Sheds.

What about a solar and/or wind powered set up Nick?
You could then easily run 12 volt lighting from batteries or 250 volt lights via an inverter.
If you use battery powered drills etc then you would only need to run out the extension lead on the odd occasion when you need more power.

Add gas heating via methane extraction from your compost heap and composting en-suite toilet, an old armchair, wind-up radio and you'll never want to leave the shed.

 

:D :D Mrs Pal would love that...!

Solar/wind power sounds good Dave...any info?
You sound as if you're clued up on them.

 

You've got a valid point there Waco. The longer the cable, the bigger the voltage droop.

 

Now now Dave, you are just trying to confuse me with boys talk - don't think I have not got you sussed!

 

Still more research to do as I've been looking at options for solar powered fan cooling for the GH and also solar battery charging for our campervan. (I've also lost the links I thought I'd saved)
Getting sufficent stored solar/wind power to run power tools will cost mega bucks,and probably isn't cost effective unless you are only 12 years old; but lighting shouldn't cost too much. Have a look on Ebay for "Solar Power" or "Solar Cells" as there are one or two sellers with quite informative links in their adverts.The mono-crystaline panels work best in our climate as they put out power even when the sky is cloudy.

If you Google for wind power you'll find lots of designs for DIY wind generators.We've got one half built by our very eco-friendly son, but when and if it ever churns out anything is another matter. You need space, planning permission and a fair bit of technical skill and tools to build one. Then you have to add all the control circuitry to charge the batteries without over cooking them. Unless you are prepared to offset the costs as a "price of the hobby" it probably isn't worth it.

However if all you really need is light, then the cost of solar power compared with the cost of laying a long permanent cable might be worth considering.

 

Thanks Dave..I reckon I'd better get a sparky from work to lay in a cable,cash works wonders!!
You certainly know your stuff and appreciate your reply

 

I was a sparky ( underground with the NCB) once upon a time.

 

When you com'in down?? :D Cash!!

 

Ok, can't photo at the moment but dug out these 1998 colour photos and scanned, to show what my workshop was like without the temp. furniture in it and taken just after I finished building it!






Yes that is carpet tiles on the floor! :D :D



A view from Mrs DAGs half!

 

Two words spring to mind Dag. One's 'envy' and the other 'green' :rolleyes:

 

WOW!!! Dag that is some workshop,I used to work in a factory that had machinery like that.Very impressive......

 

Thats not a shed Dag,... Thats amazing.
Bet Paladin spots the double glazing.

 

Thats a sore point pete2255, Mrs DAG has never let me forget the fact that we never had double glazing on our bungalow until 3 years after that shed was built! :D :D :D

 

Some people just have ordinary boring sheds..

 

Shed DAG...Shed???...
Carpet tiles....central heating..AND..Everest double glazing!!! :(

And how can you hide away from Mrs DAG.. without a door!? :D
Suppose it makes it easier to carry a tray of bickies and tea to you :D