Thermo Mats?

[rainman]

Lydney in the forest? Ok, let me know where and when.

[Campcharlie]

Lydney in the forest? Ok, let me know where and when.

actually its Blakeney...u know it?....u can drop em whenever is good for you...im here 24/7...where abouts r u?

[rainman]

There's no shame in being forest folk, having six toes can be an advantage sometimes. I'm in Cheltenham so not too far, i could probably drop them off next Weds - just got to actually find them now.

[TravellingChick]

Brilliant!

Thanks guys, sounds great.

[Campcharlie]

There's no shame in being forest folk, having six toes can be an advantage sometimes. I'm in Cheltenham so not too far, i could probably drop them off next Weds - just got to actually find them now.

im not a forester ....still classed as an outsider

wednesday is fine....u got satnav?...u know Blakeney?

errr is TC happy to collect from Inner London?

[rainman]

No, no satnav but if you want to PM me an address I'll see if I can find it on ye olde mappe.

[Campcharlie]

Rainman & TC u both have pm....rainman give me a bell and i'll guide u in.

Mr CC u also have pm...and yes u r the last to know.....

[TravellingChick]

No, no satnav but if you want to PM me an address I'll see if I can find it on ye olde mappe.

Rainman is retro boy!

[Vanagonman]

How come a fan heater won't run off the leisure battery? Our first trip at Easter we won't have hook up so was intending to rely on the leisure battery then.

Sarah

A lesuire battery depends on certain things in order to power your devices offsite:

* How many Amp Hours a battery can store - most are between 40-80 Amp Hours - Traction batteries (used in forklifts/electric cars) can be above 200 Amp Hours - this will dictate how much maximum energy your battery can store.

* Size of the inverter - an inverter allows you to run household mains devices off your 12 volt battery - you can get a 2000 watt inverter or higher - the higher the inverter, however, the bigger the drain from your battery. So you really want to get one that fits your needs. Since most electric heaters will run between 800 watts and 2000 watts (check the heater before you buy), a 2000 watt inverter is needed.

Assuming you are running a 2000 watt heater (220 volt) off your battery will drain appx. 9 amps per hour. If you have a fully-charged 200 amp hour battery, you can run it theoretically for appx. 20 hours, but in reality, less as the inverter will alarm and stop short in order to protect your battery.

* Other factor to consider is the charger. How will this lesiure battery be charged? The bigger the drain, the bigger the battery...the more need for a bigger charger. A split charge that you get while driving (off the vehicle's alternator) may not be enough to charge your drained battery unless you are driving for long distances. All this needs to be taken into consideration.

What most people do for their offsite heating needs is simple. Use a gas powered heater either running off butane/propane/petrol/diesel. This way the drain on the leisure battery is non-existent or minimal. Keep in mind you need heat but also need to stay safe. Most heaters create carbon monoxide which can kill. However, many (like the Propex, Eberspracher, etc) are made to vent their exhaust under the camper and get oxygen (all fuel powered heaters consume oxygen) from under the camper as well. You can fit one of these gas heaters in the van.

A heater also quite popular among the camper crowd is a catalytic heater. It heats by causing a chemical reaction between the gas and catalytic matting. It is efficient that no carbon monoxide is released (as the matting gets old it will lose efficiency however). But it will consume oxygen. People in campers and tents work around this by simply leaving an open window to allow fresh air to replenish the consumed oxygen. The main advantages is that this heater does not rely on batteries and is cheaper than the aforementioned plumb-in alternatives.

Finally, if you admire the simplicity and safety of an electric heater, you can still use it offsite, provided you purchase a generator. A portable generator will power your heater (assuming you buy a 2kw model or higher) and some of your other camper devices too (like TV, laptop). They cost between £240-£360 for one and run on petrol. Some are quieter than others. Do understand most campsites may not allow generators as they create noise pollution whilst running (but you would have an electric hookup which would negate a need for the generator anyway). Also be careful to secure the generator as tea leaves are known to nick them in the middle of the night or whilst you're away.

[TravellingChick]

Wow, thanks! All sounds a bit complicated for my little brain.

I think with Rainman's thermo mats and MrsCC's cuppa before bed I should be right without needing to run a heater off the leisure battery now.

I have no idea what I've got tbh, picking it up on Friday

[A KIRK]

I made a set of thermomats, as I'm a tight git, I insulated the van at the same time, so bought 2 roles of thermomat. I bought suction pads for £4 or so and finished the edges off with silver gaffer tape, might not be as tidy as some other methods but they do the job.

Next is to make my own pop top insulation cover

[TravellingChick]

I made a set of thermomats, as I'm a tight git, I insulated the van at the same time, so bought 2 roles of thermomat. I bought suction pads for £4 or so and finished the edges off with silver gaffer tape, might not be as tidy as some other methods but they do the job.

Next is to make my own pop top insulation cover

I think there should be the T25 equivilant of a Blue Peter Badge y'know!

I'm sure I will get into the whole home made thing as I quite like the concept of doing stuff myself but right now I don't have the time or the ability!

Sarah

[Vanagonman]

In short Sarah, if you see yourself camping offsite a lot, buy yourself a household heater (rated to 1.5kwh) and a 2kw portable generator. By all means, also get those mats! The portable suitcase generator should cost under £260, and another £20 or so for the heater.

[TravellingChick]

In short Sarah, if you see yourself camping offsite a lot, buy yourself a household heater (rated to 1.5kwh) and a 2kw portable generator. By all means, also get those mats! The portable suitcase generator should cost under £260, and another £20 or so for the heater.

Ah good, I do so much better with short words and little sentences!

I'll put it on my Wish List for future as think I'll manage for time being.

Thanks

[muttley]

I think the thermo mats are a good all round buy. They seem to be good in the winter all bar the condensation and wicked in the summer for keeping the van a little cooler and darker. If I'm on leccy hook up I use a small oil radiator about 700w its great & keeps the van toasty.

Have thought about getting one of those cheap generators for a bit of wildcamping they have them on stig bay for about £60 not sure if they are any good though.