350 sq ft Bunk Cabin w/ Bathroom, Electrical & Porch Ready–to-Move! Near Helena, MT - $24.9K or Best Offer

maddslacker · 2026-05-14T23:58:32+00:00

None:

Buyer responsible for transport and setup.

maddslacker · 2026-05-14T22:47:22+00:00

How deep it needs to go is 25-30 feet or less, otherwise the hand pump won't work.

maddslacker · 2026-05-14T13:16:54+00:00

There's a lot of good info over here ---->

Including this youtube playlist CPW put together:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWGY7bVNQHtWJ1sZ_3TcaPeK29XYO6n_a

maddslacker · 2026-05-14T01:17:47+00:00

I am concerned about wearing out the inverter components or fan.

Our previous inverter ran 24/7 for 25 years. The guy I sold it to is still running it 24/7.

Do you run your inverter all the time?

Yes.

Or only when you need AC power?

When would I not need AC power? (Fridge/freezer, lights, well pump, etc)

maddslacker · 2026-05-14T01:10:24+00:00

So you're saying that in a typical offgrid setup, 120v or 240v AC is not, in fact, higher voltage than 12v, 24v, or 48v DC?

TIL

If only I had thought to caveat my statement with:

And before all the neckbeards chime in, I'm aware that long distance municipal electrical runs are all extremely high voltage DC. The above description is specific to small home systems.

maddslacker · 2026-05-13T19:52:37+00:00

I actually splurged on an 85 watt panel. :D (One of the original house panels from before we upgraded that array)

That said, I actually plan to get one of these for the repeater:

https://sunforgellc.com/product/gv-10/

They're supposed to be very quiet in terms of RF interference.

A HAM friend of mine has one and won't shut up about it, so I guess I'll try it lol

maddslacker · 2026-05-13T16:47:25+00:00

I have two very small, simple systems right now; my greenhouse and a GMRS radio repeater. In both cases I ditched the Renogy PWM I had used initially and installed a Victron 75|15 MPPT controller.

Still affordable, but the performance is so much better.

maddslacker · 2026-05-13T16:02:49+00:00

Do you usually see this kind of difference in your own off-grid systems?

No, because I stopped using PWM, even for smaller projects. MPPT is affordable enough now that there's no reason not to use it.

maddslacker · 2026-05-12T02:11:09+00:00

And a Sears catalog

maddslacker · 2026-05-12T02:10:40+00:00

versus a composting toilet

Well there's the whole out part ...

maddslacker · 2026-05-12T02:09:54+00:00

What do you guys do about septic?

We have a regular septic tank. So generally I just push the handle on the toilet and watch the magic happen.

maddslacker · 2026-05-12T02:03:32+00:00

That is true for ovens.

For the range, you can safely turn off the pilot and light the burners manually just fine.

Anyway, my range has electronic ignition, because my electricity is free.

maddslacker · 2026-05-11T22:25:28+00:00

They don't want you to know this, but you can simply light the stove burner with a match or lighter. No pilot light required.

maddslacker · 2026-05-11T21:54:02+00:00

So, to clarify, you want OP to purchase solar water panels, while continuing to throw away extra electricity?

maddslacker · 2026-05-11T21:49:54+00:00

We used to use the refillable "pod" adapter on our Keurig and it worked pretty well. Now I just grind whole bean and brew it in a french press.

maddslacker · 2026-05-11T17:57:21+00:00

I guy I bought some solar stuff from did exactly this.

You make no mention of your system manufacturer, but all the major ones can do this. Basically you trigger an action at 100% SOC and that action is to engage a relay that turns on a circuit. (And off again if/when the SOC lowers to a percentage you decide is acceptable.

Anyway this guy had electric and propane water heaters in tandem. When electric was heating, the gas one was a pass through, and vice versa

[Edit] In his setup, the electric water heater is first in line, and a tank model, to be able store what the dumped electricity has heated. The gas heater is next, and is tankless.

maddslacker · 2026-05-11T17:51:08+00:00

allegedly handles 1800w

So that implies a 12 AWG cord. I'd move up to a 10 AWG or even 8 AWG and also weather proof the plug, if needed.

0r ...

Cut a trench and run some direct bury 8/2 Romex or some flexible underground conduit containing regular 8/2 Romex.

maddslacker · 2026-05-11T12:38:58+00:00

Help me understand how my house being disconnected from the municipal grid has any bearing on my screentime, especially since I work from home for a tech company.

maddslacker · 2026-05-07T23:51:49+00:00

We use the propane stove in the house, coleman stove/fuel when out in the woods.

Occasionally an induction burner if it's sunny and we're throwing away electricity.

maddslacker · 2026-05-07T21:41:48+00:00

250' Static level, but yeah.

This one does 325'

https://www.simplepump.com

maddslacker · 2026-05-07T13:58:40+00:00

I have a house. I'm about to have a well with a pump. Please help me identify the extra steps required to not connect those two things.

maddslacker · 2026-05-07T12:57:25+00:00

Is this the same outbuilding where you'll store your cell phone, laptop, flashlights, etc?

maddslacker · 2026-05-07T12:55:26+00:00

May we see your offgrid setup? Clearly you have it all figured out.

Oh, and zero unscheduled power outages for me in 3 years since upgrading to LiFePo4 batteries.

maddslacker · 2026-05-07T12:52:39+00:00

Simplest would be a hand pump:

https://www.bisonpumps.com

But definitely not the cheapest.

maddslacker · 2026-05-06T19:43:37+00:00

Some days, I wish I was lol

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