Trip Report on my quest to buy property in PR

You can add a transfer switch to your electric panel, it will be before the cables for the meter goes into the panel box. Once it is engaged, you will be completely "off grid ". We installed one on the house with the purpose of having either solar or generator power to supply the house. I will recommend having it done for any new construction.

adlin20 wrote:

You can add a transfer switch to your electric panel, it will be before the cables for the meter goes into the panel box. Once it is engaged, you will be completely "off grid ". We installed one on the house with the purpose of having either solar or generator power to supply the house. I will recommend having it done for any new construction.

Code requires that -- it protects linemen from getting zapped by your generator or solar panels.  I'll need a couple more switches however.

A typical installation directs current from the panels into the battery, and from the battery, into the house.  Any excess makes the meter go backwards (net metering).  When the power drops, the transfer switch does as you say, and isolates the house.

What I want to do is by-pass the battery during normal operation.  That is, when the grid is up, power will flow directly from the panels to the house.  Then, when PREPA power goes out, a switch isolates the house, while others will re-direct the current from the panels to the battery, and then direct current from the battery to the house.

I believe there is an inverter (I think that's the name) that will do this automatically. If you are doing a new construction have it installed, better bring it from the states. I had to bring some electrical components I wanted for our house since we couldn't find them in the island. I am debating into having a solar battery (off grid) system installed, my main concern are the batteries live spand. We have  already wired for a generator system and will be adding the generator on our next trip. We experienced a few power outages on our last trip lucky it was at night and the temperature was nice.

I will route all of the wiring into a utility room. This will allow me to have exact control of what I want to be powered by the PR grid and what I want to be powered by solar. I will use power transfer switches to insure that the solar power can never be connected to the PR grid.

I will most likely separate the system based upon power usage and the essential nature of the device. Essential things like fridge etc. will be on solar, some higher watt users like air conditioning will be on PR power. Although I may put the air conditioning in the bedroom on solar (I like to sleep comfortably).

The house will be positioned and designed for maximum benefit of passive solar techniques. Windows will be positioned and sized to provide maximum airflow benefit from the breeze.

I used passive solar design techniques when I built our ranch in Texas. The cost savings on energy have been substantial. My mother in law lives in a manufactured home on our ranch and her power consumption is at least 35% greater than our even though our square footage is a couple 200 greater than hers.

As for the wiring, I may do the same.  Run the house as an on-grid with an automatic transfer switch as adlin described, but manual transfer switches to transfer to solar/battery when the grid goes down.  All this to avoid the efficiency losses of the battery....

You raise an excellent point about passive solar.  Building in concrete will help to even out temperatures throughout the day, and high ceilings let heat rise, keeping you cooler.  So too will sitting under a Flamboyan tree with a cold drink!

I'll also probably install a passive hot water heater.

I have been watching some of the emerging battery technologies lately. The new saltwater battery has some very interesting potential.

Passive hot water heaters are great! I had one when I lived in southern California and it worked very well.

Also there is a wind farm between Ponce and Guayama. Those big megawatt wind turbines were turning every time I drove by.

Somehow I think this thread turned into a solar power thread.

Yes, a cold drink is one of life's necessities!

Our house ceiling is at 9.5' high it makes a big difference in the summer time. Also, we did bay windows 6' x 5' on living/dining/kitchen areas. Bedrooms have big windows as well. All lighting is LED, on demand water heather and inverters for A/C. All appliances are high efficiency. We sealed the roof in white reflective sealer. Our eletric bill, using the ac every night, was $74/mo for the month we spend in the house.

Well getting to subject BK, have you put your place on the market yet and are they bitting?
When you plan to start construction?

Hi, bkettren

I could not help it, but I had to show your original post to my husband.
We both laughed so much... you have a wonderful sense of humor and I was cracking up with each sentence.
Congratulations on your find!  Your story reminds us of a heartbreak...  we lived in Puerto Rico for a couple of years many years ago and were ready to purchase a few acres next to El Yunque and we thought of doing what you have thought of doing.  At the end, the owner backed out. 

All I can tell you is my husband is very envious and wishes you all the luck in the world.  I'm sure all your dreams will come true.

We have actually started looking at maybe buying a condo on the island... we found an apartment at a good price that looks great in pictures in a closed complex in the beach but not so sure if we will go ahead with it; it is an area called Loiza and most natives freak out when I mention it... it's got a bad rep for crime... we used to drive thru it and never had problems but maybe I should listen to them?

Anyway, congrats again!

Loiza does gets a bad rap, but I do not think it would be a good place for a "gringo" as they would stick out and could be targeted sooner or later.

But Loiza is a fairly large area and it does have condos which raises the security substantially. As a native Puerto Rican, I would have no issue living there, but my wife is a "gringo" and I would not subject her to that.

I try to guide the expats to a fairly safe area so they are happy in the island and stay for a good long time.

I visit Loiza every couple of years with my local family and would take my wife there during the day one of this days. Due to the marches in the area, it is mosquito headquarters.

It is a lovely area and you can get something nice for less due to the bad rap It is a mater of what do you want. It is close to the airport and San Juan. Some of the low laying areas are having issues with beach erosion and storm surges, but that is along some areas, others are fine. Great place to live if you want to get back to your Puerto Rican roots and do not mind the crime.

Hi ReyP,
Yes you are right; Loiza does gets a bad rap and you are right about the "gringo" part.

Actually this is probably one of the condos which raises the security substantially. Funny thing is my husband is of Puerto Rican descent and would not stand out, except when he opens his mouth, as his parents didn't teach him Spanish and struggles with the language big time, while I on the other hand was born in Cuba and have no problem with the language and would probably stand out more than him lol!
I would have no issue living there, but he was definitively brought up as a gringo so I know exactly what you mean.

I did not know it is mosquito headquarters, but living in Florida I'm kinda used to it.

Now that you are saying that, I believe maybe these are in the low laying areas because I saw another apartment having issues with water , maybe storm surges?

I'm kind of bummed, I could probably get this beautiful apt for around 70K, but my husband is freaking out with the Loiza part.
I was thinking of an AirBNB until I could move to the island in 3 years more or less?  I sent an email to the listing realtor last night about forgetting about my offer.  I have a feeling it might be a mistake.  Like you said in another posting nobody is going to give anything away.  I had another great opportunity and I chickened out and boy did I loose on that one....Not that I could afford much more!

Thanks again for your input.  It is invaluable.

Amy It is important both of you feel comfortable. As to being Cuban, we have plenty of Cuban and Dominicans in the island we get along fairly well and enjoy each other music. If you are Morena, you will fit in nicely as Loiza has a large population of African Descent Puerto Rican's.  Bachata for example is a Dominican song style and so is Merenge. Celia Cruz was and is well admired in Puerto Rico, sorry she passed.

I do not think you will stand out at all. Hubby should start to learn Spanish soon.

70k is a nice price for a place there, it all depends how both of you feel about the area and specially the security at the condo.

Cool head, do not freak out, follow your heart.

Thank you very much.  You are truly a good guide.
I'm not morena and thanks about Celia.  She was great!

Amy2017 wrote:

Thank you very much.  You are truly a good guide.
I'm not morena and thanks about Celia.  She was great!

I have several of her albums. Not sure if it is Hulu or Netflix but there is a Celia set of episodes 70+, about her life, with plenty of her songs. Check it out just do a search for it.
I love Celia myself.

Thanks I will!  I saw her in person once many, many moons ago and if you don't get up from your seat you are dead lol!

Adlin20, It sounds like you did a great job on your house. It is a nice example of what can be done, and the rewards of implementing it.

ReyP, We are in the process of liquidating our "stuff". We have decided we need to be ready to move when the ranch sells. As such we need to sell our "stuff". Unfortunately we have a lot to liquidate. I have 2 tractors, 3 trailers,  a shop full of tools, two households full of "stuff". We think by this summer we will be ready to put the ranch on the market.
I have to make a trip to PR in May to file the deed with the CRIM. I will probably try to get a few things done on the property during the trip also. I have met some nice people while I was in PR that are helping me. We had a translator, Luis, help us at the closing. The realtors are life long residents of Maunabo and are helping me with both the CRIM and the power company (to get a power pole placed on the property). Luis is helping me with making sure I communicate clearly.
Also the last place I rented in PR via AirBnB was owned by Carlos. Carlos works for Cemex, and has contacts with some local builders. Carlos doesn't speak English, but we talked a few times while I was at his place (via my limited Spanish, and google translate), and got along well. When I am ready to start building he will be a great help.

Amy2017, Thank you for your comments. I have always tried to have a sense of humor, although my wife say the only difference between BAD humor, and BRAD humor (my name is Brad), is the R.
It is easy to get frustrated with the process of finding your "dream" home. Most people have a very limited amount of time to visit PR to search. This combined with the language difference, the lack of use of a MLS, and the different process for actually closing on a property can be overwhelming. I think, as in many things in life, persistence and patience pays off. Don't let these things obscure the "dream".

A bit of a tear jerker with all the problems she had and leaving her mother and father behind and not being allowed back in Cuba. Remember "Cuando salí de Cuba" song.

Hi bkettren,
Well thanks so much for the kind words and don't let your wife know, but you truly have a wonderful sense of humor.  And truth be known I am completely amazed as to how you did all that admittedly complicated process by yourself without speaking the language.
That is a true testament to your good character and perseverance.  That transcends all language barriers.


Hi ReyP,
Yes...now I think I know the series you are talking about.  I only watched a couple of episodes when it started.  The actress was excellent.  Some people say that the producers used some "poetic licenses" at the end (which basically means they either exaggerated or lied big time) to make the series more saleable (a tear jerker).

BK, sounds like you will be there before me. I am targeting my house on the market around March 2018, then it is a wait for a buyer.  The Carlos you mentioned must be a different one than my friend Carlos the Realtor, he speaks fluent English.

Quote:Yup, solar in PR is pretty exciting.  I'm a little surprised by the poor NREL numbers for wind, but I imagine that coastal locations will be fine for wind power.

As I was Warner.. All my sailing info tells me it would be 'good', probably not great, but to rate it as poor.. I was also surprised! I still need to research this. NREL's numbers are good and a great why to anticipate what production could be. Yet they are based for larger production.

If I spot a Wind Farm while down there, it will be tough not to stop and say Hi! (opps, Hola! I'm supposed to be practicing..)

WarnerW wrote:

adlin20 wrote:

You can add a transfer switch to your electric panel, it will be before the cables for the meter goes into the panel box. Once it is engaged, you will be completely "off grid ". We installed one on the house with the purpose of having either solar or generator power to supply the house. I will recommend having it done for any new construction.

Code requires that -- it protects linemen from getting zapped by your generator or solar panels.  I'll need a couple more switches however.

A typical installation directs current from the panels into the battery, and from the battery, into the house.  Any excess makes the meter go backwards (net metering).  When the power drops, the transfer switch does as you say, and isolates the house.

What I want to do is by-pass the battery during normal operation.  That is, when the grid is up, power will flow directly from the panels to the house.  Then, when PREPA power goes out, a switch isolates the house, while others will re-direct the current from the panels to the battery, and then direct current from the battery to the house.

Warner, look into what I have and see if it works with your thoughts. I have a Hybrid Solar control meant for running both wind and solar. Wind has always had the potential of over producing so I bought one with a heat exchange 'dump load'. Basically it charges the batteries, then dumps the excess to the heat exchanger. That 'dump' wiring can easily be connected to a grid-tie inverter. That was my thought as I went into this where I live.
You may not need more switches, just the right controller.

And to 'double-up' on what Warner said/warns. Install a transfer switch. Whether or not code requires it.

bkettren wrote:

I have been watching some of the emerging battery technologies lately. The new saltwater battery has some very interesting potential.

Passive hot water heaters are great! I had one when I lived in southern California and it worked very well.

Also there is a wind farm between Ponce and Guayama. Those big megawatt wind turbines were turning every time I drove by.

Somehow I think this thread turned into a solar power thread.

Yes, a cold drink is one of life's necessities!

You created a Monster! Last time I ask you to elaborate! LOL!

Battery technology has grown and will continue to do so. Li-ons (Telsa and others) are putting their dollars into these. MIT has a few, Stanford a couple, and on it goes to new emerging types.
Time will tell the story.
A friend is working with Li-ons and they're recoverability. As with myself, he's is lead acid based and know how to recover those. What he is finding is promising, they may just replace the 'good old' L/A battery.

I'm personally watching the folks working with ground based batteries/production. Natural in it's basic's, but so far low in storage/production.
The challenge of simplicity continues!