We first purchased a straight sided carport 20×26. Due to the location they would not erect it on site, we had to buy it as a package price. Saved 5% in the process. After much consideration material for inside and out is sheet metal. A local builder sold me his scrap rigid insulation 22x64x1.5 inches 400 square feet for 25.00, love it when we get a good deal. Found five thermo insulated windows 32×60 at a local lumber yard without screens for 50.00 each. B-class insulated doors with 9 panel glass for 45.00 each. The floor is built out of pressure treated floor joist and plywood. Didn’t get a good deal on that part.
Two types of power will be utilized, solar and propane generator. I bought the solar panels and controls from harbor freight, 45 watts each at a cost of $150.00, propane generator 375.00, best price I could find. Local propane dealer delivered the 500 gallon tank for $100.00 plus $50.00 a year lease. Can’t afford to fill it up right now so will have them deliver about 300 gallons and see how far it goes, $2.47 a gallon right now.
I am using a sand point well with an above ground pump and pressure tank. To keep from having to run the generator every time we want water I am building a water tower out of an agriculture plastic tank. I will also be using one just like it for my septic tank.
Propane fridge, and propane dryer. With the river and a creek that never runs dry keeping grandkids in dry clean clothes is a must.
Between inverter, Solar Cells, led lights, wood stove, and oil lamps I hope to rarely hear that generator running.
Will be breaking ground this weekend, will have more posting as we move along, also will upload pictures and videos.
20 Responses
Can I live off-grid, to build a small home on my land, and use solar wind and my creek For water? Do I have to tell anyone? County? Anyone? Cause I don’t want to
Does anyone know where to get a hydro generator, are they all DC , to battery, then convert to AC power.
Do you grow your own food as well? My fiance and I are really busting our butts to get out of this rat maze within the next two years but it may be postponed due to us having a baby this next July. I really want to offer my children a conscious way of living, I’ve been researching for awhile now about land and we are out of Iowa, the land here is so expensive. Thinking about Missouri. If any of you out there have your own gardens, where are you located? Do you go to your local markets to sell? Always can turn your talents into a paycheck, even if off-grid!
Octobermike1988@gmail.com
I am from chickasha Oklahoma, I was in the Army infantry for 5 years, and my main area of study was survival and evasion. I have many survival skills and tricks that would be useful in the wilderness. I am not looking at buying a cabin or camper to live off the grid I want to take a few necessary items and literally start from nothing. If anyone else has a location and would be interested in doing this with me please email me.
Hello Michael. I am going to buy a small farm outside OKC this year and get some pigs and chickens and goats and whatnot and start moving towards sustainability. Perhaps we could help one another.
love your site…please keep us updated. working on converting motorhome to solar and want to eventually live totally off-grid…learning alot from your post and other peoples comments .very interesting. keep up the good work
I’m living in a small town that’s become openly corrupt. I want to become self sufficient so that I can remove all utilities and stop being raped by local criminals. Can you instruct me on how to do this since I can’t get anyone in this one goat town to back me up?
This may be a dumb comment, but I have been looking to see where in the U.S. it would be allowed for someone to live “off the grid,” and except for this, the net suggests that it is illegal to do so.
Terlingua Texas has zero building codes…..
Dont have alot of money but we have heart and skills.krystal
I really like your attitude. I am learning from you.
Woodburning stove, solar generator, hand wash clothes (or a wonderwash: manual washer) and a clothes line saves from using gas and cuts water usage down. build a portable water tank on a small utility trailer that you can take to the water with a four-wheeler or horse and fill with water then use sparingly before u fill again. This saves from over working your pump and the gas pumping excesively over a longer distance. Good luck.
With two running water sources on your property that as you say never run dry, have you considered installing a mycro-hydro turbine? I would think it would be a lot quieter than a generator and much cheaper in the long run than paying for a commodity like propane over-and- over again.
Thanks for the great post and pic. I live on an acre of land on the Pearl River in Bogalusa, LA, surrounded by wildlife management area, and am in the process of trying to get off the grid. I have researched the solar panels you recommended and will probably move forward with the purchase, thanks for the recommendation. We have flow wells here so continuous water is not an issue, and I am in the process of purchasing a wood stove. Its a fun process. With some solar in the mix I should be in good shape. Best of luck to you and keep us updated.
I am originally from Altus and have spent many days on the salt fork. I have to say I am envious as we are about 7 years from building our dream home. I am thinking of a shipping container cabin before then. Best wishes and keep us posted.
Ever heard of a clothes line?
Less wear and tear on that propane dryer…
Sounds great, please keep us posted on your progress. , I am in valley center .kansas.hope to do something like your doing soon. maybe this year even ,all the luck to you
How did you find such great land? I live in Amarillo and have been looking for 3 years now for some water front property in Oklahoma or past Childress in Texas. I am curious about the spring, does the area flood? Great looking land and good luck on the power situation, I am converting to LED lighting for our motorhome to save battery life and let a solar panel keep us going in the winter, I know it works in a house as well! Congrats, Shane
hey, your the man!!!!! keep us posted .teach us how to fish ,you know that old chinese saying,thaT WAY WE,LL KNOW TOO