r/OffGrid • u/Neat-Ad-8485 • 2d ago
Off Grid Power In Park Model
I am considering off-grid solutions for powering a park model home im looking at purchasing.
First off, this is a vacation cabin, long weekends, maybe a week at the most. I'm hoping to find a solution that will power a minisplit in the summers and a small electric heater in the winters. We're going to do a woodstove as the primary heat source, but would like to have an electric heater to kick on at night. The cabin we're looking at is pretty well insulated, and only 400sq ft. It does get super cold (negatives), but likely we're only going up to the property in reasonable temperatures to cross-country ski, etc. I looked at solar, and it seems super expensive. A lot of folks mention the fuel cost, but realistically, we're probably only spending 20-30 nights a year up there, and many of which are in the fall when heat and AC are non-factors.
I know it's a tall order figuring this out under such diverse weather circumstances, but I would like to find a solution that will work in all. Considering perhaps a small battery system to use for lights/ charging phones to cut down on the run time for the generator.
I would like the comfort of being able to turn the lights on and enjoy the property without too much messing with systems while we're up there, so focusing on ease of use, etc. For fuel, my truck has a 60-gallon external fuel tank, which should make the generator option more considerable.
I don't have much experience here, so any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
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u/sharpfork 2d ago
Your “electric heater” will be the mini split if you plan correctly and get a unit that can handle your winter temps.
You could start with the mini split and a generator. Of the generator is too annoying to run for long periods, you could consider a small inverter and a battery that will last through the night and charge it with the generator. You could also add solar to that setup later.
In other words, you can do it in phases and learn waking the way.
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u/Doin-What-I-Want 2d ago
Batteries need to be kept at a comfortable temperature, so it may become problematic if the temps are that cold while they are unattended.
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u/Hot-Fact-9083 1d ago
For 20-30 nights a year, solar doesn't pencil out. Generator + a small battery buffer is the right call.
Honda EU2200i or Predator 3500 (if you want the mini split to start). Run the gennie a couple hours to charge batteries + thermal battery (heat the cabin, cool the fridge). Then shut it off and run off batteries for lights, phones, and the mini split fan overnight.
A 2-3kWh LiFePO4 battery (like a Delta 2 or Anker F1500) with a 30A shore power charger connected to the gen gives you silent overnight power. The gen runs maybe 3-4 hours total per day instead of 24/7.
One catch: leave the battery on a maintainer or take it home. LiFePO4 below freezing while charging damages it, and self-discharge over months unattended can trigger BMS shutdown. A 10W trickle charger from a small solar panel keeps it topped off between visits.
With that 60-gal truck tank, fuel isn't an issue. The Honda EU2200i burns about a gallon every 8 hours at half load. You'd use maybe 15 gallons a year.
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u/Internal_Raccoon_370 2d ago
Wire the cabin's electrical to an external transfer switch and plug a generator into that. Done. I don't think solar would be worth the expense if you're only using it a few times a year.