Lithium conversion - Tis done!

[Fazerloz]

Julie has suggested leaving the fridge on permanently, at least for the summer - I know other members do this, any thoughts?

Wouldn't you end up having to defrost it all the time. Or is it a frost free.

 

[Robmac]

Wouldn't you end up having to defrost it all the time. Or is it a frost free.

It only has a small freezer compartment Chris which would probably need a defrost now and then.

Not my department though.

 

[alcam]

Thats it. That is what I need to achieve as it is what we do. Well not "The" same place obviously and less so this year but a month or two sometimes. That is why I was so far reluctant to dump the gas side of it all. What will be interesting for us this year is how long we can go without hookup in the back end. Early days but again, bloody gas will be the limiting factor.

I now have diesel heating , compressor fridge and gas hot water/cooking . So not too dependent on any source . Last trip never had to refill gas once

 

[Robmac]

Wouldn't you end up having to defrost it all the time. Or is it a frost free.

Actually that brings me onto another thought, we may need to buy a Biff Chariot to hang off the back for shopping to keep the fridge stocked up rather than take the van out each time.

 

[Fazerloz]

It only has a small freezer compartment Chris which would probably need a defrost now and then.

Not my department though.

Sound like ours, anything over a week and it's ready for a defrost. You know you will end up having to do it or it's no ice cream lollies for you.

 

[mark61]

I don't think it will need defrosting anymore than you would usually have to defrost it.

There's no more moisture going in, door closed and whatever food is in there already.
I have zero evidence to support this.

 

[mistericeman]

Julie has suggested leaving the fridge on permanently, at least for the summer - I know other members do this, any thoughts?

I never switch the 240v fridge off through summer ...
It stays loaded with essentials (beer/wine) butter etc

We also have a 12v waeco cool box that we use in freezer mode if we are away for a couple of weeks loaded with frozen meals ....

They essentially go on holiday WITH us as we tend to eat out most days lol .

As you can see batteries are back up to 100% by 9am most days

 

[barryd]

I now have diesel heating , compressor fridge and gas hot water/cooking . So not too dependent on any source . Last trip never had to refill gas once

Does heating the hot water not use a fair bit though? I assumed rightly or wrongly if at some point I took out my Truma system and replaced it with a diesel system it would be like for like. Heating and hot water.

 

[barryd]

Actually that brings me onto another thought, we may need to buy a Biff Chariot to hang off the back for shopping to keep the fridge stocked up rather than take the van out each time.

1000% do that. Not just for shopping though. Proper well ard biker adventures! You will thank me later.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

With all this advanced solar & electrical wizardry in your vans, I'm guessing you guys must all be pretty good Gordon Blue chefs when you're out on the road nowadays...

Any chance of a nice lunch if I'm ever nearby?! Shy bairns and all that...

 

[mistericeman]

Does heating the hot water not use a fair bit though? I assumed rightly or wrongly if at some point I took out my Truma system and replaced it with a diesel system it would be like for like. Heating and hot water.

Ours uses very little to heat the water ....I suspect because it only heats a set quantity (10 litres or whatever it holds)
Then shuts off until the water temp has dropped OR the hot water has been used etc .

I usually fire it up after we've parked and levelled and then forget about it being on
Unless we move.

 

[edina]

Julie has suggested leaving the fridge on permanently, at least for the summer - I know other members do this, any thoughts?

Ours (230v fridge/freezer) has never been off since we bought it, gives the solar something to do . I haven't heard the kitchen staff mention de frosting so praps tis automatic?

 

[wildebus]

Does heating the hot water not use a fair bit though? I assumed rightly or wrongly if at some point I took out my Truma system and replaced it with a diesel system it would be like for like. Heating and hot water.

you can work out exactly how much power is needed. There are lots of on-line calculators to do this.
For example I just went to this site - https://www.omnicalculator.com/physics/water-heating and entered my info ....
10 litres of water (size of the Truma Tank)
15 Cel intial temp (seems about right at the moment. You could use a thermometer to see exactly)
60 Cel end temp (that is the Truma electric element cutoff IRRC)
those numbers = 523Wh of power to achieve.
Then it is a matter of working out/finding the efficiency of the power source to see how much is used.
Electric-wise, in approx Ah for a 12V Battery system, around 40Ah with 99% efficiency.
For Gas, far less efficient so that 523Wh of power will probably burn 1500Wh of LPG.

I find my 850W Electric Element in my Truma Boiler takes maybe 45 minutes before it shuts off due to reaching temp. I will often turn on the electric heater when driving to use the 'free' alternator power through the B2B to heat the water so it is hot and ready to use when I arrive.

 

[barryd]

Its a journey I guess. I am reluctant to get shot of a working Truma system and a really good three way fridge both of which dont appear to have been used much until maybe I have to. I don't think the Truma systems are known for longevity though and we all know the way three way fridges eventually go. Lets see how much of a PIA the small Gaslow bottle is this summer.

 

[alcam]

Does heating the hot water not use a fair bit though? I assumed rightly or wrongly if at some point I took out my Truma system and replaced it with a diesel system it would be like for like. Heating and hot water.

Don't think it uses too much .
I agree better to have both heating and hot water on diesel. After all you will always have diesel Had that on a previous van . Not sure the thinking behind present set up ?

 

[r4dent]

I played a sort of Debby McGee to Merl's Paul Daniels if you will.

But what first, Rob, attracted you to the millionaire, Merl?

 

[trevskoda]

I will often turn on the electric heater when driving to use the 'free' alternator power through the B2B to heat the water so it is hot and ready to use when I arrive.

Not free as when the alt is loaded high you are burning more fuel so less mpg.

 

[wildebus]

Not free as when the alt is loaded high you are burning more fuel so less mpg.

did you spot the quote marks?

 

[Nabsim]

Its a journey I guess. I am reluctant to get shot of a working Truma system and a really good three way fridge both of which dont appear to have been used much until maybe I have to. I don't think the Truma systems are known for longevity though and we all know the way three way fridges eventually go. Lets see how much of a PIA the small Gaslow bottle is this summer.

Not a chance that I would replace working kit without a very good reason. Like replace diesel heater when I can no longer get diesel. Diesel will probably stop being available before gas lol

Dunno if you have noticed but Calor already do biogas that connects to a van and uses all the same regulator/jets

 

[mark61]

Not a chance that I would replace working kit without a very good reason. Like replace diesel heater when I can no longer get diesel. Diesel will probably stop being available before gas lol

Dunno if you have noticed but Calor already do biogas that connects to a van and uses all the same regulator/jets

Yes, why replace working stuff if you don't need to. I did though, my good reason is it's all R&D for the next van.