Caravan gas and electric

[lee_374471194]

Hi just bought my first ever van and cant wait to try it out. Needs a bit of work on it first but feeling confident i can do it. Wanted to know if anyone has removed all gas appliances eg fire, cooker, hob etc to just make their van electric only and if caravan sites limit the amount of electric you can use on your stay? Sorry if this in the wrong place but i'm to excited Thanks in advance Lee

 

[Brum1]

Lee

Most UK sites give you up to 16 Amps. But beware, I have had an electric failure many times during cold winter evenings because the site's system has overloaded and tripped.

You would then need a gas supply to keep warm.

 

[swpostie]

Hi Lee,

Elddis (formerly Explorer Group) recently produced an all-electric caravan and, I believe, sales were disappointing.

There's no real limit to the amount of electric you consume on site - though you won't be able to draw more than 16 amps (in fact on a lot of sites you may be able to draw as little as 4 amps).

However, you really shouldn't be looking at drawing as much as you possibly can - the electric hook-up charge is based on people drawing a "reasonable" amount.

If people turn up to use as much as they can then sites will be forced to increase their prices, or remove their electric facility.

Due to the increasing levels of electrical equipment fitted to caravans, some sites have even started metering their supply.

Remember, all the electricity you use the site-owner has to pay for. So, while that may not trouble your conscience on a large national chain of sites, it will be a different kettle of fish for the owner of a small CL who may be charging you under a tenner a night for the privelege.

In other words - be sensible! Don't be selfish and don't take the p**s!!

 

[Parksy]

One thing to bear in mind Lee is that at some time in the future you may want to give rallying a try.

Caravan rallies are run by various organisations including both clubs and they can be a very inexpensive way to maximise the use of your caravan.

The only trouble is that many rallies are held in places without an electricity supply so you would be dependent on gas.

 

[lee_374471194]

Cheers for the replies guys Rupert def not thinking of taking the p*** that aint me. Main reason that we are thinking of this is the missus not to keen on gas and would be using an oil filled radiator, george foreman grill microwave for cooking (and bbq when nice) and tv for the kids on a nite.

 

[swpostie]

Cheers for the replies guys Rupert def not thinking of taking the p*** that aint me. Main reason that we are thinking of this is the missus not to keen on gas and would be using an oil filled radiator, george foreman grill microwave for cooking (and bbq when nice) and tv for the kids on a nite.

Sorry, Lee, I wasn't suggesting you were - but reading it back it does look like I was!

My missus wasn't keen on gas when we were camping, so I got a petrol stove - she wouldn't go near it! You can't win can you!

 

[lee_374471194]

Sorry, Lee, I wasn't suggesting you were - but reading it back it does look like I was!

My missus wasn't keen on gas when we were camping, so I got a petrol stove - she wouldn't go near it! You can't win can you!

No worries.

Keep a woman happy nee chance ha ha if you can write a book i'll buy it first!!

 

[forestgump]

good idea lee buT IF YOU HAD A ELETRIC FAULT on your first day of holiday dose this mean you may come home

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Lee,

I am sure that you have your reasons for not wanting to use gas, and I guess it is some fear, But let me assure you that provide the appliances have been properly installed and serviced, then the dangers from LPG are really very very small.

If you were to have the gas appliances removed, it will devalue the caravan quite a lot, and you do loose some of the versatility of a caravan.

I am also mindful that as this is your first caravan, it is likely to be an older model, and the levels of wall and roof insulation are likely to be poorer than more recent models. You my well find that the limited heat output from an oil filled radiator is insufficient to keep the caravan nice and toasty.

 

[Mel]

As far as I understood it, the all electric eldis had to automatically switch off certain appliances if you switched others on to stop the hook up tripping; and that was on British leccy! If you go to France for example you are looking at 6amps or even less. You won't be running your george foreman and your kettle and the fridge at the same time on that. Gas is safe provided its properly installed, maintained and used. Dunno the statistics (bet someone on here does) but your chances are much higher of a wheel falling off than blowing yourself up!

mel

 

[RonD]

Hello Lee,

I always use hook-ups and don't use much gas although we still use the cooker and oven...but...this summer I arrived at a site, plugged in as usual and found the fridge wasn't cooling. I did a few basic checks and realised the 230v element was u/s. But, I simply switched the fridge over to gas and carried on as usual. I had the fridge repaired on my return home. So, it would have been no gas, no holiday!

Ron

 

[lee_374471194]

Thanks for all the infor everyone some things i had not thought of so got the caravan booked in for a full service so least i know the gas is ok, shame i've just had a prod about and found damp oh well wait till after the service then spend the winter sorting the interior out and let the missus tell me what she wants ha ha

 

[kenneth_374315528]

If your wife is frightened of being gassed then I would suggest the simplest answer to your problem was DON'T put a gas cylinder in your van. All your appliances will still work on leccy except your cooker.

Ken

 

[forestgump]

just dont take missus away with you lol

 

[lee_374471194]

Dean thats the best solution to all lifes problems lol Kenneth its not the gas cylinder that she's frighted of being gassed by so thats me being banished to the awning lol