Building Off Grid Nude

10/17/11 So today started out raining, than snow, concrete was due in 4 hrs. Now I'm stressing. at 11:45 the two concrete trucks showed up and no pump truck. Now I'm REALLY stressing, still raining. At 12:05 the pump truck arrived and by the time he was set up the storm broke, sun came out. A perfect day for pouring, temp was 42, partial sun. It took 2 hrs for the whole thing, wow ya got to hustle. It took 19 yards in total. Now I can work on the Block walls as time and weather permit over the winter and start framing next Spring 10/4/11 The inspectors were out today, checking the under-ground electric from the Array to Power Shed, Shed to Temp Pole and Pole to Well. About 300' of trench 22" deep and 12" wide, No problems at all. They also checked the UFER Ground, a new grounding system that ties into the foundation of the house. The final inspection of the day was the Footers and re-bar for the Foundation, which in this case was very complicated with lots of steps and multiple widths. The complication is due to my design of the foundation, there are the Footers, than a CMU (Block) wall, and than a 2x6 stem wall on top but still under the first floor, this causes a hinge point in the foundation so I needed much bigger Footers (30" in some spots) The reason for my choice is that the Footers are not level due to the bedrock, I did not want to blast. The Stem wall can be Laser measured, A perfectly level first floor is the result. 9/25/11 So the framing of the footers is complete, most of the rebar was cut, bent, laid and hung. I'm 3 sticks short(bummer) hope to have time this week to get the last installed and then I can have 5 inspections at once. Fire mitagation, Footers, Trenches(for electric), Final Photo Voltiac. and CEE (concrete encased electrode). I will slso have the inspections for access (width of drive, frie pullouts, cystern is installed and full) done at the same time. Progress 9/14/11 As of today the PV (Photo Voltaic) system is on line, hell ya!!! I installed a temp box mid way between the power shed an the building site so now I don't have to listen to that damn genarator all the time, it just destroys the peacefulness of my valley. There is also power to the well now so I dont have to rely on the small creek for water needed for when I get to concrete soon. I had run 1100' of 3/4" pipe around the ridge to the creek for water to supply a tank that I use for the flushing toilet in the outhouse as well as cleaning up. Big step today 9/9/11 I've had lots of requests about my off grid home that I am building. Have never done a blog before and dont know how they work but I'll give it a shot. I hope to be able to answer questions, Please mesage me. So I'll start with the specs. Land: 30 acres Where: Roosevelt National Forest (The origanal deed has F. Roosevelts signature) House: 1800 sq', two story + a shop and garage. 2nd floor has only 2 bdrms w/ a bth inbetween. They both have 270* views Electric: 24 panels=5.4Kw, 48v batt bank and duel inverters Well: 5+gal/min (after I fractured it, .18 before) Septic system that I tied my Out House to; So if you got through all the boring stuff, please ask questions, this is my favorate subject and will try to update often, if it gets a response