None Electric plots

[Gents]

Being self powered, i.e. No need of site hook up.
Am I the only one that thinks, as Those of us who have invested in making our vans more eco friendly , the number of none electric pitches provided by most clubs are pitiful. I tackled all the clubs represented at the NEC, with little response.
Is it because charging for hook up is a good earner for them.

 

[TheAleMan]

Being self powered, i.e. No need of site hook up.
Am I the only one that thinks, as Those of us who have invested in making our vans more eco friendly , the number of none electric pitches provided by most clubs are pitiful. I tackled all the clubs represented at the NEC, with little response.
Is it because charging for hook up is a good earner for them.

Have noticed this more and more. We have made a substantial investment with a healthy solar panel array and our bank of Lithium batteries only to be told at most sites that it all comes in on the price and given no option..very frustrating.

 

[The Old Man]

I have noticed a number of sites I use now have prices for the pitch, plus £10 if I want to connect to the post, or £x per unit of power consumed.

 

[Shrimp]

A lot of the smaller sites, CLs & CSs, do offer with or without EHU but you have to ask!

 

[HarryML7]

I imagine the reverse was true when vans started to we started to become more dependent on electricity.

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[MichaelT]

Being self powered, i.e. No need of site hook up.
Am I the only one that thinks, as Those of us who have invested in making our vans more eco friendly , the number of none electric pitches provided by most clubs are pitiful. I tackled all the clubs represented at the NEC, with little response.
Is it because charging for hook up is a good earner for them.

C&CC you can ask for no electricity and they will knock 5 or 6 quid off then they tryst you not to plug in. Remember the main clubs and most private sites were/are set up to cater for caravans and campers who traditionally want EHU.

 

[hja]

The CAMC has been doing a non electric trial at one site. They are now going to do an additional trial at three sites but over the winter, when I guess many will hook up.
I think more sites are using meters. One of the problems we come across is the lack of hard standings with no electric given grass can be an issue some times of the year and in some places.

 

[hja]

C&CC you can ask for no electricity and they will knock 5 or 6 quid off then they tryst you not to plug in. Remember the main clubs and most private sites were/are set up to cater for caravans and campers who traditionally want EHU.

I know you can book non electric pitches with the CCC, and we have done. sometimes they have not been available. When are you asking for non electric? Is it when you arrive? And have you booked an electric pitch?

 

[DBK]

The majority want EHU, that's why they provide it. It's the same elsewhere, in say France. If there is EHU available they use it.

I know a minority just want a tap in a field but there's very little money in that for the site owners.

 

[MichaelT]

I know you can book non electric pitches with the CCC, and we have done. sometimes they have not been available. When are you asking for non electric? Is it when you arrive? And have you booked an electric pitch?

Yes I've phoned site to book and also just turned up.

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[Barti Ddu]

This month's CAMC magazine is very self-congratulatory about various green environmental awards it has achieved, but it strikes me that the amount of unnecessary electrity used on sites is staggering. Flat rate, unmetered EHU on sites just encourages overuse and wastage. There's no incentive for someone not to heat their awning 24/7 in winter.

We stayed at plenty of sites and aires this year in Germany, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia that had metered electricity - either a slot to feed in a Euro coin or two, or tap your contactless card against the card reader on the post.

Has to be the way forward. It's environmentally sound and gives users the option to either use or forgo the need for hooking up. Win-win.

 

[Gents]

The CAMC has been doing a non electric trial at one site. They are now going to do an additional trial at three sites but over the winter, when I guess many will hook up.
I think more sites are using meters. One of the problems we come across is the lack of hard standings with no electric given grass can be an issue some times of the year and in some places.

Yes I got that from them at NEC, my reply was, I’m 73 in Feb, I’ll need a permanent pitch by the time they get their act together.

 

[Lenny HB]

in say France. If there is EHU available they use it.

But in France and most other countries it's optional, often every pitch has EHU but if you don't want it you don't pay for it.

 

[Gents]

The majority want EHU, that's why they provide it. It's the same elsewhere, in say France. If there is EHU available they use it.

I know a minority just want a tap in a field but there's very little money in that for the site owners.

I totally get that, but the clubs that we are all encouraged to join, I feel have been caught sleeping at the wheel. Touring as a family holiday is supposed to be about easy on the pocket of families who have less disposable. I Know, also that loads of us can afford more, and at the same time as the numbers of just chuck stuff in a car and get a break from the grind, unfortunately there is also a growing number who want to arrive on site with the intention of Wowing others with their very expensive set up. Which isn’t all bad, because that means the thieves will not be interested in my little Self build outfit.
My point really was that surely , every other page of our monthly mags adds bring them in a good whack. Any way i’ve said enough, sorry this will bore most.

 

[MichaelT]

But in France and most other countries it's optional, often every pitch has EHU but if you don't want it you don't pay for it.

A lot you can also have basic 6a or upgrade for an extra cost to 10a or 16a. Pays your money you takes your choice. CCP are all 6a which is designed to charge your batteries and maybe run the fridge, anything over that you have to turn something off.

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[L' Hobo]

I know you can book non electric pitches with the CCC, and we have done. sometimes they have not been available. When are you asking for non electric? Is it when you arrive? And have you booked an electric pitch?

If you're a member, when you book online, you choose, grass or hard standing, with or without EHU.
OR one can take a chance and just turn up and hope!

 

[hja]

If you're a member, when you book online, you choose, grass or hard standing, with or without EHU.
OR one can take a chance and just turn up and hope!

Most of their none ehu pitches are on grass. I don’t think their booking page allows the option of no hook up on a hard standing that has a hook up. As MichelT said, maybe ring them.

 

[L' Hobo]

Most of their none ehu pitches are on grass. I don’t think their booking page allows the option of no hook up on a hard standing that has a hook up. As MichelT said, maybe ring them.

You are right, I meant to convey that you had more choice at CCC of a hard or grass pitch with EHU
AND one could choose if one had electricity or not, unlike other clubs where it is mandatory.

 

[busbuddy]

Is it because charging for hook up is a good earner for them.

No it's because you, as a builder of a more 'eco friendly' van are part of a very small minority......which includes me
The very vast majority of motorhome/caravan holidayers are plug and play with no interest in buying and fitting accessories that make no difference to their 'always on hook up' holidays
The average Joe buys their motorhome/caravan with no thought of solar .....their main thought is family and their holiday enjoyment........ehu is a given

 

[Gents]

No it's because you, as a builder of a more 'eco friendly' van are part of a very small minority......which includes me
The very vast majority of motorhome/caravan holidayers are plug and play with no interest in buying and fitting accessories that make no difference to their 'always on hook up' holidays
The average Joe buys their motorhome/caravan with no thought of solar .....their main thought is family and their holiday enjoyment........ehu is a given

Thanks for your reply, yes i suppose you are right, I self built, mainly because I didn’t fancy spending just South of £100k on a van when there are so many changes to what will be acceptable in the future.
Also, I want to know what is behind all the fancy panelling etc. and get more bang for my buck. We love the fact that we can stop almost anywhere, and use everything from a micro to shower before moving on.
Love the freedom.

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[Lenny HB]

Thanks for your reply, yes i suppose you are right, I self built, mainly because I didn’t fancy spending just South of £100k on a van when there are so many changes to what will be acceptable in the future.
Also, I want to know what is behind all the fancy panelling etc. and get more bang for my buck. We love the fact that we can stop almost anywhere, and use everything from a micro to shower before moving on.
Love the freedom.

I alway think a Motorhome should be self sufficient otherwise might as well have a caravan and stay on sites.

I've given myself a budget of €3500 to mod the electrics when the new van arrives and I'll probably go over that, and that is doing it myself. Would probably be about £6k if didn't do it myself.

 

[hja]

Thanks for your reply, yes i suppose you are right, I self built, mainly because I didn’t fancy spending just South of £100k on a van when there are so many changes to what will be acceptable in the future.
Also, I want to know what is behind all the fancy panelling etc. and get more bang for my buck. We love the fact that we can stop almost anywhere, and use everything from a micro to shower before moving on.
Love the freedom.

Actually I think some of it is still about caravans. I know some caravans are equipped to be off grid, i've seen them on sites and you only have to look at the CAMOGG group on facebook. However, my guess is that more motorhomes are likely to be off grid. Our van isnt a self build but we are equipped not to need ehu for most of the year. If you use your van to be out & about, then you are charging your batteries anyway. I dont believe most sites have actually assessed what part of their pitch fee is electric and what fee they need to keep the pitch open without ehu. They also assume visitors want ehu, and many, us included, will hook up if it is an inclusive, no option, pitch fee.

 

[Lenny HB]

I have a friend who has 600 watts of solar on his caravan, yes very rare.

 

[L' Hobo]

I can't speak for others and I would love to be more self sufficient from EHU but, to me who knows nothing of electrics, it's just one more, expensive, complicated thing, that I know nothing about, to go wrong + because I don't need it in the warmer months, it's not worth to he time expense and complications.

 

[Gents]

I alway think a Motorhome should be self sufficient otherwise might as well have a caravan and stay on sites.

I've given myself a budget of €3500 to mod the electrics when the new van arrives and I'll probably go over that, and that is doing it myself. Would probably be about £6k if didn't do it myself.

Totally agree, self sufficiency in any part of life gives great satisfaction. When I started my first job, many many years ago, I looked at the pay packet, and the deductions.
Jacked, & went self employed, never looked back. Go for it Lenny. I spent about £8k all in, and haven’t even got a hook up cable now.400W of Solar,&360W of Lithium batteries has run everything ever since.
Even the wife’s hair dryer & george forman grill.

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[Gents]

I can't speak for others and I would love to be more self sufficient from EHU but, to me who knows nothing of electrics, it's just one more, expensive, complicated thing, that I know nothing about, to go wrong + because I don't need it in the warmer months, it's not worth to he time expense and complications.

Perfectly understand, but trust me it’s getting cheaper & easier to do all the time.
You can now buy a complete pack in, almost like a suit case, with every thing you need for your Solar set up. All you need to fit or get an Auto Electrician to fit is the female socket on your Unit, to plug the case into, & bingo, you are self sufficient. What’s so great about the stuff that is being developed now is, you could fit the female socket to your van, your Wife’s car, & even your garage at home, and run, say your hot water system from it, the possibilities will become endless.

 

[MichaelT]

I alway think a Motorhome should be self sufficient otherwise might as well have a caravan and stay on sites.

I've given myself a budget of €3500 to mod the electrics when the new van arrives and I'll probably go over that, and that is doing it myself. Would probably be about £6k if didn't do it myself.

Does Mia know that

 

[Lenny HB]

Does Mi know that

Yep but she is not happy about 9k on air suspension.

 

[Barclaybasher]

I don't use sites often.
For 10 years a single leisure battery and lone solar panel has kept me happy most of the time.
Gas for heating and cooking.
I don't however use any 'household' appliances and would not spend thousands just to be totally independent.
I don't stay in any one place for more than a day or two
I had a problem this trip and used a site to recharge my dead leisure battery.
The site in Spain only has pitches that include electricity, WiFi and your own wet room €20.
Everyone has different needs and uses for their vans which should be taken into account when deciding how much 'kit' they need.

 

[MichaelT]

Yep but she is not happy about 9k on air suspension.

We are going for semi Air on rear and uprated front springs, alot cheaper

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