Off grid internet solution
 

Hello there,
I'm new to this forum and looking for some advice. We have just started a farm agroecology project in the coastal region of Alentejo and are in desperate need of a good reliable internet connection on the property. I've been doing some research and am aiming for the 3g/4g booster antenna system with a solar panel, which we could install on top of a hill and then preferably use a coax cable to bring the signal down and transform it into a wifi signal around the buildings.
Does anyone have any experience in this or know of someone who could help set up the system?
All advice is more than welcome.

Thanks,
fran

Re: Off grid internet solution
 

I´m interested in agroecology. Do you have a website? I´m just using a 3G data sim for internet at the mo which is enough for my basic needs. I get a decent signal where I am. You are probably after long range wifi. I have solar panels for electricity. Blew my inverted up though.. connected it the wronfg way round. If you know any places doing reasonably priced inverters in Portugal let me know. I´m also after a 24V fridge. Might as well go native if possible like with the lights.

Re: Off grid internet solution
 

Try octopus internet , not cheap but might have an idea or two.

You are looking for a repeater , line of sight probably , router and booster separately and possibly a good battery with solar trickle charger poles and lighning blocker.

Re: Off grid internet solution
 

@ BlackBeardie Thanks for your interest. We have just started the project a few months ago and are in the process of building the website. The site will be at aquinta.org when it's finished in about 6 weeks time.
The project is about water retention methods, rebuilding the soil on the land with the use of holistic animal management and permaculture methods.
Sounds like you've got a good system going yourself.

@Algarveandroid Thanks for your input. I will check out Octopus Internet as well. I have been inspired by this set up here:
http://milkwood.net/2011/07/08/diy-r...area-internet/
Any comments on that for Portugal?

Re: Off grid internet solution
 

Blackbeardie; A friend of mine sells and installs solar electrics, last time I saw him he told me he has some great inverter deals.

Contact me if you want his number. He's in villa do Bispo area.
You really shouldn't connect them backwards; it's bad.

Re: Off grid internet solution
 

We couldn't find a reasonably priced inverter in Europe.

Try this contact:

You'll need for import into Portugal:

A viable invoice (not just the EMS on the package)
& a physical copy of your fiscal number document

to import through CTT Expresso (standard postal system)

Plus pay the import duty and we found it was a cheaper option than buying through Europe.

contact email:

[email protected]

Ask for James

MPP Solar website:

http://www.mppsolar.com/v3/

We imported the sine wave interver direct into Portugal although sometimes it's better to send items to the UK, pay the duty there and have family re-package and send to Portugal. (less hassle as the UK clears the item much quicker and without blithering paperwork Portugal is silly enough to want).

I had to look this up:

agroecology

And yes, we do this too but on a more local organic basis (our cabbages are also great houses for snails).

http://www.agroecology.org/

Connecting the batteries together rather than in series also causes fires. Very, very bad! For the battery and the person trying to put the fire out. :(

Re: Off grid internet solution
 

Thanks! I´ll look at the UK and Portugal first. I have too much on my plate to bother with jumping through all the importation hoops. )

Erm yes, I´ve be more careful going forward. Going to change the fuses now and see if that works.

Re: Off grid internet solution
 

No luck. Looks like I blew more than the fuses. It did make a very big bang and blew off a good sized chunk off the battery terminal.. )

I might give mppsolar a go if I don´t find anything else.

Are you using organic methods to grow stuff?
Thanks.
Zephyr

Re: Off grid internet solution
 

Thanks! I´ll pm you. :)

Re: Off grid internet solution
 

Hi fr@nny,
Thanks for getting back. I´m interested in learning about water retention methods and using animals in a ´holistic´way o enrich the soil. I´m actually just starting out too.

Re: Off grid internet solution
 

When you connect an inverter with the polarity reversed, it short circuits and blows the power transistors.
In other words, it's junk.

Re: Off grid internet solution
 

Hi BlackBeardie,
We made a short introduction film about the project on youtube, which you can view here:
http://youtu.be/nbfJ6gv7ZBU

And you can also find a lot of info on the milkwood.net website.
Good luck with your project!

Re: Off grid internet solution
 

Ebay is a good place to purchase inverters and most UK suppliers will ship to europe. I buy these often to fit on boats just make sure you get the correct type of output pure sinewave or modified sinewave as some equipment will not work on modified sinewave.

Re: Off grid internet solution
 

I have an ancient Victron 3.5kw inverter I use as a backup power for my house.
It has trapezoidal waveform, and almost everything works fine, even the TV.
However, my old Dell desktop computer makes the inverter think it's in overload.

Re: Off grid internet solution
 

Hi,
Yeah my brother has a Victron 800W pure sinewave one. I think they are a good make if a bit pricey. My 1000W watt modified sinewave ran electronic equipment with no quibbles and it was very cheap. Unfortunately thanks to my stupidity it´s now dead as a dodo.

Re: Off grid internet solution
 

Thanks fra@nyy you too! I have floor problems to sort out at the moment. I will have a look at the milkwood.net site. I haven´t been downloading videos as I´m on a wireless connection.