Generator for Off-grid Cabin 550sqft

[trainer]

You will need at least a 500 gallon LP tank. Hopefully your local provider can get the truck close enough to the tank that his hose will reach it !

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That`s overkill for a cabin that size. It really isn't a big deal to keep a couple of 5 gallon cans of gas on hand for the generator (and usually other power equipment)

I know some guys who use 30 lb propane tanks on a manifold system at their camps because they are easier to handle than 100 pounders.

 

[matt151617]

I actually helped build a hunting camp a few years back. It was somewhat close to the road, but the closest power pole was 3/4 of a mile away, and the power company wanted $5k+ to run new line. We hooked just about everything up to propane. Small RV propane fridges are cheap and readily available. We also put in propane lights and a stove. Solar lights are so cheap now, I'd probably get a couple of the ones with the detachable panels and use them. We wired some stuff up to run a generator if needed, but I don't think we've ever used it.

Another camp I stayed at down the road, the guy built a small barn/shed to store his ATV in, and sectioned off a portion of it for a generator. He extended the muffler out the back, facing away from the camp, and added a little flip-up door for fresh air in the front. UF wire to the camp. It was a $300 3500 watt Champion from Lowes that can run 14 hours on 4 gallons of gas. For another $100 he bought a tri-fuel kit so it could also run on propane if needed. We'd shut the generator down when going to bed, but it wasn't very loud to begin with.

 

[theoldwizard1]

That`s overkill for a cabin that size. It really isn't a big deal to keep a couple of 5 gallon cans of gas on hand for the generator (and usually other power equipment)

You missed what the OP said !

And having full time power would allow me a refrigerator that i could keep stocked rathet than coolering everything every time I want to go for a trip there.

Batteries, inverter and an auto-start generator with a LARGE fuel supply are the only other solution to not running power.

 

[cgrutt]

My buddy runs his hunting cabin on a small Honda with inverter. It sounds very similar to your set up but he doesn't have AC. I own one of the Hondas as well and they are great little units. I think they make them to 3000 watts but my buddy is only using 1000 watts and its fine.

Sorry missed part about refrigeration. He runs a propane refrigerator but doesn't keep it running all week. Suppose you could if you wanted to. They're widely available in RV stores.

 

[Olympus]

Well I appreciate all of the suggestions and help so far. But I ran into an unforseen road block. I can't find a single bank or lender who will loan money on a cabin without electricity. We've been pre-approved for a lot more than we're willing to spend on a second place, but apparently not having "grid" electric means to lenders that the home is not habitable. I told them about alternative energy options and they will not recognize them, not generators, not battery banks, not solar panels. Only grid supplied electricity. I even emailed a couple people pictures of the cabin which is actually pretty nice and well above what I would consider minimal habitable conditions. After being told this by 5 different banks, big and small, I started researching this online and apparently it's common everywhere, especially with the tiny house community and prepper community.

 

[checkthisout]

Well I appreciate all of the suggestions and help so far. But I ran into an unforseen road block. I can't find a single bank or lender who will loan money on a cabin without electricity. We've been pre-approved for a lot more than we're willing to spend on a second place, but apparently not having "grid" electric means to lenders that the home is not habitable. I told them about alternative energy options and they will not recognize them, not generators, not battery banks, not solar panels. Only grid supplied electricity. I even emailed a couple people pictures of the cabin which is actually pretty nice and well above what I would consider minimal habitable conditions. After being told this by 5 different banks, big and small, I started researching this online and apparently it's common everywhere, especially with the tiny house community and prepper community.

Do it with a Home Equity loan instead.

 

[Olympus]

Do it with a Home Equity loan instead.

I don't want to tie up our primary home mortgage. If I pull out the equity in our main home and use it toward this property then we will start getting charged PMI on our primary home. And that's just wasted money.

 

[shillamus]

Figure out your electrical load first

A 3000 watt generator is 3KvA

An 8,000 BTU air conditioner sounds good for 550 sq ft

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D3FOD0Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.lg.com/us/air-conditioners/lg-LW8015ER-window-air-conditioner

Air Conditioner is 700 watts

Lights? Lets say 15 amps at 115 V - 1725 Watts (thats generous.. you can run a toaster oven on the circuit.

A microwave? 600 watts

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BGTO1WC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

A 3KW Generator would be fine for most of my immediate needs. Hot Tub would add a lot of power requirements
AC - 700 Watts
Microwave - 700 Watts
Lights - 1700 Watts

Is the cabin wired with a single phase 220V sub panel and split into 110V circuits? You will need to run 3 wire to the panel connector.

Use propane for heating, hot water and cooking.. you can get it delivered can't you? Isn't there a tank on the property?

Sounds like a fun project! Happy Hunting!

 

[trainer]

You missed what the OP said !



Batteries, inverter and an auto-start generator with a LARGE fuel supply are the only other solution to not running power.

Propane appliances. I have a cabin thats very close to the size described and i do exactly what he said he wants to .

 

[trainer]

Well I appreciate all of the suggestions and help so far. But I ran into an unforseen road block. I can't find a single bank or lender who will loan money on a cabin without electricity. We've been pre-approved for a lot more than we're willing to spend on a second place, but apparently not having "grid" electric means to lenders that the home is not habitable. I told them about alternative energy options and they will not recognize them, not generators, not battery banks, not solar panels. Only grid supplied electricity. I even emailed a couple people pictures of the cabin which is actually pretty nice and well above what I would consider minimal habitable conditions. After being told this by 5 different banks, big and small, I started researching this online and apparently it's common everywhere, especially with the tiny house community and prepper community.

It ***** that it fell through, but it sounds like if you did buy it , you could have a hard time selling if you wanted out.

Have you checked to see if the seller would hold the mortgage?

 

[Olympus]

It ***** that it fell through, but it sounds like if you did buy it , you could have a hard time selling if you wanted out.

Have you checked to see if the seller would hold the mortgage?

Yes, the seller is willing to do seller financing. We are talking through the issues. I also pulled the deed with the easement from the county and have made an appointment with a real estate attorney to go over the easement and talk about the financing.