Winterising your camper.

 
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Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 24.10.2021  ·  #1
What actions do you take to ensure the safety of your camper over the winter months?
For ourselves as those who use it every chance we get we put an oil filled radiator in the middle of the floor and keep it turned down on the thermostat.
Open all cupboards and doors to let air circulate .
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 24.10.2021  ·  #2
I've usually used an electric heater in the past. Recently I got One Of These at Lidl for €50, it's only 70 watts much less than a heater.
I'm thinking that as damp is the real enemy not cold I'll try the dehumidifier for change and it'll be a lot cheaper to run that the heater.
🤔🤔
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 24.10.2021  ·  #3
Even when we are not out I make sure to take it for a spin every 2 to 3 weeks. I also keep on an oil filled rad stat controlled on a timer. Try and keep the fuel tank full to avoid any moisture building up in the system. Basically forgetting about the van for a few months is the worst thing you could do in my opinion.
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 24.10.2021  ·  #4
I have a 300w greenhouse heater in the double floor and leave the hatches open. Drain down the water if really cold.
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 24.10.2021  ·  #5
We also use the hanging dehumidifier bags in the cupboards at all times.
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 24.10.2021  ·  #6
I take ours out for a thirty minute run every two/three weeks. Open vents every dry sunny day. Keep a big tray of course salt on the worktop and that absorbs a fair bit of moisture (dry it out in the microwave regularly)
Keep all internal storage doors open.
Alternatively, move to Southern Spain. 🌞😎👍
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 24.10.2021  ·  #7
Quote by tony glenn


Alternatively, move to Southern Spain. 🌞😎👍


Best solution I've ever heard 😃
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 25.10.2021  ·  #8
Muchas gracias!
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 25.10.2021  ·  #9
We bought a an oil filled heater, keeping it on low, it worked fine until we discovered southern Spain for winter. So we don't use the heater any more.
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 25.10.2021  ·  #10
Quote by Helgahobby

We bought a an oil filled heater, keeping it on low, it worked fine until we discovered southern Spain for winter. So we don't use the heater any more.

Ditto
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 25.10.2021  ·  #11
As above, but empty all cupboards, drain down the tanks, bring all moveable upolstery and bedding in to the house. After opening windows open on good days , I put the dehumidifier on for a few hours.
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 26.10.2021  ·  #12
There is something to consider if leaving your Camper plugged in over winter. Quite a few older vans, will have a simple charger that can be switched on and off. If this is the type you have do not leave it switched on.
Unless it has a battery monitoring system built-in. So when fully charged it switches to trickle or float charge, otherwise it will overcharge, which can fry them causing overheating and serious damage and melt down resulting in possible fire.
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 26.10.2021  ·  #13
I wonder if anyone has tried dropping one of these in to their water tanks ?
link

It's a submersible aquarium heater. Would be good to switch on when it's about to freeze. I can't run power to my van when it's parked up so I cant. Although with enough solar power it would be feasible.
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 26.10.2021  ·  #14
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Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 26.10.2021  ·  #15
Quote by Flipperdipper

Dehumidifier in LIDL on thursday 28th.
https://www.lidl.ie/p/winter-w…ier/p17177


Off topic.
Aldi have Tower brand, window vac for €24.99 today
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Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 26.10.2021  ·  #16
Quote by The Rambler

I wonder if anyone has tried dropping one of these in to their water tanks ?
link

It's a submersible aquarium heater. Would be good to switch on when it's about to freeze. I can't run power to my van when it's parked up so I cant. Although with enough solar power it would be feasible.

By the time you orginise temp switches to operate the inverter to get the 220v, then some kind of cutout to save the batteries. Draining the tank might be the cheeper option, but it if you are going to cold places, a 12v heating element might be a better way to go.
DERNORD 12V 300W DC Submersible Water Heater Element Stainless Steel Heating Element with 1 Inch BSP Thread Fitting Double U Type https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0…J3CT7MY4MW.

Can be wired to use the one element 150w or two at 300 w.
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 26.10.2021  ·  #17
Quote by sprinter

Quote by The Rambler

I wonder if anyone has tried dropping one of these in to their water tanks ?
link

It's a submersible aquarium heater. Would be good to switch on when it's about to freeze. I can't run power to my van when it's parked up so I cant. Although with enough solar power it would be feasible.

By the time you orginise temp switches to operate the inverter to get the 220v, then some kind of cutout to save the batteries. Draining the tank might be the cheeper option, but it if you are going to cold places, a 12v heating element might be a better way to go.
DERNORD 12V 300W DC Submersible Water Heater Element Stainless Steel Heating Element with 1 Inch BSP Thread Fitting Double U Type https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0…J3CT7MY4MW.

Can be wired to use the one element 150w or two at 300 w.


300 Watts will not save your battery. The one I linked to up above is 25 W. You don't want to boil your water, you want to keep it above the freezing point. :happy: The normal sizing for aquarium heaters is about a watt per litre. But that's for running an aquarium at 25 to 28 degrees. Which is a lot more than needed here. Plus the aquarium heater is submersible assuming you can drop it in at the top of the tanks. A 12 volt element would need a special cut out and sealing.
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 26.10.2021  ·  #18
Quote by The Rambler

I wonder if anyone has tried dropping one of these in to their water tanks ?
link

It's a submersible aquarium heater. Would be good to switch on when it's about to freeze. I can't run power to my van when it's parked up so I cant. Although with enough solar power it would be feasible.


Have one of those in our water and waste tank,have used them in really bad weather but must be plugged in.
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 26.10.2021  ·  #19
Quote by ntg

Quote by The Rambler

I wonder if anyone has tried dropping one of these in to their water tanks ?
link

It's a submersible aquarium heater. Would be good to switch on when it's about to freeze. I can't run power to my van when it's parked up so I cant. Although with enough solar power it would be feasible.


Have one of those in our water and waste tank,have used them in really bad weather but must be plugged in.


Interesting. Waste tank too? That's not something I would ever bother to drain down in freezing conditions.
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Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 26.10.2021  ·  #20
Quote by The Rambler

Quote by ntg

Quote by The Rambler

I wonder if anyone has tried dropping one of these in to their water tanks ?
link

It's a submersible aquarium heater. Would be good to switch on when it's about to freeze. I can't run power to my van when it's parked up so I cant. Although with enough solar power it would be feasible.


Have one of those in our water and waste tank,have used them in really bad weather but must be plugged in.


Interesting. Waste tank too? That's not something I would ever bother to drain down in freezing conditions.


Jason, the waste tank on my van is underneath and wrapped and Insulated, the fresh tank is inside in the storage area,under the bed, there is a hot air vent in there also. but the stupid thing is there is no drain off, if I want to empty it, I will have to pump it out using the taps, into the waste and drain it at the same time, or syphon it out trough the storage door.
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 26.10.2021  ·  #21
My waste tank is underneath too Martin. I don't think it's insulated. But I would not be concerned. My reservoir tank however is in the garage, i.e. not in a heated space. I have no direct way to drain it, other than removing the drain plug in the Carver heater , which is slow. I have never drained the tank in freezing conditions if I am using the van. That could be a problem as the water pump and pipework could freeze in the garage.

I know in many parts of the Arctic, people keep their vehicle oil sumps plugged in when parked up. I wonder if some kind of lagging/ electric jacket could be wrapped around the pump??
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 26.10.2021  ·  #22
Quote by The Rambler

My waste tank is underneath too Martin. I don't think it's insulated. But I would not be concerned. My reservoir tank however is in the garage, i.e. not in a heated space. I have no direct way to drain it, other than removing the drain plug in the Carver heater , which is slow. I have never drained the tank in freezing conditions if I am using the van. That could be a problem as the water pump and pipework could freeze in the garage.

I know in many parts of the Arctic, people keep their vehicle oil sumps plugged in when parked up. I wonder if some kind of lagging/ electric jacket could be wrapped around the pump??


Would one of these work mounted in the garage beside the pump, with a temperature control switch.

Constant Temperature PTC Electric Fan Heater for Car Small Space Heating Incubator(12V 150W) controlled with
All-Purpose-Digital-Temperature-Controller-
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 26.10.2021  ·  #23
Quote by sprinter

Quote by The Rambler

My waste tank is underneath too Martin. I don't think it's insulated. But I would not be concerned. My reservoir tank however is in the garage, i.e. not in a heated space. I have no direct way to drain it, other than removing the drain plug in the Carver heater , which is slow. I have never drained the tank in freezing conditions if I am using the van. That could be a problem as the water pump and pipework could freeze in the garage.

I know in many parts of the Arctic, people keep their vehicle oil sumps plugged in when parked up. I wonder if some kind of lagging/ electric jacket could be wrapped around the pump??


Would one of these work mounted in the garage beside the pump, with a temperature control switch.

Constant Temperature PTC Electric Fan Heater for Car Small Space Heating Incubator(12V 150W) controlled with
All-Purpose-Digital-Temperature-Controller-


It sounds good. Do you have a link Martin?
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 26.10.2021  ·  #24
Jaysus lads, what fecking weather are you two expecting. Have ye not heard of the global warming 😜.
My van has some form of a heater between the tank and insulation that you can switch on in cold weather. Afaik, it only cuts in when temperatures drop below 2-3 degrees Celsius. I drain the fresh and waste tanks after every trip, so not an issue for me
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 26.10.2021  ·  #25
We're all just looking for an excuse to go to southern Spain, David 😁😁
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 26.10.2021  ·  #26
Winterising isn't really a problem for us...we're blessed to be living in sunny Skibbereen, West Cork. 😎🌞 Research has shown that this town has an almost identical climate to southern Spain, with endless sunshine and gentle breezes throughout each glorious day.
Our micro-climate is matched only by our superb road network, mile upon mile of silky smooth tarmac freeway, maintained at weekly intervals by a team of council experts.
Any members who recently attended the Bantry meet-up will confirm the wonder of this little piece of paradise!
Sorry, have to go. The nurse is on her rounds. 😐
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 26.10.2021  ·  #27
I have had my fresh water tank freeze in the Alps, its under the seat in the living area and in the double floor. It took ages to defrost with an electric blow heater.
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 26.10.2021  ·  #28
Quote by tony glenn

Winterising isn't really a problem for us...we're blessed to be living in sunny Skibbereen, West Cork. 😎🌞 Research has shown that this town has an almost identical climate to southern Spain, with endless sunshine and gentle breezes throughout each glorious day.
Our micro-climate is matched only by our superb road network, mile upon mile of silky smooth tarmac freeway, maintained at weekly intervals by a team of council experts.
Any members who recently attended the Bantry meet-up will confirm the wonder of this little piece of paradise!
Sorry, have to go. The nurse is on her rounds. 😐

😵‍💫😳🤯😝
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 26.10.2021  ·  #29
Quote by tony glenn

Winterising isn't really a problem for us...we're blessed to be living in sunny Skibbereen, West Cork. 😎🌞 Research has shown that this town has an almost identical climate to southern Spain, with endless sunshine and gentle breezes throughout each glorious day.
Our micro-climate is matched only by our superb road network, mile upon mile of silky smooth tarmac freeway, maintained at weekly intervals by a team of council experts.
Any members who recently attended the Bantry meet-up will confirm the wonder of this little piece of paradise!
Sorry, have to go. The nurse is on her rounds. 😐



God bless that nurse Tony,😅 she needs a lot of help.😄😂
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 26.10.2021  ·  #30
Jason I attemped to post the link, but it came out as half of the Amazon stock.

If you cooy this bit into Google, it will bring you to the heater, and if you scroll down it will show you the bought together temp controller.

Constant Temperature PTC Electric Fan Heater for Car Small Space Heating Incubator(12V 150W) controlled with
All-Purpose-Digital-Temperature-Controller-
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Re: Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 26.10.2021  ·  #31
I see what you mean about the temperature controller Martin. As it happens, I do have an unused relay output on my Victron battery monitor. I have a Victron temperature sensor mounted on the battery, which is in the same compartment as the water pump. I believe I can program the relay output to trigger at a preset temperature. I could use that to power the heater. :-/
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Winterising your camper.

 ·  Posted: 27.10.2021  ·  #32
I have the same set up running 3 cooling fans on the fridge vent, to keep the compartment below 25°.where it works best.
The is also a heater fitted behind the fridge, from the factory to heat up the compartment, for the same reason, if the outside temp gets too cold.
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