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02/11/2013 at 5:06pm
Location: cheshire
Outfit: Bailey Ranger 510 4
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Joined: 08/5/2003 Platinum Member 
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we camp all year round and for a week over the new year period. we just make sure battery is fully charged, connect our 60w solar panel, we leave our fire on number 1 all day when in the van or out and it keeps it realy toastie, you can't realy use blown air heating--vent the caravan at night because of condensation. We manage superbly. give it a go--we only go on EHU for 1 night per year. good luck.
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02/11/2013 at 7:15pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo
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We had a GT65 and always used it on direct only, never used the fan. Found it just didn't keep it warm when blown. In winter the solar panel won't do much I'm afraid.
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02/11/2013 at 7:20pm
Location: Sheffield
Outfit: Sterling Eccles Sport 636
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You should be able to run without fan. Left control switch set to middle ( off ) and right control to the temp you want ?
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02/11/2013 at 7:22pm
Location: Argyll Scotland
Outfit: 1997 Bailey Ranger 470 4
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If you are using your car during the day, why not keep a spare caravan battery in the boot and charge it with a plug from the 12n socket into the car boot.
You would only require the + & - for the caravan battery charging system.
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Lobey.
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03/11/2013 at 12:27pm
Location: manchester
Outfit: Vx Antara & Elddis fusion 540
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Yes the modern van designers don't seem to take into account that electric hook up isn't always available . The new systems don't really support a rallying way of life anymore , it's a shame and cuts down the number of caravans suitable for your purpose . Maybe linking in an additional solar panel may help . I would advise against the generator route , non are silent even the expensive ones will annoy your neighbours after a relatively short length of time .
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03/11/2013 at 4:48pm
Location: Bolton Lancs
Outfit: Bailey Orion 430-4 & Mitsubishi PHEV
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The Whale space heater uses 1.6A Max, that is 68 hours continuous use.
Maybe take a spare battery
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03/11/2013 at 5:02pm
Location: Cambs
Outfit: Tin tent diddy tent BIG tent
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A second 80W panel is handy in the winter but more important is a second battery as there will be times when you will get very little power from the panels for a few days at a time and then stored power becomes crucial. Some of the PWM solar regulators have the facility to charge two batteries with one taking preference. The advantage of this is on days when you do get a lot of light you can get a good utilisation of the panels to get power into both batteries. I keep looking for a similar controller using MPPT but not found any yet. My generator sits in my garage most of the time but I do take it with me if snow is predicted and I am likely to get stuck on site for a few days - solar is not great with snow on the panels.....
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'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'
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03/11/2013 at 5:51pm
Location: cheshire
Outfit: Bailey Ranger 510 4
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well our solar panel takes in during the winter--it may be not as much as in the sun but it keeps the battery topped up to 131/2. Forgot to say we are all changed to LED's in the van.
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04/11/2013 at 6:08am
Location: Dumfries
Outfit: 2022 CoachmanVIP 2022 Pilote P696GJ
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Quote: Originally posted by Colbourne78 on 02/11/2013
Can anyone give me some advice on the best way for keeping your battery topped up while caravanning in the winter months without electric hook up. I have got a 80w solar panel but have been told with using the gas heating and blowing the warm air around the van it will soon drain your battery. I have thought about a silent generator to make sure the battery is topped up but not keen due to the noise. Can anyone help with advice?
Using gas to keep your van warm is expensive at the best of time unless you have refillable cylinders.
Why don't you use site's with EHU in the winter months which will work out cheaper and go on non EHU site's during the warmer weather
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Topic: Winter camping
