We Went Off Grid In ONLY 30 Days!
Acorn Land Labs・6 minutes read
Kimble, Ben, and the speaker aim to build an off-grid setup under $25,000, including a canvas tent, micro cabin, solar panels, methane digestor, and raised beds. The team focuses on sustainability, efficiency, and functionality in setting up a cozy and functional off-grid living space with various systems and components.
Insights
- Building an off-grid setup under $25,000 involves a canvas Bell tent, solar panels, a methane digestor, and a micro cabin, emphasizing sustainability and cost-efficiency.
- Utilizing natural materials like wood and Havelock wool insulation ensures a safer and healthier living environment compared to synthetic alternatives, promoting sustainability and long-term well-being.
- The off-grid setup includes essential components like raised beds, rainwater collection systems, and solar power setups, showcasing a comprehensive approach to self-sufficient living while emphasizing functionality and efficiency.
Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free
Recent questions
What are the key components of an off-grid setup?
The key components of an off-grid setup include a canvas Bell tent, rainwater catchment system, methane digestor, solar panels, battery system, raised beds, micro cabin, wood stove, composting toilet, and greenhouse.
How does a methane digestor benefit off-grid living?
A methane digestor benefits off-grid living by reducing CO2 emissions, providing a cost-effective sanitation system, and offering a sustainable waste management solution.
What are the advantages of using Havelock wool insulation?
Havelock wool insulation offers a natural, compostable, and safe alternative to synthetic insulations like fiberglass, providing a healthier living environment.
How can rainwater be collected for off-grid living?
Rainwater can be collected for off-grid living by installing a rainwater collection system with gutters, leaf eaters, and a first flush diverter to ensure proper water flow and filtration.
What flooring material is suitable for an off-grid micro cabin?
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring is a composite material ideal for off-grid micro cabins, offering affordability, waterproof properties, and durability suitable for households with children.
Related videos
Summary
00:00
Off-Grid Setup: Building Sustainable Living Space
- Kimble, Ben, and the speaker plan to build an off-grid setup in 30 days for under $25,000, covering all utilities.
- The setup includes a canvas Bell tent, rainwater catchment system, methane digestor, solar panels, battery system, raised beds, and a micro cabin.
- They opt for a portable micro cabin for ease of setup, costing over $6,000 and delivered on-site.
- The canvas Bell tent is prepared on a level surface using solar-charged tools, with a focus on sustainability.
- The team clears areas for the Bell tent and micro cabin, creating paths and designated spaces for various activities.
- They purchase a micro cabin shell from a portable shed company, emphasizing its efficiency and structural support.
- The team sets up the canvas Bell tent from Life in Tents, taking about 2 hours with basic tools and clear instructions.
- Inside the Bell tent, they arrange furniture, kitchen essentials, a sink, and a living area, ensuring a cozy and functional space.
- They plan to add a wood stove for heating, utilizing solar power for various appliances and maintaining sustainability.
- The team implements sanitation systems like a methane digestor and composting toilet, explaining their functionality and benefits for off-grid living.
13:50
Eco-friendly off-grid system with methane digestor
- A methane digestor can reduce CO2 emissions by 6 tons annually.
- Connecting a flushable toilet to the methane digestor acts as an above-ground septic system.
- A methane digestor is more cost-effective than a traditional septic system, requiring 12200 L of water.
- Water for the methane digestor can be sourced from rainwater collection, a creek, stream, well, or pond.
- To pump water from the pond to IBC totes, a 400 W solar panel connected to a Delta ecoflow battery system is used.
- Solar energy powers pumps to fill the methane digestor and composting outhouse.
- A land laap simulator helps plan and understand the inputs, outputs, and costs of each system.
- Setting up a solar panel, IBC totes, water pump, and methane digestor are key steps in the off-grid setup.
- The composting toilet diverts urine from solid waste, using peat moss to aid in composting.
- Constructing a greenhouse for the methane digestor provides consistent temperatures and benefits for seedlings.
26:43
Eco-friendly gardening tips for sustainable living.
- Switch to hands for composting for better control and to save earthworms.
- Sifted soil is airy and fluffy, using sturdy seed cells and trays from Epic Gardening.
- Botanical Interest seeds are heirloom and reliable.
- Completing the greenhouse setup with a methane digester.
- Challenges with full IPC tanks and water drainage.
- Setting up tall raised beds with logs, leaves, and compost.
- Using biochar and bone meal for nutrient-rich raised beds.
- Utilizing Acorn land lab equipment for raised bed materials.
- Repurposing a wooden deck for the micro cabin.
- Insulating the cabin with Havloft wool for warmth and sustainability.
41:31
Natural Wool Insulation: Safe and Sustainable Choice
- Synthetic building materials can have long-term health effects, unlike natural materials like wood, which can be composted and returned to the Earth.
- Havelock wool insulation is a natural and compostable alternative to synthetic insulations like fiberglass or foam.
- Installing Havelock wool insulation involves stapling 16-inch wide pieces that are about 3-4 feet long in place, using shears or an insulation knife for cutting.
- Havelock wool insulation is slightly more expensive than fiberglass but is still affordable and safer for health in the long run.
- The cost of insulation for a small home like a micro cabin can be under $1,000, providing a safe environment for children.
- Shipping wool insulation from New Zealand is cheaper than transporting it within the US due to cost-effective ocean shipping.
- Wool insulation is a sustainable and safe choice compared to synthetic options, offering a healthier living environment.
- Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is a composite material suitable for affordable and waterproof flooring, ideal for households with children.
- Installing LVP flooring requires a mallet, spacers, and a hanger tool for tightening and positioning the planks.
- Utilizing leftover LVP or finding discounted options can help save costs on flooring projects, even if color matching may be necessary.
56:05
"Building Micro Cabin with Rainwater Collection System"
- Use 3-inch chunks of 2x4 at the top and bottom for mounting points.
- Position and attach the 3-inch 2x4 chunks, then measure and install the panel on one side.
- Repeat the process for the other side, completing the front wall.
- The front wall is finished with all panels in place, enhancing structural integrity without sheetrock.
- The micro cabin's plywood wall is high-end, eliminating the need for sheetrock anchors.
- Progress to completing the back wall and ceiling of the micro cabin.
- Implement a rainwater system using the first flush method for clean water collection.
- The first flush system diverts initial rainwater debris before collecting clean water.
- Calculate the required amount of rainwater for roof rinsing and design the first flush system accordingly.
- Install the rainwater collection system, including gutters, leaf eater, and first flush diverter, ensuring proper water flow and filtration.
01:10:18
"Wood Stove Stand Assembly and Installation"
- Lost power, backup heater broke, had to wait for battery to charge
- Received replacement glass panel from Tiny wood stove team
- Used leftover plywood to make sturdy stand for wood stove
- Cut top of stand to 23x23 inches, sides to 19.5 inches, and base
- Added plywood struts for support in the middle of the stand
- Planned to top the stand with tiles or tin for safety and aesthetics
- Assembled wood stove stand and mounted stove on top
- Installed flu components through wall instead of roof, faced complications
- Used thimble to protect insulation from hot metal pipes
- Replaced 20in horizontal flu pipe with 40in for proper draft and safety
01:23:19
Solar power system installation essentials
- Connect extension cables, red for positive and black for negative/neutral.
- Match colors for positive and neutral connections.
- Use needle-nose pliers to adjust metal contacts if needed.
- Snap MC4 connectors together for panel groupings.
- Drill hole in micro cabin for cables from combiner box.
- Store solar power in lithium-ion batteries for use.
- Powerboard converts DC to AC for appliances.
- Inverter, charge controller, and monitoring panel in powerboard.
- Connect batteries, solar panel output, and powerboard to breaker box.
- Final steps include wiring breaker box, grounding, and testing appliances.
01:38:42
"Improving Project Finish with Solar Panels"
- The Finish of the project would look better if the rectangle is cut out and the edge is left.
- The team is learning from their projects and making adjustments for better outcomes.
- Tests are being run to ensure the current is flowing correctly, including testing the breakers and propping up the solar panels.
- Solar panels are angled at roughly 30° for maximum sunlight capture, using free pallets as temporary mounts.
- The micro cabin is fully equipped with appliances, furniture, water collection system, and power setup, ready for off-grid living.
