Overall I am enjoying playing with the 'off the grid' lot trait, but have three issues/suggestions: - I cannot clean my dirty toilet. Even though the toilet is tagged as functional off the grid and can be used by sim, when she tries to clean it, the option is not available and it says 'plumbing doesn't work off the grid'. I wonder if the same thing will happen when my stove/sink/shower gets dirty. - It's hard to find the functional items in the catalog; it would be great to find these items via a filter option like how we can filter by style or pack type. - There isn't obvious logic to why some lighting works off the grid and some doesn't. Not all items that appear to be candles work; for example, the Selvadora chandelier isn't function. And items like the oil lamp and lanterns don't work, which seems odd since those are objects designed in real life to work without electricity. So... not sure if those things can/will be fixed, but would be great to see them addressed in a future patch. Anyone else had similar issues with not being able to clean their supposedly 'functional' off grid equipment?

Suggestion: Don't hang on to the concept of conveniency

"unsatisfied;c-17130344" wrote:Also would like water pumps, to drink water from, wash dishes and hands. Also compostable toilets. This. Just this. It would be great.

Upvoting the idea of an off the grid filter. Im trying to do a cabin and sorting through everything to find the items that will work is kind of a pain. I was kind of surprised it didn't already exist!

The off the grid trait has some strange limitations.- if we can use an object, we should be able to clean them. And refill the water on the laundry stuff wash tub. This item should have all options off grid. - taking a bath should be possible off grid, filling a tub with water is easier than building a shower that doesn't need plumbing. I'm just talking about the basic 'take a bath', the spa option and bubblebath don't have to be enabled off grid. - cooking on gas needs more dishes. I understand the need for fewer meals, but just 2? We could use a few more, for example soup or pasta/spaghetti. I cooked on gas for 2 years in real life and have only two dishes is ridiculous.- logic in which lamps can be used. What I miss most is the jungle adventure chandelier and portable lamp. (the more modern portable lamp from OR works, so the old fashioned one from JA should work too.) overall this trait is a very good addition but it feels as if it needs a bit more fine tuning.

Oh man, I agree with all these. It makes no sense why a Wash Tub, literally a bucket for washing clothes, is not fully functional on a lot with no power. The plumbing works enough for you to have a shower, so you should be able to replace the water. You should also be able to take a bath. And yess to the water pump!! I’ve lived off the grid for a period of time, and had to go to a well for water... I would love if we could have a functional well or a water pump. And then by having a well, the plumbing options would be available. That would make sense to me. Also! I wish my sims wouldn’t ALWAYS have a negative moodlet from using the water. The sims I made were supposed to prefer living off the grid, but it makes them miserable and messes with my story telling too. I feel like there is no benefit to off the grid but the no bills perk... since everything else (no options plus negative moodlets) leaves both me and my sims frustrated.More recipes would be great!! I would love to be able to cook with my vegetables and fruits and caught fish, etc on gas, so my sims can fully live off the grid. It’s like I need a fridge in order to cook in a reasonable manner. Also it’d be great if the cooler let us store food when off the grid, or could act as the fridge on off the grid lots. I’ll make my sims purchase ice through the cooler if I had to!And def yes to the lamp logic — anything that in the description is “battery powered” (like battery powered lanterns from outdoor retreat) should also work off grid, not just candles! Also solar panels would be so cool to have too if possible, to fully upgrade our sims’ if they were able to save up enough money... then they could have electricity with cheaper or discounted bills.And I totally agree - it would be so great if we could filter the buy/build options for “off the grid” friendly things that’s be soooo helpful. (Also for all the items created from the wood making table to be useable OTG, that’d be great too!)And random side note - the OTG trait makes me miss getting a newspaper in the Sims. I want a way for my sim to be able to look up jobs/odd jobs without needing to leave the lot to use their cell phone. Pretty sure this is my full OTG wish list. I was so excited to see this trait (ever since it was a potential option during the fan made pack time). I would love to see it live up to it’s full potential. For the time being I’ve found it easier to just leave the trait off and just pretend like I used to that the home is off grid. Way less negative moodlets.

Off the grid issues/suggestions | EA Forums

39 Replies

Beardedgeek72
Seasoned Ace
7 years ago
"Jaelk01;c-17143786" wrote:
Other things I haven't seen mentioned here.

The ICEBox Fridge, once upgraded (and under a roof, rookie mistake) works as well as most any other fridge.

But you can't upgrade it if you can't get the parts.
Jaelk
7 years ago
"Beardedgeek;c-17143801" wrote:
"Jaelk01;c-17143786" wrote:
Other things I haven't seen mentioned here.

The ICEBox Fridge, once upgraded (and under a roof, rookie mistake) works as well as most any other fridge.

But you can't upgrade it if you can't get the parts.

Hence the Cheap Laptop, you can take it to the library (or any public lot with a flat surface really) and get the parts that way. As I said above, the computers in the Library didn't have the "Order" option (at least in my game) so I needed to get the laptop. You can also take your chances and leave the fridge out in the weather and repair it a few times when it breaks in the rain. Again, it may be a little immersion breaking but even the people off the grid "go to town" every so often for supplies.
GrumpyKitten429
7 years ago
Hi all--

I'm a new member, and seeing as I cannot create a new discussion, I figured this was probably the best place to post my query. I have the off-the-grid lot trait and have been living off the grid from the very beginning of my newest rags-to-riches game, many Sim weeks now (long enough to reach level 7 of the Conservationist career, Marine Biology branch). This evening as I sat down to play, a couple of Sim days into my playing session I received BILLS...on an OFF-THE-GRID LOT... I don't want to exit the game without saving because I don't want to lose my progress, but I also don't have the money to pay the bills--you know, those bills that I shouldn't have in the first place since I am off the grid... Should I consider this a 'bug' and report it to that corresponding thread? Thank you so much!

Sincerely,
Groucho Starx
(Long-lost cousin of Groucho Marx) <---joke
Vermatrix1
7 years ago
"GrouchoStarx;c-17144488" wrote:
Hi all--

I'm a new member, and seeing as I cannot create a new discussion, I figured this was probably the best place to post my query. I have the off-the-grid lot trait and have been living off the grid from the very beginning of my newest rags-to-riches game, many Sim weeks now (long enough to reach level 7 of the Conservationist career, Marine Biology branch). This evening as I sat down to play, a couple of Sim days into my playing session I received BILLS...on an OFF-THE-GRID LOT... I don't want to exit the game without saving because I don't want to lose my progress, but I also don't have the money to pay the bills--you know, those bills that I shouldn't have in the first place since I am off the grid... Should I consider this a 'bug' and report it to that corresponding thread? Thank you so much!

Sincerely,
Groucho Starx
(Long-lost cousin of Groucho Marx) <---joke

Sounds like a bug to me, don't think off the grid lots are supposed to have bills, though, since it may be awhile before it's fixed, I'd suggest just using a money cheat to get the money to pay it.
LuvMySimz
Seasoned Ace
7 years ago
"GrouchoStarx;c-17144488" wrote:
Hi all--

I'm a new member, and seeing as I cannot create a new discussion, I figured this was probably the best place to post my query. I have the off-the-grid lot trait and have been living off the grid from the very beginning of my newest rags-to-riches game, many Sim weeks now (long enough to reach level 7 of the Conservationist career, Marine Biology branch). This evening as I sat down to play, a couple of Sim days into my playing session I received BILLS...on an OFF-THE-GRID LOT... I don't want to exit the game without saving because I don't want to lose my progress, but I also don't have the money to pay the bills--you know, those bills that I shouldn't have in the first place since I am off the grid... Should I consider this a 'bug' and report it to that corresponding thread? Thank you so much!

Sincerely,
Groucho Starx
(Long-lost cousin of Groucho Marx) <---joke

You can report this bug here -> https://answers.ea.com/t5/Bug-Reports/NEEDS-INPUT-Off-lot-Living-Sims-receive-bill/td-p/7956975
Jaelk
7 years ago
"GrouchoStarx;c-17144488" wrote:
Hi all--

I'm a new member, and seeing as I cannot create a new discussion, I figured this was probably the best place to post my query. I have the off-the-grid lot trait and have been living off the grid from the very beginning of my newest rags-to-riches game, many Sim weeks now (long enough to reach level 7 of the Conservationist career, Marine Biology branch). This evening as I sat down to play, a couple of Sim days into my playing session I received BILLS...on an OFF-THE-GRID LOT... I don't want to exit the game without saving because I don't want to lose my progress, but I also don't have the money to pay the bills--you know, those bills that I shouldn't have in the first place since I am off the grid... Should I consider this a 'bug' and report it to that corresponding thread? Thank you so much!

Sincerely,
Groucho Starx
(Long-lost cousin of Groucho Marx) <---joke

I kind of assumed that "Off-the-Grid" only worked for my primary home lot. Once I acquired ANY additional property bills showed up (like death and taxes). So if you have a store, restaurant or a clinic I would recommend that you assume you will need to pay utilities for those lots. I only started getting bills once I bought the non-Off the Grid Lot. (NB: I can't see how you'd run a store without power).
bmso85
7 years ago
Technically, Solar panels, rain water purifiers, water mills, wood burning stoves, fire places, lanterns and candles are all off grid. Water mills and solar power is off the grid living for creating power in homes. There were many cabins and modern homes that were once used for specifically creating power in homes where modern wiring and plumbing could not be established at because it was too far out of city or county limits.

Though many off the grid homes in modern day use propane gas for hot water, cooking and heating their homes.
deSairys
New Traveler
6 years ago
I'd be happy if the "ice box" fridge was actually an off grid "ice box" like my great grandmother used and let us assume we are purchasing or have the option to put the block of ice in it to keep food from spoiling. Between that, the off the grid sink and the off the grid oven, my kitchen would be set for a nice cabin in the woods "old-timey" feel.
Rocalee
Seasoned Rookie
6 years ago
Writing by hand or using an old fashioned typewriter seems an obvious addition to the off-the-grid lifestyle. I'd love to see either of these options added.

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Off the grid issues/suggestions

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