Hi Ya All, we are looking at picking up our new Network RV in May and we're at the final stage of planning. We have chosen a 19'6 Terraine Tuffwith 2 x 95 ltr water and 65ltr grey, 2 x batteries & 340w of solar lithium ready with 2600w enerdrive inverter. We need to know which side of the van is best to situate the kitchen, door side or other an if taps and accessories are best in black or chrome. Black looks good but we think chrome will look better & cleaner longer. Some say the kitchen is cooler on the door side (shaded by the awning). We look forward to your suggestions.
I have a exhaust vent from stove and fridge vents on road side. Kitchen, sink, fridge and toot in ensuite are on road side. I had a full length sail track fitted high up on that side and use a full length shade screen down that side. Between that and two fans on top fridge vent dragging hot air out, no problem with fridge on 40c+ days. I would have the same again any time.
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Black shows dirt (like idiots who put piano black trim in cars)
The best passive thing to keep it cool is make sure it's painted white. (Not like people who buy a navy blue coloured hull boat then complain it's hot, they deserve it)
340 watts, not a lot of solar.
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50L custom fuel rack 6x20W 100/20mppt 4x26Ah gel 28L super insulated fridge TPMS 3 ARB compressors heatsink fan cooled 4L tank aftercooler Air/water OCD cleaning 4 stage car acoustic insulation.
Kitchen placement is a personal preference but we prefer having it on the offside so our cafe seating is on the awning side, meaning when we are sitting at the table we have what is generally the best view out the awning side. We spend a lot more time looking out that window than we ever do the kitchen window.
I do know when we were looking at tapware for a bathroom renovation for our home recently that the tapware we chose had a 5 year warranty in chrome but only a 1 year warranty in black due to the fact that the black is much more likely to chip off, decided us for sure on chrome. I do also think its easier to clean.
Black shows dirt (like idiots who put piano black trim in cars)
The best passive thing to keep it cool is make sure it's painted white. (Not like people who buy a navy blue coloured hull boat then complain it's hot, they deserve it)
340 watts, not a lot of solar.
Amazing why can you not answer the O/P question as to what they where asking. There was no need to mention van colour or type of fridge, they where just stating their solar not asking for an opinion on it.
It appears that their is always someone who gets sidetracked on these forum pages. Meredith has explained her reasons and we have given the topic some thought and agree with her. Our car is midnight Blue, caravan is black, white and grey and the fridge is not a compressor type.
P.S. Glad I'didn't ask if I should install a H/R or Nissan towbar with a black or chrome towball.
Dave & Paulene - As you have already had the collective wisdom ( or opinionated view), I shall not answer further than to say our preference for kitchen was Near Side with the range hood venting through the roof cowling - the child-bride likes to store her wines under the cafe seating on off-side as it travels smoother. As good a reason as any in my opinion.
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Black shows dirt (like idiots who put piano black trim in cars)
The best passive thing to keep it cool is make sure it's painted white. (Not like people who buy a navy blue coloured hull boat then complain it's hot, they deserve it)
340 watts, not a lot of solar.
Amazing why can you not answer the O/P question as to what they where asking. There was no need to mention van colour or type of fridge, they where just stating their solar not asking for an opinion on it.
They said they were in the final planning stage, I am sure they will be happy with their design.
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Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!
50L custom fuel rack 6x20W 100/20mppt 4x26Ah gel 28L super insulated fridge TPMS 3 ARB compressors heatsink fan cooled 4L tank aftercooler Air/water OCD cleaning 4 stage car acoustic insulation.
I think with front kitchens you have to be careful because it can put a lot more weigh up front, you seem to see a few of these in older vans but not a lot today, I think thats because of weight issues on some layouts.
Like with anything, just have to be aware of these issues re weight.
I think with front kitchens you have to be careful because it can put a lot more weigh up front, you seem to see a few of these in older vans but not a lot today, I think thats because of weight issues on some layouts.
Like with anything, just have to be aware of these issues re weight.
cheers
Ian
Front kitchens can be a pain in the butt when one is cooking and the other is going in and out, with a front door of course....
Friends also had trouble with the gas blowing out as the cooker was beside the door, it was a Jayco Silverline.
Amazing why can you not answer the O/P question as to what they where asking. There was no need to mention van colour or type of fridge, they where just stating their solar not asking for an opinion on it.
Simple, the type of fridge can have a big bearing on the layout if they have a gas fridge.
Dave, if you have an absorption fridge then arrange the kitchen so the venting is not on the annex side. If you have it under the awning then you are not permitted to close the awning in with an annex. Any gas burner can not take its combustion air from or exhaust its waste products into a closed inhabited space (ie the annex.)
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
Black shows dirt (like idiots who put piano black trim in cars)
The best passive thing to keep it cool is make sure it's painted white. (Not like people who buy a navy blue coloured hull boat then complain it's hot, they deserve it)
340 watts, not a lot of solar.
How much solar power do people consider adequate?
Single, maybe 2 people, aiming to freecamp as much as possible.
Work out what you are going to run on power and gas, then work out how much battery capacity you need, then work out how much solar to recharge the draw from the battery each day. If you are looking at high usage, then it may be best to consider lithium batteries to limit weight, as the van you are considering has a load limit of around 475kg.
-- Edited by TheHeaths on Sunday 7th of March 2021 09:20:55 AM
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Regards Ian
Chaos, mayhem, confusion. Good my job here is done
Black shows dirt (like idiots who put piano black trim in cars)
The best passive thing to keep it cool is make sure it's painted white. (Not like people who buy a navy blue coloured hull boat then complain it's hot, they deserve it)
340 watts, not a lot of solar.
How much solar power do people consider adequate?
Single, maybe 2 people, aiming to freecamp as much as possible.
I tend to think.... enough battery so that you use no more then 40% of capacity in a normal day/night..... what ever that is for you......then 3 watts of good solar for every 1ah of battery capacity....
Technically my reserve is 7 days. I did thorough testing to make the fridge as efficient as possible, also thoroughly tested my solar setup so I know exactly what the input is.
Using 40% maximum on a typical day is ok if you can charge quickly from the car due to inclement weather. Calculate you input & output accurately.
Our kitchen is across the back with the fridge on the kerb side, just around from the comb shower/toilet - but the van is only 17' long. One problem I have is the odd mishap down the step (rear entry).0
We find the van is well balanced.
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Warren
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If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!
I always like the look of chrome taps. We have a tall arching spout on the kitchen tap which conveniently swivels to left and right. The only problem we have found with our kitchen taps and spout is that the spout puts out a very thin stream of water at a relatively high speed which splashes everywhere when it hits anything. I know this problem would be hard to test for.
