We have a 24V battery bank with a rating of 420 amp hours - we can draw about half of the amp hours overnight if they are fully charged.
Our main draws on the system are:
- Delivery pump for water
- Dometic chest fridge/freezer
- Fans
- Coffee pot in the AM - if sunny
- WeBoost cellular signal booster
- Batteries of three laptop computers, three phones, two Nintendo Switch units
- Xbox (part of the day)
- TV x2 (part of the day)
- microwave - intermittently - if sunny
- Lights
I can also use kitchen appliances such as a coffee grinder, mixer, and food processor during the day when it is sunny. Cooking with the sun and a propane grill (no ability to cook indoors) takes a bit of an adjustment. I also have to adjust to a much smaller fridge.
The kids have been happy that video games are still available to them on a solar system. They also get a fair amount of time outdoors.
One of the amazing things about living off of the sun is taking a shower with solar hot water. Today, though it was cloudy most of the day the hot water was at 110 degrees F. On sunny days the water temps at 130 degrees F. The water stays very warm overnight despite the evenings getting cooler. I am very curious about how the solar water heater will perform in the winter.
Life on the homestead is relaxed. There was such an amazing push to get all the systems complete and now we are enjoying the fruits of our labor. While there are still many projects on the list it is satisfying to take a break and enjoy the fact that we are able to live in this space with all of our conveniences after over 20 years of camping. Though we are currently traveling between our trailer in Mesa and the land due to my job, it is my hope that one day we will be able to reside at the homestead full-time. During the long weekends we can catch a glimpse of the full-time simple life. With the temperatures in the Phoenix area breaking all kinds of records and with the struggle to keep the trailer cool in those conditions we welcome every moment we can escape to the mountains.
Soon we will get our wood-burning stove installed! We are really looking forward to spending the winter break in our cozy cabin.
