we got by for 2 weeks without EHU on our first camping trip, am in no rush to buy it. managed perfectly well. Though like most things, it is a matter of personal choice.
------------- people said smile things could get worse,
so I did smile and things did get worse.
Quote: Originally posted by sue-n-tom on 15/8/2007
We're off on Saturday to conwy for a weeks camping [can't wait]!! We don't take a EHU we just 'rough it'. Has anybody any thoughts on advantages/disadvantages of an EHU, our friends recently took one but only used it for a TV! We just like the back to basics no TV, microwaves, play stations, etc you tend to appreciate them when you get home!! family of 7!
I'm with you, personally. The most technical we get is having our mobiles with us (in case of emergencies only) and our iPods (we use them in the car anyway but do have a small mobile speaker that we got from Netto ). In theory I could take my Nintendo DS as I have a car charger for it I suppose but it would depend on the weather report.
ETA - we have car chargers for phones and iPods anyway, ditto for DS as I can never be bothered to remember all the bits when we go on other kinds of trip or holiday even!
We have just returned from 10 days away in North Wales and whilst there our two rechargeable lamps (in car charger) gave up on us (will not recharge), so we are now thinking of EHU just for the lighting situation unless any one can recommend some good lights.
------------- Carpe Diem
Started in Tents, then trailer Tent and now Caravan.
We have EHU but only because I'm a big wuss and hate being cold, so I need my blow heater!! Also use it for lighting at night but that's it.
Use stove for boiling the kettle. No TV, microwave, play station or other 21st centuary gadgets, although I am now looking at getting a fridge if anyone can recommend a good one?
We have one and used it last october. only for fan heater and lights though. it nice to be on a site and hardly anyone else there.it came into its own cos of the darker nights
We used EHU for the first time ever over the last two weeks while camping in Jersey. We took a kettle (great for that quick cuppa instead of fighting with the wind and the gas burner) a heater for a quick blast in the evening when it got chilly for the kids and kept a electric coolbox plugged in during the day, (cheap one from ALdi.... worked a treat by the way) , and I took a toaster cos again its quicker to do 4 slices in a toaster than it is on a gas stove !
def wouldn't want to use ehu for tv/radios etc...wots the point in camping if you can't leave the tv for a couple of weeks ??
Hi all.
Like most items designed for camping, an EHU as got its place. At any time of the year It can make camping better for some and some don't require it. Myself we use mains electric from April to may and then September through to the end of October after that Val will not go camping in a tent. We use a 2Kwatt heater with an accurate thermostat that we set to the temperature that we require in our tent and switch it on and it only gets switched of if we leave the site.
and I must say if we did not use the solar 12volt in the summer we would use one all the time. But the better and quieter pitches are usually the ones without a hookup and that includes some sites.
Regards
Rex
------------- "Be the person your dog thinks you are" (BM)
I havent been for years and i am about to go somewhere with no hook up so it won't be an option but to be honest I cant imagine going with appliances and real plugs. I like the idea of using different things and doing things in different ways. I will be quite happy to boil more water than I need and put it in flasks for later in the evening or evening mornng which it often lasts until.
I find it useful for running a small fridge. When we were away at the end of July we discovered that our little fridge had died - as the site did not do ice pack freezing I had to shop more or less everyday, and we lost some food. The fridge is the main reason I use EHU, because it means that I don't have to shop everyday. If the site has ice pack freezing I can manage with a cool box.
I have used a fan heater - as one came with our first trailer tent - but I prefer my litte Sunngas heater. Apart from being quieter, the red glow has a psycological affect, especially if it is is miserable outside.
We have EHU but only use it when we are away for longer than a week. Its especially useful when we are in France and its hot as we can run the fridge and keep the wine cold. On shorter trips we manage fine with ice packs. We dont have much electrical equipment anyway. I admit its easier to use the electric kettle but you just appreciate that first cuppa more when you've had to wait a bit. We dont have a heater so either don't camp when its cold or wear lots of layers. Claire
We have EHU when we are away for more than a couple of days but it is used only for our electric coolbox and a light at night. We have used it with a fan heater when we camped in March (-3 at night) to take the chill of the bedroom area when dressing/undressing my little 'uns. Wouldn't personally use for TV, microwave etc.
Things to also consider when you want to use EHU is you will have limited choice of where to stay and it does cost an extra of pound per night.
our first couple of times camping were without it but also without airbeds etc, my idea of proper camping. I was converted very early on and although on occasion when I go it alone where there is hardly civilisation let alone EHU I can't imagine going without it now on our family holidays, it seems barbaric to go without, when its cold I turn the electric 2KW fan heater on, i switch in the tv in the morning to catch the news, I get the milk for my tea out of a proper fridge and boil the water in a proper kettle, when its warm I get my cold beer out of the fridge. When I set up I blow up my air beds with andelectric pump, when its dark I turn on my electric light, when settling in I make hot chocolate with warm milk heated in my microwave and cook my steak on my george foreman grill, and in the evening when the three kids are in bed after a long day full of fun I sometimes settle down with the OH and we will watch a movie together on my laptop.
I am all for live and let live and if you prefer to rub 2 sticks together when your cooking then thats ok by me but I would prefer not to,
We bought EHU (along with a full SIG tent...)when we "returned" to camping in 2004. I felt that it was something we had to have.
In reality we've used it about four times. Most of the motorsport sites we camp on don't have leccy so we have kit that allows us to be fully self sufficient without so the EHU is just something else that takes up space so we don't take it.
We occasionally take it to one of the French sites where all the pitches have power but we'd not book an EHU pitch. I prefer sites and fields that have casual pitching and that isn't usually what you get with an EHU pitch.
We charge the phones in the car and even when OH is taking piccies we charge batteries from an inverter in the boot.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: EHU or not?
). In theory I could take my Nintendo DS as I have a car charger for it I suppose but it would depend on the weather report. 
