touring on C.L.s or on Rallies

[Steve_5090070]

Hi,

We have just finished our first season as a caravaner. We have stuck to the main sites with hook ups etc. We are interested at going on a few rallies or on C.L.s next year but are not sure if any extra equipment is req. We dont know what to run of battery or how long they last etc. Do we need a generator or can I survive a week without one?

cheers Steve

 

[MikeP]

You won't be popular if you have a generator. They're about as popular as smoking in a small and intimate restaurant. Even the claimed "ultra quiet" models get really annoying after a few minutes. They are incredibly inefficient in creating electricity. Also, some sensitive electrical equipment could be damaged by the "dirty" supply from a generator.

We can survive about 12 days on our battery (which is 9 years old!) But we don't have a TV etc. If you use strip lights rather than spots, you will save loads of power.

Use search and see if you can find previous posts about generators and practical solutions.

 

[Steve_5090070]

You won't be popular if you have a generator. They're about as popular as smoking in a small and intimate restaurant. Even the claimed "ultra quiet" models get really annoying after a few minutes. They are incredibly inefficient in creating electricity. Also, some sensitive electrical equipment could be damaged by the "dirty" supply from a generator.

We can survive about 12 days on our battery (which is 9 years old!) But we don't have a TV etc. If you use strip lights rather than spots, you will save loads of power.

Use search and see if you can find previous posts about generators and practical solutions.

thanks for your reply mike. i will have a look back

cheers steve

 

[RogerL]

About 40% of CL's have hook-ups and are listed in the CC Sites Directory.

 

[NorfolkMike]

Hi Mike.

A good and timly reminder of what this passion of ours is all about.

ttfn

 

[DavidW1]

Steve,

CLs are great if you don't like crowds and want to explore out of the way places, Cls without hook up are usually even better in this respect we have found - Rallies are just the opposite in people terms - lots!

We too have made the battery last a week but we do use a simple cheap solar panel to give it some respite.

I have to admit though, that a choice of CL with hook up is mostly the norm as we do like our sat TV which is 230v.

 

[David.O]

Steve

Cls are much like alot of commercial sites, without to many frills, re battery, if you are on a CL with mains electricity you do not have to use it, we find on our CL about 1% of our visitors mostly with motor homes do not want to plug in to the supply. As for any additional equipment you should have it all on board. But take my advise bring a bottle carrier saves to many visits to the disposal point . It always amazes me just how many empty bottles we have to tale to the local bottle bank. it is either they are haveing a good time or want to forget where thety are. I hope its the former.

David from Suffolk

 

[hymerman1]

Steve

May I firstly say how pleasing to hear that you are looking to expand your caravanning experience.

With regard how to cope with the power requirement is a bit like "how long a bit of string".

I would suggest that you try weekending at first either rally /meets or CL/CS's, this will give you a clue how to the use of your battery power. Then extend to a week etc.

It is my suggestion that you consider Solar Power augmented by back from the car battery (this has to be with caution)

Personally I also have a genny, as I like to be away for long periods, as has been stated they are not ideal but used with common sense provide the only sure way of charging the battery.

 

[JeremyClarksson]

We always take 2 batteries and if there are no charging facilities we take a generator and a small battery charger.

If you then have to run the genny you can put some charge into both batteries at the same time.

As we only use it for running the chargers and not 240v electronic equipment we have never had any problem with dirty supplies.

I would also advise switching the water heater on whilst the genny is running, it seems to give a better loading for the genny as well as saving gas.

If like us your TV etc are 12V they should not be affected by running the genny as the battery and its charging circuit acts as a big smoother circuit.

Keep running the generator to a minimum and preferably when your neighbours are out and about - this year we had someone next to us who ran the generator for 30 mins on a teatime to microwave his jacket potatoes, I know this because he said that when he asked me.

I was so shocked I said yes!

I prefer mine from the oven or BBQ myself.

 

[Steve_5090070]

Thanks very much for all your advice, I will be taking the family away on a few C.L.s next season. I may try leaving the kids with their grandparents, just to give us the chance to sort out any issues we may come across.( as well as abit of peace & quiet)

Thanks again Steve

 

[RogerL]

Steve - in order to experiment without a hookup, just book onto site WITH hookups but don't connect it. You can then see just how long your battery lasts, given your own use of lights TV, etc. All with the reassurance that you can just plug in when the battery runs low.

Armed with this knowledge you can then start planning trips to CLs without electrics, which often have the best scenery.

 

[JeremyClarksson]

Three other points, the first has been mentioned on other threads.

You will get much more out of a battery by charging it with a stand alone charger to 14.8V rather than an onboard charger which is limited to less than 14V - it does make a big difference.

Another plus for running 2 batteries.

Something that is quite expensive at the moment but will be a bonus when the prices come down are direct LED bulb replacements, they use a lot less power than flourescent fittings and around 10-20% of what a normal incandescent bulb uses.

On LED lighting, one of those headlamp LED lights that you see cyclists wearing is an absolute boon when setting up the van, scrambling in the front locker or the emergency toilet empty in the night as they leave both hands free and last for ages on a set of batteries. Mine is quoted as lasting up to 120 hours on 3 AAA batteries.

They also make a good reading light when hung over the mains lighting.

They can be picked up for less than

 

[Steve_5090070]

Steve - in order to experiment without a hookup, just book onto site WITH hookups but don't connect it. You can then see just how long your battery lasts, given your own use of lights TV, etc. All with the reassurance that you can just plug in when the battery runs low.

Armed with this knowledge you can then start planning trips to CLs without electrics, which often have the best scenery.

Roger,

Thanks for a simple but brilliant suggestion.

Steve