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Subject Topic: Just got my first campervan Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonDizzyHippy
07/11/2018 at 5:25pm
 Location: Buckinghamshire
 Outfit: Toyota Granvia Conversion 1996 View DizzyHippy's Profile View Profile   Reply to DizzyHippy Reply   Quote DizzyHippy Quote  
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Now the fun begins. Having it checked over mechanically tomorrow. Do I need to get the inside checked out? I have drained the sink. The fridge is electric. What else needs checking? Gas? Obviously it is not the best time of year to get one as it will not be used much over winter so any tips?? We will take it on a run in a week's time and try to stay over. Do you have to do something with the leisure battery over winter? No instructions with it. Thanks.


PersonColin21
07/11/2018 at 7:08pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail View Colin21's Profile View Profile   Reply to Colin21 Reply   Quote Colin21 Quote  
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The main thing with batteries is to keep them charged. Any battery left to go flat will be ruined. If you are not driving it much over winter, put the battery on charge once a month to keep it fully charged.

Have the gas system checked over. Don't leave it to the spring as that is when things are at their busiest, and you may have a long wait to get it done.

Make sure that any pipes and water tanks, including toilets, are drained down unless you are going to be using it regularly.

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Best Regards,
Colin


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PersonCapt Lightning
07/11/2018 at 7:27pm
 Location: Turriff Aberdeenshi
 Outfit: Romahome R30 Dimens View Capt Lightning's Profile View Profile   Reply to Capt Lightning Reply   Quote Capt Lightning Quote  
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Hope you have lots of fun with your new van.
Get the gas checked and if you're not using it overnight, drain down the water. However, if you're keeping it 'on the road', then use it regularly - even if it's only for a shopping run.

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Two drifters off to see the world.

I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.


PersonDizzyHippy
07/11/2018 at 7:31pm
 Location: Buckinghamshire
 Outfit: Toyota Granvia Conversion 1996 View DizzyHippy's Profile View Profile   Reply to DizzyHippy Reply   Quote DizzyHippy Quote  
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Thank you - can you charge it using the power cable - as you would with electric hook up - sorry to be so dim!

Also who checks the gas?   There is no toilet so once I know what I am doing it should be easy!


PersonColin21
07/11/2018 at 8:46pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail View Colin21's Profile View Profile   Reply to Colin21 Reply   Quote Colin21 Quote  
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If you don't know the answers, you need to ask. Nothing dim about that! Nobody knows everything.

Yes you can charge your battery from your hook-up cable at home. You just need an adapter from the cable to a 13 amp plug to plug into one of your home sockets.

Any caravan engineer should be able to check the gas but do check that they are gas-safe registered. There are many mobile engineers who will come to your home to do the checks if you don't have a dealer nearby.

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Best Regards,
Colin


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Personmarramc48
07/11/2018 at 11:49pm
 Location: Scotland
 Outfit: None Entered View marramc48's Profile View Profile   Reply to marramc48 Reply   Quote marramc48 Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 07/11/2018
If you don't know the answers, you need to ask. Nothing dim about that! Nobody knows everything.


Bob 61 does. "Just not all at once"!!



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mm48j


PersonDizzyHippy
08/11/2018 at 7:29am
 Location: Buckinghamshire
 Outfit: Toyota Granvia Conversion 1996 View DizzyHippy's Profile View Profile   Reply to DizzyHippy Reply   Quote DizzyHippy Quote  
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Thanks. I bought an adapter - so it is as simple as that! Some threads talked about trickle battery chargers and overcharging. I will find someone locally to check gas.One guy wanted to charge £140 but that was for a full habitation service which I don't think I need.   It's a whole new world!


PersonLorfal
08/11/2018 at 8:45am
 Location: Rannoch Scotland
 Outfit: autosleeper fairford View Lorfal's Profile View Profile   Reply to Lorfal Reply   Quote Lorfal Quote  
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When did it last have a habitation service? It’s an older van I see, so if it’s been a while , a habitation service might be a good option for peace of mind. As mentioned....gas is important to be checked/serviced by a qualified person. So should the electrics.....but I appreciate you could be an electrician yourself ......or a gas person lol

Have fun in your van, even over winter!


Personbordercaz
08/11/2018 at 5:24pm
 Location: Shropshire North Wales borders
 Outfit: Adria Win View bordercaz's Profile View Profile   Reply to bordercaz Reply   Quote bordercaz Quote  
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Most vans have on board battery chargers that will charge the leisure battery when the EHU is plugged in. Some also have an option to charge the cab battery.
Did it come with a manual?

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Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.


PersonDizzyHippy
08/11/2018 at 6:53pm
 Location: Buckinghamshire
 Outfit: Toyota Granvia Conversion 1996 View DizzyHippy's Profile View Profile   Reply to DizzyHippy Reply   Quote DizzyHippy Quote  
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Sadly no manual. The car manual is in Japanese! I have a Halford Advanced Fully Automatic Battery Charger - that iso I can charge the van leisure battery periodically using the mains with adapter and the car battery can be plugged in and left on trickle charge. That said - the mechanic just came to take the van away for a check up and the car battery was totally dead!!   


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Personyoda888
08/11/2018 at 7:04pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View yoda888's Profile View Profile   Reply to yoda888 Reply   Quote yoda888 Quote  
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No need to worry about winter in your camper - we probably use ours more over winter than the summer, nice cosy nights and quiet sites!



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