Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 18/10/2021
The lack of charging points at campsites would be one of my concerns for owning an e-vehicle right now.
If the campsite has EHU, you can charge your car or campervan. Its not fast, but in general its fast enough...
Quote: Originally posted by iank01 on 18/10/2021
Looks impressive and good luck to them however maybe they would be better off concentrating on looking for alternative environmentally friendly source of power like hydrogen instead of all the rare earth metals being used in the production of batteries? Although not truly rare some still have to mined and this causes damage to the environment.
Hydrogen production (in its green format) uses electricity. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles still need batteries. Using hydrogen as an energy storage medium is far less efficient than batteries, and therefor both costs more and requires more source electricity.
Quote: Originally posted by Finder on 18/10/2021
I wonder when the kids will realise that electric power is not the green solution to saving the Earth?
The flip side of this is I wonder when older people will realise that green electric power IS the solution to saving the Earth.
Battery technology has an inherent problem in that it has a low density of energy storage , making it unlikely to be a long term solution on its own for larger vehicles and long distances. Hydrogen is a useful high energy density storage which can be used directly in a combustion engine or as a fuel cell to produce electricity, when it be used in conjunction with batteries.
The inefficiencies in producing hydrogen and using it are not so important when using sustainable energy to produce it.
I suspect that battery only vehicles will be for city and short distance use with hydrogen or hydrogen/battery hybrids being developed for heavier and linger distance use.
Both technologies are still developing and will improve.
Quote: Originally posted by Lukeledge on 15/12/2021
Battery technology has an inherent problem in that it has a low density of energy storage , making it unlikely to be a long term solution on its own for larger vehicles and long distances. Hydrogen is a useful high energy density storage which can be used directly in a combustion engine or as a fuel cell to produce electricity, when it be used in conjunction with batteries.
True, though hydrogen energy density by volume is not as high as petrol or diesel. When use in an ICE, H2 is not clean as the combustion process produces NOx.
Quote:
The inefficiencies in producing hydrogen and using it are not so important when using sustainable energy to produce it.
Also true IF there is sufficient clean energy to allow for the waste of energy through inefficiency of the conversion process. But right now, we don't have abundant clean energy such that we have oversupply as evidenced by the current all time high prices.
Hopefully that will too change over time.
Quote:
I suspect that battery only vehicles will be for city and short distance use with hydrogen or hydrogen/battery hybrids being developed for heavier and linger distance use.
Both technologies are still developing and will improve.
I think it depends what you mean by "short". My suspicion is that the market will determine that split and it will come down to cost and convenience. The lifetime cost of BEV will be far lower than an HFC vehicle, and the "inconvenience" of the potential lower range and need to occasionally charge on the road compared to HFC will be outweighed by the ubiquity of the charging infrastructure compared to hydrogen fuelling. Especially when you consider home charging benefit.
Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 18/10/2021
The lack of charging points at campsites would be one of my concerns for owning an e-vehicle right now.
If the campsite has EHU, you can charge your car or campervan. Its not fast, but in general its fast enough...
Nope.
C&CC says "Electric vehicles may be charged on site only by plugging into the camper unit, not directly into the hook up, in order to prevent potential damage to the sites electrical provision."
I think you can charge your EV towcar by plugging into your caravan's 3 pin socket when the caravan is hooked up to the EHU (and watching what else is using that supply). That doesn't work for electric campervans or MHs.
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 15/12/2021
Nope.
C&CC says "Electric vehicles may be charged on site only by plugging into the camper unit, not directly into the hook up, in order to prevent potential damage to the sites electrical provision."
I think you can charge your EV towcar by plugging into your caravan's 3 pin socket when the caravan is hooked up to the EHU (and watching what else is using that supply). That doesn't work for electric campervans or MHs.
There is nothing to stop you plugging the granny lead for the Electric CV or MH into a 13A socket in the van that is fed from the EHU.
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 15/12/2021
Nope.
C&CC says "Electric vehicles may be charged on site only by plugging into the camper unit, not directly into the hook up, in order to prevent potential damage to the sites electrical provision."
I think you can charge your EV towcar by plugging into your caravan's 3 pin socket when the caravan is hooked up to the EHU. That doesn't work for electric campervans or MHs.
There is nothing to stop you plugging the granny lead for the Electric CV or MH into a 13A socket in the van that is fed from the EHU.
I guess so, much easier if you have an external 3-pin socket to plug yourself back into. I don't know ('cos I'm not techy) how much recharging the EV limits what else you can use the EHU supply for, though that obviously depends on what the supply rated at.
The supply to caravan 13Amp sockets is usually limited to 10 Amps or approx, 2.5kW by the consumer unit MCB. In houses this is normally a 32Amp MCB so the limit is the 13Amp fuse in the plug,
I'm not sure if the chargers can limit themselves to only 10 Amps.
Most 13Amp plugs tend to overheat if used continuously at 13 Amp.
Quote: Originally posted by navver on 17/12/2021
The supply to caravan 13Amp sockets is usually limited to 10 Amps or approx, 2.5kW by the consumer unit MCB. In houses this is normally a 32Amp MCB so the limit is the 13Amp fuse in the plug,
I'm not sure if the chargers can limit themselves to only 10 Amps.
Most 13Amp plugs tend to overheat if used continuously at 13 Amp.
Almost all “granny leads” (EV chargers with a 13A plug) are self limiting to 10A. Some allow you to vary tye max current from 6A up. Many cars (or campers) also allow you limit the max current draw.
When charging my car via the caravan I vary from 6 up to 10 depending on what else is turned on.
On site in France and a VW camper, model after split screen, arrived surprisingly quietly for one of that age.
Turns out to be a full electric conversion with a full van refurbishment, and very smart it was to.
Young couple all the way from Holland.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Quote: Originally posted by bordercaz on 10/7/2022
I've noticed a few campsites have "no charging of electric vehicles" in their site rules this year.
I can certainly see why they would as it would have quite an impact on their profit margin. Charging an electric vehicle would create a large constant drain, rather than the usual EHU use on which they make a big profit as nobody uses anything like what they get charged. Anything from £3 to £8 a night. Charging an EV might.
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Most of the usual vans used for camper conversions are coming out with all electric versions now so the choice will be there if anybody wants so spend some money.