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Just returned from our first winter caravaning holiday, Setthorns, New Forest. Two adults, two kids, new to us caravan, no site toilets, no EHU, new awning, winter?. The odds were against us, but ,wow, it all went well.

Water heater did not work, fixed.

Pegs did not secure very well in stoney ground, no wind.

First time with awning, no arguments.

x2 charged leisure batteries, lasted.

Weather, kind.

Kids, pain in the ####.

Can't win them all.

no EHU

Have they not fixed the defective electrics yet then?

Phil

Hi holtpi, you say 2 batteries lasted, could I ask how long you went for & did you run a TV of them, many thanks,

Quote: Originally posted by holtpj on 21/2/2011

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No, just our choice. £5 extra a night. Wanted to be self sufficient and all that! Also all site prices seem to go to 'mid' season for half term, cheek!! In february?

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Hi, went for three nights and took a 75ah and 55ah battery, don't think 55ah battery was fully charged as it only lasted 24 hrs. The other seemed to do well as the kids were watching the tv while we packed up in the rain.

First time we used the tv. A puchase from play.com, 15.6" LED TV. Runs from 12v dc, although it only came with ac adaptor, only 24watts when in use. Made up a 12v lead from maplins. Highly recommend this tv, as it has a USB port and you can play media files. Great for when their is no tv signal.

I have read on hear that the status aerials are not very good, although the tv managed a good reception considereing we were amongst the tree's.

No other additional electrical equipment used, just extra pump running time for showering.

Hi, we often camp without EHU in summertime,we have a 110 amp battery and this will last over 4 days, we use gas heating (not blown air as this takes a lot of juice to run), fridge on gas, water heater on gas, LED lights throughout, LCD TV for at least 2 hours a day, electric flush toilet and of course run the pump for taps. 

You just have to remember to turn things like lights off if not using them and preferably only one light on at a time, toilet flush only when necessary, not to use TV booster on status aerial as this drains battery quickly, we use an aerial on a pole instead. 

The leisure battery will revive itself at night to some extent when nothing is being used, you just have to keep an eye on the meter.

We always have an extra large car battery fully charged in our towing vehicle just in case we need it but havent yet.

I think that this is some of the best camping we do, being self sufficient.