W.TN "Off the Grid" Project~ - Page 2

ACecil · #11 04-19-2011, 01:30 PM

Really enjoyed the pics!

IAfarmer · #12 04-19-2011, 02:28 PM

We are looking into ways to provide back up, for when the grid goes down. Solar really isn't an option for what you get. I hope we can find an inexpensive wind generator that is not too ugly to look at.

Food storage, and plenty of hand tools is also another consideration. We also have a creek nearby, but I want to get a hand pump for the well.

This is a neat place.

Mountain Heritage · #13 04-19-2011, 03:14 PM

That is REALLY nice! I only wish I could have property like that. I think that would be the biggest thing I would miss.....hot shower and well....OCC for night time reading!!

Otherwise, I could live like that - especially if I didn't have to get up and go to work each day. Just get up, make your breakfast then head out to work in the field or in the shop. Not have to show up to work in an office and answer phones and deal with day to day CRAP from the world! Thanks VERY MUCH for sharing!

mikepc · #14 04-19-2011, 05:24 PM

I probably would miss the hot showers but would sure enjoy being self supporting and not having to pay the hydro. Would likely go with solar and wind power for the day to day life. I'd love to try it anyway.

Tractor2nv · #15 04-20-2011, 08:01 AM

The barn has 42' header beam logs and check out inside the smoke house.

jbollis · #16 04-21-2011, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IAfarmer

We are looking into ways to provide back up, for when the grid goes down. Solar really isn't an option for what you get. I hope we can find an inexpensive wind generator that is not too ugly to look at.

Food storage, and plenty of hand tools is also another consideration. We also have a creek nearby, but I want to get a hand pump for the well.

This is a neat place.

I have always thought that a generator head run by belt from a "hit n miss" would be the way to go if possible. I haven't really done enough figuring to see if it even feasible. But if it is, the sound of an old hit n miss would be allot more tolerable than a modern engine . I would think allot cheaper to run also.

IAfarmer · #17 04-22-2011, 09:28 AM

That's a good idea. They run forever on a gallon of fuel and with the pulleys can pull a lot of torque. I might start looking into that. Thanks for the idea.

hilltop · #18 04-22-2011, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbollis

I have always thought that a generator head run by belt from a "hit n miss" would be the way to go if possible. I haven't really done enough figuring to see if it even feasible.

It sure is - At PowerLand in Brooks Oregon, they've got a Hit & Miss hooked up to an equally antique generator - it supplies power to run the motor on the ice cream maker, lights and a refrigerator.

red211 · #19 05-05-2011, 11:24 PM

If you have running water using it to run a gen could be the best way. I have a chance to buy a little land that has a 24/7 spring that you can drink and a creek that runs 365 on the back side with all the creek gravel a man could sell. Now if I only had the money to buy it, or the guts, but with things like they are I don't want to owe a dime more than I do now. Sure would sell this house and be gone if the wife would, it's only 20 minutes north from here. Sure is pretty, dang it. I look at that running creek thinking how much power I could sell back to the electric company, after years of paying them.

mc25a · #20 05-30-2011, 04:43 PM

I read a book once by a guy that built a small hydroelectric system back in the 70's. He built a pond at the highest part of his property and ran a water line down to a turbine. He was in Maine I think and had 800' of vertical fall from his pond to the turbine so he had plenty of pressure. He had a way to calculate it and I don't remember what that was, but the less head (fall) you had the more volume of water it took. It would be neat though to have that thing running all the time.