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Subject Topic: No Electric Hook-up Post Reply Post New Topic
27/2/2008 at 10:37am
 Location: Colwyn Bay North Wales
 Outfit: None Entered
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Hi everyone

We are currently looking for our first caravan, but need advice about what to do on sites with little or no electric hook-up points.

I know there are batteries in the caravans, but how are they charged up and how long would it last on a site if we were not hooked up to the electric?

Sorry to be so "thick" but all this is new to me at the moment!

Sarah

 

 



27/2/2008 at 10:44am
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Mobile Dog Kennel
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If you are careful with what you use, the battery should last a good week. But make sure the battery is in good condition and fully charged before you start.

You can get it checked out for free at a battery supplier. There are normally two sizes of battery, 110Ah is the larger, smaller ones are 80 (or85?) .

There is an on-board charger in your caravan which will charge it up whenever the van is plugged into the mains, either at home or on a site with ECU. Whilst towing , you will get a bit of charge from the car, but don't rely on this, better to charge it up before you go.

You could always get a generator to use on site, but these are frowned on unless you are on your own in a field.


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27/2/2008 at 10:57am
 Location: Colwyn Bay North Wales
 Outfit: None Entered
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Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

I've seen solar trickle charges.  Are these used only when the caravan is not being used, or can you use them whilst you are on site too?



27/2/2008 at 11:02am
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Mobile Dog Kennel
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They are normally used ON site.I haven't got one, but there are plenty of references on here, so try the search.

I'm thinking of getting one, but I was concerned that you don't get much charge unless you get an expensive one. We'll see what anyone else says on here.


27/2/2008 at 11:22am
 Location: Herefordshire
 Outfit: pennine pathfinder 2003
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If you intend to do a lot of non hookup camping for more than a weekend a solar panel is worth getting. We easily manage a three day weekend on our battery with out "economising".

-------------
Good friends are hard to find, difficult to leave and impossible to forget.


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27/2/2008 at 11:32am
 Location: Colwyn Bay North Wales
 Outfit: None Entered
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Thanks Jan

any suggestions as to which one to go for? 

If it was just hubby & myself, economising wouldn't be a problem, but with 5 lads it would be almost impossible!!  Mind you, one solution to the problem - foster them out for a week - oh what peace...I can only imagine!!!



27/2/2008 at 12:00pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Mobile Dog Kennel
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I've had a look at solar panels on the Towsure site.

They have got a whole range and tell you what duty they are suitable for. I reckon I'd want a 30w one, but at around £250 I think I'll buy a second battery instead (or4 )

Don't forget if you rely on a solar panel to keep it topped up all year, then the battery life is severely reduced due to deposits on the plates. Every trip or two you should give it a full recharge at a high rate (6 or8 amps). This cleans off the plates.

One other approach is if you need extra power in short bursts , such as a shower, then I'll use jump leads and connect the car battery to the caravan one. At least you could keep your lads clean    


27/2/2008 at 12:11pm
 Location: Shropshire North Wales borders
 Outfit: Adria Win
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You don't say what caravan you have - if it is an older one it may not have an onboard charger, in which case you need to get a charger so you can charge it either at home or when you are on EHU.

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


27/2/2008 at 12:33pm
 Location: Colwyn Bay North Wales
 Outfit: None Entered
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We're looking to get an Elddis Crusader Superstorm - any one from 2003 upwards.


27/2/2008 at 12:37pm
 Location: Colwyn Bay North Wales
 Outfit: None Entered
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Quote: Originally posted by tykey on 27/2/2008
One other approach is if you need extra power in short bursts , such as a shower, then I'll use jump leads and connect the car battery to the caravan one. At least you could keep your lads clean    
   Lads clean???  They're teenagers!  They don't know what soap and water are!!!!


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27/2/2008 at 1:13pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Mobile Dog Kennel
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Even easier,then



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