Going Off Grid in East Tennessee (school, dangerous, activity)

[younglisa7]

Originally Posted by YourSisterSusan

Mike and Lisa - Still following your blog from Huntington, New York. I have several comments:

1. I definitely think you would both be great on the Oprah show - you need to have the Studio visit you now to record your progress before you are all done.

2. Since your blog gets so many hits, I think you should talk to advertisers so that you can bring in some income-only a New Yorker would think about that.

3. After you take the Winter off and are re-energized, can you locate property nearby and build me a house?

Hi Susan,

Say hi to the family for us.

1. Put in a good word for us with Oprah.
2. Good idea. What advertisers? I tried Dewalt but I can't get through to an e-mail on their site.
3. Ok, we'll put you on the list. Since we started the house, Nicole keeps adding on "projects" for her house.

It's great to hear from you. Thanks for tuning in and passing on our story to the rest of the family.

Lisa and Your Brother Mike

[Heynow999]

Hi Mike and Lisa

Looks great as usual. The kitchen looks really good.

Just one point. I feel bad even suggesting a change as you guys work 10x`s harder than me. For your safety, any plug within 6 feet of a water source (sink, bathtub, etc) should have a GFCI. I know you can get a GFCI breaker. Do you have these.

About your panels. Will you be living in the house all year. If so, because you are off-grid, you will want to angle the panels for maximum winter production, because that is when you need more power, but get the least sunlight. The panels look like they are about 45 degrees. The best angle would be about 50 degrees so you guys are good there.

Is the new rack facing south. (sorry, my question mark button does not work!)

If so, you have to get the other panels facing south and angled as well. (But I`m sure you know all that)

Oh yea, one more thing. Again, for your safety, Mike has to be really careful when working in confined spaces like the water tank. The problem is, if he were to be overcome by fumes, how do you go in and get him. If you go to try and help, you may be overcome as well. Basically, you need a safety plan, which could be as simple as having a cell phone on hand that you know will work. If there is a problem, call for help, then attempt a rescue. Just trying to be helpful.

Good work, nice job!

[younglisa7]

Thank you everyone for your encouragement and well wishes. If it wasn't for all of you I wouldn't keep writng. You guys make me feel guilty if I don't get the story in, LOL.

southernfried- Welcome to our story. Glad you could join us.

Lisa

[younglisa7]

Originally Posted by Heynow999

Hi Mike and Lisa

Looks great as usual. The kitchen looks really good.

Just a one point. I feel bad even suggesting a change as you guys work 10x`s harder than me. For your safety, any plug within 6 feet of a water source (sink, bathtub, etc) should have a GFCI. I know you can get a GFCI breaker. Do you have these.

About your panels. Will you be living in the house all year. If so, because you are off-grid, you will want to angle the panels for maximum winter production, because that is when you need more power, but get the least sunlight. The panels look like they are about 45 degrees. The best angle would be about 50 degrees so you guys are good there.

Is the new rack facing south. (sorry, my question mark button does not work!)

If so, you have to get the other panels facing south and angled as well. (But I`m sure you know all that)

Good work, nice job!

You are right about the GFCI outlets. Instead of the individual outlets Mike put GFCI breakers for the kitchen and the bathroom in the main breaker box.

Our new panels are facing south and we can adjust the angles if and when needed. Our original panels on the roof will eventually be moved but right now they are still working and we are pushing to get into the house. Mike is re doing a lot of our system and it will take some time.

Thanks for the input. How are your panels? Are you hooked up yet?

Lisa

[Heynow999]

Originally Posted by younglisa7

Thanks for the input. How are your panels? Are you hooked up yet?

Lisa

I am getting it inspected tommorrow. I just have to add a disconnect for the inverter, and maybe a few more small things. I didn`t want to finish everything and then have the inspector tell me I had to change it. I will find out exactly what they want done tommorrow then I should be able to finish it in a week. I am doing a lot of the work, but I have an electrician helping me. He needs to sign-off on it.

[younglisa7]

Originally Posted by Heynow999

I am getting it inspected tommorrow. I just have to add a disconnect for the inverter, and maybe a few more small things. I didn`t want to finish everything and then have the inspector tell me I had to change it. I will find out exactly what they want done tommorrow then I should be able to finish it in a week. I am doing a lot of the work, but I have an electrician helping me. He needs to sign-off on it.

Good for you. Best of luck of luck on your inspection tomorrow.

[JEANNE61]

Lisa . .love all the furniture .and the countertops too . . My brother has almost the same ones . .
And i love dark furniture . It looks great wiht the light walls .

As always . . Job well done !!!

[Piffin]

Lisa and Mike,

I was referred to your blog here from another site and have spent 5-6 hours reading it while watching TV over the last couple of nights. I am a builder of nearly forty years experience and have worked much of that time with folks such as yourself building their own dream into reality. I have learned somewhat from you on the wind and solar power off-grid situation which I have not worked with before. I am also impressed with your stamina on this project.
My wife and I live on an island in Maine and we built our log home here about ten years ago, so I know how tired you may be getting.
We poured our footers on June 15 of that year - co-incidentally that was our wedding anniversary. I worked all summer long 11-14 hours a day until sometime in October to get it dried in, then went back to working on a customers house while working more on ours evenings and weekends, until it was liveable enough to move in the following May before our next anniversary.

Since then ... Well, Dad used to describe the place I grew up in as "Started in 1832 and aint finished yet!". I guess the apple doesnt fall far...

Anyways, I wanted to encourage you about how well you have done so far, and remind you to take some rest time together for fun stuff. Those media chairs look great - nice and comfy.

I also have several words of advice going forward, if you are willing to hear, words that will benefit others who read this as well as they emulate you and your activity there.

But it is getting late tonight, so perhaps tomorrow...meanwhile, Bless you and yours.

PFN

[redbean]

Lisa - I've been following your story for the past month. I LOVE the idea of going off-grid, and would love to try and do it one day. That said, there is one thing I don't think I could live without... closets! My question is, could you have modified your floor plan to include closets, or is that not possible without some major revisions? Cuz I love your floorplan, it would be perfect for me!

Thanks so much for posting your story. I hadn't considered this before, just hadn't crossed my mind. If I end up moving to Tennessee or a similar area (without hurricane-force winds) this is definately the way to go. I HATE feeling dependent on utilities/government/large corporations, etc.

Good luck finishing up! Your taste in furniture is wonderful, and I know y'all will be sooo happy!

Regards, Laura

[Suzanne1945]

Lisa, once again your Monday's installment had me sitting on the edge reading each day's activities. I, too, love your furniture. Good choice especially for the kitchen with all the other accessories. Thanks for sharing your story of love of country living.