Showering in the caravan
95 replies
DavidKlyne replied on 10/04/2017 09:17
Posted on 09/04/2017 16:46 by eurortravellerThanks JVB, if sites like that are such a good idea then I'm surprised the rest of Europe doesn't have them. But Brits do seem to be unique in liking lavishly equipped caravans and spartan sites.
Posted on 10/04/2017 09:17
ET
As you well know the Europeans are generally summer campers except for the few that like to go to winter ski resorts. In the UK many of us camp all year round and many use CL type site that might not have the luxury of a toilet/shower block which might explain why UK caravans/motorhomes are better equipped. Most of the time we use our own facilities because we can just roll out of bed and into the shower and get dressed in comfort. None of this having to get half dressed for the daily march to the ablutions. We do sometimes make an exception if we are in Germany and Austria (where we are often charged for electricity) where the toilet/shower facilities are usually far more impressive than they are in France
David
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KjellNN replied on 10/04/2017 10:33
Posted on 10/04/2017 08:33 by JVB66They are quite light
Posted on 10/04/2017 10:33
Even so, it would be extra weight we just do not need as we are on a weight reduction crusade right now! Every kilo counts, and they soon add up.
We have plenty of space elsewhere in the van we could put table and chairs, like under the bed, but if we used all the space we have we would be over our weight limit, sadly.
Have those of you who take over what should be empty space for additional storage had your vans weighed when loaded? With the miserable payloads of some vans these days, it would be very easy to be over your limit.
Tammygirl replied on 10/04/2017 11:04
Posted on 10/04/2017 10:33 by KjellNNEven so, it would be extra weight we just do not need as we are on a weight reduction crusade right now! Every kilo counts, and they soon add up.
We have plenty of space elsewhere in the van we could put table and chairs, like under the bed, but if we used all the space we have we would be over our weight limit, sadly.
Have those of you who take over what should be empty space for additional storage had your vans weighed when loaded? With the miserable payloads of some vans these days, it would be very easy to be over your limit.
JVB66 replied on 10/04/2017 11:14
Navigateur replied on 10/04/2017 11:25
Posted on 10/04/2017 11:25
I have just been reading the original question, which the recent posts have moved well away from.
I don't know this Alde water heating system as I've always has the Truma one, but it does heat the water rapidly enough to keep up a continuous flow for ages. I use two linked Aquarolls so there is in theory 80 litres (of mixed) water available.
Cornersteady replied on 10/04/2017 11:27
Posted on 10/04/2017 10:33 by KjellNNEven so, it would be extra weight we just do not need as we are on a weight reduction crusade right now! Every kilo counts, and they soon add up.
We have plenty of space elsewhere in the van we could put table and chairs, like under the bed, but if we used all the space we have we would be over our weight limit, sadly.
Have those of you who take over what should be empty space for additional storage had your vans weighed when loaded? With the miserable payloads of some vans these days, it would be very easy to be over your limit.
Posted on 10/04/2017 11:27
You'll not be surprised to know that everything I have in the van that stays permanently in there (aqauroll, wastemaster, gas, sleeping stuff, pots and pans, plates, cutlery, shower stuff, front locker tools and hoses, stuff in the front drawers... whatever) has been weighed before being put in and accounted for in my caravan spread sheet. We have those blue ikea large bags for clothing that when full weigh about 6kg so we know exactly what our van weighs when being towed. Can you say likewise?
Boff replied on 10/04/2017 11:32
Posted on 10/04/2017 11:25 by NavigateurI have just been reading the original question, which the recent posts have moved well away from.
I don't know this Alde water heating system as I've always has the Truma one, but it does heat the water rapidly enough to keep up a continuous flow for ages. I use two linked Aquarolls so there is in theory 80 litres (of mixed) water available.
Posted on 10/04/2017 11:32
Yes sorry to get this back to the original question.
In my experience the Truma system gave more hot water than the Alde system, not supprising really as the storage tank was bigger and the temperature on gas at least was higher. Alde do apparently offer an additional heat exchanger to give continuous hot water, but I think it costs iirc more than £600 to have it fitted.
Ps that is not to say you can't have an adequate shower from the Alde system as is.
Tammygirl replied on 10/04/2017 17:37
Posted on 10/04/2017 11:27 by CornersteadyYou'll not be surprised to know that everything I have in the van that stays permanently in there (aqauroll, wastemaster, gas, sleeping stuff, pots and pans, plates, cutlery, shower stuff, front locker tools and hoses, stuff in the front drawers... whatever) has been weighed before being put in and accounted for in my caravan spread sheet. We have those blue ikea large bags for clothing that when full weigh about 6kg so we know exactly what our van weighs when being towed. Can you say likewise?
JVB66 replied on 10/04/2017 17:48
Posted on 10/04/2017 11:25 by NavigateurI have just been reading the original question, which the recent posts have moved well away from.
I don't know this Alde water heating system as I've always has the Truma one, but it does heat the water rapidly enough to keep up a continuous flow for ages. I use two linked Aquarolls so there is in theory 80 litres (of mixed) water available.
replied on 10/04/2017 17:52
Posted on 10/04/2017 11:32 by BoffYes sorry to get this back to the original question.
In my experience the Truma system gave more hot water than the Alde system, not supprising really as the storage tank was bigger and the temperature on gas at least was higher. Alde do apparently offer an additional heat exchanger to give continuous hot water, but I think it costs iirc more than £600 to have it fitted.
Ps that is not to say you can't have an adequate shower from the Alde system as is.
Posted on 10/04/2017 17:52
You can however boost the water temperature on the Alde which raises the temperature.
How much hot water does the system produce?
The Alde Compact boilers uses a store of 8.4 litres of hot water at >50 °C. When mixed at the fixture to a usable 38 °C, this amounts to ≈12 litres of heated water every 30 mins. Cold water <10 °C will take longer to heat.
The Hot Water Boost function—the tap icon on the digital control panel—cuts out the central heating for 30 mins while another 8.4 litres of hot water is heated to >65 °C. This amounts to ≈15 litres of heated water, mixed. Assuming an average flow rate of 3 litres per minute, this gives ≈5 minutes of continuous heated water for showers.
This can also be used to kill Legionella bacteria if the system has been standing unused for a spell. (Legionella bacteria dies within 2 mins at 65 °C.)
Rod235
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