Using gas overnight
To stop a thread being totally hijacked.
Q Do it use the heater on gas overnight.?
A Yes I do. We have Alde heating it has a lower overnight setting and is timed to come on at arround 7am to warm up the Caravan. With the exception of cooker / oven every gas appliance should be room sealed. If you are not confident that this is the case, then you really should get your appliances checked and serviced. Even if you intend to switch everything off overnight. You could imagine dosing off after a bottle of wine and rubbish on the TV. Get it checked. Actually we had the van serviced in January and the technician said do you use the appliances on gas a lot? I thought this is going to cost me and said yes. He said, thought so appliance that are used often on gas tend to burn a lot cleaner.
Oh yes I also drink from the Caravan water supply as well. But that’s another story 
Comments
-
Who are you talking to, Boff? Is there a question I can’t see or are you imparting general advice?
In theory, the gas system should be completely safe to use overnight but many of us prefer not to and choose electricity instead. As ever, it’s a matter of personal choice.
0 -
We caravan all year round and don't use any form of heating overnight after we go to bed, regrdless of the time of year, until I switch the alde water heater on about 7:00, unless it's been below freezing during the night and I might then switch the heating on electrics about 6:30.
0 -
Fair comment. This thread was in danger of disappearing down a rabbit hole. https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-together/discussions/sites-touring/certificated-locations/advice-to-a-prospective-cl-owner/
0 -
I see……
It made your OP here seem quite disjointed.
0 -
Only put or turn the gas bottle on to cook with. Goes off more or less straight after.
Yes I do have my van serviced each year which is why I do that.
Wish people wouldn't tell other what to do or how to camp
1 -
well you!
If you are not confident that this is the case, then you really should get your appliances checked and serviced. Even if you intend to switch everything off overnight. .... Get it checked.
As others have noted you seem to be giving advice and saying we should use gas, that is how it reads, otherwise why start the thread?
It's a personal choice remember.
1 -
My fault - thank you Boff for doing what I should have done. Can I get off the naughty step now please? We’ve got the Truma convector heater with the blown air system. We do get the van regularly serviced so no worries there. Mr VB isn’t worried it’s just me. I do admire all these hardy souls that don’t have heating on during winter nights. Depending on the temperature a nice thick duvet is often enough. Although the van is well insulated some nights can be very cold and a dribble of heat is very welcome.
We also drink from the caravan water supply 😱
0 -
us, too....
if away from EHU and its blooming cold, why wouldn't you use gas heating if required?
in continental markets, Truma heaters don't (generally)have the extra electric heating bars we can specify in the UK as the 'E' versions....2E, 4E, 6E so, even on a site with EHU, all heating and hot water is provided with gas with these models...
so, I guess they use gas overnight when required, too.
i know someone in the uk who has deliberately not taken up the electric option on his Truma 6 as Hymer wanted nearly £600 for the upgrade and he reckoned he could by an awful lot of pumped gas for that money and have a unit that gave a more powerful efficient service.
0 -
As we rarely use an EHU we use gas when we need heating. Why would one not, we do the same at home, the gas central heating comes on night or day as required? All controlled by thermostats and timers and no doubt built in flame failure and over heating protection systems.
Is there something substandard in respect to safety in the kit used in vans?
Like home, we have CO alarms in the van, two in each.
1 -
We have better insulation in our MH than in any cvan we owned, JV. No need to start the old rubbish again.
1 -
It that perception a result of the fact the generally more MH's than caravans operate year round?
0 -
If that was a deliberate bait then you have just admitted to acting as a troll.
Why do you persist in these snide comments unless it is to deliberately inflame a situation? Now, do us all a favour and give the childishness a rest.
4 -
We do use the heater at night although usually on electricity and at a low setting. Other than the hob and grill all other gas appliances are sealed so should not be a problem and the hob and grill are no used at night and the thermal cut out means even if they are to be knocked there would be no problem.
The caravan is serviced every year which hopefully should pick up any problems, but you are out there to enjoy yourselves so accept the risk is minimal and get on with your break.
1 -
the fact? where did you get that 'fact' from?
From what I can see overall there is no clear winner?
1 -
No I dont, but in winter i have a small electric convector heater which i leave on low, to take the chill out of the air.
If not on ehu then on gas, i would have the Truma thermostat on low.
Surely not many Caravans have fresh water tanks ? To drink from.
I also wouldnt buy a Truma Heater or an Alde or Whale that DIDNT have an Electric use facility, and expect it to be standard not a £600 extra (stupidly expensive).
0 -
Anecdotal observation, dear chap.
0 -
Ah I see, your observations are facts? I understand now
1 -
Many thanks for all your comments. I shall certainly feel more confident about using the gas heater overnight when necessary!
0 -
Not the case on the any of the sites that we've been on this winter, CY. By far the larger proportion of LVs have been caravans, and we've been on 11 different sites so far in 2019.
4
