Building Our Off-The-Grid System

Solar array going on the roof! May 2010

This is the year my husband and I have devoted to food and fuel. Part of that goal is working on our alternative energy system. Our system is small but works well for us. I wrote about it in the post, Living With An Alternative Energy System and Part Two Of Our Alternative Energy System. Many people think the only way to build a system, is by putting up a big amount of money for a big system to run their whole house. The way it has always been run. That would be nice. I would have liked that myself. But it was never an option for us.

Our first 55 watt solar panel!

 

 

 

 

 

In 1999 when we started here, we used one 55 watt solar panel, two fork-lift truck batteries, an automotive inverter and a very small charge controller that would fit in the palm of your hand. Very simple. Very basic.

We used kerosene lamps for lights at that time. Our little 12 volt tv that had a VCR player in it was our only electrical output. No computers. No tools. We would be watching a long movie and have to run out and start the vehicle, to charge the battery because we were losing power! Whew! We've come a long way baby!

Three solar panels - all different brands!

Then we purchased a new panel from eBay, then another, until we had three. We lived with them for awhile. We bought a generator that is made for charging DC only. It uses less gas and works like a charm. After all, it was built for an off-the-grid system. Added two more batteries. You get the idea. One thing at a time, as our system grew. That way it wasn't a large amount of money and was well within our budget.

Xantrex C60 Charge Controller

 We added a new charge controller in 2004. It is the type that can be used for our system as it is enlarged. The charge controller controls the amount of power coming into your batteries. You don't want to overcharge them. We added a meter and some other components over more time. It is ongoing, adding here and there. More affordable that way too. Not to mention that as you grow your system, you will be learning about it.........slowly, over time. It won't hit you all of a sudden with a big system and not know how it works. You learn while it grows.

As you build your system you can add more electrical appliances and gadgets. Build it smart and you will be pleased with it. Don't do like so many others do and cave in to giving up and hooking up to the grid. It gives you independence and a feeling of satisfaction to be providing your own electric. Kind of like the way a garden gives you that feeling, because you are providing your own food. Understand what I mean?

I will be posting more on our system weekly. So check back soon! It is growing and I will have much to share here.

Copyright © 2011 Kathleen G. Lupole
All Photographs Copyright © 2011 Kathleen G. Lupole

More Power More Electric Gadgets

As my husband is doing research while he is putting together the rest of our independent energy system for our homestead, I cannot help but to get excited. By adding the wind turbine to our solar array, we will have more power than ever. Even at night or in the dark days of winter. Another thing this means is that we will be able to use tools and gadgets that up to now, were not even considered.

Tools like a circular saw for my husband. He never could use one with our small system.

A crock pot for me. Now that has been the one appliance I have missed terribly. I loved mine and I had two. That will be the first thing I plan on adding.

A bread machine. I had one but gave it to my sister-in-law. I couldn't really use it before. Now I can find one that is very energy efficient and will be able to use it. The thing is that when the wind turbine is bringing in power, it will dump it if you don't use it. That is so you don't overcharge the batteries. I plan on using that power! Maybe by making bread!

In the past, I had one of those portable convection ovens and would like to get another one. I loved cooking with it.  But we could not use anything like that when we were first starting out here. Now with more power, I can use that. And the thing about these is that they use 80% less power.

I won't be buying silly, gadgets but a good coffee percolator will be a nice addition. Electric gadgets and appliances that do not waste energy. I will have to think about it and see what I feel like I want.

Using your power wisely is essential, even when you are increasing your energy. That way you are not wasting any of it. And that is how we plan on living.

Copyright © 2011 Kathleen G. Lupole
All Photographs Copyright © 2011 Kathleen G. Lupole
 

In The Beginning People Thought We Were Nuts!

Living In The Middle Of The State Forest!

When I first talked about wanting to homestead or be a modern homesteader my family and friends thought I had gone off my rocker. They could not understand what had possessed my husband and myself to want to live this way. When we actually purchased this old hunting camp located in the middle of the state forest, they KNEW we would live to regret it! Do you know what? Now those very same people are telling us how lucky we are! How we are safer than most people! How we have it made!!

What this means to me is that now it has become acceptable to live this way. It is on television, in magazines and showing up all around our family and friends. Their friends are talking about it. It is what the "in" crowd is now doing. It is the hottest way to live now..........off-the-grid, self-sufficient, self-reliant, homesteading, modern homesteading............all are showing up in the elite circles. Now our families are saying to their friends, "this is what our brother or sister is doing..............." They are actually bragging about us! Wow, life sure turns around at times doesn't it?

Cooking Breakfast This Morning!

Of course, I had to go through a lot of sacrifice to get this far. Most women, and a lot of men too, couldn't have done it. It hasn't been easy at times, and sometimes it has been like a bitter pill to swallow. It is something though now, I am extremely proud of. I have sacrificed and done it and now we are finally seeing some of our hard work come to an end.........well, not quite yet. But soon! In the very near future and most likely in this next year.

One Part Of Our Electric System!

In another post, I wrote about Living With An Alternative Energy System which explains the history of our system and how it has evolved over the years. Then in the following post, Part Two Of Our Alternative Energy System, I showed each component and explained how it worked. For more details on the system, please check out my other blog, Solar Baby. We started off small and it was a good thing. My husband was in a work related accident, which I am thanking God he was not killed. But he had his right elbow crushed. Your elbow is a very complex joint as the knee is also. So he has had to do the work on our place slowly and it gets to him. He is a worker and likes to get it done and move on to the next project. He is not one of those guys sitting on a coach with a beer! But we do see many of our earlier projects coming to an end soon. Most especially bringing the running water into our house. That is something we are both looking forward to!

Copyright © 2010  Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2010  Kathleen G. Lupole