How to thrive on a non 240v site!
Comments
-
That's something to think about Hedgehurst! I hope you have a great caravanning life. You'll love it I'm sure - you sound as though you are from the right stock!! Do be independent. You don't need electricity created but burning fossil fuels. You can make your own, silent, clean electricity. Think outside the CC box. Folk on here have taken the path to power independence and to a man, (and woman) they are sold on it. Wye, Tirrill, Boff! Pippah etc. Take a look at Safefill as well. That is just as important to reducing costs as the mighty SP is. I said a couple of years back that I couldn't see me ever going back to the straight jacket of EHU. Now I know I never will go back to it. Our holidays since I made that decision have been better because of my newly found independence- and less stressed. The costs have been slashed and I am a happy bunny. Let me give you an example. A couple or three years ago we went on our first non EHU trip to North Devon. We went to Leddon Farm, Welcome- site 444 in the book, now, thats just up the road from Trewethett Farm. Without doubt, a beautiful site. We went at peak time so for us to stay at Trewethett would have been at today's prices £26 per night because as I said - views cost right? We had wonderful views to, not directly from the site but with a small walk we were on the coastal path. Now, 14 x 26 = £364 at Trewethett - I note in the book that at Leddon Farm, it's STILL the price I paid - £5 a night and we had everything we wanted powerwise and it was a spacious site with your next door neighbour well away from you. My bill £70. A £294 saving on fees! So what was the difference between someone staying at Trewethett and us? - A view - and not from anything like all the vans there. Can you live on a view or would you prefer to have another £294 to spend on holiday? I know what I prefer. I find my own views and my own tranquility and they are ever changing. I hope I have given you and others the encouragement to look seriously at the new technologies and get the most out of them. Thanks for your post.
0 -
That's something to think about Hedgehurst! I hope you have a great caravanning life. You'll love it I'm sure - you sound as though you are from the right stock!! Do be independent. You don't need electricity created but burning fossil fuels. You can make your own, silent, clean electricity. Think outside the CC box. Folk on here have taken the path to power independence and to a man, (and woman) they are sold on it. Wye, Tirrill, Boff! Pippah etc. Take a look at Safefill as well. That is just as important to reducing costs as the mighty SP is. I said a couple of years back that I couldn't see me ever going back to the straight jacket of EHU. Now I know I never will go back to it. Our holidays since I made that decision have been better because of my newly found independence- and less stressed. The costs have been slashed and I am a happy bunny. Let me give you an example. A couple or three years ago we went on our first non EHU trip to North Devon. We went to Leddon Farm, Welcome- site 444 in the book, now, thats just up the road from Trewethett Farm. Without doubt, a beautiful site. We went at peak time so for us to stay at Trewethett would have been at today's prices £26 per night because as I said - views cost right? We had wonderful views to, not directly from the site but with a small walk we were on the coastal path. Now, 14 x 26 = £364 at Trewethett - I note in the book that at Leddon Farm, it's STILL the price I paid - £5 a night and we had everything we wanted powerwise and it was a spacious site with your next door neighbour well away from you. My bill £70. A £294 saving on fees! So what was the difference between someone staying at Trewethett and us? - A view - and not from anything like all the vans there. Can you live on a view or would you prefer to have another £294 to spend on holiday? I know what I prefer. I find my own views and my own tranquility and they are ever changing. I hope I have given you and others the encouragement to look seriously at the new technologies and get the most out of them. Thanks for your post.
0 -
Thanks for your comments Trellis. Yes, I am passionate about my non EHU caravanning. - no doubt to the annoyance of certain members and the CC!! - I don't think they need to be worried though - well, not at the moment!! Stalk away. If anyone is going to the show, I will be there on Tuesday and the Friday I think. If you want to meet up, let me know.
0 -
Merve, thanks too for the Safefill idea - that's one I'm inclined to look at even before the SP. I am seriously not electrically tech minded, though we do have 16 panels on our house roof, for environmental reasons first & long term economics second, and love being able to run household machines off them when there's enough light, which is surprisingly often.
I'll have to re-read your posts on how to work out what best we need once we've had time to see what needs we have in the 'van, then work out how much is within my capability.
Our van is fairly low-tech, no heater, no shower - though does have a water heater - no intention of TV, no microwave, so that will hopefully help.
Meanwhile Safefill looks easier even for a complete beginner! Do you find it's available from forecourts all over the UK?When it comes to SP I'm also thinking that fastening panels to a pop-top roof might not be so practical, but hopefully portable one(s), padlocked on, would still be sufficiently useful.
One more question for now - places like the Centre for Alternative Technology at Machynllyth were touting stick-on solar panels for buildings a few years ago, I wonder if they're yet practical for caravans?1 -
Hi Richard. Some do use stick on panels as they are much lighter but they do not produce as well as the rigid type. The portable are fine and many use them. - One thing I must repeat here and this is very important. If you go down the road I am down with a fixed panel on the roof, please, please please make sure that it is done correctly. - you don't want to end up with a damp roof because of water ingress. That can either be by yourself or in my case by a caravan engineer. I had Panelworks at Bawtree, South Yorks do mine and they did a perfect job using the correct adhesives and cements for the job. Only one hole is drilled and is sealed with an epoxy resin that dries rock hard before fitting the waterproof gland for the wire to pass through. The feet are stuck on and mine has been solid for 3 years with not a bit of a problem.
It sounds as though you should have no problems at all running your van on SP as I run far more than you will. We have phones, electric toothbrush- which I have just changed to a USB chargeable model, Heating (when needed) electric pump for taps and toilet etc, lights (LED) television now and again although the garbage on it- I don't know why we bother! Microwave, toaster, blender, vacuum. That's about it I think.
As regards Safefill, I have to say that at the moment, it's not as easily available as we would all like. There are various reasons for this but I am sure that things will change in the near future as Neil and John at Safefill are working very hard to make Safefill the go to cylinder. However, In the 3 years I have owned one I have not had a problem in getting gas. The Safefill website will show you where Safefill is welcomed. I can only tell you of my experiences. I went to a fillingl station just outside St Davids in Wales two years ago to get gas. As soon as the guy saw the Safefill cylinder he broke into a cold sweat and gave me every excuse in the book as to why he couldn't fill it from 'not being insured' to 'not having the correct licence ' and other BS! Me being me, I asked him straight out- you won't fill it because Calor has told you not to haven't they? He was very sheepish and if the earth could have swallowed him I think he would have chosen it! Calor and Flo are the big two and they make enormous amounts of cash hiring out cylinders that have been hired out 500 times before- Safefill is a real threat to that revenue stream and they are fighting it I'm sure. That's why I encourage all and sundry to buy a Safefill cylinder- they can't ignore all of us wanting gas! Many of the outlets are independent and need to sell gas- we are one such market! Anyway, to finish the story, we were going out the nextt day and took the nearly empty cylinder with us. We were going to Tenby for the day and I called in at a garage that was selling 'gas4wales' - absolutely no problem- they wanted to sell gas- they weren't worried how they sold it or who they sold it to. They weren't into selling 'gas4wales' cylinders either- That is rather revealing don't you think- in fact, I think if the girl at the cash desk could have helped anymore she would have. Anyway, find out where you can fill or fill before you go. Before now, and Oscid will smack my wrist if he sees this but, I have strapped my cylinder into the back seat and pulled up to the pump, opened the rear door window and filled ithrough the window- as far as the cashier is concerned, I am filling the car wink wink. There is more than one way to skin a cat!! Calor cylinder - £24 - Safefill for the same amount £6 approx. No brainer?
I am not electrically minded either but it's amazing how you learn if you have to! I got a friend of a friend to do the installation of the inverter- a great job. And money well spent!
1 -
Hi Merve
As a follower I am pleased you have started your thread again “How to survive a non 240v EHU site” I hope The CC find the original content.
I run A CL in Oxfordshire which is non EHU and am keen to get members to see how SPs etc can give them more freedom!. Last year I built a stand alone solar unit that visitors could try out. I have a page on our website “How to survive without a 240v ehu” I did have a link to your old post/thread here along with an article by John Therat - Alternative Energy, who kindly agreed I could feature it.
I was wondering if you would consent to me adding your ACCEO article with a credit on the same page?
Keep up the great work
John2 -
Hi John, Absolutely you can. What a great idea regarding the stand alone SP unit- has anyone been converted? It's amazing how many folk haven't thought about it and when they come across it as they have with me, they take note- particularly when they find out how much money can be shaved off Caravan costs. - an idea - you could ring Safefill and ask Neil or John for some handouts explaining the Safefill cylinder and how safe it is. There are still many caravanners and motorhomers who don't know about them or even their existence. I will visit your website and have a look. Thanks for the contact. The very best for the future.
Just to put folk right on a point. It was not me who started the original thread- I can't remember who it was but it was a master stroke. I took to this thread like a duck to water We need a thread like this for the folk who think outside the box!
0 -
Merve thanks for that.
The stand alone unit has had a little use at end of last year after I built it, had tooth brushes and phones/laptops charging on is top. It got people looking at it and asking questions which is all I can ask. The main thing was to try to get people to see you could say longer that 1-2 days! without EHU.
The first couple to try it loved the idea but already had a fold out SP. He did in fact take some photos and sent them into the Club magazine with a short description “No hook-up, No problem!” etc
Will look into adding something about Safefil as well to the web page
Thanks John0 -
A point I would make with regards Safefill is a bit of initial research is needed to ascertain if recharging it is going to be viable near home.
Here in Hampshire there are real challenges, with locally no normal fuel station forecourts allowing it, though several miles away a truck centre does. For me over half a gallon of diesel round trip away, so another cost.
Great concept but there are issues with refilling and IMO not one getting better, I suspect more difficult.
0 -
Safefill, like everything else, is a choice. Many factors play a part in that choice. If those factors don't add up, then Safefill is not for you. However, many thousands of Safefill cylinders are circulating in this country and abroad so I assume that people made an informed purchasing decision and are happy with them. I know they are happy with them- thrilled with them! As for as not having a refill facility near to you, that would be one of the factors that you have to take into account. However, it is exactly the same scenario as if you hadn't got, let's say a Waitrose store nearby. You would have to travel to where there was a Waitrose if that is what you wanted.
Safefill is no different. Certainly, Safefill is not getting more difficult to fill. More garages are coming on board and will continue to do so. "Why is it taking Safefill so long to become established?" You may ask.? The answer is simple. For 50 or for how ever many years, the system worked in this country by two or three large companies has been for us to hire heavy steel cylinders which are filled by them and for which they determine the price. It doesn't take an Einstein to work out that the change that Safefill has brought to the LPG market is nothing short of MASSIVE! It's going to take some time for the industry to accept it but accept they will have to. I have said before and I'll say again, there will come a tipping point and I don't think that is too far away, where more garage groups will come on board and welcome Safefill, and areas like Hampshire and the like, who are, we are told, bereft of filling facilities will start to see the benefits. Had Safefill and the like not come along we still would be straight jacketed into a 'monopoly'. Safefill gives all of us a choice. I now have money in my pocket that would not have been there had it not been for Safefill - THANK YOU SAFEFILL!!
Yes, it's not always easy to fill Safefill cylinders in an area, that's why I plan and if I can't fill in the area or en route I go with full cylinders but to be honest, I've never really had a problem in getting gas.
Personally, I would have bought a Safefill cylinder no matter what. Why? - because it takes the power that Calor had and returns it to me- the little guy!
0 -
Owning and using a Safefill is really not difficult.
Simply carry a Safefill and an empty Calor/Camping gas cylinder then if you really cannot find any where to fill up the Safefill (come on chaps and chappesses, use a bit of nous and/or a bit of charm and you can fill them anywhere that sells autogas) then you can swap out the empty Calor/Camping for a full one if all else fails as per pre Safefill standard practice.
Never had to do this yet, not even overseas.
1 -
No he didn't - he came back from lunch break absolutely stinking of gas - so I asked - his side kick was still white with the terrors!
Merve I sent you a query via email - did you get it - I know you don't check that one all that often.
0 -
I've just upgraded my batteries with 200Ah of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePo4) which are charged by my 400 watts of roof solar, the engine alternator via a charge controller or a 240Volt charger when on EHU.
They're a 3rd of the weight of the two lead acid batteries they replaced and besides being over 3 times the cost they have extremely long lifespans and higher useful capacity (around 170 useful Ah as opposed to the 90 or so from my previous "200 Ah" lead acid battery bank).
I do a lot of camping without EHU so it's worth the investment for me. I tend to be the go-to guy for internet access with the people I go camping with and so running a router etc. 24 hours a day takes a little bit of power. My van is all 12volt including the compressor fridge, laptop, phone charger etc. I don't have an inverter.
I have a microwave and 500 watt fan heater for when I'm on EHU, but I don't use them when not connected to mains. I suppose I could if I got an inverter, but I can get away with my single ring gas stove for the stuff I eat hot.
2 -
ATV- I intend to upgrade at the show to lithium ion batteries and I am looking at either adding solar or going to a 200w panel. I am aware that Lith ion batteries hold much more charge than the lead acid batteries- the old technology! Your compressor fridge interests me as it's a field I have been researching. What does it take in watts? So glad you you have posted- here's a guy who is running a router 24/7, running a fridge and other bits and pieces. With what you have ATV, an inverter would be so useful- you'd never have to hook up- 400watts- that's a lot of watts- is that 2x 200w panels? Not sure I would want to have just one gas ring!! Good on ya!!
1 -
Hi Merve. The lithium batteries certainly do make a difference. I'm sure in a caravan they'd be even more useful by saving weight.
My compressor fridge is a Waeco CR50, and it pulls about 40 Watts when the compressor is running. Depending on the ambient air temperature and how I've set the thermostat the cycle is around 15 to 20 minutes out of the hour. When the compressor isn't running it's using a minimal amount of power just for the electronics and an LED.
Thats around 25 to 30Ah a day as the cycle is greatly reduced at night when it's cooler.
My solar setup is 4 x 100 Watt panels on the roof rack of my campervan. I'm currently re-working the mounts as they were permanently flat against the roof which doesn't help the efficiency.
When it comes to food I tend to eat cereal, sandwiches, sweets and things that only require boiling water so I get away with the one gas ring, I'm still on the same gas bottle I got 5 years ago
Having a carvery near to a campsite means I'll probably eat there instead.
As for running an inverter for my microwave, I really don't want to draw that much power from these batteries as they're only rated for 40Amp continuous draw (so 80Amp for the two batteries together) and a microwave on the inverter would be around 100Amps.
0 -
Lithium Ion!
The batteries would be worth more than the van.1 -
Very nearly, although as I've put over £16,000 of diesel in my van since I bought it then it's not that much at all
They're really an investment for me, mainly due to the weight.
These lithium batteries fit my use case a lot better, have the useable capacity of at least 4 AGM batteries, weigh less (fuel saving as I use my campervan for my daily commute). Oh, and 2000 cycles to 80% rated capacity, whereas my AGM batteries probably only lasted for 1000 cycles before being completely unusable.
0 -
Well that's a start but I am guessing you eat the food you cook in it? I have worked with a Molecular Biologist and he was more eloquent on the subject than I could ever be - suffice it to say I prefer the molecules in my food to be cooked they way they have been cooked for thousands of years. You may think it's old fashioned but it takes a few years for our bodies to evolve to accept different things - give it another hundred or so and I may join the microwave lovers!
0 -
I only heat food in the MW, not cook it, and my OH has not noticed me glowing in the dark yet! LOL I steam my veg etc as its not only cheaper on gas (SAFEFILL) as you are only using one ring but it also stops the veg being contaminated by the water you use. They are cooked in steam or to put it another way - steam is as clean as distilled water. My water distiller arrived today from Amazon (ViaFosa). Now that IS something I'm going to miss whilst away totally clean water- unless I'm on EHU..........yeah, right!
0 -
Well, according to my electrician/electronics engineer, although good, Li ion is still being perfected!! Apparently, lead acid are far more robust for the large draws required and the last 3 years has proved that to me at least. Buying Li Ion batteries can be quite confusing as their are different grades apparently. I'll hold back on those for a bit and see what happens. Had a really good chat to him about USBs and chargers etc - its more complicated than you think!
0
