Fridge Power??????

[timbott]

Yep, another tedious question from this new caravanner:goofylook

First weekend in a 'van for us lot this weekend and just wondered the best way to power the fridge.

It is an Electrolux unit with a choice of 240v, 12v or gas. I'll chill it on mains before we leave but as we are staying in a quarry without any mains electric am I best to power it using gas (cheepo 13kg stuff, not rip off 4.5kg Calor) or 12v battery (brand new Landrover 2.25 petrol one, that I can swop with the one on the Landy to re-charge it - clever ehhh:buck: )

cheers, Tim

[Spacemutt]

Gas for sure. 12v is ment for use when hooked up the the car's split charge system when being towed. It will run a battery down in no time. I've run mine on gas a found it to be excellent. Too cold in fact and needed to be turned down!

We're still trying to use up gas we bought at New Year. :D We could only get one of the big Propane cylinders (can't remember how big, but it's about 4 feet tall! Maybe 45kg? :D). We want to use it up as it looks like the pikies have moved in when we set up. :p

[si_guru]

as it looks like the pikies have moved in when we set up


...and what makes you think it is just the gas bottle that gives that impression??

:derr:

[Spacemutt]

Um....ok...and maybe the fact it's outside a big twin axle caravan that hasn't seen a sponge and hose pipe since...well....ever....:p

[OldFart]

Like Stephen says Tim, Gas is best ...save the battery for lights and water pumps. Best have two batterys as well, one for using and one on charge....assuming you have electric in which case you'd save your gas and power the fridge with electric too. Its very handy to have your own genny , which whilst it may seem expensive at first and hard to justify , you'll soon realise it has many uses not least when the house has power cuts or Gaynor wants to use the grinder under the landy :D
We've got two 110amp Elecsol (http://www.elecsol.com/) battery's, which on average last about 2 days before needing to be swopped over. If we're on a site with electric then we have a charger as well .
On the subject of Gas, try and stick to propane all the year round ...its less hassle than changing from blue to red and the blue bottled gas WILL freeze in cold winters.....whereas the red bottled propane wont.
We've even tried solar panels to recharge the battery, but it takes ages :(
By the way Elecsol's are the only leisure battery that can also be used to start a car.....a very handy advantage. Other Leisure battery's will buckle the lead plates if used for engine starting !
You also have the option of wind power, and this can be very effective for charging but expensive to buy and if you were going to spend that type of money then i'd go back to the Genny for first choice :)

[timbott]

Originally posted by OldFart

On the subject of Gas, try and stick to propane all the year round ...its less hassle than changing from blue to red and the blue bottled gas WILL freeze in cold winters.....whereas the red bottled propane wont.


Thanks for that O/F, some good info there:yay: Just one question though, can I use propane as a direct replacement for butane without re-jetting all the burners? I know what you mean about butane in cold weather, I have a butane gas fire in my shed, but when you really need it it wont work:Cross: Although I got round the prob this winter, I put a home brew bucket heating belt around the gas cylinder and it worked a treat:yay:

I have also recently used a propane/butane mix on my little camping stove, which I assume is mixed to overcome the cold problems with neat butane. Is this mix available in proper cylinders or only in little disposable cans?

cheers, Tim

[OldFart]

Provided you use a propane regulator (usually coloured red) then you should'nt need to change any fittings within the van, you will find that the kettle boils quicker and gas fire actually run better on propane :)

[Otter]

Just watch out using regulators in an open environment. If you look at one, there is a little breather hole to allow the diaphragm to expand and contract. If water gets in it then it can either corode or freeze, potentialy leading to high pressure gas entering your pipework.

[timbott]

Thanks O/F and Otter for that advice, I will go down the propane route I think then when I have finished up my current butane as I will be using the 'van all year round and I know from experience in my shed butane on a sub zero winters night is a waste of time. I will get a regulator sorted.

I will take care to keep the regulator dry as well. I had never heard of that one before - sounds nasty:icecube:

cheers, Tim

[OldFart]

Tim our bottles stow inside the front locker, we've two 7.5kg and a smaller one that we use as stand by in winter so no probs with getting wet.
One very important thing i forgot to mention is a carbon monoxide detector....handy bit of kit where gas is concerned.
We've also a smoke alarm in the van.
One other point.....when charging battery in the van make sure the vent pipe is fitted so that the charging gases escape to the OUTSIDE of the van !!!!

And and you do have a fire extuinguisher ......dont you :dunno1:

[timbott]

Originally posted by OldFart


And and you do have a fire extuinguisher ......dont you :dunno1:

Yep, we have 2 'cos we are posh:hahaha:

Smoke alarm also, but no Carbon Monoxide jobby, although I was considering ventilation re. burning gas earlier so I think opening the roof light above the cooker a tad would be wise for now.

cheers, Tim

[Spacemutt]

Our caravan is pure dead posh like. :p It's got on on-board battery charger. :D

[manthing]

Originally posted by timbott

I will take care to keep the regulator dry as well. I had never heard of that one before - sounds nasty:icecube:

cheers, Tim

VERY cheap regu cover...
as on our static.
I would always suggest changing the hose when you swap the regulator, and while you have the hose off,

Best blue peter voice, “take an old plastic lemonade bottle, 11/2Lt size, put the top in the bin as you wont be needing that, take off the sticky label, now the next bit you may need a grown ups help for,
Get a sharp pair of scissors & carefully cut the bottom 1/3 off the bottle, now cut a slot in the same end about 40mm (11/2”) wide and about 100mm (4”) long, now slide the hose up through the bottle and out of the top, slide your new protector all the way up the hose and the slot should fit nicely over the regulator and tap.”

And I do hope that you always store/transport the gas upright?