[Cob] Cob:long response to some of Jill's questions

[Bill&Julie]

Hidare,, Jill and All

For: Floor plans, and ergonomics, and appliances... Look to the sailboat.
While being expensive, most appliances are dual voltage- low voltage DC.
( as in 12 volt ) Great for OFF GRID.
Sailboats are not lush with space, so the ( kitchen ) is laid out so you can
do everything from one spot.
Refrigerators are chest type, so things don't bounce out in heavy seas.

¤¿¤   bill

----- Original Message -----
From: "Amanda Peck" <ap615 at hotmail.com>
To: <coblist at deatech.com>
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 11:24 PM
Subject: [Cob] Cob:long response to some of Jill's questions


> Jill--Good for you on thinking small.
SNIP
> Looking at apartments for inspiration is a good idea.
>
> A lot of your questions would be answered if you were to go "shopping" for
a
> travel trailer.
>
> I would consider three things.  a) virtual shopping for a travel trailer.
> b) field trips to local companies--and especially outdoor shows--that
> feature them c) purchase of one to live in--maybe both while you are
> building, and possibly to incorporate into your house.  That last HAS been
> done, I think by Jersey Devil.
>
> I live in a 24 x 8 foot, maybe better designed than executed one
(Conquest).
>   Since I have rarely had a real stove, the 3-burner gas with about a 6"
> deep oven seems uptown to me.   I can bake potatoes, and pies, and for
> Thanksgiving I DO graciously allow someone else to take care of the
turkey.
>
> I loathe under counter refrigerators, annoying to use, I believe that most
> are not terribly energy efficient--in this case, meaning that if you don't
> have mains electricity--i.e., a pole and a bill from the electricity
> company--they will hog  your Photovoltaic panel/battery system.  Sunfrost
> refrigerators are the Cadillac--pricey and wonderful.  The least expensive
> energy efficient electric ones are the--good sized--chest types, like a
> freezer except that they're not, and there's Mike's plan.  A couple of
> companies are making propane refrigerators, not just for the travel
trailer
> market.
>
> In an 8-foot wall I have a small 2-door refrigerator/freezer that works on
> propane as well as 110 volt (standard house wiring) electricity. the
stove,
> 6" of counter space (just about made up for by the fact that I can put a
> cutting board over one of the twin sinks)  Twin sinks.  Under counter
> storage--two drawers, a cabinet under the sink.  two small cabinets above
> the sink.  Microwave above the stove.  Oh, yes, and the gas hot water
heater
> lives behind the refrigerator, and there's a knife block behind the stove.
>
Snip