The Echo cs352 goes milling!

[geoff]

That's a lovely hideaway!

[rachelroots]

Yup, I'm a luckey lady. Plan to build something a little more substantial when I have time and just live there. Theres a nice little burn running through and some lovely broadleaved trees. Compost loo and no lecy don't sit to well with my son tho!

[geoff]

I bet your boy loves it!

Loads to explore, and a retreat with character and charm, if the site is secure you could consider off grocery electricity, wind or solar, maybe even watermill from the burn, can be rigged easy enough!

[rachelroots]

I'm considering a water mill. There are some more cabins- all different about a mile away from mine and solar seems to be the fail safe. There is no stream by those ones tho. I have no money and even less time at the moment so my dreams are on hold until I finish my course and can start full time work!

[geoff]

The watermill sounds favorite, there are some great ideas for them out there & they can be cheap to build with a little research, & great fun to do!

 

I'm building my camper so I can go stay on my little plot of land when it suits, as well as trips further afield, I'm installing solar panels on the roof linked to a battery bank, which also charges from the vehicle when it is being driven, simple led lights use very little power, & I have a little wood stove for heat & cooking should it be needed.

[rachelroots]

Nice. Split charge relay is what you need so you don't flatten the main bat. Words from one who knows!

[rachelroots]

What sort of van is it? I've always been a fan of the old merc. 709s etc. I've been driving brand spanking new ford double wheel base trannys at work and I can't say there any better despite there youth. I'm a rat look/ banger fan tho so my opinion is tainted!

[geoff]

Yes split charge is the way to go, I use a voltage sensitive relay to trigger a 200amp main relay which then charges the aux battery bank, I have set it to trigger at 13.6 volts, when the alternator is producing, & it drops out at about 13.1 volts.

 

I like the old vans, have had a few, mine is a vaxhaull movano, I chose it on it's condition, & that they don't seem to 'go walkies' very often, it's actually a nice van to drive, just dont show it a muddy field or you end up living where your stuck!

From the outside it looks fairly modern, inside it's like an old wooden railway carriage, i'm not into modern fabrics & manufactured surfaces, I will pop a pic up when I get more advanced with the build.

[rachelroots]

Yes split charge is the way to go, I use a voltage sensitive relay to trigger a 200amp main relay which then charges the aux battery bank, I have set it to trigger at 13.6 volts, when the alternator is producing, & it drops out at about 13.1 volts.

 

I like the old vans, have had a few, mine is a vaxhaull movano, I chose it on it's condition, & that they don't seem to 'go walkies' very often, it's actually a nice van to drive, just don't show it a muddy field or you end up living where your stuck!

From the outside it looks fairly modern, inside it's like an old wooden railway carriage, i'm not into modern fabrics & manufactured surfaces, I will pop a pic up when I get more advanced with the build.

 

That sounds lovely. I think that's the way to go really. You don't want to stand out or look to quirky in a camper once night has fallen. It probably makes the interior feel even more special. I think the muddy field scenario is fairly generic, I wouldn't point the finger at vaxhaull. Would love to see a pic when your ready!

[rachelroots]

Yes split charge is the way to go, I use a voltage sensitive relay to trigger a 200amp main relay which then charges the aux battery bank, I have set it to trigger at 13.6 volts, when the alternator is producing, & it drops out at about 13.1 volts.

 

I like the old vans, have had a few, mine is a vaxhaull movano, I chose it on it's condition, & that they don't seem to 'go walkies' very often, it's actually a nice van to drive, just don't show it a muddy field or you end up living where your stuck!

From the outside it looks fairly modern, inside it's like an old wooden railway carriage, i'm not into modern fabrics & manufactured surfaces, I will pop a pic up when I get more advanced with the build.

 

That sounds lovely. I think that's the way to go really. You don't want to stand out or look to quirky in a camper once night has fallen. It probably makes the interior feel even more special. I think the muddy field scenario is fairly generic, I wouldn't point the finger at vaxhaull. Would love to see a pic when your ready!