After looking at components and sizing requirements, we should now be ready for installation. The basic connections are fairly straightforward: If you have more than one panel or battery, please scroll down to sections on arrays and banks before commencing installation. The Physical Installation Fit the mounting brackets and cable gland Step 1: Decide where you want to install the panels (ideally, within 5m of the charge…
In our last post we looked at the various components for a solar setup: the solar panel that supplies the energy, the battery that stores it, the charge controller (regulator) that allows charge to the battery when needed and prevents overcharging when full, and the inverter that changes direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). So far so good. The next thing we need to work…
As we're planning to install solar panels for Freyja, we thought it would be useful to share with you what we learn about installing these setups for a campervan. The first post in this three-part series will look at the components needed to put together a solar setup.A 12v solar setup that is usually used in a campervan has three or four basic components: a solar…
As we've started using the camper at the onset of winter, we thought it would be a perfect chance to post our first instructable! What we'll be making is home-made version of one of these - a terracotta candle heater: The one pictured above is designed by Marco Zagaria as a finished product, but we (like many others) are making ours out of plant pots. It's very…
We've not done this before, so there's loads to learn! As we are currently committed to some projects in London we'll be based here for a while. This has given us the opportunity to form questions about staying in a camper in a city. We thought we'd share those questions, and some solutions we've discovered so far with you. Any advice, information, experiences, and anecdotes are more…
The finished product is rich, dark, crumbly and sweet-smelling. It is made of recycled garden and kitchen waste, and can also include paper products. It is used to feed and condition the soil and in making potting mixes. Around 40 per cent of the average dustbin contents are suitable for home composting so it helps cut down on landfills too. Bins/Heaps At the end of the…
Syrups can be prepared with sugar or honey. For proper preservation and a shelf-stable syrup, it is recommended to use a ratio of 1:1 (tea to honey). However, you can cut back to 2:1 or 3:1. If you use less sweetener to tea parts, you will need to keep your syrup refrigerated and use it quickly. You can also add some tincture to help preserve your syrup longer, as well…
To make a tincture with alcohol, the alcohol has to be at least 80-proof (40 per cent alcohol) to prevent any mildewing of the plant material in the bottle. If you can get your hands on 100-proof (50 per cent alcohol) that's even better. This high-proof alcohol acts as a preservative, and if you store your tinctures in a cool, dark place, they can have a shelf life of 7-10 years.…
Not all herbs are suitable for making tea, so become informed on each particular herb before ingesting a tea made from it. The important difference when making medicinal tea is that more attention should be paid to covering the water pot in order to trap the beneficial properties of the herb. While the aroma of the tea is part of the enjoyment in many cases, there…
So, you want to know how to make delicious green smoothies that aren't frothy, separated, or downright unpleasant? Here's the low down, do try to read all the information first as it really will help you make sense of why you're using the ratios suggested and will make it easier in the long run for you to think up your own recipes. 1. Know the difference…