Rally Chat A question for the rally 'attenders' .. how long can you last in winter off EHU in the UK?

[MisterB]

I don't have a genny, but its not an easy question to answer Dave. but adding 50kWh from a 1kw genny would take a minimum of 50 hours! Are you sure 50kWh is what you need, or 50Ah. The former is an awful lot of power. A 1KW genny will output roughly 4Amps at mains. If no losses in the charger then it should put 50AH back into the battery in under an hour. Loads of assumptions there.

Thanks Robin, I do have difficulty at times in using the correct terminology, i'm just trying to see what it would take to cover any power loss emergencies in a way other than someone have to drive off for a couple of hours to replenish their batteries to such an extent it could extend their off grid duration.
If a generator was available at an off grid event then I was exploring if it would be helpful.

 

[Holly's mum]

We can last a good 5 days, more if there is a bit of sunshine to top up the batteries.

Rally length would need to be at least 4-5 days.

Hope that helps

 

[meanders]

Any 12v output is very unlikely to output the fully power of the generator. If you look at the data sheet for an industrial unit such as
https://docs.rs-online.com/7c88/A700000007315242.pdf you will see that the 12V output is only rated at 8.3A so the 2.3kW at 230V is only 99W at 12V.

 

[funflair]

Thanks, taking that a bit further .... If a generator had a 12v outlet, could that be fed into a B2B and then into a motorhome battery to charge it up - it might be a daft question so I apologise in advance !! What level of power (Amps) would the 12v output need to be to make it a viable option?

Possibly but I don't really know, apart from anything it might depend on whether the B2B even switched non without the engine run signal, most likely not the best way to use a generator.

 

[Jev88]

Gas for cooking and heating - fan blown air uses 12V.

5 days with 200ah of ordinary lead leisure batteries (2x Numax).
An hour or two of TV and an Alexa style radio for more hours. All LED bulbs.

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[meanders]

We would be better to hire in a proper Genny set with power distribution. When looking at the original that had no power, I obtained a quote for 30 vans to give guidance. That was £1,894.62 for the week (about £65 or £10 per day per van but would give each van the full 16A. A smaller one would bring the costs down, but about £500 of that is installation and delivery that wouldn't vary much. Something to consider once we decide a venue.

 

[funflair]

Thanks Robin, I do have difficulty at times in using the correct terminology, i'm just trying to see what it would take to cover any power loss emergencies in a way other than someone have to drive off for a couple of hours to replenish their batteries to such an extent it could extend their off grid duration.
If a generator was available at an off grid event then I was exploring if it would be helpful.

To put 100ah into a battery would need about 1200 watt hours to recharge it, so a 2000 watt generator (2kw) could do that in less than an hour BUT and there are a lot of buts, batteries even Lithium don't like to be charged at such a high rate, if the generator was plugged into the van to charge the batteries by the onboard charger the output of that charger would be the limiting factor and these are often only 30 amps so suddenly we need oner 3 hours.

NOTE a flat lead acid 100ah battery would only need 50ah to 60ah to recharge it where a flat lithium would take closer to the 100ah.

 

[JockandRita]

5 days with 200ah of ordinary lead leisure batteries (2x Numax).

But like us Jev, only half of your battery capacity is useable.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Brains]

how long would a rally in the East of England need to be for YOU, if YOU were interested in attending a rally over the winter period need to be, to make it worthwhile for YOU to attend?

I think a long weekend would be OK, so at least two night to a max of 4 nights.

I can run the fridge, heating and cooking on gas.
I have a very efficient solar panel that charges even in mid winter (enough to keep the batteries topped up)

With two full GasLow 13L tanks I could probably last two weeks at a push as long as I did not run the TV, but to be honest, not my idea of a good time.

My sister did two UK winters in her uninsulated van without EHU but with a large solar panel and gas heating.
However the best she could do was to get it to about 12c above the outside temperature, which when it was hovering around zero was not pleasant at all.

The issues with winter camps are mud, rain, bogged down vehicles, cold, more mud, more rain.
There are three things that you need to make a winter camp work.
You need somewhere that is warm, dry, and social.

Which means as a minimum you need some sort of inside accomodation that can be heated up
That does not rule out a tent with a stove, but under a tarp maybe dry and social but not warm even if there is a fire.

 

[JockandRita]

The issues with winter camps are mud, rain, bogged down vehicles, cold, more mud, more rain.

There are three things that you need to make a winter camp work.
You need somewhere that is warm, dry, and social.

Yep, and all are being addressed by the very capable meanders Robin & Hilary, and MisterB Dave & Yvette...........otherwise we wouldn't be showing an interest ourselves, despite RWD and a Diff Lock.

Cheers,

Jock.

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[OldAgeTravellers]

Late to the party but I am sure feedback is what you are after.
We could last a couple of weeks as long as we managed our usage.
I think I would only drive right across the country in winter for a 3 or 4 day meet at least but I suspect those with LA batteries would be the limiting factor. Or some 6amp hookup being available for some. But unless it is at a school or Rugby club or similar that would be expensive using generator power because of the installation and hire fees.
I would imagine that a good room for evening and possibly afternoon entertainment and socialising would be essential as well in the winter as sitting around outside vans would not be comfortable.
We would certainly be interested but as I said on the other rally thread I rarely book anything more than a couple of weeks ahead because I like to be spontaneous.
Good luck with the planning.

 

[oldiesontour]

Thanks, taking that a bit further .... If a generator had a 12v outlet, could that be fed into a B2B and then into a motorhome battery to charge it up - it might be a daft question so I apologise in advance !! What level of power (Amps) would the 12v output need to be to make it a viable option?

Generator 12v output tends to be only around 8 amp so very slow to get any significant amount into a battery a 50 amp 12 v mains charger plugged into the Genny is the way to go

 

[Spriddler]

From August 7th to 11th I spent a full four and a half days in a field in Kent off-grid at a m/bike event .
No solar, no B2B and a 6 years old 85Ah L/Acid battery (a starter, not a leisure type battery).
Ran fridge continuously on gas and hot water on gas but just for an hour each day. Loo pump, water pump, filament lamps about 2hrs on each of 4 evenings and charged my phone once. Nothing else at all. It's rare for me to remain parked for more than 3 days and in the 13 years I've had the m/h it has never given any electrical trouble (nor mechanical trouble in fact).
Out of interest I noted the battery voltage upon arrival at 12.74v and again before starting the engine upon leaving at 12.42v.
After 40+ years camping by car or m/bike with a tent it's all I need.
Couldn't be a simpler system. Located under a dinette seat..........

and no Anxiety Panel. Just one fresh water level dial, red and green battery voltage LEDs and three switches............

 

[Mike001]

Generator 12v output tends to be only around 8 amp so very slow to get any significant amount into a battery a 50 amp 12 v mains charger plugged into the Genny is the way to go

Thats what I have.
Emergency 1200watt genny in a locker
50amp charger permanantly plugged up but both only used when absolutely required.
Haven't had the need to use it yet, apart from a monthly test run for 15minutes or so.

 

[oldiesontour]

Thats what I have.
Emergency 1200watt genny in a locker
50amp charger permanantly plugged up but both only used when absolutely required.
Haven't had the need to use it yet, apart from a monthly test run for 15minutes or so.

Similar to mine charger permanently wired genny connects to hook up point

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[meanders]

EHU, or Edge Hill University, is a public university located in Ormskirk, England. Known for its strong emphasis on teaching and student support, EHU offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. It's also recognized for its beautiful campus and commitment to providing a high-quality educational experience.

eHU was in use in camping, caravanning and motorhoming long before Edge Hill College became a university in 2006. So they stole the acronym from us, not the other way around.

 

[Nanniemate]

Why not put an anyone interested post

Giving details of location and plans and those that feel they ate interest can join the interested.list.

That would give you an idea if it's viable.

 

[MisterB]

Why not put an anyone interested post

Giving details of location and plans and those that feel they ate interest can join the interested.list.

That would give you an idea if it's viable.

I did for Burns Night and there wasn't enough interest.
What become clear was that those who wanted to attend would have managed...

The original intent was over the New Year but due to the remoteness and likely cost, that too wouldn't have worked. I have now tried to tag it on to the Thorpe le Soken rally, details are in that rally thread

 

[Nanniemate]

I did for Burns Night and there wasn't enough interest.
What become clear was that those who wanted to attend would have managed...

The original intent was over the New Year but due to the remoteness and likely cost, that too wouldn't have worked. I have now tried to tag it on to the Thorpe le Soken rally, details are in that rally thread

Thanks I had shown interest did not realise it was the same rallie

 

[MisterB]

The joys of organising a 'new rally/venue' is not without it's difficulties....

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[Nanniemate]

The joys of organising a 'new rally/venue' is not without it's difficulties....

It dont take a lot to confuse me

 

[Puddleduck]

3 nights as we have medical equipment.

We have a small Genny that we would run for a couple of hours after 2 nights, the output would charge both our own and at least one other van