Alternative power and Household appliances

G'day Eric, Thanks for replying, wind sounds a great idea, can you enlighten me to how this works. This shack will get well used by family and all the tagalongs from our family so I can see it nearly being fully occupied. We are thinking of either solar (and now wind) for pumping water through the place from a tank. Any ideas? Geoff

We have tentatively installed a Rainbow solar system at Easter. Only a couple of lights up as we are going to add a room to our shack/shed. Up till then we had gas and coleman's. Quite a difference. The unit we purchased was about $1400 plus two batteries about $200 each direct from supplier. Any other comforts came gradually over 10 years. An old gas fridge (from trading post), a gas stove from an area that had just had natural gas put in. Car fridge used as freezer when we are up there more than a week. Water pump to get water from creek up to tank (melted in fires) then down to shed. Module shower found on nature strip. Gas hot water donated by neighbour. 44 gallon tank turned into the most effective heater I have ever used. Heavy drapes for windows to keep out cold/heat works wonders. Lots of books and games. A creek, kookaburras and nearest neighbour 15 mins away. Well, that is my list of things to have. Oh, don't forget the bandage near the front door for snake bites (just in case, we have never used it). And chain saw comes in handy together with the winch. Come to think of it I just might keep the electric winch. That is all I can think of now.

Thanx Flappan and Twandy sounds the way to go.....back to the old basics......We appreciate this challenge to live for a time without the pressures of modern equipment and yet have more time to enjoy and use what is around us. We will look into all the ideas you have suggested. Thanks Geoff and Jen

Bob, we are going to use gas for cooking, fridge and today picked up a second hand cheap gas hotwater system. We also picked up a 12 volt marine pressure pump which is quite strong enough to pump water from the tank. We found the generator will run 2 fluros for lighting, so the only thing we lack is a pump from the dam for septic toilet use.

Eric, Will keep our eye open for a windmill, our family is quite handy in repairing so we may pick up one which needs a touch up. Will be good to pump water from the dam. Thanks Geoff

Busta, we have looked up this site and it very interesting and informative we have stuck it in our files and will definitly use it for a few setups, Thanks Geoff and Jen

Thanks Tony for the info, it is a great life with all the gadgets from the so called "dark ages". We live in the bush on a small farm with no neighbours and yet still too close to the city. We have a chip heater for hot water here, and yet we cannot seem to be able to pick up another, so maybe they have quit making them. When we first shifted here we had no power and used a 8kva diesel generator,it was turned off when not needed as the thumping of the engine was disturbing. This had us going to bed with the chooks and getting up with or before them. We were much healthier and had more fun as a family with no TV etc, so this is why we want to go bush and have the quietest of holiday with a little comfort . Today we have picked up a few things very cheap in gas and 12volt secondhand. Pleased with our bargains! Thanks again to everyone who help with their ideas. Geoff and Jen

G'day Bonz, We have already had our fright and taken a while to get over the shock symptoms, the cost was just over $20,000, so we will do as you say and try another avenue, could be very interesting. We want to eventually live up there in retirement (one year) and just at the moment testing the waters. By the way keep dreaming of Fraser, you'll get there, thats all we will ever do, as we live on the Fraser coast and yet seem to travel south into SA and everywhere else. This Sept is our trip to the Top End and maybe we will leave Fraser for retirement too:-) Thanx for your advice, much appreciated. Dream On Geoff & Jen

Geoff,

At $20000 I would seriously look at the mains power. 15 years ago when I worked in the electricity infrastructure area I always recommended mains power if the quote was 12-15 grand, thats got to be close to $20k now with inflation. If you are thinking of retiring up there then the convenience vs the running costs of a remote area power setup outweighs in favour of the mains. I would stop the power 150 metres short of the house and run the rest underground as you wouldn't want an ugly transformer and pole up where you live.

All the best________________________________>
Fraser Island Dreaming
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G'day Bonz, The thing is, the 54 acres was not much more than $20,000 to buy, so to get our money back would be a gamble. By the way when I look back on the last thread I had sent it looked as if retirement was one year away, but sad to say, No, it is many years away, so what happens between now and then especially in this area as there is no industry to boost economy. Although where we live now and more coastal areas have almost doubled, if not more, so we may have a ripple affect come over the whole area. Not willing to take the plunge yet of spending too much especially when the working $ is getting eaten away by the mighty tax rat at the moment. So might stick to what you said before and look into the RAPS and other alternatives, that way we can sell it all again and not have a big loss, if we want to move on. Thanks Geoff

Twandy, Good on you!! I am glad to hear from people with humble lifestyles, without being too way out. We have now ended up with a gas fridge, gas hotwater, gas stove, 12volt lighting, 12 volt water pump from the tank, plus generator fluro lighting which runs 2 fluros and a 100 watt outdoor light. We feel we have done well with all or most things secondhand and in good nic by just asking around. We know it doesn't take money to make a house a home so are looking forward to many relaxed family fun times together.
Thanks Geoff and Jen

Rodeoowner, Your parents seem to have all worked out to be comfortable, I think that is the key to a making a shack a home. Seeing you are not joking, tell us more about your gas toilet, sounds different, although we have bought a new septic system recently which was quite reasonable in price. I have just replied to the thread above and that will let you in on what we have found recently. Thanks Geoff and Jen