So Many Projects, So Little Time | Solar, Tile Shower, Electrical Wiring

Hi 👋
We’re Craig & Chandra
Just as we thought spring had arrived, it snowed this morning!
This week we are working on multiple projects at our off grid Alaska homestead. We ordered three 100watt solar panels and installed them on the house to charge the solar generator so we can run our mini fridge. We ran electrical wire to the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, along with installing some of the outlet boxes. Plus, we started work on the tile shower.
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[@justme5544]

KZbin University is THE BEST educator on the planet!

[@Flossie921]

I love how the group of “ dog friends” is always around supervising.

[@ouralaskahomestead]

Typical supervisors too. They mill around getting in the way but don’t actually do anything to help 😂

[@bstiger6482]

I hope you are putting the "bottom" of the outlets at 43". A standard kitchen countertop is 36" to finish top, plus allow up to 6" for a backsplash (some are only 4"). That equals 42" with 1" to mud / trim around the bottom of outlet. As you know, don't believe everything on Google, ask a professional..and a good pro electrician always uses 12-2 (20A) romex on kitchen outlets, as it allows the use appliances with motors (which draw more amps), like mixer, blender, etc at one time. The cost is not that much more, but peace of mind is priceless.

[@carmene3534]

When you're cutting the sheetrock by the window there, that's when you could use that isolating tool.

[@Ohiomx]

❤

[@AlaskanFreedom]

Every job site needs a laborer and supervisor. You're covered 😂

[@Dave-ge1uu]

You should be running 12 awg wire for all your receptacles and use a 20 amp breaker in the panel. 14 awg wire is rated for max of 15 amp circuits which means 15 amp breaker in the panel. Amp usage in a kitchen adds up fast with kitchen appliances.

[@JamesCouch777]

👍

[@ouralaskahomestead]

We have pretty minimal electric needs. We are putting 12/2 on one outlet in the kitchen for the higher demand items but rarely do we use more than one or two appliances at a time.

[@davidasimkosr4641]

I agree always use number 12 wire on everything!!!!

[@cchambers8632]

Drilling holes in the studs to run wire through might be followed up by using nailing plates on the studs before installing drywall or anything else to the studs.

[@dannymcgee7520]

A 48 inch T-square is your friend for a myriad applications, especially hanging sheetrock. It will serve you for years to come with proper care.

[@ouralaskahomestead]

I’ll look into getting one, thanks

[@richardlechtrecker9083]

WOW! You guys are rocking along..solar panels up..wiring, Sheetrock in the kitchen,, refrigerator, stove…shower install soon..making you home a lovely place to live…absolutely Love your channel, and so enjoy coming along with you all❤️

[@ouralaskahomestead]

Thank you 😊

[@vickievixen3785]

Just a suggestion, I don't know if you can add a 2 x 4 across the bottom brackets of each solar panel. I believe the only time the Sun's rays are directly horizontal is during sunrise and sunset. I read somewhere that an angle helps panels to charge more quickly especially in colder climates and during lower times of daylight. I know you said you'd like to put them on something that you could tilt. It's an excellent idea and it's what triggered the recall of what I read. It was just a thought that for the temporary placement it might be able to be tweaked a little.

[@ouralaskahomestead]

Great idea! When we move them for the porch we’ll try adding in the 2x4’s on the bottom to give them some angle

[@dannycalvino1147]

I heard you need electrical cords that are good up to minus 40 or so. Standard cords crumble and break.

[@RunningGreyWolf]

We have solar powered motion detector lights and love them. They would come in handy for warning off wildlife around your home. They're very inexpensive too at less than $20 each.

[@ouralaskahomestead]

We have some in a few spots on the driveway and around the property along with motion dingers that alarm in the house and trail cams. The dogs usually let us know before anything though.

[@rossbrown1748]

The house is coming along really well, and your pups are so cute

[@barbn1211]

Gee whiz....you even make wiring the house interesting (to someone like me who will never be required to do it). Once again, wonderful teamwork. 👍

[@heatherclayton-callaghan4270]

Great to see good progress. Keep it up and I'll catch you on the next one !!!!!

[@jamesscroggins3486]

I love it when a homesite looks clean, organized and maintained. Place looks awesome!

[@Jeremy_936]

Needs siding and trim though, boards and batten or at least T1-11. Would take about a day.

[@ouralaskahomestead]

@@Jeremy_936we’ll be putting metal siding up this summer. A porch on the front and closing in the bottom also.

[@ouralaskahomestead]

Thank you 😊

[@Jeremy_936]

Nice!

[@RunningGreyWolf]

You really have great dogs!

[@ouralaskahomestead]

Yes they are. Thank you 🐾

[@LoreeVanderWerf-si8sn]

So glad I stumbled upon your page!😊

[@ouralaskahomestead]

Me too!! Thank you for joining us 🩵

[@Patty-jh2zi]

Your only human so learn as you do and keep up the good work,. I love the dogs .

[@22mstarr]

I’m a former manufacturing manager for a solar panel company, orientation doesn’t make a lot of difference. The length of the connections might but not much IMO.

[@JamesCouch777]

My wife and I have built a couple of houses, the first one with no experience, so watching you guys is giving me a little PTSD 😂.

[@IzzaMeanCat]

Thank goodness the wife was supervising. 😂😂😂😅😅😅

[@BrakesBake]

Slow but sure as long as you are pushing do you will get there. Thanks for letting us know the progress.

[@DimensionalHorse]

I agree...tilt & move solar panels 😊

[@martinbunn8366]

I would strongly advise to run all wiring in 12/2w/ground. You never know when you will have to use portable heaters or hair dryer/heat gun to thaw frozen lines etc. All 20amp circuits are the best way to go.

[@shiammi907]

❤Gotta love that sweet happiness emanating from your beautiful dogs!

[@RobinJones-ow9oz]

Y'all's place is really looking great. Can't wait to see what this summer brings y'all. As always be safe and God bless. From Georgia

[@ouralaskahomestead]

Thank you 😊

[@charlenegrady8781]

Your making progress. Good for you guys. One day at a time. I look forward to following your progress. Your doing great. Keep going✌️🇺🇸

[@pollybablitch6425]

You need medal plates on your studs were you drilled your holes for wiring😊

[@22mstarr]

GFCI are muy important, you can ask me how I know.😄

[@maryricketts8526]

This is the part of FREEDOM Alaska that worries me. New people doing building the first time, electrical, plumbing, all the stuff w/O having o have anything checked by a professionals. I know people are happy to not have to get permits etc, but that could come at a price. You all be safe. Ask for help or hire out some jobs. I really wish you the best.❤

[@heatherclayton-callaghan4270]

ShootDang woman. Don't you have a life with enough stuff to worry about that you've got to add other people's non-existent problems to your plate. !!!

[@ouralaskahomestead]

Craigs dad and brother both do home building/reno as a profession so he double checks with them on some things.

[@kateberger613]

Alaska has been a free state since 1959. I think they are doing just fine without government “supervision“ of all aspects of life.

[@waderue]

well one thing you will want to get is a Kedi shower kit to lay over the concert board and seal the show and bath from all water trust me they work great

[@ouralaskahomestead]

We already got a Vevor kit. Craigs brother and dad do home renos and have been happy with their product so we went that route.

[@DebbieDee-lx6uk]

This is so cool watching all the interior get done now. You guys rock

[@ouralaskahomestead]

My favorite part! It’s fun picking out the finishings.

[@sandraschmidt8551]

Did I miss the plumbing being done in the shower?

[@ouralaskahomestead]

No. We’re going to finish our bedroom and then turn our attention to the exterior now that the weather is getting nicer. We’ll pick up on the shower and the rest of the inside in the fall. Summers short so we’ve got to get as much done outside as possible.

[@tanyajenkins919]

Good to see you can drive out on your drive way. Been a hard spring for you guys with winter in full swing when you got home. Thanks for sharing

[@estellaknox9285]

Looks like double work with the insulation

[@ouralaskahomestead]

Yes, unfortunately it did make for a lot of extra work.

[@chuckhorner3758]

Boldy going where you have never gone before...in the name of progress

[@joylefevre5635]

I so enjoy watching your video's!! I love seeing the progress made. Awesome work guys.

[@valeriebostick1913]

Great job

[@jasondavis1816]

Very good video great progress day to day

[@sherryhall3257]

We just came across your channel ❤ so howdy from WV I guess this is or was as close as neighbors as we can get ever be. Ohio to WV. As I don’t think we will ever be able to make Alaska. Although this was my biggest dream! Enjoy watching your progress! Feeling so familiar with you guys. My husband and I bought our property and then two years after our wedding we built our home. Wedding was April 29 77. Seen you guys started your house on April 30 May God Richly bless y’all. Take care. We will be watching and spreading your channel.

[@ouralaskahomestead]

Thank you so much ☺️

[@johninalaska9563]

Electricity is not one of my favorite things to install. All my electric wires and boxes are on the lower part of the wall and wires are run through conduit, less chance of a fire. I have no sheetrock. You guys are doing a good job, I had 907 Solar install my solar, I went with bigger worry free Solar system. On my other cabin, I have my panels mounted on a pole so I can turn them with the Sun. I'm looking forward to you doing your kitchen and living room area. Thanks for sharing.

[@ouralaskahomestead]

Thanks John!

[@jasondavis1816]

You guys great haha I love the honesty 😀👍

[@debbiemiller7342]

Coming along!

[@mariezafonte6473]

You got so much accomplished. You must be happy to have the solar bringing electricity into the cabin. The kitchen is coming together with the sheetrock. Have you looked at cabinets, natural or maybe painted? Happy Mother's Day Chandra.

[@ouralaskahomestead]

Aww. Thank you 😊 I think we’re going to paint them Jojoba green by Behr. Butcher block counters and some live edge open shelves on either side of the sink. Still haven’t found a backsplash I like. Options are very limited up here and no one ships tile since it’s so heavy. Might just default to white subway tile if nothing else pops up.

[@patricksmith3316]

I hope you don't have any trouble with that 14/2 wire overheating on you. 🙏

[@ouralaskahomestead]

Shouldn’t be an issue. We won’t be running anything high wattage off them. We are running 12/2 in some areas for higher wattage item like microwave and tools

[@wblk7734]

Why would you put up the cement board before the plumbing and shower valve was installed? your creating 3x the work for yourselves

[@ouralaskahomestead]

As another commenter posted, we did not install the cement board where the plumbing will go. Just on the other two walls for now.

[@ShadowMoonFarms]

Let me just put this suggestion out there. In m opinion, all electrical outlets in the house belong at the 43" height. I personally don/t want to crawl around on the floor or get behind funiture to plug anything in. Outside the kitchen, we plug in clocks, or talble lamps, or computers, or chargers etc. What actually needs to get plugged in at floor level? Ok, I'm off my soap box now. Thanks for taking us along.

[@SandraCrockett]

Live & learn.....I probably would have done things the same way you guys have. It will all get done in time. Your knocking things out as they come along. Good job!

[@shirleyharvey7376]

How long did it take for the snow to melt enough to get your vehicles to the house after you arrived back home?

[@ouralaskahomestead]

About 10wks!

[@lucyl2770]

I LOVE big dogs, but how do you live with 4 in such a small living space??

[@ouralaskahomestead]

They can be a bit much sometimes. For the most part they pretty much just lay around when we’re inside. 🐾

[@davidbickford2539]

Are you going to have access to run plumbing for the shower with the cement board installed?

[@ouralaskahomestead]

We only put it on two walls so far. We’ll run the plumbing on the third wall before we finish the Durock.

[@chezj4]

Why don’t you have siding on your home?

[@ouralaskahomestead]

It will later this summer. Last summer was spent getting it framed up and livable. This summer will be the finishing. Its all out-of-pocket so we are limited with what we can afford to get done.

[@brooktrout1477]

I thought tyvek was Alaska siding

[@chezj4]

So many of the shows I watch with homesteading in Alaska, no one has siding on their homes. Just interesting.

[@ouralaskahomestead]

@@brooktrout1477 😂 I can definitely see why

[@backwoodsshiner887]

Too bad I don’t live in Alaska yet or I’d help do your electrical lol. I’m an electrician…

[@ouralaskahomestead]

That woulda been nice!

[@Betty-l7q]

Should have the solar panels up higher so the bears can’t reach them!!

[@ouralaskahomestead]

Bears aren’t really an issue around here.

[@JerrysThisandThat]

I don't think I would get any work done if I had your dogs, I would be to busy scratching them and playing with them to do anything else Lol

[@ouralaskahomestead]

That is definitely a hurdle some days 🐾

[@Outdoor_MED]

Place is coming along great but I don't agree with solar panels on the side of the house. Stay safe

[@ouralaskahomestead]

It’s just temporary, we’ll get them on a pedestal this summer.

[@Outdoor_MED]

@@ouralaskahomestead I would rather do a job once not twice

[@ouralaskahomestead]

@@Outdoor_MED I would too, no doubt. We are working with very limited funds though and mounting on the house is quick, free and works good enough for now.

[@gf3803]

@@ouralaskahomestead smart way to do it in my opinion, keeps the snow off in the winter, and so much sun in the summer, it's a good temporary strategy.

[@waderue]

No there is no way to do it put all the boxes and the line in before insulation and drywall they are steps to do, and I know this because I am a carpenter by trade and i have remodel home before you just have follow the steps

[@katedee5890]

Why did you install insulation and drywall before doing the electrical work? Oy! The two of you need to start planning your projects out better.

[@ouralaskahomestead]

As with most things in life it boils down to $. We did explain in previous videos but essentially, you do what’s most important at the time. With winter fast approaching getting insulation in was necessary. We knew we wouldn’t have electricity until later this year so installing electrical wires could wait. It did make for extra work but with limited funds we have to prioritize our projects. The drywall is only on one side of the middle wall and has to be cut for the boxes anyway so if anything it was actually easier to have it up already. All we had to do was trace the box and cut it out. Thanks for watching!

[@jimmycpm]

I don't know how y'all live in that mess.

[@ouralaskahomestead]

It’s not usually a mess but every time we want to work on an area we’ve got to move everything into a different room so it does make it more difficult. I cant wait until it’s finished and everything can be in its designated place!