Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Caravans and Caravanning

Topic: Plugging in the van at home

Page: 1 2

gilb29

17/2/2014 at 10:32pm
Location: Northants
Outfit: Sterling Eccles Sport 585

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 04/4/2010

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 145

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

I am very fortunate and can park my van on my drive. Just wondered if anyone does what I do and plug it in at home while sat there? The reason I do is to keep the heating set at a steady 10c , not sure if it will damage it though? Hoping it will stop any damp etc.. It is new van if that makes any difference .

-------------
Loads of CC sites to many to mention.

bobmel

17/2/2014 at 10:42pm
Location: Aberdeen
Outfit: Coachman Pastiche 460 VW Tiguan Moti

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 26/8/2007

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 1593

Site Reviews Total:	13

Site Reviews 2024:	1
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:	7
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Wasting electricity. Normally just plug our van in the day before we got to get the fridge to working temperature. Shouldn't do any damage to the van but elec bill might damage your wallet

-------------
Robert (BoB)

Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!

UKCampsite.co.uk users are rewarded with up to 12.5% off Caravan Guard touring caravan insurance, folding camper and trailer tent insurance, and 5% off motorhome and campervan insurance. Static caravan insurance is also available. Get an online quote now

blueexpo97

18/2/2014 at 7:29am
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 07/2/2009

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 9851

Site Reviews Total:	24

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	1
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:	2
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

We have ours plugged in at home, but only switch it on about once a week, if that.

No need to have it on all the time.

-------------
XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.

eyebrows

18/2/2014 at 7:36am
Location: South West
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 27/2/2013

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 35

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

We have ours plugged in at this very moment, usually over a three/four day period about once a month just to top up the battery.

-------------
All roads lead to London

Barbie Girl

18/2/2014 at 7:36am
Location: Essex
Outfit: Eldiss Odyssey 534 & VW Touareg V10

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 15/10/2012

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 251

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

We have van at home also. No heating on in the van good ventilation keeps it dry. We plug in twice a month to ensure battery doesn't run flat. When going away leave it plugged in and fridge on the day before we go.

-------------
Live life to the full you are a long time dead

G7ACU

18/2/2014 at 8:15am
Location: West Mids
Outfit: Swift Ace Statesman & X-Trail 2.0

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 22/9/2008

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 2617

Site Reviews Total:	11

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

A properly vented van is far more efficient; don't bother with heating it.

During periods of frequent use of the van, I connect to electric for a pre-chill of the fridge and battery check. Otherwise I'll charge the battery with a smart-charger which is far more efficient at maintaining the battery than an on-board van charging unit.

-------------
Paul

Every day's a school day!

HEJC72

18/2/2014 at 9:03am
Location: North Yorkshire
Outfit: Holi * Perran 4 * Airedale 5

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 28/9/2004

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 5798
Tent Reviews: 8

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:	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

Agree with the other comments - absolutely no need to have heating on in the van all the time. Making sure you have adequate ventilation is the key.
Occasional hook up to top the battery up is fine, otherwise save your money!

-------------
Helen xx
Mini Mad Mum

Richl812

18/2/2014 at 9:50am
Location: Cambridgeshire
Outfit: Disco5 & Elddis Crusader Supersirocco

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 13/6/2005

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 623

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

We always plug the van it at home to keep the battery charged and heating available in the cold months based on a thermostat. We go away all year round so makes sense for us to do it and also use the van as a spare bedroom if needed.

New van has a solar panel on it, so that should keep the battery ticking over and only pull on the mains as and when. The smart meter shows hardly any extra usage when the van is plugged in anyway so we are only talking a very small cost.

wizzo

18/2/2014 at 1:31pm
Location: Formby Merseyside
Outfit: Adria 542DT 2010 - Galaxy Powershift

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 18/8/2008

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 290

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

You could cause more harm than good. If you heat a cold van you then cause condensation problems. Of course when you actually using the van over the winter you are also ventilating it at the same time.

I used to plug in occasional to charge the battery and run the fridge before a trip.

mickeyb

18/2/2014 at 3:37pm
Location: Kent Coast
Outfit: Adria Action + Xtrail

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 08/6/2003

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 1702

Site Reviews Total:	17

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

Fitted socket to outside wall of house and van plugged in 24/7. Don't bother with heating unless using as spare bedroom. Van has smart charger fitted so it looks after battery without over charging.............Mikck

michael

19/2/2014 at 11:54am
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Caravan now Sold

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 30/6/2002

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 23517

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

mine has been plugged in the mains for 14 years without a problem. I used a quality ( cheap ones are a BIG fire risk ) timer.
the came on for 4 hours per day to charge the battery. the battery was always full. if you need to do any work it can be done during this time. if you want a heater on it will go off at the set time.

-------------
the only silly question is the one you do not ask.

freeatlast

19/2/2014 at 6:48pm
Location: Teesside
Outfit: Mitsubishi ASX4

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 23/3/2008

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 2135

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

I charge my battery once during the winter. It only requires a couple of hours charge, and is now 7 years old.

As for damp. Damp comes in from the outside. No amount of heating inside will cure that. As has been said a waste of money, and may cause condensation inside.

katskorner

19/2/2014 at 8:18pm
Location: Worcestershire
Outfit: Swift Charisma 565

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 29/7/2005

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 219

Site Reviews Total:	8

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

Ours is plugged in but we don't keep heating consistent and only fire it up a couple of days before we actually go away.

-------------
2014
Easter Hols - Burnham-on-sea (7 nts)
Early May bank hol - Hopley's Bewdley (3nts).
Whitsun - Goodrington (14 nts).
August - Goodrington (16 nts).

robin54

19/2/2014 at 8:50pm
Location: sunderland
Outfit: terrano compass omega 505

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 04/2/2006

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 444

Site Reviews Total:	18

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

Ours is always plugged in but we never put the heating on.

Mick S.

20/2/2014 at 8:32pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 18/8/2004

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 3499

Site Reviews Total:	37

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	1
Site Reviews 2021:	4
Site Reviews 2020:	4
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	3
Site Nights 2022:	6
Site Nights 2021:	16
Site Nights 2020:	17
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Quote: Originally posted by bobmel on 17/2/2014
Wasting electricity. Normally just plug our van in the day before we got to get the fridge to working temperature. Shouldn't do any damage to the van but elec bill might damage your wallet

Cant agree. Ours is on low most of the winter, and uses nowt. Saves having to 'air' seat cushions etc. or removing them into the house.

Also makes absolutely sure no dregs of water thats remained after draining down freezes in joints etc.

I see it as being part of the 'expense' for what it does cost, of running the van.

gilb29

20/2/2014 at 9:40pm
Location: Northants
Outfit: Sterling Eccles Sport 585

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 04/4/2010

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 145

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 Mick S. on 20/2/2014

Quote: Originally posted by bobmel on 17/2/2014Wasting electricity. Normally just plug our van in the day before we got to get the fridge to working temperature. Shouldn't do any damage to the van but elec bill might damage your wallet

Cant agree. Ours is on low most of the winter, and uses nowt. Saves having to 'air' seat cushions etc. or removing them into the house.

Also makes absolutely sure no dregs of water thats remained after draining down freezes in joints etc.

I see it as being part of the 'expense' for what it does cost, of running the van.

I agree with you :)

-------------
Loads of CC sites to many to mention.

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

Prev Next
Jump To Page: 1 2
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

7771 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

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

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

Request a Reminder