Solar powered lighting ??

[offgrid]

Thanks for the tip Offgrid. In your opinion, would it be easier to set up a cabin in 110VAC or 12VDC? The plan is to be 100% self-sufficient. Mostly solar and maybe some wind turbines depending on the area.

I would want enough power to run basic appliances like fridge and freezer, etc. Is that reasonable? I know fridge and freezer draw lots of current.

Thanks

If you are planning to run a fridge, freezer... set it up for 120/240vac.

Our offgrid home is wired 120/240vac.

100% self-sufficient would be tough, I'm married! Use about 300 gallons of propane a year for cooking, dryer, and radiant heat (boiler). Have solar hot water collectors for domestic hot water, works well, covers about 90% of our hot water needs. If I were to build again, would use solar hot water collectors for heating as well.

[HoneyBadger]

If you are planning to run a fridge, freezer... set it up for 120/240vac.

Our offgrid home is wired 120/240vac.

100% self-sufficient would be tough, I'm married! Use about 300 gallons of propane a year for cooking, dryer, and radiant heat (boiler). Have solar hot water collectors for domestic hot water, works well, covers about 90% of our hot water needs. If I were to build again, would use solar hot water collectors for heating as well.

How well do the solar water heaters work? My wife takes EXTREMELY hot showers... the water temp is too hot for me.. But she can't seem to shake this "necessity". Could you run your water line through a solar heater before running it through a standard hot water heater (like a 20gal tank) to save on gas?

[offgrid]

How well do the solar water heaters work? My wife takes EXTREMELY hot showers... the water temp is too hot for me.. But she can't seem to shake this "necessity". Could you run your water line through a solar heater before running it through a standard hot water heater (like a 20gal tank) to save on gas?

Weekend cabin or full-time?

[HoneyBadger]

Weekend cabin or full-time?

Weekend cabin, hunting trips, etc unless the SHTF. Then full time