The Campervan Thread

[fossyant]

Some more photo's from the weekend. Solar powering the fridge, 58w going to the fridge and 85w coming in from the sunshine. I think the plan, when just van camping is to get a Arpenaz Base from Decathlon - so we can put stuff in and also leave the porta potti in there for the 'nights'. We also need a bit more space for sheltering from the wind, especially early season. It's a learning curve. The van is so much better for carrying the camping gear, more so because I can see out of the rear windows - couldn't do that car camping.

We're at Bala in May for 5 nights, but we'll take the Nordisk tent for that.

 

[Drago]

I dunno about you Foss, but when we were at the coast last week a wind generator would have been right useful!

 

[fossyant]

I dunno about you Foss, but when we were at the coast last week a wind generator would have been right useful!

Definitely for Saturday - Shell Island is known for it. We were fine Friday, hot and then had a heavy sea mist, but the wind started picking up after lunch on Saturday - well known there for destroying tents.

 

[Ridgeway]

Must admit I also tested the solar at the weekend and all was good. Down to 88% by Saturday morning and back to 100% as I was back from my brief TT.

It did highlight a problem though as I’ve changed my phone and so couldn’t connect to the controller via the App, thus the problem is actually my memory 😂 all sorted after many attempts…

 

[Adam4868]

I think the plan, when just van camping is to get a Arpenaz Base from Decathlon - so we can put stuff in and also leave the porta potti in there for the 'nights'.

They're great for the price....when the weather is good we use ours either over the tailgate or side door and can sleep with it open,otherwise have it as a stand alone room.Great for the price.Cant wait to get away,been struggling this year so far with work and kids !

 

[fossyant]

They're great for the price....when the weather is good we use ours either over the tailgate or side door and can sleep with it open,otherwise have it as a stand alone room.Great for the price.Cant wait to get away,been struggling this year so far with work and kids !
View attachment 769185

Fab. Ordered. Managed to get £20 off with 10% BC discount and a bit more via discounted gift voucher through work benefit programme.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Saturday 3rd

Apologies for quality
Poor angles, as he left r/bout

Normanton Bypass
(near Havertop Police Station)
Wakefield

 

[Gwylan]

Lithium battery conversion experience?

We have a camper with 2 x100Ah domestic batteries and 2x100 solar panel banks.`
One on the roof and one folding panel. That gets put in the windscreen or wherever the sun is coming from.

The fridge is gas or mains

The lighting is all LED, so low consumption.
Just the occasional water pump use.

Do I really need a lithium battery or shall I squander the money on wine.

 

[Jameshow]

Lithium battery conversion experience?

We have a camper with 2 x100Ah domestic batteries and 2x100 solar panel banks.`
One on the roof and one folding panel. That gets put in the windscreen or wherever the sun is coming from.

The fridge is gas or mains

The lighting is all LED, so low consumption.
Just the occasional water pump use.

Do I really need a lithium battery or shall I squander the money on wine.

How long do you go off grid? What is your usage in a/h?

You useful capacity is approx 100ah.

With lithium you will get double that per stated a/h unit. If your off grid for a week or so and weights an issue then lithium makes sense...

 

[Ridgeway]

If your lead acid batteries are good and young and your usage is as low as mentioned above then it’s hard to justify changing. Once they need replacing it may be worth looking in to it.

 

[Gwylan]

Thanks, sort of answer I expected.
Current batteries are in good shape. At least another season.

Better call the vintner then.

 

[Ridgeway]

Thanks, sort of answer I expected.
Current batteries are in good shape. At least another season.

Better call the vintner then.

Was surprised that our first leisure battery on a previous van lasted us 8yrs before we needed to replace it. We used very little electricity and i had installed a 1 x 100w panel and the system worked well for that period. We have lithium on the new van but we do now hammer the leccy much more than we used to do. But it becomes an endless game with more panels and then better B2B chargers etc… space, weight, cost and usage are the main drivers in the end.

 

[T4tomo]

Food was fabulous at the Castle, the 'village' is something else on a night with no visitors.

Hmmm, Portmeirion is on our shortlist for a mini break, although may well be in winter so no pool open and the heritage railway nearby stops in winter too. Sounds like you were impressed and would recommend it?

To clarify we'd be hotel / village rooms not camping or van-ing.

 

[fossyant]

Hmmm, Portmeirion is on our shortlist for a mini break, although may well be in winter so no pool open and the heritage railway nearby stops in winter too. Sounds like you were impressed and would recommend it?

To clarify we'd be hotel / village rooms not camping or van-ing.

It's nice, good for short walks etc. The camper site was excellent and very good value. Always meant to stay in the rooms/hotel but never got round to it. Food is good - we checked into the Brasserie in the Castle (just outside the grounds as it has a more extensive menu. The Hotel was a bit 'seafoodie' for me. It's not a massive place at all but very pleasant. Back at the camper site for our Anniversary, and will eat at the brasserie again.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Sunday 1st

Just watching the latest Trucker Tim addition to YouTube

Did they buy a ‘do-er up’, or is that the annex?