No EHU booked this year .

[Swifter]

I’ve booked 7 trips away so far this year and not one will have EHU . I always liked the comfort of having power on tap when we needed it but I will not be paying the prices being asked in 2023 .
In some cases the cost for one night on popular sites is more expensive than a Warners 4 day rally.

 

[TinaLes]

Were any of your trips booked on CMC sites?
I only ask as they need to get the message that NOT all of us need a hook up, or have the cost included in the pitch price. Hopefully they will listen, although I know they are considering installing metered pitches which is a good idea.
The Main reason we left the CMC was over the lack of non electric pitches and that was before the price hike .
LES

 

[EuroTrotters]

eco we shall be

 

[Swifter]

Were any of your trips booked on CMC sites?
I only ask as they need to get the message that all of us don't need a hook up, or have the cost included in the pitch price. Hopefully they will listen, although I know they are considering installing metered pitches which is a good idea.
The Main reason we left the CMC was over the lack of non electric pitches and that was before the price hike .
LES

We had moved away from them anyway but as we had auto renewed I had a look a few destinations and found the cost per night to be offensive and very few sites offered non ehu pitches .
We don’t need it since the lithium upgrade, so no point paying anymore

 

[TinaLes]

The CMC catch so many out with the "auto renew" membership, we were the same for a couple of years.
They advertised years ago in their monthly mag that " A great way to save money on your holidays, was to ask or select a non EHU pitch"
I checked out the availability of the CMC non ehu campsites across the entire UK, and there were only 11 that offered it.!
I then sent an e mail to them to point out that yes it could be a substantial saving for many, but there was a severe lack of availability. I also went for our last trip to The CMC at Cheddar Gorge, I specifically asked for a non EHU pitch, the obnoxious warden nodded to say yes OK, only to find we had paid the full EHU included pitch price anyway! This is also the guy who kept us outside the barrier until 1PM, while he had his lunch, took our membership card away with him, and made us wait for 45 minutes to confirm whether or not he has a spare pitch! It was all our fault of course, as we were touring, passed the gate, hadn't pre-booked, and thought we could maybe pop in and just ask if there was space for us.
So Bye, Bye CMC.
LES

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[Chris51]

I’ve booked 7 trips away so far this year and not one will have EHU . I always liked the comfort of having power on tap when we needed it but I will not be paying the prices being asked in 2023 .
In some cases the cost for one night on popular sites is more expensive than a Warners 4 day rally.

I just paid (reluctantly...wife) £7 !!!! also called in Cmc but didn't like the idea of paying £45 !! Looks like joining the B+B club way things are going!

 

[Smudger55]

This is probably the most relevant thread to ask, I just need to reassure management in being sure myself about PITCHING WITHOUT EHU.

We have no inverter, don't really understand what that is, just leisure battery, vehicle battery and solar panel. When at home during summer I don't hook our MHome as solar keeps everything topped up.

I understand that:

1. Fridge, oven, heating if required, kettle should all run off gas.
2. Lights will work of batteries
3. Plug sockets will not unless we get an inverter? But why presume sockets not powerful enough. So what do you ladies do for hair drying, presume wait for EHU.
4. Charge devices whilst driving, I have a plug for 12 volt port which will charge 4 devices.
5. Anything else?

If I am totally wrong grateful for advice, if I am almost right I have difficulty in explaining the above in a way that she will accept my answer, if you know what I mean
Cheers Smudger55

 

[DBK]

This is probably the most relevant thread to ask, I just need to reassure management in being sure myself about PITCHING WITHOUT EHU.

We have no inverter, don't really understand what that is, just leisure battery, vehicle battery and solar panel. When at home during summer I don't hook our MHome as solar keeps everything topped up.

I understand that:

1. Fridge, oven, heating if required, kettle should all run off gas.
2. Lights will work of batteries
3. Plug sockets will not unless we get an inverter? But why presume sockets not powerful enough. So what do you ladies do for hair drying, presume wait for EHU.
4. Charge devices whilst driving, I have a plug for 12 volt port which will charge 4 devices.
5. Anything else?

If I am totally wrong grateful for advice, if I am almost right I have difficulty in explaining the above in a way that she will accept my answer, if you know what I mean
Cheers Smudger55

That's what most folk do if on a non-EHU pitch and what everyone did when EHU was scarce to non-existent.

Charging devices doesn't take much power so you could add some 12 volt USB sockets running off the leisure batteries. These will be useful if staying in the same place for a few days.

 

[Cush]

Just back from 14 days away in England and Wales. Have 400w solar and about 180 ah battery [90 amps useable). Didnt need to use ehu but also don’t have any 240 v appliance requirements. One site gave us money back for not using any electric (I think £3 / day). Must confess that if being charged for electric I would run the fridge on it to save gas. Hairdryers can be a divisive topic. Fortunately my copilot has the attitude of “camping hair / don’t care”.

tv, lights, mifi etc all charged and run of 12v. Use cab battery when on the road.

 

[nicholsong]

Just back from 14 days away in England and Wales. Have 400w solar and about 180 ah battery [90 amps useable). Didnt need to use ehu but also don’t have any 240 v appliance requirements. One site gave us money back for not using any electric (I think £3 / day). Must confess that if being charged for electric I would run the fridge on it to save gas. Hairdryers can be a divisive topic. Fortunately my copilot has the attitude of “camping hair / don’t care”.

tv, lights, mifi etc all charged and run of 12v. Use cab battery when on the road.

"camping hair / don't care"

Love it. Give her my congratulations.

Basia is the same- even at home often does not use a hairdryer.

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[denisejoe]

I've never used a hair dryer even when I had long hair. Must admit it's much easier and quicker to dry now it's short!

 

[hja]

We do have 120w solar, 230ah lithium. So when no EHU hook up, with no inverter so no mains sockets - they need the 240v system to be connected to operate. Fridge is compressor - so runs off leisure battery (hence lithium). Cooking & hot water on gas. So gas kettle instead of low power electric. Hair dryer - I rarely use even if on ehu. Medium length hair, good towelling and leave to dry naturally. Charge devices either when driving or from leisure battery. Can only use the remoska when on hook up. Biggest problem is OH's lap top which needs mains socket to charge. Unfortunately we have not done more than 4 nights off grid because either that was the length of our trip or the sites we used (for location) had ehu.

 

[Simon Meadwell]

We have a small ie ipad sized solar panel that charges the phones. And a power bank

 

[Lenny HB]

Had about 80 nights away so far this year not used EHU at all even when on a free Aire with free EHU.

 

[Smudger55]

Had about 80 nights away so far this year not used EHU at all even when on a free Aire with free EHU.

So do you have a power bank or inverter, they seem quite expensive. Apologies if I'm stating the obvious. Simple things like toast, presume you use grill or don't have toast.

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[Lenny HB]

So do you have a power bank or inverter, they seem quite expensive. Apologies if I'm stating the obvious. Simple things like toast, presume you use grill or don't have toast.

Only have 3 x 78ah gel batteries, 300 Watts of solar, and a 1000 watt inverter that's only used for charging the bikes.
Toast done in the Ridge Monkey as the grill is naff.

I can never see the point of EHU a Motorhome should be self sufficient.

 

[Ava the Adria]

I think our inverter's more than paid for itself in site fee savings by enabling use of Aires and CLs and it was specced to run a hairdryer!

Because we have to carry a hairdryer with us. No ifs, no buts, the hairdryer is coming. It's a happiness thing. Even on a cycling holiday down the Danube for a week, we (well I) carried a hairdryer in one of my cycle panniers- just in case!
Thus we have 2 x 100Ah lithium, solar panels, 30A B2B and a 1200w inverter. No EHU needed. And we can also use the slow cooker and charge the e-bikes, laptop etc.
Just have to monitor the SoC with the weather forecast / sunlight - I think we got away with it last week in Warks because it's August and was sunny for 3 out of the 5 days. We tend to move more often in winter, so the B2B tops us up then.

 

[autorouter]

This is probably the most relevant thread to ask, I just need to reassure management in being sure myself about PITCHING WITHOUT EHU.

Try a pitch with EHU available, then don't actually plug it in. You'd only need to do that a couple of times to convince you/her one way or the other.

 

[Cush]

Try a pitch with EHU available, then don't actually plug it in. You'd only need to do that a couple of times to convince you/her one way or the other.

Exactly what I did. Though as much to convince myself

 

[stewartwebr]

Were any of your trips booked on CMC sites?
I only ask as they need to get the message that NOT all of us need a hook up, or have the cost included in the pitch price. Hopefully they will listen, although I know they are considering installing metered pitches which is a good idea.
The Main reason we left the CMC was over the lack of non electric pitches and that was before the price hike .
LES

Only issue with the CMC installing meters is they appear not to be reducing the cost to reflect the cost of additional metered electric. They are maintaining current prices and adding the meter price on top. Regretfully, the club has lost its way big time over the last few years. We cancelled after 28 years of membership.

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[emjaiuk]

We've always used EHU whenever it's available, and will choose a stop with EHU over a non EHU one, mainly to charge what seems at time 1001 different items, but also the microwave for reheating home cooked meals and just peace of mind, probably a carry over from 20 years of an RV with 4.5kw available by pushing a button.
However, as a matter of academic interest, what is the approximate cost of making a MH self sufficient in power? I realise this is a length of string question, but I'm talking about Lithium, B2B, additional 100w solar and inverter, all professionally installed. Neither of us require a hairdryer anymore

 

[Diabalo]

Away at the moment at South Lytchett manor on a fully serviced pitch, prior to that Horsley club site fully serviced. Each to their own.

 

[hja]

So do you have a power bank or inverter, they seem quite expensive. Apologies if I'm stating the obvious. Simple things like toast, presume you use grill or don't have toast.

We do toast by dry frying on a fairly heavy frying pan. Haven’t taken a toaster since our caravanning days.

 

[berni109]

One of these for toast

Bright Spark Toaster,Silver: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

Shop Bright Spark Toaster, Silver. Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

Can be found more cheaply elsewhere.
Re cost of self sufficiency - you would need to budget at least £1000 as a start point.
Ask Northernraider he's just bought all the kit for his van without installation.

 

[emjaiuk]

One of these for toast

Bright Spark Toaster,Silver: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

Shop Bright Spark Toaster, Silver. Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

Can be found more cheaply elsewhere.
Re cost of self sufficiency - you would need to budget at least £1000 as a start point.
Ask Northernraider he's just bought all the kit for his van without installation.

£1000 would pay for a lot of hook ups

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[DT]

EHU for me. Don’t want to be battery watching. Same with EV‘s.

 

[Lenny HB]

However, as a matter of academic interest, what is the approximate cost of making a MH self sufficient in power? I realise this is a length of string question, but I'm talking about Lithium, B2B, additional 100w solar and inverter, all professionally installed.

As a self install you could do a basic install with 100 ah of Lithium for around a £1000 to £1500. A professional install will be more than double that, quite a lot of labour involved & they need to make a profit on the parts supplied.

 

[DT]

We've always used EHU whenever it's available, and will choose a stop with EHU over a non EHU one, mainly to charge what seems at time 1001 different items, but also the microwave for reheating home cooked meals and just peace of mind, probably a carry over from 20 years of an RV with 4.5kw available by pushing a button.
However, as a matter of academic interest, what is the approximate cost of making a MH self sufficient in power? I realise this is a length of string question, but I'm talking about Lithium, B2B, additional 100w solar and inverter, all professionally installed. Neither of us require a hairdryer anymore

My way of thinking is to do it right and not being a professional I suspect the cost would be £3-£4K then would I want range anxiety, not my cup of tea. We do the odd night without electric and that’s fine but we tend to stay 3-4 nights at a time to appreciate where we are. If I sell the van doubt that there would be much added value on the equipment.

 

[Lenny HB]

£1000 would pay for a lot of hook ups

Only if you like sites, we don't.
I'm budgeting at least £3500 for electric mods on the next van and that's doing in myself.

 

[Northernraider]

One of these for toast

Bright Spark Toaster,Silver: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

Shop Bright Spark Toaster, Silver. Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

Can be found more cheaply elsewhere.
Re cost of self sufficiency - you would need to budget at least £1000 as a start point.
Ask Northernraider he's just bought all the kit for his van without installation.

And it's cost a lot more than £1000. My bill currently stands at £1780 and wouldn't be enough to run electric toasters, kettles and cookers

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