LFGSS Camper Van owners?

Charging the battery from the alternator when I'm driving anyway would make sense but if I want to stay in one place for a while it would mean burning petrol just to charge the battery hence thnking about solar, maybe I "need" a hybrid charging system!

Is this as simple as wiring the leisure battery in parallel with the existing starter battery or do you need an additional charger somewhere in the system?

I think I'm runnig the risk of this becoming far more complaex than it needs to :)

Thanks for the pointer, the Wired Campers kits look to take a lot of the decision making out of the process. Do you have a rigid panel?

I used this:

https://www.solarcampersolutions.co.uk/index.php/solar-power-for-campers

In the van the solar only charges the leisure batteries - you can get it to charge the engine battery, but it is more fiddly and I didn't think worth it.

And it is a rigid panel that bolts into the roof channels - AFAIK the stick on ones are fine, but permanent...

Absolutely why we went with them, just message with questions, they are very helpful

Going to look at a 2011 2.2 Ford Transit (med height, medium wheelbase) later this week, anyone got one or something similar? Anything to keep an eye out for ?

Have a really good look for rust on the bodywork and underneath. You really want to get under and inspect everything.

Solar lapping up the sun.

1 Attachment

Buy my ducato?

Still not sold my van, maybe I'm impatient or expected too much. Getting itch feet though as I want a van for summer here and had planned to buy an spanish one. Annoying as I'd also like to use now too.

@sbbohr you done any extended trips with the little one? Trying to work out what I need to re do to accommodate a 5 month. Think just hot water, toilet and more comfy seating.

Can we play in this thread?
Totally unjustified purchase, but hey. They look cool, right?

2 Attachments

Yes, yes they do.

Not done anything more than a night or two with the youngest!

Lots of water / wipes, we use cloth nappies and reusable wipes so somewhere to store those etc.

Space to play, shade, a safe zone aka I need to do x and I need to know your not going to fall out the van etc!

Teething stuff!!

ah okay good, you got hot water?

I was looking at boilers, but struggling to find something reasonable. Truma did a boiler/heater but is over a grand, and can't see the gas only one either now.

We have a gas hob and kettle!

While kiddos are young end probably end up at simple campsites anyway, the odd night off grid as such

That's sensible. I was aiming to be 100% off grid

I wish.

Hopefully next year in Scotland, boy will be 2 years then

Lunch in the woods before bikes; tempted to get a smaller table tbh!

2 Attachments

Looks good!

Is there space where the table is stored for another one? We have a tiny table and a bigger one, and it's surprisingly useful being able to choose!

The current one doesn’t have a home just yet!!

Who do you UK camper van owners use for insurance? We've got a Renault Trafic which is M1 on the V5C, so classed as a car, but a few insurers are funny about it/refuse to quote. No modifications, we just throw a mattress in the back!

We've been with Brentacre for a couple of years, never had to make a claim (fingers crossed...) but just wondering if any other companies come recommended. Cheers

Brentacre for me!

Ha, yep going through all the usual suspects leads me back to Brentacre...

Any more for any more?!