Resources for DC Living

A few highly electrically sensitive people have had to move away from the electrical grid. Some do well with low-voltage DC electricity for lighting.

Please note that powering appliances, such as a refrigerator, is not better with DC electricity. DC motors and electronics are generally not an improvement over AC versions. In some cases it is better, in others it is worse.

Producing your own AC electricity using an inverter is not a good idea. Inverters are extremely EMF noisy in the medium frequency bands (kilohertz), and this noise is carried on the household wiring.

DC equipment is available from solar suppliers and RV camping catalogs. As these industries have mostly moved to use inverters, less 12-volt equipment is available. One has to look closely in these catalogs.

To get “clean” DC electricity, it must come from a battery or a solar panel. Clean DC does not come from a transformer plugged into an electrical outlet.

Backwoods Solar 1589 Rapid Lightning Creek Rd. Sandpoint, ID 83864 USA 1-208-263-4290 www.backwoodssolar.com	Sells solar panels. 12-volt appliances, propane refrigerators.
Kansas Wind Power 13569 214^th Road Holton, KS 66436 USA 1-785-364-4407 www.kansaswindpower.net	Solar cookers, solar panels, propane stoves and refrigerators, 12-volt equipment, wind powered pumps.
Real Goods 13771 Highway 101 Hopland, CA 95449 USA 1-800-919-2400 www.realgoods.com	Solar equipment, a few 12-volt items.

Camping World Three Springs Road P.O. Box 90017 Bowling Green, KY 42102 USA 1-800-626-5944 www.campingworld.com	A catalog and string of large RV supply stores. Their annual master catalog contains 12-volt light fixtures and appliances. They also sell miniature propane appliances.
J.C. Whitney 761 Progress Parkway Lasalle, IL 61301-0300 USA 1-800-529-4486 www.jcw.com	Catalog for do-it-yourself car mechanics. Offers 12-volt equipment and small appliances.