Other than macmuz that is...
So mac and others, how do you manage food, water, power, etc.?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Anybody here living completely off the grid (accept for internet service...)?
Other than macmuz that is...
So mac and others, how do you manage food, water, power, etc.?
Inquiring minds want to know.
~Nemo me impune lacessit~
To have internet, computer needs electricity.
My laptop's power supply's output is 18.5v and 3.5 amps. I know one guy who lived off the grid and was online; he went to the library.
You can off the grid and have plenty of power - solar, wind or hydro power.
Get your internet, phone and tv via a dish... and live anywhere.
That's kind of my dream - live in the mountains - totally self-sufficient (or as close as possible).
~Nemo me impune lacessit~
You cannot have ANY kind of "service" at all and think you are off the grid.
Off the grid means nobody even knows where you are.
Originally Posted by O.S.O.K.
You pretty well have to be rich to live comfortably without regular electricity. Solar systems are expensive to purchase and maintain and with the cost of fuel, generators are not any better.
I consider myself “off the grid“. but there is electric polls running through my property. and I am hooked up to them.
I just put up an antenna and a repeater so I was able to get away from satellite internet and am currently using verizon. I think we pay around $60 a month. That compared to satellite that was running us around $80 a month
I have my own well, so as long as I have electricity I have an endless supply of fresh water. but by no means is it cheep. In this area it is about $10,000 for the initial well and figure about 2,000 every 5 years for repairs.
The bottom line is it can be done and you can live comfortably but it is by no means a cheep way to go. and unless you want to live like a mountain man with none of the modern amenities you will always be tied in.
My uncle has 10 acres of land outside of Albuquerque New Mexico he has offered me the land as a gift.
This is undeveloped land that his mother bought back in the 70's and it has not had anything done with since.
I'm considering moving there after the GF and I are done with school and work on developing the land for ourselves as a retreat and possibly buy up more of the acreage out there.
I can grow what I need for vegetables and raise animals for food.Solar,wind and maybe propane.I don't need a phone or internet really to live but for entertainment and information purposes I would have.
Living completely off the grid is rough and very back to basics.
NRA, TSRA, GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA
BEING THE MODERATOR OF THE ROADHOUSE IS LIKE BEING THE JANITOR OF A PEEP SHOW.
Strictly speaking, yes, being off the grid means no connections, but I guess I'm talking about being independent and not NEEDING outside resources...
And yes, you either have to have enough financial resources squirreled away or have some kind of on-location way of making a living - like having a web site to sell custom hard cast bullets that you make - or something like that.
Its not that expensive to have enough photovoltaic and wind generators to be self sufficient in power... you can do that for around $5000 or even less. And add another couple thousand for a good backup generator and you are there. The generator would be something that is needed only every so often... and could be powered by propane.
Water is from a well and yes, you have a green house or gardens with chickens, goats, some cattle, etc. for protein.
Not that I'd want to be isolated - just self suficient so that I wouldn't have to have outside help most of the time.
Of course, the reality of needing healthcare comes into the picture - especially as you get older...
~Nemo me impune lacessit~
Use the web to check prices.
The prices of wind generators I've seen don't include the tower installation and wiring. There is a word amortize or "to gradually reduce or write off the cost or value of (as an asset)"
I guess what I am saying is if it was that cheap; a lot of people would have done it.
It may run more than $5K - guess it depends on the amount of electricity you need ongoing... The areas that I'd like to locate (mountains) don't require a/c and if you get the right area, a wood burning stove will take care of the heating - cooking too if you want...
Here's a wind generator for $4000 (so yeah, my $5K is too low - make it $10K... but still - no electric bill every month?) http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...4243_200334243
You'd also need the photovoltaic cells, converter and bank of deep cycle batteries to store the power - and for full non-interrupted power, a backup generator.
~Nemo me impune lacessit~
....with capabilities to count the ridges on the side of a dime from space , your never really off the grid ! Only cave dwellers will avoid detection ! Many will never survive the man-made super viruses that will bring about the need for the chip . Once your identified with the implantable chip you'll be given your inocculation / cure ! If not , oh well ...
Damit who the fuck let your red ass in here? You're the fucking virus.
~Nemo me impune lacessit~
Heat, A/C during the day (I live on a mountain), well, etc.. Add them up.
You'll need climbers and a crane also.
"Ultra-quiet wind turbine delivers 1000 Watts of power at 26 MPH. Includes controller to protect turbine. U.S.A."
I live on a mountain and I have a weather station. That is 1000 watts at 26 MPH; just how often does the wind average 26 MPH? Hint, not often it doesn't average 13 MPH much either.. So if you live where the wind averages 26 MPH go for it; if it averages 13 MPH output is probably 1/2 that 1000 watts. Now if it averages 6 MPH?
As usual the answer is always in the numbers..
Printerman,
O.S.O.K. is talking about living in a house using the wind to power it.. He posted a picture of this big white thing which will be spinning up on a tower.. Somehow I doubt he plans on hiding it with camouflage netting or concealing himself in a cave with this big a$$ wire running from the tower to his location...
Don't be offended but just what on Earth are you talking about??
You know
Top, old p-man has a screw loose..just ignore him.
We will cut our enemies down in droves
Our fires will be the substance of their nightmares
The fields of the dead shall serve as evidence of our passing
And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts
And I looked and behold, a pale horse
And his name that sat on him was Death
And Hell followed with him.
Dawg,
Ex-11B.
Plus by that post it sounds as if he is hallucinating so we can help him have a bad trip..
How many ridges are on that dime?
Back on subject.
The best systems use solar wind and gas. Several years ago I checked into them, the system I was looking at installing would have cost me about $60,000. That would not be too bad but the life expectancy was around ten years and a lot shorter for the batteries. I’m sure the technology is better now and the prices may have come down. but IMO $60,000 for ten years is just not worth it. besides you will still be dependent for batteries and parts during that ten years before it needs replaced.
IMO
As long as you have something that requires that much maintenance, you will never really be “independent and not NEEDING outside resources”
My biggest thing would just be refrigeration and freezing ability.
Other than that, everything else is not much different from camping.
IMO
A propane refrigerator is the best way to go.
Last edited by Blacksmith; 07-30-2010 at 10:58 PM.
Some industrial plants use electric forklifts and the batteries are top notch but if a company can not get a full 8hrs off 1 charge then they usually sell them dirt cheap. They work great in these sorts of applications.
FBHO
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