Do we really need 240V AC in a caravan?

Phil C · Guru

Do we really need 240V AC in a caravan?

Cloak · Guru

www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/jul/13/manchester-report-fuel-cells

Is a good place to get an overview of these domestic fuel cells.

Another good idea from this forum.....

Thanks Phil

Big Gorilla · Guru

I agree with most of what you are saying with a few minor exceptions. Provided you have sufficient solar power, 240 volts is not a necessity. I have 240 watts solar and 2 x 6 volt deep cycle batteries 225 amp/hours each. My refrigerator is 12 volt. I have all the 12 volt stuff you nominated. My 240 volt stuff is an aircon, microwave, battery charger and one 20 watt fluor. light. I use 240 volt in a Caravan Park about every 10 to 14 days. (Clothes washing day ! ) Out comes the toaster, iron, coffee maker, and of course the battery charger is on, but not really required. I don't need a generator.

I'm a coffee addict, and I use a metal perculator on gas stove for this purpose. A 300 watt inverter is ideal for laptop and phone charger.

Plendo · Guru

Hi Phil,

You are not suggesting doing without your 240V devices, just powering them from your inverter, thus not needing to plug into a power pole.

That is exacly the concept our van is built around, and to make it work we have made a few changes, like the air conditioner is now a Fujitsu inverter split system, our power store is 200ah 24V Lithium battery, and our power source is 1,200W of light weight solar on the roof.

All the essentials are still 12V, being lights, pumps, fridge, and HWS control.

All the luxuries are 240V, air con, microwave, washing machine, coffee machine, etc.

Plug in items like chargers are all 12V, and we have extra 12v points.

I can not see why you would buy a van with luxuries, then tie yourself to caravan parks.

hotqld · Veteran Member

On yachts cruising they have been on 12V only combined propane for decades its fairly routine.

We are doing the same bush camping 10 days no generator,
Running 12V, lights, pump, sat TV 4-5 hours / day, 90 watt laptop plus ipad 6 hours a day. CPAP.
Propane = Fridge, hot water and cooking.

400 watt roof mounted 12V solar panels
220 AH 2nd hand standby AGM batteries.
We are just coping with batteries dropping to 30% SOC.
Happens this time of year a bit skinny, summer is OK.

Going to put another panel on the roof = 600watts
Was going to go Li, but have been offered two more standby batteries 100ah 12V @ $70.00 ea so I reckon two of those wil do us on the battery front.

I see a generator for running air conditioning and topping up batteries if the sun dont shine.

240V installations just need a couple power points...to run the fridge and a battery charger..

SnowT · Guru

Plendo wrote:
Hi Phil,
You are not suggesting doing without your 240V devices, just powering them from your inverter, thus not needing to plug into a power pole.
That is exacly the concept our van is built around, and to make it work we have made a few changes, like the air conditioner is now a Fujitsu inverter split system, our power store is 200ah 24V Lithium battery, and our power source is 1,200W of light weight solar on the roof.
All the essentials are still 12V, being lights, pumps, fridge, and HWS control.
All the luxuries are 240V, air con, microwave, washing machine, coffee machine, etc.
Plug in items like chargers are all 12V, and we have extra 12v points.
I can not see why you would buy a van with luxuries, then tie yourself to caravan parks.

As Plendo has said..

You can build a van so that it does not need to plug into a Caravan Park or a Generator..

- You don't need to have Gas Cooking.. [Gas cooking/fridge means that the Gas system needs to Certified to Comply with regulation.]

You have stated that there is now a Fuel Cell that cost's $40k.. Well a Good Lithium system cost 1/4 of that price.

- A Good system..

1200- 1600w of Solar.

200-300Ah of 24v Lithium Batteries..

Control Gear.. Cabling, Fuses, Fixings..

I think you get the idea..

The main Thing is the Not need to have GAS at all..

Juergen

SnowT · Guru

Double post

Juergen

-- Edited by SnowT on Sunday 6th of July 2014 12:53:12 AM

oldtrack123 · Guru

Hi

With over 50YEARs of camping & travelling we have probably connected to mains power on two occassions [At friends places]

Our travels always have been mainly BUSH camping OR National parks

We have never had a need for an inverter.

WE have a had a small honda Battery charging generator[ 15A]since 1968

It would be lucky to have had 100hrs of use

We have had a small 12V Tv,yes it was B&W, from around 1960 .

Dometic 3ways & Engel fridge since 1968

All or requirements were met by gas[2x 9kG] , 200Watts of solar & 200Ahr battery capacity & wood fires

PeterQ

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Saturday 5th of July 2014 11:44:43 PM

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

We have one of these in our MH in Europe.
Bought it second hand to cover the odd occasion when Scotland delivers several days of zero sun in a row, even in summer (just had one....).
The MH has a compressor fridge but we don't carry a generator. Nor do we use caravan parks.
http://www.efoy-comfort.com/technical-data

It is installed INSIDE the MH, weighs under 8kg, delivers 7.6A of automatic 12V battery charging and makes about the same noise as a compressor fridge.
One of the future directions of mobile electric power.

Our OKA does not have power plug-in ability. Solar alone with some occasional help from the alternator.

Cheers,

Peter

Phil C · Guru

WOW

PeterQ you are an inspiration, When we decided to do the caravan thing and travel around I decided that we would invest in all the bells and whistles. So we have the generator, twin 110AH batteries, solar panel, low wattage induction cooker, inverter etc.

I guess necessity is the mother of invention so a few of these items are vital for the maintenance of my osteoarthritis (eg. electric blanket and heater). I also fear that we are all different and have differing needs when it comes to comfort, safety and what gizmos we play with.

As a young man I did a huge amount of hiking and real bush camping with nothing but a sleeping bag, tent, dehydrated food and a dunny roll. I guess I have softened since leaving the RAAF.

Interesting about how other people camp, there were times when sitting on a log was grand, now days its the camp chair.

Enjoy life PeterQ it sounds like you are.

Safe travels

Dunmowin · Guru

this my Bellman coffee machine, makes espresso for three, six or nine cups. Also steams/froths the milk for cappuccino. Can be used on gas flame, on open fire, or electric hot plate. I only use on gas flame. Solves my coffee fixation.

-- Edited by Dunmowin on Monday 7th of July 2014 05:10:31 PM

03_troopy · Guru

Dunmowin, I picked up one exactly the same except it's branded Breville and is attached to an electric base, from a garage sale for $5.00 a few years ago.. it's very old looking but still works quite well. Maybe I can separate mine from the base and use it on flame too.

Dunmowin · Guru

Here is the end product,not the buns, just the coffee, the buns came out of our bread machine...

Phil C · Guru

Thanks guys, Im up for one of those coffee machines.

Safe travels

beiffe · Guru

Well I am the opposite as I only have a 12v fan over the bed and a 12v car radio and the rest of my appliances are 240v .
I have no gas on board except for a small camp stove for when I need a second pot when cooking.
I bush camp predominantly but do spend time at friends houses and at volunteering camps but don't need power to survive and don't use caravan parks.
It is possible to operate most appliances from 240v and good batteries and live a good life on the road full time, it only depends on your available battery power and your inverter.
It is up to the individual the life style they wish to pursue on the road.
Some delight in using next to no power by denying the basics for a comfortable life while others want to have the luxuries to enjoy our lives.
So yes you can survive with no 240v and yes you can survive with no gas the choice is yours the same as using caravan parks or bush camps.

Regards
Brian

Phil C · Guru

beiffe wrote:
Well I am the opposite as I only have a 12v fan over the bed and a 12v car radio and the rest of my appliances are 240v .
I have no gas on board except for a small camp stove for when I need a second pot when cooking.
I bush camp predominantly but do spend time at friends houses and at volunteering camps but don't need power to survive and don't use caravan parks.
It is possible to operate most appliances from 240v and good batteries and live a good life on the road full time, it only depends on your available battery power and your inverter.
It is up to the individual the life style they wish to pursue on the road.
Some delight in using next to no power by denying the basics for a comfortable life while others want to have the luxuries to enjoy our lives.
So yes you can survive with no 240v and yes you can survive with no gas the choice is yours the same as using caravan parks or bush camps.

Regards
Brian

Hi Brian

I completely agree with you. Im of the opinion that we live a great and comfortable life, if we need the inverter we use it, same applies to any other appliance/service we have on board.

I guess it all comes down to who we are and how we expect to live in the "wilds", I care to think we are glamping rather than just surviving.

Safe travels

Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.