This is an update from Joe Chipman builder and designer of the Hermit Deluxe, the Bunkhouse and the Hermit. You can purchase the Hermit Deluxe plans here: Hermit Deluxe Plans
July 2011
Over the winter 2010/2011 I finalized the high and low voltage rough wiring, finishing with the 12 volt main panel under the desk, boxes and piping for the batteries, solar panels connections and charge controller connections.
Wanting better insulation then fiberglass, I install foam insulation with R16 in the walls (3 in. foam) and R24 in the ceiling (4 3/4 in. foam).
Then I foil taped aluminum foil to the face of the foam and left a 1/2 in. air gap between the foil and the backside of the wood paneling to reflect most of the outgoing heat back into the Hermit DeLuxe. I am hoping with the high R-value of the foam insulation and foil reflection effect heat the Hermit DeLuxe quite easily even in the coldest winter days.
I am also working on a rocket stove design to heat the Hermit DeLuxe. I will be building this design or something very similar in the next couple months. With the rocket stove design in mind I custom built the roof thimble and installed in the ceiling right before I finished the paneling on the ceiling.
In the spring, as soon as the weather allowed, I installed the last three windows and trim. I am amazed the amount of light I have in the Hermit DeLuxe with the 8 windows, better then I hoped! I installed the interior window jam extensions and insulated around the windows and door jam.
In preparation for the summer camping season, I updated the rain water system and sawdust toilet at the solar camp. It is so much better having 110 gallons of water available instead of just 35 gallons. This sawdust toilet is what I will be building in the Hermit DeLuxe.
In May, I located and obtained a nice pile of free pine and poplar boards (stored outside for 3 years and turning black) heading for the burn pile. In the last couple months I have been milling these boards into the tongue and groove and when needed end match paneling. This has meant a lot of long days in my mom’s work shop planing, using the table saw and buried in sawdust, but it is well worth it. The wood paneling installation is proceeding well and I hope to have the final wall completed this month and on to building the upper bunk framework, upper closet and shelves.
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September 2011
Finished the interior paneling and have been busy with the upper bunk area and bathroom walls. I framed out the mattress supports and built the bunk storage boxes with lids. Because weight is a major concern I have thinned down my bunk support material from 1 1/2 to 5/8 in. and used ash instead of pine. I built the two platforms between the bunks. I have also thinned down my furniture construction material to 1/2 in.
I built 2 storage bins at the head of the bed and the entertainment center at the foot of the bed and added bookshelves at both ends. I built a clothes hanger rod between bunks with a stainless steel shower curtain rod from the resale store, trimmed to fit. Finally, I finished the construction of the upper bunk area by sheeting the bottom of the bunks with 1/2 in. tongue and groove lumber and fastened to the supports. The bunk floor is made to be removed from bunk frame for future access to upper bunk area. I sheeted the bathroom ceiling area around the exhaust/light, built the bathroom wall frame in the ceiling and on the floor. I am currently sheeting the bathroom walls with tongue and groove paneling.
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November 2011
To date I have finished paneling the bathroom walls and cut the bathroom door from the completed wall. I then marked bathroom door in pencil on bathroom wall before framing out the door, attaching it to the wall, cutting side first and installing hinges and finishing cutting out the door. I built custom walnut slide lock for bathroom door. Then, built the sawdust toilet and shelves above. At that point, I finished up all other little trim projects and sanded, cleaned, and and applied three coats of water-based interior polyurethane.
Next, I have to put flooring down before proceeding further with interior furniture construction. I have also completed the construction of the rocket wood stove and installed it in the Hermit Deluxe. Please see http://www.permies.com/bb/index.php?topic=8903.new;topicseen#new it takes and little time to load but a detailed diagram with material list and lots of up to date pictures makes it worth your while.
Thank You
Joe Chipman
Hermit Deluxe Plans
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Love all the wood. And a great looking sawdust toilet—hope ours turns out that nice!
Such beautiful craftsmanship. I can really appreciate the unmatched final look the poplar and pine board rendered! The staggered placement is just beautiful. Thank you for the info and pics very inspiring.
beautiful work … thanks for sharing
Very nice. I worked as a carpenter and really appreciate the hard work.
Very inspiring getting ready to build and blog about my own tiny house thanks for the great ideas.
In the sawdust toilet–what is the small hole for next to the toilet seat?
Ready access to sawdust without opening the lid. The right orange bucket in the picture is for storage of sawdust. the hole is big enough to allow reach to the bottom of the bucket. Also if you do spill some sawdust you can brush it right back into the hole quick and easy.
I am really interested in your design. I love all the wood and the very open, high ceilings. I would love to view a video walk-through of the space, especially to get a better idea of the lofted areas. Really lovely work.
Beautify work! Here’s a question for you. If you’re running 12V around your home, what are you using for wiring, the breaker box, the switches and the connectors? Were you able to use conventional electrical boxes for it? Where did you source the connectors and switches?
I am using standard romax wire, square D homeline breakers and panel, 240Vac 15 or 20 amp receptacles , 1950’s ac/dc switches and standard electrical boxes for the 12vdc distribution system. multi-stranded wire is best for dc loads, but solid core romax wire will work just watch you amp loads and run the proper size wire. Standard Square D Homeline panels and breakers will work with 12vdc loads, but Square Doesn’t rate them for dc loads. I breaker both the pos and neg leads because they don’t make a single pole 100a breaker. I use 240vac 15 or 20 amp receptacles with matching cord caps to either 12vdc automobile receptacles or direct wire with matching inline fuses for a particular 12vdc load. 1940’s and 1950’s switches where rated ac/dc loads, heavy contacts inside, you can find these switches in re stores, resale stores and garage sales the ratings are imprinted on the strap. Receptacles. breakers, panels and boxes can be found at your local lumber stores. 12 vdc light bulbs, 12vdc receptacles and in-line fuse holders can be found at your local auto store. Please see http://tinyhouseblog.com/stick-built/hermit-deluxe-news-years-update/ I hope this will help you.
Joe Chipman
Square D breakers come in two types QO (DC rated) and Homeline not DC rated Do a search on you tube for PV what not to do with breakers and you can see what can happen by not knowing and or using the wrong parts.
If you have Homline breakers installed replace them with the Square D QO type as the Homelines are not DC rated and could cause a fire.
Stay safe
John
I am using standard romax wire, square D homeline breakers and panel, 240Vac 15 or 20 amp receptacles , 1950’s ac/dc switches and standard electrical boxes for the 12vdc distribution system. multi-stranded wire is best for dc loads, but solid core romax wire will work just watch you amp loads and run the proper size wire. Standard Square D Homeline panels and breakers will work with 12vdc loads, but Square Doesn’t rate them for dc loads. I breaker both the pos and neg leads because they don’t make a single pole 100a breaker. I use 240vac 15 or 20 amp receptacles with matching cord caps to either 12vdc automobile receptacles or direct wire with matching inline fuses for a particular 12vdc load. 1940’s and 1950’s switches where rated ac/dc loads, heavy contacts inside, you can find these switches in re stores, resale stores and garage sales the ratings are imprinted on the strap. Receptacles. breakers, panels and boxes can be found at your local lumber stores. 12 vdc light bulbs, 12vdc receptacles and in-line fuse holders can be found at your local auto store. Please see http://tinyhouseblog.com/stick-built/hermit-deluxe-news-years-update/ I hope this will help you.
Joe Chipman
Hermit DeLuxe