gosh I hope this finally works - I'm sure the problem was the new laptop and I have reduced the pics by 50% of what i was able to post on here before.
Anyway I've just got the ute back. It's been fitted with a 2nd hand canopy and a 190w solar panel which feeds into a 100 ah deep cycle battery which will power an 80 litre 3 way fridge freezer while driving. I've installed lots of 12v outlets as well. There is also a 9kg gas bottle. It has a 3x3 pop up tent, a very comfy camp bed, lots of led lighting and i will take the babyq when bush camping.
The caravan has 2 x 190w solar panels which feed into 2 x100 ah deep cycle batteries connected in parallel. The van has 2 x 9kg bottles.
I've had the batteries connected up with a smart charger and also all the required isolator switches for when the ute is driving along so that hopefully everything should charge well and then disconnect when the car stops.
I picked up a 3000/1500 w inverter which hopefully I will figure out how to use at some point.
With this type of set up I hope to be able to free camp for extended periods and the next job is to investigate water collection from condensation and rain. I've bought a couple of in hose filters and will be able to use river or dam water for showers etc.
At this point my permanant take off date is the end of May but I will be meeting up with a few nomads from over East and having a shakedown trip with them in early April which is only 3 weeks away or so and am really looking forward to it.
Very Nice Elle. The Baby Q sounds good. I have the 220 at home and it gets used for nearly everything. Have fun out there and keep safe. If you ever get Sth West Gippsland Vic way give a lell. We could have a shrimp on a Q.
Travel Bug said
07:34 PM Mar 9, 2012
Looks great Elle!
Lots of happy travels coming up!!
Cheers. Pam.
yeoeleven said
09:47 PM Mar 9, 2012
Hi Ellen,
looking good and sounds excellent, getting very close now.
Good luck and safe travels,
John
Vic said
01:37 AM Mar 10, 2012
Happy Travels from me too Elle, be good to see you underway soon!
HeadnHome said
03:28 AM Mar 10, 2012
Its all looking good, looks like the dogs are keen to get going as well.
Ole_Grizzly said
03:31 AM Mar 10, 2012
Bugga! Ellen has me with anxious ambitions. So envious with your progress mate. My little trailer is gradually coming together to support my luxury 'creature comforts' and hopefully won't be too far behind in your dust.
Elle on Wheels said
05:36 AM Mar 10, 2012
Thanks all and Grizzly it will probably be me eating your dust the way I drive. Still don't know whats happening with the photos i swear I only uploaded one copy of each but there are 4 copies of one. Not to worry. On this first trip I will spend a leisurly time wandering around Vic so would love to meet up with anyone on the way and Gippsland sounds like the ultimate place to throw a prawn on the barbie Doug.
i will be spending the next couple of weeks packing everything up in the van and ute - still lots to do in terms of organising. And also have to get a few more things welded on to the ute and van. Am investing in a hydraulic jockey wheel jack combo. And that will be the last major thing on the shopping list. Finito.
Aggghhh and the ongoing saga of getting rid of all my stuff.............. Almost there.
Happywanderer said
06:16 AM Mar 10, 2012
Great going Elle, all the best when you start out. Won't be long now. Hope you can get up to Qld sometime so we can meet. Keep well.
Lynnie said
04:04 PM Mar 10, 2012
It all sounds great. I won't be heading off at the end of May as planned so hope that you will be including Echuca as a stopping point. There is so much to do prior to setting off, isn't there. Setting up the rig (important though it is) is only part of it. I hope we can catch up. Lyn
Elle on Wheels said
07:22 PM Mar 10, 2012
Lynnie wrote:
It all sounds great. I won't be heading off at the end of May as planned so hope that you will be including Echuca as a stopping point. There is so much to do prior to setting off, isn't there. Setting up the rig (important though it is) is only part of it. I hope we can catch up. Lyn
Hey Lyn
that is a definite - I was heartbroken to think I'd miss out on that scrumptious brekkie you described because of my delayed time frame. Count me in and I'll even bring my own cutlery.
Almurta said
02:54 AM Mar 11, 2012
Good luck with your travels and preparations Elle and Lynnie. I won't be seeing you 'out there' for a bit as I've postponed my trip for now. Family stuff is calling me back to Ireland. While I'm there I'll do some touring in Europe as well. Hope you both get off to a great start soon.
Vic said
05:43 AM Mar 11, 2012
Elle on Wheels wrote:
On this first trip I will spend a leisurly time wandering around Vic ...........
I know I'm large Elle, but I'm not that big.....
the rocket said
06:01 AM Mar 11, 2012
hi elle, great set up. is the fridge unable to move? rocket n strop. oh darn. sorry about the underline. I have no idea how it got there and no idea how to get rid of it. sorry
Firefly said
06:06 AM Mar 11, 2012
Your set up looks brilliant Elle, have the best time won't you.
We only get away a month a year but its better than nothing
golivers travels said
06:12 AM Mar 11, 2012
Elle
If you are anywhere near Maryborough/Carisbrook in Vic, PM me to see if we are around.
Glenda
ChiChi1 said
06:17 AM Mar 11, 2012
I'm grounded for this year and bored. If anyone is near ACT anytime, PM me for coffee and chat.
Elle on Wheels said
05:13 AM Mar 12, 2012
golivers travels wrote:
Elle
If you are anywhere near Maryborough/Carisbrook in Vic, PM me to see if we are around.
Glenda
Thanks Glenda will make a point of it..... sounds like this will be a very socialable trip. have really enjoyed your blog by the way.
scotia59 said
06:18 PM Mar 12, 2012
good luck Elle, looks like you are nearly there, I envy you as we are still such a long way off. We just got a fridge like yours, have had it running off the mains in the shed (handy for Alex's beer!!) but can't wait to get away and try it out on gas.
Jean
Mary said
04:58 AM Mar 13, 2012
Hi Elle, I think you have gone about your set up in an excellent way Practical,functional/ Just a tip or 2, Do you have a compressor?Essentional if on dirt roads -if you lower your tyre pressure you will take your normal caravan to places you never thought possible. Just try it on your verhicle and van Eg I ran 25 PSI for 1700km on canning Stock Route wihout a puncture. If you venture on to the dirt track it won't hurt if you take your time and remember to drop your pressures /tug and van plus hold your speed accordingly. You will be surprised where your well set up combination will take you. "The only lonely road is the one you haven"t been on" Cheers, Mary
golivers travels said
10:04 PM Mar 21, 2012
Elle on Wheels wrote:
golivers travels wrote:
Elle
If you are anywhere near Maryborough/Carisbrook in Vic, PM me to see if we are around.
Glenda
Thanks Glenda will make a point of it..... sounds like this will be a very socialable trip. have really enjoyed your blog by the way.
Thanks for up on the blog. It was an amazing experience. Still finding it difficult to settle into home.
Hi All
gosh I hope this finally works - I'm sure the problem was the new laptop and I have reduced the pics by 50% of what i was able to post on here before.
Anyway I've just got the ute back. It's been fitted with a 2nd hand canopy and a 190w solar panel which feeds into a 100 ah deep cycle battery which will power an 80 litre 3 way fridge freezer while driving. I've installed lots of 12v outlets as well. There is also a 9kg gas bottle. It has a 3x3 pop up tent, a very comfy camp bed, lots of led lighting and i will take the babyq when bush camping.
The caravan has 2 x 190w solar panels which feed into 2 x100 ah deep cycle batteries connected in parallel. The van has 2 x 9kg bottles.
I've had the batteries connected up with a smart charger and also all the required isolator switches for when the ute is driving along so that hopefully everything should charge well and then disconnect when the car stops.
I picked up a 3000/1500 w inverter which hopefully I will figure out how to use at some point.
With this type of set up I hope to be able to free camp for extended periods and the next job is to investigate water collection from condensation and rain. I've bought a couple of in hose filters and will be able to use river or dam water for showers etc.
At this point my permanant take off date is the end of May but I will be meeting up with a few nomads from over East and having a shakedown trip with them in early April which is only 3 weeks away or so and am really looking forward to it.
Looks great Elle!
Lots of happy travels coming up!!
Cheers. Pam.
Hi Ellen,
looking good and sounds excellent, getting very close now.
Good luck and safe travels,
John
Happy Travels from me too Elle, be good to see you underway soon!
i will be spending the next couple of weeks packing everything up in the van and ute - still lots to do in terms of organising. And also have to get a few more things welded on to the ute and van. Am investing in a hydraulic jockey wheel jack combo. And that will be the last major thing on the shopping list. Finito.
Aggghhh and the ongoing saga of getting rid of all my stuff.............. Almost there.
I won't be heading off at the end of May as planned so hope that you will be including Echuca as a stopping point.
There is so much to do prior to setting off, isn't there. Setting up the rig (important though it is) is only part of it.
I hope we can catch up.
Lyn
Hey Lyn
that is a definite - I was heartbroken to think I'd miss out on that scrumptious brekkie you described because of my delayed time frame. Count me in and I'll even bring my own cutlery.
I know I'm large Elle, but I'm not that big.....
hi elle, great set up. is the fridge unable to move? rocket n strop. oh darn. sorry about the underline. I have no idea how it got there and no idea how to get rid of it. sorry
Your set up looks brilliant Elle, have the best time won't you.
We only get away a month a year but its better than nothing
Elle
If you are anywhere near Maryborough/Carisbrook in Vic, PM me to see if we are around.
Glenda
Thanks Glenda will make a point of it..... sounds like this will be a very socialable trip. have really enjoyed your blog by the way.
Jean
I think you have gone about your set up in an excellent way
Practical,functional/
Just a tip or 2,
Do you have a compressor?Essentional if on dirt roads -if you lower your tyre pressure you will take your normal caravan to places you never thought possible.
Just try it on your verhicle and van
Eg I ran 25 PSI for 1700km on canning Stock Route wihout a puncture.
If you venture on to the dirt track it won't hurt if you take your time and remember to drop your pressures /tug and van plus hold your speed accordingly.
You will be surprised where your well set up combination will take you.
"The only lonely road is the one you haven"t been on"
Cheers,
Mary
Thanks for up on the blog. It was an amazing experience. Still finding it difficult to settle into home.