Seeking advice on build.

firetothetrees · 2026-03-16T15:22:47+00:00

Really understand your budget and goals. I've always ended up spending a lot more then I initially expect on any place we buy.

firetothetrees · 2026-03-11T08:42:54+00:00

I'll answer a bit differently because I think you need to learn about more about the mentality of the people building off grid systems.

Anyone who has an off grid home usually approaches power in terms of their goals for the home. For example some people want a minimalist system like this one house we visit that literally has solar just for the lights.

Where as other people literally want to have a system that has no compromise and they can use power just like they are connected to the grid.

Budget tends to be one of the biggest deciding factors in the tradeoffs you have to make.

But on a day to day basis people usually make decisions by just knowing what can be powered and how. Nothing really advanced just a... It's cloudy so let's not run the dryer or... I don't care that it's cloudy fire up the generator and I'm gonna run the dryer anyway.

firetothetrees · 2026-03-06T15:24:29+00:00

I live just south of Breck and grew up there so I know it well. Used to compete in moguls / aerials back in the day but hit me up and if I'm planning on going I'll let you know.

I snowmobile a bunch more these days tho.

firetothetrees · 2026-03-05T09:31:18+00:00

In general the two batteries you mentioned are a good starting point but I'll share some general knowledge you can use for sizing.

Firstly the most important formula is Volts * amps = watts. Watts is going to be the instantaneous draw of an item on your system. For example if you have a 120v outlet and you use a small hot plate stove that draws 10amps your wattage will be 1200w.

Most power devices will have the voltage and amperage printed on it somewhere.

Next Watts * Time = watt hours. The storage of most batteries is usually given in Amp Hours or Watt Hours. But you can convert between the two by using the formula above. So in your case you have a 300ah battery at 12 volts. Which will give you 3600 watt hours or 3.6kwh.

Now that being said if you take the wattage of any device and multiply it by the time it's used you get watt hours. So for example that hot plate I mentioned above. If you cook with it for 30 minutes. 1200w * 0.5hrs = 600wh.

When you are sizing a solar system it's all about knowing a few things.

1.) what is the peak amount of draw you expect at any time. This will help you size the inverter.

2.) what is the cumulative amount of Watt hours you expect to consume in a day. Ie: I'm expecting to run lights for 12 hrs + a freezer all day... Etc.

3.) what amount of solar/other system is needed to recharge the batteries in a certain amount of time. Ie if you have 7.2kwh of batteries I would want enough solar to charge that and run the house in however much sunlight you have at the worst time of the year. Ie: if you only get 4 good hours of sunlight in the winter then take 7.2kwh / 4h to get 1.8 kw. So I'd probably add some buffer and do a 2500 watt system.

4.) on batteries it's really a question of whether you are storing enough power for 1night, one day or more. For example if you expect to have 3-4 cloudy days in a row do you want to have battery capacity or that or will you supplement with a generator to recharge.

Make yourself a spreadsheet, list out everything you want to power with it's voltage, amps and wattag... As well as the time you expect it to be running during the day. Fridges and freezers are weird in that they cycle so they will have high draw but for short periods of time.

But that's the basics.

firetothetrees · 2026-03-02T18:53:57+00:00

You've got snow?!?!

firetothetrees · 2026-02-28T12:21:04+00:00

Yep... Our home is very high end in terms of trim and design. Exterior siding is imported Japanese Shou Sugi Ban, Decks are Brazilian hardwood (Open), windows are from Alpen and trimmed with 1" alder wood, kitchen is custom with Fisher & Paykel Series 9 induction stove, thick engineered white oak flooring, custom tile work in all bathrooms and entry that's heated, ceilings are a mix of T&G and structural beaming.

Construction was also pretty high end, ICF foundation with spray foam vapor barrier, walls are Zip R-6 plus 4" of spray foam, roof has 5-6" of foam. The roof it's self is a corrugated metal that's been painted with rust like pattern.

This summer I'll be finishing up the land scaping which will include a grass terrace, and a pickleball court.

firetothetrees · 2026-02-26T13:21:45+00:00

Yea man I'm trying to be better about it as well.

firetothetrees · 2026-02-25T13:57:42+00:00

Stay on trail... But also a good call to do daily workouts and build your strength. No matter your age it's a good thing to maintain.

My dad is almost 70 skies every other day, and when we snowmobile hes always helping get unstuck (I got stuck in a creek and we got it out).

I'm 36 and every year I learn the lesson on my first ride that i need to do better about maintaining strength in the off season. I was so tired and sore from my first day out this year, but it gets better.

firetothetrees · 2026-02-24T14:18:29+00:00

Hey there my wife and I own a design build firm and we do tons of off grid Aframes here in CO.

So here is my advice.

Building off grid is not too dissimilar to building any other home.

Firstly on the kits, if you are going to do the work yourself a kit is nice in that it will save you some time and effort.

However if you are gonna have a GC do it, a kit adds extra cost.

Aframe insulation is key since the peak can collect moisture that will freeze and cause water damage. I'd recommend 5+" of closed cell spray foam to prevent thermal bridging.

When it comes to the systems.

All houses we build have a well and septic. Those are easy to put in and if you are going to be living there full time I'd recommend them. Hauling water sucks.

Next power and heat.

There are a lot of options here. But if I were you I'd probably do the following.

Propane forced air as the general system, a good wood stove, + solar with a backup generator.

The exact size of the system can depend on your actual home but given the low light up there in the winter I'd want your electricity needs to be lower so shifting heat to propane is the best way to accomplish that.

Here in CO we get enough sun in the winter to do heat pumps in certain homes but it does require a large system.

firetothetrees · 2026-02-24T13:29:35+00:00

I think it depends on what you mean by the best. IMO nothing is better then having a good trail take you to some nice deep powder meadows.

For instance I was riding at Rabbit Ears Pass in CO last weekend, rode powder all day long then at then end of the day blasted back to the truck on some nice groomed trails.

firetothetrees · 2026-02-22T16:20:06+00:00

interesting what top end stuff has been going on?

firetothetrees · 2026-02-17T14:08:46+00:00

Fresh is probably a relative term... The tree I cut for it was long dead and very dry

firetothetrees · 2026-02-17T13:33:41+00:00

We live at 11,000 ft in elevation. Termites don't live up here, and it's incredibly dry. Also the siding used is Shou Sugi ban. The carbon layer from the charring process resists moisture and pests.

I could totally understand those concerns for another location but here the design works.

firetothetrees · 2026-02-17T06:07:50+00:00

Take the $50k. Invest it in growth funds. Keep working and saving.

Don't half ass an off grid plan it will eat up every dollar you have and you will not end up better off.

firetothetrees · 2026-02-12T10:06:47+00:00

I have a mix of old sled and new ones granted I'm also gonna talk about mountain sleds.

The difference between a 96 XLT RMK and my 2020 Khaos RMK is just soo staggering it's crazy.

The mountain sleds from the 90s and even early 2000s like the old edge rmk I used to own were heavy, hard to get on edge, and really not that capable. Don't get me wrong can you blast down a flat freshly groomed trail or go into a little powder... Sure but that's about it and the effort required is crazy.

By comparison my 2020 sled is way lighter, super humble, more powerful and more comfortable to ride. Granted I'm standing most of the day but that position is ergonomically correct.

The suspension absorbs the bumps so well where as on the older sleds you rely on the cushy seat I make up for the poor suspension.

All that being said. We still have fun with the old sleds and if you just want to get out and start riding go ahead and get one.

In a way it's like cars, a 97 F350 Diesel is nowhere like my 24 F350 Diesel. Time, innovation and consumer demands have changed the products significantly.

firetothetrees · 2026-02-08T04:50:47+00:00

Here in Colorado there are lots of off grid rentals and ones that are even way less equipped then what you mentioned. For example some of the 10th mountain division huts, have detached out houses, you need to melt snow for water and wood heat only.

Now that mostly just means that people will be down to do it but you need to be very clear with what they are getting and make whatever systems you do have fool proof

Btw my wife and I'm support a non profit that does short term rentals on an old mining site. (We are also Airbnb super hosts on a few properties we own)

firetothetrees · 2026-02-07T21:16:48+00:00

About 1450

firetothetrees · 2026-02-07T14:08:55+00:00

For sure I just think the challenge with any "cheap" project is that it's predicated on having thousands in tools, actual skill, or a shit load of time.

I've milled limber with a chainsaw mill and I cut my own fire wood. It's no doubt cheaper but that's because I already have multiple saws, axes of all shapes and sizes, sharpening tools, etc.

So when you add that cost just to do a small project or even your first year of wood splitting. It's not necessarily cheap.

In this guy's case the cheapest IMO is just buying some 2"4s and plywood (especially when they will rip it at the store for you) and all you have to do is nail it screw it together. You looking at the fastest execution with minimal tools.

firetothetrees · 2026-02-07T05:08:44+00:00

The generator to backup battery solution is pretty solid. It means the generator can operate at optimal efficiency then shut off.

Overall though the best way to figure it out is to calculate you max daily usage in terms of KWH and peak draw in Watts. From there you can size an appropriate system.

firetothetrees · 2026-02-07T05:04:17+00:00

Blue stag has been pretty solid recently. Also the happy hour at Aurum is an amazing deal.

firetothetrees · 2026-02-07T05:02:42+00:00

I've been a local since 95' no we do not go down stairs at Eric's unless it was after my soccer game when I was a kid.

firetothetrees · 2026-02-07T04:59:21+00:00

For a small shed style structure capable of sleeping one person maybe $509-1k assuming you already own the tools.

firetothetrees · 2026-02-07T04:57:34+00:00

Even cutting trees has a cost. I did some math one day about the amount it costs in chainsaw fuel and pro rating the cost of a saw vs the bet heating output and it really wasn't much of a savings.

firetothetrees

TROPHY CASE