No EHU booked this year .

[Lenny HB]

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

Plus the bits I've bought for you.

To be fair the electrics in the van are in a right state & Tam wanted to do it properly in case he keeps the van for more than 3 months.,
Also if he flogs it most of the stuff will be removed.

 

[nicholsong]

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.

Are you sure the laptop needs mains charger?

Most laptops need input voltage of 15-19v. A mains charger drops the 230v down to required voltage.

One can buy chargers to plug into a 12v socket which then up the voltage to that required by the laptop.

I have been doing this for 14 years, as I think many other MHomers do.

Just make sure you select the right voltage for the laptop or one can burn out the laptop. The output voltage of your mains charger should show you what voltage your laptop takes.

 

[Stealaway]

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.

I hope you have speced a top quality oven and grill for the new van.
I would recommend the Thetford models, I have no complaints with mine - it's almost as powerful as our one at home.

 

[TheAleMan]

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.

Good for you

 

[Lenny HB]

I hope you have speced a top quality oven and grill for the new van.
I would recommend the Thetford models, I have no complaints with mine - it's almost as powerful as our one at home.

Nope, not having the oven, didn't like where or how it is fitted and it gives me a £1000 towards the electrics.

If I could have had a TecTower I would have had it but they fit a narrower fridge only 130 lt.

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[Waveski]

The cost of converting a van to be self sufficient in power depends a lot on what existing wiring is in the van. I have a PVC and have quotes between £3000 and £5000 for professional fitting dependant on what specification you go for. That’s a lot of ehu! I tend to use Camping Car parks when in France at circa 13 euros per night with electric. How you use your van will dictate whether a conversion is valid, for me it did not make any financial sense but I’m leaving the option open.

 

[funflair]

£1000 would pay for a lot of hook ups

Indeed it would but I find that there is not always hook up where I want to park, stop in a services or lay-by for a coffee, in a field at a Fun rally, various stopovers on our recent Germany trip and none had hook up so battery and inverter for us.

 

[Lenny HB]

The cost of converting a van to be self sufficient in power depends a lot on what existing wiring is in the van. I have a PVC and have quotes between £3000 and £5000 for professional fitting dependant on what specification you go for. That’s a lot of ehu! I tend to use Camping Car parks when in France at circa 13 euros per night with electric. How you use your van will dictate whether a conversion is valid, for me it did not make any financial sense but I’m leaving the option open.

You don't have to spend that much to be self sufficient, you don't have to fit Lithium.
I'm self sufficient with 3 x 78ah Gel batteries & 300 watts of solar, my B2B died I've not missed it.

I will be spending a lot on the next van but that's because I like playing with the electrics, I could get by without.

 

[tonyidle]

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.

We use this:

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

Does a slice in 15 - 30 seconds.

 

[scotjimland]

Rarely use commercial sites, mostly CL types or Aires abroad.. and seldom if ever book.

If they have EHU.. fine, comes in useful, if not, no sweat .. two 100ah FLA batteries and two 80 watt solar panels is more than adequate for our simple needs.

On the last trip to France we used mostly 'Camping-Car Park' aires, they usually have 6A EHU , water and dumping included on the price..

We like them, no crushing, nicely spaced and marked out places.. with EHU.. and you can check how many free spaces there are on the app before setting off. ... average €14 per night, inclusive of services..

If you pay €29 (valid for one year) for the "Le Pack'Privileges'You can book up to 72 hours ahead with a spot guaranteed and can exit and return as often as you want.

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