How long without hook up?

[rudski01]

Hi all

Wev'e just booked for a cl site and have never been without electric hook up before ,we have a conquerer 645 2009. Provided we are sensible about how much power we use ie fridge and microwave(we dont have a tv)how long would we be able to use the leisure battery without having to charge via the car? The battery is 110amps and almost brand new. Any info welcome as were hoping to use these sites alot more.

Regards

Mark

 

[trucker]

Hi Mark, your fridge will need to be on gas as it wont work on the van battery, it only works on batery if you are connected to the car and the engine is running. Yor microwave will not work either as it will only works off mains.

So what are you left with.....

lights and control panel maybe radio,toilet flush and water pump oh and fridge light. If thats it, more than your w/e

you wont have the usual things like hair dryer tongs ect kettle form mains,

We got to a site a couple of weeks ago late so had to stay in late arrivals area no electric didnt move until 9am and the battery only went from 13.9 to 13.7 with just using the lights.

Also if you use the led lights in your van it will be even better as thay use alot less energy

Hope this helps

Kevin

 

[emmerson2]

How long is a piece of string? We've had as much as a fortnight out of a 110ah battery, and never less than a week. Most site owners will re-charge a battery if you're stuck.

 

[Guest]

If you intend to use more EHU free CL's invest in a good solar panel and charge controller.

 

[nrdonnelly]

Mark,

Based on experience...

If possible, whip the battery off the van before you go and charge it off the van to ensure it is full before you need it. Leisure batteries take a surprisingly long time to charge from the car on the road.

If you are going to make a habit of being away from the hook-up, a solar panel, quiet generator or if you are feeling flush, a fuel cell will boost your available power.

Hope this helps

Nigel Donnelly

Editor

Practical Caravan

www.twitter.com/pcaravan

nigel@practicalcaravan.com

 

[Guest]

B-----n generators Nigel!

I've not found a truly quiet one yet.

They are a menace to other campers and caravanners! I swear that somebody could end up wearing one day!

 

[SuperMike1]

Generators are a pain for other people. However there are circumstances when necessary. In our case, I need a couple of hours a day to keep my wife's medical equipment working. On CL's I will find a fence post / tree / anything big to chain the genny to, as far away from other people as I can get. I carry a 150M cable with no joins. Having set it up and with it running, I can be found wandering around other people's caravans listening for the noise level and if I can still hear it then I knock on their door and explain the situation. Never had a problem people are very kind. So everyone, please always think before condemming.

 

[LadyC]

It seems that once again some people on this forum are on their soapbox regarding the use of generators.If you dont like them,stay away from cl's without EHU's.That way you wont be bother by them.Most commercial sites with EHU's dont allow genny use anyway!.Unfortunately,there are people out there that cannot afford solar panels or the extortionate pitch prices charged at commercial sites.Do you think the responsible "genny" people complain when those inconciderate people sit in their awnings till early hours laughing,talking with all the latest fad lights blazing and disturbing other peoples sleep? I think not!

We use a genny like others on this thread,to keep batt topped up for medical equipment use.2hrs in a morning and 2hrs in the evening is all thats needed.Which in my opinion is not a nuisance!So please dont be put off by these inconciderate people of investing in a genny.

 

[Guest]

One point, if you are not running off of EHU. Consider changing to LED lights tha hardly use any power.

I never realised that site choice should be based on avoidance.

Generaor noise droans across sites and is not confined to CL use. Many Cl's offer electricity and are still a lot cheaper than commercial sites.

We've had Solar panels for some time now.

One off purchase price.

No service maintenance apart from it getting washed with the caravan.

No weight penalty.

No Fuel cost.

No Lubrication cost.

No parts to wear out and replace.

No breakdowns and a longer useable life cycle.

Eco and neighbour friendly in use.

Darn sight cheaper than a Generator.

Plus no start up din.

When commenting on generator noise, why the comment on other noisy un-neighbour like behaviour. That's just as out of order as well!

CL's and Rally fields without EHU are not an exclusive domain for those who need power and minimal pitching fee. And some generator users also partake in late nights and noisy awning behaviour.

If you can guarantee that you can place a generator out of ear shot fine. Sadly it's never happened yet!

 

[paul_374239978]

B-----n generators Nigel!

I've not found a truly quiet one yet.

They are a menace to other campers and caravanners! I swear that somebody could end up wearing one day!

would it take 4 policemen to arrest you if you did ?

 

[bigbilly]

We can go a week to 10 days without EHU's on our 110amphr battery. Indefinitely with the solar panel.

I don't think that you can bypass the onboard water tank with the Swift autofill system. When not on EHU's and no solar panel we run water straight from aquaroll to save power.

Bill

 

[LadyC]

Having to use medical equipment myself,the size of solar panels required to ensure adequate input to output,especially if the extra power is needed on a regular basis, is far bigger and more expensive.Power input to solar panels is not constant enough to guarantee this as they are weather dependant

The comment was to point out that we ALL do things that annoys someone else when on sites,but we dont complain.We are all doing what we like best...caravanning!

Whilst I agree that cl/rallies are not an exclusive domain,they are the only choice for people like me on budgets.Unlike you it seems.

It is this type of site that enable the disabled like me, to enjoy what probably is their main enjoyment in life.Attitudes like your would deny them this.For you,there is a choice,either to put up with "genny noise" or stick to commercial site where gennys are not allowed.I dont have that luxury.To knowingly choose a site where they can be used,to me, gives no grounds to complain.

Where gennys are allowed,there are rules which have to be adhered to.No usage before 9am.It can only be used for 2-3hrs at anyone time(site dependant).There must be at least 3hrs in between uses and lastly no usage after 9pm!The only exception being for emergency use of medical equipment.

Yes,there are some genny users who partake in late nights in awnings but not with the genny going and all lights blazing!

 

[rudski01]

Hi

Thanks everybody I didn't realise it would start such a lively debate, but I've taken on board what everybody's said and as usual on here it's always very quick and helpful. I need to do some more investigation on the solar panels it sounds like a good idea, what is the normal set up price for all the kit? Also does it need to be installed by a specialist?

Cheers Mark

 

[SwiftGroup_374327846]

Hi Mark,

We do provide connections directly to the fusebox for a 12V solar panel, which will make the electrical installation easier.

However, fitment of the panels should be done by a competent person, as a hole must be drilled through the roof for the wiring harness (again a position is supplied in the wardrobe).

If you need any more information, feel free to drop me an e-mail on technicalsupport@swiftleisure.co.uk.

Thanks,

Ash

 

[rudski01]

Hi Ash

Thanks again for the quick response i'll be in touch

Kind regards

Mark

 

[Guest]

We have flexible solar panels that are not much thicker than a table mat, similar to -

http://www.marlec.co.uk/products/solar-panels/spectraflex32/
Of do a search for "flexible solar panels".

The type of panel is light weight and will not cause aero drag on the caravan roof.

Also our cabling comes in via a roof light and is out of sight, no need for any cable hole or bracket holes

 

[rudski01]

Hi Euro

Thanks for that info they look pretty unbreakable aswell do you need an inverter with the panels or will they plug straight into the wiring loom?

Regards

Mark

 

[Guest]

The solar panel has a charge controller to prevent over charging of the battery and feeds to 12 volt sockets. We have an inverter for 240 volt if needed.

LED lights reduce consumption and we could light up the awning like a beacon if we wanted. And modern TV that runs on 12 volt helps if you have to have one.

Note

If you use an inverter its auto cut out switches off if the battery volts drop to low (around 10V, inexpensive inverters use Modified Sinewave technology. If want or need to power larger appliances you need a more expensive True Sinewave inverter as used in yachts an marine applications. Advice from somebody who fits solar panels and power for marine use is more sound in my experience.

 

[rudski01]

Hi Euro

Cheers for that info i'm away for a week in the van tommorrow so i'll be doing some research and costings.

Regards

Mark