Small update on progress!
Small update on progress!
Just a small update on the current situation. I had to wait until I could get a quote from the electrician before proceeding, that is now complete.
The original plan for the electrics was to go from the consumer unit to the shed with a completely new ring main. The biggest problem (or more of a pain) with this is that the consumer unit is in a downstairs toilet at the FRONT of the house, while the shed is as far away from the BACK of the house as possible. This would mean a cable would have to:
- Go out the side wall of the downstairs toilet, into the garage
- Run along the side and back of the garage wall, and then through the wall into the utility room
- Along the utility room wall, then through the (brick) wall to the kitchen
- Across the top of the kitchen cupboards
- Out the main wall to outside (at 2nd level height)
- Down the wall, along the fence to the shed
This would mean a very long run of cable.
The electrician worked out that I really dont need that kind of dedicated ring main as the room will be running 2 computers, 2 screens a tv and a Tivo box plus an uplight - remember Im not having a fixed ceiling light added, so no extra fuse will be needed for that.
After some fiddling round behind cabinets, we found that there is a plug socket on a 13 amp circuit for the dishwasher that can be tapped. So were basically taking a spur from that socket which can then go directly out the wall to the garden then along the fence, saving a good 20 meters of extra cable!
So the complete job will be:
- Fit fused switching spur in kitchen (I assume thats something along these lines but could be completely wrong)
- Fit ~20-25 meters of SWA cable through to the shed
- Three double plug sockets in the shed
We did discuss an extra consumer unit in the shed, however from the looks of things it really isnt needed. The only benefit would be that if there was a fault in the shed, it would trip in the shed instead of the house. Given that Im happy to walk 20 paces back to the house to flip the switch (assuming it ever goes off), it really wasnt worth having it put in. Obviously if I ever decide I want it in, it wouldnt be much of a job as the SWA cable can be cut and put into a consumer unit with minimal cable threading required.
The total cost for the electrics was way lower than I was thinking it would be. Ive been scouting round forums looking to see how much people were quoted, just to get a rough idea. It was messy! Some people would be quoted £100 while some were quoted £1000+! I played safe and budgeted £600 as a precautionary measure. Much to my surprise the quote came in at a little over £200 - very reasonable! This is obviously all Part-P verified work too, so is completely legitimate. This means I can spend a little more on the interior and other finishing touches.
So, theres the electrics! Its being hooked up on Friday 13th...I just hope thats not an omen!
Solar Power
I should add at this point that being a bit of a computer geek kid of guy, Ive bought a few of these new Raspberry Pi computers. Its basically a micro-computer that is about the size of a credit card, and runs on a measly 5v USB power supply. The three Ive bought are on backorder and should be here within 10 weeks. My plan for them is to hook them up to a solar panel. Im on the look out for a very simple panel on a stick. Maplin used to sell one but seem to have stopped now. The idea is that these three mini computers will run my local web server which I use for development. This means that I can avoid having a second beefy computer plugged in, and instead run these little devices off free power. Further down the line I may extend my options and opt for a bigger panel however Im planning on starting small for now.
Security
Im also looking into running one of these Raspberry Pis as a security system. I should be able to hook up a night-vision webcam which could be mounted in the corner of the room. Then using the raspberry pi, set it to record to a network drive inside the house (would be a bit silly having the drive in the shed). This on top of a standard motion sensor and door sensors should be ample security.
There will actually be very little value in anything sold as Im going to be selling my desktop computer and getting one of the new MacBook Pros as these support 2 screens. Meaning I can use it as a desktop computer in the office during the day, then take it out with me at night. Meaning the most anyone could get away with would be a couple of cheapo screens and a badly screen-burnt TV. These however would be anchored to something non-movable using a Kensington lock.
Additional Wiring
I was planning on using a Slingbox Pro HD to basically allow me to pick up TV from my Virgin TIVO box. This transmits the picture over your local network and allows you to change the channel. Unfortunately some clever person at Slingbox decided not to support HDMI, and another clever person at Virgin/Tivo decided not to support component cable connections from the box.
Because of this Ive ordered a 30 meter WF100 Coaxial cable from SatCure.co.uk and will be running this to the shed and placing the Tivo box in there. This is assuming there isnt a huge amount of signal loss.
Assuming the cable works (Ill be testing it down there first before fixing it into place) Im also going to run ethernet to the office. I was going to skip this and stick with the trusty home-plugs however if Ive got to run a cable down there anyway, I may as well run 2 and get a solid network connection.
The end is really in sight now. Once the electrics are in place I can get the room completely plaster-boarded and skim over the joints (that should be fun...remember that Ive got practically zero DIY experience prior to this!). Once its skimmed over I can get on with the interior work. Ive also got to find some sort of vent to fit into the wall which is proving to be a nightmare to find anything that will work with the thickness of wall.
Right thats all for now. Ill probably be posting an update on or around Friday 13th when the electrics are being done!
(Sidenote: Hmm...ok I lied, that wasnt a small update at all!)
Small update on progress!
