The Camping Thread - Page 12

**fordomatic** · 27-10-2017, 10:21 PM

So MRS and I been sleeping in a swag for the last 6 years when we go camping. We had a baby 6 months ago and now we are about to start our summer camping adventures. Will do a rollout in our new tent Dune Kimberly 9, but it's going to be weird, i don't think i've slept in a tent for 15 years haha.

sgt_doofey · 27-10-2017, 10:30 PM

Talking to a guy at work and he's just built a power supply for camp lights. I'm going to look to do the same.
Utilizing an existing car battery, it should cost me about $20 for the parts (~$45 if I add a 5.5W solar panel for charging throughout the day).
I'll end up with a cigarette lighter port and 2 usb ports at the end.
To buy batteries adds about another $50. 2 x 7.2Ah batteries.

I've ordered the bits and pieces off ebay and they should arrive over the next couple of weeks. I'll post up more later on when I start building it if people are interested?

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Junkyard-Dog · 27-10-2017, 10:38 PM

I'm hoping to get away to Yorke Peninsula again some time this summer. Depends if I can get the time off.

Trevor 57 · 28-10-2017, 07:47 AM

we are heading up to the Buckland Valley next weekend (with the kids and grandkids, except one son & girlfriend), everyone has taken the Monday off to make it a 4 day weekend

roKWiz · 28-10-2017, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lever T

we are heading up to the Buckland Valley next weekend (with the kids and grandkids, except one son & girlfriend), everyone has taken the Monday off to make it a 4 day weekend

Great mountain bike area, going to be very busy in the NE with the Wang Jazz festival on as well.

Trevor 57 · 08-11-2017, 02:38 PM

We just spent 4 days up the Buckland Valley (Vict), got a private spot no worries, mind you one of our group was there Thursday. Didn't do much, but we went for a drive to Mt Murray on Monday - gee the Ranger is competent. Love the diff lock and the hill descent, 1st gear low range is just right gearing

sgt_doofey · 19-11-2017, 05:52 PM

I've started on my camp lighting power supply. Still waiting on a couple of bits and pieces from ebay, mainly the alligator clamps to connect to the battery.
Parts list:
Ports and voltage meter - $15 from ebay
Plastic enclosure - $24 from Jaycar
6A automotive wire - lying around in the shed
Toggle switch with LED - $2.94 from ebay
Momentary switch - $1.19 from ebay

Parts to come
Waterproof external connector - $2.95 from ebay
70mm 30A Alligator clips - $4.50 from ebay

All up $50.58 and will just use a spare car battery.

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Trevor 57 · 20-11-2017, 07:51 AM

Looks good, I love doing stuff like this

**ebxr8240** · 30-11-2017, 11:49 AM

Well done . Watch them trees ? Drop bears !

Trevor 57 · 30-11-2017, 11:54 AM

We were heading up to the Upper Murray tonight and home Monday, but we have cancelled due to weather concerns

prydey · 30-11-2017, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lever T

We were heading up to the Upper Murray tonight and home Monday, but we have cancelled due to weather concerns

Certainly looking like it might get a bit soggy.

Trevor 57 · 30-11-2017, 02:48 PM

150mm to 250mm of rain is just a little too much hahahahaha

sgt_doofey · 30-11-2017, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lever T

150mm to 250mm of rain is just a little too much hahahahaha

It would give you something to talk about!

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sgt_doofey · 06-01-2018, 11:14 PM

Finally finished off my camping power supply.
One of the parts didn't arrive so had to order another one.

Now, to find a time to go camping and use it! We're planning Halls Gap again at the end of April.

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Trevor 57 · 15-01-2018, 01:37 PM

Did the Silo Trail in Western Victoria over the break:

Lascelles:

Patchewollock:

Patchewollock Caravan Park (an old school footy oval)

Roseberry:

Brim:

Sheep Hills:

Rupanyup:

Camped at Lake Elingamite (near Cobden) for a few days - free camp:

Chucked the Ranger & Van on the Queenscliff - Sorrento ferry, then went to Wonthaggi for a few days

**Beastie** · 15-01-2018, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lever T

Did the Silo Trail in Western Victoria over the break:

Lascelles:
image
image

Patchewollock:
image
Patchewollock Caravan Park (an old school footy oval)
image

Roseberry:
image

Brim:
image

Sheep Hills:
image

Rupanyup:
image

Camped at Lake Elingamite (near Cobden) for a few days - free camp:
image
image

Chucked the Ranger & Van on the Queenscliff - Sorrento ferry, then went to Wonthaggi for a few days
image

The artwork on those silos are pretty cool...

prydey · 15-01-2018, 04:13 PM

The silo art around the country is really taking off and its awesome. Went past this one at Weethalle yesterday morning

on a camping trip last year, went past these at Coonalpyn

Trevor 57 · 15-01-2018, 07:47 PM

there is some talented bastards out there for sure, when you see the size and detail of the silo's

sgt_doofey · 14-02-2018, 04:41 PM

Seriously planning Halls Gap again now for the end of April. Just trying to rally numbers before booking!

What do people use for shelter? I've just bought a 6x3m gazebo off of 4wdsupercentre with two side walls and floor for $340 delivered. Cheapest I could find. Other places wanted around the $400 mark just for the same size gazebo and they weren't even waterproof.

We're going in the tent this time. Family of 4 in a 6 person dome tent. That's why I've bought the shelter as it'll give us somewhere else to sit should the weather be bad.

Have also orders a 10w solar panel and 12AH deep cycle battery. That should hopefully be enough to run the camp lights I've got using my above power supply that I made.

Am just a little bit excited with talking to people about this trip! Looking forward to getting away for a bit after work lately, and moving house...

prydey · 14-02-2018, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgt_doofey

What do people use for shelter?

When we bought our tent (which we've since sold) we purposely bought a large one so that there was room to 'live' rather than just sleep. we had a blackwolf turbo lite 300 twin, which had a 3m x 3m middle room. It also had a decent awning to set up a kitchen etc.

that was at Boreang Campground in Grampians Nat Park.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgt_doofey

Have also orders a 10w solar panel and 12AH deep cycle battery. That should hopefully be enough to run the camp lights I've got using my above power supply that I made.

this is what i used for lighting when we camped.
http://performance12voltaccessories....mp-you-bastard

Its 18AH, but lithium, not AGM, so can be safely discharged to 100% without affecting the long term life of it. AGM's generally have somewhere between 20-50% depth of discharge.

I ran a 50cm light bar with 0.6a draw for about 4 hours each night and it lasted for 4 nights fine, as well as being used to top up mobile phones etc. I didn't have any solar power topping it up though, so a 12AH with some solar input will probably be ok depending on how many lights you run off it.

Having said that, I have a 100Ah in the van, which basically only runs the lights and after 3 nights last october, with no solar input, it barely dropped at all. All the lights in the van are LED's though. when i got home and put it back on charge, it was switched to absorbtion after only a few minutes and then on float.

sorry for the long winded response.

We looked at Halls gap for easter but it was fairly heavily booked so decided to head back to Mambray Creek instead. Hopefully its not too hot by the end of March.

sgt_doofey · 14-02-2018, 05:35 PM

Our tent has the sleeping area and a vestibule at the front. It's big enough to fit us all in but if the weather is bad then it would be a bit squishy over time. Especially trying to contain 5yo and 3yo boys for a prolonged period of time!

First time at Bathurst was in that tent. Three blokes huddled in the vestibule at night as it was bucketing down and we were fine.

The tent you've got pictured would definitely be a lot better than ours.

The gazebo also gives us a communal shelter we can all use. The people we're most likely going with have access to 2 3x3 gazebos, so we should be able to have a sheltered 6x6m area for two families of 4.

beardo · 20-02-2018, 10:29 PM

I'm currently working on the rail line that goes past the silo at Lascelles but staying in Ouyen for a few weeks before heading over to Charlton for the next stage of works.
Some of the lads I'm working with have some pretty flash caravans but i opted for a camping trailer mainly due to price, easily stored in my shed when not used and also not trusting my rodeo to tow anything heavier.
The main things i still need are proper lighting (which should've arrived in the mail) and a fridge.
I have extra rooms to add on for when my wife and kids are with me so it can be 4 times the size of it pictured here.

Added some photos of the lovely scenery around Ouyen

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**Beastie** · 20-02-2018, 10:34 PM

We bought / pickup our very first van on the weekend...

DoreSlamR · 21-02-2018, 12:54 AM

Planning on visiting Kakadu this year, probably around July. I’m thinking of maybe finding a central spot and set up a base camp and go exploring from there.

Anyone done something similar?

Or have some tips on some good spots to see?

Cheers