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Could you live "off the grid"?
#4781357
06/08/18 01:25 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 6,777
ZZman
OP
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OP
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 6,777 |
I often watch shows where people want to live off the grid in the boonies. I like the use of solar and wind power to do it. Not so keen on some water systems and sanitation solutions.
As long as I could have Satellite TV and Internet it sounds intriguing. But would that be like cheating?
How about you guys?
2007 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD. 2005 Toyota Avalon XLS
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Re: Could you live "off the grid"?
[Re: ZZman]
#4781373
06/08/18 01:41 PM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 5,477
madRiver
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 5,477 |
I’d be fine but would have to live like tons of people who live in third world in close to off grid in terms of little/no electricity and easy water supply BUT own a smartphone.
No interest in TV. As kid my grandparents summer place in NH mountains had a attached privy for toilet and due to elevation a nearby uphill spring fed into small water tank which in turn we ran a waterline directly to house and got decent pressure. No electricity but propane for cooking.
My version of off grid!
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Re: Could you live "off the grid"?
[Re: ZZman]
#4781374
06/08/18 01:44 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,255
Leo99
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,255 |
I think any of us could. It's a matter of would we want to. I love electricity and running water.
The end of the human race will be that it will eventually die of civilization. R.W.E.
Without data you're just another person with an opinion. W. E. Deming
2003 Corolla 250,000 miles (RIP) 2004 Corolla 125,000 miles 2004 Rav4 392,000 miles 2015 Camry 90,000 miles
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Re: Could you live "off the grid"?
[Re: ZZman]
#4781383
06/08/18 01:54 PM
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,234
SirTanon
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,234 |
Nope. I use the internet WAY too much for so many things to be able/willing to live without it.
2013 Nissan Altima SV - 2.5 liter/CVT - 125,000mi 2014 Nissan Altima SL - 2.5 liter/CVT - 68,000mi 2010 Ford Fusion - 274k mi - SOLD
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Re: Could you live "off the grid"?
[Re: Leo99]
#4781384
06/08/18 01:55 PM
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,503
Bud
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,503 |
I think any of us could. It's a matter of would we want to. I love electricity and running water.
The end of the human race will be that it will eventually die of civilization. R.W.E. This
2016 Honda Pilot EX-L with NAVI.....Mobil 1 0w20 AFE and Honda OEM Filter
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Re: Could you live "off the grid"?
[Re: ZZman]
#4781392
06/08/18 02:06 PM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 10,597
brianl703
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 10,597 |
I often watch shows where people want to live off the grid in the boonies. I like the use of solar and wind power to do it. Not so keen on some water systems and sanitation solutions.
I could run both my well pump and my septic system off of solar power(I've run the well pump off a 1500W inverter already). If I cleaned up the hard water stains and you never looked outside to see the septic tank risers and the wellhead, you wouldn't know my house wasn't on public water/sewer.
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Re: Could you live "off the grid"?
[Re: ZZman]
#4781397
06/08/18 02:11 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,838
pandus13
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,838 |
I did... Not interested anymore.
The most important are: clean water, some water (cleaning, occasional bath) food/preserving close to some road safety access to emergency services.
Now my 2 experiences: 1. Granma's (my dad side) house: -clay built house -no electricity (too poor for that); no fridge -water from 50+ meters deep well; manual wheel chain drive... -outhouse in the "garden"; about 50 meters from the house; a joy for a 5 years old boy during the dark night; newspapers where rare so all kind of leaves for... -every meal cooked on top of cast iron oven; plenty of smoke... -some thicks from raising animals..
2. 2 summer guarding and caring 2ha. of watermelon: -makeshift tent/cube -carry clean water from 7 km, 20 L at a time; me fit -sleep on the ground -other water was in the groove, "next door". -mices galore (former wheat culture) -no power, so no fridge/tv/radio; battery powered radio, well had to save the batteries -no gas; cook with makeshift grill -only eat what you can carry; extra bonus only when watermelons ripe -potty was away from the "tent" or a whole dig in the groove "next door" -windy/humid/cold -chasing away at night the many guys wanting a free watermelon (talk about looking over your shoulder while passing trough that village during the day) -plenty of blisters, sometime with blood, couple heat exhaustion, sun burned (cause no shirt no hat to "toughen up") , no water 'till I finished whatever task to "toughen up"
Instead I would just go minimal in a quiet neighborhood/suburb close to a big town with good hospital/other services. Do the "grumpy neighbor" routine couple times and nobody would want to be close to you...
16 Golf SportWagen 13 Mazda5 08 Yaris 04 Elantra 95 accent 95 mystique 97 concorde
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Re: Could you live "off the grid"?
[Re: brianl703]
#4781398
06/08/18 02:11 PM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,104
EdwardC
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,104 |
I often watch shows where people want to live off the grid in the boonies. I like the use of solar and wind power to do it. Not so keen on some water systems and sanitation solutions.
I could run both my well pump and my septic system off of solar power(I've run the well pump off a 1500W inverter already). If I cleaned up the hard water stains and you never looked outside to see the septic tank risers and the wellhead, you wouldn't know my house wasn't on public water/sewer. Exactly, with the right setup and initial investment, you could easily live day to day as you do on the grid (also assuming you live in an appropriate locale). Off the grid just means disconnected electrical utility, and arguably disconnected from all public utilities. It doesn't mean that you disconnect from society/news/internet.
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Re: Could you live "off the grid"?
[Re: ZZman]
#4781406
06/08/18 02:23 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,250
ammolab
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,250 |
I will find out soon....the soldier canyon wild fire will cut off power to our town in 30 minutes!
1998 Jeep Cherokee 2011 BMW R1200R 2005 Kaw Ninja 250 1994 Jeep Wrangler 2.5L 2016 Chevy SS Sport Sedan
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Re: Could you live "off the grid"?
[Re: ZZman]
#4781418
06/08/18 02:41 PM
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,295
Imp4
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,295 |
As long as I could have Satellite TV and Internet it sounds intriguing. But would that be like cheating?
How about you guys? Isn't this kinda like saying 'As long as I can have apple pie and marshmallows, I can absolutely live sugar free!'.
2001 Mitsubishi Galant 2.4 - 165k+ Grandma's creampuff...
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Re: Could you live "off the grid"?
[Re: ZZman]
#4781424
06/08/18 02:47 PM
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 6,216
BrocLuno
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 6,216 |
I think the ideal is to spread out enough that each of us could have 1~2 acres within 1 hour of a town or small city ... Rural electric if available, or solar/batteries/inverter/generator and good well. Septic system laid out well away from the home. Good perc. That would make it a mostly "semi-closed" loop. Water up and through the system and back into the ground. Some lost to irrigation, etc. Heat from the "system" captured as much as possible (heat exchanger on the genny, etc.) for cold foul days w/o enough sunlight ... Food bought in and collected locally, neighbor sharing. TV/I'Net via satellite or cable. In the ideal world we'd all have fiber optic to the door. Emergency services in the town with a decent Hosp within the one hours radius. Live as you want. Mind your pollution. Don't build and fire cannons at your neighbors. Share big resources like a bull-dozer, etc. Share your kitchen garden with neighbors, etc. Not "off the grid", just on the fringe - oh, that's how we live now ... 
Formerly in marine engineering. In an earlier life I owned my own petroleum tank truck, and hauled for the majors and independent's.
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Re: Could you live "off the grid"?
[Re: ZZman]
#4781445
06/08/18 03:11 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 14,392
tig1
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 14,392 |
I the mid to late 50s my family lived off the grid for 2 years. We lived in southern Missouri near Summersville. We lived in the country and had electricy but no running water. Just a 20 ft cistern. We had a wood stove for heat, and no AC, but a very nice outhouse.
2007 Ford Fusion 250,000 miles M1 5-20HM 2017 Ford Fusion 83K M1 0-20EP 10,000 mile OCIs on both engines M1 ATF and M1 ATF LV M1 10-30 in all OPE MC filters
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Re: Could you live "off the grid"?
[Re: ZZman]
#4781451
06/08/18 03:16 PM
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,234
SirTanon
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,234 |
I don't need water or power. Just this ashtray... And this paddle game. - The ashtray and the paddle game and that's all I need... And this remote control. - The ashtray, the paddle game, and the remote control, and that's all I need... And these matches. - The ashtray, and these matches, and the remote control, and the paddle ball... And this lamp.
2013 Nissan Altima SV - 2.5 liter/CVT - 125,000mi 2014 Nissan Altima SL - 2.5 liter/CVT - 68,000mi 2010 Ford Fusion - 274k mi - SOLD
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Re: Could you live "off the grid"?
[Re: ZZman]
#4781457
06/08/18 03:25 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,906
4WD
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,906 |
I often watch shows where people want to live off the grid in the boonies. I like the use of solar and wind power to do it. Not so keen on some water systems and sanitation solutions.
As long as I could have Satellite TV and Internet it sounds intriguing. But would that be like cheating?
How about you guys? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iJISjgdiB2o
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Re: Could you live "off the grid"?
[Re: ZZman]
#4781459
06/08/18 03:27 PM
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 733
Rmay635703
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 733 |
Yes I could, if I had a supply of natural gas or propane anyway.
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