from now!
This fridge was $80. They make them bigger. I have unlimited wifi. The Ecig has an AC and DC adapter. You can get bicycle generators but you better be in good shape LOL!
That is a V2 and I quit smoking regular ciggs completely using that. have been working all month getting the yard back in order after the fire. Just built new fences and cleaned up the debris. I will post a video of the changes soon.
I love your videos. You are very smart to have built this by yourself. You can make money teaching people how to build these kinds of homes via the internet, maybe through software or books. Anyway, thanks for the videos.
yes and most people in these positions of power that create codes are in the land development and banking business. We need to use our rights to protest and challenge these ridiculous laws and vote out those that restrict people from living a simple life.
Nice video! My wife and I purchased land in the desert of Nevada. We are going to be totally off-grid and looking forward to getting out of the city. You will be instrumental in that process. Thanks!!!
Great video, really like the setup. Being independent of the utilities is never a bad thing, even disregarding the price differences. Really wish solar could work at my place. Too many trees, too many mountains, not enough sun except in summer. Not enough consistent wind either. Have a 200 watt solar system on my truck camper and love it.
You use an Inverter to convert DC to AC and then that is used for all AC appliances. The DC is only used for water pump and a few DC appliances and lights. Watch my vids on solar and wind installation for more info n power system.
Have you ever considered looking for a Norcold 6-cu-ft RV refrigerator? With a dual-power unit (propane and AC), you could run it on propane (as long as you throw 12v to it to run the igniter and computer board in it). Same deal with the RV 6-gallon hot water heater, but it only needs propane. In the summer, in my RV, I can run hot water for a month on a 20-lb tank, and if I propane-power the fridge, it will normally double my propane use - still only about $25 in gas a month (my furnace is another story, though). 12v DC fixture lights are also common in RV's. Hope some of this helps. Good video.
I hear ya. I just bought a 9.5 ft slide in truck camper for my pickup and there is no A/C/ but I do have a fan in it's place that brings air in or expells air. I am going to install solar on it's roof to run the electronics (lights, water pump etc)..lamar, your vids are inspirational. I want to do much the same. Need to find land in the right place. I need to be near a town but dont want the heat.
You will love that road Pro oven I'm a truck driver I've been using mine for 15 years you can cook anything from a roast small chicken stew it's not just something you warm food up with do you want to spend the time it makes an excellent roast and potatoes in their give it about 4 hours and it will get hot enough to bring stew on within 15 minutes
I'm impressed with the amount of electric things you have with a solar system that is that small. The only downside I really see is in using the cell Internet, you typically get rather low monthly limits, and satellite Internet service has horrible lag on any time sensitive applications and low monthly limits. Hopefully in the next few years this will change for the better and limits will be raised a bit.
Man this guy has it figured out, No house payment , no utility cost to speak of and he has the basic electronic gadgets. I have been looking for a way to live without the usual "financial stress" most people live under, this may be it!! Now,I would have to have an AC unit because , while winters are mild where I live, we have hot... hot summers. How would I make that work?
Love your videos re watched most of them. About to start finishing a basement for my son going to do 12v lighting. So I want have to run a AC sub panel a couple of AC outlets is all he needs. Starting with a 600w solar system on a 200 ah bank should be more than enough for 12v lighting. Over time may try to convert the whole house to solar or at least certain items . Keeping major power killers on AC or replace them with propane. Thinking of using a micro wave water heater for his bath. On a system like this it seems much more efficient than a regular water heater. Will be on the lookout for rv fridge and gas stove keeping the power hogs off the solar grid should allow much more things to be powered. Also may do a grid tie inverter so excess power can be pumped into the grid saving on the light bill....If I find its to overpowered for the simple 12v lighting. Your an inspiration! I really want to be off the grid one day but know enough to not try it on full house with full size appliances. I want always be around for my son having him with lighting and tv and pc on solar will let him perhaps one day live without a light bill.
I was only able to see a few things that you have already. Some things that i have been thinking about using when I go off grid are: car radio system, composting toilet, rainwater collection system to use for my garden, outside "cold box" for freezer in the winter, mobile CB system and the list goes on. Hope you found at least a couple there useful. Happy FREE living my brother!
Have you tried using the 12 v system for ac appliances? I've found references stating that any motor labeled Universal and/or has "brushes", will run off 12v dc without any problems. Most kitchen appliances, power tools, vacuums & sewing machine will run just fine.
I usually run the washer and dryer off a small propane generator. Running any motor off a batt bank would drain the batts way too fast. A small generator run once a week for washing will only cost $1 or two in fuel. In summer I dry my clothes outside in the sun.
I hauled in water for two years before hand drilling a water well. Small propane heaters work well. Think of it as an adventure and you will learn a lot about yourself along the way!
Just found your channel. Learning alot as we are new to this off grid life.
Thanks friend!
I do not us an AC unit. The cabin is well insulated and the windows shaded. A passive air turbine expels any excess heat and a small fan keeps me cool. Shade trees and passive cooling are free.
Those lil 1lb propane tanks attached to a blow torch is the best toaster!
Stumbled onto your videos a couple months ago and have watched every one since. I just graduated high school and my goal is to build myself a house like that by the time I'm 22. Great work and thanks for sharing it with everyone. Mitch
Right on friend!
It depends on the county. Many rural counties have few or no codes. my place ws grandfathered in because there was a home on the property at one time and is part of a larger family homestead.
You did a good job of clarifying that you can live quite comfortably with all of the devices that you want, on 12V. Dispels the "small house=doing without" concept.
You can do with/without what you want or need.
getting ready to move in my new tiny house that only takes 10/20 footprint, but it is a 2 story on some land we bought some years ago right on Lake Hickory N.C. it also has a wrap around porch that I designed as a tiny painted lady, 90 % all used on large painted lady's that have been torn down! I can't wait to get in it and start posting pic's of what I have along with some great subcontractors. I love and thank you for posting appliances as I'm loosing it at the wait as it's only a year late!!! Love your place, thanks again.
I found your channel the other day and I love how informative all of your videos are. I have been wanting to live off of the grid for a while, but my husband didn't want to because he was sure we couldn't have all of the same amenities we have now. Thanks for helping me show him that we can. :)
Ashley, so many people like yourself want to go off gird but are concerned about things like you said, giving up all your amenities. My husband and I sold everything and moved to the mountains to be 100% off grid. We have a homestead that is warm, comfortable, and we are free! 100% free from monthly bills like water, sewer and lights, free from gmo foods since we grow our own. Granted there is planning involved and a conservative lifestyle in consumption is a must..BUT what you gain in the end is priceless. Good luck and hope you and your husband one day venture to the "otherside" of the grid!
If you need to store a lot of frozen food look at the Sundanzer units. Propane fridges work and you can use a conventional fridge if your solar power is big enough.
You are the best I have seen on the internet. No bull straight forward..
Thanks
Thanks- I added 2 more 6 volt batts to my system last year and I am adding a new 120 watt panel to my camper that will also be used by my cabin in the winter and will add probably 4 more batts for storage. I have more solar power than I have storage for right now so more batts are in the plans.
Actually the land belongs to me. I and my brothers and sisters all inherited a piece of our fathers homestead so my brothers property is connected to mine. I pay property taxes of $170 a year and the cabin is not taxed as a home because it is considered a dry cabin without utilities.
All things being equal I will be off grid by the end of the year. Land here in the UK is stupidly expensive and regulated to death! So...I am going to be living on a canal Barge 60x10foot. All solar power feeding a battery bank. Power will provide both domestic use AND propulsion via an Agni/Lynch motor. 90% efficiency. With a little work I can grow a lot of my own food too. I WILL make this dream come true.
Right on Laurie! Send me some pics as you progress.
will do. I will put some vids on TH-cam of the fit out as I am having the hull built and then fitting it out inside myself. Total cost about £35kGBP (circa $60kUSD ) as opposed to £200k just for land!
Have a blog of sorts: livingonanarrowboat.co.uk/blogs/gypsy-lady
Which gives some back ground and some of the info I have come up with in my researches. All electric, especially solar only, powered boats are rarer than an honest politician! So it is going to be fun!
yes you can and if you knock on it everyday you shall!
Well, just to say I am still knocking! A slight (divorce type legal) delay will now mean I wont get the hull till next year. But still getting there. refining the plan and keeping up with my research. Technology and ideas keep coming so there is rarely a single "correct" answer but more ideas means more chance of success so I keep learning.
that is how done gets...
I'm in Oz and solar panel price is more like nearly $4 a watt. but solar is almost like magic. no checking or adjusting things, no fuel to buy, no noise. first few months at my place I had no power, and when I got a solar rig it was fantastic to just come home and flick lights straight on. BTW, been watching for a while and am a bit of a fan. i live off grid in Oz and stuff you do is very reminiscent of how I'm set up.except i go for wood heating coz I'm surrounded by old wood and forests nearby
Thanks Mary- yes we do have harsh winters here. My well is free flowing and as long as water is running through a pipe it won't freeze. My holding tank is inside the cabin so it won't freeze. I have an overflow and the water is always running to keep it from freezing. That is how most old homesteads are set up.
You want to look at all factors, price, size and read customer reviews. Koolatron has excellent reviews and are known for long lasting products.
I have built solar air heaters and plans are in my book. I only need heat at night so a small wood stove or propane heater works best. I will have a video up of the wood stove installation in the near future.
I have the Air X 400 watt which is very good for places with low wind.
I am a truck driver I have a 12 volt fridge and a portable stove just like the one you showed they both work great
The cabin is small and well sealed so more insulation isn't necessary. I heat the cabin with a small 20,000 BTU propane heater or my small woodstove. Windows are double pane and doors are steel insulated. Eliminating drafts is what is important.
Yes I am about 10 minutes from a small town for resupply. Lots of small towns in rural America.
The small DIY solar setup videos i've seen so far on YT have been somewhat lacking to say the least. Your's have explained it better, so MUCH thanks and blessings to you. Subscribed.
I have a solar oven and also a wood cookstove. I have backup systems for going off propane if I ever need to.
They make small RV swamp coolers that would probably work. Good shade trees, porches and window shades help. The passive air turbine on my roof helps alot and I just use fans.
Solar panels are about $1 a watt. Air X 400 watt wind turbine is $700. I traded some advertising for the turbine. You could have a 1kw system for about $1500.
I usually only restock the fridge once a week. My system is 580 watts solar and 400 watts wind. There are more vids of the power system on my channel.
Yes chest freezers are easy to convert and controller is on Amazon. I use an energy star fridge freezer that uses a little more power but runs fine off a small solar array.
When we lived off grid ('98 to 2000) people would ask us the dumbest questions. Example: How do you wash your clothes? Answer: At the laundry mat. I cut cedar every day to buy my animal feed and bartered freezer space at the feed store for half a hog. (Feed store was about 8 mi. away) Planning now for retirement and looking at building a one story 800 sq. ft small home incorporating lots of tiny house ideas.
I am getting rid of junk right and left!! So maybe we'll need less than 800 sq. ft.--you never know. I do want full sized appliances and a king sized bed, but the bed can double as a couch, so no worries!
I'm going off-grid in New Hampshire using a variation on your 14x14 plans in August. I've already purchased my parcel and I'm hoping to start uploading progress videos soon! You've been a real inspiration for me and I hope that you keep up the great work!
Beryl is a nice area. My well is freeflowing so no pump necessary. Look at the shurflo 12 volt well pumps that use less power. Northern Arizona Wind and Sun carries them.
12v is the BIRTH of power,rock on bud.
My power shed is also my work shop and houses my washer and dryer so it is very useful. You want your batts protected from the weather and warm in winter so a shed works well. Batts off gas and can produce dangerous fumes so never store them where they could exhaust fumes into the house.
I'm also gonna try to build my own house like yours, Lamar. But with modifications such as a passive solar powered ice maker and a passive solar water heater with a propane backup. I have a million ideas that I'm trying to compress. I'm struggling to save up, but that's my goal
I would like to thank you for taking the time to post all the videos filled with valuable information. I have started to get into the solar systems. Thanks again.
The "Ultimate Off Grid Guide" has all my current projects in it. I am working on a new book "Ten Tiny Cabins" that will be available first of 2014 but you will still want the off grid book as it covers many related projects.
Yes I live year round in the cabin and have lived off grid for about 10 years here.
You could do that but I have bad knees and the ladder is actually easier to climb than stairs for me. The ladder is designed to be slid up against the wall or you could use a foldup attic ladder. Stairs take up more space.
That is a huge system!
Running pool pumps and large appliances takes a lot of power.
Love your videos. Sometimes others see something you don't. Two suggestions: 1. Maybe heavier gauge DC wiring to your kitchen appliances etc to help with voltage drop. 2. This may be an important one. Extending your ladder higher up into the loft so you can get a firm grasp of it while standing and then getting your footing on it to descend...and even when climbing it and alighting to the floor. Same principle as extending a ladder above a roof-line for safer use. You are an inspiration to us
A big hungry dog and my friends Smith and Wesson are my security system. Good fences and gates and solar motion activated lights. Other stuff are secrets.
Those solar activated lights are excellent.
I have a full size washer and dryer in the shed. there is room in the bathroom for an over/under apartment size washer dryer.
Depends on how it is used but most use sawdust and no smell unless you forget to cover up the waste after use.
It depends on where you live if the county will hassle you. They tried but I stood up to them.
I have a 400 watt wind turbine Air X. Air turbines have come way down in price but if you want to build one go for it!
I would get one of those exorcize bikes too that creates power same as a wind turbine would be very helpful if it is very cloudy and you have no wind.
No septic tank because i use a composting toilet and it is solar evaporated so no drain field needed. Plans are in my book.
well said my friend, your channel is really helping me, im 26 and have been fed up with all of the above mentioned.
Youre an inspiration to a lot of us, please keep the videos coming.
-Todd
They work pretty good if you just need to keep things cool while you are traveling or camping.
I hand drilled a water well and I use an OD water heater. You can see the water heater in my other vids.
My wife and I are getting a pole barn. One of those new fangled ones that looks like a house on the outside. We're going to put an RV inside of it and use the floor space of the barn for our living area and kitchen. You've given me a lot of good info on solar power and appliances.
I tested my Koolatron P75 with an inside temp probe (able to check temps without opening lid). Cooler empty. Motor was old (relubed with bit of 3-in-1 oil), cleaned fans and heatsinks on both sides, cleaned and put on new thermal paste and replaced the TEC1-12706 with a new one from ebay (8$). Measured temperature at different time intervals (plugged in AC socket):
00:00 --> 20.9 °C (69.6 °F)
00:05 --> 17.5 °C (63.5 °F)
00:10 --> 15.0 °C (59.0 °F)
00:15 --> 13.3 °C (55.9 °F)
00:20 --> 12.1 °C (53.8 °F)
00:25 --> 11.1 °C (52.0°F)
00:30 --> 10.3 °C (50.5 °F)
00:45 --> 8.3 °C (46.9 °F)
01:00 --> 6.0 °C (42.8 °F)
01:30 --> 4.9 °C (40.8 °F)
02:00 --> 3.8 °C (38.8 °F)
02:30 --> 3.1 °C (37.6 °F)
03:00 --> 2.8 °C (37.0 °F)
03:30 --> 2.5 °C (36.5 °F)
04:00 --> 2.4 °C (36.3 °F)
04:30 --> 2.3 °C (36.1 °F)
06:00 --> 2.2 °C (36.0°F)
So it gets down almost 18.7°C (33.7°F) below ambient. So safe to use at ambient temps of 26°C (79°F) and below, to keep food a 5°C (41°F) and below.
The thing to remember with Peltiers is that the hotter the ambient air is, the biggest temperature difference you get between inside of cooler and outside temp (Peltier perform better when ambient temps are higher). So if it's 10°C (50°F) outside, you might only be able to get 16°C (28.8°F) temp below ambient. At 20°C (68.0°F) you can get 18.5°C (33.3°F) below ambient. At 30°C (86°F) ambient temp, you can get 23°C (43.4°F) below ambient. At 37.0°C (98.6°F) ambient temp, the Peltier is able to get the cooler down to 11.3°C (52.3°F), so that's about 25.7°C (46.3°F) below ambient temperature.
Thanks for the in depth info!
Thank you Loader. I'm hoping to live off grid but I'm going at it slowly. I've been on my own for about 5 1/5 months. I started out with solar batteries charger to make sure my phone would not run down. I've been having fun.
In a hurricane or tornado no home is really safe. Most homes on wheels use 2x4 framing and 1/2 inch plywood and wafer board. Steel cross ties are used to strengthen the walls.
Yes- the solar panels work even in low light but the wind turbine only produces good when wind is above 10 mph. go with solar first.
Just wanted to say i love your videos, you have inspired me to start planning my own homestead project here in PA. I also found it interesting that you altered your loft access to move the ladder out of the center of your cabin, while i was planning my cabin floor plan i actually did this too except i am planning on attaching the ladder permanently to the wall next to the bathroom. Can't wait to see more videos!
Yes there is room for a stackable washer and dryer in the bathroom next to the shower.
You are an inspiration to me. Right now I'm paying 382.00. /month just for propane. I hate it...I'm researching alternative power now..and I can't wait to tell the propane Co. To go to h&**.... thank you for all your videos and inspiration.
No body said being off grid using solar and wind means not paying something for electricity but it does mean no monthly utility bills. At $1 a watt solar is very affordable and panels last 25 years or more. Batts last about 8 years.
It would cost a lot more to have power lines put in for a home away from power lines plus a monthly utility bill.
I'm thinking about one day just living in one for like 5 years or so just to cross off my bucket list
Your videos are beyond awsome! Thank you so much! They're very helpful and you are so positive and supportive. (I just subscribed). One of the best tiny house channels on youtube, IMO. God knows i've watched TONS of them! :) Love it that you are off grid! I want to be downsized (from a 1,500 sq ft ranch home) to something like this - and totally off grid - 1 yr from now!
I have an Edgstar fridge freezer running off solar. This was just to show people what is out there.
This fridge was $80. They make them bigger. I have unlimited wifi. The Ecig has an AC and DC adapter. You can get bicycle generators but you better be in good shape LOL!
The floor, walls and roof are all insulated. R19 insulation batt insulation.
That is a V2 and I quit smoking regular ciggs completely using that. have been working all month getting the yard back in order after the fire. Just built new fences and cleaned up the debris. I will post a video of the changes soon.
The outdoors is my living room!
I love your videos. You are very smart to have built this by yourself. You can make money teaching people how to build these kinds of homes via the internet, maybe through software or books. Anyway, thanks for the videos.
yes and most people in these positions of power that create codes are in the land development and banking business. We need to use our rights to protest and challenge these ridiculous laws and vote out those that restrict people from living a simple life.
Great info. We just bought a 12x26 cabin on wheels and plan to make it completely off grid :)
lol CJ *****
Soul, where can I find a cabin on wheels and how much will it cost? thank you..
Thanks- trackers work good on pole mounts but hard to do on a roof mount.
yesI use a solar composting toilet of my own design. Plans are in my book.
it sounds like you have an incredibly efficient cabin. I am enjoying your videos. Please keep them coming. They are very inspiring!
Container homes are good for tornado country. I designed one with strawbale insulation and it is in my ebook.
Nice video! My wife and I purchased land in the desert of Nevada. We are going to be totally off-grid and looking forward to getting out of the city. You will be instrumental in that process. Thanks!!!
Depends on where you live but solar is generally more reliable that wind.
Great video, really like the setup. Being independent of the utilities is never a bad thing, even disregarding the price differences. Really wish solar could work at my place. Too many trees, too many mountains, not enough sun except in summer. Not enough consistent wind either. Have a 200 watt solar system on my truck camper and love it.
You use an Inverter to convert DC to AC and then that is used for all AC appliances. The DC is only used for water pump and a few DC appliances and lights.
Watch my vids on solar and wind installation for more info n power system.
Right on- lots of off-gridders in Europe!
Have you ever considered looking for a Norcold 6-cu-ft RV refrigerator? With a dual-power unit (propane and AC), you could run it on propane (as long as you throw 12v to it to run the igniter and computer board in it).
Same deal with the RV 6-gallon hot water heater, but it only needs propane. In the summer, in my RV, I can run hot water for a month on a 20-lb tank, and if I propane-power the fridge, it will normally double my propane use - still only about $25 in gas a month (my furnace is another story, though). 12v DC fixture lights are also common in RV's. Hope some of this helps. Good video.
3 ways are OK. Norcold is a good brand. I built a house on wheels before jay was even born.
Try Ebay and any of the land auction websites.
I hear ya. I just bought a 9.5 ft slide in truck camper for my pickup and there is no A/C/ but I do have a fan in it's place that brings air in or expells air. I am going to install solar on it's roof to run the electronics (lights, water pump etc)..lamar, your vids are inspirational. I want to do much the same. Need to find land in the right place. I need to be near a town but dont want the heat.
12 volt deep cycles average 8 years. 6 volt deep cycles can last 10-12 years if you take care of them. 24 volt last even longer.
I don't need air conditioning here but they make small swamp coolers that can be used on solar power.
Hey thanks alot for sharing and showing us into your home. People like u really help out in life.. Keep it up. Thanks
what do I need to hook up my portable 5 amp fridge to 85ah deep cycle battery
I like the country life and off grid living.
That is a Koolatron Voyager available on Amazon.
You will love that road Pro oven I'm a truck driver I've been using mine for 15 years you can cook anything from a roast small chicken stew it's not just something you warm food up with do you want to spend the time it makes an excellent roast and potatoes in their give it about 4 hours and it will get hot enough to bring stew on within 15 minutes
The ceiling height is 7 feet and my son is 6'2" and has no problem moving around the cabin.
I can see you have just about everything that the normal Grid Powered home would have!
That's great Paul!
Keep me updated and send me some pics as you progress friend!
I'm impressed with the amount of electric things you have with a solar system that is that small. The only downside I really see is in using the cell Internet, you typically get rather low monthly limits, and satellite Internet service has horrible lag on any time sensitive applications and low monthly limits. Hopefully in the next few years this will change for the better and limits will be raised a bit.
Man this guy has it figured out, No house payment , no utility cost to speak of and he has the basic electronic gadgets. I have been looking for a way to live without the usual "financial stress" most people live under, this may be it!! Now,I would have to have an AC unit because , while winters are mild where I live, we have hot... hot summers. How would I make that work?
Love your videos re watched most of them. About to start finishing a basement for my son going to do 12v lighting. So I want have to run a AC sub panel a couple of AC outlets is all he needs. Starting with a 600w solar system on a 200 ah bank should be more than enough for 12v lighting. Over time may try to convert the whole house to solar or at least certain items .
Keeping major power killers on AC or replace them with propane. Thinking of using a micro wave water heater for his bath. On a system like this it seems much more efficient than a regular water heater. Will be on the lookout for rv fridge and gas stove keeping the power hogs off the solar grid should allow much more things to be powered. Also may do a grid tie inverter so excess power can be pumped into the grid saving on the light bill....If I find its to overpowered for the simple 12v lighting.
Your an inspiration! I really want to be off the grid one day but know enough to not try it on full house with full size appliances. I want always be around for my son having him with lighting and tv and pc on solar will let him perhaps one day live without a light bill.
I was only able to see a few things that you have already. Some things that i have been thinking about using when I go off grid are: car radio system, composting toilet, rainwater collection system to use for my garden, outside "cold box" for freezer in the winter, mobile CB system and the list goes on. Hope you found at least a couple there useful. Happy FREE living my brother!
Have you tried using the 12 v system for ac appliances? I've found references stating that any motor labeled Universal and/or has "brushes", will run off 12v dc without any problems. Most kitchen appliances, power tools, vacuums & sewing machine will run just fine.
You could but they are more expensive and I like being able to replace them and examine the wiring from time to time.
I rarely use it and when I do it is in the daytime when the batts are full.
My 12 volt line is fused with a 30 amp fuse and I show that in my solar connection videos. 12 volt is safe if you use proper wiring size.