Whats it cost to get EHU free?

I think we can all agree that Solar Panels, LED lighting, USB charging and of course Safefill have made a real difference to us. By us, I mean everyone. These things have given all of us a real choice, whether we want it or not, where before, if you were to go off grid, you were reliant on keeping your battery/s charged by what ever method you chose and that could be taking it for recharging by the site, plugging up to the towcar, carrying a spare in the car and running around to charge it etc. Now, with the SP, those actions can be consigned to history. Not only that, the accessories that we use in everyday life now are of little draw on batteries with again, LED lighting, phones, tablets, toothbrushes etc being charged through USB, low wattage heat pumps etc while the Safefill takes the brunt of the hard work providing heating, hot water and fridge- we owe so much to the modern technologies - they did not come easily- the LED for instance was a long and hard road and although the LED was invented in 1927 it was of no practical use. Various improvements were invented from time to time but it wasn't until as late as 1994 that Shuji Nakamura having worked tirelessly came up with the LED we know today - and it was the faith and dedication of that man who bought it about and now look where we are. A tenth of the battery power we used to use and just as bright if not a little better- well done and thank you to that pioneer! and I am, eternally grateful to Safefill for sticking to their guns and fighting hard for the last 7 years against the big boys. They must have felt like giving up at times(Safefill not the big boys 😂) but they haven't and thank goodness they didn't. There is an important meeting this week between SF and Morrisons! Watch this space!!. Since I became a full offgridder, things have got better all the time in the technology field with more efficient SPs but particularly- cheaper SPs! I believe modern techs will continue to improve to a point where even the deepest heel against non EHU will start to slip. We live in a time and with inventions that our forbears could only sit and dream about. Can you imagine talking to your dads and saying "Yes, and there this panel that we can put on the caravan roof or fold out to face the sun and it makes electricity completely silently and all it needs is light! " "Oh and there is a fitting instead of a lightbulb that takes a tenth of the power to light the van" Can you imagine what they would say? I find the new techs very very exciting and the possibilities of them are staggering. Makes me wonder what the next generation will have?? Any (sensible)  suggestions?😀

my brothers new Li-ion golf battery is the same capacity as mine, is half the size, weighs about a quarter of mine but cost around three times as much....

the tech is getting there but its still early days and costs are too high for many.

Perhaps they just have the skills to make a cup of coffee exactly how they like it for a fraction of the cost? 

I must of forgotten to mention got a stove stop expresso pot as well as the cafetière.  Got a jar of Nescafé as well for the full fake coffee effect as well.  But if you need believe that the best coffee comes in a mass produced pod then frankly jog on. 

Meanwhile away from smelling the coffee.  After 8 days off grid @£7 per night.  Now pay £14 per night and get the use of the microwave.  We didn't empty the safefill so estiminated cost approximately £1 per day For gas   

Go to the Welsh national rally in a couple of days another 5 nights non ehu. 

The heat generated is probably easier to deal with in a smaller amp/hour package than a larger amp/hour one suited to caravans I suspect

Thanks DD. That is an extremely useful bit of info. You are spot on when you say the temptation of DIY is always there. When it comes to electrical work as was the case with the inverter, SP and extra battery, I would much rather pay someone who really knows what they are doing and, more importantly, understands the pitfalls. after all, I don't want to see my van in flames on a site! I am looking at Li Ion batteries as a source of storing the SPs power. Having said that, here on site in the Lakes, it has been overcast for most of the time and still we have had all the power we want and need. We have watched the box for 3 or so hours on some evenings with no indication of low battery power from the monitor. Thanks for your sage advice.

Brilliant tread with lots of information. Makes you think about other options. I went to THS sites 'up North' 4-5 year ago and non EHU CLs with a 80 watt panel and managed for weeks without electricity and watched some telly as well. My current caravan and the need to charge all sorts of gadgeds may need an additional battery.

AD thanks for starting this tread and Merve and others thank you for sharing your knowledge.

CT at its best. 👍

The problem will arise when electricity cost will vary a lot by the hour. Smart meters will charge the site operator a variety of different rates according to the time of day. Site costs and therefore charges will go through the roof if we all carry on the same as now.

The problem being of course that while members go to club sites in their thousands without even thinking of what they are being charged and what percentage of that is power, do the club really have an incentive to change to smart metering. When the letters and emails start to pile up on Nicks desk regarding charges for power, maybe they will move then- who knows?