How can I generate electricity for my garden shed.

[RATTER15]

I have a large garden that I am about to build a shed and a summer house in, the problem I have is it is not adjoined to the house and I have no water or electricity in the garden, The shed will collect my water into butts but I still need electricity, just for lighting in the shed and charging batteries etc.

Any ideas on how I could simply and cheaply generate enough electricity to do this.

[tamborine]

dig in an electric cable, they come in all lengths; same for plumbing.

[dotty.]

How close is it to your neighbour?

[DTCwordfan]

shed big enough for solar panels or free standing ones?

[DTCwordfan]

nearby stream for a mini-turbine?

[RATTER15]

Tambo, "dig in an electric cable, they come in all lengths; same for plumbing"
you want me to dig a cable under the road and up the lane a 100mtrs.

Cant ask the neighbours, bit of a select area, they wouldn't be in to extension leads or cables in their garden.

No nearby streams im afraid, shed is large but overshadowed by large trees, I may be able to get solar panes in the roof, free standing!! my dogs would give it free standing lolol.

[RATTER15]

Would it be possible to have a wind driven device that would power a car alternator to charge a 12 volt car battery. maybe?

[paddywak]

Drill a hole through you wall, then dig a trench at least two spade depths deep from the house to your shed then run your cable from your consumer unit down the wall and through the trench to your shed. I used a single wire armoured cable when I did mine but if you use an ordinary type cable run it through a length of plastic pipe to give it added protection. Also in the shed I'd recommend you use a little consumer unit with RCD protection then you can safely use your garden tools etc

[RATTER15]

Paddywak, the garden is 100 mtrs up the lane on the other side of the road. but thanks anyway.

[tamborine]

generator or some HGV batteries

[DTCwordfan]

diesel generator?

[karenmac60]

Attach dynamos to those dogs Ratter! That's an opportunity missed if you're not making use of them :)

[RATTER15]

Im geared up with the batteries, I just wanted to keep them charged.

Diesel generator!!! never lol, will frighten the wildlife!!

I just fancied some "novel" ideas to keep batteries charged.

A treadmill for the dogs it is by the looks of it!!

[tamborine]

Circulate the butt water thru bike wheel with paddles on spokes. Centrifugal force (?) should generate enuf electricity.

[annie0000]

wind-up lanterns for the lighting if you really cant do a small solar panel on the roof, and you could maybe just get a couple of sets of the chargeable batteries and keep one set in the house charging at all times.

[RATTER15]

Well Tambo, I said novel lol

[bimbo123456]

http://www.reuk.co.uk...ge-Solar-Lighting.htm

What about this?

[modeller]

Attach a generator to an exercise bike and ride it for half an hour each time you want to use the shed . That would give you enough power for your small needs and as a bonus keep you fit.

[JonnyBoy12]

Get all your neighbours dogs, and say you are going to take them for a walk. Put them all on the treadmill for a few hours, and then you will get free leccy. Then take all the dogs back, and charge your neighbours for "walking" them.

[modeller]

Why not use a Camping/caravan gas generator. They come in all sizes and can be used for anything from the tv to making toast.

[TonyV]

Ratter - how much electric do you need? If you are not looking at lot, use a 12v battery bank with inverter - like most narrow boats do. To charge you can use solar or wind or both with a geny to top up if necessary.

Tony