Thread: this shed life ...

I am not unsympathetic to anyone not liking diesel heaters or portable generators for that matter, I wish that both were unnecessary myself, but unfortunately both can become necessary at times when camping in remote areas. Camping along the Murray River with the abundant River Red Gum firewood supplies is one thing, but visiting many remote areas like The Flinders Ranges, The Tanami, and many inland areas which can be hot during the day but leave you freezing at night is another. Many of these areas have any sort of firewood collection banned because there would be no tree left as hordes of people would cut them down to burn. Even with bans in place, plenty of people just ignore them and cut timber to burn, often in huge bonfires probably ten times the size needed to sit around and keep warm. Having had a camper trailer myself, I know what Simon means with most van owners just staying inside and not socialising or even enjoying the great outdoors that they have travelled so far to see.
The fact remains if it is cold and or wet, or you are somewhere where wood is really scarce, a diesel heater is great, and if your solar system goes on the blink for any reason and you have a fridge and EverKool chest fridge/freezer full of food, and the ambient temperatures are hovering in the high 30sºC on The Gibb River Road like we were a few years ago, I was pleased to be able to fire up the Honda generator to save the batteries from being killed and the food being lost.
As to the particulates, its probably fair to say that none of them would be good for you, be they from diesel heater or wood fire, and all you can reasonably do about them would be to place the heater such that the exhaust gasses were vented so that the prevailing wind carried them away. I do think that the added warmth would not only make for more comfortable camping in Stray Alien's shed, but it should also help protect all that cast iron by warming it above the dew point hopefully.

Yeah I can't speak too loudly - both of our vehicles are diesels

Hi Rope,

Just recently came back from a 4 week trip through the Flinders Ranges. Also been along the Tanami (in Feb), across the Simpson and many other remote places. I have always carried a 12V fridge and had ample power to run that and any lighting or other power devices. Did this all with solar and a second battery. A 150W panel gave me all the power I needed to stay anywhere for as long as I wanted. That was when I didn't tow a trailer.

Now I have a camping trailer (with all the bells and whistles like inverter, hot water, ducted heating and lots of lighting etc) with dual lithium batteries and a 200W panel and a much larger fridge AND a freezer. Even without solar, I can camp for 4 -5 days before depleting the batteries. With solar I can stay indefinite. Still no need for a generator.

I see people in caravans (often in full sun) and sit around with their Honda EU generators humming away. What the hell for I don't know. Dialysis?

As for heating, used the heater once after we came back from a day hike and got caught in horizontal rain, soaked to the bone. Admittedly it was great to put the heater on to warm up and dry our clothes & shoes. That's the one time I have used it. If it's cold I put a jacket on and still enjoy the outdoors. Also, I often carry my own firewood from home. I use wood heater made from an LPG bottle which I made. I call it my camp coonara. It heats up an area very efficiently using much less wood than an open fire.

It does annoy me how soft some people are. I still feel embarassed by our camping trailer after tent camping all my life. The technology and comfort is ridiculous although still modest compared to most others.

Simon

This thread is veering a long way from the OP, so I might start another thread to continue any points others may want to raise re camping in remote areas.

We had our shed built while we were still working, then when we retired we lived in it while we built the house. After living in the Pilbara for years the southern WA winter was a bit cool but our son found this wood heater which works really well. My wife cooked on it which was a double bonus.
Cheers,
Geoff.

Might I suggest a diesel heater for some protection from a Melbourne Winter.

Only time I notice any obvious diesel fumes/ smell is if mine runs out of fuel. Nice little cloud as a "last gasp." So yeah dont let it run out!!!

Would be happy to live in a shed if it had a separate living space I could close off to heat/ cool as required. Wife, not so keen. Is always whining about the size of her current kitchen. Offered her the big galley setup she wants as a compromise with double oven (envious of her mothers kitchen), but as yet no budging on the dream.

I think most blokes would be happy to live in a shed.

A few years ago I went on a surfing trip to cactus Beach on the nullubor and stayed one night in a factory in Adelaide.

It was a friend of a friend and he lived in a very old dilapidated saw tooth roof style abandoned factory.

Rent was cheap, he was left alone, could do what he wanted and no one hassled him.

It was a very basic existence but it was pretty cool too!

Simon

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Years ago my cousin, hubby & 4 kids lived on site in a van while hubby buikt hie factory/shed tgat equipped wuth shower and loo, the materials storage area soon became more living space beside the van. 4 years latter the house was completed and thet moved in.

Lasy year a 3 room remodel took place here suppose to be 5 weeks of turmoil while we resided through winter. 5 months latter it was completed sort of I'm on doing a report to QBCC for shoddy workmanahip which is causing mayhem.

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Originally Posted by simonl

I think most blokes would be happy to live in a shed.

A few years ago I went on a surfing trip to cactus Beach on the nullubor and stayed one night in a factory in Adelaide.

It was a friend of a friend and he lived in a very old dilapidated saw tooth roof style abandoned factory.

Rent was cheap, he was left alone, could do what he wanted and no one hassled him.

It was a very basic existence but it was pretty cool too!

Simon

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I told my new wife if I didn't meet her, my plan was to move way out West where I could afford to buy a house outright or live in a shed with a caravan inside if need be. I have so many projects in my head to complete, lol.

Luckily I met her and now have a beautiful family as well, she now puts up with my projects.
I finish one and she is glad to see the end of it, then all of a sudden the next day I'm drawing in a pad and I'm onto another one, lol.
Had a lot of years off the tools and need to catch up with you fellas, lol.

This latest one with a DC electric motor downfeed for the quill I'm almost finished, but I'm really over it.

I need to get out but we are in lockdown with no cases ever in Muswellbrook.

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Originally Posted by simonl

I think most blokes would be happy to live in a shed.

A few years ago I went on a surfing trip to cactus Beach on the nullubor and stayed one night in a factory in Adelaide.

It was a friend of a friend and he lived in a very old dilapidated saw tooth roof style abandoned factory.

Rent was cheap, he was left alone, could do what he wanted and no one hassled him.

All I saw in my Mind's eye was the hideout in Romper Stomper.