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We Went Off Grid In ONLY 30 Days!

Acorn Land Labs・100 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.

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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.

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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.

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