Getting away from it all.

michael beck said:
John this is relatively easy to get, Trinity research offer 99.95%pure @ £215 for 205ltr
its part of the process for the manufacture of bio diesel and one of the first gasses to come off during distillation of certain spirits.
Apparently they also make an Ethanol cell to produce electricity, (now that would be handy):p
Click to expand...

Thanks.
John
 
Been doing a bit more research on EFOY fuel cells. Although pure methanol is available from a number of outlets, including places like Bulgaria, Spain....indeed most European countries, the EFOY manufacturer only allow refuelling of the cells using their own TUV approved pure methanol cartridges. Obviously these are quite expensive.

This is what their web page says:

An M10 fuel cartridge, for example, weighs only 8.4 kg but contains 11.1 kilowatt hours of energy. With those specifications, you can easily store weeks’ worth of energy on your boat. Power anytime – EFOY fuel cartridges assure that you’ll always have electricity!

Available all over Europe
EFOY fuel cartridges have been designed to provide methanol to EFOY fuel cells in a safe and convenient manner. They are available from dealers all over Europe.

Sales Points

EFOY fuel cartridges – safe and practical
EFOY fuel cartridges come in practical 5- and 10-liter sizes. EFOY fuel cartridges bear the TÜV-GS seal of safety and are cleared for transport on land, by ship and in the air. Furthermore, they are cleared for use in closed spaces.

Ultrapure – EFOY fuel cartridges’ seal of quality
EFOY fuel cells may only be operated in conjunction with EFOY fuel cartridges. It’s the only way you can be sure that the fuel inside really does meet the demands of purity that the generation process makes. It’s also the best way to avoid irreparable damage to the fuel cell due to invisible chemical impurities such as sulfur, chlorine, sodium, and the like. The guarantee does not cover damage caused by the use of contaminated fuel.

EFOY fuel cell contains ultrapure methanol that we’ve checked and given a molecular purity guarantee especially for use in EFOY fuel cells. Constant checking is the best guarantee of consistent quality. Look for the Ultra Pure seal on every EFOY fuel cartridge.

Proven safe!
Every EFOY fuel cartridge bears the TÜV seal of safety. The cartridges have been designed to meet the most stringent safety demands right from the start. The container itself is made of high-impact plastic. They’ve undergone numerous drop and shock tests and passed with flying colors.

Every EFOY fuel cartridge comes with a safety valve that prevents fuel from leaking out. The valve only opens if the cartridge is connected to an EFOY fuel cell. If the cartridge is removed, the safety valve automatically closes again. At no time do you come into contact with methanol. This solution is a lot safer, cleaner, and more convenient than having to refuel gasoline generators. EFOY fuel cartridges must be used within three years from the initial date of delivery.


Clean
The EFOY fuel cell generates electrical current from methanol. Methanol is an alcohol that occurs in nature, for example in trees, cotton plants, or oils. More and more ethanol is being generated from renewable resources such as second-generation organic waste or even household waste. Methanol fuel helps conservation efforts while providing a real energy alternative.
 
This is a personal view -
Set yourself up with a decent bank pf Solar panels and "leisure" batteries. The fuel cell idea is great for thems as don't have to pay for them. The other option is a small Genny ie Honda or a built-in Genny such as an Onan.
Have a look at mobile.de - there is an option to view the vehicles in English (top right hand corner)
Here's another linky that will give you some ideas
Die Wohnmobil-Galerie / The Motor Home Gallery - Inexpensive and Well-Kept Used Motor Homes
If you are, or soon to be, ex Forces ask for some advice on ARRSE - the travel forum is the one that you need.
The advice on 2nd hand is excellent: Don't forget, as you drive off the dealer's forecourt you have lost anything from £4k onwards. The Germans and Dutch tend to change their vehicles more often than we do.
People tend not to do anywhere near the mileage with their Motorhomes that they would do with their cars; typically 3k to 5k per year*

* except for the "Wildcamping" people as they tend to use their vehicles rather than let them decorate their driveway :)
 
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don't be so sure about buying in germany
when I was looking for a used left hooker I found that there were a number available from private sales in the uk at better prices than germany
when I asked a couple of owners why this was they told me that dealers tend to say that they are worth much less in the UK if they are LHD , and offer terrible trade in's

so have a look at prices on sites like pre-loved , and compare with german prices
 
Full timing

Hi all,
We put 2gether a 5 year plan: save buy a van, sell up and travel once kids had left school/ college etc.
We are now in year 2 we have the van - a cheyenne autotrail ( plenty of living space, shower, fixed bed, etc as it still has home comforts) and have tested the water around the UK and France, and over the christmas and new year travelled through france, belgium & holland,
On return we have decided that we love the life so much that we are cutting our 5 year plan short, we are now hoping to get our newly adopted puppy vaccinated and a passport, and have decided to rent our house out rather than sell up so we still have an income while travelling, also it is security to came back too should anything happen!

I would highly recommend investing in solar powered everything! solar panel battery chargers and solar portable showers, solar powered torches, solar lights that can be used indoors or out,all can be found cheap on Ebay, an inverter for tvs, laptops and other high voltage appliances and generator, a cycle or scooter is a must! all these things are essential when not using hook up and save energy & money!!

We are so excited and are so` looking forward to it!!

Travelling alone is brave but i am sure it will be an adventure for you. be safe - try and camp near other campers, avoid main roads, services and big cities, maybe invest in a safe for valubles and some pepper spray and get the e111 form from the post office to cover you medically. you will also need overseas van insurance.

Most of all - ENJOY!!
Maybe we will see you on your travels :)
 
Good luck with your adventure!
I am another ex-squaddie, leaving the services at 40 yrs of age in 1997.
Since then have been working as an electrician and hope to 'full time' when I am 55 (pension goes up then) .... may have to wait a few years until 'er indoors packs in work but envy you doing it now!
I too was married to a German Frau and have a child in Germany who we visit often.
I also visit the ARRSE site just to get back into Army humour and talk! You know what I mean if you are ex services.
As for advice, well I have not been Wildcamping that long so will leave it to the more experienced fulltimers and long term peeps on this site to advise, but would recommend solar panels, as we found out to our cost that ehu can cost quite a lot when heating your 'van.
Oh yes, and certainly worth becoming a full member on this site as it is good value for money.

Dave
 
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