Australian CamperTrailers
national meet at Bardine
2011
monday
12volt,
batteries & solar panel workshop
Jamie Hazelden is
owner of Dynamic Solar Solutions on Queensland's Sunshine Coast & a
keen member of the Australian CamperTrailers Group with his
modified Landrover 130 & Cub flipover camper trailer. He & Shane
Adams presented
three workshops again this year,
the first on 12volt power, solar panels & batteries. This is a
topic which is discussed within the group & very often
misunderstood. To get hands on, face to face information from a
professional is a great asset to the group members.
Jamie explained the
different types of batteries, their uses in off road vehicles &
camper trailers which can be very different to normal everyday
car batteries. The usual camping application is a high draw over
a number of days using a 12volt fridge, camp lights & perhaps a Cpap
& running or recharging accessories via an inverter.
Recharging 12volt
batteries can often be a problem when camping away from 240volt
power. Solar panels are becoming more common these days as a
means of recharging 12volt batteries in the bush. Jamie showed
the different types of panels available, setting up a panel to
the optimum size for your requirements & how to include a
solar regulator into the system between the panel & battery. It was
pleasing to see most had a good grasp on the subject at the end
of the workshop.
fridge clips for
the kids
Wendie Hume held a workshop which kept the kids amused for some time. The
activity involved decorating magnetic paper clips which can be placed
on the fridge. As you can see the kids were enthusiastic & produce some
many & varied decorations.
campertrailer walkabout
Dave Cook hosted the
first of two camper trailer walkabouts. Members gave
a brief talk on what they liked about their camper trailer, points they don't like &
modifications they have done or they would like to do to make camping all
that more enjoyable.
Safari Can
Longtime CamperTrailers members Gary & Karran Roberson
have been working hard on designing & manufacturing a jerry
with a difference & were keen to show the group what it was
all about. The full width lid of the Safari Can can be
removed which opens avenues to possible uses of the humble
jerry other than just storing water. The container is
designed to fit in jerry can holders or as panniers on motor
cycles. Gary demonstrated some of the uses and options
available to Safari Can users.
craft & chat
Carol held a craft &
chat morning so the ladies around camp could meet each other over some
knitting, crocheting or just a cup of tea.
cobb
workshop
Jill Skinner showed how the popular Cobb Cooker can be used in camp as an
alternative for cooking a range of food traditionally cooked in the camp oven.
With the use of heat beads as a heat source the Cobb can be used as an oven, a
barbecue, a smoker or a stove.
Jill was cooking the evening dinner & went through the steps of what was
needed, lighting the heat beads, placing the roast in the Cobb & placing the
lid on top.
trivia night
Dave & Jan Cook assisted by Dave & Joy Wilkinson held a trivia night for the
third year. As you can see by the photos below the event was well attended & a
great success. There was plenty of friendly rivalry between the tables as teams
sort the winners trophy which was donated by Jamie Hazelden of Dynamic Solar
Solutions. There was a gold coin entry & $198 was raised for the Baradine
Hospital Auxiliary.
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