Building 8’x12’ hunting cabin / stand

So far it’s just a precut gable end wood shed from Home Depot. I’m putting a metal roof on it, adding insulated windows, no plumbing, but will be powered with generator or 12v deep cycle battery. It will be elevated 8’. Interior will be finished in knotty pine. Future will have a 6’x 12’ covered porch. Uncertain of heat yet, it will be well insulated so minimal will be adequate, safety is the priority. I will post pictures as project progresses. Any suggestions or comments will be greatly appreciated!

sounds like the taj mahal!

My cabin runs off a deep cycle and, connected to it, is 6 12v bulbs. There are three in the cabin and three outside. Probably 4 of those are used regularly. The longest I’ve stayed is 4 nights and it barely uses any power out of the battery. If you don’t need anything else that’s 120v it’s a lot nicer not listening to a generator in my opinion.

For 8×12 with decent insulation the smallest direct vent propane heater you can find should be more than enough even in the winter. Mine is 16×24 and a 20,000btu will keep it warm in -20. It takes half a day to heat up from that temperature (we also use wood to heat up faster) but it will maintain it no problem once it’s there.

My 6’x8′ ice shack has a 12V fan for the furnace, 12V lights inside and a “porch light”. For years I took my battery home to charge nearly every trip. A few years ago I went to 12V LED (look like regular bulb/same socket) and added a 5″ x 13″ solar charger I hang in the south facing window when I leave.

My battery lasts all winter without taking it home to charge.

All great advice. My cabin is adjacent to my food plot for deer and we get frequent visits by bear all spring summer and fall. I have a fruit orchard that is getting an electric fence powered by a 12v charger. My main use for the 120v is that I will also have a small air conditioner when using the cabin in summer months. Working on the garden and orchard gets me a bit overheated and having a place to cool down is essential. I will long term charge and maintain the 12v system and batterie with 100w solar pannel(s), I have 2 of them. A 12v “truckers” rv and 12v radio will be entertainment.