Motorhome technology trends

[Robmac]

Handy if sitting outside though.
How did folks manage with supersear gas heaters in homes years back.

They tend to cause quite a lot of condensation in vans Trev.

 

[wildebus]

They tend to cause quite a lot of condensation in vans Trev.

In my first flat I used one of the common Calor Gas Heaters in the sitting room. Caused so much condensation the plaster started coming off the wall! (It was a basement flat and likely not protected very well so that would have been a factor no doubt).

 

[Fisherman]

In my first flat I used one of the common Calor Gas Heaters in the sitting room. Caused so much condensation the plaster started coming off the wall! (It was a basement flat and likely not protected very well so that would have been a factor no doubt).

It was clearly stated that for safety reasons, and to reduce condensation, you required good ventilation. Leaving a window open was recommended, but doing that in winter was counterproductive.
I had a customer who ran a hairdressers in Glasgow. They ran three gas heaters in winter, the water used to run down the shop window, and there were fungal growths on the upper walls and ceilings. This dampness was so bad I was never away from the place replacing water damaged parts of their alarm system.

 

[Martin P]

We carry one of these;

https://www.halfords.com/camping/cooking-equipment/halfords-portable-gas-stove-532534.html?istCompanyId=b8708c57-7a02-4cf6-b2c0-dc36b54a327e&istFeedId=367c5610-f937-4c81-8609-f84582324cd6&istItemId=pmtptlpal&istBid=t&gclsrc=aw.ds&&_$ja=tsid:|cid:17253532456|agid:|tid:|crid:|nw:x|rnd:5851174751214045268|dvc:c|adp:|mt:|loc:9046204&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17262801092&gbraid=0AAAAADrJx6xuPBy2ko5mkjTEtelfGggvf&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnJfEBhCzARIsAIMtfKLV8fuKWYiM52OW4dDd2-1j5hGGAvSBVREQUNVOUedS1NaA7YthGRMaAu-6EALw_wcB

Excellent little stove and very stable. You do have to be careful about the size of the pan you are using though, if it is large enough to protrude over the gas cannister it can reflect the heat downwards and they have been known to explode.

I have something very similar in my workshop. I use it everyday to cook my lunch.

 

[trevskoda]

I have something very similar in my workshop. I use it everyday to cook my lunch.

Lucky you hot food, my workshop is beside the house and my good wife leaves mine outside the door.

 

[marchie]

Obviously I meant 4000Wh aka 4kWh. Not a hard thing to realize

You should have reverted to Captain Mainwaring mode, David and replied, 'Yes, good spot, Pike; I just put that mistake in to see who was paying attention. Carry on ...'

Steve

 

[Rumour]

Handy if sitting outside though.
How did folks manage with supersear gas heaters in homes years back.

As kids, we slept with paraffin heaters in our bedroom! There was a bigger one at the bottom of the stairs. Not sure of the effects on us kids, but croup was very evident in the winter months. Mum used to go to the local road works and nick road tar and stand that in boiling water on top of the heater! Everywhere was damp, clothes were uncomfortable to put on the the windows were thick with ice on the inside!

I guess that is a good excuse to use for my lack of mental capacity!

 

[Chasn]

My original point for this thread was to point out that, as many of us are now using LFP batteries, the use of compressor fridges is a logical step forward for those who do a lot of wild camping. Even with a 600Ah LFP battery my 3 way fridge was so inefficient that it was limited to about 3 days on battery. Halving the power consumption and reducing the 'on' time by half makes a big difference. The recent availability of cheaper compressor fridges now makes retrofitting an attractive option.

Until LFP batteries become the norm for new motorhomes I don't see manufacturers moving away from 3 way fridges.

For wild camping, due to the large amount energy required, it is still difficult to get away from fossil fuels for heating. As and when EV motorhomes become a real proposition this will be solved but we are still years away from that.

 

[trevskoda]

When nuclear fussion becomes fesable then all are problems will be solved, a tiny shoe box unit in vans/cars homes etc will be the way forward.

 

[Robmac]

When nuclear fussion becomes fesable then all are problems will be solved, a tiny shoe box unit in vans/cars homes etc will be the way forward.

Nuclear fusion devices available to the general public Trev?

What could possibly go wrong?

 

[marchie]

Nuclear fusion devices available to the general public Trev?

What could possibly go wrong?

AI will control everything, so we can all enjoy fission chips ...

Steve

 

[trevskoda]

Nuclear fusion devices available to the general public Trev?

What could possibly go wrong?

Same as petrol/gas i suspect, it will be safe but still a long way off from what i read.

 

[merl]

Is it feasible to run an all electric MH in the winter months in this country off grid? I'm not counting the heating side because obviously an electric system wouldn't cope so you'd need gas or a diesel heater for that, I'm interested to understand just how close to full self sustainability you can be with a roof full of solar and LFP batteries in the winter months? I suspect you'd need a generator (running on petrol) or visit sites to recharge the batteries pretty regularly? Or drove around a lot and had a really powerful alternator and B2B? Unless of course you ate cold food? Or ate out mostly?

 

[trevskoda]

Fridge lights etc ok in winter, but not heavy cooking tools like m wave and hobs unless you ahve as you say lots of solar and big bank of lipos.

 

[Nabsim]

Is it feasible to run an all electric MH in the winter months in this country off grid? I'm not counting the heating side because obviously an electric system wouldn't cope so you'd need gas or a diesel heater for that, I'm interested to understand just how close to full self sustainability you can be with a roof full of solar and LFP batteries in the winter months? I suspect you'd need a generator (running on petrol) or visit sites to recharge the batteries pretty regularly? Or drove around a lot and had a really powerful alternator and B2B? Unless of course you ate cold food? Or ate out mostly?

Depends how you use the van, if you are ok frequently moving then combination of a big B2B and a Juicy Brucie cable would do the job. I could do it standing if I wanted to use the genny that much but wouldn't unless I was stuck and had to.

 

[mark61]

Think it all depends on your lifestyle. You can keep a lot of Guinness cold for the energy of cooking an omelette

 

[merl]

Think it all depends on your lifestyle. You can keep a lot of Guinness cold for the energy of cooking an omelette

Yeh but can't you simply store the Guinness outdoors in the winter and still have the omelette Mark?

 

[Nabsim]

Yeh but can't you simply store the Guinness outdoors in the winter and still have the omelette Mark?

Indeed, a lot of folks turn their fridges off for the Winter month. I tried it for a short time one Winter but I am too used to my fresh stuff staying fresh for a couple of weeks

 

[wildebus]

Indeed, a lot of folks turn their fridges off for the Winter month. I tried it for a short time one Winter but I am too used to my fresh stuff staying fresh for a couple of weeks

If it is cold enough not to need a fridge, then it is too cold to be camping

 

[wildebus]

Here you go boys .... The Enron Egg

Enron has unveiled a new product called the 'Enron Egg,' the world's first micro-nuclear reactor that can power your entire home for 10 continuous years.


PS. If anyone is interested, I have a special deal on one of these, along with a 10 year lease on Tower Bridge for just £100,000