@SuperLovableguy Ditch the wife and the slave system. I have a woman that loves to send. She couldn't keep two quarters in her hand. But I told her. You can continue working but I will be an ant and save until I can retire. We have different financial goals but we can live together.
If you live near Provo (you said you got a view of the Uintas) I don't think the county inspectors will give you a hassle. How do you keep your water line form freezing in the winter?
Do You have a video of your heater switch to propane? I have the same heater I justed know if there's like kit to buy or is yours actually made to be propane. I would like to add my heater to my garage and didn't know if you made it propane? Thanks for all the info!
What you have done is simply amazing!!!! I am sitting here with my jaw to the floor...I have had something like this on my mind for yrs.Now does the county come and give you any grief for "code violations?"And how have you dealt with any situations like this?Do u have cabins on your other properties?
@jenhays1971 We have building codes where we are, but they are not out looking for violations as they would be in urban areas. They tend to occupy themselves with matters in the towns and villages, and do not bother much with the bush.
@jenhays1971 The building code question was what I was wondering also. When we built our home inspectors had to come out and approve everything. The septic system cost $12k and was required and a big hassle to get approved. No alternatives offered. Now they come out bi-annually and inspect it and send a $150 invoice for the inspection. It seems overly complicated and such a huge waste of property.
@ducati135 fucking bastards! Where do you live? for sure that's got to be against your good old constitution. $150 a year just to shit? daylight robbery.
@arumdevil I detect a little sarcasm in the comment - if not, it was still good for a chuckle. It's not the $150 that bugs me so much as just the absurdity of the huge mess of tanks and pipes and pumps and drains and inspections that seem totally unnecessary. The majority of the waste is gray water - why can't that be separated out and go into a natural bog filtration system of some kind. The solids could be composted and incorporated into our farm field. Simple, effective and clean.
Thanks for sharing. You have a system that obviously is working for you. I have to ask, why bother with the washstand in the bathroom - showed on another vid - ? Why not just walk out to the kitchen sink? I visited a home in the Philippines and the kitchen sink was where I shaved and everyone brushed their teeth etc.
led lights are not ready yet, unless you want to spend over 60 buck for just one light, i still use CFL every now and then i buy an led bulb they need to work on the output a bit and the color!
A good thing to get is Hulu, and Netflix, as long as you have internet access you have access to TV show and movies just like everyone else!
led lights are not ready yet, unless you want to spend over 60 buck for just one light, i still use CFL every now and then i buy an led bulb they need to work on the output a bit and the color!
You can save some power usage with LED light bulbs retrofitted to those RV light fixtures. Are you running an inverter for the TV or is the TV set up for direct 12 power?
Hey buddy, are you aware of how much loss and heat you are making with the small wiring?
Take a hair-strand 8Guage wire for car amplifiers and run that to your TV or light. See what it draws out of the battery bank. Then hook it up to the small wires you have there and check again.
DC needs many strands. The more the better.
I was shocked at the difference. You will be also.
Larger wires are better but with the price of copper large wiring is very expensive. These lights are only used a few minutes at a time. My full use lights are 110v ran off the inverter.
You should get longer on that tv on battery power I lost power one day so I took a car battery I had in the garage on trickle charge it was at full charge and took my Walmart dc to ac converter and powered me 32 inch Sanyo tube tv for over 8 hours till the power came back on I could have gone longer
Yes i t can run longer if the batts are fully charged but I also run lights and water pump off that system. My new system will run the tvs all night and all day no problem.
damn , i'm realy intresting in building a solar cabin right now .. its like all you need and good to save money when your just entered the big human world . when you have to work and stuff ..
i love your cabin do you still life there ?
and how mutch does this full house+ elec system and water systems cost ?
how long does it take to heat up your full house ?
is it also secured and safe in realy hard rain and storm ?
I have been living in the cabin full time for over 7 years. The can was $2000, solar and wind power $4000, and I hand drilled the well for $200. The cabin has never moved in any storm.
I had an idea! It would be really cool if you could salvage or build a fireplace frame/mantle and put it around your furnace. It would give you a nice cozy feeling. :)
get a computer, you can hook it up to the tv as a monitor and with the right cards you can get a lot more from the satalite/antena... this would be a good build in germany on some of the hills near the biger rivers, mass transit is close to everywhere (rodes busses trains) our electronics are better (sory usa your still geting crap becuse you tolorate it =P) most heating are more efciant ( less bills)
solar is beter(cuzz you still get riped off) and we have state sponsored tv on top of paied ful
Not the best arrangement having any electronics above or close to a heater. It's likely to shorten it's lifespan. FWIW, there are some awesomely bright and cheap LED flashlights at dollar stores. Connect enough of the 4.5V units together in series to match your battery voltage (12VDC? = 3).
Great vids. Really appreciate the time and quality work you have put into your vids. Do you have problems with inspectors demanding you do this and that by code? In MI., it doesn't matter if you're way out in the woods, they'll come give you hell. Good luck.
I like all your videos man you gave me great ideas! Also I like to give you a suggestion about your food supplies. Try Canning you can store alot of food in little space such as your cabin and they can last for couple of years. Love your cabin again awesome.
Congratulations on your cabin. You have built a really nice little home. I didn't see what you do for water. Do you have an independent water system as well?
You should really look into Solar power. I dont know much about it myself but my dad really got into it recently and has figured out how to run his house off of it and you don't need any special appliances. Somehow he has a device that turns it into current that all houses use on the grid.
my tube tv 32'' will run for 8 to 12 hours with one 12volt car battery i tried it once one day the power went out i just happen to have the battery on charge so it was full and i just set it on my brick fire place and hooked my ac converter and plug it in
just dump it in a hole and up some lie on it just like you would do with a outhouse just make sure you dump it far away from the house the lie will help it brake down fast and keep the smell down
with led tvs now you can save more battery I think
Tinhh 1 day ago
@SuperLovableguy Ditch the wife and the slave system. I have a woman that loves to send. She couldn't keep two quarters in her hand. But I told her. You can continue working but I will be an ant and save until I can retire. We have different financial goals but we can live together.
sbhuiyan 1 week ago
@SuperLovableguy
Been there and done that!
solarcabin 3 weeks ago 4
Have you thought of taking out the DC->AC->DC conversion inefficiency of the TV? (Inside the TV its likely just converting it back to 12V anyway.)
linagee 3 weeks ago
Some LCD TVs actually utilize an external 12VDC transformer which would be the equivalent of running it off of a battery bank.
MIKON8ERISBACK 1 month ago
If you live near Provo (you said you got a view of the Uintas) I don't think the county inspectors will give you a hassle. How do you keep your water line form freezing in the winter?
IanHunedoara8 1 month ago
@IanHunedoara8
My water is free flowing and as long as water is running it won't freeze.
solarcabin 1 month ago
i LOVE THIS!! I am grateful for the videos!! lots of cheap land in oregon.
Jason1975ism 1 month ago
How you wash your clothes? watched some videos and im pretty interested.
LoLdekulink 1 month ago
@LoLdekulink
I have a full size washing machine in the shed and a hand crank washing machine.
solarcabin 1 month ago
@solarcabin Do you have a video of the hand crank washer? If not that would be interesting to see it used.
ducati135 1 month ago
@ducati135
I have a video of a hand crank barrel washing machine on my solarcabin channel.
solarcabin 1 month ago
You could install some pull down stairs, and free up some floor space.
wrg1183 2 months ago
@wrg1183
You could and an attic ladder would work. My ladder slides up in the loft when not in use.
solarcabin 2 months ago
Do You have a video of your heater switch to propane? I have the same heater I justed know if there's like kit to buy or is yours actually made to be propane. I would like to add my heater to my garage and didn't know if you made it propane? Thanks for all the info!
kingxshit 2 months ago
@kingxshit
The water heater and furnace are designed for propane and come with the connection hose.
solarcabin 2 months ago
you need a pop can solar heater .. : )
914light 2 months ago 2
What you have done is simply amazing!!!! I am sitting here with my jaw to the floor...I have had something like this on my mind for yrs.Now does the county come and give you any grief for "code violations?"And how have you dealt with any situations like this?Do u have cabins on your other properties?
jenhays1971 3 months ago
@jenhays1971
It depends on county building codes and in very rural areas there may be few or no codes.
solarcabin 3 months ago
@jenhays1971 We have building codes where we are, but they are not out looking for violations as they would be in urban areas. They tend to occupy themselves with matters in the towns and villages, and do not bother much with the bush.
SuperOffgrid 3 months ago
@jenhays1971 The building code question was what I was wondering also. When we built our home inspectors had to come out and approve everything. The septic system cost $12k and was required and a big hassle to get approved. No alternatives offered. Now they come out bi-annually and inspect it and send a $150 invoice for the inspection. It seems overly complicated and such a huge waste of property.
ducati135 1 month ago
@ducati135
Some counties allow alternative septic systems and a composting toilet can be used.
solarcabin 1 month ago
@ducati135 fucking bastards! Where do you live? for sure that's got to be against your good old constitution. $150 a year just to shit? daylight robbery.
arumdevil 1 month ago
@arumdevil I detect a little sarcasm in the comment - if not, it was still good for a chuckle. It's not the $150 that bugs me so much as just the absurdity of the huge mess of tanks and pipes and pumps and drains and inspections that seem totally unnecessary. The majority of the waste is gray water - why can't that be separated out and go into a natural bog filtration system of some kind. The solids could be composted and incorporated into our farm field. Simple, effective and clean.
ducati135 1 month ago
@ducati135 not sarcastic, at least not against you. I agree it's a totally unnecessary amount of extra hassle.
arumdevil 1 month ago
Thanks for sharing. You have a system that obviously is working for you. I have to ask, why bother with the washstand in the bathroom - showed on another vid - ? Why not just walk out to the kitchen sink? I visited a home in the Philippines and the kitchen sink was where I shaved and everyone brushed their teeth etc.
You got me thinking!
HikerJohn316 3 months ago
@HikerJohn316
I do use the kitchen sink for most washing needs but the hot water is only run to the bathroom.
solarcabin 3 months ago
led lights are not ready yet, unless you want to spend over 60 buck for just one light, i still use CFL every now and then i buy an led bulb they need to work on the output a bit and the color!
A good thing to get is Hulu, and Netflix, as long as you have internet access you have access to TV show and movies just like everyone else!
pro311031 3 months ago
led lights are not ready yet, unless you want to spend over 60 buck for just one light, i still use CFL every now and then i buy an led bulb they need to work on the output a bit and the color!
pro311031 3 months ago
Your cabin looks very comfortable! :)
OzarksHillHoney 3 months ago
Why not get a fold up ladder simmiliar to those used for most attic spaces? That ladder up to the loft seems like a waste of space
OHwrestlingIO 4 months ago
@OHwrestlingIO
A fold up ladder would work but I can slide my ladder up out of the way as needed.
solarcabin 4 months ago
You can save some power usage with LED light bulbs retrofitted to those RV light fixtures. Are you running an inverter for the TV or is the TV set up for direct 12 power?
8digitPDX 4 months ago
@8digitPDX
Leds are OK but I prefer the halogen lights which I can find anywhere. The TVs and most of my equipment run off the inverter.
solarcabin 4 months ago
What about insulation?
lpdavisakgto 5 months ago
@lpdavisakgto
Cabin is fully insulated floor to roof.
solarcabin 4 months ago
Is the wire not to small
lpdavisakgto 5 months ago
@lpdavisakgto
It is 8 gauge which is the same size recommended for RV dc lights.
solarcabin 4 months ago
Hey buddy, are you aware of how much loss and heat you are making with the small wiring?
Take a hair-strand 8Guage wire for car amplifiers and run that to your TV or light. See what it draws out of the battery bank. Then hook it up to the small wires you have there and check again.
DC needs many strands. The more the better.
I was shocked at the difference. You will be also.
sheltiemanva 6 months ago
@sheltiemanva
Larger wires are better but with the price of copper large wiring is very expensive. These lights are only used a few minutes at a time. My full use lights are 110v ran off the inverter.
solarcabin 4 months ago
Someone else may have mentioned this...but you may want to replace that speaker line running to your lights.
That stuff is not really safe to use for power.
Thanks for showing the cabin. It gives me ideas about how to set things.
The fridge looks great and I really like the posts on the front porch.
sheltiemanva 6 months ago
Wouldn't it have been cheaper to just put a front porch on an old RV, seeing as most of the stuff in your house came from an old RV?
MonnsterMan 6 months ago
@MonnsterMan
RV's are not as well insulated and we have cold winters here and I have a lot more room in the cabin.
solarcabin 6 months ago 2
How much propane do u use a month avg 4 summer/ winter
atnipjoe 6 months ago
@atnipjoe
About 100 gallons for the year and most of that is for winter heating.
solarcabin 6 months ago
You should get longer on that tv on battery power I lost power one day so I took a car battery I had in the garage on trickle charge it was at full charge and took my Walmart dc to ac converter and powered me 32 inch Sanyo tube tv for over 8 hours till the power came back on I could have gone longer
atnipjoe 6 months ago
@atnipjoe
Yes i t can run longer if the batts are fully charged but I also run lights and water pump off that system. My new system will run the tvs all night and all day no problem.
solarcabin 6 months ago
You should start looking into LED TV as well as LED lights. They consume a lot less energy too.
dannyb4283 8 months ago
damn , i'm realy intresting in building a solar cabin right now .. its like all you need and good to save money when your just entered the big human world . when you have to work and stuff ..
i love your cabin do you still life there ?
and how mutch does this full house+ elec system and water systems cost ?
how long does it take to heat up your full house ?
is it also secured and safe in realy hard rain and storm ?
your house is awesome
schallon8 8 months ago
@schallon8
I have been living in the cabin full time for over 7 years. The can was $2000, solar and wind power $4000, and I hand drilled the well for $200. The cabin has never moved in any storm.
solarcabin 8 months ago
They cant touch you man, you are the bomb.
With all my high-tech knowledge I can do this too.
You are a Neo Sapient, A NEW HUMAN.
Youve broken away & are no longer dependent on the system, NEO SAPIENT, YEAH!
BadassCeino 9 months ago
I had an idea! It would be really cool if you could salvage or build a fireplace frame/mantle and put it around your furnace. It would give you a nice cozy feeling. :)
blossomblizzard 9 months ago
@blossomblizzard
Thanks- that is a cool idea!
solarcabin 9 months ago
get a computer, you can hook it up to the tv as a monitor and with the right cards you can get a lot more from the satalite/antena... this would be a good build in germany on some of the hills near the biger rivers, mass transit is close to everywhere (rodes busses trains) our electronics are better (sory usa your still geting crap becuse you tolorate it =P) most heating are more efciant ( less bills)
solar is beter(cuzz you still get riped off) and we have state sponsored tv on top of paied ful
jannikmt 1 year ago
Not the best arrangement having any electronics above or close to a heater. It's likely to shorten it's lifespan. FWIW, there are some awesomely bright and cheap LED flashlights at dollar stores. Connect enough of the 4.5V units together in series to match your battery voltage (12VDC? = 3).
trappedhoudini 1 year ago
how far are you from the city?
Caonabban 1 year ago
Great vids. Really appreciate the time and quality work you have put into your vids. Do you have problems with inspectors demanding you do this and that by code? In MI., it doesn't matter if you're way out in the woods, they'll come give you hell. Good luck.
frankie2234 1 year ago
@frankie2234 if it's under 12x12 it's considered a shead and ther is nothing thaey can do...
jannikmt 1 year ago
I like all your videos man you gave me great ideas! Also I like to give you a suggestion about your food supplies. Try Canning you can store alot of food in little space such as your cabin and they can last for couple of years. Love your cabin again awesome.
mrshappy2007 1 year ago
Wicked awesome! all in all how much have you invested in your homestead? I absolutely dig the setup!
TheIndustrialphreak 1 year ago
Congratulations on your cabin. You have built a really nice little home. I didn't see what you do for water. Do you have an independent water system as well?
SadlyDiscontinued 1 year ago
thats amazing that u can grow vegetables of your own waste.
tkazokas 1 year ago
@tkazokas Rofl what's funny is the fact that we used to do that ALL THE TIME... xD
Iraqnid2088 1 year ago
Have you thought about installing LED lights?
travinak 1 year ago
I have dc halogen lights but led and cfl work well with solar.
solarcabin 1 year ago
You should really look into Solar power. I dont know much about it myself but my dad really got into it recently and has figured out how to run his house off of it and you don't need any special appliances. Somehow he has a device that turns it into current that all houses use on the grid.
sotik 1 year ago
do you pay cable?
ramsantosjr 1 year ago
@ramsantosjr
No, I have a standard roof antennae and get 15 channels and some HD. You could use cable or satellite with solar if you want.
solarcabin 1 year ago
my tube tv 32'' will run for 8 to 12 hours with one 12volt car battery i tried it once one day the power went out i just happen to have the battery on charge so it was full and i just set it on my brick fire place and hooked my ac converter and plug it in
atnipjoe 1 year ago
just dump it in a hole and up some lie on it just like you would do with a outhouse just make sure you dump it far away from the house the lie will help it brake down fast and keep the smell down
atnipjoe 1 year ago
Lamar, I bought both of your books. For $5.00 each, I received a TON of useful information! The best $10.00 I've spent in a decade!
Thank you so much, brother!
nomoreremakes 1 year ago
@nomoreremakes
the best info on composting toilets! free too! google humanure handbook!
ayurtdweller 1 year ago
This is fascinating to me. Would love to build a self sustaining cabin. How do you do your laundry?
clutter0410 2 years ago
I have a standard washing machine I run off a gas generator.
solarcabin 2 years ago
just wanted to say thank you
shaunaharman 2 years ago 2
question,does the tv run off dc or the inverter,if it just runs off dc is it a dc tv or did you do something to it thanks
shaunaharman 2 years ago
Hi Shauna,
The tvs and most of my appliances and gadgets run off AC from an inverter.
I use DC for some lights and the water pump.
solarcabin 2 years ago