Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Camping under canvas 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Non electric alternative Post Reply Post New Topic
Personddlkc
01/8/2017 at 8:38pm
 Location: newcastle
 Outfit: outwell carolina m outwel oakvill 500 View ddlkc's Profile View Profile   Reply to ddlkc Reply   Quote ddlkc Quote  
Joined: 24/9/2004

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   206
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 22
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 1
Hi
I am just curious if there is any bit of equipment that would enable us to go non electric but still be able to use fridge charge phones laptop etc

Thank you

-------------
Dawn


PersonHacksaw Bob
01/8/2017 at 9:56pm
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Various tents View Hacksaw Bob's Profile View Profile   Reply to Hacksaw Bob Reply   Quote Hacksaw Bob Quote  
Joined: 26/7/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6502
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 10
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Have a search for "phone charging camping stoves" - should come with at least two rather expensive ones which claim to do the job.

Can't see them powering a fridge though!

Suggest a three-way fridge as fitted to many caravans, and running off butane (or propane, but you won't need a fridge if the weather's cold enough to need propane to run it!) in a well-ventilated place (not inside the tent - serious carbon monoxide poisoning risk).


PersonBernie47
01/8/2017 at 11:22pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View Bernie47's Profile View Profile   Reply to Bernie47 Reply   Quote Bernie47 Quote  
Joined: 05/7/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   5533
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 13
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Many of us have camped for many years without the need for a fridge, in the UK it's a luxury rather than a necessity.

-------------
Bernie


PersonMucker1884
02/8/2017 at 6:06am
 Location: Derby.
 Outfit: Karsten 350+Awnings View Mucker1884's Profile View Profile   Reply to Mucker1884 Reply   Quote Mucker1884 Quote  
Joined: 01/7/2012

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9052
Tent Reviews:   5
Site Reviews Total: 40
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 6
I'd agree.
Fridges are a luxury. A good passive cool box is more than adequate for the UK if ice/ice blocks are practical.

-------------
2024: 38 nights thus far...
2023: 47 nights
2022: 40 nights
2021: 30 nights
2020: Just 24 nights
2019: A personal best 50 nights
2018: Just the 30 nights
2017: 34 nights
2016: 32 nights
2015: 38 nights
2014: 34 nights
2013: 36 nights
From July 2012: 23 nights


PersonCampy C
02/8/2017 at 8:59am
 Location: North West
 Outfit: Hartford xl tardis View Campy C's Profile View Profile   Reply to Campy C Reply   Quote Campy C Quote  
Joined: 26/4/2010

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   332
Site Reviews Total: 5
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Have you tried polystyrene boxes ? we have an old one that we put freezer blocks in and it keeps food and beer cold for at least two days.


Advertisement



PersonHighSlayer
02/8/2017 at 11:27am
 Location: Durham
 Outfit: Caravan and tents View HighSlayer's Profile View Profile   Reply to HighSlayer Reply   Quote HighSlayer Quote  
Joined: 25/5/2004

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   457
Tent Reviews:   2
Site Reviews Total: 16
Site Reviews 2024: 2  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 5  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 6
Site Nights 2023: 3
Site Nights 2022: 15
Site Nights 2021: 5
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 2
I'm not sure I understand - you want to go non-electric but take electrical items and want to use them? I'm sure I'm not the only one to see that you need electricity for electrical items!

But, if you mean portable electricity as opposed to no electricity then you can buy powerbanks online which you charge up before you go away (or can be charged from a car socket whilst driving) and the bigger of these can recharge the average phone at least 2-3 times so if you had a couple of those it should help.

As far as an electric fridge goes - well you need electricity for that, there is just no getting away from that. You could of course buy a petrol generator and hope you are allowed to use it on site (highly unlikely) though for wild camping it would be ok.

You could take a really good passive coolbox like the igloo range. Or, if you are on a campsite with an icepack freezing service (most do) then take double the icepacks and have one lot freezing whilst the others are in use. For this you could either use a passive coolbox or a 12v one which you can keep cool whilst driving.

Laptops - again to charge an electric laptop you need electricity! You can get inverter supplies which convert the 12v from your car to 230v to recharge the laptop but these will quickly run down your battery if you dont have the engine running. But - if you are doing a fair bit of exploring or travelling by car you can charge them en-route and whilst travelling. If you disable the network cards, switch the power saver mode on and use them sparingly you could get a couple of days out of a charge.

-------------
A slightly younger Victor Meldrew


PersonHacksaw Bob
02/8/2017 at 11:44am
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Various tents View Hacksaw Bob's Profile View Profile   Reply to Hacksaw Bob Reply   Quote Hacksaw Bob Quote  
Joined: 26/7/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6502
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 10
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Quote: Originally posted by Campy C on 02/8/2017
Have you tried polystyrene boxes ? we have an old one that we put freezer blocks in and it keeps food and beer cold for at least two days.


Good idea! Much better to reuse polystyrene boxes rather than try to recycle them (is that even possible?). You may be able to pick them up at places like our nearest "pick your own" outlet, which last year was inviting customers to help themselves (I didn't - no room in car!).


Personosvic
02/8/2017 at 9:05pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View osvic's Profile View Profile   Reply to osvic Reply   Quote osvic Quote  
Joined: 24/6/2017

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   74
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
i use a juice power pack for my phone buts thats as good as its gonna get for a non electric trip.


PersonBaddab
03/8/2017 at 10:07pm
 Location: Scotland
 Outfit: outwell and vangos View Baddab's Profile View Profile   Reply to Baddab Reply   Quote Baddab Quote  
Joined: 31/8/2009

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   65
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 10
Site Nights 2018: 1
I agree with the comments above if you go non electric then you have to comprise.

Did a short trip to Nice a few weeks ago took the weekend tent and enough gear for 8 days. A bit basic but really good fun.

Anyway no electric so phones, ipad charged in the hire car.

We bought an inflatable cool box from decathlon for€30 which kept ice for 2 days in 30 deg heat. We kept it outside under the tarp so would recommend that

Good luck.

-------------
February - Rothiemurchus
May - Rothiemurchus
June - La Colle-sur-Loup
June - Milarrochy Bay
Sept - Cannes


PersonDerbian
03/8/2017 at 10:19pm
 Location: derbyshire
 Outfit: Seat Exeo Opus Camper View Derbian's Profile View Profile   Reply to Derbian Reply   Quote Derbian Quote  
Joined: 18/2/2016

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   99
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Instead of a fridge or a cool box you could try an evaporation cooler. Not sure where you could pick one up now but they were fitted to early VW dampers. Seen a few more modern versions in the USA and Australia and the seem to work fairly well


Advertisement



Personultraquasar
08/8/2017 at 5:58pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View ultraquasar's Profile View Profile   Reply to ultraquasar Reply   Quote ultraquasar Quote  
Joined: 07/8/2017

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   84
Site Reviews Total: 5
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Colemans do one, and theres various instructions on how to make your own. I'm intrigued by the thought though, maybe a way of getting around the rule on campsites for no petrol generators would be a steam powered generator provided they are not too noisy?


Personstumpjumper
08/8/2017 at 7:47pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Assorted Tents View stumpjumper's Profile View Profile   Reply to stumpjumper Reply   Quote stumpjumper Quote  
Joined: 27/6/2004

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   540
Tent Reviews:   5
Site Reviews Total: 9
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
We spend quite some time tent camping off grid and have found the following works well:

3 way Dometic fridge running off gas
1 x leisure battery and 1 x small gel battery plus solar panels for recharging. - the two batteries allow one to be charging while the other is in use but this is a luxury rather than necessary.

The above allows us to power the fridge, phones, tablets, lights etc for a week or more.

-------------
Current tents in use: 5m Bell, Obelink Palamos 6, Vango Tornado 300 Vango Force 10 Mk3, Hypercamp Eldorado & Orange Raclet


PersonDeborahTurner
08/8/2017 at 8:30pm
 Location: London
 Outfit: Vango Kalu Hypercamp Eldorado View DeborahTurner's Profile View Profile   Reply to DeborahTurner Reply   Quote DeborahTurner Quote  
Joined: 11/8/2011

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1309
Tent Reviews:   3
Site Reviews Total: 24
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 3  
Site Reviews 2022: 4  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 3  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 8
Site Nights 2022: 12
Site Nights 2021: 3
Site Nights 2020: 8
Site Nights 2019: 2
Site Nights 2018: 2
I never have EHU.

Phones get charged in the car, and anyone who can't live without their phone (teens) has a power pack, too.

We use an Icey Tek coolbox, which with careful management and as much stuff put in frozen as possible keeps beers and white wine at a far better temperature than many feeble electric coolboxes that only do so many degrees below ambient.


Personthebiz
09/8/2017 at 6:26pm
 Location: anywhere but here
 Outfit: oops bought another one ! View thebiz's Profile View Profile   Reply to thebiz Reply   Quote thebiz Quote  
Joined: 23/8/2008

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   890
Tent Reviews:   2
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Quote: Originally posted by Campy C on 02/8/2017
Have you tried polystyrene boxes ? we have an old one that we put freezer blocks in and it keeps food and beer cold for at least two days.


I have a ready supply of polystyrene boxes at work in all shapes and sizes. I find them to out perform any passive coolbox I've tried . I haven't tried Iceytec and Igloo, no need when I can use the recycled, free boxes. I've supplied all my camping friends with a selection too as I hate seeing them binned.




-------------
Zymocenosilicaphobia-excessive fear of an empty beer glass

' When I die, I will return to seek the moments I did not live by the sea'


Personultraquasar
09/8/2017 at 8:24pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View ultraquasar's Profile View Profile   Reply to ultraquasar Reply   Quote ultraquasar Quote  
Joined: 07/8/2017

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   84
Site Reviews Total: 5
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
You might be interested to know that polystyrene blocks are used to insulate the ground underneath warehouse freezer's that you can drive forklift trucks into, like a major supermarket food distribution depot.

So there must be something in it, but using screwed up paper inside a cool box also helps, a fridge has to work less if its full with product as theres less air movement everytime a door is open or a lid is lifted off a coolbox.

As water takes more energy to heat up or drop in temperature, surplus bottles of water cooled or frozen filling up spare space can also help keep things cool.



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Camping under canvas - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

9614 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement
Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder