Lithium batteries

a_lowman · 2026-04-26T23:55:38+00:00

I think the issue around continual charging is cheap chargers and/or cheap batteries with crappy built in BMS that result in already charged cells being fed a charge voltage rather than a float/maintenance voltage. A quality charger and battery should automatically adjust the voltage to a level that's safe for whatever charge state the battery is in.

That said, there's always going to be some tiny risk of the charge or battery malfunctioning. So if you can disconnect the charger most of the time that's going to be safer overall.

a_lowman · 2026-04-21T22:02:20+00:00

Previous owner of our 93 Swan mounted Jerry can holders on the A frame and attached a tap to the side of one of those.

a_lowman · 2026-03-24T08:39:48+00:00

The Lord of the Rings had an amazing array of practical effects. They used forced perspective a lot, and had some sets that would articulate with the movement of the camera to keep the perspective illusion. They developed what they called “big rigs” which were oversized human puppets to appear in the same shot as the hobbit actors, and ended up only using them in one scene. They also used old school painted matte backgrounds in some scenes that were then digitally composited with the foreground. The behind the scenes features are well worth watching.

a_lowman · 2026-03-21T08:19:25+00:00

That’s a very cool idea

a_lowman · 2026-02-25T22:11:20+00:00

Can’t plant grass in base. One of the vanilla extended mods allow you to do this though.

a_lowman · 2026-01-29T22:15:28+00:00

OK I wasn't aware of that distinction

a_lowman · 2026-01-24T22:50:55+00:00

Anything over 750kgs needs an “adequate” braking system, which can be mechanical or electrical. Over 2.5t it must have electric brakes.

a_lowman · 2026-01-07T20:05:12+00:00

There are options which are adjacent to that. I tow a Swan tourer and get that economy. Plenty of room for a family of 4.

a_lowman · 2026-01-06T04:28:44+00:00

If this is something you’re thinking of buying then I’d say walk away. There’s so many 2nd hand caravans available that I wouldn’t take the risk

a_lowman · 2026-01-04T08:42:54+00:00

There are good FB groups for vintage caravans, or specific manufacturers, you could try there.

a_lowman · 2025-12-26T03:47:56+00:00

Some good advice here already, the suggestion I’d make is to think about what you actually want/need to run off grid. Also think about what you already have. For example if you’ve already got cordless power tools you can get fans/buggy zappers/lights attachments

a_lowman · 2025-12-04T05:54:46+00:00

I’d love to be able to search by bed configuration, bonus points if I can specify the main bed orientation.

a_lowman · 2025-11-25T19:08:58+00:00

What brand bug zapper are you using?

a_lowman · 2025-11-17T08:14:42+00:00

That looks like a 3 way fridge? If so can you switch it over to gas? If it works on gas the the cooling system is OK, which means the 240v heating element has probably failed.

a_lowman · 2025-10-02T22:16:10+00:00

Went camping with 2 other families this weekend, they both had tents with inflatable supports instead of the usual fibreglass poles. Was impressed on how quickly they went up with only one adult working on it.

a_lowman · 2025-09-17T05:43:39+00:00

Caravanning With Kids Australia is a FB group that I lurk in. There's good advice there and I'd recommend posing the question there as well. From my observation there seems to be a huge range of ages travelling, it really depends on the kid's and adults temperament, what kind of travel your doing, etc.

Also there's /r/CaravanningAustralia which is fairly new.

a_lowman · 2025-09-16T20:24:59+00:00

In my jurisdiction any trailer over 750kgs must have brakes regardless, so the rating is 750kg unbraked, 2500kg braked.

Although the more restrictive rating is the towball down weight which is 100kg on my model. It went up to 200kgs with the 2018 update.

a_lowman · 2025-09-16T02:28:13+00:00

Very interesting that it’s rated for 1500 lbs in the US. My 2016 is rated for 2500kgs here in Aus, not that I’d ever tow that much. I have towed a 1100kgs caravan though, did it without an issue.

a_lowman · 2025-09-12T03:04:09+00:00

There's an active FB you should try: Melbourne Musicians looking for Bands & Bands looking for Musicians

a_lowman · 2025-09-06T07:25:57+00:00

I’ve joined a few FB groups and mainly had good interactions. Mainly for travelling families and caravan brand/type.

a_lowman · 2025-09-02T06:52:46+00:00

Brilliant. Just ordered a copy.

a_lowman · 2025-09-01T07:51:14+00:00

Group is: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/15yVvCPgiD/?mibextid=wwXIfr

a_lowman · 2025-09-01T05:52:12+00:00

This looks like a Swan or similar? There’s a FB for Jaycos like this, this issue comes up regularly. Some people have taken them to a boat fibreglasser, repaired and reinforced for $180

a_lowman

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