All Electric Caravans

[bertieboy1]

I see an all electric caravan has hit the market - is this the future ?.Will butane and propane gas be a thing of the past

 

[JTQ]

I see an all electric caravan has hit the market - is this the future ?.Will butane and propane gas be a thing of the past

I suggest it will not become a big seller with off grid caravanners.

At least until solar technology become far more efficient and affordable and then for summer users only.

It was tested some years back, but quickly was dropped, maybe too early to market, or as I suspect more a failed concept in the overall market.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I see an all electric caravan has hit the market - is this the future ?.Will butane and propane gas be a thing of the past

When you consider that both Butane and Propane are usually by products from the refining of other petro chemicals, its highly likely that as we move towards more electric vehicles and need less petrol and diesel, its likely to also affect the production of Butane and Propane and a range of other Hydrocarbon products.

As JTQ has points out an all electric caravan was trialed probably 25 to 30 years ago, but it never took off as at the time Butane & Propane were still firmly ingrained into the caravanner's psyche.

But we are all becoming more attuned to EV's now so the idea of an all electric caravan is no longer such a strange idea. I think there is still some work to be done to make a single 16A supply all that is needed to cover heating and cooking as well as all the other equipment found in present day caravans. Perhaps caravanners will have to rethink what they need in a caravan.

 

[RogerL]

Running an all-electric caravan from a single 16amp connection will probably require automated device disconnect to allow heating and cooking to co-exist - not really any different to manual disconnect when on a 6/10 amp pitch but just electronically automatic.

However, using the caravan during rest stops will be problematic - or expensive with a big lithium battery under the floor!

 

[Ern]

As LPG becomes more expensive and less socially acceptable because of carbon footprint, the all electric caravan will probably look more attractive. Weight saving of heavy gas cylinders would offset the additional battery weight.

 

[Buckman]

As LPG becomes more expensive and less socially acceptable because of carbon footprint, the all electric caravan will probably look more attractive. Weight saving of heavy gas cylinders would offset the additional battery weight.

There are probably thousands of static caravans hooked up onto gas never mind domestic homes and commercial premises so I think gas is going to be with us for a very long time.

 

[Gafferbill]

....my caravan is already all electric when l am on an ehu pitch.
I never use any gas when l have a connection to a mains supply.
The mains supply is monitored by a wattage and amperage meter to be able to use appliances with in the available supply.

Don't do barbecues!

 

[RogerL]

....my caravan is already all electric when l am on an ehu pitch.
I never use any gas when l have a connection to a mains supply.
The mains supply is monitored by a wattage and amperage meter to be able to use appliances with in the available supply.

Don't do barbecues!

Is all your cooking electric?

 

[otherclive]

Apart from BBQ our only use of gas was the cooker generally for the evening meals.

 

[Gafferbill]

Is all your cooking electric?

Yes......

Electric hotplate on caravan cooker...800 watt.
Microwave oven....up to 1.5kw.
Mini cooker ....(that is no longer made)
with 1kw radiant ring ...grill below ring ....hotplate above that will also do toast.

We also eat out!!

 

[Ern]

Yes......

Electric hotplate on caravan cooker...800 watt.
Microwave oven....up to 1.5kw.
Mini cooker ....(that is no longer made)
with 1kw radiant ring ...grill below ring ....hotplate above that will also do toast.

We also eat out!!

What you need is.........an all electric caravan!

 

[bertieboy1]

Running an all-electric caravan from a single 16amp connection will probably require automated device disconnect to allow heating and cooking to co-exist - not really any different to manual disconnect when on a 6/10 amp pitch but just electronically automatic.

However, using the caravan during rest stops will be problematic - or expensive with a big lithium battery under the floor!

HI,
Our van already has this power limiter,you can set the maximum current value to whatever you want (16A,10A etc.) or any other value what ever you want. - all Swift vans with the Command unit have this feature.

 

[Buckman]

HI,
Our van already has this power limiter,you can set the maximum current value to whatever you want (16A,10A etc.) or any other value what ever you want. - all Swift vans with the Command unit have this feature.

Isn't it called a load monitor?

 

[ProfJohnL]

A monitor reports on whatever it's monitoring, it does not take any action to limit or modify the activity by itself.

A limiter prevents the criteria being monitored from operating outside set limits.

 

[bertieboy1]

Isn't it called a load monitor?

No,it's a load limiter that stops you exceeding the current (amp) value you have set

 

[Gafferbill]

What you need is.........an all electric caravan!

No I don't as I also spend time off grid on rallies for example!

 

[RogerL]

HI,
Our van already has this power limiter,you can set the maximum current value to whatever you want (16A,10A etc.) or any other value what ever you want. - all Swift vans with the Command unit have this feature.

Does it allow the user to determine which devices are allowed to run and which are switched off?

 

[Buckman]

A monitor reports on whatever it's monitoring, it does not take any action to limit or modify the activity by itself.

A limiter prevents the criteria being monitored from operating outside set limits.

We have a Load Monitor on our ALDE control panel and if you set it to 10amp it monitors the consumption and if you exceed the 10amp, it shuts down the hot water or heating.

 

[Raywood]

I do see gas being phased out but at the moment do not see how a fully electric caravan could work off grid but you never know what is round the corner. Our gas usage is certainly way down on what it used to be, but if caravans do go fully electric then 16 amps will not be enough for many. You also have to look at campers who do not have electricity and may not have the ability to carry large solar chargers. Something will have to be done but at the moment I have no idea where we will end up.

 

[Buckman]

How in the old days did people manage without electric in their caravan? All we had was a gas bottle for the hob, keeping fridge cold and to light the mantles in the evening. Definitely no hot water. No toilet either!

 

[ProfJohnL]

It will not surprise me if LPG's do become rarer, but as with most petroleum products there will always be some situations where there is no feasible alternative, so its unlikely it will completely disappear, but it will become scarcer and of course more expensive which will be reflected in the cost of the activities that use it.

 

[Buckman]

The vast majority of the world is not ready for all electric vehicles or caravans probably why many car makers and countries did not want to sign some of the COP26 treaties. Gas and use of fossil fuel will be with us for at least the next century.

 

[ProfJohnL]

... Gas and use of fossil fuel will be with us for at least the next century.

I glad you agree on this.

Evidence from new car sales shows that EV's are rapidly gaining in popularity, which suggests that where the infrastructure exists, a very significant number of drivers are prepared to go electric. The proportion will vary from country to country largely dependant on how their respective government's are legislating or planning so the it's not an even approach.

Most petroleum products will still be available for many decades to come, but the demand for them will be diminishing. Which goes to show that the millions of petrochemical workers will not all be thrown on the employment scrap heap overnight.

 

[JTQ]

I do see gas being phased out but at the moment do not see how a fully electric caravan could work off grid but you never know what is round the corner.

To spacw heat a caravan electrically though through the winter off grid is going to require some significant developments.

 

[RogerL]

To spacw heat a caravan electrically though through the winter off grid is going to require some significant developments.

Over a century or two of evolution, petrol, diesel and LPG have proved most useful by their portability - electric energy is back at the dawn of time as far as portability goes - that's where compressed Hydrogen and Fuel Cells have an opportunity.