Hi Ya All, we are looking at picking up our new Network RV in May and we're at the final stage of planning. We have chosen a 19'6 Terraine Tuffwith 2 x 95 ltr water and 65ltr grey, 2 x batteries & 340w of solar lithium ready with 2600w enerdrive inverter. We need to know which side of the van is best to situate the kitchen, door side or other an if taps and accessories are best in black or chrome. Black looks good but we think chrome will look better & cleaner longer. Some say the kitchen is cooler on the door side (shaded by the awning). We look forward to your suggestions.
Dave & Paulene
Dougwe said
09:25 PM Feb 9, 2021
I have a exhaust vent from stove and fridge vents on road side. Kitchen, sink, fridge and toot in ensuite are on road side. I had a full length sail track fitted high up on that side and use a full length shade screen down that side. Between that and two fans on top fridge vent dragging hot air out, no problem with fridge on 40c+ days. I would have the same again any time.
Gundog said
10:00 PM Feb 9, 2021
Front kitchen for me
BAZZA44 said
10:39 PM Feb 9, 2021
Kitchen to high side of the road. On right for weight distribution.
Barry
Whenarewethere said
11:47 PM Feb 9, 2021
Is it having a compressor fridge?
Black shows dirt (like idiots who put piano black trim in cars)
The best passive thing to keep it cool is make sure it's painted white. (Not like people who buy a navy blue coloured hull boat then complain it's hot, they deserve it)
340 watts, not a lot of solar.
Meredith said
12:26 AM Feb 10, 2021
Kitchen placement is a personal preference but we prefer having it on the offside so our cafe seating is on the awning side, meaning when we are sitting at the table we have what is generally the best view out the awning side. We spend a lot more time looking out that window than we ever do the kitchen window.
I do know when we were looking at tapware for a bathroom renovation for our home recently that the tapware we chose had a 5 year warranty in chrome but only a 1 year warranty in black due to the fact that the black is much more likely to chip off, decided us for sure on chrome. I do also think its easier to clean.
M80 D said
09:10 AM Feb 10, 2021
Thanks Meredith, your comments make sense. Black is out with seating on the awning side.
Done
Ge said
03:28 PM Feb 10, 2021
Whenarewethere wrote:
Is it having a compressor fridge?
Black shows dirt (like idiots who put piano black trim in cars)
The best passive thing to keep it cool is make sure it's painted white. (Not like people who buy a navy blue coloured hull boat then complain it's hot, they deserve it)
340 watts, not a lot of solar.
Amazing why can you not answer the O/P question as to what they where asking. There was no need to mention van colour or type of fridge, they where just stating their solar not asking for an opinion on it.
M80 D said
04:39 PM Feb 10, 2021
It appears that their is always someone who gets sidetracked on these forum pages. Meredith has explained her reasons and we have given the topic some thought and agree with her. Our car is midnight Blue, caravan is black, white and grey and the fridge is not a compressor type.
P.S. Glad I'didn't ask if I should install a H/R or Nissan towbar with a black or chrome towball.
Possum3 said
06:43 PM Feb 10, 2021
Dave & Paulene - As you have already had the collective wisdom ( or opinionated view), I shall not answer further than to say our preference for kitchen was Near Side with the range hood venting through the roof cowling - the child-bride likes to store her wines under the cafe seating on off-side as it travels smoother. As good a reason as any in my opinion.
Whenarewethere said
07:02 PM Feb 10, 2021
Ge wrote:
Whenarewethere wrote:
Is it having a compressor fridge?
Black shows dirt (like idiots who put piano black trim in cars)
The best passive thing to keep it cool is make sure it's painted white. (Not like people who buy a navy blue coloured hull boat then complain it's hot, they deserve it)
340 watts, not a lot of solar.
Amazing why can you not answer the O/P question as to what they where asking. There was no need to mention van colour or type of fridge, they where just stating their solar not asking for an opinion on it.
They said they were in the final planning stage, I am sure they will be happy with their design.
M80 D said
07:49 AM Feb 11, 2021
Thanks for the advice. I'll store my drinks on the other side as I like mine shaken. Not stirred
Wanda said
09:09 AM Feb 11, 2021
Gundog wrote:
Front kitchen for me
I think with front kitchens you have to be careful because it can put a lot more weigh up front, you seem to see a few of these in older vans but not a lot today, I think thats because of weight issues on some layouts.
Like with anything, just have to be aware of these issues re weight.
cheers
Ian
Bobdown said
06:24 PM Feb 11, 2021
Wanda wrote:
Gundog wrote:
Front kitchen for me
I think with front kitchens you have to be careful because it can put a lot more weigh up front, you seem to see a few of these in older vans but not a lot today, I think thats because of weight issues on some layouts.
Like with anything, just have to be aware of these issues re weight.
cheers
Ian
Front kitchens can be a pain in the butt when one is cooking and the other is going in and out, with a front door of course....
Friends also had trouble with the gas blowing out as the cooker was beside the door, it was a Jayco Silverline.
Cheers Bob
PeterD said
05:13 PM Feb 12, 2021
Ge wrote
Amazing why can you not answer the O/P question as to what they where asking. There was no need to mention van colour or type of fridge, they where just stating their solar not asking for an opinion on it.
Simple, the type of fridge can have a big bearing on the layout if they have a gas fridge.
Dave, if you have an absorption fridge then arrange the kitchen so the venting is not on the annex side. If you have it under the awning then you are not permitted to close the awning in with an annex. Any gas burner can not take its combustion air from or exhaust its waste products into a closed inhabited space (ie the annex.)
gdayjr said
09:16 AM Mar 7, 2021
Whenarewethere wrote:
Is it having a compressor fridge?
Black shows dirt (like idiots who put piano black trim in cars)
The best passive thing to keep it cool is make sure it's painted white. (Not like people who buy a navy blue coloured hull boat then complain it's hot, they deserve it)
340 watts, not a lot of solar.
How much solar power do people consider adequate?
Single, maybe 2 people, aiming to freecamp as much as possible.
TheHeaths said
09:17 AM Mar 7, 2021
To run what Graham?
Work out what you are going to run on power and gas, then work out how much battery capacity you need, then work out how much solar to recharge the draw from the battery each day. If you are looking at high usage, then it may be best to consider lithium batteries to limit weight, as the van you are considering has a load limit of around 475kg.
-- Edited by TheHeaths on Sunday 7th of March 2021 09:20:55 AM
Noelpolar said
07:31 PM Mar 7, 2021
One needs a sense or humor on these forums..... so many just want to help.......
-- Edited by Noelpolar on Sunday 7th of March 2021 07:41:15 PM
Noelpolar said
07:35 PM Mar 7, 2021
-- Edited by Noelpolar on Sunday 7th of March 2021 07:37:42 PM
Noelpolar said
07:37 PM Mar 7, 2021
gdayjr wrote:
Whenarewethere wrote:
Is it having a compressor fridge?
Black shows dirt (like idiots who put piano black trim in cars)
The best passive thing to keep it cool is make sure it's painted white. (Not like people who buy a navy blue coloured hull boat then complain it's hot, they deserve it)
340 watts, not a lot of solar.
How much solar power do people consider adequate?
Single, maybe 2 people, aiming to freecamp as much as possible.
I tend to think.... enough battery so that you use no more then 40% of capacity in a normal day/night..... what ever that is for you......then 3 watts of good solar for every 1ah of battery capacity....
Whenarewethere said
09:27 PM Mar 7, 2021
Technically my reserve is 7 days. I did thorough testing to make the fridge as efficient as possible, also thoroughly tested my solar setup so I know exactly what the input is.
Using 40% maximum on a typical day is ok if you can charge quickly from the car due to inclement weather. Calculate you input & output accurately.
Our kitchen is across the back with the fridge on the kerb side, just around from the comb shower/toilet - but the van is only 17' long. One problem I have is the odd mishap down the step (rear entry).0
We find the van is well balanced.
Derek Barnes said
01:28 PM Mar 8, 2021
I always like the look of chrome taps. We have a tall arching spout on the kitchen tap which conveniently swivels to left and right. The only problem we have found with our kitchen taps and spout is that the spout puts out a very thin stream of water at a relatively high speed which splashes everywhere when it hits anything. I know this problem would be hard to test for.
Hi Ya All,
we are looking at picking up our new Network RV in May and we're at the final stage of planning. We have chosen a 19'6 Terraine Tuffwith 2 x 95 ltr water and 65ltr grey, 2 x batteries & 340w of solar lithium ready with 2600w enerdrive inverter. We need to know which side of the van is best to situate the kitchen, door side or other an if taps and accessories are best in black or chrome. Black looks good but we think chrome will look better & cleaner longer. Some say the kitchen is cooler on the door side (shaded by the awning). We look forward to your suggestions.
Dave & Paulene
Barry
Is it having a compressor fridge?
Black shows dirt (like idiots who put piano black trim in cars)
The best passive thing to keep it cool is make sure it's painted white. (Not like people who buy a navy blue coloured hull boat then complain it's hot, they deserve it)
340 watts, not a lot of solar.
I do know when we were looking at tapware for a bathroom renovation for our home recently that the tapware we chose had a 5 year warranty in chrome but only a 1 year warranty in black due to the fact that the black is much more likely to chip off, decided us for sure on chrome. I do also think its easier to clean.
Done
Amazing why can you not answer the O/P question as to what they where asking. There was no need to mention van colour or type of fridge, they where just stating their solar not asking for an opinion on it.
P.S. Glad I'didn't ask if I should install a H/R or Nissan towbar with a black or chrome towball.
They said they were in the final planning stage, I am sure they will be happy with their design.
Thanks for the advice. I'll store my drinks on the other side as I like mine shaken. Not stirred
I think with front kitchens you have to be careful because it can put a lot more weigh up front, you seem to see a few of these in older vans but not a lot today, I think thats because of weight issues on some layouts.
Like with anything, just have to be aware of these issues re weight.
cheers
Ian
Front kitchens can be a pain in the butt when one is cooking and the other is going in and out, with a front door of course....
Friends also had trouble with the gas blowing out as the cooker was beside the door, it was a Jayco Silverline.
Cheers Bob
Simple, the type of fridge can have a big bearing on the layout if they have a gas fridge.
Dave, if you have an absorption fridge then arrange the kitchen so the venting is not on the annex side. If you have it under the awning then you are not permitted to close the awning in with an annex. Any gas burner can not take its combustion air from or exhaust its waste products into a closed inhabited space (ie the annex.)
How much solar power do people consider adequate?
Single, maybe 2 people, aiming to freecamp as much as possible.
To run what Graham?
Work out what you are going to run on power and gas, then work out how much battery capacity you need, then work out how much solar to recharge the draw from the battery each day. If you are looking at high usage, then it may be best to consider lithium batteries to limit weight, as the van you are considering has a load limit of around 475kg.
-- Edited by TheHeaths on Sunday 7th of March 2021 09:20:55 AM
One needs a sense or humor on these forums..... so many just want to help.......
-- Edited by Noelpolar on Sunday 7th of March 2021 07:41:15 PM
-- Edited by Noelpolar on Sunday 7th of March 2021 07:37:42 PM
I tend to think.... enough battery so that you use no more then 40% of capacity in a normal day/night..... what ever that is for you......then 3 watts of good solar for every 1ah of battery capacity....
Technically my reserve is 7 days. I did thorough testing to make the fridge as efficient as possible, also thoroughly tested my solar setup so I know exactly what the input is.
Using 40% maximum on a typical day is ok if you can charge quickly from the car due to inclement weather. Calculate you input & output accurately.
https://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t65231112/custom-6x20-watts-solar-setup-with-mppt/
https://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t65059593/extra-fridge-insulation-wattage-test/
We find the van is well balanced.
I always like the look of chrome taps. We have a tall arching spout on the kitchen tap which conveniently swivels to left and right. The only problem we have found with our kitchen taps and spout is that the spout puts out a very thin stream of water at a relatively high speed which splashes everywhere when it hits anything. I know this problem would be hard to test for.