guest article ( 1 of 2 articles today )

GUEST ARTICLE ( article 1 of 2 today )
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Off-Grid Living

I’m in Commiefornia. As I’m sure that many of you residing in

different states have heard, we’ve been having a lot of problems

with our grid system lately. Well, at least it’s mostly come in the

form of our primary utility company (Pacific Gas & Electric)

shutting down the grid in certain areas, mostly rural areas, due to

high wind conditions, and paranoia of fire hazzard. At least that’s

what we’re being told. There are many different theories out there,

but since I’m not up on them, I’ll refrain from commenting for 

now.

We were without power for a few days. It just came back on last

night, and it appears that it will be going down again in a day or so.

The 350lb, dead weight, affirmative action, PG&E, hillbilly chick

that we know (Cue up a mental image of Jethrine Bodine, from the 

Beverly hillbillies, and you’re 80% of the way there :D ) has

informed us that this will be an ongoing thing for the next decade.

Lessons I’ve learned.

Generators. If you’re dependent on a generator for back up (And

you shouldn’t be) have the following ready.

A generator. If you don’t already have one, but think that you will

be needing one, don’t wait. There were, I believe 80, in stock, just

at the home despot alone, within a 25 mile radius of where we

were. Following one day of power outage, there were none to be

found anywhere. For long term use, try to get an 1800rpm 

generator, as opposed to a 3600rpm generator.

A full tank of gas in the generator, and plenty of spare fuel cans

. Remember, the gas stations (along with practically everything 

else) will not be in working order. Yes, you can still drive out of the

area to get gas if need be, but must burn more gas in order to do so.

A spare pull rope. If the pull rope even looks remotely iffy, replace

it. Even if it doesn’t, have a spare. There’s an unwritten rule 

that states that when you need a generator the most, the pull rope

will break (Yes, this happened. Fortunately, it broke near the end

of the rope, and I was still able to use it).

Other accessories. Spare oil and a spare spark plug is also a good

idea. Really, anything that you think that you might need, should be

on hand. Larger generators, as is ours, can be difficult to start. 

Have a can of starting fluid handy in such cases.

The biggest problem with generators, is the constant 

inputs required to keep them going (Oil and gas, and remember, gas

is on average, $4 a gal in Commiefornia). Solar has no moving 

parts, and is long lasting. The main drawbacks for solar, is the

initial start up cost, and the cost of the batteries, inverters, etc. Still,

solar is the option to shoot for in the long run.

Water. We have a well for water. This means that when the power

goes out, we lose all water about a half hour later, whether we use it

or not. Yes, our generator does power our well, but again, in 

keeping with not having to rely on the generator, should it fail, have

spare jugs of water set aside.

Lighting. Flashlights. Also oil lamps, candles, and LED lanterns.

LED lighting is the safest alternative of the 3.

And most important of all. My decision to not be dependent on a

utility company for life’s basic necessities, has been reinforced. 

The topic came up about going off-grid. Our house, being of

modern construction, was not laid out in a way as to be 

independent of the grid. It gets very hot here in summer time, and

without AC, it would be a miserable existence. We do not have a

basement, but if we did, it would be easy enough to be independent

of AC.

For anyone considering purchasing a rural property (And I’m not 

suggesting that taking on a 30 year mortgage is a good idea in 

today’s economic climate) here are things that I would look for in a

home.

A basement. Most older homes have them, and to me at least, I

would consider this a necessary addition to homesteading.

A spring, pond, year round creek, etc, are all bonuses. Though not

necessary if you have a cistern set up to collect and store rain 

water. Look for a well that isn’t so deep, that it allows you to pump

water with an old style hand pump (This is something that every 

homesteader should have). It’s also not a bad idea to have a large

holding tank, for when the well is non-operative.

Nearby forests, ideally with hardwoods, that allow for the 

issuance of permits to harvest firewood. If not, then you might have

to find an alternative to heating/cooling (Earth tubes, Earth 

sheltered, etc).

You want to minimize your need for electric power. A solar oven

would be nice for when the sun is shining, but consider a gas range

stove, for when it’s not. An energy efficient washing machine

would be nice to have. A dryer is also nice to have, but optional

 (I’d forgo having one myself). There are also propane refrigerators

,but they are very expensive. So I’d go with the most energy

efficient electric refrigerator that I could find instead, and add a few

more solar panels to the mix.

The key is to minimize your power needs. Your main system

should be solar panels, and as most of you already know, that’s 

very limited (Unless of course you have thousands of dollars worth

of panels and deep cycle batteries) particularly in the winter time,

when they are operating at 10% efficiency, when the sun is absent.

I will be putting a similar plan into practice, but not at this place.

Currently, I’m a resident, here on the family farm, but I will be

moving on. I do not have the option for grid power on my remote

desert parcel. But even if I did, I would still choose to be off grid. I

plan on having a root cellar, possibly an ice house (Perhaps 

combine the two, if I can do so) as well as an earth sheltered abode.

My electrical system will consist of only a few solar panels, and

 maybe a couple of batteries. I have a low power, mini notebook 

PC, that I’ll be using when that time comes. I’ll probably opt for

one of those new fangled thermoelectric refrigerators (No

refrigerant, thermoelectric cooler/warmer which performs the

cooling or warming function by means of heat exchange theory) for

my minimal refrigeration needs. Water will be hauled initially, but

I’d really like to set up a cistern for the long term, if I can figure 

out a good, low cost way to do so.

Links

https://www.amazon.com/Wagan-12V-Cooler-Warmer-Capacity/dp/B00NHBYOA6/ref=pd_cp_265_1/141-5057262-4290910?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00NHBYOA6&pd_rd_r=ddd13a6b-5d1f-44b3-a7ff-888508a0a325&pd_rd_w=J9pcC&pd_rd_wg=wQotf&pf_rd_p=0e5324e1-c848-4872-bbd5-5be6baedf80e&pf_rd_r=N4N66QA6V4MAF81GJ479&psc=1&refRID=N4N66QA6V4MAF81GJ479

https://www.amazon.com/Westek-Emergency-Light-Pack-Plug/dp/B07C3Z61TQ/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=night+lights+with+battery+backup&qid=1572530878&sr=8-10

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HYG9FPT/ref=emc_b_5_i