My wife and I tour by bicycle usually camping overnight. However, with advancing age, we have had to convert to electrically assisted bicycles (just for the hills). This presents a problem in charging our batteries when camping. We still manage to carry our tiny tent and basic camping gear but carrying several metres of cable and extra plugs would be impossible. Any ideas?
Years ago before electric hookups were fitted in most pitches, camp sites used to offer leisure battery charging for a small cost. Some may still have the facility. I guess you'd need to take the bikes to reception to plug them in.
Be worth phoning a few sites to see what they can offer.
The traditional method of charging almost anything on a campsite is through a shaver plug in the gents side of the toilet block. Camping toilet blocks are usually cleaned in the morning so avoid the period when the cleaners are coming around.
In the early days of digital music players campsite toilet blocks were the center of camping life with devices on charge and owners hanging around playing guitars.
plug in your bike, get out your guitar and make music.
Depends on the site. Independent ones may have a low key games room, that’s where there’ll be a plug. I’ve seen them for hairdryers in the ladies too.
Fold out solar panels is just more to carry. How about a wee trailer? - I’ve seen a number recently, lightweight covered canvas: some contain a small child, some a small dog, others have the full Monty picnic & wine…. They all have a pennant flag attached to alert drivers.
If you don't take the charger with you I can't see how you will be able to charge the battery. The chargers for our e-bikes aren't that large but maybe you'll just have to leave something else behind to be able to fit them into your luggage.
Quote: Originally posted by DaveS1 on 27/7/2022
If it is a problem now with bicycles imagine what it will be like with electric cars.
DaveS1
Electric cars, apart from the top of the range Tesla, cannot tow so is it farewell to caravans?
Also, even with adaptors, an electric car cannot be charged on a 8 amp hook-up and I can't see many campsites investing in charging faciolities for 20+ cars.
Maybe, I'm starting a trend for the furure by travelling by bicycle.
We've been on two different sites this year and have seen electric cars plugged in and charging on their pitch. Apart from the fact they probably take forever and a day to charge to any noticeable amount I would think it uses far more than the amount of electric paid for as part of the pitch fee. Unless agreed by the site I would think its taking a liberty. I've seen some site terms and conditions expressly forbidding charging of electric cars.
------------- Linda
2017
May - 3 nights Yeatheridge.
May - 5 nights Mill Park, Ilfracombe
July - 6 nights not sure where yet
August - 2 weeks Croatia, Camp Lanterna.
2018
May - 3 night Yeatheridge campsite
May half term - 6 nights Cornwall
July - 1 week Cotswolds
August - 2 weeks Vendee.
We have, twice, seen caravanners being told to leave the site, different sites, because the owner found (caught) them charging their cars from the site bollards.
If you aren't planning to take your chargers maybe check out bike shops on your route in advance.
We forgot to take our charger to Scotland a few years ago. Lovely bike shop near Braemar kindly charged the bikes for us for a donation in their charity tin. Then over on West coast a bike hire shop charged for us. We were lucky both had chargers that fitted out batteries.
Might be worth seeing what bike shops /hires are on your route and contacting in advance to see if they can accommodate you for a small charge.
Quote: Originally posted by DaveS1 on 27/7/2022
If it is a problem now with bicycles imagine what it will be like with electric cars.
DaveS1
Electric cars, apart from the top of the range Tesla, cannot tow so is it farewell to caravans?
Also, even with adaptors, an electric car cannot be charged on a 8 amp hook-up and I can't see many campsites investing in charging faciolities for 20+ cars.
Maybe, I'm starting a trend for the furure by travelling by bicycle.
I have been to at least 2 campsites now with car charging points. People see it as future-proofing when putting in new infrastructure or opening a new site.
Admittedly I go to the more eco-leaning tent only sites do more the market than caravan sites and the need to tow.
A bike charger is pretty much like a beefed up laptop charger, with the same 13 amp plug. I woudn't have thought much juice would be used to charge an e-bike. I dont know how many miles a day the OP is riding, but ours are good for 40/50 miles, and we use them more than 'for just hills'. They are charged up again inside an hour or two.
Apparently, the toting of the charger/cable - AND a very short change-piece (which should be all thats required), is the problem, as opposed to where to plug it in. I cant believe it couldnt be wound/cable-tied around the frame somewhere.
For cars the infrastructure will evolve and it wont be a problem, and the tech will evolve too so towing wont be a problem. - these things seen as "blockers" will ultimately be unblocked.
For your bikes, does it need a special plug into the bike? Can you just take that bit then ask at the campsite for loan/rent of a power cable? Many campsites that have ehu's will rent out the power supply cables or adapters.
Quote: Originally posted by Mitchamitri on 08/8/2022
For your bikes, does it need a special plug into the bike?
Its identical to a laptop. (or at least ours is). All that should be needed is a 13 amp socket. Or, the use of a ehu post + a short change-piece. I would make sure i had this. Then all bases are covered.
Quote: Originally posted by Tellusa on 02/8/2022
Electric cars, apart from the top of the range Tesla, cannot tow so is it farewell to caravans?
Also, even with adaptors, an electric car cannot be charged on a 8 amp hook-up and I can't see many campsites investing in charging faciolities for 20+ cars.
Maybe, I'm starting a trend for the furure by travelling by bicycle.
There are an increasing number of electric cars that tow, around 30 in the UK today already. Have a look here. Mine does up to 1500Kg.
The minimum charging rate is 6A. I have charged on a a couple of 10A equipped sites. I always ask if I can charge when I book and offer payment for whatever I use. Sites are increasingly installing meters to allow car charging. But charging is not needed on site. I have stayed at 3 non-hookup locations with my EV, and the last two locations, both of which charging was allowed and had a specific payment option, I didn't use becasue the local charging infrastructure was just fine.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: charging electric bikes at campsite
via mobile 27/7/2022 at 11:03am
