Canterbury Aire & a razor!

[hja]

We had a recent break in Kent. Spent two nights at the Canterbury Aire.
This was a first for us - an Aire, and no EHU.
We survived.
I do most of the site finding & booking. If we are going to Canterbury, I said, we will use the Aire - but I explained to OH this means no electric hook up. OK he said.
So - rock up late afternoon. Next day, go to Canterbury. Come back to the van. OH gets out razor & goes to plug into the mains. It wont work, I say, no hook up. What, he says, we have no electricity at all? Did you plug in the cable, I ask? Oh, he says!!
We were fully charged when we arrived on day 1 (been on EHU night before, journey to Canterbury, & plenty of sun). Leisure battery showing upper 12v/13v. Next morning fine. Day 2, rained in am, but was sunny later. We left van parked & went into Canterbury. In the pm battery was still well up in 12v By evening had dropped to 11.8 - dont know what the difference was between day 1 & day 2. Only using background stuff, pump, tracker, etc. Hot water on gas. Not charging any phones etc.
We have on ordinary battery, 120v solar, and a compressor fridge. It must have been the latter, but why it used more one evening than day before, dont know.
Charge went up to 11.9 during the evening, back at 11.8 next morning. We left, & drove about 1.5 hours before stopping, and battery back up to 12.5. Hopefully no permanent damage.
At least we now know we can do 1 night without ehu, and 2 if we use the van during the day (& there is a bit of sun)

 

[Riverbankannie]

Phew!, I read the first line as a “break in in Kent” so was pleased to go on and read that no problems at all except for my quick scanning.

 

[funflair]

Do you just have 1 battery? sounds like you need more or a new one or both before you do much more "off-grid"

 

[Jays2]

Compressor fridge? do you watch television? In the van?

 

[mitzimad]

Compressor fridge is the power hungry part of that you need another battery and probabley more solar

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[Jo662]

Phew!, I read the first line as a “break in in Kent” so was pleased to go on and read that no problems at all except for my quick scanning.

Me too , phew

 

[Lenny HB]

With a compressor fridge you need at least two batteries and a lot more solar.

To charge a battery that is fairly flat by driving will take 5 or 6 hours of driving.

 

[GirlyVanGirly]

I have a compressor fridge in my van. One battery, 160w solar panel. Can do 3 nights without EHU but fridge gets turned down to 1 and no tv on.

 

[autorouter]

If you want to power the razor, you could get a small 150W pure sine wave inverter. An inverter that size is small enough to plug into a 12V socket. Make sure you unplug the inverter when finished, because it takes a small amount of power even if nothing is plugged into its output.

 

[Cal54]

I too have a compressor fridge in my PVC and the 1st ‘accessory’ I purchased was a second battery - in fact I had it fitted by the dealer before I collected the van. I then purchased a solar panel the following year and then added a second panel a year later. I now run with 2 x 100 batteries and 2 x 100 solar panels. I can stay off grid for several days if the weather is reasonable BUT I do keep the fridge turned down low and have on occasions switched it off overnight if my battery reading is looking a bit low.

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[Otter Spotter]

I read it as ‘Break in‘ and thought not going there then, but phew, we had decided on stopping there 2 nights whilst doing our great South coast bimble, is it first come first served at the Park and tide ?

 

[jumar]

The responses to this post can only prove one thing....Fun Members are so full of valuable information.....who needs dealers, electronic experts when we have Funsters...

 

[nicholsong]

hja

Man up and wet shave!

 

[nicholsong]

I read it as ‘Break in‘ and thought not going there then, but phew, we had decided on stopping there 2 nights whilst doing our great South coast bimble, is it first come first served at the Park and tide ?

The original MH area on the left as you enter has room for about 20 MHs, but now they have removed the height barrier there is a huge area if you drive ahead after the ticket machine then look to your right where there is a sign for MH parking.

Only time that you might find difficulty is when Kent Cricket XI are playing at home at Canterbury ground which is just down the hill from the P+R.

 

[MitchandJenny]

Innocent question, doesn’t a compressor fridge have a gas capability?
Mitch

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[Rapido925M]

The responses to this post can only prove one thing....Fun Members are so full of valuable information.....who needs dealers, electronic experts when we have Funsters...

No. It proves TWO things: people, including me, don’t read sufficiently carefully

Gordon

 

[Imala615]

I read it as ‘Break in‘ and thought not going there then, but phew, we had decided on stopping there 2 nights whilst doing our great South coast bimble, is it first come first served at the Park and tide ?

Not sure what you mean by first come first served but there are about 20 dedicated spaces for motorhomes and there was an overspill area as you go through the barrier to the right .There is water and cassette emptying facilities and and free bus to town . Not sure of price now as its 3 years since i stopped . will be using tunnel end of June so will be there myself for a night or two. Looks like the park and rides could be under threat .

Canterbury’s Park & Ride under threat

Sunday 6th March 2022 Following the demise of Maidstone’s Park & Ride last month comes news part of Canterbury’s scheme is under threat. Launched in 1990, the city’s Park &amp…

busandtrainuser.com

 

[Otter Spotter]

Not sure what you mean by first come first served but there are about 20 dedicated spaces for motorhomes and there was an overspill area as you go through the barrier to the right .There is water and cassette emptying facilities and and free bus to town . Not sure of price now as its 3 years since i stopped . will be using tunnel end of June so will be there myself for a night or two. Looks like the park and rides could be under threat .

Canterbury’s Park & Ride under threat

Sunday 6th March 2022 Following the demise of Maidstone’s Park & Ride last month comes news part of Canterbury’s scheme is under threat. Launched in 1990, the city’s Park &amp…

busandtrainuser.com

Just checked New Dover Road is still open, I assume this is the one that everyone uses?

 

[faraway]

£4 midnight to midnight, so if you stay overnight, it’s £8 and that includes free park and ride buses for 6 people

 

[Steve and Denise]

hja

Man up and wet shave!

I just use a gas blow lamp

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[namwaldog]

£4 midnight to midnight, so if you stay overnight, it’s £8 and that includes free park and ride buses for 6 people

Whenever we use it, we usually stay for two nights so £12 for two nights.

As we have to travel 400 miles to get there, we never pre-book the tunnel or travel insurance.

So we take two days to get there, usually arriving mid afternoon. Once there, book the train for day after tomorrow, rather than pay premium today or next day prices.
Book the travel insurance (having previously obtained quotes) and then spend a leisurely next day in Canterbury.

Leave the third day to catch the train.

Stress free start to the trip.

 

[nicholsong]

Just checked New Dover Road is still open, I assume this is the one that everyone uses?

It is the one with MH service facilities. There is a plan to provide the same at the Wincheap P+R when the new slip road off the A2 at the A28 is finished, but I have not had an update on that for a while.

 

[mitzimad]

I read it as ‘Break in‘ and thought not going there then, but phew, we had decided on stopping there 2 nights whilst doing our great South coast bimble, is it first come first served at the Park and tide ?

yes first come first serve ,but there's plenty of room .Camper section is on your left as you come in but if you pass it and turn right theres a huge overflow section that is a lot flatter than the actual aire section and quieter, not that the aire is noisey but you do hear the cars coming in in the morning

 

[Simon Meadwell]

I have been when Kent playing at home and still plenty of room.

 

[Mr porky]

We found this aire to be an excellent stop over facility, funsters recommended it to us.

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[nicholsong]

It is the one with MH service facilities. There is a plan to provide the same at the Wincheap P+R when the new slip road off the A2 at the A28 is finished, but I have not had an update on that for a while.

Update: straight from Canterbury City Parking Manager this afternoon.

The new slip road, and thus Wincheap P+R MH facility, has been delayed due lack of funds because of Covid but plans still held for future, when funds available.

Also no change at New Dover Road P+R, including no change in price.

 

[gus-lopez]

Phew!, I read the first line as a “break in in Kent” so was pleased to go on and read that no problems at all except for my quick scanning.

& me.

Innocent question, doesn’t a compressor fridge have a gas capability?
Mitch

No

 

[dunnah01]

Has anybody had any issues staying for 2 nights / 3 days - the parking apps say 2 days max but 2 nights is 3 days?

 

[funflair]

Innocent question, doesn’t a compressor fridge have a gas capability?
Mitch

No purely electric and usually 240v so usually have a small inverter to run them.

 

[nicholsong]

Has anybody had any issues staying for 2 nights / 3 days - the parking apps say 2 days max but 2 nights is 3 days?

If you are referring to Canterbury P+R, I am sure 2 nights is fine, especially now they have the big overflow area. The staff who manage the whole P+R and their manager are very friendly. One staff member who had retired came back because he liked working for the current Manager, who I have met and can understand that.

There are no 'pegs' you have to park to. It is a very relaxed and well-run facility and of course well-positioned for Dover and the Chunnel.

We need more like it.

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