Innovation - Bush Style
When you live far from the towns, and even further away from any major towns, you soon learn to innovate things as you need. Services such as water or electricity cannot be taken for granted and often "go out". Also, living here makes one very aware of the environment, so we make our lives as eco-friendly as possible.
Welcome then, to the Lotz'O'Matic. Enter on the scene our resident engineer, tinkerer, inventor and chief pliers & wires operator - Andre!
In reality, here at Amanzimlotzi, Andre has had to come up with some projects to make life more pleasant.
Jumps to: Solar Energy | Waterwheel | The Flood | Wheelchair Paths | Brakes | Bio-Diesel
Solar Energy
Electricity is expensive and also not always 'on' where we are. Gas also costs money, including the petrol to go and fill up the gas bottles. What we do have, for FREE, is a lot of sunshine. In Summer it is an absolutely normal day at 42°C and even in Winter (apart from overnight) the temperatures are 20°C plus. Hmm, seems like solar is a good idea here.
I went and bought 20 cheap solar panels and hooked them
all up together. One panel is good, 20 panels together generate
a whole more power.
This is my control panel for the Amanzimlotzi Power Station.
This little project has made our household about 80% free from "the grid".
Waterwheel Pump
If you live in as rural an area as we are, you have to provide your own water. As mentioned elsewhere, water is scarce and you can drill 100m deep and still only find dust. One of the big drawcards for us was the abundant water in the river, right here on the property. This water led us to name this place Amanzimlotzi.
With a river, you don't put in a borehole like you normally would on a farm. The water is right here, already on the surface, and you don't have to go looking for it either. The solution is to build yourself a waterwheel pump!
A triumphant Andre having completed contruction of the mighty
waterwheel (and tested it with the pipes attached).
Down at the river, construction of a weir in a narrow place.
Measuring the gap for a secure fit.
Almost ready for the final assembly.
Success! The waterwheel in place and fully operational.
Here we go, turning turning...
or download the video file:
421kB[AVI]
And the gears drive the pump, and we have WATER!
or download the video file:
653kB[AVI]
Uh-oh, what is this? The waters are rising with the Summer rains.
The FLOOD
Fortunately it wasn't quite The Flood of Noah, but our friendly little river that you could easily jump across… became a muddy, raging torrent that swamped the place.
As you can see, water everywhere.
The waterwheel and pump are now underwater, far from the new
'shoreline'.
The waterwheel bravely kept going. Built Lotz'O'Matic tough!
or download the video file:
657kB[AVI]
Wheelchair Friendly Paths
After 12 years experience with able bodied tourists, I got
enquiries from a mother with a son in a wheelchair. I told her
that I already started building one Bush Tent to be wheelchair
friendly. Then I received a Dutch couple for a 10 day safari
& tour and I really saw how little their needs are catered
for. At almost all the scenic viewpoints, the new ablutions are
wheelchair ready, but there is no road to get there from
the car park!
This lady wanted to see the river & the jungle! So,
we made a road through the bush! Martin, our helping hand, and
Jan, practised the trip down to the river. Unfortunately,
Marysia was too scared to venture into the jungle.
I guess she was still scared from going to look at the
fresh leopard prints in the road, and realising that the loose
sand will make Jan slower than the leopard! Can't say I blame
her! …My wife and daughter both stopped jogging!
I started concreting the path down to the tent & the
bush. The road will grow as money becomes available! Here are a
few photos of this memorable visit.
Jan en Marysia van Heeswijk van Grodecka.
The concrete surfaces make for easier pushing, especially
in wet weather!
Whoa, careful for the thornbushes…
Uphills are nothing, Jan is strong!
At last, we reached the old swimming hole at the river.
A movie clip.. going to the rondavel.
or download the video file:
1.2MB[AVI]
MB Vito Brakes
I hate blackmail! With the Phone Mafia we do not have much
choice, but here was a case where engineering skills could
outwit a blackmailer…
The most I have ever paid for a set of brake pads was
around R120. When the (Mercedes Benz) Vito needed them, I was
told it cost R1400!! So, I removed one, scratched around in
my boxes of spares, and found a pleasantly suprising match
.. a 50% good VW Microbus brake pad.
A few minor Lotz'O'Matic modifications with an ultra-thin
cutting blade .. and 15 minutes later I took the Vito for a test
drive! ..perfect!!
Below - original MB Vito. Above - modified VW part.
Functionally: twins!
Biodiesel Plant
With the price of fuel I have undertaken another crazy project. It is the design and development of our own bio-diesel 'reactor'. I already have 300 litre used cooking oil in stock! I already have built the reagent injector which sprays the chemicals smoothly over the turning oil. I have to design a stirrer next.
I don't think we will be competing with Sasol anytime, but this should save a bundle and be another step towards being eco-friendly.
The reactor tanks and stock of cooking oil.
Some of what we offer: Kruger Park, Greater Kruger Park, Klaserie river, Hoedspruit, Timbavati, Acornhoek, Geurnsey, self-catering, Rondavels, bush tents, bush showers, Safaries, Big 5 game drives, Game walks, Traditional food, potjies, Maholoholo, Affordable accommodation, camping, birdwatching, swimming, lion roars, hyena calls, jackal laughing, amazing night sky, SILENCE, relaxing, braai, bbq, hunting arranged, fly fishing, canoe, insect, bird & wildlife photography, walking in the bush, monkeys, organic food, Cheetahs, Reptile park, Eco friendly, solar energy, DIY engineering with Lotz'O'Matic, Unique water-wheel to pump water, waterfall walk, recharge, relax.
On this page: some of the environmental and technical projects at Amanzimlotzi.