New to the scene and am struggling with what products to buy?

LPG Tanks and cheap LPG

One point about a good sized LPG tank (bottles or underslung) is that youwill have capacity to take advantage of good deals when you see them. We have only used our van in UK so far (we have dreams of long EU runs one day) but we have noticed a huge variation in LPG costs. Morrisons seem to have the best deals (around 50p per litre) and we now fill up every time we see one and always before coming north of Central Belt in Scotland. Our local LPG garage at Kinloss charges over 70p per litre. Our tank holds 50 liters and we can go for a couple of months on that. The advice we had when we installed the underslung tank was fit the biggest you can and we are glad that we did.
 
Solar ... As well as providing useful charging power to your batteries, it reduces the sound of rain drumming on your roof and the effect of heat on your roof as well (probably more relevant to PVCs then Custom Motorhomes?)

TV ... maybe better to think of it as a "display" or "monitor" rather than a TV, as just as likely to be used to watch DVDs, stuff on USB memory sticks, stuff via the Internet such as from Netflix, NowTV, Amazon, YouTube, etc. "TV" instantly makes the discussion go to questions of signal strength, etc.

Gas ... no comments as I don't have it in mine out of choice. I'm ALL-electric inside other then a future to-be-installed Diesel heater (Eberspacher D2 Airtronic)
 
TV ... maybe better to think of it as a "display" or "monitor" rather than a TV, as just as likely to be used to watch DVDs, stuff on USB memory sticks, stuff via the Internet such as from Netflix, NowTV, Amazon, YouTube, etc. "TV" instantly makes the discussion go to questions of signal strength, etc.


My cheapo 12V TV (Visual Innovations) plays DVDs and lets you record onto a memory stick - so you can record programmes when you are out - and only draws a shade over 2A
 
thomas0702 said:
I have just purchased a lovely (albeit second hand) 2005 swift kontiki. I cant wait to get it out and about, however I need some upgrades and I am unsure what to start with.

Refillable LPG system, Solar panels, Satalite TV??

Any advice?
Click to expand...
Refillable LPG doesn't have to be located outside. Standard tanks are horizontal either circular or cylinder. Vertical cylinder tanks are very expensive and few to be had. So it comes down to what space you are willing to give up. Fitting outside is expensive as a ramp is required for access underneath. A closed heating system doesn't up the humidity, an open system produces water vapour as a by-product so you have to vent out and vent in. Who hasn't heated their van from the cooker rings. LPG isn't totally clean it still has small amounts of benzine's etc in it.
If your lungs are good and healthy you can smoke 20 Woodbine a day (like Uncle Harry who died at 76) and still live an active farm life. If your lungs are edgy then what is called sick building syndrome (all things gas off) will come into effect. ie. the allergy to dust mites is actually the odour of the protein in the droppings of the dust mite. You cant see a dust mite let alone its turds and the odour of one chemical constituent inflames the airways.

Iv'e just had a reply from a panel supplier;-

Mono flexible are much more efficient hence only around 1m long compared to 1.15m mono solid, 1.25m poly solid
But if space isn't an issue then they perform similarly in real world conditions so you save a good amount by going poly.
We next stock mono flexibles end of February.

If they were trying to grab my money they wouldn't have said delivery in 10 weeks.

If you are after TV etc its all on your phone, step into the modern world today don't wait for it. My phone is full of music/movies and documentaries where ever I am.
 
Suck it and see

Hiya,

We bought our Motorhome (2012 AutoTrail Tracker RS) in January 2014, it already had a solar panel (120 W with a 110Ah leisure battery) and we asked for a Gaslow system to be fitted - went for 1 x 25l bottle leaving us the option to use a refillable bottle or add a second Gaslow tank at a later date as there's a changeover valve and space for 2 bottles in the locker.

We mostly wildcamp at weekends year round in Scotland (off to Aviemore this weekend) and a couple of weeks in England or Wales tho' we did spend 10 months in France, Spain and Portugal (10/2015-8/2016)

Our van was an upgrade from a tent so we're quite frugal on energy consumption ie when we're away we don't generally watch TV or use technology (tablets, PCs etc) phone recharges from the cigarette lighter when travelling. Wouldn't thank you for satellite TV - rather have the payload for bikes, books, wine or beer.

Wouldn't contemplate a van without a Gaslow (or similar) system, we never did add another tank or buy a Calor bottle. We fill up (£12 ish) every 4-6 months and use it for cooking 2-3 meals a day, running the fridge, heating (especially in winter) & hot water. Probably a bit if a luxury but we find it really convenient not having to swap cylinders etc. There aren't a huge number of Autogas stations North of Perth but it's not been a problem.

Could probably get by without a solar panel - we tend to move on every day or 2 and the sun doesn't shine for long or get very high between September and April this far North - UNLESS we were going back to Europe where we stayed on several Aires for 3-5 days, even then the solar was probably more peace of mind - but it is nice to see the batteries charging for "free".

As others have said don't rush into anything, have a few trips away then decide what you need (and what you want). Hope this helps.

F
 
crumblygapper said:
One point about a good sized LPG tank (bottles or underslung) is that youwill have capacity to take advantage of good deals when you see them. We have only used our van in UK so far (we have dreams of long EU runs one day) but we have noticed a huge variation in LPG costs. Morrisons seem to have the best deals (around 50p per litre) and we now fill up every time we see one and always before coming north of Central Belt in Scotland. Our local LPG garage at Kinloss charges over 70p per litre. Our tank holds 50 liters and we can go for a couple of months on that. The advice we had when we installed the underslung tank was fit the biggest you can and we are glad that we did.
Click to expand...


LPG does not have to be outside of bodywork.
If you can see a see through dome on tank with everything inside then ok for internal fitting.
 
I would go solar first as they're so cheap now
Refillable gas is an expensive luxury only worthwhile if you use gas heating in winter .
Get a low watt 12 v TV
The big question is do you intend to wild camp in winter?.
 
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