Allotments 4 All

General => The Shed => Topic started by: manicscousers on March 22, 2008, 17:29:22

Title: ways to power shed lights
Post by: manicscousers on March 22, 2008, 17:29:22
we're considering putting in solar power or a wind turbine to power the lights and kettle in the communal shed..has anyone any experience of this,any advice gratefully received  :)
Title: Re: ways to power shed lights
Post by: mrf94 on March 22, 2008, 22:12:44
I have a small solar panel in mine cost 20 pounds on second hand market couple of years ago,  Charges some sealed lead acid batteries that run computer fans ok i have a small 12 volt light  i can use at night . thats my
experience if it helps
Title: Re: ways to power shed lights
Post by: star on March 22, 2008, 23:10:49
No personal experience but I would go for solar...................your shed might look like a helicopter flyin' over the lotties with the high winds that we seem to be getting these days ;D ;D
Title: Re: ways to power shed lights
Post by: northener on March 23, 2008, 08:54:53
For the kettle you will need 240v. What you can do is convert a car battery to 240v by using an invertor. You then have a solar panel topping up your battery. Cost? Large battery from scrapyard £15  400 watt invertor from maplins £25   28 watt solar panel £40 from maplins. You would'nt want a big wattage kettle i think you can get 150 watt ones. Not sure about wind turbines but if you combined the two it would deffinately keep the battery topped up.
Title: Re: ways to power shed lights
Post by: manicscousers on March 23, 2008, 09:58:14
thanks for the advice, I've printed it out to show people, Star, we're on a very windy site so could probably power our house !!  ;D
Title: Re: ways to power shed lights
Post by: ACE on March 23, 2008, 17:55:47
Do not put something up that can be seen, remember you are not always there, thieves will soon have it away.

Invest in a decent thermos flask and a wind up torch.
Title: Re: ways to power shed lights
Post by: manicscousers on March 23, 2008, 20:01:03
bit difficult when there's 20 of us for a meeting, ace  ;D
also, we have a saw and tools that need electric