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Off the grid and Country living
kiwi84
Posts: 1,087 Member
I have so many foods I can not cook when I'm using off the grid. Is this intentional? I've stocked up on Solar panels but it isn't making any difference. Is the only solution to not use off the grid so I can cook some of the new food?
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I just tested in my game and with enough solar panels and after a few in game minutes passed I could cook again.
Once in a while I'd also get the message that there is no power off-grid, and nearly all the cooking options are grayed out, but then it comes back again. I haven't figured out yet how the power works and how to get a surplus. Auto lights are also hit and miss. One time I was able to select auto lights, another time I couldn't. Without EL I don't really know how to get a surplus of power? Is it just a matter of waiting it out? The only things I'm aware of that uses power on the lot are the fridge, stove, maybe the lights/candles.
So far I've only gotten a message for using up all the water, but that is easily fixed by getting water from the fishing spot. Also, I think I've gotten a pop up that gives an option to turn off utilities, but I thought I'd keep it for a bit more of a challenge. For a small house on an off grid lot, with only a stove, a fridge and small bathroom, is $400/bill a lot or reasonable? I do have one chicken coop and one animal shed.
Upgrading all your electricals such as computer, fridge, cooker, to use less power help a lot too.
Previously, off the grid means no bills. Something is amiss, I'm thinking. I rarely play off the grid, but the little lot near the waterfalls is off the grid, and where I intend to have my very young couple live for a little while. I'll just have to persevere. They didn't have power in the 18th century so, that's why they had their big meal (called Dinner) in the middle of the day, so that they could effectively clean up the mess during the daylight. Supper was served cold, and it was leftovers from Dinner, for the most part.
Best of luck, I hope you sort it out.
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Some suggested to me in another thread that you have to store up a bit of surplus power from your turbines & solar panels before you can effectively run things like appliances and that you may have to have a few of each thing to generate enough power depending on how man electrical dependent items you have. I am planning to keep trying with off the grid and I am planning to read up on it again in case maybe there’s something I’m missing because I went through a two month period where I couldn’t play at all so I am a bit rusty.
A good advice would be to upgrade your appliances to energy-efficient devices (can be done on most electronics if you have Eco Lifestyle pack), and having the Geothermal lot trait (no idea from which pack) will give you a nice supply of energy - it may be well enough unless you have a bunch of slaves in the basement that are on computer most of the day writing books or something.
I also like wandering the hills.
Actually produce can hugely impact your sim's bills. If you have a quantity of vegetables, even if individually they are cheap and not good quality, I think the game counts the whole amount as part of your sim's wealth. When I've played with gardens I always made my sim sell most vegetables and fruits right away, which can be quite lucrative as well. Now if you're playing the Simple Living Lot Challenge you will have to keep a few for ingredients, probably. But the point is produce, and anything n your inventory, can directly impact your bills if you are not careful (so can minerals and elements as well).