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gcrank1
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# Posted: 6 Sep 2025 12:59pm
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Some thoughts especially for those newish to the idea of small cabin life and those liking the thought of downsizing:
We had our new prebuilt log cabin moved in on May 1, 2024. I had fully expected to do the standard 120vac wiring, 14-2 c/w grd as we had in the old shack; although abbreviated somewhat like a camper system.
To get the new cabin quickly 'livable' I threw together the 100ah LFP with swap inverters, a 300w PSW for most use and a 750w MSW (mostly for hd 'heater' use, ie, toaster, etc) and a multi-tap 'power strip'. This sits in a floor cabinet by the galley kitchen.
For 'Big' power we have a 2kw inverter-generator; we have used it 2x?, maybe 3 for a very short while. It feeds the cabin through an RV type port in the wall.
I suggest no smaller than 2kw, and doing it now Id get a 2.5kw 'dual fuel' LP/gasoline unit. The option of 'real power' is nice but we could get along fine without the gen at all.
For lights I had some USB rechargeable self contained 'bulbs' (Amazon 3 pk) that you can hang anywhere or even carry around as a flashlight. Lots of USB rechargeable LED lights are now available; have a few to swap out for recharge.
NO need to run wires for fixtures and switches! Hang em on a hook. I do have some small lamp shades to slip the bulb hook through the hole in the top and some lengths of swag lamp chain to adjust for hang length; looks good and works great.
After a bit I got an Ecoflow River 2 'power box', self contained LFP, PSW inverter, 12v and USB taps. This can be used anywhere in cabin where we want power.
Here we are, 9-6-'25, well after a year of using the above and I have no longer any plans for more complicated wiring.
Nor am I inclined to put up a solar array/charging system for the LFP as the bat lasts a good Lonnggg time with our minimal elec use and is more easily recharged at home.
So, for those with a small off-grid cabin/cottage and modest electric needs there isn't any reason to 'go big/expensive/complicated' for elec (unless you want to and like the 'house-like' flip the switch livin'), it can be done quick and easy as above and we think adds a little to the charm of breaking the normal routines of home living a bit.
Fwiw, waayyy back in the dark ages of our cabineering we had kerosene lamps and candles and when cool the Coleman lanterns which added heat and light. After a bit a marine bat and some abbreviated wiring gave us 12vdc Edison base RV bulb lights (energy HOGS).The LED lighting was a game changer, and good lighting is a nice thing for us, they draw so little that I even quit calculating run time from the old LA battery. Now with the LFP even better.
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paulz
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# Posted: 6 Sep 2025 09:21pm - Edited by: paulz
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Your right, LFP batteries and LED lighting have really improved easy cabin life. One more thing, though i have a love/hate relationship with it, is the iPhone. Unlimited calling, texting, internet, emergency service.
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jsahara24
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# Posted: 8 Sep 2025 11:33am
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We have a fishing lodge and I setup the loft of my barn to be an overflow sleeping area. No power to the barn, so last year I installed some 12V led lights and a boat style switch with a cigarette lighter for charging phones and it has a voltage meter built into it.
Any way I ran it off a lead acid deep cycle last year and would always worry when someone left the lights on it was going to kill the battery. This past year I picked up a LifePO4 160AH battery for it. It has an app that connects via bluetooth so I can see how much capacity is left, how much is currently being used, and how long it can run the current load. So i turned on all the lights and it said it would run it for 6 days nonstop.
Feeling a lot better about this season! When folks leave after the weekend I take it and charge at the house. However I'm not sure I'm going to have to if they use the lights reasonably.
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shingobeek
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# Posted: 8 Sep 2025 11:42am
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We purchased our off-grid, water-access place almost 10 years ago. While roof and other things were first, I was always eyeing the power/solar game trying to take mental notes, plan things a bit...by the time I got to really thinking I need to do it, my wife and I realized the 1000W Jackery does great ofr our needs. Several re-chargeable small fans, different types of LED lights, yes the dreaded i-phone and pad.....we just haul that thing home and charge it when we need to, and in between we use a cheap 100 w portable panel to set up on deck on sunny days and recharge the thing...works great we love this type of set up no wires and power use calculations.
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groingo
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# Posted: 9 Sep 2025 12:30am
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Sounds very familiar, went through much the same over the past too many years, finally settled on simple is better, heat and cook with propane, lights LED, power LFP, inverter PSW, the LFP batteries were the biggest bonus over flooded batteries with faster charge and deepest usable power, I too have got what finally works mainly with better technology and keeping things simple.
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paulz
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# Posted: 9 Sep 2025 01:10am - Edited by: paulz
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I always bring 4-5 days of food for 2 so the permanent cooler uses a couple amps. That and i got an internet line so about 4-6 amps for that stuff. But I cheat with a permanent battery bank and solar to keep it charged.
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