Hints & Tips

[jackie]

Hi Everyone,

As I haven't been motor homing for many years, I would like to ask you all for some good tips like: When going to the shower block take a poly bag to keep your clothes dry, and flip flops to wear in the shower.

Talking of showers, would any of you recommend those solar shower bags? I thought they might be useful for washing up etc, I can assure you I won't be taking a shower outside! ;D

Perhaps you could also share what is the most useful extra that you just couldn't go camping without.

I look forward to your (serious) replies.

Jackie

[karenw]

I haven't used the solar shower bags but my husband uses them on his boat and finds them quite good.

Imight try them one day when I'm in a VERY remote area (but I wouldn't want to scare the wildlife!).

Karen

[viv]

My fabric wine and magazine rack that hangs on the back of the drivers seat.

[Pauline]

Our Inverter proves to be a useful addition. plugs into the 12v socket and then you can use things with 3 pin plugs.

It cost around £10.00 from Woolworths a few years ago and means that we can use small items while on site without electricity. We've even used the laptop for short periods.

We can also charge our mobile phones (we don't have 12v chargers for them) , and rechargable batteries.

[Graham]

jackie said:

Perhaps you could also share what is the most useful extra that you just couldn't go camping without.

A corkscrew




Graham

[viv]

Pauline
What a mine of information you are, I am all for an inverter just have to make sure I like the first one I buy!!!!!!!!!!.

[romingtim]

Hi Viv,

When you go in search of an invertor make sure you get one with the right power rating. The smaller ones normally only have 150W power rating so can only really be used for charging things. If you go for the next size up at 300W you can use low power items, but not things like hairdryers or anything that heats really. 600W is where they start to become really useful for larger items but they also kill the battery pretty quickly and need to be connected straight to the battery rather than plugged into the sockets.

Hope this helps you on your way to finding the right one!!

Tim

[Barbara and Graham]

A Remoska is proving to be our most useful addition to basic equipment. Available from Lakeland, they're pricey (around £80 for the standard size) but very versatile and extend the cooking options no end. See www.lakeland.co.uk and www.hoorayforhomecooking.co.uk/remoska.htm for more info.

Barbara

[mike and heather]

Our inverter is rated at 150w and is useful for most things. I have heard that those 300w and above have a cooling fan, which could be noisy. I too use ours for operating the laptop, charging batteries and a radio when on site. Most useful when away from hookup sites.
We asked Ant for a 12v cigarette lighter socket to run direct off the leisure battery, and thus no worries about starting the van.
Mike

[Pauline]

mikeminim said:

We asked Ant for a 12v cigarette lighter socket to run direct off the leisure battery, and thus no worries about starting the van.
Mike

We assumed that the 12v socket in the van (at the back above the sink) would run from the leisure battery. If you had to ask Ant to fit one specifically does this mean that ours doesn't?

We realise that the ones in the cab will be van battery.

[Pauline]

romingtim said:

If you go for the next size up at 300W you can use low power items, but not things like hairdryers or anything that heats really.

So I can't use my hairdryer, curling tongs, heated rollers, nail drying kit and facial sauna??

What am I to do? ;D

(Note to Graham - correct reply to this is "you don't need all those things darling")

[mike and heather]

Hi Pauline

You would think that the 12v socket in the kitchen runs off the leisure battery but we got the impression it came off the vehicle battery. Ant will be able to confirm this.

We also find it useful to have a socket we dare to use in the living area.

Have a good break at Hayfield.

Mike

[Pauline]

Thanks Mike

If that is the case then I assume it's only the lights and pump that will be affected by the rocker switch on the Zig unit, which allows you to select either van or leisure battery.

[mike and heather]

Pass, although I would think so.
Over to Ant!
Mike

[ant]

Hi All you puzzled Dimension owners.
The 12volt socket over the sink and the oven light have both been fed by the existing Citroen courtesy light feed. They therefore come from the starting battery ( I know thats crazy but don't shoot the messenger!). The Zig panel switches relate to the lights, pump and Aux ( being the gas lighting hot water control and maybe the turbo vent). The blown air heater is fed directly from the secondary battery and is not controlled by the panel.
So now you know and you can start worrying about it!
Ant

[Pauline]

Really appreciate the info Ant, thanks ............ (where's my gun?

Oh dear, the number of times we've happily sat with the 12v TV running from the kitchen socket saying "well it doesn't matter if the battery goes flat it will charge as we drive!"

[mike and heather]

Dimension owners:

They say ignorance is bliss! Form an orderly queue to have a socket fitted off the leisure battery.

I have seen no mention of the switching arrangements in the handbook (correct me if I'm wrong), perhaps this ought to be issued as an addendum to existing owners?

Talking about flat batteries, I once backed up onto levelling blocks, left it in reverse, and also left the ignition on to stop the radio turning off after 20 minutes.

The AA were very helpful!.

Mike

[Pauline]

Well I think we've gone this long Mike without a flat battery so perhaps we will be OK.

although, like you, it would be nice to have a socket in the living area plus a 240v one too for that matter.

You are right there ought to be a mention in the handbook because it's a natural assumption that the living area will run from the leisure battery.

I've another question for Ant regarding batteries, but perhaps better to start a new thread, don't want to hijack Jackie's Hints and Tips.