Following yet another weekender with genny probs and drowned electrics the time has come to rethink our power solution.
With the amount of rain we had last time, I am unhappy with sodden 240v electrics and the risks it presents so another alternative is going to happen in future.
Reliability needs to be the key also as well as safety, as even though I bought 2 gennys down last time, we still had grief, and they aint weenas either, ones a chingchong honda copy 3.5kva one that is nearly new, and the other is a older but genuine 2.5kva honda genny. I kinda feel to run 18hrs a day, a genset is really the order of the day, but these are megabucks to buy and not within our budgets...
So heres the plan...
My BGL was due to be retired (broke up and weighed in) as its been replaced by the BRL....but it still runs and drives albiet it in 3wd, but a shaft will restore 4wd.
The plan is to use this as our POWER WAGON...
and not happy to just provide a genny solution and always striving to move things forwards with what we are doing, then this will also serve as a water bowser, hot and cold pressurised water supply, and compressed air supply...
The plan is to remove the interior minus the drivers seat...fit two or more air tight water containers/water butts in the back that can be pressurised to about 10psi and that will hold more than enough water for a whole weekender. These will then feed a header tank on the roof which will gravity feed a hot water cylinder mounted in the front footwell/seat position. The heating coil from the cylinder will be connected to the heater matrix outlets on the engine, and the matrix disconnected, so the engine will heat the cylinder before its stat opens and it starts to cool itself via its rad, which should regulate the temperature in the cylinder. The engine will run 2x alternators charging 4 batteries, which when the power the site and soundsytem (via an inverter if I cant find some old car stereo amplifiers). The engine will also run an air con pump which will charge a tank to 150psi, (or 80 psi if I use the rear tyres as a reciever instead of a tank) with an unregulated output for tyres/tools and a regulated supply of about 10psi to pressurerise the water tanks. (I might do a switched pump system on the tanks if i can find sealed tanks that will take some pressure. Water pipes can be stored in the BGL when its stored up the workshop, so it should present an easy fill, park and connect system to use when we are down the woods, giving us a safer solution and H&C running water.
The plan is to park it where we stick the genny normally, which should give us 20ft head of water, and even with its rattling timing chain the 2.4i should be quieter than the gennys also.
My theory is that if the 2.4i will drags it ass up the steepest of hills in the woods, 5 up, on 35's, at idle without stalling...then it will turn a couple of alternators and a compressor pump no probs. Reckon it might use a bit more fuel, but its worth it if its safe, reliable and we get hot water!
What we need to make this happen....if you can keep your eyes open..
Hot watercylinder
More plastic 25mm(?) water pipe...
Pipe lagging
Big batterries (truck size or whatever you have lurking)
2 Large containers that can be used with drinking water, about 100-300 litres ish each I guess...ideally to fit in back of truck without cutting the roof out, but if needs must...LOL
Any old car stereo amps you might have kicking around
More parafin lamps (need another 10-20) if anyone sees these on offer anywhere, as these will provide background lighting in the cooking, picnic bench area, with addition 12v lighting for cooking etc.
Taps for sink.
Aircon compressor.
This should make a solution that we can use at picnics as well as weekenders as it should be quick and easy to set up...
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