OffgridAnon… in TX.

Here's how i did it (in brief)

1. Buy land - secluded as possible, natural creeks for barriers also. Plus creeks prove that water well is probably a good bet. Spring fed- I got lucky. Need 12+ acres to be legal to install a non-aerobic septic system in my state. Check your laws.

2. RENT equipment to drill a well. No permit required if OWNER drills it. Off grid means no documentation remember… IF you do not hit water, sell the land and start over…

3. RENT or BUY (I purchased a new tractor with backhoe knowing I was going to need it and could write it off as ag-exemption)

4. Ordered a shipping container and had it dropped off a few feet from future home site. The purpose of this in the future will be storage, but now you will need it for a staging area/shelter for tools, and can put solar power to charge tools and run inverter for basic power needs during times of building, use 6v floor sweeper batteries for least maintenance. (setup for 12v or whatever inverter needs).

5. Clear land, level pad, and install septic tank yourself, again no permit means off grid…

6. Pay cash if possible for the SKIN and BONES stripped down as possible building (mine was a metal barn kit). Save receipt for future tax appraisal needs. Then upgrade the building package to whatever you really need and want…

7. Build the building. I had a crew help pour slab because that is not possible for 5k sqft building with only spouse…

8. No mailbox. No 911 address. To achieve this, get a PMB (public mailbox) at UPS/FEDEX location, costs about 150$ per year, but worth it. Your drivers license can be sent there also.

9. Install solar equipment, learn about this by remembering where you screwed up on the small system in the makeshift container. I use 14kw PV array, THREE 48v forklift batteries in parallel. And can go 3days without generator with no sun. (use a harbor freight 8kw generator because it's so rarely used I never justified the automatic start generac!)

10. Frame in and wire/plumb the house as normal, but do it inside the metal building and use plenty of spray foam insulation.

I ended up with a 5ksf 2-story inside barndominium with 4 full baths, 3a/c units, 2 fridges (w/icemakers) and an upright freezer, with electric AND gas kitchen, full climate controlled electronic engineering class workshop, 3bay garage, greenhouse,pig pen, gardens/crops.

And also used a container underground below the slab with entry from bedroom area for storm (or fire) shelter/ bunker. (I am unable to purchase homeowners insurance because appraised value is all it would be worth).

Being metal, it is unlikely to burn, and built with load bearing roof and extra purlins plus inside walls to frame, it is very strong.

For the interior ceiling, to keep the barn look, I flipped and installed a "white" galv-alum roof from the inside- upside down. Gives appearance of being the actual roof, but has insulation and purlins (and wiring) inside.

I went a step or two further and hacked the solar system's data exchange interface (outback power system) and set up an ATOM based PC that runs the entire house and monitors all systems, including watering the batteries. (and even records the speed of visitors in/out the gates)

NOTES:

1. Well should be shallow as possible, because pumping water up takes power, more power the farther. It is "easier" to scrub dirty water than to create power in most cases. (iron removal system regenerates without filter changes)

2. Hot water system could be propane instant heater to keep it cheap, but I opted for 200gallon tank solar system, plus a propane tankless backup that switches in when tank temp is low (hardly ever use it, but my wife is spoiled.)

3. Forklift batteries are not the best technology for batteries, however to remain off grid I chose them (with watering valves) instead of lithium or Iron system. Why? Because if my batteries fail, I only have to go 15 miles to a forklift service guy to get a new one, as opposed to ordering from china and involving time and regulations. Furthermore, I separated the cells and molded posts (like car batteries) on the terminals so they can be easily dealt with by hand- instead of needing a forklift to handle them.

HOPE my story/info helps any interested anons.

>>1981011

EMP proof vehicle = EMP is very least of issue with vehicle in emergency - you will not have fuel.

Better to get a motorcycle (many more MPG and you can siphon gas from other dead cars). And store the bike in a metal building, and have a pedal bike for most reliable use.

Agree about the Katadyn pump. Love it.

Also Medicines: You can easily make a colloidal silver generator that is portable and battery powered. (always keep solar chargers handy, but CS must be made away from UV light)

Colloidal Silver is remedy for any single cell "attack" natural or weaponized.

>>1876049

My offgrid home is quite automated and has sensors and modules and all crazy shit.

I anticipate failures, and purchase many extra parts.

Most important thing is water. To get water you need the electricity to work too, so that makes the electrical system priority also. So I have a complete spare inverter and redundant systems anywhere a fault can occur (engineerfag).

Even keep a spare well pump on the shelf. Along with every electronic component required to rebuild every single critical component at least twice. Including valves, automation system, etc.

I have a 20x25' engineering (cleanroom capable) workshop for working on just about anything - even got an SMD workstation. Expect in real crisis to need to modify or repair any radio system or such.