Gas vs. Electric kettle?

[trevskoda]

I have seen vans with wood burners in them and a flat plate on top to cook on, ok in a big van but to much in a small one.

 

[Robmac]

I have seen vans with wood burners in them and a flat plate on top to cook on, ok in a big van but to much in a small one.

Yeah but a woodgas stove is an open fire Trev.

Used in a van it might cause a severe case of death!

 

[Derekoak]

unfortunately, this isn't the case. Solar panels cost you, every time you drive the vehicle, because of two factors, weight and aerodynamic restrictions. I would suggest that most solar panel systems, on motorhomes, are similar to roof racks, regarding aerodynamics. The extra fuel cost of these are well documented, for anyone that is interested. At the present time, with the high price of diesel, this is even worse.
Given that solar is all but useless, in the UK winter, it isn't as good as many people like to think. Don't be fooled !

OK that aspect had not occurred to me in that context, but I added semiflexible panels flexed to the roof when that thought occurred to me during construction. Semi flexible weigh a fraction of rigid and my added midi skylight will add multiples of the extra drag of my panels, which most passers by would not notice unless from above.
It is still true that the EXCESS solar is free as you have already installed the solar for other purposes.

 

[colinm]

I would suggest that most solar panel systems, on motorhomes, are similar to roof racks, regarding aerodynamics. The extra fuel cost of these are well documented, for anyone that is interested. At the present time, with the high price of diesel, this is even worse.
Given that solar is all but useless, in the UK winter, it isn't as good as many people like to think. Don't be fooled !

I would suggest that on many motorhome a solar panel will have little effect on aerodynamics as they may well be 'surrounded by skylights, and the airflow over many vans roofs will not be as attached compared to most cars.
Solar isn't 'useless' in winter, it is greatly reduced, for us that means we can park up for a day or two longer, unlike summer where we can park up indefinitely.

 

[Robmac]

I would suggest that on many motorhome a solar panel will have little effect on aerodynamics as they may well be 'surrounded by skylights, and the airflow over many vans roofs will not be as attached compared to most cars.
Solar isn't 'useless' in winter, it is greatly reduced, for us that means we can park up for a day or two longer, unlike summer where we can park up indefinitely.

I find that solar is invaluable in Winter as a trickle charge for both leisure and vehicle batteries during long periods of inactivity. Keeps mine nicely topped up.

Companies like Fiamma supply small spoilers which deflect airflow over solar panels AND skylights thereby improving aerodynamics over a standard motorhome even if it didn't have solar panels.

 

[colinm]

I find that solar is invaluable in Winter as a trickle charge for both leisure and vehicle batteries during long periods of inactivity. Keeps mine nicely topped up.

Yes, I've been doing this for several decades, for present van we park under cover, so rigged up a 40w panel to trickle charge vehicle battery, this has worked well for 10 years, just the most overcast days for the next month or so where voltage might drop.

 

[GeoffL]

I would suggest that on many motorhome a solar panel will have little effect on aerodynamics as they may well be 'surrounded by skylights, and the airflow over many vans roofs will not be as attached compared to most cars.
Solar isn't 'useless' in winter, it is greatly reduced, for us that means we can park up for a day or two longer, unlike summer where we can park up indefinitely.

In our case, the roof level tapers and is highest at the overcab. The wind-up skylight is fitted aft of the overcab, which reduces the aerodynamic impact of that. Our solar is fitted right behind the wind-up skylight and isn't as high and so has minimal impact on aerodynamics.

I find that solar is invaluable in Winter as a trickle charge for both leisure and vehicle batteries during long periods of inactivity. Keeps mine nicely topped up.
[...]

Same here -- our van is kept in storage without EHU and so solar is the only way our batteries get topped up when not used for a few months.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I like the look of that, shame it doesn't have a whistle.

I know you don't need one, but I want my kettle to whistle...

Tentock Camping Kettle with Foldable Handle Fast Heating Gas Teapot Outdoor Compact Lightweight Whistling Aluminium Kettles 1L / 1.6L​

 

[yeoblade]

We use a kettle for the gas hob with a built in heat exchanger. It really does help the efficiency a lot.
Similar to this one

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bulin-Tentock-Outdoor-Portable-Aluminum/dp/B07795S6XV/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=aluminium%2Bkettle&qid=1609595875&sr=8-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyTDgwQ0dXVVNaU0xIJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTg5NDY4MjgxWFhIVllHTDlWRSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTY3NTk0MVM0TzEzQTdSU0ZQTCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU%3D&linkCode=ll1&tag=campingsecret-21&linkId=19d3d665c404b8b1bcb7ee0d70ff4be9&language=en_GB&th=1

Aren't ALL kettles heat exchangers?

 

[trevskoda]

Yeah but a woodgas stove is an open fire Trev.

Used in a van it might cause a severe case of death!

Yes seen some, i also like the kelly kettles which burn twigs.

 

[mark61]

Love Kelly Kettles.
Looking forward to a roadside brew with a mate on Nordkapp. Didn't happen.

Dumped the idea of camping from a 4x4 and kelly kettles on the same trip. MH and proper kettle for me.

 

[wildebus]

I reckon to make that picture perfect, you need a roof, walls, a roaring fire, comfy seats and glass of beer - now THAT is camping

 

[colinm]

Watched an interview with one of the international brigade, even back at beginning of Ukraine war a Kelly Kettle and merino wool underwear where essential.

 

[Mick H]

To all who think that any addition to a motorhome has hardly any effect on fuel consumption, just note the lengths that F1 car designers go to, to gain more power, and yet conserve fuel.
It doesn't really mater what you think, it's what physics dictates, that is the deciding factor. Who was it, that said " There are none so blind, as the wilfully blind"
To argue against this, is to argue against physics, not against my opinion.
I'm not against solar, and I have meticulous records, of my 11yr old domestic system, so I am fully aware of solar generation, in my part of the UK, and this is with the panels angled and pointed towards the south. Still all but useless, in the UK winter.

 

[trevskoda]

Watched an interview with one of the international brigade, even back at beginning of Ukraine war a Kelly Kettle and merino wool underwear where essential.

How did they get their legs into the kettle.

 

[trevskoda]

To all who think that any addition to a motorhome has hardly any effect on fuel consumption, just note the lengths that F1 car designers go to, to gain more power, and yet conserve fuel.
It doesn't really mater what you think, it's what physics dictates, that is the deciding factor. Who was it, that said " There are none so blind, as the wilfully blind"
To argue against this, is to argue against physics, not against my opinion.
I'm not against solar, and I have meticulous records, of my 11yr old domestic system, so I am fully aware of solar generation, in my part of the UK, and this is with the panels angled and pointed towards the south. Still all but useless, in the UK winter.

Im still getting a small charge on mine which are flat on the roof, but from now on to about the end of feb it just about does if lucky on a good sunny day.

 

[Robmac]

How did they get their legs into the kettle.

?

 

[colinm]

To all who think that any addition to a motorhome has hardly any effect on fuel consumption, just note the lengths that F1 car designers go to, to gain more power, and yet conserve fuel.
It doesn't really mater what you think, it's what physics dictates, that is the deciding factor. Who was it, that said " There are none so blind, as the wilfully blind"
To argue against this, is to argue against physics, not against my opinion.
I'm not against solar, and I have meticulous records, of my 11yr old domestic system, so I am fully aware of solar generation, in my part of the UK, and this is with the panels angled and pointed towards the south. Still all but useless, in the UK winter.

Part of my work is aerodynamics, so I have a fair idea of what I'm talking about.

 

[trevskoda]

?

Slow tonight Rob.

 

[Derekoak]

To all who think that any addition to a motorhome has hardly any effect on fuel consumption, just note the lengths that F1 car designers go to, to gain more power, and yet conserve fuel.
It doesn't really mater what you think, it's what physics dictates, that is the deciding factor. Who was it, that said " There are none so blind, as the wilfully blind"
To argue against this, is to argue against physics, not against my opinion.
I'm not against solar, and I have meticulous records, of my 11yr old domestic system, so I am fully aware of solar generation, in my part of the UK, and this is with the panels angled and pointed towards the south. Still all but useless, in the UK winter.

You may be right My only data is no noticeable decrease in my mpg after fitting my solar. But I accept that is crude data.
However I drive at about 60 mph or less so talking about formula 1 where aerodynamics is totally different ( drag proportional to the SQUARE of the speed) remember, will not persuade any open minded viewers? Now that is physics.