Latest / Boondocking Tips: Off-Grid Camping, RV Travel & Van Life / Case Studies: Three Lakes, Three Power/Water Strategies

Transcript

Case Studies: Three Lakes, Three Power/Water Strategies · Boondocking Tips: Off-Grid Camping, RV Travel & Van Life

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: Introduction.
• 0:01
  SPEAKER_00: Designing a self-sufficient camp or cabin by a remote lake requires tailoring to local climate.
• 0:08
  SPEAKER_00: A snowy alpine site, a soggy northern forest lake, and a dusty desert reservoir each demand fundamentally different power and water systems.
• 0:18
  SPEAKER_00: In these case studies, we lay out holistic off-grid plans for each scenario, specifying generation capacity, storage, water treatment, and daily usage with real numbers.
• 0:30
  SPEAKER_00: We also highlight likely failure points, panels iced over, mosquito-borne contamination, dust buildup, etc., and backup strategies.
• 0:39
  SPEAKER_00: The goal is to show how environment drives system design and to provide a reusable template for other remote sites.
• 0:47
  SPEAKER_00: Case study one, high elevation alpine lake setting.
• 0:51
  SPEAKER_00: A small lakeside cabin at near 3,000 meters elevation in the Rockies.
• 0:56
  SPEAKER_00: Winters are long, with snow cover most of the year.
• 0:59
  SPEAKER_00: Summer days are short at subarctic latitudes.
• 1:02
  SPEAKER_00: The sun is intense when out, due to thin air with fewer atmospheric losses, but often low on the horizon or blocked by mountains.
• 1:10
  SPEAKER_00: Springs and creeks fed by snow melt provide a reliable water flow year-round.
• 1:15
  SPEAKER_00: Temperatures can drop well below freezing at night, even in summer.
• 1:19
  SPEAKER_00: Power Plan.
• 1:20
  SPEAKER_00: Solar PV.
• 1:22
  SPEAKER_00: Due to the short, clear summer days and thinner atmosphere, which allows more direct sunlight, a south-tilted solar array is still useful.
• 1:30
  SPEAKER_00: We might install five panels of 300 watts, 1.5 kilowatts, yielding roughly 6 to 7 kW hours on a good midsummer day, but perhaps only 1 to 2 kW hours in midwinter.
• 1:43
  SPEAKER_00: A tilt over 45 degrees helps snow slide off.
• 1:46
  SPEAKER_00: Panels should be kept clean of snow.
• 1:48
  SPEAKER_00: Even a few millimeters of frost or snow drastically cut output.
• 1:52
  SPEAKER_00: Wind.
• 1:53
  SPEAKER_00: High ridges can be very windy.
• 1:55
  SPEAKER_00: A small 400-watt wind turbine on a 6 to 9 meter mast could generate a few KW hours per day in windy conditions, especially in winter when PV is weakest.
• 2:06
  SPEAKER_00: Its output is highly variable, so it mainly keeps batteries topped in storms.
• 2:11
  SPEAKER_00: Hydro.
• 2:11
  SPEAKER_00: Tap the snowmelt fed creek with a microhydro turbine, e.g., a 12V 500 watt Pelton wheel.
• 2:18
  SPEAKER_00: Even 100 to 200 watts continuous can add 2 to 5 kW hours per day.
• 2:23
  SPEAKER_00: A buried intake pipe keeps water flowing in winter.
• 2:26
  SPEAKER_00: Pipes should be drained or insulated to avoid freeze.
• 2:29
  SPEAKER_00: Flow and head will vary seasonally, higher in spring, lower in late summer.
• 2:33
  SPEAKER_00: Battery bank.
• 2:34
  SPEAKER_00: Cold reduces battery capacity.
• 2:36
  SPEAKER_00: Lead acid loses 50% capacity at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
• 2:40
  SPEAKER_00: So use a large, cold-rated bank.
• 2:43
  SPEAKER_00: For a family using 5 to 10 kW hours per day, plan for 30 kW hours usable storage, e.g., 48V, 600AH life EPO4, so that 15 kW hours per day usage requires only 50% depth of discharge.
• 2:59
  SPEAKER_00: The battery box can be insulated or heated, e.g., by waste heat to keep it above 0 degrees Celsius.
• 3:05
  SPEAKER_00: Otherwise, capacity and charging ability drop sharply.
• 3:08
  SPEAKER_00: Backup generator.
• 3:09
  SPEAKER_00: A propane or diesel generator near 3 to 5 KW provides emergency power when renewable sources dip.
• 3:16
  SPEAKER_00: Multi-day storm or winter.
• 3:19
  SPEAKER_00: Store enough fuel on site for at least a week of intermittent use.
• 3:23
  SPEAKER_00: A manual charging device, 12 volt battery charger, can also trickle charge the battery from the generator's 12 volt output if needed.
• 3:31
  SPEAKER_00: In sum, the power system might be 1.5 kW PV plus 0.4 kW wind plus 0.5 kW microhydro, feeding into a 48V, 30 kw hours battery bank with a 3 kW generator backup.
• 3:47
  SPEAKER_00: This setup can produce 15 to 20 kW hours on a good summer day, enough for critical loads, lights, pump, small fridge, and perhaps only 2 to 5 kW hours per day in deep winter.
• 3:58
  SPEAKER_00: Water treatment stack source.
• 4:00
  SPEAKER_00: Water is gravity fed from the pristine alpine lakeslash stream into a heated holding tank inside the cabin to prevent freezing.
• 4:08
  SPEAKER_00: A small 12-volt pump, 200 to 400 watts, lifts lake water through filters into a 50 to 100 centimeter deep cistern, 200 to 400 liters of treated water.
• 4:18
  SPEAKER_00: In winter, the intake must be below the ice line.
• 4:22
  SPEAKER_00: A UV sterilizer at the end, powered by the 12V system, to inactivate viruses and any remaining pathogens.
• 4:30
  SPEAKER_00: With clean prefilters, a 12V UV lamp, XX watt, can safely treat daily use on the order of 100-200 liters per day, meeting WHL criteria.
• 4:42
  SPEAKER_00: Energy draw is minimal, e.g.
• 4:45
  SPEAKER_00: 5 to 10 watts continuous while pumping.
• 4:48
  SPEAKER_00: Optionally, a small bleach or iodine dispenser can add extra safety in winter if UV is offline.
• 4:55
  SPEAKER_00: Propellant bleed can damage pipes if left too long, so use sparingly.
• 5:00
  SPEAKER_00: Storage.
• 5:01
  SPEAKER_00: A 200 to 400 liter stainless or food-grade polytank inside the insulated cabin stores treated water at pressure, a two bars.
• 5:10
  SPEAKER_00: Pipe minimal distance to taps to avoid freezing.
• 5:13
  SPEAKER_00: Plumbing should use indoor grade piping or be deeply buried insulated.
• 5:18
  SPEAKER_00: Greywater strategy.
• 5:20
  SPEAKER_00: Disposal.
• 5:21
  SPEAKER_00: Kitchen sink and shower wastewater, no toilet waste included, can be reused seasonally.
• 5:26
  SPEAKER_00: In summer, route graywater to an outdoor drain field or vegetated swelling bed downhill from the house.
• 5:33
  SPEAKER_00: The alpine forest soil is rocky but could absorb limited graywater.
• 5:38
  SPEAKER_00: A mulch basin, shallow pit filled with mulch and gravel planted with shrubs can filter and evaporate it.
• 5:44
  SPEAKER_00: In winter, when soil is frozen, switch valves to route graywater into an indoor tank, e.g.
• 5:50
  SPEAKER_00: a 100-liter drum, for later spring dispersal.
• 5:53
  SPEAKER_00: This prevents pipe freeze.
• 5:56
  SPEAKER_00: Reuse.
• 5:57
  SPEAKER_00: Greywater contains food residues and detergents, so only use gentle soaps and biodegradable cleaners.
• 6:04
  SPEAKER_00: We strongly recommend 100% biodegradable graywater-safe soaps and detergents.
• 6:09
  SPEAKER_00: No bleach, no phosphate, no ammonia, so that effluent can water non-edible plants without harm.
• 6:16
  SPEAKER_00: If winter reservoir use is essential, that graywater could flush the toilet with bleach pellet to kill bacteria.
• 6:22
  SPEAKER_00: In dry seasons, it could irrigate a small greenhouse or trees with caution.
• 6:27
  SPEAKER_00: Capacity.
• 6:28
  SPEAKER_00: Plan for 100 liters a day graywater.
• 6:31
  SPEAKER_00: Family usage to people shedding 150 liters a day, some reused for toilet or irrigation.
• 6:37
  SPEAKER_00: A 1,000 liter seepage pit or soak bed, footprint 2 times 5 meters, is plenty.
• 6:43
  SPEAKER_00: Forest soils drain well.
• 6:45
  SPEAKER_00: Baffle the pit with gravel and geotextile.
• 6:48
  SPEAKER_00: Daily routine, morning.
• 6:50
  SPEAKER_00: All family members wake at sunrise.
• 6:52
  SPEAKER_00: Immediately, they draw 5 liters from the hot water tank, gravity solar water heater or propane heater, for showers and kettle.
• 7:00
  SPEAKER_00: The 12V pump runs for 30 minutes to top off the drinking water cistern, timed before battery depth falls.
• 7:07
  SPEAKER_00: The solar PV is low, but wind or hydro may charge the battery from overnout recharge if cloudy.
• 7:14
  SPEAKER_00: Afternoon, maximize tasks that need electricity.
• 7:18
  SPEAKER_00: At midday, sunlight peaks, so run electric cooking appliances if used and do laundry.
• 7:24
  SPEAKER_00: The solar panels and microhydro charge the battery heavily.
• 7:28
  SPEAKER_00: The UV filter runs whenever water is needed.
• 7:31
  SPEAKER_00: With better midday power, gadgets like laptops or lights for reading can be used without running down batteries.
• 7:37
  SPEAKER_00: Load drops as the sun sets.
• 7:40
  SPEAKER_00: Lights LED come on only in critical rooms, powered by the battery.
• 7:45
  SPEAKER_00: They cook dinner preferably on propane stove or wood stove with electric ignition.
• 7:49
  SPEAKER_00: The pump may cycle a bit more to refill water used for cooking.
• 7:53
  SPEAKER_00: Family showers, taking heat from wood stove or solar thermal.
• 7:58
  SPEAKER_00: Gray water from washing and bathing is diverted to the auxiliary tank indoors, if freezing is coming, or to the mulch bed.
• 8:05
  SPEAKER_00: By 10 p.m.
• 8:06
  SPEAKER_00: all major loads are off.
• 8:08
  SPEAKER_00: The battery is usually 80 to 90% full.
• 8:11
  SPEAKER_00: Night.
• 8:12
  SPEAKER_00: Nighttime is mostly lights and charging nothing major.
• 8:15
  SPEAKER_00: The generator stays off unless the battery was critically low.
• 8:19
  SPEAKER_00: The solar PV may still trickle charge briefly after dusk at higher altitudes.
• 8:24
  SPEAKER_00: Expected failures and contingencies.
• 8:27
  SPEAKER_00: Solar shortfall.
• 8:29
  SPEAKER_00: Heavy storms or winter clouds can drop PV output to near zero.
• 8:33
  SPEAKER_00: Contingency.
• 8:34
  SPEAKER_00: Rely on microhydro and wind if running, plus the large battery reserve.
• 8:39
  SPEAKER_00: Keep the generator fueled as a last resort.
• 8:42
  SPEAKER_00: Cold-related battery loss.
• 8:44
  SPEAKER_00: Below about 0 degrees Celsius, battery output plummets.
• 8:48
  SPEAKER_00: Contingency.
• 8:49
  SPEAKER_00: Insulate heat battery.
• 8:50
  SPEAKER_00: If batteries freeze below 20 degrees C, cell damage or electrolyte freezing can occur.
• 8:57
  SPEAKER_00: So always bring the charge controller offline if it's too cold or heat the battery bank, even small heat strips.
• 9:05
  SPEAKER_00: Pump ice blockage.
• 9:07
  SPEAKER_00: The intake or pipes may ice up.
• 9:09
  SPEAKER_00: Contingency.
• 9:10
  SPEAKER_00: Rapidly shut off pump.
• 9:12
  SPEAKER_00: Switch intake to a heated sump or manually melt ice.
• 9:16
  SPEAKER_00: Keep a spare manual hand pump or buckets as absolute backup to fetch water.
• 9:22
  SPEAKER_00: Water contamination.
• 9:23
  SPEAKER_00: If filters clog or UV lamp fails, bacteria from birds could infect water.
• 9:30
  SPEAKER_00: Contingency.
• 9:31
  SPEAKER_00: Boil water or add 1 to 2 ppm chlorine bleach as emergency disinfectant.
• 9:37
  SPEAKER_00: Carry spare filter cartridges and UV bulbs.
• 9:40
  SPEAKER_00: Regularly test water when possible.
• 9:43
  SPEAKER_00: Frozen gray water lines.
• 9:45
  SPEAKER_00: If freeze-thaw cycles destroy pipes or soak pit, backups include shutting the graywater system, direct it all to holding tank.
• 9:54
  SPEAKER_00: Generator failure.
• 9:56
  SPEAKER_00: Always have spare generator parts or a second small beehive generator, 12V alternator style, for charging in a pinch.
• 10:04
  SPEAKER_00: Case study 2.
• 10:05
  SPEAKER_00: Forested northern lake setting.
• 10:07
  SPEAKER_00: A wooded lake in a boreal climate, e.g., northern Minnesota.
• 10:12
  SPEAKER_00: The canopy of pines and spruces shades rooftops.
• 10:16
  SPEAKER_00: Summer brings nearly daily rain and mosquitoes.
• 10:19
  SPEAKER_00: Winters are cold but shorter than alpine.
• 10:21
  SPEAKER_00: Plenty of water is available.
• 10:23
  SPEAKER_00: Rain barrels fill often, but intense bugs and forest debris are major nuisances.
• 10:29
  SPEAKER_00: Powerplan Solar PV.
• 10:31
  SPEAKER_00: Light filtering through trees means low insulation, perhaps 2 to 3 peak sun hours in summer.
• 10:37
  SPEAKER_00: We install 10 panels of 300w, 3 kilowatts, on a clearing or roof, with periodic trimming of branches.
• 10:45
  SPEAKER_00: In summer, this can yield approximately 10 to 12 kilowatt hours per day.
• 10:49
  SPEAKER_00: In winter, maybe 3 to 4 kilowatts.
• 10:52
  SPEAKER_00: Panels should be protected with mesh or coatings to slow moss leaf buildup, but manual cleaning after storms is necessary.
• 11:00
  SPEAKER_00: Wind forest wind is buffered, but open lake areas can give 4 to 5 meters per second winds regularly.
• 11:06
  SPEAKER_00: A 1 kW tower-mounted turbine, 10 meters high, can produce a few kilowatt hours on windy days, especially fall-winter storms when storms blow through.
• 11:16
  SPEAKER_00: This supplements solar and charges batteries unused by the solar at odd times.
• 11:22
  SPEAKER_00: Hydro.
• 11:22
  SPEAKER_00: If the lake has an outflowing creek, a small 0.5 to 1 kW hydro turbine captures continuous power, 12 to 24 kWh per day if flow is steady.
• 11:33
  SPEAKER_00: With rain, the stream flow is generous.
• 11:36
  SPEAKER_00: Even a half meter head can drive a turbine.
• 11:38
  SPEAKER_00: Since water is plentiful, clogging of the intake by leaves is the main worry.
• 11:43
  SPEAKER_00: Install a coarse debris screen.
• 11:45
  SPEAKER_00: Battery bank.
• 11:46
  SPEAKER_00: With four people living actively, daily use might reach 15 to 20 kWh.
• 11:52
  SPEAKER_00: Lights, pump, fridge, kitchen.
• 11:54
  SPEAKER_00: We pick a 48 V400AHA, 19 kWh life EPO4 bank, targeting 9 kWh usable, 50% DOD.
• 12:04
  SPEAKER_00: Fast-acting surge loads, e.g.
• 12:06
  SPEAKER_00: washing machine, should have an inverter that can double 5 to 10 kW.
• 12:10
  SPEAKER_00: A larger bank or an extra small bank ensures rainy weeks don't kill power.
• 12:16
  SPEAKER_00: A small diesel or propane gen set, around 5 kilowatts, for dryers or furnace.
• 12:22
  SPEAKER_00: This can also heat a water tank via a heat exchanger, using any surplus to keep batteries warm.
• 12:28
  SPEAKER_00: Store fuel for a month since storms can be frequent.
• 12:32
  SPEAKER_00: Water treatment stack sources.
• 12:34
  SPEAKER_00: Two sources are used interchangeably: a roof catchment, rain, and the lake.
• 12:39
  SPEAKER_00: A sloped metal roof with mesh guards on gutters fills 5 200 liter barrels during spring-summer rains.
• 12:47
  SPEAKER_00: We also pipe lake stream water to a settling tank via distance, 50 meters uphill pump.
• 12:53
  SPEAKER_00: Filtration.
• 12:54
  SPEAKER_00: Because forest lakes can harbor algae, bacteria, and organic acids, we use a multibarrier system.
• 13:00
  SPEAKER_00: Typical stack.
• 13:02
  SPEAKER_00: Sediment prefilter, 50 micrometers, traps pine needles and grit.
• 13:06
  SPEAKER_00: Activated carbon filter removes organics and improves taste.
• 13:11
  SPEAKER_00: This is helpful for tannins from decaying litter in forest water.
• 13:14
  SPEAKER_00: Microfilter, 0.2 micrometers UF, for bacteria protozoa, UV sterilizer, in a well-lit location, killing viruses and any remaining germs.
• 13:25
  SPEAKER_00: Rainwater may be slightly acidic, so we test pH.
• 13:29
  SPEAKER_00: If needed, lime dosing raises pH.
• 13:31
  SPEAKER_00: Both sources go through the same filters before entering a main 1000 L tank.
• 13:36
  SPEAKER_00: A float valve prevents backflow.
• 13:38
  SPEAKER_00: Storage and pumps, a single 1000 L tank supplies a 12V pump.
• 13:44
  SPEAKER_00: Frequent pumps.
• 13:45
  SPEAKER_00: Two to three times per day, maintain pressure.
• 13:49
  SPEAKER_00: We also attach a small solar element to keep tank water from freezing in winter and to kill Legionella.
• 13:56
  SPEAKER_00: Tank covers are mosquito-proof, screened vents and sealed lids to prevent breeding.
• 14:01
  SPEAKER_00: Greywater strategy recycling.
• 14:04
  SPEAKER_00: In this wet climate, we aim to reuse as much graywater as practical.
• 14:09
  SPEAKER_00: Shower, laundry, and kitchen graywater, minus any bleach, is piped to a constructed muskmelon bed just outside.
• 14:17
  SPEAKER_00: The bed is a shallow trench on a mauled slope, filled with mulch and hardy plants like sedges or willow cuttings, which take up water.
• 14:25
  SPEAKER_00: Typical flow, 100 to 150 liters per day, soaks happily in rainy seasons.
• 14:31
  SPEAKER_00: Loosely contained, a geotextile wrapped gravel bed, 4x4 meters, acts as a biofilter.
• 14:38
  SPEAKER_00: Water percolates slowly.
• 14:40
  SPEAKER_00: Roots and microbes break down soap.
• 14:43
  SPEAKER_00: Once per year it dries out, oxygenates.
• 14:46
  SPEAKER_00: Safe soaps.
• 14:48
  SPEAKER_00: We use only gray water safe soaps and shampoos.
• 14:51
  SPEAKER_00: No bleach or ammonia.
• 14:53
  SPEAKER_00: No harsh dyes.
• 14:54
  SPEAKER_00: For example, laundry uses biodegradable powder.
• 14:57
  SPEAKER_00: Showers use gentle liquid soap.
• 15:00
  SPEAKER_00: This ensures that the plants and soil aren't harmed by detergents.
• 15:04
  SPEAKER_00: Overflow.
• 15:05
  SPEAKER_00: If inflow exceeds the bed capacity, major rains, excess is diverted to a small holding pond, fenced from wildlife.
• 15:12
  SPEAKER_00: The pond is lined with peat to avoid groundwater contamination and drained monthly with a leech field.
• 15:19
  SPEAKER_00: Daily routine, morning, light use of lighting, lanterns.
• 15:24
  SPEAKER_00: Children fetch 10 to 20 liters of stored water from tanks, with the pump on auto shutoff at Nike bar.
• 15:30
  SPEAKER_00: The solar panels and hydro crank up.
• 15:33
  SPEAKER_00: We run the 12V pump to top off hot water, heated by propane, for showers and morning tea.
• 15:39
  SPEAKER_00: Midday, house is occupied full tilt.
• 15:42
  SPEAKER_00: Kitchen runs on PV, the electric refrigerator, any cooking stove, and a laptop, on ours.
• 15:48
  SPEAKER_00: Do laundry afternoon.
• 15:50
  SPEAKER_00: The washing machine, 12V inverter and dryer, propane or wood, use stored solar.
• 15:55
  SPEAKER_00: We charge devices and do projects then, when solar wind are strongest.
• 16:00
  SPEAKER_00: Afternoon, evening.
• 16:01
  SPEAKER_00: After 4 p.m., PV wams.
• 16:04
  SPEAKER_00: We start wood stove for heat.
• 16:06
  SPEAKER_00: Rotate usage.
• 16:07
  SPEAKER_00: Lights are limited.
• 16:08
  SPEAKER_00: Fridge on economy mode.
• 16:10
  SPEAKER_00: Dinner prep on propane or wood stove.
• 16:13
  SPEAKER_00: Gray water from kitchen and bath goes to the filter bed.
• 16:16
  SPEAKER_00: Late evening shows may be run on generator.
• 16:19
  SPEAKER_00: If battery is low, it quietly recharges bank and warms water.
• 16:23
  SPEAKER_00: Night.
• 16:24
  SPEAKER_00: Lights are only on for short reading or tasks.
• 16:27
  SPEAKER_00: Most appliances are off.
• 16:28
  SPEAKER_00: The battery, having been charged by sun, wind, hydro during day, supplies minimal loads overnight.
• 16:36
  SPEAKER_00: Expected failures and contingencies, overcast weeks.
• 16:40
  SPEAKER_00: In constant rain, solar can drop to one kilowatt hour day.
• 16:44
  SPEAKER_00: Solution.
• 16:45
  SPEAKER_00: Rely on microhydro, ponded water ensures flow and large batteries.
• 16:49
  SPEAKER_00: Turn off non-critical loads, example heating water with generator only when needed.
• 16:54
  SPEAKER_00: Always keep the propane generator ready.
• 16:57
  SPEAKER_00: Heavy wildlife debris in water, algal blooms or beaver work can foul the intake.
• 17:02
  SPEAKER_00: A quick connect bypass allows pulling water from an alternative intake or the rain tanks.
• 17:08
  SPEAKER_00: Spare filters must be on hand.
• 17:10
  SPEAKER_00: Boil water as emergency.
• 17:12
  SPEAKER_00: Pump bat bank aging.
• 17:14
  SPEAKER_00: Constant cycling damages batteries and pump seals.
• 17:17
  SPEAKER_00: Solution.
• 17:18
  SPEAKER_00: Keep a spare 12V pump motor in the cabin.
• 17:21
  SPEAKER_00: Replace battery cells every 8 to 10 years.
• 17:24
  SPEAKER_00: Mosquitoes.
• 17:25
  SPEAKER_00: Open water invites breeding.
• 17:27
  SPEAKER_00: Solution.
• 17:28
  SPEAKER_00: Tank vents and pump housings are tightly screened or use drawer-type larvicide tablets.
• 17:33
  SPEAKER_00: A headnet and indoor screens are used in summer.
• 17:36
  SPEAKER_00: Drain any standing water after rains.
• 17:39
  SPEAKER_00: Filter maintenance.
• 17:40
  SPEAKER_00: The carbon and UF filters will clog faster with organics.
• 17:44
  SPEAKER_00: Solution.
• 17:45
  SPEAKER_00: Replace filters twice a year and backflush the UF weekly.
• 17:49
  SPEAKER_00: Have a couple of gallon jugs of emergency water stored, boiled or chlorinated for treat-up periods.
• 17:55
  SPEAKER_00: Case study 3.
• 17:56
  SPEAKER_00: Arid reservoir setting.
• 17:58
  SPEAKER_00: A remote stone shelter by a desert reservoir, like an oasis town.
• 18:02
  SPEAKER_00: The sun is intense nearly year round, 6 to 7 sun hours day.
• 18:06
  SPEAKER_00: Rain is almost nil, maybe a thunderstorm once a year.
• 18:10
  SPEAKER_00: Sand and dust storms occur, coating everything.
• 18:14
  SPEAKER_00: Nights can be cool, but days approach 40 to 45 degrees Celsius in summer.
• 18:19
  SPEAKER_00: Water comes from the reservoir, fresh but warm and silty after windstorms.
• 18:25
  SPEAKER_00: Power Plan Solar PV.
• 18:27
  SPEAKER_00: This site's best resource is solar.
• 18:30
  SPEAKER_00: We mount 20 high-efficiency 400W panels, 8 kW on the roof and nearby ground racks, optimized for winter-summer sun angle.
• 18:40
  SPEAKER_00: At six sun hours, 8 kW yields approximately 48 kW day, way above the 10 to 20 kW per day needed.
• 18:49
  SPEAKER_00: Lights, fridge, fans, pump.
• 18:52
  SPEAKER_00: We will use surplus to charge an electric vehicle or run heavy loads.
• 18:57
  SPEAKER_00: Panels must be cleaned of dust weekly to prevent 20 to 30% loss.
• 19:02
  SPEAKER_00: Consider an automated wiper or periodic spray system.
• 19:06
  SPEAKER_00: Wind.
• 19:07
  SPEAKER_00: Desert winds are inconsistent, mostly midday thunderstorms, plus chill nights.
• 19:13
  SPEAKER_00: A 300W high durability turbine can add a few kilowatts on windy days.
• 19:19
  SPEAKER_00: It helps chip away battery use in the evenings.
• 19:22
  SPEAKER_00: However, wind can also kick up dust into gear.
• 19:26
  SPEAKER_00: Ensure turbine electronics are sealed.
• 19:28
  SPEAKER_00: Battery bag.
• 19:30
  SPEAKER_00: To ride out sandstorms or a dust-covered week, we install 48 volt 800 amp hour, exactly 38 kW Life Pope PO.
• 19:39
  SPEAKER_00: This covers three days of consumption.
• 19:41
  SPEAKER_00: Life Pope PO is chosen for safety, thermal stability.
• 19:44
  SPEAKER_00: However, high daily charge discharge and heat will age them faster.
• 19:49
  SPEAKER_00: We include a battery vent, AC, or phase change cooling box, since daytime panel currents plus ambient heat could push battery above 50 degrees Celsius.
• 19:58
  SPEAKER_00: Sustained 45 degrees Celsius accelerates permanent capacity loss.
• 20:03
  SPEAKER_00: Keeping the battery cooler below 40 degrees Celsius greatly extends life.
• 20:08
  SPEAKER_00: Backup generator, though sun is abundant, have a 10 kW diesel generator for worst case.
• 20:14
  SPEAKER_00: E.g., shifting RV coolant pump, or if evacuation is needed.
• 20:18
  SPEAKER_00: Diesel stores well and can also power an evaporative cooler or AC unit in emergencies.
• 20:24
  SPEAKER_00: Water treatment stack source an intake.
• 20:26
  SPEAKER_00: The reservoir's open intake is screened against fish and debris.
• 20:30
  SPEAKER_00: Water is pumped 24-7 at a low rate, e.g.
• 20:34
  SPEAKER_00: 10 to 20 liters per minute into a ground cistern.
• 20:37
  SPEAKER_00: A coarse 100 micrometer sediment filter traps grit.
• 20:40
  SPEAKER_00: A sand dirt deposit basin, a large settling tank, removes heavy sand particles by slowing flow.
• 20:47
  SPEAKER_00: Filtration.
• 20:48
  SPEAKER_00: Post-settling, water flows through dual media filter sand-activated carbon, 10 micrometers, removes fine sediment and organics.
• 20:56
  SPEAKER_00: Carbon adsorbs any petrochemicals or organics.
• 21:00
  SPEAKER_00: Ultrafiltration membrane, 0.05 micrometers for bacteria and microplastics.
• 21:06
  SPEAKER_00: Reservoirs often have algae and sometimes runoff contaminants.
• 21:10
  SPEAKER_00: UV sterilizer, 320W high power, to handle 5 meters per day at 1 milliliter per second, killing pathogens.
• 21:19
  SPEAKER_00: Alternatively, chlorination can be used if UV fails.
• 21:22
  SPEAKER_00: The climate lots of sun can degrade chlorine fast, so UV is preferred for potable supply.
• 21:28
  SPEAKER_00: All treated water goes into a 5,000 liter pressurized cistern, insulated to limit algal growth.
• 21:34
  SPEAKER_00: We recirculate warm water to an attached solar water heater.
• 21:38
  SPEAKER_00: A small vent on the cistern is screened for insects.
• 21:41
  SPEAKER_00: Dust also blocked by 5mm mesh.
• 21:45
  SPEAKER_00: Distribution A high quality pump, 1 to 2 kilowatts 48 volts, draws from the cistern for house use.
• 21:52
  SPEAKER_00: A 5 meter drop to the kitchen and shower provides water pressure.
• 21:56
  SPEAKER_00: Minimal plumbing avoids vaporlock.
• 21:58
  SPEAKER_00: Bath and kitchen fire.
• 22:00
  SPEAKER_00: Faucets can be fitted with ultra-fine wicket pre-filters, 50 micrometers as a final safety net.
• 22:05
  SPEAKER_00: Graywater strategy reuse.
• 22:08
  SPEAKER_00: In the desert, water is precious.
• 22:10
  SPEAKER_00: Greywater, shower, sink, laundry, but no toilet water is fully reused on non-edible landscaping.
• 22:16
  SPEAKER_00: We direct it into the courtyard bed, which is planted with native xeric shrubs, mesquite, aloe, agave, that tolerate soaps.
• 22:24
  SPEAKER_00: Using graywater here almost exclusively, we cut potable water use by 40%.
• 22:30
  SPEAKER_00: Distribution.
• 22:31
  SPEAKER_00: Pipes lead graywater into a grated trench, 20 by 1 meter, filled with gravel mulch along a swale.
• 22:37
  SPEAKER_00: It disperses slowly into soil.
• 22:40
  SPEAKER_00: We double line this to prevent seepage into groundwater, channeling it under the tree root zone.
• 22:45
  SPEAKER_00: Greywater pH is approximately 7.5 to 8 from soap, so no soil harm.
• 22:51
  SPEAKER_00: Safe soaps.
• 22:52
  SPEAKER_00: All household cleaning agents must be extremely mild.
• 22:55
  SPEAKER_00: We insist on greywater safe products, no bleach, minimal surfactants.
• 23:00
  SPEAKER_00: For instance, we use natural soap with essential oils.
• 23:03
  SPEAKER_00: Any harsh chemical would kill our desert plants.
• 23:06
  SPEAKER_00: Toilets, we install a composting toilet to eliminate black water.
• 23:11
  SPEAKER_00: Throw away waste is collected by a service.
• 23:14
  SPEAKER_00: Any accidental toilet flush water is minimal.
• 23:17
  SPEAKER_00: Otherwise, we rely on captured gray water.
• 23:20
  SPEAKER_00: Daily routine dawn.
• 23:22
  SPEAKER_00: The solar array lights up quickly.
• 23:24
  SPEAKER_00: Morning chores, washing dishes, watering the courtyard with last night's graywater, preparing a cold breakfast are timed while panels power the water heater and stove igniter.
• 23:34
  SPEAKER_00: The reservoir pump is on auto, topping off the cistern due to overnight demand.
• 23:39
  SPEAKER_00: Morning.
• 23:40
  SPEAKER_00: By 9 a.m., the battery is fully charged.
• 23:43
  SPEAKER_00: We do high electric tasks now.
• 23:46
  SPEAKER_00: Laundry, charging laptops, running fans, ventilation.
• 23:50
  SPEAKER_00: Windows are kept barred against heat, but the morning breeze allows the wind turbine to contribute a small charge.
• 23:57
  SPEAKER_00: Midday.
• 23:58
  SPEAKER_00: We avoid heat.
• 23:59
  SPEAKER_00: Activities slow down.
• 24:01
  SPEAKER_00: The family rests inside.
• 24:03
  SPEAKER_00: The thick walls help cool days.
• 24:05
  SPEAKER_00: Panels are cleaned quickly of dust by midday.
• 24:08
  SPEAKER_00: If conditions allow a brief rinse or brush to keep output high.
• 24:12
  SPEAKER_00: Dishwashing or plant watering is then done on solar.
• 24:16
  SPEAKER_00: Evening.
• 24:17
  SPEAKER_00: As the sun sets, move chores outside, birdwatching with motion lights, or using stored cold water for showers.
• 24:24
  SPEAKER_00: The generator is run if needed for AC or to handle cooking loads after dark.
• 24:29
  SPEAKER_00: Grey water is diverted to the courtyard bed.
• 24:32
  SPEAKER_00: At night, evaporation is slow, but the gravel bed still gathers it.
• 24:36
  SPEAKER_00: Night.
• 24:37
  SPEAKER_00: Only essential lighting is used.
• 24:39
  SPEAKER_00: LED fixtures, solar lanterns.
• 24:41
  SPEAKER_00: The battery supplies these easily.
• 24:43
  SPEAKER_00: Once family sleeps around 10 p.m., the system idles.
• 24:47
  SPEAKER_00: The battery is largely full from a hot day's sun.
• 24:50
  SPEAKER_00: Expected failures and contingencies.
• 24:53
  SPEAKER_00: Dust on panels.
• 24:54
  SPEAKER_00: A half inch of dust can cut output up to 30%.
• 24:58
  SPEAKER_00: Solution.
• 24:59
  SPEAKER_00: Install automated wipers or schedule manual cleaning after storms.
• 25:03
  SPEAKER_00: Keep a pressure washer handy.
• 25:05
  SPEAKER_00: A secondary array tilt shaking snow also sheds dust.
• 25:08
  SPEAKER_00: Battery overheat.
• 25:10
  SPEAKER_00: The battery box can reach greater than 60 degrees Celsius in midday if not ventilated.
• 25:15
  SPEAKER_00: Solution.
• 25:16
  SPEAKER_00: Use phase change cooling packs or a small AC vent.
• 25:20
  SPEAKER_00: Always place batteries in shade.
• 25:22
  SPEAKER_00: Never charge or discharge above 45 degrees Celsius or you lose capacity.
• 25:27
  SPEAKER_00: If overheating occurs, shut off charging and rely on backup generatorslash propane.
• 25:33
  SPEAKER_00: Pump breakdown.
• 25:34
  SPEAKER_00: Fine sand can wear pump seals.
• 25:36
  SPEAKER_00: Solution.
• 25:37
  SPEAKER_00: Install a pre-sand trap, settling basin that is cleaned monthly.
• 25:42
  SPEAKER_00: Keep a manual hand pump to draw from cistern if the electric pump fails.
• 25:46
  SPEAKER_00: Sterilizer failure.
• 25:47
  SPEAKER_00: UV bulbs burnout.
• 25:49
  SPEAKER_00: Solution.
• 25:50
  SPEAKER_00: Keep extra bulbs on hand.
• 25:52
  SPEAKER_00: If UV is offline, add household bleach, sodium hypochlorite at 1 milliliter per liter as a stopgap disinfectant.
• 25:59
  SPEAKER_00: Water clarity must be high for UV to be effective.
• 26:03
  SPEAKER_00: Extreme heat illness, in case of air conditioning failure, have shade cloths and misting fans.
• 26:09
  SPEAKER_00: The generator can power an evaporative cooler as emergency, though these use lots of water.
• 26:14
  SPEAKER_00: Comparative lessons and adaptable template lessons.
• 26:17
  SPEAKER_00: Each climate demands a different mix of resources.
• 26:20
  SPEAKER_00: In the Altyne case, reliability trumped abundance.
• 26:24
  SPEAKER_00: We leaned heavily on wind and microhydro to offset short winter days and insulated systems for freezing.
• 26:31
  SPEAKER_00: In the rainy forest, water was plentiful, but sun was not.
• 26:35
  SPEAKER_00: So we used every drop twice and added wind hydro backup.
• 26:40
  SPEAKER_00: In the desert, solar rained supreme, but dust and heat created their own maintenance chores.
• 26:46
  SPEAKER_00: Across all three, however, common principles emerged: balance supply and demand, oversized generation to cover worse days.
• 26:54
  SPEAKER_00: For example, aim to recharge the battery bank in one sunny day.
• 26:59
  SPEAKER_00: Store for lean times.
• 27:00
  SPEAKER_00: Batteries and water tanks must hold two, three-plus days of use, since weather is unpredictable.
• 27:06
  SPEAKER_00: Solar-based villages often keep three days of autonomy even before setting up a generator.
• 27:12
  SPEAKER_00: Multi-stage water treatment.
• 27:14
  SPEAKER_00: Always includes sediment prefilters, fine filters slash UF, and disinfection for lakes slash stream water.
• 27:21
  SPEAKER_00: No single step is enough.
• 27:23
  SPEAKER_00: Reuse grey water.
• 27:25
  SPEAKER_00: In wet climates, it's a nuisance.
• 27:27
  SPEAKER_00: In dry climates, it's a lifeline.
• 27:29
  SPEAKER_00: But in any case, it must be free of toxic chemicals.
• 27:32
  SPEAKER_00: Designing the plant beds or infiltration fields in advance is key.
• 27:37
  SPEAKER_00: Expect and mitigate failures.
• 27:39
  SPEAKER_00: Each environment had obvious weak points: frozen pipes, mosquitoes, dust, salt spray, animals.
• 27:47
  SPEAKER_00: Anticipate the local issue and build in redundancy, e.g., backup filter cartridges, sealed tanks, screens, solar panels on spring hinges to shake snow, dust.
• 27:59
  SPEAKER_00: Adaptable design template.
• 28:01
  SPEAKER_00: Readers planning their own remote shoreline system can follow a stepwise framework.
• 28:06
  SPEAKER_00: Assess climate and resources.
• 28:08
  SPEAKER_00: Note sun hours, wind patterns, water availability, flora fauna issues.
• 28:14
  SPEAKER_00: Estimate loads.
• 28:15
  SPEAKER_00: Calculate daily kilowatt hours and water use per person, e.g., 150 to 250 liters per person, including basic household needs.
• 28:25
  SPEAKER_00: Include any gardening or livestock.
• 28:27
  SPEAKER_00: Choose generation mix.
• 28:29
  SPEAKER_00: Allocate solar PV capacity using local sun data.
• 28:34
  SPEAKER_00: Plus consider wind or hydro if available.
• 28:37
  SPEAKER_00: Ensure PV can recharge batteries from empty in one average sunny day.
• 28:41
  SPEAKER_00: Size storage.
• 28:43
  SPEAKER_00: Plan batteries for at least two to three days of autonomy, e.g., size equals load times days depth of discharge.
• 28:50
  SPEAKER_00: And water tanks similarly, often three to seven days of water supply.
• 28:54
  SPEAKER_00: Use insulation or heating if cold is an issue, or cooling ventilation if extreme heat.
• 29:00
  SPEAKER_00: Design water purification.
• 29:02
  SPEAKER_00: Use staged filtration for lakes, streams, include sediment, 50 to 100 micrometers, carbon filters, microfiltration UF, 0.1 to 0.2 micrometers, and UV or chemical disinfectant.
• 29:17
  SPEAKER_00: Always cover tanks to block insects and debris.
• 29:20
  SPEAKER_00: Plan gray water reuse.
• 29:23
  SPEAKER_00: Decide if you'll irrigate plants or use soak pits.
• 29:26
  SPEAKER_00: Build appropriate beds or sandpads before living there.
• 29:29
  SPEAKER_00: Only use biodegradable, gray water safe soaps.
• 29:33
  SPEAKER_00: Routine and redundancy.
• 29:35
  SPEAKER_00: Establish daily routines that maximize generation, e.g., do laundry when solar is up.
• 29:41
  SPEAKER_00: Identify single points of failure, e.g., only one pump, and add backups, extra pump, spare panels, manual generation.
• 29:50
  SPEAKER_00: Train occupants to monitor system health, e.g., battery voltage, water clarity, fail-safe protocols, have emergency procedures, how to boil treat water filters fail, operate a backup generator if batteries die, move animals away if threatening the system, maintain an emergency cache of water bottles, fuel, and parts.
• 30:10
  SPEAKER_00: By working systematically through these steps, as illustrated by our three lake scenarios, any off-grid lakefront project can be designed to be robust, climate appropriate, and long-lasting.
• 30:22
  SPEAKER_00: All links to sources are available in the text version of this article.
• 30:25
  SPEAKER_00: You can find the full article at boondocking.