is anyone here living off the grid and away from the

[Mad Machinist]

Hey everyone,

I ran across this awhile ago, just had to remember where it was. Here's a cheap start to backup or off grid power.

Solar Powered LED Lighting System, 3 LED Bulbs, 10W Solar Panel

Not to bad at less than $200.

 

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[davest]

If and when I do go off the grid, it's not going to be a totally rough it situation. Yes, I still like running water and electricity. I just wondered how many folks on the forum have gotten away from the "city" and pretty much don't see others for a while unless they choose to.

Currently I live in what some would call the best weather in Florida but the city is slowly turning into Philadelphia and I'm tired of hearing sirens 24/7. I need a break and have enough to be fairly comfortable on a fair size piece of property a few states north of here so I turn my thoughts to raising chickens, goats, rabbits and pulling back.

 

[squiggy]

I think my situation is what your speaking of.
The nice thing about being off grid with a well and your own power source, is that you can buy a larger piece of property at a more resonable price, then hire a solar person to set the system up for you..


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[squiggy]

You can check out alternative energy at REAL GOODS online..they were the first suppliers

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[BC1969]

The only way GPS is truly off in a phone is if the battery is out of it, just turning it off turns it off to your eyes, but not the big eyes in the sky...remove that battery when not in use, or you are just as exposed.

Mike

 

[squiggy]

Im not in the least worried about that

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[BC1969]

That's good. I have a link for an encrypted sat phone that big brother couldn't get into if they tried, very expensive though. I'll post it later, off to work..have a great day squiggy!

Mike

 

[fishnfacts]

Sounds like some are hardcore off the grid and then there will be me.
I am going to go "Off the Grid" so to speak. Going to travel in Class A towing my car. Set up in LT campgrounds and seek camp host jobs and prospecting to cover expenses which will allow me to save for a chunk of property in Northern Cali. or Alaska. LT sites can be had for under $500.00 a season and with campsite host job that is all covered. I want a computer, could live without bothersome phone, I hate cell phones almost as much as I used to hate the dreaded "Beeper". There has to be something better than the 24/7 sirens and neighbors fighting all night.

 

[Dave44]

I am always interested and monitor developments as I can. Solar has come a long way since the seventies, but it is lightyears behind technology. I keep expecting a breakthrough, but there may be an invisible impediment to it?

Any way, a store near me that I am always looking at. Solar panels usually price/watt of electricity generated. ( Volts X Amps = Watts? ) What is a standard fridge, 13 amps? 120 volts? approximately 1600 watts maybe? The cost of panels looks to average about 65 cents a watt looks like around 1000$,?

I don't know for sure, there may be conversion factors from DC to AC that I am not accounting for, ( besides a building for the batteries and inverter).

But didn't some of the old timers use 12 volt systems when trying to get power when the grid was in it's infancy? (Wind mills mostly I think?)

Good Luck!

 

[releventchair]

A tractor can be rigged with an alternator, even a small gang of them. A push mower engine can drive one too.


Wind generating, some sights are great some not so, a windmill or similar turbine that is air driven has to have a way to stop or reduce speed when wind strength reaches a certain point. Lots to browse on the web. If you want to experiment research wise check out treadmill motor use for a home build. Somewhere there are a bunch of unwanted treadmills with low miles cheap or free,l.o.l..
I abandon experiments years ago using an alternator and mounting it on a snow blower. Was going to put a industrial fan blade on it. Built tower for it and used it to support wood stove stack and needed to make a brake to stop blades in high wind. A charge controller needed to be acquired and had not when I left but the alternator was not the way to go, too inefficient and high speed dependent for starters ,compared to a permanent magnet DC motor.
DIY Wind Turbine Components

 

[squiggy]

Anybody interested, just call Real Goods in Ca..they will give you any info you need..catalog as well!

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[releventchair]

Dang technology chain reactions anyway...

 

[squiggy]

Lol! I like that rc

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