Building A Dam for Hydroelectric Power - Part 1 - Off Grid Cabin - EP #22

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#hydroelectricpower
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⭐️ About this Episode:
Finally, its time to start working on creating Hydroelectric POWER for the Off Grid Cabin. The 1st step is building a Dam to capture the water so that we can force it to the water wheel that we will be creating in upcoming episodes. Will this work? I SURE HOPE SO!!! Everything we have worked for over the past months all hinges on this idea that our cabin will be truly off grid and powered by WATER!! At best its a theory that we can create enough power to run the cabin but only time will tell. So stay tuned to see how this project comes together!
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[@brad349miller]

This is what I’m thinking. Buy my property, build my dam and power supply first so I can see how flooding will effect my land to avoid building and working on any potential flood area. I always imagined my house in more of a flat meadow but seeing your raw land has me wanting more of a mix of woodland and pasture.

[@margaretschwartzentruber3154]

Well, predict the flood area prior to building the dam. Beavers flood a lot of land. Measurable.

[@user-hh6ex9md4w]

That sounds like a great plan! It's important to consider potential flooding and how it could affect your property. The mix of woodland and pasture sounds like a lovely setting for your house. By the way, for your off-grid power supply, have you considered the Segway Portable PowerStation Cube Series? It's a versatile powerhouse that can provide ample power for various devices and appliances, with a massive capacity of up to 5kWh. It also has a waterproof design, making it suitable for outdoor use. Just thought it might be helpful for your off-grid setup!

[@Dexobite]

This man built an entire Hydro Electric Plant to produce energy for a cabin Props to you my guy

[@jackmason7823]

You need to measure the Discharge of the river. Q(discharge) = V (velocity) x A (Area). Measure velocity simply by releasing an apple or orange upstream and timing it over a set distance (25m or so). Do all the calcs in metric then just convert at the end, saves a lot of faffing.

[@mariatheresacudia2388]

Jerry seems to know everything about building a house and build other outside things necessary for the house. TWO THUMBS UP for Jerry the builder hehe. I'm glad you're able to record/capture sweet family moments like these.

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

Thank you 😊

[@mariatheresacudia2388]

Loftis Party of Six - weROAM I love the concept of your cabin, perfect spot. If it's near here (Manila, Philippines) then I would rent it for a family get together.

[@user-ll5fp7mw6n]

Pure 🧠💪🏾 free living.lovely done bro..self living bro real free and helthy living.👏🏽

[@douglasmcmanamy5988]

I so much look forward to your new videos each week. I love the Cabin project. Also looking forward to the RV future videos.

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

Thank You 😊

[@donbruder6838]

Looking Good,that’s going to be so cool when you are finished !!!

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

Thanks

[@CLASSICLAT]

Love love love that dam❤❤❤❤❤

[@TheGoldPoppy]

Much love from Southern Missouri

[@BenNstyle]

Boys, I think this dog is gonna hunt! Where there's a will, there's a way! Praying the creek don't rise! Good team work!

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

Thank you 😊

[@jamesdaron3344]

A sweet moment when Daughter and Daddy made eye contact. Family handprints, memories for a lifetime. Good bless your family. P.S. pay Jerry double what you had planned to.😀

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

Thank you 😊

[@cactuslovesballoons8581]

Me: "I've got this dam project..." Mom: "watch your language, young man!"

[@walkaway6353]

Are you 6 years old?

[@richardlighthouse5328]

@@walkaway6353 woosh

[@turtlecrawling66]

@@walkaway6353 lol

[@PraxisPrepper]

Nice project. I'm just starting our hydro project now. Thx for sharing this!

[@danielseiweni7384]

Lovely kid's comments - Teams work ...makes a dream work... wou.! its awesome.

[@ryanfish1137]

Oh my gosh! My grandparents used to have a cabin on that lake, but I'm Arkansas I believe! Also, this is the first video I watched of yours!

[@andyteohockguan7243]

Awesome and stay safe, God bless

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

Thank you 😊

[@karimmak7423]

One of the best projects for a off grid house ❤️👍🏻🇩🇿

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

Agreed! Thanks

[@juliorosenberg2222]

It's great to have a Creek or stream/river on your property

[@victoriakeith2145]

It’s going to be awesome 👏🏻

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

Thanks 😊

[@clint.garage.6092]

A wheelbarrow and planks would have been good. This is impressive….more people should be living like this.

[@JJ-ic3mf]

Just found this channel, looks good so far but way too much talking and not enough footage of work being completed.

[@brad349miller]

Since there’s no longer any pretense that we aren’t a free people, is there going to be someone out there telling me that I legally can’t divert enough water off a hill to dam and create a water mill off of it?

[@kathycusumano2445]

Prayers for you and your amazing family:)🙏👼

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

Thanks 😊

[@andrewrichardson1237]

Grand life ya got, how cool are you, inspiring

[@TandZAptLife]

That is so cool!

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

Thanks 😊

[@donovandelaney3171]

Tree killer!

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

😆

[@jackplayz5250]

great work!

[@karimmak7423]

Jerry he is a genius ❤️👍🏻🇩🇿

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

Yep 👍

[@onebridge7231]

Great plot of land!

[@joeygay7115]

Just came across your video. Def an awesome project. Ty for showing it to us.

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

Thanks 😊

[@50Acres]

Thats a pretty cool project. Looks like you will have plenty of free power!

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

Thanks 😊

[@EvaVilla-pm5mv]

I tell you what, it sure is fun seeing the kids experience this and putting in their handprints

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

They loved it. Thanks

[@sisypheanteasoup7534]

Dam thats cool

[@lanemerrill]

great video and beautiful property!

[@lanemerrill]

I've seen a lot of those small inline micro turbines using siphon flow that could work with your dam and I've seen some produce some crazy wattage and you can fit like 20 of them.

[@estellaknox4488]

Awesome work

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

Thanks 😊

[@menkaur]

wow your place looks like my ideal setup

[@ruthaspen2076]

SO COOL 🤗

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

Thanks

[@Dpbantam]

This is looking so good! Love it! Is there anything Jerry doesn’t know how to do?? You guys working are totally amazing!!

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

Thank you 😊

[@honnerplays]

Cool

[@skunkygrogan4247]

There is enough energy in that stream ro power a WHOLE neighborhood!

[@me_stupid2873]

Ohh so thats how powerful a stream can be

[@antesaric4558]

Nope. He has almost no head (fall of water). This project will not be profitable.

[@sifergy8412]

Number of litres per second times drop in meters (head) times 9.8 (gravitational constant) equals watts out put (usually you’d expect approx 50 % conversation to electric power. Most uk homes use between 2 and 2.5 kilowatts small steam may not be enough for a whole house but it is constant is very useful def worth doing as its effectively free once built

[@antesaric4558]

@@sifergy8412 Cost of manual labor (cutting trees, building dam, welding and manufacturing waterwheel, etc), equipment and materials (concrete, motor, electrical, gears, etc.), maintenance cost(constant clearing debris, rust, etc.).... When you calculate it all you will find out that it is not worth it as an investment. I like it as a hobby and a luxury thing, but it is not an investment.

[@libbylife7161]

Amazing! The bigger dam ,bigger the wheel, more power :-)

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

👍

[@libbylife7161]

Many years ago my Dad took me and my brothers and my sisters to the Grand Coulee Dam in Washington state, A hydroelectric dam which powers an irrigation system and electricity I believe to several regions in the western states. Amazing how large the turbines were! (If you may the wheel of the system :-)

[@TraceyMush]

The little one is not impressed with the cement mess on his hand! LOL Great idea to capture that moment forever :~))

[@UberManTampa]

You don't see the family working together anymore, especially kids! You all have done an amazing job forming a family and teaching your kids the value of a dollar! :) It's refreshing. I earned everything I had as a child.

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

Thank you 😊

[@Lil_von145]

i love your dam so good

[@nguyenthoai1126]

That is awersome. I am very interesting when see you pouring concrete for a small dam, you can get a concrete quality if you used a vibrator.

[@AYOGAgriVenture]

Nice cabin

[@bmaccrypto]

Great video, I watched 1 & 2 and subscribed, can't wait to see more of your off-grid journey.

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@lwangacharles7774]

I like people who are constructive

[@mainlawcafewv7681]

Now that's the way to power a remote cabin.

[@turkey0165]

I was thinking a culvert pipe direct from spring connected to a inclosed water turbine for Efficiency!

[@buyimajola4245]

In the spirit of keeping the history alive, how about you make some moonshine while you at it😅🤠

[@johannesg.4599]

You should build a fish passing at the side of the dam as well to avoid any big nature problems. Like a little fish stair - would also be a really nice project i think!!

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

We don’t have any fish. It’s not that big of a stream.

[@carama3590]

I’m in the process of making a water wheel as well amen brother

[@koningbolo4700]

ATF Agent: So you want to keep local moonshine history alive with a waterwheel? Herr Loftis: Uhm, yes ATF Agent: Well here is a search warrant for the property, step aside please.

[@mynamenowhastobeasecret.2079]

If I have to be honest, Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms would be the best store

[@JayNguyen-qd7fk]

Overshot waterwheels are tricky....controlling pond , levels , outflow and wheel rotation...VERY TRICKY INDEED....GOOD LUCK

[@UToobSteak]

Really cool. I want free electricity!

[@UberManTampa]

Team Work makes the Dream Work! LOVE IT!!! One thing about kids, they love big trucks! :) : )

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

Yep they sure do!

[@kathycusumano2445]

Wow unbelievable that only 2-3 guys built that cabin. Its absolutely amazing . Yours and Lains idealism to keep it rustic is also admirable. God bless you keep going strong!

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

Thank you 😊

[@brandonstahl3562]

Oh damn neighbor, I was thinking the same thing hear in gainesville.

[@Lettredettre]

Timber!!!

[@LivingTheRVLocaLife]

this is so cool will look so nice next to the cabin cant wait to see it when its finished and working totally loving the hand prints did you put there names by there hands? so sweet love it thanks for sharing:)

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

Thank you 😊. Turns out that area where the hand prints are got covered up with dirt🤦‍♂️

[@LivingTheRVLocaLife]

@@LoftisPartyofSix awee your gonna have to maybe do a small pour circle like stepping stones with the hands and names to the fire pit that would be so awesome:)

[@williammorris3303]

Smart Momma! I was hoping to myself that the kids got the concrete off of their hands before it damaged their skin to badly. Then Momma says,”go rinse your hands off”. Awesome job, let the kids participate in a time honored, probable worldwide tradition of marking with handprints, then wash your hands. Not everyone is the same but concrete eats my hands up

[@jamiehoward3151]

This place is gonna be so cool😎

[@larryjacobs5713]

Need a pump truck!

[@truenorth365]

Cool, off-grid stuff kicks balls! Intresting channel, you got yourself another subscriber.

[@fadoritehartley3286]

I have one question. Is Jerry an alien, or is he a robot? Is there anything he can't do? I can't tell you much I have enjoyed your journey building your cabin. You must be so proud of yourselves. What an amazing accomplishment, and so very rewarding. I anxiously await to see that finished product. I have been watching you since the beginning of your travels, and look forward to seeing you on the road again. You will need some time to rest. Some R&R...

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

Thank you 😊! We are about to hit the road!!

[@kenjohnson5498]

Your way over thinking the rpm speeds on the wheel, just use a transmission gear box off of a riding lawn mower switch the pulley out and generate 3 to 400 rmp a minute with minimal water speed. You can also use the gears to slow down the wheel during days of heavy rain to not burn out your pma.

[@kenjohnson5498]

@Erich Weiler lol i also misspelled rpm

[@rogerdudra178]

Calibrating the low water output of the spring will give you a base value.

[@debbiecarter4558]

Is there anything Jerry can't do? Good to see Laine and the kids

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

Thanks 😊

[@kevins4736]

If I had go through will all that work I would have a AC motor and not fiddling around with DC.

[@MidtownBum]

I love a 20 minute video of the side of some guys’ face.

[@arlenegimongala8513]

I love seeing the Place it's so nice...❤️❤️❤️ Watching from Philippines Keep it up🤟

[@RobertDavis-yg4rx]

This was an interesting endeavor that ended in disappointment. After building the dam and having 24/7 energy flow, the hydro project was abandoned because the water was underutilized. Well if what you have doesn't take advantage of your hydrologic energy, then you need to wipe the prototype clean and start over. With that much water, you should be able to harvest st least 1KW at any time. Solar is wonderful, but it doesn't provide 24/7 energy like hydro will. Please, please, please utilize this power and have a successful outcome.

[@todddaugherty110]

Hope you have putting rebar into that dam.

[@brad349miller]

You can see it just before they pour the concrete.

[@glorisol3805]

A little piece of paradise😍

[@Lala11701]

This is so great. How did he build the flume? I would love a how to video.

[@geraldkoth654]

You are going to want to know how much power, we will use watts since you are generating electricity, you can make with your dam. We will ignore any losses in bearings belts etc. Pure power based on falling water. With 300 gallons per minute and a three foot drop from the top of the dam to the top of the downstream flow you can make 40 pounds per second divided by 550 pounds per second per horsepower per foot, mulitplied by 3 feet to get horsepower. That flow and drop will make 0.218 horsepower. One horsepower is 750 watts. So you can make about 160 watts without losses. You will get almost 4 Kilowatt hours per day. If you need more horsepower, just raise the damn and enlarge the wheel. Just reply to me on this comment, if you need any more help with calculations like that. The nice part about this form of solar energy, sun evaporates water and moves it uphill as rain, is that it is 24/7 without interruption. Wind, air movement due to temp differences caused by the sun, is highly unreliable. Direct sun is only part time and can be very low with differing seasons and weather.

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

All I know is that the hydro generator I purchased needs 500 RPMs for 24 volts. So we are rigging our pulley system to make that. Right now we are getting about 300 RPMs but adding more pulleys to get over 500.

[@rsinfelt1]

I love what your doing and I want to do a similar think at our property in KY, but if you could show in the video what you are talking about, while you are talking instead of showing yourself in all the shots, your videos will be VASTLY improved. Nice job with your project though.

[@tuguybear930]

The difference between waterwheel and Pelton wheel is volume and pressure. Water wheels are more picturesque.

[@jeanoliveira8049]

Brazilian ❤❤❤❤❤

[@shaneohlutydugan3641]

Yo bro next time take spray adhesive strong one use pond liner or tarp and u u also could just cause 2 by 2 boards and a tarp but thick one let it say in middle cheaper version if u ain't gotta flume laying round and less leaking

[@georgewahlers2854]

Don't forget to put in a weighted dump excess water when it rains hard

[@DashtinGirasol]

KID: That's awesome! Me: I agree. (reminiscing my childhood)

[@jtonguam]

The reason you don't see overshot water wheels used in hydroelectric is because they're very inefficient. You'd be better off with an undershot wheel or a vortex since you have high flow but low head.

[@joemyers8863]

But the wheel looks cool and old fashioned.

[@hoss1003]

Did you know they make a screw generator that you lay in the creek of running water and it generates electricity?

[@markbaker311]

Are you talking about an archimedes screw?

[@joshk155]

I came here looking for how to videos because I have a creek that I want to dam to build a pond for the family but also I’d like to generate power as well. What did you use for the power generator? Do you get decent power production?

[@seanmcguire7974]

This is awesome. Do you need re bar in this?

[@josiahronco]

Is there a reason y'all didn't use a concrete pump for the job? Seems like it would have made things much easier. I'm loving these videos, what a cool project!!

[@kurtismckague8103]

Its not about how much water, Its about the pressure produced. the other way would have been less intrusive to environment and still produced the same amount of power

[@MartyHuie]

The water wheel is very nice, yeah I would suggest leave it there and put in a micro Hydro unit. You certainly would have absolutely all the power you would need for that home with that water flow

[@HOWBOUTTASHORYUKEN]

I’m looking at all that water thinking a pelton wheel or something generating 1+KW of power and this man said water wheel for 12 watts I hope it changes

[@ernielara1553]

You go to use the water for off grid cottage use? You have indoor plumbing in the house?

[@coolthought8456]

Your place look really awesome, spring, forest and a really nice looking cabin. Just curious if the dam core goes all the way down to an impervious layer and how does your concrete dam is anchored in place? This is because I sort of see the concrete is just sitting on top of soil?

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

We did go down to solid rock for the foundation of the dam.

[@coolthought8456]

@@LoftisPartyofSix just curious, how to do you plan for the final outlook of the dam? make it like the olden days dam or make it look like natural rock?

[@toddentingh4449]

The last part of the water fall was therapeutic..

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

Sure was!! Thanks

[@Proud_White_Conservative1980]

That looks cool. What part of Missouri are you in?

[@larrykluckoutdoors8227]

Never could build that dam in Minnesota

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

No problem in Missouri! #redstate

[@larrykluckoutdoors8227]

@@LoftisPartyofSix Lucky dog. I have a Idiot for leadership

[@allensandven0]

Donut be surprised if you substantially increase head .. you could lose your spring to somewhere that it finds less resistance ?

[@mikestarkey7989]

Unless the concrete has additives to prevent excess water damage to the concrete, the sand and cement gets separated into their component parts.

[@vkeshelya]

How much power will you loose buy the time it reaches battery bank in house? If you produce 24v on wheel buy the time it gets to house it looks like good 100 meters, I’m planning to do similar but been told to expect to loose power in transfer thanks ps looking forward to see this project complete

[@LoftisPartyofSix]

I was told anything under 250 ft is minimal lose

[@wdwdHenry9022]

I HAVE A BEAVER IN MEEEEE DNEEEE I NEED TO LET HIIIIM UUTTT