Higher Octave: Homesteading Simply

The costs of off-grid systems have come down over the years. However, solar power is still no small investment. But there are significant savings to be had by reducing our electric energy footprint. So, to put first things first, we’ll take a look at ways we can reduce electricity needs.

This is the sixth episode of the Going Off-Grid series. To start at the beginning, go to episode 9, Going Off-Grid – Introduction.

Show notes: https://higher-octave.com/15

Listen to the Podcast

 

Replace Electrical Devices With More Energy Efficient Ones

Lights

One of the simplest and quickest ways to reduce electricity needs is to replace the old-style incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs with light emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs have the following benefits:

* Maximum Light Efficiency: In the last 5 years alone, LEDs have jumped from around 60 lumens per watt (lm/W) to certain products getting close to 150 lumens per watt. (Lumens per watt is a measure of efficiency, like miles per gallon in a car.) Compare LEDs to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) with 55-70 lumens per watt, or traditional incandescent bulbs with 13-18 lumens per watt, and the LED advantage is as bright as day. And the technology just keeps getting better and cheaper.

* Long-Lasting: They are notable for being extremely long-lasting products. Many LEDs have a rated life of up to 50,000 hours. This is approximately 50 times longer than a typical incandescent, 20-25 times longer than most halogens, and 8-10 times longer than a typical CFL. Used 12 hours a day, a 50,000 bulb will last more than 11 years. Used 8 hours a day, it will last 17 years!

* Reduced Heat Output: LED lights have the ability to turn the majority of their energy into light. While this saves electricity, it also means your LED light bulbs are emitting significantly less heat than traditional bulbs. This reduction in heat means your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard during the summer. And many LEDs don’t generate any infrared light, which is also a source of heat.

* Durable: Traditional and fluorescents bulbs are made out of fragile glass and must be handled with care. LEDs are manufactured to resist vibrations and impact damage.

* Variety: LEDs are commonly referred to as full-spectrum lighting. The bright light they produce improves our perception of our surroundings. In addition, they are available in many light configurations, including UV, infrared and plant lights. They are also available in many base types and sizes.

* No Toxic Mercury: You’ve seen the warnings on the boxes of fluorescent tubes; CONTAINS MERCURY! There is an entire protocol for what needs to be done if a fluorescent bulb is broken. LEDs contain no mercury and are overall more durable than fluorescent tubes.

LED Plant Lights

I also use LED plant lights. I’ve done a lot of experimenting with them and some of the features I look for are:

* A very thin profile to economize my plant shelf space.

* No fans. Even “quiet” fans can be a distraction.

* LEDs that are spread over a broad area to more evenly distribute the light.

* Though infrared does not directly help with photosynthesis, the extra warmth does seem to help with seed germination.

* Finally, plant LEDs MUST include UV. Again, this has nothing to do with photosynthesis, but it does provide protection against white mold and other fungus and bacteria.

The KINGBO 45W LED Grow Light meets all of these criteria and it is reasonably priced. Check it out.

Appliances

The EPA’s ENERGY STAR Program was created to help identify the best ways to save energy.

In order to build more familiarity with off-grid solar systems, we take a high-level overview of my home solar system.

House Cleaning

Blog Subscription & Contact Forms Now Fixed

You can subscribe to the Higher Octave blog -> HERE.

You can contact me via the form -> HERE.

Selecting a Homestead Location

It’s been requested that I organize all the Selecting a Homestead Location episodes into one sweet little bundle of info. You can view that page -> HERE.

This is the fifth episode in the Going Off-Grid series. To start at the beginning, go to episode 9, Going Off-Grid – Introduction.

Show notes: https://higher-octave.com/14

Warning!!!

All content of this podcast and/or blog is for educational purposes only. Use at your own risk. Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects involving electricity, construction and associated tools can damage equipment, void property insurance & product warranties, be dangerous and even fatal to yourself and others. Proper safety procedures should be followed at all times. YOU take full responsibility for your actions. I take NO responsibility for any results of your actions or lack thereof. Do your own due diligence!

Listen to the Podcast

Overview of My Home Solar System (Video Portion)

Main Components of My Home Solar System

Though these components make up my home solar system, I do not necessarily recommend or endorse all of them. I’ve learned a lot since installing this system and there are many variables that go into designing a system for your unique situation. As we cover each component in greater detail in future episodes, what will work for your application may become more apparent.

* IronRidge 3” Ground Mount System @ 56 Degree Tilt

* 24 ReneSola 305W JC305M-24/Ab Panels (8 strings of 3, 2 arrays)

* Outback Radian GS8048 Inverter/Charger 48 VDC – 8KW 120/240 VAC

* Outback Load Center GSLC175-PV-120/240 w/FNDC

* Outback MATE3 System Display and Controller

* 2 Outback Flexmax 80s MPPT 80 Amp Charge Controllers

* Outback Battery Temperature Sensor

* OutBack Communications Hub HUB10.3, 10 Ports

* Outback FWPV-12 Combiner Box, 8 strings, 2 Midnite Solar Surge Protectors on 2 runs

* 48V 750AH GB Industrial Battery (24-125-13) w/watering system

* Yanmar Slow-Turning 5KW 120/240 VAC Diesel Generator

* Generac XT8000E 8KW 120/240 VAC Gasoline Generator

Some Pix of My Home Solar System

Series vs Parallel

I mentioned in the video that I would provide links to understanding series and parallel wiring. I also mentioned that I would provide pictures and diagrams of my solar system. As it turns out, this became a great opportunity to kill a few birds with one stone. I wrote an article entitled, How & Why to Wire Solar Panels in Parallel or in Series. So all the information on series and parallel, along with images and diagrams of my system are neatly packaged in that one article.

Much of the Higher Octave audience would consider themselves “self-reliant” or “self-sufficient”, or at least striving to be so. I, too, am in that camp. But a series of recent personal events has caused me to consider a balance to this approach to life.

This episode is quite “off the cuff” and interrupts the Going Off-Grid series. But I felt compelled to share.

See below for notes.

And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken. ~Ecclesiastes 4:12, Holman Christian Standard Bible

I want you to be concerned about your next door neighbor. Do you know your next door neighbor? ~Mother Teresa

There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. ~Proverbs 18:24, New Living Translation

All will concede that in order to have good neighbors, we must also be good neighbors. That applies in every field of human endeavor. ~Harry S. Truman

Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real. ~Thomas Merton

Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer. ~Ed Cunningham

To character and success, two things, contradictory as they may seem, must go together – humble dependence and manly independence; humble dependence on God and manly reliance on self. ~William Wordsworth

Coming Up

We will return to the Going Off-Grid series with an overview of my current off-grid home system.

To automatically receive future episodes, please subscribe to the Higher Octave podcast.

Be a friend and, of course, be well.

How do we get our typical household 120 VAC current from a 12-volt battery? Let’s take a look at a simple inverted system which provides that function.

Warning!!!

All content of this podcast and/or blog is for educational purposes only. Use at your own risk. Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects involving electricity, construction and associated tools can damage equipment, void property insurance & product warranties, be dangerous and even fatal to yourself and others. Proper safety procedures should be followed at all times. YOU take full responsibility for your actions. I take NO responsibility for any results of your actions or lack thereof. Do your own due diligence!

See further below for notes and additional YouTube video.

In the previous episode, Basic System with a Battery, there were a few limitations/problems:

* It required a voltage-matched solar module

* With a larger solar panel, it was subject to overcharging the battery once the battery was fully charged

* A higher-voltage PV module would over charge the battery

* It did not supply 120 VAC home power

With our new off-grid system configuration, we will rectify all four of those issues.

This is the forth episode in the Going Off-Grid series. To start at the beginning, go to episode 9, Going Off-Grid – Introduction.

Going Off-Grid – Simple Inverted System – Video Portion

Our New Example Configuration

1. Solar Panel

We have replaced the small 12-volt trickle charger solar panel with a 72.5 watt First Solar FS-272 monocrystalline solar panel. Its MPP voltage is 67.9 and MPP amps is 1.07. We will focus on solar panel technology in more detail later.

2. Solar Charge Controller

This is a new addition to our example configuration – Renogy Rover 20A MPPT Charge Controller.

* Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)

* Nominal System Voltage: 12V/24V Auto Recognition

* Rated Battery Current: 20A

* Maximum Solar Input Voltage: 100 VDC

* Maximum Solar Input Power: 12V @ 260W; 24V @ 520W

Renogy is a solar equipment manufacturer in the sweet spot of smaller systems. This charge controller has many additional features I didn’t cover in the video. I really like their products. You can view this and other Renogy products on Amazon -> here.

3. Battery

We are using the same 12 volt deep cycle marine battery as in the last video. Deep cycle batteries, though using the same lead acid technology, are different from car batteries. Deep cycle batteries can be discharged more deeply and more often than a car battery. Car batteries can put out more power for shorter periods of time (cold cranking amps). We will cover batteries in more detail in a later episode.

4. Inverter

Cobra CPI-2575 2500 Watt 12 Volt DC to 120 Volt AC Power Inverter is another addition to our example configuration. Since we didn’t have power on site while building our home, this inverter provided ALL of our power needs for months before we put in our whole house off-grid system. It ran everything from coffee machines to saws to air compressors with absolutely no problems whatsoever. You can view this and other Cobra Inverters on Amazon -> here. I’ve also been very happy with Bestek Inverters, which you can view on Amazon -> here. We will cover other types of inverters in more detail further into the series.

5. Load

Instead of the 12-volt DC fan, we now have a standard household 120-volt AC power drill.

Schematic

The diagram for this configuration is slightly larger than the previous system,

When we rely on solar power for our off-grid system, how can we have power when the sun isn’t shining? Let’s take a look at a very basic system with a battery.

This is the third episode in the Going Off-Grid series. To start at the beginning, go to episode 9, Going Off-Grid – Introduction.

See further below for notes and additional YouTube video.

Let’s jump right into the video…

Going Off-Grid – Basic System with a Battery – Video Portion

Our New Configuration

Now we add a 12-volt deep cycle battery to our previous setup, which included a small 12-volt nominal (18.8 volt maximum) solar panel trickle charger directly connected to a 12-volt fan.

Diagram

The schematic for this configuration is still very simple:

In the last episode I oversimplified the concept of “pushing” electrons by the solar panel into the battery. Now that I’ve separated the negative and positive cables, we can now see a more accurate description of the charging process: The solar panel “sucks” electrons from the positive terminal of the battery, then “pushes” them into the negative terminal of the battery.

So now we have a way to store energy for when we don’t have the sun providing it for us. However, there are some problems with this configuration. We’ll address those in our next episode.

Handy Stuff

Bulk Connectors

* Cheaper

* Convenient

Here’s a handy set of small solderless bulk connectors:

Crimpers

When installing connectors, we will need a crimping tool to install them. Larger connectors require a tremendous amount of force, so I use a hydraulic crimper. These are relatively inexpensive. If I were doing this full time, I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase one of the more automated expensive ones, but this works great for the part time do-it-yourselfer:

For smaller connecters, this wire stripper/crimper works just fine. And it’s also useful for home wiring.

Heat Shrink & Gun

Heat shrink is a great upgrade over electrical tape. It comes in many different colors, sizes and thicknesses:

A hair dryer can be used to heat the shrink tape, but a heat gun is very effective and can be used for other types of projects:

Coming Up

How do we get regular household power from a 12-volt battery? We’ll answer that question in the next episode, Simple Inverted System.

If you would like to automatically receive all future Higher Octave podcast episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes.

As always, be well.

What is the simplest solar system? Let’s take a look at one. Though it will not take our entire house off-grid, we can get our feet wet as we work towards understanding off-grid systems.

This is the second episode of the Going Off-Grid series. To start at the beginning, see the Introduction.

See further below for notes and additional YouTube video.

I’m anxious to dive into a very simple PV system, but first…

How I Use Podcasts

I’m a huge consumer of podcasts. They are an efficient way of utilizing some of the time I spend throughout the day. I can be mowing the lawn, gardening or building a solar array and still keep up with current events, educate myself on some new topic or just be entertained.

However, podcasts have their limitations. They are largely audio-only. Though iTunes and other podcast directories support video files, it is still not practical to do video podcasts.

And I Also Use YouTube

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video is worth millions. That’s why I’m also a big user of YouTube.

So, we are going to do something a little different with this episode – an experiment, if you will.

Show Notes

I often refer to the “show notes”. They can be very helpful. They often contain additional information not included in the podcast. Sometimes I forget to mention something. Or I’ve included a link to an online resource. Sometimes I provide pictures or diagrams. In this case, I’m going to include a YouTube video that demonstrates a most basic example of a solar system.

To find the Show Notes for the current episode, there may be a link in your podcast player. If not, the Show Notes for each episode are located on higher-octave.com/[episode #]. Since this is episode 10, the URL for the notes is https://higher-octave.com/10.

And you can always go to https://higher-octave.com/ to view all of the podcast episodes and show notes listed, the most recent first.

So, now we will get into the video portion of the podcast. If you are driving or something else that requires your attention, just make a mental note to return to the show notes later.

Off-Grid – Most Basic Example – Video Portion

In this video we have the most basic example of a solar system. It is only composed of two components:

* 12 Volt Solar Panel Trickle Charger: 18.8V Max * 170 mA = 3.2 W

* 12 Volt DC Fan

Abrupt Ending

Sorry, it was hot and my iPad overheated, but I was wrapping it up, anyway.

Diagram

The electrical diagram of this system is very simple. This diagram will grow with each episode, as we add more components.

A Couple More Videos on Electricity

These two videos are a bit more technical and approach previously presented concepts in a slightly different way:

What is Voltage? Let’s start here. Lesson 1 of 2

AC and DC power: Voltage Lesson 2 of 2

Upcoming

In the next episode, we will address how we can have power when the sun isn’t shining.

If you get value out of this podcast, please share with your friends and, most importantly, be well.

One of the most frequent questions I get is, “How do I go off-grid?” This is the first episode in a new series that will help YOU answer that question.

See notes below.

I’m no renewable energy expert. I’m not a certified electrician. I don’t even play one on TV. Does that seem like an odd way to start out a series that claims to help you to go off-grid? Well, I’ve taken two of my homes entirely off the electrical grid and built a few smaller systems. As a layperson, if I can do it, maybe you can do it, too.

That being said…

Warning!!!

All content of this podcast and/or blog is for educational purposes only. Use at your own risk. Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects involving electricity, construction and associated tools can damage equipment, void property insurance and product warranties, be dangerous and even fatal to yourself and others. Proper safety procedures should be followed at all times. YOU take full responsibility for your actions. I take NO responsibility for any results of your actions or lack thereof. Do your own due diligence!

House Cleaning

In the last episode, we finished up the series on Selecting a Homestead Location. If you are looking for a homestead or bug-out location, it would be well worth your time to check out that series which starts with Core Values.

I was on Facebook shortly after  posting the last episode and one of those “On this day” notifications popped up. It reminded me of a home listing I had posted years ago and got me to thinking. Here are a few things to consider when selling your old home:

List with an Agent?

Personally, I don’t use real estate agents to sell my properties. This approach may not be for everyone. A good agent can save you a lot of time and effort. A good agent will also make helpful suggestions on what to do with your home to make it more marketable. But good agents are hard to find. Look at their current listings. Do they have good photos and descriptions? I’ve even seen listings with the photos displayed sideways or upside down! Would you want to even look at the properties they have listed?

Sell Your Home Yourself

* Infotube – Free & optional upgrades

* Web site? You can even get a free site at WordPress

* Facebook & Instagram

* Craigslist

* Word of mouth

* Specialty/niche listing services, e.g. prepper, off-grid sites

* Offer 3% buyer’s agent commission?

Prepare Your Home for Sale – Staging

* Clean & de-clutter

* De-personalize

* Take many high-quality pictures

Writing the Contract

* Buyer’s mortgage and closing company will require it

* An agent will do this for you

* Real Estate Contracts by State

Defining Off-Grid

For our purposes, we will define going off-grid as detaching from the electrical grid. The focus will be primarily upon solar power, though we will touch upon other sources such as wind and hydro.

Reasons for Going Off-Grid

* Prices – There have been dramatic price decreases over the years – 13 Charts On Solar Panel Cost & Growth Trends 

* Incentives:

Federal Renewable Energy Tax Credit

Federal Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit

When selecting a homestead, evaluating a specific property is where the rubber meets the road. So far, you have invested time and effort into:

* Core Values

* Counting the Costs

* Choosing a Region 

* Finding Your Property 

When evaluating a specific property, that work can now begin to pay off.

See notes below.

Good, but inexpensive property goes fast. If you have applied the steps provided in this series, you should be familiar enough with the market to recognize an opportunity. This will enable you to move on it quickly before your competition snatches it up.

Tools for Evaluating a Specific Property

* GPS – Here’s my favorite on Amazon: Garmin Nuvi 67LM 6-Inch GPS Navigator

* Pen, paper & folder

* Camera – Not the cheapest, but awesome: Canon EOS Rebel T6 Digital SLR Camera

* Compass – This cheap one works just fine: Levenhuk DC45 Compass

* Measuring tapes (100’ & 16/25’) – This is the handiest tape measure: Komelon SL2825 Self Lock 25-Foot Power Tape. And this is my goto 100′ tape: Komelon 100’Long Steel Tape Measure.

* Shovel

* Ph soil tester – Very handy around the homestead: Soil pH Meter

Acreage

The amount you actually need will depend upon features list and the usability of the land.

Evaluating a Specific Property’s Soil

Soil is a critical foundation for any homestead. Buying soil, even in bulk, can get very expensive, very quickly. Augmenting soil can also be expensive and time consuming. Here are a few things to consider when evaluating a specific property’s soil:

* Contamination?

* Non-compacted, airy, breathable

* Dark soil normally good

* Smell

* Ph

* Nutrients

* Clay vs loamy – a rich, friable soil containing a relatively equal mixture of sand and silt and a somewhat smaller proportion of clay.

* Sand

* Depth

* Rock?

* Have tested?

Evaluating a Specific Property’s Terrain & Topography

* Flat vs hilly

* Woods vs pasture

* Flood zone

* South facing area for garden and/or solar

Privacy, Security & Safety

* Current privacy become non-private?

* Natural disasters

* Interview neighbors

* Road frontage vs flag lots

* Escape route?

Evaluating a Specific Property’s Infrastructure

* Raw land? – As I mentioned in the episode, this product is very useful for securing mulch from being washed out, especially on steep slopes: Mulch lock

* House

* Paved roads

* Bridge weight limit restrictions

* Fences/gates

* Irrigation hydrants

* Green house

* Storage, barns, sheds & awnings

* Fuel tanks

* Driveways

* Fire breaks

* Garden beds

* Pond or creek

* Overall condition – Bad smell can be a huge turn off for home buyers, but can create great opportunities. This machine can eliminate almost any smell: A2Z Ozone Aqua 6 Multi Purpose Ozone Generator.

In the next episode, wrapping up the Selecting a Homestead Location series,

Though it can take some time, finding your property can be fun. And it can be rewarding in other ways. There is no hurry. There are always deals to be had. Time spent up front can refine your features list and build familiarity with the market, which will help you identify a truly good deal. We’ll take a look at some ways to help in your homestead search.

See notes below.

A Little House Cleaning

In the previous episode, Choosing a Region, I forgot to mention a few important considerations:

Taxes

Income, sales and real estate taxes can vary greatly across states, counties and municipalities. If you want to keep more of your hard-earned money, you may want to take taxes into account when selecting your homestead location. This map may be a helpful guide for taxes: State-by-State Guide to Taxes. A low income tax rate is one of the reasons we are in Alabama. Low real estate taxes is why we live in Talladega County.

Cost of Living

The cost of living can swing significantly from state to state, and from urban to rural areas. Take a look at this map to see which areas may be more affordable: A map of the most expensive and cheapest states to live. This is another reason we live in Alabama.

Population Density

This map of population distribution in the United States was an important factor in our moving to Idaho and is still an significant reason why we live where we do now.

Finding Your Property

Now, with your features list in hand, you are now ready to find your property. Take notes on properties. This can help you refine and prioritize your features list. Apart from using the power of the internet to assist in finding your property, here are a few more suggestions:

Drive Around

This is one of our favorite ways to look for properties. It is “quality time” for us. It gives us plenty of opportunity for deep discussions, including those about our future property. It also helps:

* Become familiar with the market

* Find for-sale-by-owners that aren’t listed anywhere else except a sign in the yard. Some of the best deals aren’t even listed for sale.

* Get the “feel” of different areas

Get the Word Out

* Network – Let your family, friends and co-workers know you are in the market and what you are looking for

* Post on craigslist, Facebook, local papers, etc

Finding Your Property via Online Search Tools

* Trulia

* Zillow

Knock on Doors

Don’t be afraid to knock on doors – again, some of the best deals aren’t even listed for sale. And you aren’t just purchasing a piece of property. You are buying into a neighborhood. So, get to know your potential neighbors.

Real Estate Agents

* As a buyer, a real estate agent is available at no charge to you, but never sign an exclusive with a buyers agent. And, as a buyer, there is nothing to keep you from using multiple agents.

* Bad ones will waste your time and money. The rare good one will save both.

Other Considerations

Foreclosed Properties

Be careful with foreclosed properties:

* Right of Redemption – varies by state

* Banks can tie up large cash earnest payments

* Banks are often in no hurry

Distant Locations

This episode, Choosing a Region, is the fourth installment of the Selecting a Homestead Location series.

In the previous episode, Counting the Costs, I talked about using an Excel spreadsheet to project your homestead costs. You can simplify the spreadsheet building process by downloading this Free Construction Project Management Templet. It may also give you additional items you hadn’t considered.

See notes below.

As the business adage goes: It’s all about location, location, location. This is especially true for choosing a region for our homestead.

There is no perfect region for all homesteaders. Or even a perfect area for you. There are pros and cons to all states. You have to find the region that works for you.

A big welcome to our Australian listener.

International vs Domestic

Most people aren’t even going to consider moving to a foreign country for their homestead. But if you are one of the few, there are a number of things you may want to consider:

* Language

* Culture

* Time

* Expense

* Currency & banking

* Product & services availability

* Passport, visas, residency, retirement, citizenship, etc

Choosing a Region – Climate

Climate will be a major factor when choosing a region for your homestead. But keep in mind that it can be a double-edged sword. When choosing your region, think carefully about the following:

* Growing season

* Humidity

* Rainfall

* Elevation

* Micro-climates

* Wind

One important note on climate: Without electricity and air conditioning, it is easier to keep warm in a cold climate than to stay cool in a hot climate. Collecting firewood for a wood stove is a simple way to stay cozy and warm during the winter. But staying cool during the summer without air conditioning can be much more challenging.

Choosing a Region – Regulations

Regulations can greatly limit what we can do with our homestead and increase the costs and time to complete. Many homesteads have failed primarily due to government rules. Some states have regulations that will curtail your homestead efforts, but most restrictions are imposed at the county and municipal levels. Be on the lookout for:

* Zoning

* Building restrictions

* Building permits

* Approvals

* Livestock limitations

* Water rights

* Inspections

* Certifications

* HOA’s

If you have children, is quality education available? Or, if schooling yourself, are there regulations that will negatively impact a homeschooling family?

Also be on the lookout for possible annexations. It can be a little more than frustrating to purchase a property which started with total freedom, only to have that freedom denied with a municipal annexation.

Remoteness & Isolation

Some people seem to thrive in isolation, but this is more the exception than the rule. Others will have family or friends joining them on the homestead. Maybe this will provide enough human interaction to sustain them.  There could be conveniences we don’t realize may actually be important to us until we are without them. Some things, from the frivolous to the life-saving, may be more significant to us than we give them credit. Seriously contemplate how a remote homestead will impact you and your family. Can you do without conveniently located:

* Job opportunities

* Shopping – groceries, building supplies, farm supplies, etc

* Family & friends

* Airport

* Hospital

* Culture, restaurants & entertainment

What else may you miss? How much will you miss it?