Going Off Grid in East Tennessee (Pigeon Forge: paid, place, Indians)

[younglisa7]

Bones- Thanks. That makes sense about the size of the blades but they are also much heavier than the smaller blades and it is lower than the smaller one. As you know we are brand new to all this so it is one big learning process. If we put the wind generator at the barn it would be about 150-200 feet lower just because of elevation. Our house's elevation is about 3400 feet and there are no buildings and trees in the way. I'm rambling, but I don't get why the "solar people" never mention elevation.

kygman- Thanks for the advice on the "Hercules" hooks. Did you get them from TV or do stores carry them?

Optimusprime- You're funny. I couldn't even imagine the cost and time it would take to build an off grid resort but it would be really cool. Especially if the whole place was completely self sufficient.

Katsmeeyow- Again, I am so happy you really enjoy our story.

jenic2- Good luck to you. If I can help you with any questions just let me know.

Laura- I am so glad you found our story, Thank you so much for your compliments. You should also check out the TN picture thread. I'm sure it will bring back many memories for you.
http://www.city-data.com/forum/tenne...-pictures.html

Lisa

[Tinman313]

I'm rambling, but I don't get why the "solar people" never mention elevation.........

It's not the elevation from what I understand, You have the Summer & Winter Solstice, the cycles of gain or loss.. the angle of the Sun, this is what determines your solar out put on a daily base. If your in a valley and blocked by the angle I would say that's elevation. Their are a number of sites on the internet that by GPS location will give you the optimum solar out put based on day ~ week ~ month........

http://www.qsl.net/ve3lgs/solarpnl.htm

[Live~Oak]

Hi Lisa & Mike,

I see that you went with a gas tank style water heater. I am curious as to what drove your decision to go this route? Bosch makes a gas tankless water heater that requires no electric and no pilot light. I have not used one but am considering one. Sounds pretty cool but if they are not reliable or have draw backs, I would appreciate your thoughts on this. You guys seem like every decision you make on your project has been very well thought out. I am presuming you considered one of the Bosch Aqua Star heaters but decided against it for some reason.

Features and Specifications for the Bosch Model 1600H Tankless Water Heater

Also I have a question about the Pex tubing. Does the Pex tubing move or flex inside the walls with fluctuations in pressure and how does it respond to rapid pressure spikes? Does it hold up well over time? Leave any after taste in the water? How well does the red Pex tubing hold heat in the hot water?

Might save me some grief later. Thanks!

[Tinman313]

Originally Posted by Live~Oak

Hi Lisa & Mike,

I see that you went with a gas tank style water heater. I am curious as to what drove your decision to go this route? Bosch makes a gas tankless water heater that requires no electric and no pilot light. I have not used one but am considering one. Sounds pretty cool but if they are not reliable or have draw backs, I would appreciate your thoughts on this. You guys seem like every decision you make on your project has been very well thought out. I am presuming you considered one of the Bosch Aqua Star heaters but decided against it for some reason.

Features and Specifications for the Bosch Model 1600H Tankless Water Heater

Also I have a question about the Pex tubing. Does the Pex tubing move or flex inside the walls with fluctuations in pressure and how does it respond to rapid pressure spikes? Does it hold up well over time? Leave any after taste in the water? How well does the red Pex tubing hold heat in the hot water?

Might save me some grief later. Thanks!

FYI on PEX: PEX Products - FAQ

[sassykat&joe]

We got our hercules hooks at BedBath & Beyond. they have a whole wall of "as seen on tv" stuff.

[younglisa7]

Originally Posted by Live~Oak

Hi Lisa & Mike,

I see that you went with a gas tank style water heater. I am curious as to what drove your decision to go this route? Bosch makes a gas tankless water heater that requires no electric and no pilot light. I have not used one but am considering one. Sounds pretty cool but if they are not reliable or have draw backs, I would appreciate your thoughts on this. You guys seem like every decision you make on your project has been very well thought out. I am presuming you considered one of the Bosch Aqua Star heaters but decided against it for some reason.

Features and Specifications for the Bosch Model 1600H Tankless Water Heater

Also I have a question about the Pex tubing. Does the Pex tubing move or flex inside the walls with fluctuations in pressure and how does it respond to rapid pressure spikes? Does it hold up well over time? Leave any after taste in the water? How well does the red Pex tubing hold heat in the hot water?

Might save me some grief later. Thanks!

Hopefully I can answer everything for you. First we stuck with the regular gas water heater because Mike is a dinosaur in some ways. He was concerned with all the circuitry and parts that are in tankless water heaters. The more parts something has the easier it is to have problems. Now that is Mike's opinion. We also talked to our gas company about them because of course they were trying to sell us one. We found out that they all have a blower vent/fan that runs. That concerned us. I looked at the link for the one you suggested at it has potential. My only concern is when I read through the installation manual it showed a wiring diagram for the power vent motor. Since it was too late to call Bosch I couldn't find out about that. If you can find out how the blower/vent motor runs that would be great.

We will see how ours does and who knows we may change in the future.

Pex! It was so easy to install. This is the first time we used it so we are keeping our fingers crossed that it is as good as it is supposed to be.. Mike did a water check the other night and it looks like we have no problems with any of the pex tubing or connections. We will keep you posted as we learn more. Check out Tinman's links. He always finds good info.

Lisa

[bgarrett]

Lisa, which model Premeir oven did you get?
Thanks
BGarrett

[younglisa7]

Originally Posted by bgarrett

Lisa, which model Premeir oven did you get?
Thanks
BGarrett

I got the Premier 30" model #P305320BP. The best price I got was through my propane company. It was $775.00 plus $95.00 shipping.

If you get one of these stoves they are "true" measurements which means you need more than the 30"(or whatever size you get) to fit between the cabinets/counter.

I should start using the stove and oven next week. I will let you know how accurate the temps are.


Lisa

[younglisa7]

Live~Oak

I just called Bosch and found out about the 1600H. It is, as you said non electric. The power vent is an accessory that is used if you vent it through a wall and then you need electric. If you vent it through the ceiling(roof) you don't need electric because you don't need the power vent.

See, you learn something new everyday.

Thanks again for the info.

Lisa

[kygman]

Originally Posted by younglisa7

kygman- Thanks for the advice on the "Hercules" hooks. Did you get them from TV or do stores carry them?Lisa

You can get them online at bamzu.com. But we bought ours at Walmart. These were the original hercules hooks with the free laser level with them. Also bought more at the Dollar General Store without the level for about half price. They're so easy to use my wife let me use them!