Tombola
LIFE MEMBER
A bit of wind up there. Nowt major
leaky loo, found out the cause ?
- Thread starter sweet caroline
- Start date
Tombola
LIFE MEMBER
I thought that was a good idea of Maria, getting down there with the dogs due to the fireworks too..
You said she was a van lifer, does she post on YouTube do you know ?
You said she was a van lifer, does she post on YouTube do you know ?
Hi, I had this problem earlier this year. The pipe has come off the pump, it is an easy fix although a bit fiddly as the screws holding the bowl in place can only be accessed from the cassette cupboard. If you go on to the thetford site there is a video that shows you how to do it. Good luck
OP
OP
Thank you for that. I thought I'd covered lights by buying stick on usb lights. So don't use van lighting. But agyer two days they do need charging, hence invertor being used .mmmmm
Tombola
LIFE MEMBER
Make full use when driving Caroline of charging whatever you can usb from the ones in the cab/dash, and cig lighter with the shiny new dual thingymagig 
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OP
OP
I definately will Timbola! I can't imagine there would be another Knight around on NYE to help me out! Haha.Make full use when driving Caroline of charging whatever you can usb from the ones in the cab/dash, and cig lighter with the shiny new dual thingymagig
My drive is 100 miles tomorrow, so hopefully that will bring thst leisure battery bavk up again to it's proper level.
Should I get a new one on my return T?
Sweet Caroline, Its a Massif Learning Experience you are going through, but on Funsters there is Always Help as You Have Found 
Tombola
LIFE MEMBER
I think the leisure is fine, and don't forget you mentioned you can always stop on a camp site the odd time,(if not driving or no solar) plug in to the sites electric, turn your leisure battery charger on (probably on already). and everything can be fully charged then.
Leisure battery and all your devices.
dont be scared of using the big inverter(maybe laptop charger) though most ofnthose can be charged by 12v/usb too nowadays, just rememebr to switch off.
Tombola You Deserve a Medal
OP
OP
I've realised this. That it's the very best 20£ I've spent since I retired! Thank you all out there. I can tell u how appreciative I am as a solo retired lady trying to make her Retirement Dream come True!Sweet Caroline, Its a Massif Learning Experience you are going through, but on Funsters there is Always Help as You Have Found
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OP
OP
Thank you for above T, my laptop failed last night whilst doing my journal. So whilst I'm driving only TO WINDDERMERE , could I put my laptop, which obviously hasn't got a USB port, plugged into invertor enroute to Windermere please?
Then I WILL REMEMBER TO SEITCH OFF when I park up though, hahaha.
I'll NEVER PROBABLY FIND A KNIGHT K. EVER AGAIN HAHA. Once bitten twice shy they say
OP
OP
Thank you for above T, my laptop failed last night whilst doing my journal. So whilst I'm driving only TO WINDDERMERE , could I put my laptop, which obviously hasn't got a USB port, plugged into invertor enroute to Windermere please?
Then I WILL REMEMBER TO SEITCH OFF when I park up though, hahaha.
I'll NEVER PROBABLY FIND A KNIGHT K. EVER AGAIN HAHA. Once bitten twice shy they say
A GOLD ONETombola You Deserve a Medal
OP
OP
Loo fixed costing over 500£ in the end. But it's a Dometic loo, not thetford sadly
- Dec 27, 2024
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I used to be wary of using an inverter, I thought it would drain the battery too much. But as it turns out, it's not so bad if you remember to turn it off.
Windermere is a great place for inspiration and relaxation. Hopefully your laptop will come back to life to record all the experiences
OP
OP
Yes she does post in u tube! She has two dogs, one is on wheels in back ,(DOG THERAPIST), n doubly incontinent! Omg! She has a very sad story to tell, had accident recently broke her Leg etc etc. Drove to that lane, u net me at, n got stuck in a pothole n burned her gear Box n now no hand brake either. Gosh I thought I had problems
at least I have a mortgage free lovely home to go too! 4 lady vanlifers I met there, HAD NOTHING BUT THEIR VANS TO LIVE IN! GOSH MY HEART GOES OUT TO THEM.Subscribers do not see these advertisements
- Feb 22, 2011
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Yes, charge your laptop from the inverter while driving then turn off the inverter when you get a Windermere.
Tombola
LIFE MEMBER
Yes you can add the laptop and anything else to the inverter, as the inverter draws power the alternator replaces it while driving.
Good luck with the drive
It's the same reason Tombola has given you a 12v USB charger. Rather than convert 12v to 240v via your inverter to use a 240v USB to then convert to 5v to charge whatever it is more efficient to use a 12v USB charger so you just convert 12v to 5v thereby cutting out the 240v part and inefficient inverter.
Likewise with your USB lighting you are using your 12v battery to charge the battery in the USB light to produce light.
It's more efficient to fit led bulbs in your van and just use your 12v battery to produce light as you are cutting out the charging and drop to 5v steps.
Then just keep the USB lights for an emergency not for your usual lighting needs.
My 'twopennarth' worth.
First massive well done to Tombola
Secondly it sounds to me like your leisure battery has seen better days as with your light electric usage I wouldn't expect staying in one place for 2 nights to flatten your battery but staying 1 night then driving the following day appears to be OK.
For now, since Tombola's help/advice, if you do your charging whilst driving ie using the 12v USB charger he has given you and inverter when driving only then your alternator will replace whatever you use and you should manage the rest of your trip OK.
Your gas and water needs seem to have been taken care of OK so it is just electric that needs some tweaking.
When you get back from your trip you will have a much better idea of how you want to use your van and what your electric needs are and with advice off here you will be able to make any improvements you need, which unless you decide you really need to run a hair dryer etc will be simple and cheap.
OP
OP
Wooiw! Thanks for the above knowledgeable input honey. I'm taking it all onboard, as I watch the games n rain of lake windermere hit my windscreen with great gusto! Hahs
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OP
OP
Figaro. My music speaker has drained down, can I put the charger in USB port when car is NOT ON?As I've parked up for night now! Idont want to drain my battery. Albeit invertor is now switched off,as I've learned my lesson there. But don't want to charge this item in cig lighter n drain car battery as well. Not in these gsale force winds hahaha
- Feb 22, 2011
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A Bluetooth speaker isn't going to take much out of the cab battery so I'm sure you'll be ok doing that.
It pays to plan ahead though, you could have charged that whilst driving.
It also might be worth getting a device to run your laptop from. Most laptops are 19v but you can check that. You can get device to up the voltage from 12v to 19v this saves using the inefficient inverter.
Just a thought for your next adventure
It pays to plan ahead though, you could have charged that whilst driving.
It also might be worth getting a device to run your laptop from. Most laptops are 19v but you can check that. You can get device to up the voltage from 12v to 19v this saves using the inefficient inverter.
Just a thought for your next adventure
- Oct 27, 2022
- 213
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We take (charged) USB power packs with us in the van for charging up small devices / phones etc. Not the big EcoFlow type packs but something like this -> https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0CB1DF4JQ?tag=mhf04-21
Amazon have a deal on every now and again, cost me £19 for the pack and it's capable of charging my Chromebook up.
Amazon have a deal on every now and again, cost me £19 for the pack and it's capable of charging my Chromebook up.
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OP
OP
Thank you Headlight. No hairdryer hah, but I bought a usb hairbrush which fits the bill nicely thanks. Which I put in inverter, but WON'T AGAIN. I charged my laptop on invertor WHILST DRIVING 4 HRS In horrendous weather, but firmly put it back off! Phew TOO far now for another Knight to help me again hahs.My 'twopennarth' worth.
First massive well done to Tombola
Secondly it sounds to me like your leisure battery has seen better days as with your light electric usage I wouldn't expect staying in one place for 2 nights to flatten your battery but staying 1 night then driving the following day appears to be OK.
For now, since Tombola's help/advice, if you do your charging whilst driving ie using the 12v USB charger he has given you and inverter when driving only then your alternator will replace whatever you use and you should manage the rest of your trip OK.
Your gas and water needs seem to have been taken care of OK so it is just electric that needs some tweaking.
When you get back from your trip you will have a much better idea of how you want to use your van and what your electric needs are and with advice off here you will be able to make any improvements you need, which unless you decide you really need to run a hair dryer etc will be simple and cheap.
Yes a big learning curve for me,but that wS the whole idea to see if I could fo off grid or not! So even after the DISASTER I'm not put off, but definately LEARNED FROM MY NUMPTINESS ! HAHA.
STILL LEARNING AT 68 ! THANKS GUYS
OP
OP
Oww I'll look into that tonight on my chrome I charged up on invertor WHIKST DRIVING but if now hags. The trigger shower head I was told to purchase is a game changer 5 showers n still 2 bars left in tank. BOOM
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Tombola
LIFE MEMBER
Stick it in the telly socket Caroline.
The cab won't wont work unless engine is running ,it's a safety thing so you cant run down the starter battery.
You can charge anything usb in there
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OP
OP
Yes yr right! I should have,but cig lighter was charging my phone n hairdryer, so no other outlet, well I forgot Tombolas one he gave me. My Brain is only small haha.
But definitely a learning curve all round, but not put me off in anyway. I'm toasty in Renee, had a hot last shower need to book into site Tommorrow for some more water I think? Thank you for yr kind words n knowledge
Tombola
LIFE MEMBER
Yeh, i love the trigger shower, My wife likes showers
and thinks water falls out the sky..
Tombola
LIFE MEMBER
And yes you can use the telly socket to charge while driving too, as the leisure battery will be replaced too.
Amd.like you say, it was a test and a learning curve.
Next stop FRANCE you will love it.
How's the gas ?
OP
OP
Ok so, is not that running leisure battery down, sorry T,I'm so scared of being without power n heating again.Stick it in the telly socket Caroline.
The cab won't wont work unless engine is running ,it's a safety thing so you can run down the starter battery.
You can charge anything usb in there
It's awful up here too
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