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Well folks, it has taken some time before we ventured on our first trip, using our Talbot Express campervan.

It wasn't without incident, but I wont bore you with the details.  Overall, it was a 'suck it and see' exercise, us being complete newbies to the concept.  We just wanted to see how we went, and what, if anything needed 'tweeking'!!

We stayed for 2 nights on a well equipped site - Northam Farm at Brean, Somerset.  Because I am the cook - no my hubby dont do cooking!! I decided only to cook breakfasts, and we eat out in the evening. 

Therefore, apart from not being too sure of how to work the fridge, I didn't take much in the way of food, so didn't really need it.  However, I am not too sure how to use the fridge - I know it sounds daft, but I didn't want to risk 'blowing anything up' on our first trip.  ( We don't have any instructions for any of the equipment ).

The icons on the fridge denote that it can be used either from the leisure battery - or the hook up.  Could any of you experienced vanners confirm this for me, it would be most useful to know if I am on the right track.

I am hoping for another trip in the near future, and I am freezing meals ready to use next time, - (save some dosh) - so hoping to use the fridge.

Also, if anyone has advise as to the best position for an awning, i.e. the side door or the rear??  I am thinking of getting a free standing one.  Any thoughts or advise would again be gratefully appreciated.

Kind regards to all, I look forward to hearing from you. lavlarkxx

HI Lavlark if you can me what model fridge you , if it is the same as mine i will scan the handbook and forward you a copy similarly tell me what cooker etc and i will send you copies of those handbooks if they are the same as mine.

As for awning i personally would tend to favour a side unit , but as I say it is all down to personal preferance. email ad is  dsmgcontractors at aol.com  send me your detail and i will reply to you asap

Hope this helps you in some way.

Delboy

Hi Delboy

Many thanks for responding.  The fridge is an Electrolux RM212.  It also has a gas icon?  Like I said, we have absolutely no instructions (except for the water heater), mainly, I think, the van is 20yrs old, and has had a few owners, so over the years any instructions have gone awol.

It is an auto sleeper conversion, but any emails I have sent to AS have been ignored.  However, if I may pick your brains, or anyone elses, I have a few more queries.

There is a notice for Propex heating (blow heater) ?.  Where doe the heat come out?

Also, a cupboard under the sink has 3  red taps with the following icons -  from top to bottom. 1 tap icon - 2 snowflake icon - 3 this looks like a footpump.

I am assuming the tap icom lets the water through and the pump icon pumps the water to sink.  Its ok, we didnt use any water on our trip - apart from bottled for drinking - we used the onsite facilities for showering and washing up.  Just in case you thought we'd gone native!!

Also, I will look at the site you recommend re awning.

Again, many thanks for letting me pick your brains, really appreciate it.

regards Lavark                 

The fridgeis known as a 3 way fridge,capable of operating on Gas,12 volts and 240 volts.On gas you would have an inline tap supplying gas to the fridge.With the operating control set to the ignition position,while pressing the control valve in you operate the igniter,a push button.Keep the control pressed in and look in the little window inside the fridge,usually at the lower left hand side,if the flame has lit you can just about see the pilot light.Reapeat pressing the igniter until the gas lights.You should consider getting a qualified engineer to service the gas side for you,gas is very unforgiving if it isn't set up properly.

On 12 volts the normal operation is only available when the engine is running.

On 240 vols mains operation is available when on mains

The snowflake icon probaby refer to Gas to the frigde.

The 3 taps under the sink - are they gas taps to isolate the gas supply to 1 - Water Heater 2- Fridge and 3 - cooker ?

Only a guess, I've had an Autosleeper buit it was a Transit, and the Talbot I had was an Eldiss.

Delboy - you are a many thanks for your help.  Also thanks to Caz

Regards Lavlark

HI Lavlark please send me an email and i will mail you the instructions for the fridge, it is the same as mine so that,s one niggle out of your hair.

As for your water one knob may be for your shower mine is an autohomes so the setup will be different but as i say the fridge is the same.

Delboy

Have you contacted the autosleepers owners club?  From various threads I have read here and elsewhere, these clubs are usually pleased to help and have members with a wealth of knowledge.

I think the autosleepers club address is :

www. asocfsnet.co.uk

Hope they can help you.

little jack

Many thanks once again all.

Delboy my email vmdee at tiscali.co.uk