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Author Topic: Help/Advice Wanted For Building My Timber & Straw Off Grid Woodland House  (Read 3396 times)
Baz
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« Reply #60 on: February 22, 2011, 11:14:52 PM »

oooh a Landy thread hijack Wink
Split chargers don't disconnect the main battery but you are right to just use a relay. My relay is turned on by ignition live through a switch. This ensures it is only on when I want it on but is definately disconnected when the engine is off. In cold weather I put it on before starting and it helps the main a bit with the glow plugs. Have to whip it off before starting to save the relay contacts.

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knighty
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« Reply #61 on: February 22, 2011, 11:59:47 PM »

some use a diode to (somehow) work a couple of relays... no idea how they work tho....


it's just a shame to only charge one battery at a time when you have enough power available to charge them all at once :-)
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spaces
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« Reply #62 on: February 23, 2011, 11:22:11 AM »

...and don't forget to start collecting waste veg oil on your travels - then, when you've some spare time you can settle and filter it for use in the Lister and Landy. And the fatty stuff can be mixed with sawdust for extra heat from the rayburn.  Grin

I like the sound of your ideas, Nathalie! We're not quite off-grid, but in a smallish self-built timber dwelling. Our lighting is on a (fused) 12v circuit with a mix of LEDs and 20w halogens (all led sent us a bit crazy) and with a 240v 13a circuit also. With a couple of laptops, one driving a larger screen for tv via a freeview usb stick, a smallish analogue (not power hungry digital) radio on rechargable AAs, various chargers, large juicer, electric blanket, extractor fan, electric rotary saw for cutting wood too small for the chainsaw, washing machine and small fridge we've reduced our daily electric consumption to just over 1Kwh. And that's with one of us around for a lot of the day. We considered an evaporator fridge but decided that since we're connected to the grid, it made sense to have a small modern electric one. But they work well - the warmer it is, the more efficient they are.

We haven't yet organised renewable electricity but it's good to know that our demands are easily met. That is the key - make yourself as comfy as poss for the smallest electricity energy use. A PV panel/battery setup is expensive per unit generated so the smaller your demands the better. Always have a backup for your primary charging system, I would use the Landie to charge the batteries day to day, have a PV panel and a decent diesel genny too, when funds allow. If you're going to invest in a Lister, then it makes sense to use the hot water it produces also. Maybe an outdoor jacuzzi if the Rayburn is still used for hot water in the house?   extrahappy

Maybe consider some rainwater harvesting so you're not dependent on the supply you have (plus it's free!), maybe some poultry for eggs and meat and you'll be sorted, largely immune to the outside energy prices.  genuflect
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Stefan (S.T.E.F.)
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« Reply #63 on: March 13, 2011, 08:20:30 PM »

I am a bit late on this one sorry.
I wouldn't use a fridge, 3 way or not, if you need a freezer anyway. Run the freezer and get an iceytek box.
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Finally building this year after 3 years of planning / building control / finance mess.... phew.
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