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Alright here’s a general building question for off grid building.
I’ll be moving back to Hawaii in January and building our new house.
I’m not certain how things have progressed with regard to availability and pricing of things such as decently priced house generators and such. I know tools in general are decently priced with Home Depot being present now.
I have until the 17th to get my container loaded before it splits ahead of me.
Aside from hearing “EVERYTHING!”; Is there anything within reason I should buy here on the mainland with regard to construction related items and put in the shipping container before I send it bon voyage for Hawaii?
I will need a generator onsite off the bat… I would prefer simply buying one that will serve as the house backup generator too after the house is built rather than spending an extra grand for wheeled construction type system. Should I pick up a Kohler back up generator here and ship it or should I just wait to buy one on the Island? So my question is related to these sorts of large ticket items and not about building materials. I’ve got so many damn things going on right now my brain is spread to thin to contemplate and re-search these matters properly at this time. Should I buy the house PV system now? I have room for it.
E ho'a'o no i pau kuhihewa.
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Not a lot of advice I can give except that in my opinion, unless you're buying a diesel generator, I would only buy a two cycle gas generator made with a Honda engine.
Every other brand I have or have tried are a pain to start and in the shop for repairs a lot. No fun having an expensive and needed tool not run. Buy a Honda or something with a Honda engine.
Assume the best and ask questions.
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Thanks for the heads up Rob. Excellent point too.
I know what your talking about as I've had nothing but problems with certain gas powerd tools over there and have the same ones here in Washington that run perfectly in our weather here. I think the heat and humidity over there really kick alot of these engines in the keaster.
I looked into the Honda powered line and the largest I've found was a 15kw with 13,750 w continual output. It appears to be just wee under the power I'm after though.
http://www.generatorsales.com/order/Hond...age=H04594
I'll be needing a 15kw-20kw continual output Genset.
Have you any experience with an air cooled Generac LP Genset yet?
E ho'a'o no i pau kuhihewa.
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Sounds like you might need a good diesel genset. Low rpm - 1800. From what I have learned, you do not want anything more than 1800 in an off grid situation. If that is the case if you can get a good deal there and ship in your container, you'll more than save enough to get a gas sipping Honda 3000 which can satisfy your construction needs. If you haven't already, definitely research the major off grid web sites and read up on generators. Last I recall, but things change, record of the lp whole house types , especially Generac, was very spotty in the off grid environment.
I currently have a 24kw chinese genset that I'm basically happy with considering what it cost compared to the alternatives.We are completely off grid. Northern Lights is the one I keep hearing favorably - but expensive to get on island as it has to be shipped in anyway. I have a friend who just had a NL installed for around $14, but believe you can get just the genset mainland for less than $9k. Another friend has an 8kw Perkins on order from Hardy for $6500. There is a good generator place in Shipman that will custom build, but was outside my budget.
Do you have your PV design? In so, I suspect you can indeed save a bundle if bought right and shipped in your container.
If you like, feel free to email me directly for further discussion.
David
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As fairly new transplants to the Island, we had the same question earlier this year. What should we bring vs. what should we buy new in Hawaii. At the time, our concern was the higher cost of items over here. Now that we're here, we realize that most everything is more expensive, but you sorta get used to that. The big issue is availability and diversity of products. You're going to have fewer choices to pick from and invariably somthing that you need is going to be out of stock until the next container comes in (which could be next Tuesday or next month...). So I'd suggest you figure out what you really need (things you know you will buy in any event), prioritize the list and then start buying things and packing them into the container until you run out of space and/or money. Conversely, look at all the stuff you've accumulated and decide what you really need and leave the rest behind. Almost to a person, the other transplants we've met have all said "I brought too much stuff..." I, for example, took early retirement from a megacorp to move here. What made me think I needed to bring 4 suits and 6 wool sweaters??? Might be interesting to hear what other folks shipped - but wished they hadn't...
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Best to buy local from someone who services what they sell
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the one thing we would buy even more of would be deck screws. we brought several boxes of all sizes and would have brought more. the prices here are not only terrible, but if they are out, sometimes you wait a month and a half. the roof screws with the neoprine (sp) washers same story... oh yeah if you use alot of marine type expoxy (we use it alot to prevent/fix wood rot) it is approaching 100 bucks a gallon here)
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"... buy even more of would be deck screws ..."
Noted and thanks!
Puna: Our roosters crow first
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I'd get a small honda genny on sale there i'm in love with my 4500 and all the EU line two EU2000's can be hooked up in parallel nicely and they use as little as a gallon a day idling. Their warranties just increased to three years and are honored over sales. so if yo can fine something newish with an exsisting warranty on craigslist there, or buy it new and cheap there they local honda guy will honor the warranty. they sometimes have used stuff for good prices here, they offer limited warrantys. No idea on your whoppin huge house needs. That must be quite a battery bank you're looking to overcharge.
If you get any gas powered tools (chainsaw/weedwhacker) get a shindaiwa, they're the only whackers that hold up here. EVERYONE will swear by them. Price shop by phone from there.
Power tools i've switched primarily to RIGID cause i just get them swapped out here if i have a problem. The quality is good and better than a lot of others that have tanked recently. Makita and Hitachi do well here. Porter Cable is usually reliable if you get their high end stuff.
I would assume that wiring, window packages, and fasteners could be had much cheaper mainland. Once again price compare by phone. Only get galvanized or better. Ceramic dipped (Deckmate) do well. Any finishes that you specifically like, nice tile, wallpaper, fancy knobs, trim, highend devices, faucets, etc. Buy there. Just make sure the faucets are of a manufacture that is common.
Any home electronics, small vehicles (dirtbikes/bicycles), camping or fishing equipment, guns, or fancy clothes or kitchen accesories will be cheaper and better selection there. Of course, you'll also find yourself doing more stuff outside here if you live in a nicer area so you might use that stuff less. Stuff you're really into bring and get good stuff. Otherwise forget it, you'll be building a house and you want to be out exploring and appreciating.
I wish i could tell you if the solar stuff was cheaper i don't know. BUY IT NOW though. Everyone always runs over budget and ends up cutting solar. Get big batteries and i'd suggest Outback's sealed systems, they're SUPER reliable. No problems here. Some of the other good brands aren't sealed and have moisture/bug/gecko problems here. You might get a UV filter/light there if it's cheaper and bulbs are available here.
Basically it's teh stupid stuff that adds up. You need shower curtains, dishsoap, plates, brooms, trash cans, lawn chairs, etc all that little crap is overpriced here and you can't get most of it anywhere other than walmart. so you end up groaning and spending hundreds at walmart on CRAP you only kind of want, but need. If you've got a bunch of space and can pack well, put all that stuff that you have now in the back of your container. It'll still be your same old dishrack and mop but that's another $25 you'll have for putting into the house details you didn't anticipate.
Where you moving to from? What part of Puna you coming too?
I enjoy your posts, you've got a good mind.
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Doh, nevermind you're coming from Washington. I'd stay away from Generac. Seem to have lots of problems.
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