Finally, after... I can't remember how much searching, Finally found somewhere to keep the diesel works of art out the weather.
The search was long, extremely frustrating and at some points completely demoralizing. I'm glad it's over and i'm more glad that it's over and I didn't strangle or punch some Ship for brains low life agent out and get locked up. Although with some, it would have been worth it. I didn't cut this last guy any slack even though I sensed he was OK. Walked up to the place and put him on the spot straight off so he knew I meant business and wasn't going to frig around like I had been before. Like I say, only way to win at negotiations is be prepared to loose. Thankfully, this time I won.
The garage is 10.5x6m. I'm allowed to have 100sqm so I'll put on a small extension to the back with another shed the same size (
) ) and also look at going to the side to make a rumpus room and put a carport out the front. Just may neglect to tell council about it. I'll have it all built to or above standard but going to skip the red tape. I'll try and be a tight arse and hire a small excavator and do some of the work myself. At least if I can do the rough foundations it should save me a fair bit of money. There is absolutely no truth to the vicious rumors spread by the chief cook and bottle washer that I just want to play with a real life Tonka toy.
I'm looking forward to setting the toys up in a permanent location and having a crack at balancing the roid. Unlike my usual Self, I'd like to make a real neat showpiece corner or wall for this. Put in a back wall, maybe see if I can find some memorabilia to put up, paint the floor so spills can be wiped up and fool myself in other ways I imagine most people have when doing something similar. I'd like to make a switchboard, particularly If I can find some old fashioned looking gauges and do a remote stitch off so I don't have to go out at night to turn it off If I don't want to.
Might break convention and have old meets new with some electronics and controls.
The place has 3 Phase power with one phase oddly on one of those wretched smart meters. I'll look at moving everything I can off it as the other 2 meters are conventional which I can backfeed with the engines and the solar. The smart meter also controls the off peak hot water which I have already bought a switch for to change it between the solar and mains feed. Luckily I'm going to have all the roof space I need to put up as much solar as I want.
Be keen to see some links or pics of other peoples installations and any tips or advise.
I'm thinking I'll get the large timbers I " acquired" from the construction of the shipfight they built next door, dress them up and lacquer them ( except on the bottom) then glue and bolt them to the floor and mount the Roid and other engines and things on that. Might keep my eye out for a used engine crane to help with teh shifting and loading which I can always sell when I'm done.
I'll be in need of a ride on for the place as well and wish I could find a diesel for that but haven't seen any affordable in many years of looking. Would be cool to Freak the neighbors out with a a truck like smoke stack belching the aroma of Fish and chips on a Saturday Morning or afternoon!