Micro CoGen.

@ Bob
I'm one of those off-griders,  Cut the wires in 2112, just about the end of the Listeroid phase. I do run a 6/1 with a 3Kw Utterpower PMG, and big lead acid batteries with a modest array of solar panels.
No need for anything more, and we run a fridge, 2 freezers, 3/4 HP deep well pump, washing machine, and a shop with table, band saws, planer, and the usual power tools.
Fuel cost is about $300 per annum. We don't feel like we are missing out on anything, even with this seemingly small  generating capacity. I never let the batteries get below 85% and run the genny just about daily for 2 hours in the late autumn/winter/early spring, maybe 250 hours a year........Pacific coast Canada......it's pretty cloudy here then.
We are fortunate up here in that there's no prohibition on the Listeroids or Changfa types. There are still a few dealers who can supply complete engines and parts. It's a pretty simple system, a couple of crescent wrenches and an assortment of hammers will keep it all going nicely.
One thing about the gas engines is that the fuel degrades so quickly. We have a couple of 400 litre diesel tanks, one for the genny, and one for our Japanese import truck  (another thing that is legal here). That much fuel lasts me a long time without having to leave the island to get more.

My thinking is:
Get outta town, sooner = better

Cheers
Hugh

Tiny house??

Not new, we just used to call them cabins. We lived (wife, dog, myself) for 10 years in a 225 sq ft cabin. The 50psi gravity water supply was a barrel on top of a bluff filled by a ram pump from the creek. We had a couple of batteries for the truck and swapped them out to provide electricity in the cabin. Could not afford a generator. 35 years later, the cabin still stands and is occupied........they have electricity now though.
The main issue with small dwellings is zoning laws.

And BTW, no matter how small the house, the sewage issues remain more or less the same. We used an outhouse, but that won't fly in town.

Cheers,
Hugh

Good morning Thob
Also in Canada here, but in a warmer part. I used 6" diameter plastic sewer pipe as a form for my posts.
First we poured about 4" of concrete into the bottom of the 2 ft deep holes to give a mushroomed base, with a bit of rebar added.

While the mushrooms were still wet, I placed the pipe forms into the holes. they were already spaced and cross braced with the aluminium that I later used to build the racking. We held it all together with #10 screws while pouring the hand mixed concrete into the pipe forms. This method worked great, as I was able to use the aluminium for racking to correctly line up and space the forms, then tip the whole assembly into  the holes,set them up level and vertical. After the concrete set up, we completely filled and tamped the holes, then removed the aluminium bracing.  I used 3/4" threaded rod in the middle of the forms to make final adjustment of the racking a breeze after the concrete had set up.

The pipe forms were just left in place to make a neat installation, protruding about 2 ft above ground level.
Having used sonotubes before, I found this method far easier and quicker, and the sewer pipe does not get soggy in the rain. The thin walled sewer pipe was relatively inexpensive.

YMMV, but this method worked very well for us.

Cheers,
Hugh

Yes, unable to connect.
Hope the problem gets resolved soon!
cheers,
Hugh

We are still using out Toyota Townace....a 1988 model 4WD with a 2lt Diesel. No electronics anywhere, always goes, and goes anywhere. It is rated at 2,200 pound payload, with the fold-down sides, and low flat bed, it is a great firewood truck. I have carried 3500 of gravel pounds in it........front wheels barely on the ground though!
Here is a link showing it with my 6/1 Startomatic on board. http://listerengine.com/smf/index.php?topic=7030.msg79925#msg79925 it is at the bottom of the thread.
I imported this myself from Japan. Never sold in North America, but many N.A.Toyota parts fit, parts are readily available in U.K. if needed, just have not needed much. This is one tough little machine, slow though, a top speed warning bell comes on at 60mph.....it is wound out at that speed. Top speed limit here is 35mph, so slow is not an issue.  The same basic engine was available in other models with a turbo, and this one is naturally aspirated, so lightly stressed. Has only required oil and filters, tires and a muffler, have no idea of how many miles it has on it, but it has many. Apparently illegal in the U.SD. but OK here in Canada.

Cheers,
Hugh

We're here on a relatively small island on the Canadian west coast

zoning...yes
code.....none, except electrical
minimum acreage to build...depends on zoning but generally 2 acres and up
Population.....approx 900, spread out
Land area, roughly 8 X 15 miles, 50 sq miles
Terrain ....mixed, mostly rocky and heavily treed
Building permits.....none required, anything goes
Expensive ferries  and 2 hours travel time to get you to/from nearest town of about 25K

Cheers,
Hugh

Tiny house and wood heat......Been there, done that. For about 10 years, we lived in a 12' X 16' self built cabin.....this before the days of solar panels, inverters, LEDs, etc. We had a used kerosene for lighting and small wood stove for heat.
The first wood stove was one of those oval sheet metal stoves for hunting camps, etc. Nearly killed us. Wet wood caused the bottom to rot out in the second winter while there was a fire in the stove......you can imagine the excitement. Fortunately happened when we were there and awake!
A proper small steel wood burner was quickly borrowed from a friend. It was still in use when we sold the place.

IMHO, There were three major problems in using a wood stove to heat a tiny home (we didn't call them that then):

1) Because of clearances to non-combustibles, the wood stove needs a large space relative to the space available in a very small living space.

2) The small wood stoves tend to have more than necessary heat output, so it was frequently too hot in the  cabin.

3) Because of the small firebox, it was hard to keep a fire going for a long period of time (like overnight)

I think a properly vented propane heater is best. Electric is also good, though with a power outage, it can get cold in a hurry. I used an oil heater in my boat for many years, one of those simple drip feed burners. It was OK, but the occasional downdraught could get things dirty in a hurry!


We are still living in the same area in the PNW, properly off-grid now with the solar panels, good sized battery bank, inverter, and a Listeroid driving a PMG to charge batteries on those sunless days. We still heat with wood and also use the wood stove to provide domestic hot water for about 5 months of the year.

I love using wood heat, and yes, it is a bit less clean than propane, electric, etc.  Nothing like a full wood shed and root cellar. Better than money in the bank.

Cheers,
Hugh

I'm not a big user, mostly post on LEF. Never the less, I do check in here frequently. added a bit to the kitty for renewal.
Thanks for hanging in there.
Cheers,
Hugh

I'm still here thumpin' away too.
We used to have grid power, but told them to take their wires off my pty a few years back. We do the panels, batteries, and a listeroid with pmg for those too often cloudy days in the coastal pnw. I have to agree with just about all the previous comments, esp SteveU's about top- down control. We're trying to get farther away from that here too. The garden and orchard grow just about everything we we eat. Our bees help with the pollination and give us some honey now and again. It is a tough go for bees here though.....wet is not helpful. Surplus food gets given to friends who give us local caught fish, home grown eggs, meat in return. Nothing formal, it just happens. Way better for everyone.
I have a check-in here nearly daily as well, just that as Thob mentioned, maybe everybody is running fairly smooth now, so we don't write as much as before. Also, now there is a wealth of information both here and on LEF. Most of the major issues have been pretty much solved, now it is helping each other with details......it's a real nice group of people, and I consider myself being very fortunate to have such a large group of like minded friends who live all over the place.
Still standing.
Cheers,
Hugh

A while back, I ran into this link for PMGs manufactured in Poland.
I do not know anything about them other than what is presented on their website.
http://pmg-technology.com/oferta/
They are custom made, the price is given on the site for many variations and capacities.

I am using an Utterpower PMG in my off-grid set-up, Have only about 1000hrs run time on my 3Kw unit, but it preforms flawlessly, can and has put out a measured 3850 watts on several occasions for a half your at a time when I was running direct to loads, bypassing my inverter/charger.
One of the best features is that there are no electronics involved. Voltage and Frequency are determined by RPM without the use of any kind of voltage regulator. There is nothing to fail except bearings, they are over engineered for continuous/critical use. Unfortunately they are no longer being manufactured. I bought on of the originals. Several years later, after end of production, I wrote to George B. on the off chance that he had another kicking around.......he did. I have that one belted up to a Dursley 6/1 Startomatic engine to power my workshop.
Wish those were still available, as they have served me well and without issue.  Maybe these Polish units are as good, just know nothing else about them.

Cheers,
Hugh

@BruceM....
Thanks for that info, I know you are well versed in electronic stuff. Now if I could just get Magnum to acknowledge that as well!

Cheers,
Hugh

@Mobile Bob
Thanks for your suggestions Bob. On your suggestion, I did poke around in there. Found that if I loosened the 4 transformer mounting screws, the noise is much reduced. I think it may not be possible to eliminate it entirely, but there has been a reduction to a tolerable level. Still produces a louder hum than the original, but at least it is improved to the point that it is no longer heard all over the house!
Thanks.
Cheers,
Hugh

John F at Woodnstuff sold his business to Jim Calder (http://www.justliveoffgrid.com/)
I have had the pleasure of dealing with him many times. Good prices, reasonable shipping. He stocks items not listed on his website,
or can get for you if you are patient.
Here in Canada Jim is a good go-to for parts and engines.
Cheers,
Hugh

@ Carib......We are out here on the edge, no cell service at this location, so we don't have/need smart phone. The borrowed Db meter was actually a visitor with smart phone and Db app.
thanks for the tip though
Cheers,
Hugh

I had the loan of a Db meter and read 60db got this inverter. 60Db buzz is sure a pain in the ear! A meter purchased on ebay is on its way, so I will be able to compare the sound levels of this new inverter with the older quieter one. Magnum will not say what they consider to be an acceptable range for Db level, so I really have no comparison with what would be a warantee level problem.
Anyone have a similar inverter and can say what their Db level is?
Any info/assistance is appreciated.
Cheers,
Hugh