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Hello there,

We have now brought home our first folding camper - it is a 1998 pennine sterling and we are thrilled to bits with it, but my OH is a little baffled by a couple of things and we are hoping someone out there can help! 

How exactly does the gas regulator fit on to the gas bottle?

and

Does the battery charge when driving or only when attached to the ehu?

We're probably just completely thick - but hey, thickos enjoy camping too!  We have had tents for years but never done anything so advanced as electric hookup before! 

Thanks for your help.

If the regulator ends in a big nut (the regulator not the bloke holding it ;) ) then it is a calor gas regulator. Calor bottles have a vavle built in (it's like a round tap thing) so all the regulator needs to do is connect  to the screw thread on the top of the bottle. The regulator screws tight anti clockwise, the opposite to what you are expecting if you are used to tightening a screw or nut,

Camping gas bottles have just a threaded hole on the top with a bearing  sealing the m shut, The regulator for these has the tap encorporated in to them . Wasiest way I found for connecting them is to hole the regulator still and spin the bottle. These tighten in exactly the way you would expect any other screw to tighten (clockwise) so turn the bottle anti clockwise.

Before you do either , make sure the gas is swithed off in the unit (the tap is probably in the second cupboard under the sink but could be in either of the three.

We've been delighted with our old sterling. She doesn't look the newest girl on the block she denfinately has helped create some great memories for our family and I hope she does the same for you.

It's also worth check the gas pipes are not perished (the rubber parts that is), If they are then they are cheap as chips to get from somewhere like towsure.

We do not tow with the battery hooked up but do charge from the EHU when on site.

Enjoy!

Thank you for your replies.

My own darling big nut was trying to do this while the camper was opened up which is less than ideal as he was doubled up not being able to really see what he was doing!  The camper is up in our driveway at the mo and we are hoping to take it somewhere nice, tho not too far away, next weekend for the bank holiday.  So it is being cleaned and packed with our stuff and he wanted to check the cooker out at home rather than waiting until we get there (wherever there is).  I'm sure we'll be fine - electric kettle, toaster, takeaway, pub - none of those need gas do they.

I think if we do have any problems we will have to wander round the campsite and find a similar camper, start chatting and picking the owners' brains. 

Anyway, can't wait - just hope the rain holds off and August ends in a blaze of sunshine.

Rosieblue that is one of the first things to remember open the locker and sort out the gas, before setting up the cabin.                 

You should try to get information about the electrical start-up power required of the kettle, toaster, etc and don;t try plugging too many things in at once.....you will trip the post if you are lucky.  the whole side of the site id 'unlucky!' Just be aware that you are not on a domestic source and you will be fine.  enjoy your new toy LOL

come back with pics or any probs. but don't worry 'go with the flow, it's supposed to be fun!               

Thanks everyone.

The chap we bought it off was an auto electrician so he had checked all the electrics and he had the gas parts checked and serviced.  He owned it for 3 years so it's relatively recent.  We were hoping for a few weekends away and then to get the unit serviced before Easter ready for the new season. 

I have now seen the weather forecast for the coming week and plans for bank holiday are on hold.  It is still up on our driveway and we could be waiting some time for a dry day to put it away. The OH and I actually enjoy sitting in there with our coffee.  It just feels different even if we haven't actually left home!  (Does that sound a bit sad?).  Must be because it's a novelty.