Indigenous-led nonprofit group is bringing solar power to Navajo Nation and the Hopi tribe

[eDJ_]

I would imagine other off grid groups could establish such a venture too.

How Native Homes in New Mexico Are Tapping the Sun

He previously had to be extremely cautious about using precious power at night, but now can work on his computer later, running his online business selling teas, produce and the seeds of Indigenous plants.

The photovoltaic panels installed by Native Renewables can supply a maximum of 2,200 watt-hours each day, and the group works with families to calculate what kind of devices or appliances they can use and for how long. Washers, dryers, ovens and space heaters use too much energy, so families are encouraged to keep firewood for heat and propane for cooking.

The article may serve as an example or guide for anyone anticipating going with an off grid Tiny Home in a difficult climate.

 

[chloe writes]

What a fantastic story about bringing power to people! So inspiring to see community-led solar projects succeed and grow. A 2200 watt-hour system is a perfect size for many tiny home builds and lifestyles. Really shows what's possible when people work together to achieve energy independence.

 

[eDJ_]

When I was in High School some of us had ongoing conversations in class with our teacher regarding how smaller countries like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan etc could evolve new ideas so quickly and bring them into being. Our teacher was always quick to point out how it is easier in smaller settings opposed to huge countries like the USA.

So it follows that the smaller groups like the one in NM could pull together and get something like this going.

Where I live in Southern Ohio a family that lived in a somewhat secluded small valley purchased a large natural gas generator that was salvaged from an old Hospital when it was torn down. They had natural gas on their property already and the generator was in excellent condition when they bought it. So they set it up to power the several houses. I think it was a back up generator for the Hospital and way over 300K in capacity.

So they pooled money and set the generator to run and power their homes. The generator was built to last and last and the gas was free anyhow. But not all of us are so lucky.

 

[chloe writes]

So it follows that the smaller groups like the one in NM could pull together and get something like this going.

Well made.

The generator setup and the solar rig both show some real backyard brilliance. Gotta love when people take what they've got be it leftover hospital gear or plain old sunshine and turn it into something that works. The solar setup's got me thinking even I could pull it off, and I still call my flashlight a "newfangled lantern." It's cool seeing people make it happen without waiting for perfect conditions.

 

[Benson.bo]

That's a really cool example of practical off grid living. Using solar panels to cover essential electronics while still relying on firewood and propane for heavy duty appliances makes a lot of sense, def a smart model for anyone planning a tiny home or off grid setup in a challenging climate

 

[eDJ_]

I'll relate another story just for an example.

In my area the Amish don't like using electricity. The refrigerators, deep freezers etc they purchase run on propane or fuel oil. Some use mantle lights in their homes that burn constantly. Thus no electricity used.

Lehman's Hardware: We Supply the Amish

Some of them use community freezing units that they build of concrete blocks and foam insulation. How do they do this. Each family has a locker room to put their goods to be kept frozen. They have unlimited use of it and contribute to the cost of operating it and even help in the building of these facilities.

The freezing units are purchased from wrecked Freezer Trailers that Tractor Trailers tow down the highways every day. Until they are wrecked by Tornadoes in storms. This happens to numerous trailers each year. So the Amish purchase the freezer equipment which is powered by a four cylinder diesel motor. This is fixed to an opening in the community building and it runs on and off to maintain a super cold temperature. So they don't all have to have deep freezers in their homes when they do this.

I've seen Trailers like this after a tornado and they look like a crunched up cigarette butt in an ash tray. Insurance adjusters list these as available for purchase and there are any of several wrecking companies who sent representatives to purchase them so that they can later broker in them. The "Refer" as they are called by truckers can refrigerate or freeze. But it is this front apparatus on the trailer that houses the diesel motor and the refrigeration it and is known as "Mechanical Refrigeration".

 

[CactusJack]

I'll relate another story just for an example.

In my area the Amish don't like using electricity. The refrigerators, deep freezers etc they purchase run on propane or fuel oil. Some use mantle lights in their homes that burn constantly. Thus no electricity used.

Lehman's Hardware: We Supply the Amish

Some of them use community freezing units that they build of concrete blocks and foam insulation. How do they do this. Each family has a locker room to put their goods to be kept frozen. They have unlimited use of it and contribute to the cost of operating it and even help in the building of these facilities.

The freezing units are purchased from wrecked Freezer Trailers that Tractor Trailers tow down the highways every day. Until they are wrecked by Tornadoes in storms. This happens to numerous trailers each year. So the Amish purchase the freezer equipment which is powered by a four cylinder diesel motor. This is fixed to an opening in the community building and it runs on and off to maintain a super cold temperature. So they don't all have to have deep freezers in their homes when they do this.

I've seen Trailers like this after a tornado and they look like a crunched up cigarette butt in an ash tray. Insurance adjusters list these as available for purchase and there are any of several wrecking companies who sent representatives to purchase them so that they can later broker in them. The "Refer" as they are called by truckers can refrigerate or freeze. But it is this front apparatus on the trailer that houses the diesel motor and the refrigeration it and is known as "Mechanical Refrigeration".

Wait, I'm confused or maybe illiterate on this topic, not sure which one. Fridge and freezer running on propane? How does that even work? I totaly get the concept for heating, but first time hearing for cooling.

 

[eDJ_]

It's been around for years. RV's often use them today as well. It's called "absorption cooling" and is different than units with compressors using Freon gas. These units use a mixture of chemicals that are heated and they percolate and rise to the upper reaches of the fridge (freezer section) and then condense and make their way back to the heat source. In their way back they aren't as cold and that is fine for the refrigerator section where regular foods are stored. As they finally return to the heat source they are reheated and start the process all over again.

For a freezer unit the plumbing is built a bit simpler to just freeze.

When I was a little kid crawling on my hands and knees my parents had a Servel Re.frigerator that operated on natural gas. These were made from the 1930's till the mid 1950's and there plenty of them still around today. Parts are even still available. Hunters with cabins love to find them to outfit their Tiny Hunting Lodges with. They often pack BBQ grill propane tanks to their cabins to have refrigeration while there to hunt or fish.

One of my favorite memories as a little kid was my Dad & Grand Dad removing everything from the fridge once a year and disconnecting the gas line. They would turn the fridge upside down for about an hour so that all the chemicals would collect in the freezer end of the fridge. Then turn it right side up so the chemicals would "all" precipitate together back to the bottom to an area called the boiler. Then the flame lit, which wasn't much more than a pilot light, and the process begin all over. This was done as in the course of a year the chemicals would tend to stick in various areas of the system and that would dilute their effectiveness at cooling. Mom had a thermometer in the fridge so she would know if it was keeping the required 40 f degree temperature. When it began to fall below that it was time to invert it again. This was usually done in the spring of the year so it would stay cold during the hot summer months as we didn't have air conditioning. These systems have been refined over the years so that they work more dependably now. These Servel Refrigerators still show up in Antique Stores. They don't use electricity at all.

The upper square section is the freezer. Larger than it looks in the photo. But a couple of ice cube trays fit in it along with room for some frozen stuff or ice cream.

How it works: (you can stop the video to read the explanations and then restart it as it is a bit to understand the first time thru) The chemicals used in this are a mixture of: Ammonia, Water, Hydrogen gas, and Sodium Chromate. There are other similar systems which use different chemicals but the Ammonia system is the classic.

 

[eDJ_]

On getting back to the Kerosene fueled Refrigerators:

Electrolux produced early kerosene-fueled absorption refrigerators beginning in the 1920s, based on the invention of the absorption refrigerator by Baltzar von Platen and Carl Munters. These devices used a kerosene flame to power an absorption cycle with a water and ammonia solution to create cold, making them suitable for areas without electricity, such as rural communities, and useful for preserving medicine and vaccines. These were also set up for natural gas & propane to power them.

Electrolux is a Swedish company with manufacturing facilities all over the world. In the USA they seem to be best known for their vacuum cleaners.

The black square on top of the Refrigerator is the heat vent for the flame.

 

[microhaven]

That's right. Absorption cooling is both smart and dependable because of its simple cycle. Ammonia systems are still a good choice when you're not connected to the grid, and that invert-to-reset idea was often seen in old Servel refrigerators. New models just make the same basic idea better.

 

[eDJ_]

In the earlier 20th century most Farms would have been considered "Off Grid" operations. Only once the Rural Electrification Act formed did electric companies begin running lines into the heartland where the Farms were. Refrigeration then was with an ice box with ice delivered by horse & wagon.

But...........there was one innovation popularized by Mr Powell Crosley of Cincinnati Ohio that became popular and mass produced and even sold world wide.

The "Icy Ball" absorption refrigeration system. (these can stillwi be found and purchased or made from blue prints)

Some people contend that these are a bit on the dangerous side, but If I were to build one I'd use it in my Camper rig.

The hole you see in the cold side that looks like a small tunnel is for an ice cube tray. Yes it could even make ice.

Four minute Video explaining it



This video shows a test of an Icy Ball using a reflective mirror thus a solar heating system opposed to a kerosene burner.

As for building one from blue prints today it would be built much heavier and safer. Although, they were adequate and considered safe in the time that they were sold.

Three and one half minute video.

 

[eDJ_]

Some notes on plans or blue prints for the icy ball built heavy duty.

Building your own "Larry Hall" Icy Ball

Homemade Icy Ball

The Crosley Icy Ball Story

The nice thing about the Icy Ball is that it doesn't require much room. In a Tiny Home that would be significant.