BajaNomad

Watt is the answer?

fishbuck - 12-28-2016 at 01:49 PM

How many watts of solar electricity is required to run a Casita? Has anyone tried wind power.
How does one run a refrigerator/freezer on solar power.
How many storage batteries are required?



[Edited on 12-28-2016 by fishbuck]

BajaNomad - 12-28-2016 at 01:56 PM

Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck  
How many watts of solar electricity is required to run a Casita?


I believe the answer to this is different for everyone - and it depends upon you, and what your intended needs are (plus what your discovered needs are once you get going!).

:)






[Edited on 12-28-2016 by BajaNomad]

fishbuck - 12-28-2016 at 02:09 PM

I figured.
But is it possible to determine a sort off. "Baja offgrid standard".
Kind of a beginner minimum?
A tv, a fridge, lights,
When preparing for an offgrid life these are the sort of questions that arise.
Most solar systems are expandable too.
So to figure out the minimum buy in you first have to determine your minimum requirement.
For example. I figure a 3000 watt generator will run a 26 foot trailer.
But my 1st project would be to set up a solar system to replace the generator.



El Jefe - 12-28-2016 at 02:16 PM

The good news is that solar systems are fairly modular so you can add capacity as your needs change. We started off with 3,500 watts solar capacity on the roof and 12 huge 4 volt Rolls batteries in the garage to run a normal 2 bedroom house with all the usual appliances you would have stateside. After adding a swimming pool we increased to 6,000 watts of solar panels with the same batteries. You can easily spend $20,000 on batteries alone.

monoloco - 12-28-2016 at 03:31 PM

Check out Dyno Batteries in Seattle. They have been building industrial batteries for the railroad and other applications since 1933, and they are reasonably priced.
4248 23rd Ave. W.
Seattle Wa. 98199
206 283 7450

larryC - 12-28-2016 at 03:57 PM

I have no idea what you will need but my place runs on 2280 watts of solar on solar trackers which makes them equivalent out put wise to 3000 watts of solar panels. I run 2 elec refers, a chest freezer, all my garage tools, table saw, skill saw, small mig welder etc. lights, TV and dvr, microwave and all kitchen appliances, clothes washer, and gas dryer. When the sun doesn't shine for a few days then I run the gen to charge batteries. All in all it works just fine. You need to figure out what you are going to be powering and size your system to that estimate. Probably you would want to double your estimate, there are always things you didn't plan on, like the wife's elec coffee maker, hair dryer, curling iron, washing machine, clothes dryer, and on and on and on.
good luck with it.

fishbuck - 12-28-2016 at 04:21 PM

Thanks! About what I thought.
I'm going from "fear of the unknown" to "Internet expert".:(;)

fishbuck - 12-28-2016 at 04:33 PM

I like this little system.
Good little starter kit or waste of money?
San Quintin has plenty of wind and lots of sunshine.



900W System:400W Wind Turbine Generator & 5*100W Solar Panel & 1KW Inverter Home
Condition: New
$1,026.00


[Edited on 12-28-2016 by fishbuck]

Riom - 12-28-2016 at 04:36 PM

Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck  

But is it possible to determine a sort off. "Baja offgrid standard".
Kind of a beginner minimum?
A tv, a fridge, lights,


Depends on how much you're prepared to adapt your lifestyle. My first place in Baja was a secondhand 5th wheel. Fridge, cooking and hot water were propane, no TV, no 110V things at all, so my main power draws were 12V lights and the water pump. One 7A solar panel, a couple of batteries, and a controller (no generator), installed cost well under $1000 12 years ago.

But that's probably more basic than most would be happy with, especially for a full-time place. And things have changed, fridges (and even minisplits) have become much more efficient, lighting can now be leds.

One item that is surprisingly heavy on power (especially the start-up surge) is a microwave.

LancairDriver - 12-28-2016 at 05:00 PM

Here is more information than you will ever need.

http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm

Bob and Susan - 12-28-2016 at 05:30 PM

don't buy that $1000 set...waste of money

i'd stick with larryc advice

buy outback inverter and charge controller

don't buy a windmill...they are NOISY!!!
not a good investment

fishbuck - 12-28-2016 at 06:52 PM

Again, also what I was thinking.
I know I will need some good components eventually. Enspecially when I put in my pool and jacuzzi... later. And a sauna. I'm a sauna junky.
I am only planning on living in my trailer 2 years max while build.
I will eventually put the panels on the garage roof and the garage will be the first structure. Then the 1st casita.
So the system is really for the casita and later when it grows into a full casa and maybe even a casa grande.

Russ - 12-29-2016 at 07:50 AM

When designing your garage try to have the roof facing the right way for solar and roofing to allow you to install the solar racks easily. I think a good starter system would be 4- 220wat panels with an area to expand for 4 more when the casita is complete and you're ready to make it a house with a the goodies that use power. A 4000watt inverter ( I have a Trace 4024 - almost 20 years old now) and an Outback 80 amp charge controller. You'll want a combiner box for panel connections and a breaker box / switch for the panels and another for the batteries. Batteries... There are a lot of ideas on that and newer technology coming out now and in the near future to make the choice difficult. I am still using L-16 batteries and have 8 of them. No hair dryer, coffee maker or cloths dryer. You can always top off the batteries with your generator that will run a mini split AC if needed. Craigs List sometimes have some good deals so watch for them. Check with neighbors to see what works for them and what their usage is. Oh, I'm starting to switch out lighting for the LED type now. They use about 1/2 what I had or less. Put in some serious thought for house wiring and an expandable main breaker box.
Good luck!

rts551 - 12-29-2016 at 07:55 AM

Talk to Ron at talkbaja. (Bajagringo here). he is off grid and in your area.

larryC - 12-29-2016 at 08:22 AM

Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck  
I like this little system.
Good little starter kit or waste of money?
San Quintin has plenty of wind and lots of sunshine.



900W System:400W Wind Turbine Generator & 5*100W Solar Panel & 1KW Inverter Home
Condition: New
$1,026.00


[Edited on 12-28-2016 by fishbuck]


That inverter in the picture does not appear to be an inverter/charger. Typically solar batteries are very high amphour capacity and to recharge them can take a long time unless your charger can put out high amperage. My outback inverters can put out 125 amps to charge the batteries. So suppose your batteries are down 400 amphours to recarge them with the inverter acting as a charger would only take 3 to 4 hours (because of the tapering charge) but to charge the same battery using a small automotive charger could take days of generator time. I find the inverter/charger to be a huge asset in my system.

And I agree with Bob, rotating machinery breaks, usually when you need it the most. Put your money into solar panels. I would start out with no less that 1000 watts of solar panels and plan on doubling that. Another consideration is the voltage of your system. If you go with a 24v or 48v system you will save on charge controllers and wire. You can use smaller wire with a 24/48v system.
Lots to learn.

[Edited on 12-29-2016 by larryC]

rts551 - 12-29-2016 at 09:21 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  
don't buy that $1000 set...waste of money

i'd stick with larryc advice

buy outback inverter and charge controller

don't buy a windmill...they are NOISY!!!
not a good investment


My wind generator makes very little noise. Works great in our windy climate. I know others in the San Quintin area that say the same thing.