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  1. M

    Using PV to power imbedded concrete slab 24v heating elements.

    Hey BMurray The Mylar heating mat that you show in original post reminds me of a product that we used back in the 80s and 90s on two projects. Product was called Flexwatt, it was used in ceiling radiant heat applications. Years later it had to be disconnected due to fire issues. Clients...
  2. M

    Solar house generator I started DIY back in 2000 - My path from Trace to Xantrex (on FLA battery) to XW Pro inverters on Tesla Model S batteries

    Hi Doug Happy to report that I invested in a small (3) Tesla battery system. Set up is only temporary while we are building our retirement home. So far works great and haven't had to turn on the genny for 3 weeks now. System is 8x 320PV, Sigineer 24v 6000w tesla compatable inverter, Midnite DC...
  3. M

    Solar house generator I started DIY back in 2000 - My path from Trace to Xantrex (on FLA battery) to XW Pro inverters on Tesla Model S batteries

    I will collect my thoughts and will send you a message. Good luck with thr cold and speedy recovery.
  4. M

    Time to get off the fence, spend $ for off grid in BC

    Thank you for the reply and links Steve. For the home we will want 120 and 240V. When we did our energy audit we came up with just around 12kw. I'm sure that in real life it won't be that high but better safe than sorry. For the days of autonomy would like 3-4 days. The electrical panel will be...
  5. M

    Time to get off the fence, spend $ for off grid in BC

    We have been building our off grid retirement home for 8 years and now it's time for power. The home is build is completely out of concrete (too many wild fires and no fire response). The build has been done by yours truly, two of my employees, wife and my 3 sons mainly on weekends and...
  6. M

    ~100kwh for 24/7 off grid home

    This is so true. Easy (fast)and cheap is never any good. Been building SFH since 88. Upnorthandpersonal, building is all concrete.
  7. M

    ~100kwh for 24/7 off grid home

    I'm sure that the noise transmission will be minimal. An inverted roof using SIP panels is the way to go, no thermal bridging. On our off grid build we used a product called Quadeck. No noise whatsoever except on the triple glazed glass skylights but even that is very minimal.
  8. M

    Sol-ark 12k Pricing - Canada (and USA)???

    David Poz did a video on the 12k model on his You Tube channel. One month ago announcing the install and up date three days ago.
  9. M

    ~100kwh for 24/7 off grid home

    Here in BC, Canada on the coastal areas it rains lots. We had close to 12 inches in 24 hrs on the weekend and close to 41 inches since Oct 1st. The main reason I suggested enka mat for my clients is because of rain noise. First time I used metal for a roof was in 2000. Once the the big rains...
  10. M

    ~100kwh for 24/7 off grid home

    If it's not to late see if they can install a layer of Enka mat or something similiar between the metal and your membrane. This will help cut a lot of the noise when it rains hard. and allows for air to circulate and cuts down on condensation on the underside of the metal roof.
  11. M

    ~100kwh for 24/7 off grid home

    Last year we completed our first mandated BC Step Code #4 home (2800 Sq ft) which is getting close to "passive haus" for our clients. Here in BC we had an extremely dry and warm summer. We had heat dome that we endured for close to a month. Typically our daytime summers are in the mid 20s to...
  12. M

    24hr power

    Update. Well almost a month later and we have had several significant rain fall events. We typically get close to 8 feet of rain a year, 2 weeks ago we had 297mm in 24hr period. Back in Oct we installed the weir and balance of 6" pipe. Weir filled and pipe was full in seconds with the excess...
  13. M

    40' shipping container solar system to store my classic car and motorcycles in Las Vegas

    Insulate the ceiling with closed cell spray foam insulation. This way when the seacan cools down at night you don't have the condensation drip down on the cars.
  14. M

    Solar house generator I started DIY back in 2000 - My path from Trace to Xantrex (on FLA battery) to XW Pro inverters on Tesla Model S batteries

    dougbert, Wow, really want to thank you for all of the time you have spent documenting your build, posting pictures, links and all of the excellent write ups. Your thread has taken me many days to read. Lots of info to take in and learn. We have been building a home for our retirement for many...
  15. M

    Airstreamer looking for some advice on mounting to a curved roof

    On our overlanding vehicle we have a James Baroud roof top tent. When we first added our two PV panels we used a ground mount set up. This was bothersome and a hassle to set up and take down. So we decided to roof mount them on the RTT. We used an adhesive that GM uses to glue Corvette panels...
  16. M

    Grounding Rod Necessary

    Makes sense, thanks.
  17. M

    Grounding Rod Necessary

    Have installed a microhydro generator (3 phase) on my property. Received my charge controller but waiting on batteries. Should I ground the chassis of the microhydro or the aluminum welded frame the the MH is bolted to ? My tec cable has a ground, leave it off or wire cable back to the house ?
  18. M

    24hr power

    Yup, that was pretty dumb on my part, meant to write per second as per minute would be pretty bad. Will read the info to the posted links after work, thanks for providing them. Always learning. The Scotty MicroHydro uses a crossflow turbine. If you go his web site it explains it better than I...
  19. M

    24hr power

    Thank you for all of the info, have to process all and continue to get the install finished. Today I played hookey and went to the Island to get the pipe work installation finished and get the weir installed. Beautiful sunny day to work. Did get a chance to use my builders level to see what my...
  20. M

    24hr power

    The tanks will be used to bring temp to heat the house, using radiant/hydronic heating for my house which is in the concrete floors. Once this has reached set temp will divert to green house and outdoor electric baseboard heater. Can I use the 3 phase AC power to go to supplied by the MicroHydro...
  21. M

    24hr power

    Looking to get some insight and learn from others regarding Micro Hydro. For the last four weekends have been busy installing a 6" penstock pipe of 140 ft of length. The Micro Hydro that I have installed is made by Scotty Micro Hydro which is a crossflow turbine. It's capable of providing...
  22. M

    Using PV to power imbedded concrete slab 24v heating elements.

    Have you done a Heat loss calculation on the house ? This will let you know how much heat you will need in watts per sq ft or btu's, no guess work. Here we build with hydronic heating in floor/ concrete on top of a minimum R12 insulation. We use 6x6 steel mesh to fasten the tubing to do the...
  23. M

    Trying too hard

    Yes the scenery in WA and BC is very similar.
  24. M

    Trying too hard

    Point me to a link of the picture as now I'm curious. Some lots up the hill have changed hands so maybe they are on the Island.
  25. M

    Trying too hard

    Sorry, who is Linus Sebastian ? Have three adult children who come to help from time to time.
  26. M

    Trying too hard

    Update on installation. We managed to get 130ft of pipe installed. This is hung off of the cliff wall with 7/8 galvanized threaded rod and then use a 3/8 cable with crosby clamps to get additional support back to the cliff wall. The moving of the container will happen in November, which means...
  27. M

    DIY Geothermal?

    I can only provide feedback on the new home builds that I have done. Not an expert by any means. The short term cost of doing an airtight home build is higher than a traditional house, agree. But here in the Pacific North West it is required by our jurisdictions having authority on all new...
  28. M

    DIY Geothermal?

    The reason that I wouldn't recommend a Geothermal system is for a the following reasons. 1. 'Vertical" bore holes that we have installed to a depth of 220 to 285ft are drilled at a slight angles away from each other to allow more distance at the bottom of the bore hole depth. More...
  29. M

    DIY Geothermal?

    Have build several homes with ground source geothermal systems. Two types of systems, horizontal loop field and bore holes. After the installs I have stayed in touch with the clients. First geo I did was back in 2005, then in 2008 and lastly in 2012. If that is the route one wants to go then it...
  30. M

    Trying too hard

    Wish we could build a dam but no way as we are on a sloped lot. So far we installed 90 ft of pipe, all installed at 22 degrees. Balance of pipe install will be closer to 45 degree, balance back to 22 degrees. Our creek has a healthy flow for a 8 to 9 months through a 48" culvert. This is why I...
  31. M

    Trying too hard

    Off the shelf. Scott Micro Hydro. Made in Republic, Washington State.
  32. M

    Trying too hard

    Specs are 1500 to 2000W pending water pressure and flow, 3 phase AC for wiring. Cross Flow turbine, no jets to clean.
  33. M

    Trying too hard

    Hi Dinky Start of the install, not completed but we did get 90 ft of pipe in. Still more to go.
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