Running on the battery

[LMH]

I know this subject has been covered before but I've just realised that I have booked a site with no hookup.

I have an inverter (which I haven't used but a friend of mine borrowed it and he said it's fine for using with a tv). The only electrical item I will be running through the inverter is my tv which is 59W.

I can put the fridge on gas and the shower and water heater (never tried that before, always used electric).

Here's the question - how long do you reckon the battery will last? Ooops, another question, will the status ariel booster run off the battery?

Lisa

 

[JeremyClarksson]

The status booster works from the battery anyway - so fine.

Your TV will draw approximately 5A+ (depending on inverter) and there are also water pump and lights - try to use flourescent lamps not downlighters,LEDs are even better.

Make sure all your fans are off and do not try to run any heat appliances via the inverter as they will flatten the battery in no time.

If you only used the TV for 3 hrs max per night I would expect to get at least 2-3 nights out of an 85AH and 4 nights out of a 110AH without running the battery right out.

If you have to use the van for showers expect less than this.

Maplins were doing a 13W solar panel for

 

[LMH]

Hi Garry

Thanks for your reply.

I was only going to use the inverter for the tv. 2-3 Nights battery life (85amp) might be a problem. Yes, we would be running the shower too. Will that run on the battery or gas?

I used to have a solar panel which trickle charged the leisure battery for my electric fencing, different to a caravan I appreciate but I can't see how a solar panel would adequately charge up a battery for use in a caravan.

I think I might look elsewhere for another campsite!

Lisa

 

[MikeP]

Shower water heats up on gas, but the pump runs on 12V.

Why not try a weekend without the TV? There are lots of other ways to spend an evening ..........

.......... scrabble, monopoly, cluedo, Yahtzee, chess, draughts etc

 

[JeremyClarksson]

The shower pump runs off the battery and the hot water runs off the gas. If you turn the water off while you are soaping up and only run the water to get wet and rinse off you will save quite a bit.

A solar panel of 13-20W will not keep the battery charged in normal use but does extend its range over a few days - a 13W panel will give appx 6-15AH back to the battery every day.

If the site you have booked has battery charging facilities - give it a go - you are missing out on a lot if you avoid non hookup sites. We have been to some wonderful places where there is no hookup.

If you do go flat you can always hookup the car and run the engine for a little while to put a bit extra back in

OR

Take a battery charger and charge the battery using the inverter on your trips out in the car (another good reason to carry a spare).

 

[LMH]

Thanks for the replies.

The site I had booked didn't have battery charging facilities So I'm so sorry to waste your time but I've found another cl on a farm with facilities and 16amp hookup for

 

[MikeP]

To respond to Garry's suggestion of running the engine to give a bit of charge to a flat battery ...

Whilst alternators are better than dynamos at charging at lower engine speeds, you'd have to run the car for a long time to see any benefit - in this sense a car is little more than a 12V generator with a 2 litre (or whatever) engine. But if you're out on a day trip and have a safe (ventilated) place to store a caravan battery, then a few hours' motoring will certainly make a difference.

Another point is that some voltage sensors are triggered at about 1,200rpm - it depends on where it is set. So it is entirely possible that the battery and fridge are NOT fed at tickover.