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Topic: Home storage

martindoggy

05/11/2012 at 9:49pm
Location: mansfield
Outfit: Bailey Unicorn 2 Vigo Freelander 2

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Joined: 11/7/2006

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We've kept our van in storage for the last 3 years or so but have decided to no longer. Having been invaded by mice twice and the site owner still feeding the birds and having zero pest control, also it being shut Thursdays and closing at 4pm which makes weekends pointless.Also a major factor is money, £300 a year.
we have room at the front of our house so we will try it , what i would like to know is what do people do regarding whether to connect to electric or to remove battery?
martin

frederico

05/11/2012 at 9:55pm
Location: Blyth Northumberland
Outfit: Bailey Pageant Monarch two berth

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I have electric connected and with a timer charging the battery 4 hours a day. Battery is keeping in good condition. Will also put a fan heater on very low temperature when it gets colder.
Fred.

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stocky13

05/11/2012 at 9:56pm
Location: cheshire
Outfit: Mecedes ML350 lunar delta

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We have our's on the drive,I find it easy I open it up on a nice day go in and dust around we hook the electric up to charge the battery,also when it gets realy cold we have a small oil filled electric heater and have that running just long enough to take the damp feeling off it.

flufftec

05/11/2012 at 10:03pm
Location: Blackwood
Outfit: Bailey scorpio 5 birth & 5 man tent

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We have ours on our drive and as a friend of mine is an electrician he fitted a socket to the outside of the house so no need to have a window open when it's plugged in I just find it a lot easier aswell no feeding wires etc

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Im new to this please be gentle

flufftec

05/11/2012 at 10:04pm
Location: Blackwood
Outfit: Bailey scorpio 5 birth & 5 man tent

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Oops double post sorry

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Im new to this please be gentle

martindoggy

05/11/2012 at 10:08pm
Location: mansfield
Outfit: Bailey Unicorn 2 Vigo Freelander 2

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thanks
wasn't sure if the heat would cause more problems with condensation etc.
Also worried about battery regarding frost damage

G7ACU

05/11/2012 at 10:18pm
Location: West Mids
Outfit: Swift Ace Statesman & X-Trail 2.0

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During the season, our van is connected permanently via the garage, albeit with a timer controlling it for a few hours per day.
At the end of the season though when I've 'winterised' the van, I remove the battery into the garage and leave connected to a C-Tek smart charger to permanently maintain the battery.
Have done this for several years and been absolutely trouble free.

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Paul

Every day's a school day!

tango55

05/11/2012 at 10:31pm
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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Quote: Originally posted by G7ACU on 05/11/2012
During the season, our van is connected permanently via the garage, albeit with a timer controlling it for a few hours per day.
At the end of the season though when I've 'winterised' the van, I remove the battery into the garage and leave connected to a C-Tek smart charger to permanently maintain the battery.
Have done this for several years and been absolutely trouble free.

I would have thought that this is the best method also by removing the leisure battery and using a smart charger throughout the winter period. With a smart charger you can leave it switched on 24/7 and it will keep a full float charge without over charging which will keep your leisure battery in a fully charged state.

martindoggy

05/11/2012 at 10:37pm
Location: mansfield
Outfit: Bailey Unicorn 2 Vigo Freelander 2

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thats what ive set up at the moment battery in house on c-tek charger permanant.
cheers

Ali Girl

06/11/2012 at 9:03am
Location: Wisbech
Outfit: ACE caravan and a tent

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One advantage of having the van at home and connected up is that you have an extra fridge available for all that extra Christmas grub.
Our van will be out for a pre Christmas meet at the end of November/start of December and then again for a 5 night New Year meet.

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Ali Girl

murano

06/11/2012 at 9:14am
Location: whitstable kent
Outfit: sterling eccles sport 584 freelander 2

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My hubby is a sparks he's put a socket that connects to the EHU cable on the outside of our house, when its a bit cold or I think the van needs a bit of a dust, I plug it in and give it a warm up, keeps me warm whilst I'm in there cleaning or packing too.
Like Ali we've used the vans fridge at Christmas as a beer fridge lol.We don't winterise our van as we use it year round.

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"I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.

mickeyb

06/11/2012 at 7:48pm
Location: Kent Coast
Outfit: Adria Action + Xtrail

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Have also fitted a socket outside so ehu is on 24/7. The van has a built in smart charger so no probs with overcharging. Made up a short, 2m, ehu lead so there isn't masses of loose cable everywhere. Useful spare bedroom at Christmas with family coming as well.......Mick

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