What do you do with the van when not using it

[Phil89a]

Just wondering what people recommend….

You have solar on your van, you park it outside your house in a fairly sunny spot next to a EHU. Do you leave it to keep the batteries topped up using the solar or do you leave it connected to the EHU whilst it is not being used?

And if in winter, do you (assuming you have electric option on your heating), set the heating to come on low overnight?

 

[denisejoe]

Left on drive with 2 solar panels taking care of leisure and engine battery’s

 

[GJH]

Solar keeps the batteries topped up most of the time but EHU used every few weeks in winter when necessary to keep the engine battery topped up. In a normal year, when we are able to get away year round, EHU is needed less.

 

[The Old Man]

The van lives on the storage site which is five minutes drive from home.

Usually one day a week I visit just to sit in it, climb into bed for a snooze, do some tidying, flush fresh water though the tanks.

On another day I take the van out for a drive, either a simple 20 mile loop around Cardiff or a run up to the Brecon Beacons for a picnic, a snooze may also be involved. When possible all the travelling is done with van windows open to change the air inside the van.

I find that keeps the oils stirred and the batteries topped off.

 

[AndyPK]

We (hope!) to use the ‘van all-year round………but have solar/ehu to keep batteries charged.

Of course, when not being used, it becomes a very expensive shed………

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[JockandRita]

Ditto the above replies.

If the panels become covered in snow, then I plug in to EHU. Once cleared, I unplug. I do not apply the heating until a few hours before leaving on a trip, unless of course one (or both) of us is overnighting in the MH....................just for a change.

However, pre pandemic, we use the MH all year round, and where possible travel to the sun for winter.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Flairy]

i keep EHU connected heating on low alde heating I do have solar panels but they wouldn’t do the heating . Done this for 20 years still good as new with original leisure batterys hope this helps.

 

[Shrimp]

When we lived in a house the van kept itself going with the Solar panels then on EHU to get fridge cold before a trip.

 

[The Old Man]

Gun that killed Billy the Kid sells for $6 million!

Gun that killed Billy the Kid sells for $6 million

The gun that killed American Wild West outlaw Billy the Kid sold for more than $6 million at auction on Friday in Los Angeles, more than double the pre-sale estimate.

www.reuters.com

 

[Two on Tour]

Solar takes care of our hab and starter batteries all year round.

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[Two on Tour]

Gun that killed Billy the Kid sells for $6 million!

Gun that killed Billy the Kid sells for $6 million

The gun that killed American Wild West outlaw Billy the Kid sold for more than $6 million at auction on Friday in Los Angeles, more than double the pre-sale estimate.

www.reuters.com

The Old Man a bit out of context for this thread or have you posted on the wrong thread ?

 

[The Old Man]

The Old Man a bit out of context for this thread or have you posted on the wrong thread ?

I did!

Not been for coffee yet!!!!!

 

[deleted79651]

We have on street parking only, so Solar has to work. Winter sun trip to France and Spain in normal times, but now a 20 miles trip in Fife in Winter will have to suffice. Med or the Firth of Forth is no easy decision ...

Steve

 

[Lenny HB]

Solar keeps our batteries topped up only connect to EUH to cool the fridge down before going away.
Never use heating when not using the van, warm air holds more moisture so not good.

 

[RM_Marine]

I'm in the the military so it's on camp, I tend to leave it on ramps so if it rains the water doesn't sit on the roof, as we all know from some of my posts the roof lights might need resealing.

Left in gear handbrake off but choked.

Ref batteries and power, I have solor fitted so just leave the electrics on as I wasn't sure about isolating it all it's been fine for the last year or so.

I move it on and off the ramps every other week so its not sat in the same place on the tires

Draw all blinds and I dumped all the water including boiler water and leave the grey water open

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[Larrynwin]

Ours is on drive all blinds closed with solar keeping batteries charged and in the cold of winter hooked up with heating set at 6degs with all cupboards open and all water drained down and wheel covers on.

 

[Richard n Ann]

I made the garage taller and longer for ours, keeps my reversing skills pin sharp

The top door is the extended bit, I made it swing down with ropes and pulley on each side.

 

[Lenny HB]

If the panels become covered in snow,

Explanation required for a Southerner please.

 

[Stag man]

On the drive.
EHU with a smart charger keeps the van battery fully charged
Solar keeps the leisure batteries charged
Used throughout the year (monthly in winter)

 

[AXO66]

Outside, solar keeps it all tickety-bo.
On a slight slope so water drains off.
left in gear handbrake off.
fridge door open, toilet roof vent just opened,
cushions away from walls,
alarm on, security devices fitted and locked
scuttle covered with net to keep leaves and debris from blocking drain holes
keys put in safe place .
start thinking of the next trips
( fully drained if winter)

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[Bailey58]

Parked on the drive with solar keeping batteries charged and occasional use of EHU. All water tanks and boiler drained and taps left open. Mains on for fridge the day before going away, Never heat it, vans sit in dealers yards for months without heat. Dealing with another problem over the last few days I read in the manual it should not be on hook up for long periods - they didn't explain why.

 

[tonyidle]

i keep EHU connected heating on low alde heating I do have solar panels but they wouldn’t do the heating . Done this for 20 years still good as new with original leisure batterys hope this helps.

Exactly what I do.

 

[bigalw35]

parked right outside the house when not in use and subject to previous usage and finding faults, maintenance and cleaning which includes COMPLETELY emptying both tanks and cleaning/sterilising and then leaving open and empty until our next trip, on solar and ehu when needed

 

[Lenny HB]

I read in the manual it should not be on hook up for long periods - they didn't explain why.

Probably due to the type of battery charger fitted.

 

[Nanniemate]

Lives on the drive got solar this year it was ehu before that plugged in and left. .but use as much as possible the rule is 'if not used for 6 consecutive weeks goes on ebay' last year sorned end of December back taxed for march

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[Phil89a]

Thanks to all the above; seems a mixed view (as usual ), so think I will go with solar normally and EHU before a trip away. As it will be on the drive I will be able to take it for little day trips frequently. In normal times I will be using it a lot over winter (summer will get less use for me) so it won't stand around long in the cold.

 

[AndyPK]

Don’t make the day trips too ‘little’ (short), or you may clog the DPF……

 

[Gaston aires]

We use it for some day trips just to keep things ticking over. Always empty the water tanks fresh, grey, and cassette. Before anyone says, SOG fitted so fresh water emptied out. Can be some nice days over winter and have barbecues sometimes.
Phil

 

[kevenh]

I use the shower in ours.
Using a EHU from the nearby garage mains outlet to power the Truma Water heater.
This is a temporary setup while mrskevenh decorates the bricks and mortar home's bathroom.

Usually we expect to use the motorhome year round. Then a small solar panel is enough to keep the hab & cab batteries topped up.
During lockdown I did use EHU in winter to boost our poor sun levels.

 

[CazPaul]

Ours is in this now when not in use.