We are staying on a friend's property outside Perth for a few weeks, plugged into his 240v power. We have a compressor fridge and use the air con for a couple of hours in the afternoons.
When we leave, we would like to leave enough money to cover the power we have used (although he will refuse it, and so we'll leave it hidden somewhere for him to find later).
Does anyone have any idea how much per day I should leave, so he's not out of pocket?
KFT said
06:26 PM Feb 20, 2016
G'day GarrynLyn
I recently read an article on goseeaustralia web site about some testing they did of the power consumption of different Rv's.
I would reckon based on what you have stated you run, you would use not more than approx $2 worth per day $3 at the most.
Frank
GarrynLyn said
07:50 PM Feb 20, 2016
KFT wrote:
G'day GarrynLyn
I recently read an article on goseeaustralia web site about some testing they did of the power consumption of different Rv's.
I would reckon based on what you have stated you run, you would use not more than approx $2 worth per day $3 at the most.
Frank
Thanks for that, Frank.
Much appreciated.
Garry
rockylizard said
07:58 PM Feb 20, 2016
Gday...
I gotta agree wif KFT pretty much.
The only things that are on 240v in my van when I am in a van park are the fridge, a hotplate on stove, HWS, TV, computer, Electric kettle (1200W), toaster occasionally (1600W) and clock/radio.
I cook predominantly with gas. I do not run the aircon but if a chilly night I will run my 240v fan heater - maybe 3 hours or less. (1800W)
When I have stayed in van parks that have 240v power metered separately for payment over and above the site fee, I have usually used between $2.80 and $4.40 per night. The higher fee is usually if in the cooler months - that heater uses a bit of power so aircon would suck up a bit I reckon.
Helps that helps.
cheers - John
banjo said
08:52 PM Feb 20, 2016
We regularly stay at a friends 5 acre property in Mandurah WA, usually over the Easter and September dreaded school holidays, it's solves our problem and he goes away during the Easter break so I do a little mowing etc.
We pay voluntarily $50 a week for power and water usage, to us it's worth every cent. We too have a compressor fridge and an inverter split AC so probably never use that much in value, but as said worth it for us.
jules47 said
09:51 PM Feb 20, 2016
I think $5 a day is good - a lot of the stays on "overnightcaravanfarmstay" charge $5 - seems a fair amount to us. We stayed in a caravan park in Old Adaminiby (in the Snowy's) couple of years ago, they had changed to metered power, their power bill had more than halved in the six months or so after installation.
We used aircon, TV, lights, cooking, kettle, charged everything that could be charged - cost for our power - 75 cents!!!!! We didn't have to pay it, they don't charge under $1
Bevandy2 said
12:04 AM Feb 21, 2016
I think any contribution would be welcome if they accept, whenever we stay with our kids we usually donate roughly what it would cost us at home, they of course refuse to accept it, but in your case I would work out roughly what your power bill would be at home for the period, and offer them that.
We also offer a contribution for housekeeping, which is usually refused, I think the gesture is appreciated, and let them guide you.
It's reciprocal, the kids come to stay with us and we refuse any contribution to their costs.
In your case, with friends, just ask them and go along with what they suggest. Many people enjoy the satisfaction of giving, and sharing what they have, so if they don't want anything in return, graciously accept their hospitality and find ways in which to return the favour.
Bruce and Bev said
12:55 AM Feb 21, 2016
we stayed with Nomads in Perth (mainly kept our vaan in storage there). But they had provided water, constructed a very professional sit down toilet and handbasin with clean hand towels, as well as lovely 5 o'clockers.
We spent only 2 nights there, and house sat elsewhere for the rest of the month. Rather than embarrass them offering money, we put in a $50 Coles gift card with a thank you card
Krusty said
09:52 AM Feb 21, 2016
I have mates staying at my place regularly. One of them had a portable electricity meter thingy (plugs into 240v plug then you plug the appliance into that) that we were playing with. Turns out his esky type 3 way fridge was using more power than everything at my place combined. Don't get me wrong, I think they're great for free camping etc because they can run on gas but just be aware they are energy hogs on 240v. If offered I say $2 a day should cover their electricity.
dorian said
09:56 AM Feb 21, 2016
Aldi were selling a Bauhn Power Meter for $15 last year.
I camped in a town for 6 months & plugged into the next door neighbour's power. I used a meter to measure power & it was about $12.50 per week. I paid her 1 carton of 30 XXXX gold cans per fortnight :)
My set up is the same as yours Garry with main power usage being A/C but I used it a lot more than a couple of hours per day (more like 6 hours) because most days were over 45°
jose said
07:52 AM Feb 28, 2016
being a friend i would rather accept a gift voucher or a gift of something i like eg scotch etc as a thank you,
Some advice please....
We are staying on a friend's property outside Perth for a few weeks, plugged into his 240v power. We have a compressor fridge and use the air con for a couple of hours in the afternoons.
When we leave, we would like to leave enough money to cover the power we have used (although he will refuse it, and so we'll leave it hidden somewhere for him to find later).
Does anyone have any idea how much per day I should leave, so he's not out of pocket?
I recently read an article on goseeaustralia web site about some testing they did of the power consumption of different Rv's.
I would reckon based on what you have stated you run, you would use not more than approx $2 worth per day $3 at the most.
Frank
Thanks for that, Frank.
Much appreciated.
Garry
Gday...
I gotta agree wif KFT pretty much.
The only things that are on 240v in my van when I am in a van park are the fridge, a hotplate on stove, HWS, TV, computer, Electric kettle (1200W), toaster occasionally (1600W) and clock/radio.
I cook predominantly with gas. I do not run the aircon but if a chilly night I will run my 240v fan heater - maybe 3 hours or less. (1800W)
When I have stayed in van parks that have 240v power metered separately for payment over and above the site fee, I have usually used between $2.80 and $4.40 per night. The higher fee is usually if in the cooler months - that heater uses a bit of power
so aircon would suck up a bit I reckon.
Helps that helps.
cheers - John
We pay voluntarily $50 a week for power and water usage, to us it's worth every cent. We too have a compressor fridge and an inverter split AC so probably never use that much in value, but as said worth it for us.
We used aircon, TV, lights, cooking, kettle, charged everything that could be charged - cost for our power - 75 cents!!!!! We didn't have to pay it, they don't charge under $1
We also offer a contribution for housekeeping, which is usually refused, I think the gesture is appreciated, and let them guide you.
It's reciprocal, the kids come to stay with us and we refuse any contribution to their costs.
In your case, with friends, just ask them and go along with what they suggest. Many people enjoy the satisfaction of giving, and sharing what they have, so if they don't want anything in return, graciously accept their hospitality and find ways in which to return the favour.
We spent only 2 nights there, and house sat elsewhere for the rest of the month. Rather than embarrass them offering money, we put in a $50 Coles gift card with a thank you card
winplus.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/article_attachments/200739145/Bauhn_Power_Meter_Manual_PA39085.pdf
Jaycar has a similar device ($22):
www.jaycar.com.au/p/MS6115
Thanks all for the great info.
And Dorian, I wasn't aware of the power meter.
Garry
My set up is the same as yours Garry with main power usage being A/C but I used it a lot more than a couple of hours per day (more like 6 hours) because most days were over 45°
being a friend i would rather accept a gift voucher or a gift of something i like eg scotch etc as a thank you,