Over the top prices

Hi, I am always keen to use non EHU sites as they tend to be not quite as busy. Wild camping has a definite appeal too. To make this more feasible,last year I  had solar panel (fixed) fitted on roof of MH and also have 2x 90maH leisure batteries fitted.

I recently bought a '2000W' inverter (continuous wattage rating) but am a bit dubious about that claim as my wife's 1800W hairdryer trips the unit !

I read with interest about using a microwave hile not hooked up so I am keen to get more detail please, as having a useable microwave would be a great asset when wild camping or on Non EHU site.

Can you please specify the make/wattage of the inverter (is pure sine wave type required ?), lithium battery and also the microwave , if you don't mind sharing

Thanks Merve

Hi Angus, I have to agree regarding non EHU sites being less crowded- I never have problems booking now- yet another benefit of non EHU! 

You don’t say what wattage your SP is.? As regards the 2000w inverter, mine at the moment is a ‘no name’ and it sounds very similar to yours. It is a fact that some of these No name components are not what the are cracked up to be so I am not surprised regarding 1800w tripping it. I will, hopefully be putting that right this year when I buy an NDS or similar inverter which will be the correct rating- you live and learn. NDS (Italy) is the maker of my Lithium Battery. LION Brand.  A life4po battery of 100ah. Roadpro at Daventry is the supplier and fitter of the battery and electronics. You could do worse than give them a quick ring and pick their brains re your inverter trouble- I’m sure ANDY, the MD will tell you similar to what he told me- but a brand you can trust!   You only need pure sine wave if you have equipment on board that require PSW. You need to find that out. I was a little lazy about it I must admit- I just bought a PSW simply because, if any of my phones, tablets, television or electrical appliances needed PSW, it was available.

Now you mention the microwave. Yes, we use our microwave while offgrid but we only use it to heat food or drinks- so it’s only on for 3 mins or so as is the toaster as is the vacuum when used. You can’t kick the backside out of it by trying to cook full meals as I’m sure you are aware as you are only on battery but you can  use it to make life easier on board. It sounds as though you are committed to at least trying non EHU camping and that’s great. Once you have bought the kit, that’s it- it’s all transferable to the next vehicle - particularly if you use a suitcase type panel. Yes, my best advice is to buy kit that is good quality and branded. You get what you pay for. If you wish to contact me you can get me at ynotkickaroonow@hotmail.com -I would be only too pleased to help where I can. The microwave is the one fitted by Bailey and for the life of me I can’t think of the make or model but I’ll get back to you on that one unless you email me first. 

just to add, if you have a 12v TV and an extra 12v socket ot two (or USB) you can charge most stuff (iPads, tablets, phones etc) and watch tv without using the inverter.

agreed, microwave, hairdryer etc...but for small stuff keep it simple and save energy.

We haven't got an inverter, never carry a tv and like BB says charge everything via 12V.  This includes 9 camera battery's and todate no problem.  Gas via Safefill takes care of all cooking (no microwave required), heating if required etc.

Yes I’m with BB and Oneputt on this one. I always charge the small stuff with a 12v USB port. Works great and the USB chargeable toothbrush is another thing to consider if you are used to an electric toothbrush! Life on board is being made easier to survive without  the cable. The inverter will use power to run and that’s another point about buying a good make converter- they normally use far less electric to run than some cheap no name make. I only use it when I need to and then make sure it is switched off completely. An illuminated switch at the end of the bed box is used so that I can switch it off remotely instead of lifting the bed each time. 

Not sure how we have survived this long as tourers coming up for 36 years now, but have never required any expensive gadgetry, beyond the solar panel that came with our current MH. We have cooked, kept warm and run our admittedly small fridge on gas for long periods, all times of the year. Even with all Merv’s gadgetry, you will still be keeping on eye on what you use, although as he says, it does give you cheaper places to stay. We sometimes stay on similar places, but without the gadgets! It all depends what you need onboard, and what you do while away. Ditch the TV, ditch the microwave, pack a hot water bottle and a nice throw and life is just so easy! And cheap! We recharge gadgets while on the move. Our one luxury is an electric toothbrush, but there’s always somewhere to plug it in usually!

Sounds good to me TTDA. Simple but effective- like caravanning should be I guess but I have what you have except I have an inverter to use- that’s all. I salute you for what you have achieved .

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We are hardy types Merve, spent weeks at a time camping so for us, getting a small basic caravan was great. First one didn’t have anything other than a battery to work 12 volt, and so I suppose we have never bothered too much about lots of extras that a lot of vans now come with. We still have our second van. That does have electrics, but is a little gem. Well insulated, has a decent cooker, fridge, dual heaters, and we love her. We still spend lots of time outdoors, even with MH, which is first time we have had an oven! It’s about getting out there, getting around, somewhere cheap and safe to sleep. We love the seclusion of no hook up CLs, they are another world compared with large sites. I suppose if we were just starting out, we would be looking at your type of set up, but we like cottages as well nowadays. 

I think you just got on with things AD, if you had never had it you never missed it We mix our sites, and don’t mind a few days without hook up, but tend to spend more time nowadays on sites with EHU. I suspect we would be like you if abroad, hardly inside van at all. When I couldn’t get a long break because of caring, my OH asked me what I wanted to do as I met up with him off train......just park up somewhere remote, by a beach, that was all I wanted. We found the spot, on dunes just up from Alnmouth. Sunshine, a paddle, a nice hot meal, and watch the sun go down. Bliss.

We do meet some proper “old timers” occasionally on basic CLs. Often with classic vans, well into their 80s, but still enjoying basic caravanning. Got a way to go yet though!