Running fridge while wild camping

[Lizi]

Probably a silly question that i should know the answer to but anyway - if camping without hook up do we run the fridge off gas or 12v? We are off to Scotland on Wednesday for our first trip longer than 2 nights and just trying to think of everything we should ask before we go. Any other tips welcome!

 

[Minxy]

Gas - the 12v won't work without the engine running.

 

[Lizi]

Thank you. Another question - what is the solar panel for?

 

[Minxy]

The solar panel will help to keep your batteries topped up.

Depending on your set-up it will definitely keep the leisure battery topped-up and if it has a relay/link it will also keep the engine battery topped-up too, usually once the leisure battery is full.

What size panel is it and how many/what size of leisure battery have you got?

 

[Just smiffy]

Solar panel charges your habitation batteries ....

Fridge on gas is the most economical....

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[TheBig1]

Thank you. Another question - what is the solar panel for?

to charge the leisure battery

 

[DBK]

Thank you. Another question - what is the solar panel for?

Don't worry you won't need it in Scotland.

But more seriously, it generates power from the sun to top up you batteries. It won't generate a huge amount at this time of year even here in the south but it will help.

Do you know what capacity panel you have? It could be for example 80 or 100 watts.

 

[Lizi]

I cant remember the details of the solar panel and info in the van. So the leisure battery will run the lights, water pump etc? We have only used it on hook up so far.

 

[DBK]

I cant remember the details of the solar panel and info in the van. So the leisure battery will run the lights, water pump etc? We have only used it on hook up so far.

Worth finding out for future reference. The leisure battery normally runs everything when off electric hook up but the solar panel will help keep it topped up. You can but see how long you last but don't let the batteries fall below 12 volts if you can help it. They will go lower but you risk damaging them permanently if they go too far. Start the engine if necessary.

 

[pappajohn]

I cant remember the details of the solar panel and info in the van. So the leisure battery will run the lights, water pump etc? We have only used it on hook up so far.

Yes, but not indefinately.
You have to learn to be frugal with battery power.
Only use what lights etc you need, dont have them all lit as you might on mains hookup.

If you intend staying put for more than a couple of days you will need some method of recharging, and as already said, the solar panel wont cope at this time of year.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[kcy]

Thank you. Another question - what is the solar panel for?

Sorry about the funny, but I thought I was an innocent, hurrah someone worse

 

[Encantador]

A lot depends on how many and what size leisure batteries you have. Worth finding out.

Lots of things will need to use your battery power while off hook up, charging phones etc, toilet pump, water pump, heating.

 

[irnbru]

You should take your EHU lead with you so that you can book into a site to recharge your batteries if necessary. Depending on your set up and usage they could be flat after a few days. And thanks to this site I have learned you are not supposed to let your batteries discharge more than 50 %.
Enjoy Scotland, weather is fine today

 

[Bluemooner]

Remember your 240v sockets will not work unless you have a built in inverter

 

[Don Quixote]

Please remember that flat or discharged batteries will take 2/3 days on EHU to fully charge using your on board charging system (that's providing you are not drawing power from them) and NOT 24 hours or less as many seem to think.............

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[BravoTwoZero]

Please remember that flat or discharged batteries will take 2/3 days on EHU to fully charge using your on board charging system (that's providing you are not drawing power from them) and NOT 24 hours or less as many seem to think.............

Very helpful advice, I assumed wrongly that overnight would be enough to fully recharge the leisure battery.

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

We've a 12 volt fridge. We rarely have hook up , so Ralph took this into consideration when looking for one to fit in Pug.
It's ever so good, mind you cost more than the one we have in the kitchen at home.

 

[Eeyore]

You can make your cassette last longer between emptying ( and conserve batteries and fresh water a bit) if, instead of flushing every time you use it you have a bottle of water with a trigger top handy , with a bit of something smelly in it ( aromatherapy oil, Dettol, whatever) and give the bowl a good squirt after using it.

 

[Don Quixote]

Very helpful advice, I assumed wrongly that overnight would be enough to fully recharge the leisure battery.

Whilst nearly every MH now has a battery charger of sorts what happens is it will start at around 6 or 8 amps at 14.4volts (Charging) for perhaps 1, 2 hours, thereafter that same the charger drops amps and voltage to 13.8 (topping up) to 1 or 2 perhaps 3 until battery returns a voltage to say enough. The voltage of 13.8 is NOT charging the battery (topping up) and therefore the next day when you draw amps it seems that the voltage drop is quicker over the day. If however you have a smart charger (something like a CTEK) it charges at 14.8 or sometimes higher then drops voltage slowly over a period of time and every now and then sends voltage up to 14.8. This in simple terms is conditioning (3/4stage). The best thing you can buy is a good 3/4/5 stage charger (pay good money - get good kit) and your batteries will last for years. Even when your not using your MH you should have the batteries on charge.

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

You can make your cassette last longer between emptying ( and conserve batteries and fresh water a bit) if, instead of flushing every time you use it you have a bottle of water with a trigger top handy , with a bit of something smelly in it ( aromatherapy oil, Dettol, whatever) and give the bowl a good squirt after using it.

Great idea. We shall do that from now on , when wilding.
Thanks

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Bobby22]

Probably a silly question that i should know the answer to but anyway - if camping without hook up do we run the fridge off gas or 12v? We are off to Scotland on Wednesday for our first trip longer than 2 nights and just trying to think of everything we should ask before we go. Any other tips welcome!

If your wilding,in Scotland, you will likely be on the move regularly. Use battery 12v when on the move and gas when parked up.
If you are moving on every couple of days you shouldn' t have any problems with power gas or water, even black waste can be rid of quite easily.

Secret is to fill up and dump at every opportunity and in emergencies you can always book into a campsite.

 

[Eeyore]

Secret is to fill up and dump at every opportunity and in emergencies you can always book into a campsite.

If you don't want to overnight at a campsite then the C& CC will allow you to use their facilities ( showers, washing machines, emptying and refilling points, charging via EHU etc) for up to 3 hours for £7.10.

 

[Don Quixote]

If you don't want to overnight at a campsite then the C& CC will allow you to use their facilities ( showers, washing machines, emptying and refilling points, charging via EHU etc) for up to 3 hours for £7.10.

That's very useful to know, thank you.

 

[CWH]

Isn't it lovely to have a forum like this where those of us who don't know can ask very, very basic questions and get useful, straightforward answers.
On behalf of @Lizi , and all other beginners such as myself, THANKYOU to all Funsters who share their knowledge so generously and willingly.

​

 

[DanielFord]

It depends on how long you intend to be away from a hookup. We did 3 days on a single 100ah leisure battery, and we weren't particularly frugal with lights, TV etc.
We have since upgraded to 2 leisure batteries, solar power and an inverter. We haven't yet used it all in anger, since we have hooked up every stay so far.
As others have said, a lot depends on your battery bank, the size of the solar and what you use.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[The Boofles]

Not all c and cc sites let you use their service points for the £7.10 fee - double check on the website first.

 

[mikebeaches]

If your wilding,in Scotland, you will likely be on the move regularly. Use battery 12v when on the move and gas when parked up.
If you are moving on every couple of days you shouldn' t have any problems with power gas or water, even black waste can be rid of quite easily.

Secret is to fill up and dump at every opportunity and in emergencies you can always book into a campsite.

Agree with Bobby22 - if you are regularly on the move, touring in the van, and your batteries are in good condition, you shouldn't have any problem. They will recharge as the engine is running.

And as everybody has mentioned, use gas for the fridge when you are parked up.

We went around the Outer Hebrides a couple of years ago at this time of year. We didn't have solar or any extra batteries - in fact just basic standard kit as supplied with the van. No problem whatsoever, even using the diesel blown air heating quite a lot, and which is fairly hungry on 12 volt electric from the batteries.

Have a great trip.

PS. We nearly got stuck in the snow in the Highlands that April, but finally managed OK and it made for some stunning scenery when the sun subsequently came out.

 

[TUCANO]

If you don't want to overnight at a campsite then the C& CC will allow you to use their facilities ( showers, washing machines, emptying and refilling points, charging via EHU etc) for up to 3 hours for £7.10.

you do need to be a member to do this though :-S

 

[TUCANO]

You can make your cassette last longer between emptying ( and conserve batteries and fresh water a bit) if, instead of flushing every time you use it you have a bottle of water with a trigger top handy , with a bit of something smelly in it ( aromatherapy oil, Dettol, whatever) and give the bowl a good squirt after using it.

I have used this idea for years, there is but one downside, you can use so little water that you can end up with " a bit of something smelly in it "
:-S

 

[dabhand]

Gas - the 12v won't work without the engine running.

Mine does if you take it off automatic as it will run off solar, which is not recommended, coz if you forget to to switch it back.......!