New around here...

I have about 4 million questions for you old pros but I'll try to spread them out and avoid asking dumb ones...if I'm capable.

We're about to make the off grid move in a few months. We have a large tract of forested land, so firewood and building materials are all accounted for. Obviously, power is the big question right now.

We have a year round stream running right by the cabin location. I have no idea yet how much volume it's running, but I'm certain we could set up a water wheel and generate power for charging batteries. I'm also now considering a small wind turbine and maybe a 6 panel solar array. I figure harnessing power in several different ways is the best bet. I'm a residential contractor and can do just about anything, ,but I'm sorely lacking in electrical knowledge, and don't know anything about controllers or inverters, but I imagine I can buy one that will accept all three?

 

Welcome!!!

 

Better find all the answers before you start.
And if you don't know about "tricity" then you better take some classes at a local school.

 

Welcome indeed. WE have some experts here that could answer most any power question you have for off grid power generation, battery banks inverters etc. I am usually good for a question or 3 about most anything, but off grid power generation, storage batteries, inverters and use is not my forte. You could put all I know about that in long hand paper notes and it wouldn't fill a teacup. I will leave others to better inform you.
Pull up a chair and do some on site searches that might help you in the threads. Also try our resources lists.
Come to the shout box and chat with members there. All in all, greetings, enjoy the site and welcome aboard.

 

Got knowledge about DC from Diesel Subs and a ton of other stuff From NEC which you need to get at least an older manual for wire sizing.
Be aware that AC and DC require different style fuse and breakers, one of those learned "tricity" things you need to learn about at a local school.

Where you at? State, not looking for an close in intel but you need to buddy up with local folks that can answer question at 2am.

 

I'm seriously considering that very thing.

 

Figure $300 for electrical tools.
You do have a budget?

 

We'll be in West Virginia. Moving back to my hometown area. We'll have a ton of support, but a friend in need (if it's all the time) can be a pest. I'm pretty self sufficient, but again, not with electricity, and I don't want to be a constant burden to those who have lives of their own. I can learn, just need the right literature.

 

So how do you know what the right lit is?
Hands on also.
Needy? Needy is bad if you don't listen, other than that it's up to you to treat others with the respect they show to you.

 

I don't. That's the sort of suggestions I'm looking for.

Yeah I get all that, as far as respect, which is why I want to be as prepared as possible beforehand just like you said and then lean on those that want to help only when 100% necessary. Honestly, everyone is so helpful back home that I probably won't ever have to ask, so it's probably a moot point.

 

Welcome aboard, glad to have you!
Grab a branch and have a look around.
First rule: The only dumb question is the one you dont ask!!!
So, ask away!

 

Yeah,Listen to the old cat-daddy's on here...They have forgot more than I know about solar...Kid you not!

 

Welcome aboard. I think you've got someone here for just about any question you could come up with. From Atoms to ,,, anything with a Z,,,...I'm a GC myself , and I can do some electrical , AC stuff , but the DC , currents , amps , and volts stuff , clogs up my cranium. You'll do fine here.

 

Welcome and the sharp end goes toward the enemy so what else do you need but seriously lots of good people here that are willing to get you down any path you want to go

 

Well solar panels range in size from a few watts that make a few volts up to 500 watt panels that make around 50 volts.

 

You might have a water source (to be determined), but I'd forget wind. Decent wind sites east of the Mississippi are almost non existent. You need 12mph average....a WIND that will hold a flag straight out. Study you water source, and seriously consider solar with as much battery storage as your checkbook can handle.

 

Solar panels and a decent generator will get you a long way.

How far are you from the WV/KY line?