I am looking for a newer refrigerator that runs on propane but has a pilot light that you ignite yourself. To clarify i am not looking for one that has an ignite button. I would like to be able to do it with a manual flame like the old ones. Thank you for your time!
I recently got a message from someone who saw one of my comment replies about LED lighting and wanted to know more about my off-grid setup. After starting to respond directly, I figured a bunch of people could benefit from the info, thus this post. If you have other suggestions or advice please give it!
Everything you need to turn a totally off-grid cabin into a home. To my mind this is the best ~$1k you can spend to make "cabin life" enjoyable.
I'm including links to the products I chose after doing a bunch of research. I am in Hawaii, so part of the research was finding items that would ship to Hawaii. If you're not in Hawaii it's definitely worth checking your usual ecommerce sites, you very well may be able to find these same items cheaper elsewhere. (note: I bought my solar panel locally, but am including a link for those of you in the 48)
None of these are affiliate links and I'm not affiliated with any of these companies in any way whatsoever... other than having worked at Home Depot for a month and then quitting mid-shift over some serious corporate evilness I couldn't stomach, so I'm definitely not trying to do them any favors.
$55 -- 12v Water Pump (only needed if you're on rain water catchment or have low water pressure) http://ift.tt/2AhmoPH
$110 -- propane water heater w/ regulator hose & shower handle (requires >15 psi water pressure) http://ift.tt/2ik3elp
2x Lead Acid Deep Cycle Marine Batteries $112 each at my local Wal-Mart, or just $100 if you bring in two old car batteries as cores. Make sure you buy batteries with the same manufacture date stamp, you want a matched pair.
If you have a generator: $50 -- battery charger http://ift.tt/2AhmtTv
Solar Panel: 240 watt, $108 (less than half what I paid a year ago) http://ift.tt/2iiKbrE
Solar Charge Controller: At $128, this is the lowest cost charge controller worth considering: http://ift.tt/2AhmxCJ
You definitely don't want the 20a or 30a models, or anything that is PWM instead of MPPT. This 40a model can easily handle two of the above solar panels wired in series.
Warm White LED strip lights, $6.80 each for 15 feet. I bought 5 strips and stuck them on the tops of my rafters, giving my ceiling a really nice diffuse ambient glow. I wired mine up with speaker wire. http://ift.tt/2ijYXhJ
Speaking of wiring things to car batteries with speaker wire... Inline fuses are a must! 5 pack for less than eight bucks. Make sure you use one of these on each line coming off one of your battery terminals: http://ift.tt/2AhmCX3
400 watt inverter -- charge your laptop and run small electrical appliances. If you can afford it, spend ~$200 on a bigger inverter so you can run more demanding loads. If you go for a smaller one like this, make sure it comes with jumper-cable style clips. $31 -- http://ift.tt/2ikfNwU
USB and car 12v plugs, $10 each. I have one at my bedside, and one by my couch. http://ift.tt/2AhmFCd
Watch a youtube video or two and then do your plumbing super simply with 1/2" PEX. Buy a roll at a local hardware store, one $33 roll was enough for me to do my sink, shower, bath tub, and hose spigots.
Buy the crimping tool online, I got this one for less than $20 http://ift.tt/2ik3i4D
Other things to grab: plumbing fittings and PEX crimp bands, electrical wiring, propane tank for water heater, misc electrical outlets and switches.
That all should be well under $1,000, and will make your cabin life SO MUCH BETTER.
Bonus round: Get a cheap chest freezer for $120 or so at a local big box store and fill it with 6 or 7 one gallon jugs of water. I run my generator to freeze the bottles, and then use it as a refrigerator until 2 or 3 days later when it needs re-freezing. If you bought a bigger inverter you can run the freezer off the solar panels, but the 400 watt inverter linked above definitely can't handle a freezer.
If you want a better long term solution, the Whynter line of 12 volt portable fridge/freezers are fantastic. This one is $425 or so, a bigger one will run you a bit more: http://ift.tt/2Akipll
Edit to add: These LED "Off Road" spotlights make great indoor/outdoor lighting fixtures, I've got two in my kitchen and one on each porch. http://ift.tt/2ijUJGD
$20 car stereo with Bluetooth and AM/FM radio, at Wal-Mart: http://ift.tt/2AkitBB. I bought one of these and found a really nice set of house speakers at a thrift shop for another $20, and can jam out all night without denting my batteries.
I'm moving into an apartment soon but I don't want to connect to mains power if I can avoid it. Have you got any advice on how to run a refrigerator and lighting in this situation? I am thinking of putting a solar panel on the balcony and using the most energy efficient LED lamps that I can find.
Moving out to a property that is outfitted with Sauna, Solar Panel, composting toilet, wood stove and garden.
Everything seems to be alright but there is one thing that I did not take into consideration....
There is no electricity aside from some reserve power and enough for LED lighting. I'm not so worried about that as it is that I've never been without a refrigerator.
What are some options available to quickly resolve this issue without
A) attracting wildlife
B) taking a crapload of cash to fix.
I'm open to all suggestions just give me what you got and I'll weigh out the pros vs. cons on my own.
So far I've considered
1) Ice box fridge
2) Root Cellar
Other than that I'm pretty screwed. :/
Moving out to a property that is outfitted with Sauna, Solar Panel, composting toilet, wood stove and garden.
Everything seems to be alright but there is one thing that I did not take into consideration....
There is no electricity aside from some reserve power and enough for LED lighting. I'm not so worried about that as it is that I've never been without a refrigerator.
What are some options available to quickly resolve this issue without
A) attracting wildlife
B) taking a crapload of cash to fix.
I'm open to all suggestions just give me what you got and I'll weigh out the pros vs. cons on my own.
So far I've considered
1) Ice box fridge
2) Root Cellar
Other than that I'm pretty screwed. :/
The only option I saw were these solar refrigerator but they are out of my budget. Is there any other options to do a fridge that can last at least 2 weeks worth of cooling? I would just need to do about 2-4 cubic feet for starters.
As someone who currently knows very little about alternative energy or electricity in general, this may be a completely stupid question. However, I'm interested in designing a solar powered desert house without relying on batteries. In the long run, I feel that relying on batteries will be a financial burden that might keep me away from the minimalist life that I am seeking. I'm not a prepper, but I also question whether or not batteries will be readily available in the long term if God forbid we ever find ourselves in a SHTF scenario.
I'm sure many wouldn't agree, but it seems to me that altering my lifestyle slightly would be a better alternative to building a solar system with large batteries and complex charge controllers. It may be naive, but I'm thinking that I could just live without electricity during the times when solar power is unavailable... namely at night.
I was inspired by a YouTube personality, jmemantzel who runs modified power tools like electric chainsaws directly from his solar panels.
I wonder about the feasibility of running the following appliances/devices off of solar power (without a battery bank):
Educate me, please.
Hi folks - hoping to buy a small refrigerator to hold butter, milk, cheese, and the occasional can of beer - I have heard a ton of different things from "go propane" to "no propane" to low energy input electric being just as efficient. We have two small (210) panels that currently power 2 lights and a radio. Thoughts?
We're looking for an energy-efficient freezer-less refrigerator. The best option appears to be the Sun Frost R19, but it's $3,000. That would take over 20 years to pay for itself in energy savings. Are there other options out there? Will the Sun Frost last 20 years? If so, it might be worth it....thoughts?
I just found this Sub so thought you guys might have some insight.
Ten years ago I built a conventional 3 bedroom, 1 bath, 960 sqft stick framed house, (2x6 walls as well as 2" of panel foam insulation on the exterior walls. So, it is super insulated). I installed 3,000 watts of Siemens Panels, two 4,000 watt trace inverters, Outback Charge Controllers, and a large forklift battery. I have a 15KW Generac Propane standby generator and 400 gallon propane tank. (I hardly ever have to use the generator). Wood stove for heat. A small window unit air conditioner for when it gets over 100 deg F. Modern Propane Stove/oven and a propane Bosch on demand water heater. Modern clothes washer and propane cloths drier. I never bothered to get a refrigerator. I usually keep things in a ice chest cooler and shop for items daily.
I don't have a TV. I usually wake up eat and leave the house. I don't come back till I am ready to eat, shower and sleep. I watch a little Netflix and fall asleep.
I have been living comfortably in the house by myself for the past 10 years but am thinking of renting the place out. So, here are my questions:
Refrigerator: Propane or something else that is supper efficient as far as electricity?
Heat: Keep the wood stove for the rental aspect or install a propane wall heater?
Get rid of the Window unit air conditioner and install and modern unit?
Is 3,000 watts enough for a 960 sqft house or should I put in another 1-2,000 watts
What is an appropriate size propane generator?
The Trace inverter will remotely start the generator when the batteries get to a set voltage but I have not set that up.
And I will probably not be around much so, do I need to setup a maintenance contract with a third party to handle any problems with the system?
That is about it. Any tips or pointers for renting out an off grid home would be appreciated.
Thanks
Curious what everyone is using as far as their home appliances go. I'm compiling a list of expected costs of a new home build in the desert in the US SW and am beginning to look at appliances and calculate energy needs.
Since I'm going to be operating on solar I will need as much efficiency as possible. I plan on spending a bit extra for a chest style refrigerator that runs on propane as well (probably). Stove top will probably be a simple 2 burner propane powered stove top. I don't really use the oven that much so unsure if I'll have any sort of traditional oven or not.
What all are you guys/gals using? Any recommendations?
