Calling out to islanders w/o electricity

[cabinfever]

Having recently purchased a primitive cabin on a Winni island without electricity, we're looking for some helpful pointers on water and septic systems. We'd appreciate any advice from fellow islanders in this same category. LP gas is already in place with gas lights, fridge, stove, and heater. We have a generator on hand too. We're in the process of setting up a water storage tank with a gravity fed system into the cottage. Anyone have any success stories here or good lakes region resources? Septic system ideas are also appreciated. And, we'd like to hear any helpful tips or success stories on alternative energy systems. We're hoping to bring just a few modern conveniences to the cabin yet retain the "quaint" qualities that made us fall in love with the property. MANY thanks in advance.

[RLW]

Your dream home sounds fantastic. Sorry no help with the problems, but I can say, enjoy your quaint sounding adobe and smile at all your new challenges. :)

[Rattlesnake Gal]

This may be a good alternative to a costly septic.
Alternatives to electric (http://www.propaneshop.com/mall/whybuy.htm)
Congratulations on your new cabin!

[Janie]

My neighbor just put in a septi-ptech system. They are very excited. Check them out at http://www.septitech.com/about.shtml. There are a few others around the lake that have put one in so you should be able to get some references.

[FLboater]

I had to install electric lines to an island. If you do not have electric power on the island, you will have to install it with sub-marine cable. Check with your electric company they can give you the manufacture of the cable. The installation can be done by local electricians and use a barge. The whole process is expensive. You also have find out where there is connections on the main land and get permission to connect. The whole process is expensive and time comsuming.
Hope you have power now.

[SteveS]

Hi,
It sounds like we have a similar setup to yours, except for propane lights. We put 250 watts of solar up last year, and love the 12 volt lighting - much cooler in the summer! It also runs the computer, and I have a small inverter, that I haven't gotten around to installing yet. I got the system at Vermont Solar (http://www.vermontsolar.com)

We use (2) kinds of "non-standard" waste disposal systems, an incinerator toilet from Storeburn (http://www3.sympatico.ca/storburn/) and a composting unit from Sun-Mar (http://www.sun-mar.com/)

I hardley ever use the generator, except when running power tools.

Good luck, and have fun!

[cabinfever]

I thank everyone for the responses and information. All links were extremely helpful. Have a wonderful summer.