Hartley Davis

Michael Qulek wrote:Part of the problem is clinging to the use of AGMs.  Why not go with flooded lead-acid in stead, and get double the life for half the money?

I agree. My four 6V Duracels have given me 5 trouble-free seasons with no noticable loss in capacity. They are still at 80% after being dormant for the Maine winter.  I top them off the first of every month and make sure they are fully charged before shutting down for the winter.

I call FLAs the battery we love to hate.

I have about 2.4 KW on what I call redneck ground mounts. I added 2 panels since the picture.  We rarely use the generators.

I use a 700W inverter to run the camp, I runs an apartment sized washing machine for me.  I have a transfer switch between the generator and inverter. Inverter is powered by 4 lead acid golf cart batteries.

I charge phones and use XM radio on 12V. Attached is the main panel for DC. I listen to 148 Classic Radio exclusively. I love the simplicity f the 40s.

Out in the shed I have another fuse box with a transfer switch between a Honda 2000 (for charging batteries and pumping water from the lake) and a 4KW generator for the microwave, hair dryer, toaster etc.  4KW is for company, my wife & I rarely use high power appliances. Guess I forgot to take a picture of this box, I needed a fool-proof way to use either generator for my wife.

I have an off grid cabin on an island in a freshwater Maine lake. The ground composition on the island is solid ledge then 3' clay/sand then 10"-16"  decomposed trees and other organic matter. And rocks.  My dock is in a shallow bay that is off the main lake flowage.  20" plus of organic muck has accumulated over the years, primarily from Oak and Maple leaves. I dredge the muck around my dock and use the muck to terraform my boulder strewn property.  I planted some per perennials in a dried muck bed and they are doing great. Should I mix anything into the muck soil to start a vegetable garden? Mostly tomatoes, cukes, squash and maybe carrots.

This is my off-grid Katahdin on a fresh water island in the Grand Lakes region of Maine.. I didn't build it but I have added 2.4K solar and plumbing styled after RV systems. I have done extensive ground work.  Anyway, here are pictures.