Anthony Jones

I could not get the web site to load. any details on your direct DC setups would be very appreciated. I also am off grid with (currently) 400 watt system.

Makes great wheat past for cob plastering.

  OK, this sounds crazy but experience is the teacher. I (69yr young) work 23+ acers of wild land I am slowly building a family off-grid homestead food forest on.
  I have learned to cover up and wear a wide brim straw hat and one of those wet cooling clothes to cover the neck. I wear loose fitting sweatpants, and loose fitting long sleeve shirt.
  I am in South East Alabama and summer is hot and humid. I am totally soaked in sweat in just a few working minutes no matter what I wear. The sweats and shirt soak up and evaporate creating a bit of cooling effect. Protects me from mosquitos and briors.
  Looks very hot to wear but not as bad as you think. I am actually much hotter in shorts and tee shirt than in the full getup. Works especially well if there is even a slight breeze.
Give it a try.

Yes these work well. One version was that one bucket had a little float and all buckets were plumb and connected. That way I just kept the "feeder" bucket filled with water and the float let water into the system as the plants used up the water.
As to the soil I have bought soil but only to start. I make my own compost and I recompost the soil in the bucket at the end of the season and put in new.
I do not see roots going into the water reserve but some do go deep.
There are so many versions of this system mine works for me.
This year I want to try moving my buckets into my new greenhouse I will be building and see if I can grow throughout the winter.

I do use two cups together and 4 sets. 3 works ok but 4 is very strong support.

See link for my self watering bucket garden/hydroponics/first hugalculture raised beds.
Just so you know I am a long time gardener but this stuff is easy for beginners as well as experienced.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/FAdAvxtceugvDfn6A

How I made them.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/TjKLwWbskFESyKvy7

RE: Robert Neville ROOF
The original link should show my process. I used the "fly-screen/Portland/sand" system then coated all with Simco sealant. I wanted a clean nontoxic surface to collect rain which is my only source of water. I found two very minor leeks which I resealed and to date no leaks.

  Still much to do but all in time as I am able. I am concentrating on getting food production ramp up them back to cobbing. Need to make compost, set up my self watering bucket garden which has worked great in my past living places. Also my organic hydroponics system.

I'll post my builds as able as long as I can find storage places for a link. Google said I was at 70 something percent full after I posted my home build.

 Sounds like me. Working my 23+ acres into an off-grid homestead/food forest/garden/farm. 69 years young, divorced for very long time. Doing everything by myself with no one helping out. Love the solitude and working in nature. Manifesting my paradise.

  I have pics/vids of my home build process. I am 69, retired and on social security only. I did all this by myself with no one to help out. So anyone can do the same.
link to one of my vids.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/GUWMVtnt3DdEDGvZ7

Hope this works.