Smart Metering Trial
Comments
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Will the expansion of charging for electricity usage, not lead to the use of more diesel generators being used on sites?
There will no doubt be complaints about the noise these things make, but is there any “rule” which prohibits their use?
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An interesting point is using a generator cheaper than metered electric?
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I doubt it. In fact it’s probably dearer. The one we had some years ago (not for camping) used to get through about a gallon of petrol an hour.
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Things have moved on quite a lot....about 5 times better on fuel than your unit...
Honda EU22i about £1200 in the uk and a 2.2 kw output...popular on THS meets and rallies, where the usual 'consideration' is expected.
ENGINE
Product Code EU22ITU4
Generator Type Mulitpole field rotation type (inverter)
Engine Commercial Grade GX120R
Displacement 121cc
Ignition System Transistor
Oil Alert Yes
Starting System Recoil
Stopping System Ignition primary circuit ground
Fuel Unleaded
Fuel usage 1.14 litres/hr approx.
Fuel Tank Capacity 3.6 litres
Continuous Operating Hours 8.1 hours - with eco-throttle switched on at 1/4 output
Auto Choke No0 -
I’m sure things have moved on and it would be amazing if they hadn't. It's still dearer than metered lekky at 42/44p (if I recall correctly) per kWh where one hour drawing 2kw would cost 84/88p as opposed to around £1.50 for just over a litre of petrol in the gennie. 🤷🏻♂️
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I agree about solar. It’s quiet too 👍🏻
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I’d go one further Tinny-it is silent👍🏻. The new gen panels perform well in overcast conditions & even produce watt power in heavy cloud👍🏻.
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Wonderful! Who needs a gennie🤷🏻♂️
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The only issue is-those contour panels(thin & flat) are not up to the task demanded of them. The framed ones with cooling space under them are the best, biggest(wattage) anyone can fit in the space.
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Thanks for the heads up 👍🏻
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I'm camping 'off grid' currently and solar is definitely an easy way to be independent.
However, the desirability of some users to retain the use of mains powered hairdryers, kettles, microwaves or other short burst high powered items will require more electronic kit and complexity/cost.
those wishing to use mains devices like these without a generator will need a large inverter and some decent batteries to back it up....lithium is the current 'big thing' but these batteries aren't cheap and charging them (from solar or other sources) requires a proper regime....
kitting out one's van to operate off grid won't be just for avoiding the the clubs metering process, most who go this route will be using other non EHU sites or locations for longer stays (THS sites) and the choice to 'just plug in' to a metered supply won't be there....
so, this investment will be for all locations and this is why some will use a generator over the other more complex kit required to make one truly independent for several weeks...
I spent 10 weeks or so recently in Spain without turning on the battery charger, relying on solar for our power, worked well...
one observation which slightly surprised me, compared to our current location, is that in Spain despite the very hot daytime sun, due to the low sun height in winter mornings the batteries didn't get up to fully charged each day until around 10 or 10:30, here in the SW in June with a much higher sun, batteries are back to full (after a bit of tv last night) by 8:00...
a single simple solar panel of, say 120+ watts will easily recover the previous evenings usage of tv, lights, water pump etc....
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Yes, we too are familiar with the simple hook up options/systems we use for many weeks a year...even here now, I have a bollard on my pitch which includes water, waste and EHU....but as I booked 'non EHU' I'm being trusted not to connect up...as there are only three vans on site it either won't make any difference or it will stand out like a sore thumb, lol....
our overwintering site has meters, the main system in the office is linked but one is always presented with the physical bollard reading too.....just for security.
when you leave, you call into the office the night before, pay up and, effectively get the next day 'for free' prior to departure...
i realise this won't work at CAMC but the one the club is introducing seems a bit cumbersome...
much in the news lately about how some folk who don't have phones or don't like online payments being 'excluded' from modern car parks and the like which don't take cash etc...
I wonder how the club's demographic will cope with pre loading funds to an app and using Sagepay to a third party...
yes, it's the modern world but many still don't feel confident in this area..
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BB, I think you sell your fellow travellers short. WiFi comms have been with us whilst the current generations were younger thus growing up knowing how these things work. Being excluded from online payments & cashless systems I think is by choice not by concern or fear. Twas ever thus👍🏻
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You’re going over old ground here, BB, and talk as if it’s a done deal set in stone. Maybe you have forgotten that this is a trial at 2 sites. Being a trial, it will show up weaknesses and drawbacks and any other issues as well as positive points. That is the point of a trial. 👍
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Oh, there are plenty out there who have apprehension and, even, fear of electronic transactions...
however, I'll check out the feedback from the trial...and then from the roll out, should it ever happen and see how well things develop.
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That’s the best way. Wait and see.
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Morning
Re your second paragraph. I think you should replace "the desirability of some users" with "the overall majority of users".
JK
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We have a lithium battery and 120 w solar so are quite happy off grid. Probably not enough for winter, but we don’t camp in winter. I am not sure why there is a need for generators at all. Why not use power banks? Then you have you mains sockets if needed. If we find that we need to use the Remoska or a hair dryer then that is the route we would take. It can be charged at home before leaving, or from the 12v dashboard socket in car or van while on the move.
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If we invest in a new caravan, possible if DD and family want to make it a shared van, then we would certainly fit a good solar panel, a decent battery, and a refillable gas system. We do have a generator, used when we were building our house, but we would never think to inflict that on fellow holidaymakers, surprised they are allowed on Club sites at all.
As to using tech and payments on line, we are slightly put off by this car park stuff.....too many different apps needed it seems.....but well into internet banking etc. We do however know quite a few people, much younger than us, who would never use internet banking, so all this is not just an age thing.
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When picking up our caravan from its last service every single new caravan for sale from the entry range Sprite upwards had an AC unit fitted (as well as a motor mover) and quite a few sold stickers so yes I would agree.
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+1, that is precisely what I have H👍🏻. No wiring up or around or thru anything it is all freestanding which can then be used in house, in a Camper/Moho or a Cvan😊
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Yes, that set up is obviously fine, but a power pack is a battery, with an inverter and some sockets...a sort of 'music centre' of the 70's compared to separates.
the 1500wh capacity version will run a 1200w hairdryer continuously for 1.25 hrs...if it's only run for 10 mins a session this will last 7.5 days (assuming total usage of the battery) before it needs recharging...we often do much more than a week off grid...
so how do you recharge? By solar you would think...just as we (and many others) charge their leisure batteries...ours have 184ah capacity, larger than the 1500w version despite only being able to discharge to 50%...
so a pretty similar process, except a 2000w inverter will cost upto £200 (many a lot cheaper) but a Jackary which will run a 1200-1500w hairdryer costs seven times that amount....£1500....assuming you already have decent solar system to charge it...not everyone will be plugging that into a car socket...no good if you're on site for a long time...
also, I've only 'costed up' usage for a single hairdryer blast each day, nothing else which will reduce overall capability.
while the all in one box seems a good idea, it's limited if you don't drive your van or don't already have solar on the van...
If I wanted solar and a decent lithium battery and an inverter I'd be badgering the dealer at purchase time to 'do a deal'...aftermarket might be a different proposition and the single box seems attractive other than the huge price and the eventual limitations unless linked to decent solar...
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Ok, so those who do not want an EHU, will do doubt say that they camp off grid very successfully. But at some point they have to come down to Earth, and dump their waste. In England there is no such thing as “wild camping”, so why would they want to drop into a site, use the facilities, then go off again.
No doubt they will all come all down on me, but we all make waste, whatever way we dispose of it. It all needs to be paid for. Does anyone now live in a house with no electric?
Tin hat on
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