Is anybody off grid?

**Xolar** · 07-24-2009, 05:39 PM

This is a quick and easy way to backfeed, the one thing I would suggest here is to properly size your wires and try to limit the output of you generator you can buy cheap clamp on digital volt meters all over the place. Some simple math for this is the watts/ volts = the amperage available, I try to not go over 85 % of a generators available current for instance the 5000watt generator in question should put out 20 amps - 15% = about 17 amps when you make your cord up for this is should be a minimum of 12 guage I would never use less then 10 and if there is any distance at all go to #8 you can buy the cord and ends for this at the depot the cord is sooj type. Remeber that this procedure is not only dangerouse to you as well a the utility workers, the transformers that power your house not only step down voltage but step it up, make sure you are safe while doing this.. It is very easy to install a critical load subpanel for safe back up power.

Xolar

**Pioneer** · 10-07-2009, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by Brosia

just curious.

or even partially. If so, what are you using for power?

I'm 100% off-grid (except for the satellite internet) I currently have a fairly large system consisting of 3,800 watts coming in from solar panels and 1,000 watts from a wind generator. I use 16 L-16 batteries, 8 charge controllers and an 4,000 watt inverter for the cabin and the main house I'm currently building. This is over-kill really, one doesn't need quite all this but I love my electric side-by-side fridge/freezer, computers left on at all times and my cabin currently runs like any home on the grid. ie. dishwashers, washing machine, electric/propane dryer etc.

**Pioneer** · 10-07-2009, 06:38 PM

I found, after being burned a few times, going through a solar dealer will cost up to 3 times more then doing everything yourself. It's basic common sense with electrical knowledge to do. Nothing fancy, nothing too difficult but before buying anything to do with solar or alternative energy, I would have to recommend checking out partsonsale dot com

**Xolar** · 10-08-2009, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by Pioneer

I found, after being burned a few times, going through a solar dealer will cost up to 3 times more then doing everything yourself. It's basic common sense with electrical knowledge to do. Nothing fancy, nothing too difficult but before buying anything to do with solar or alternative energy, I would have to recommend checking out partsonsale dot com

There is truth to this, and most solar people do not really know much about off-grid as well. But being that I am a solar dealer and one of the main people in my area that has to rebuild other peoples work, I would have to say that most people have very little common sense and electrical knowledge at the same time.

I install a decent amount of other peoples material that like you buy it off the internet, and the good thing for me is I do not have to warrenty any of the material. I see all kinds of failures with material which I have to eat if I sell the material.

**Pioneer** · 10-08-2009, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by Xolar

There is truth to this, and most solar people do not really know much about off-grid as well. But being that I am a solar dealer and one of the main people in my area that has to rebuild other peoples work, I would have to say that most people have very little common sense and electrical knowledge at the same time.

I install a decent amount of other peoples material that like you buy it off the internet, and the good thing for me is I do not have to warrenty any of the material. I see all kinds of failures with material which I have to eat if I sell the material.

Xolar - That's the sad truth! Common sense and electrical knowledge are a must when installing anything yourself. I didn't mean to impugn your work.

**firmhand38401** · 04-12-2011, 04:08 PM

I not a tree hugger I am Survivalist when the world goes to hell in a hand basket, I want AC and a car/truck that drives, plus a cold drink on a hot day.

My leaf will be my third total electric vehicle in my fleet, a 06 Tesla and a Converted 1979 F 250 4x4 to 50 hp electric. I plug them in at my 100% solar my Home/Farm completely off the grid………

have a Hydroponics farm that produce salad greens and herbs (Not pot ) for the restaurants in the Nashville area and for sale at the farmers market and a normal veggie farm which is being prepared for planting this and it raining. The Solar power gives me a much higher profit margin. See not only will I have AC I will good food too lol…..

**Diesel** · 04-12-2011, 04:13 PM

interesting stuff firmhand, i'm sure we'd love to know more about your 100% solar setup as well you should start a thread about it, and pics please!

**littleone1** · 04-13-2011, 05:29 PM

Firmhand, I second the motion on knowing more about your solar setup. I am now planning on building a barn with an upstairs apartment and I would love to be off the grid with this building. Any info would be greatly appreciated, because this is one area that is very confusing to me.

**firmhand38401** · 04-14-2011, 10:06 AM

I am using 3 banks of salvaged Hawker flooded lead acid batteries each back produce about 600 VDC. I ran them thru Brakes systems of G.E. Phase vector drive. Why did I use a Phase vector drives I wanted to be able to run a welder. 3 system , each system has a 480 VAC 200 amps ,240 vac and 120 vac. My panels are mixture of old to new But I have two of to charge the off use batteries systems… I used mostly salvaged equipment …

**bcauz3y** · 04-14-2011, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by greenmountainboy

I live in a 18 x 18 cabin on one edge of my family farm. I recently drilled a well and went solar.

I have a 500 amp battery bank that is charged by 210 watts of solar power. It generally keeps up with my use, unless it is cloudy for more than 5 or 6 days.

I run 12v DC lighting, a water pump, stereo, and charge various electronics such as my camera, ipod, laptop, and cell phone batteries.

I also have a 2,000 watt power inverter for powering normal AC appliances.

In case of no sun, I have a small 2,000 watt generator that I can fire off to recharge my battery bank. It will run for eight hours on 1 gallon of gas, adding 120amps of electricity back into my batteries. I also use it to power anything with a large electric motor, such as a vacuum or circular saw, etc.

I did all the setup and installation myself, and would be happy to answer any questions from someone trying to do the same

Pictures would be awesome!

I've dreamed of doing this, but my chosen path in life doesn't support it.