Email regarding price increases

Posted on 23/03/2022 08:13 by young thomas

WTG, a simple way of managing this would be to connect to EHU but to turn the van's battery charger off.

you now have the situation where the 12v system is supported by solar only and can be used for water pump, heating fan (if reqd), charging iPads, phones etc, running tv etc...no mains involved at all. We even charge our Ebike batteries from 12v via an inverter.

however, with the mains plugged in, if desired you could (say) boil a kettle, run a hairdryer, both short term usage items.

at least like this, all the 12v usage would be coming from sunshine and not from the bollard.

if that bollard were metered, you'd see a significant reduction in usage.

If one has even a simple solar system, there really no need to (say) plug an iPad charger into the mains...when it can be done for free from a solar powered 12v socket.

Posted on 22/03/2022 19:42 by Tinwheeler

Should he? Like Steve, we have our heating on overnight at a reduced temperature whether home or away. I didn’t realise it was against the rules decreed by Rufs as I thought it was a matter of personal choice. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Posted on 23/03/2022 08:13 by young thomas

WTG, a simple way of managing this would be to connect to EHU but to turn the van's battery charger off.

you now have the situation where the 12v system is supported by solar only and can be used for water pump, heating fan (if reqd), charging iPads, phones etc, running tv etc...no mains involved at all. We even charge our Ebike batteries from 12v via an inverter.

however, with the mains plugged in, if desired you could (say) boil a kettle, run a hairdryer, both short term usage items.

at least like this, all the 12v usage would be coming from sunshine and not from the bollard.

if that bollard were metered, you'd see a significant reduction in usage.

If one has even a simple solar system, there really no need to (say) plug an iPad charger into the mains...when it can be done for free from a solar powered 12v socket.

Posted on 22/03/2022 20:55 by DavidKlyne

It depends what system is employed. I take your point about site staff needing to be involved as often receptions are closed as most of us leave in the morning! 

There are probably four methods that could be employed:-

1) A manual reading when you arrive and another when you leave. Very labour intensive and can cause delays in leaving whilst you wait for a member of staff to be available.

2) Electronic monitoring from reception. They make a note of which pitch you are on the day you arrive. On morning of departure you make your way to reception, they tell you how much you have used and you pay. Still requires reception staff to be available, probably all morning.

3) Coin operated electric connections. You plug your lead in  and hope the person before has left you some credit but otherwise you top up with coins. Perhaps a possibility that you could select an amount of Kw's and pay by card. Coins could be inconvenient to both members and staff.

4) A system where you buy preloaded cards in different denominations which you slot into the bollard and remove at the end of your stay with use deducted from the card memory. There would be a need for availability of such cards onsite, perhaps a vending machine? 

5) A more advance system could be that when you plug into the bollard it is locked in place, to be released by payment either by smart phone or credit card.

Any other ideas?

David 

 

Posted on 22/03/2022 20:55 by DavidKlyne

It depends what system is employed. I take your point about site staff needing to be involved as often receptions are closed as most of us leave in the morning! 

There are probably four methods that could be employed:-

1) A manual reading when you arrive and another when you leave. Very labour intensive and can cause delays in leaving whilst you wait for a member of staff to be available.

2) Electronic monitoring from reception. They make a note of which pitch you are on the day you arrive. On morning of departure you make your way to reception, they tell you how much you have used and you pay. Still requires reception staff to be available, probably all morning.

3) Coin operated electric connections. You plug your lead in  and hope the person before has left you some credit but otherwise you top up with coins. Perhaps a possibility that you could select an amount of Kw's and pay by card. Coins could be inconvenient to both members and staff.

4) A system where you buy preloaded cards in different denominations which you slot into the bollard and remove at the end of your stay with use deducted from the card memory. There would be a need for availability of such cards onsite, perhaps a vending machine? 

5) A more advance system could be that when you plug into the bollard it is locked in place, to be released by payment either by smart phone or credit card.

Any other ideas?

David 

 

Posted on 23/03/2022 09:10 by Rufs

David, apart from number 5, i have been on sites where these methods have been deployed, however , they were all commercial sites where, as i remember, reception was manned e.g. 0800 - 2000 hrs by reception staff, not wardens who are expected to be jack of all trades, not advocating the club now employ permanent reception staff as this would probably mean another increase in site fees. dont recall ever having a problem with 1 thru 4.

 

Posted on 23/03/2022 09:04 by peedee

It could depend on the configuration of your vans electrics. I don't think the switch on my battery charger is accessible. Doing so would also not effect the fridge, you would have to ensure this was manually set to run off gas. In short I think you would have to understand the distribution of the 230v system in order to decide what is best for you. The Club does not have any metered EHU points so it is lirrelevent. until they do but thanks for the response.

peedee

 

 

Posted on 23/03/2022 09:42 by young thomas

David, real world example. We left our Spanish winter site on Saturday lunchtime having only decided to leave that morning.

I Strolled to the office, said we were leaving...30 seconds later I had paid the separate leccy bill (tiny) and within a minute had paid the outstanding camping bill. Thanks, have a nice journey.

it really is that simple.

the club could still have us customers pay in advance for pitches but in arrears for leccy...with a decent system it really is a simple as I described.

the actual bollard has a mirror meter unit display so the customer can evaluate their bill prior to paying.

AD is correct in that, while some folk won't be 'comfortable', it does focus the mind, despite what some well heeled members might say.