Watching a caravan and motorhome DVD and there was an add about battery chargers and it got me thinking. Our van Will be ready next month and it seems no matter how much research I do, it feels like I'm still clueless! We know nothing about battery chargers and batteries in general. There is soooooo much "stuff" advertised everywhere that we seriously don't know what we do and don't need etc... Do we Even need a charger, of so what kind? What about generators, dual batteries, spare batteries, spare tyres, portable fridges, electric brakes, WDH's, mirrors and all the other millions of things it appear as though we may need. It's just so hard to decide and I'm worried about talking to a professional as I can see us getting robbed blind!
Oh Gawd, it's all so confusing!
Thanks for listening to me whinge.
Julie
jules47 said
04:04 AM Sep 28, 2013
Crikey - so much to think about - no, really you will be all right on the night, as they say. It will come together - just make sure you do have mirrors on board when you pick the van up, so you can safely drive it home. And take a note pad and pen with you to write down what is told to you - if you don't understand something the tell you about the van, ask them to repeat - they are getting a lot of $ out of you, you need to make sure you know as much as you can about your van.
Then just enjoy, take it on a short test run, before you buy stuff for it - you are on this forum, ask questions of the clever people who frequent the "tech" section, or on general here - someone always knows the answer!!!!
Dougwe said
03:53 PM Sep 28, 2013
Don't talk to the pro's mate, you could get into trouble
You have made the comment here so just wait, you will get heaps of great replies from good honest people from this forum that are already set up and out there. Spose you could say, they have all 'been there, done that'.
Have a Bo Peep in 'Techies Corner' as there is heaps of good info there, also check out 'Hints, Tips and great ideas' also good stuff there.
A lot of people here talk too and buy from 'Jaycar' as they are good for 12v and Solar Power info.
Just ask the forum, if it's technical stuff go to TC, if it's CV stuff go to General.
My thoughts anyway.
GaryKelly said
04:25 PM Sep 28, 2013
Yeah, the forum's the way to go, and not worrying about knowing it all in five minutes. I've learned a lot by coming onto the forum(s) regularly over a period of some months, and reading about other people's needs and solutions. It's important to relate what's available with what YOU need. I'm not worried about a gennie for example because my battery needs aren't all that great. It's also not necessary to have everything you need on day 1. You can easily add on stuff as you gain more experience on the road. Think of it as a work in progress. I imagine you'll also learn a great deal from chatting with other campers and comparing notes.
Bryan said
07:33 PM Sep 28, 2013
Totally agree. As a newbie, I found the forum supportive and helpful.
A lot of positive folks here.
Mr B2 said
10:45 PM Sep 28, 2013
Hahahha, It will be all over your head, Dont worry about it, Bring it home and just look at it, Whats this button do, Learn your Van, Sleep in it, In your yard, That the best way to find out what works and what doesnt, For you,
A lot of stuff that people put in is just Glitz, or keeping up with the latest gizmo's or the Jones's,
The simplified versions of all your systems can be found on Google, Just take one at a time, and learn it,
Full solar unit for my coach, is 4 parts, Solar panels, MPPT Controller, meter, and some other little gizmo, Simple wiring diagram for it, on Google, It does work.
Thats an example, Take each system, break it down to its basic components, Keep it simple, Thats the easiest way to learn about them,
What you do actually need in it, only time living in it, will tell you what you do and dont need, Personally, Not what every one else has,
Then the people on here with the same van as yours will tell you all about the little tricks pertaining to your van, To make life easier for you,
Or go and have a look at another one in a dealers yard or Caravan Park, Compare yours with theirs, Gives you Idea's, What works and what doesnt,
Me. I have to go onto a Yankee Forum for my Coach, And they are Marvellous with Info, With out them I would be down the Gurgler big time,
When every thing is through the inside of the coach, Untraceable, Where the hell does it go and what is it connected too,
More so, What is it, ????????????????
I am a Professional, Please send me Bulk money for above advice, Hahahahaahahaha,
If you have problems, Just ask, some one will pop up with the answers for you, But relax and take it easy, Its not as scary as you think,
briche said
10:49 PM Sep 28, 2013
Just putting my comments out there as well Julie. Without repeating everyone's comments, it is a bit of a learning curve but the best way is to just ask the questions on the forum no matter how silly they may seem to you because everyone has been in that place as well. The amount of knlowledge that is out there is amazing and will be freely given.
I found myself in your place 4 years ago and as a result got the answers I needed and now I am in a place where I can help others, that's the way this wonderful forum works.
Welcome aboard and trust it all comes together for you. My final comment to you would be to write down the questions you have and group them together, such as electrical, camping stuff, etc and then just tackle them one a time. That way it helps to keep the overall questions into bite size rather than be overwhelmed by it all.
Any time, just ask and you shall receive
Take care and enjoy the journey.
briche
(Brian)
neilnruth said
12:55 AM Sep 29, 2013
We agree with all of the above. Just get on the road, use the forum and seek advice along the way from fellow travellers as well. This forum will help you. If you get overly 'scared' you may never leave the driveway. Enjoy that new van. It will have been worth the wait.
Pondy said
12:57 AM Sep 29, 2013
Don't worry you learn as you go along. We went away with some friends last weekend and free camped we had done this before but one of our friends had not they have only stayed in caravan parks since getting there new van in March. The first night they had to get out the books that came with the caravan to find out where to turn the gas on for the hot water system. they used too much water and ran out so they now know what to do,.
neilnruth said
01:04 AM Sep 29, 2013
We had friends who did the same. Ran out of water on the second night out. They soon found out what the problem was. You learn more as you go along. They'd be professionals now.
pambaz said
01:41 AM Sep 29, 2013
I suppose it depends if you want to free camp or stay in caravan parks for all the solar,battery etc stuff.
This forum is a terrific source of info and we have been travelling for 6yrs and still learn a few things from this forum. Just ask questions and they will be answered. We found Hints and Tips good and of course the Tech stuff. Just browse through.
It's a good idea to have a small "shake-down" trip to sort out the new van.
Enjoy your van and happy travels.
Pam
buffy61 said
03:57 AM Sep 29, 2013
Pondy wrote:
Don't worry you learn as you go along. We went away with some friends last weekend and free camped we had done this before but one of our friends had not they have only stayed in caravan parks since getting there new van in March. The first night they had to get out the books that came with the caravan to find out where to turn the gas on for the hot water system. they used too much water and ran out so they now know what to do,.
Yep...we do the same!! We still havent got the hang of putting the awning up so out comes the ipad and youtube to get the video instructions...I keep pausing it as I do each step!!! :)
Hopefully we will figure it out without having to get the ipad out everytime!!!
There were so many learning curves...the first was how to plug the van into power at home. Nobody we bought the van from suggested we needed something to plug the 15amp cord into and then plug into home power!! Thank god for this forum!!!
Cruising Granny said
05:26 AM Sep 29, 2013
I've been going through the same with my new Sprinter "Betty Benz". Every time I drive her I find something new to learn about.
This week it was the solenoid which died. It controls the power flow to the battery charger which runs the deep cycle battery which runs the 2 fridges and other stuff.
Just sit around in it and check out ever knob and switch, learn what you can about the new van.
If you've had a sparky (auto electrician) working on it, get them to explain as much as they can. Ask questions.
These folks know the drill. You're in good company here.
Flicka9736 said
12:49 AM Oct 11, 2013
Thank you so much everyone. It's all very confusing but what you've all said makes sense. I'll keep plugging away at it...Thanks.
Mr B2 said
08:11 AM Oct 11, 2013
Flicka9736 wrote:
Watching a caravan and motorhome DVD and there was an add about battery chargers and it got me thinking. Our van Will be ready next month and it seems no matter how much research I do, it feels like I'm still clueless! We know nothing about battery chargers and batteries in general. There is soooooo much "stuff" advertised everywhere that we seriously don't know what we do and don't need etc... Do we Even need a charger, of so what kind? What about generators, dual batteries, spare batteries, spare tyres, portable fridges, electric brakes, WDH's, mirrors and all the other millions of things it appear as though we may need. It's just so hard to decide and I'm worried about talking to a professional as I can see us getting robbed blind!
Oh Gawd, it's all so confusing!
Thanks for listening to me whinge.
Julie
Battery World, Julie, Drop in for a chat with the people in there, They will set you straight with your battery needs, or lack off, Your Van if Ready, will come with every thing you need, Take one thing at a time and learn it, All those one things at a time can be months before you figure it all out, and yes it will take that time, More so, if its a really Fancy Van with all the trimmings,
Watching a caravan and motorhome DVD and there was an add about battery chargers and it got me thinking. Our van Will be ready next month and it seems no matter how much research I do, it feels like I'm still clueless! We know nothing about battery chargers and batteries in general. There is soooooo much "stuff" advertised everywhere that we seriously don't know what we do and don't need etc... Do we Even need a charger, of so what kind? What about generators, dual batteries, spare batteries, spare tyres, portable fridges, electric brakes, WDH's, mirrors and all the other millions of things it appear as though we may need. It's just so hard to decide and I'm worried about talking to a professional as I can see us getting robbed blind!
Oh Gawd, it's all so confusing!
Thanks for listening to me whinge.
Julie
Then just enjoy, take it on a short test run, before you buy stuff for it - you are on this forum, ask questions of the clever people who frequent the "tech" section, or on general here - someone always knows the answer!!!!
Don't talk to the pro's mate, you could get into trouble
You have made the comment here so just wait, you will get heaps of great replies from good honest people from this forum that are already set up and out there. Spose you could say, they have all 'been there, done that'.
Have a Bo Peep in 'Techies Corner' as there is heaps of good info there, also check out 'Hints, Tips and great ideas' also good stuff there.
A lot of people here talk too and buy from 'Jaycar' as they are good for 12v and Solar Power info.
Just ask the forum, if it's technical stuff go to TC, if it's CV stuff go to General.
My thoughts anyway.
A lot of positive folks here.
Hahahha, It will be all over your head, Dont worry about it, Bring it home and just look at it, Whats this button do, Learn your Van, Sleep in it, In your yard, That the best way to find out what works and what doesnt, For you,
A lot of stuff that people put in is just Glitz, or keeping up with the latest gizmo's or the Jones's,
The simplified versions of all your systems can be found on Google, Just take one at a time, and learn it,
Full solar unit for my coach, is 4 parts, Solar panels, MPPT Controller, meter, and some other little gizmo, Simple wiring diagram for it, on Google, It does work.
Thats an example, Take each system, break it down to its basic components, Keep it simple, Thats the easiest way to learn about them,
What you do actually need in it, only time living in it, will tell you what you do and dont need, Personally, Not what every one else has,
Then the people on here with the same van as yours will tell you all about the little tricks pertaining to your van, To make life easier for you,
Or go and have a look at another one in a dealers yard or Caravan Park, Compare yours with theirs, Gives you Idea's, What works and what doesnt,
Me. I have to go onto a Yankee Forum for my Coach, And they are Marvellous with Info, With out them I would be down the Gurgler big time,
When every thing is through the inside of the coach, Untraceable, Where the hell does it go and what is it connected too,
More so, What is it, ????????????????
I am a Professional, Please send me Bulk money for above advice, Hahahahaahahaha,
If you have problems, Just ask, some one will pop up with the answers for you, But relax and take it easy, Its not as scary as you think,
Just putting my comments out there as well Julie. Without repeating everyone's comments, it is a bit of a learning curve but the best way is to just ask the questions on the forum no matter how silly they may seem to you because everyone has been in that place as well. The amount of knlowledge that is out there is amazing and will be freely given.
I found myself in your place 4 years ago and as a result got the answers I needed and now I am in a place where I can help others, that's the way this wonderful forum works.
Welcome aboard and trust it all comes together for you. My final comment to you would be to write down the questions you have and group them together, such as electrical, camping stuff, etc and then just tackle them one a time. That way it helps to keep the overall questions into bite size rather than be overwhelmed by it all.
Any time, just ask and you shall receive
Take care and enjoy the journey.
briche
(Brian)
We had friends who did the same. Ran out of water on the second night out. They soon found out what the problem was. You learn more as you go along. They'd be professionals now.
This forum is a terrific source of info and we have been travelling for 6yrs and still learn a few things from this forum. Just ask questions and they will be answered. We found Hints and Tips good and of course the Tech stuff. Just browse through.
It's a good idea to have a small "shake-down" trip to sort out the new van.
Enjoy your van and happy travels.
Pam
Yep...we do the same!! We still havent got the hang of putting the awning up so out comes the ipad and youtube to get the video instructions...I keep pausing it as I do each step!!! :)
Hopefully we will figure it out without having to get the ipad out everytime!!!
There were so many learning curves...the first was how to plug the van into power at home. Nobody we bought the van from suggested we needed something to plug the 15amp cord into and then plug into home power!! Thank god for this forum!!!
This week it was the solenoid which died. It controls the power flow to the battery charger which runs the deep cycle battery which runs the 2 fridges and other stuff.
Just sit around in it and check out ever knob and switch, learn what you can about the new van.
If you've had a sparky (auto electrician) working on it, get them to explain as much as they can. Ask questions.
These folks know the drill. You're in good company here.
Battery World, Julie, Drop in for a chat with the people in there, They will set you straight with your battery needs, or lack off, Your Van if Ready, will come with every thing you need, Take one thing at a time and learn it, All those one things at a time can be months before you figure it all out, and yes it will take that time, More so, if its a really Fancy Van with all the trimmings,