Has anyone any idea how long this would run typical appliances for? e.g. fridge on permanently, electric hob for 1/2 hour, lights in the evening and TV, typically 2 hours a day?
It's a mix and match kind of scenario with some unknown variables thrown in, so not really a definitive answer, only guidance!
Fridge will be rated at circa 120W, so 0.12kWh consumption, but should be tripping in and out on a thermostat so should be less in typical use. So up to 0.12 x 24 = 2.88 units per day, but likely closer to 1.5 units per day.
The electric hotplate will be circa 800W, so 0.8kWh, so 0.8 x 0.5 = 0.4 units per 1/2 hour use. Again, on a thermostat, so should consume slightly less.
The TV will be circa 20W, so 0.02kWh consumption. So 0.02 x 2 = 0.04 units per 2 hour use.
Lights, say 10W, that's 0.01kWh consumption. So 0.01 x 3 = 0.03 units per 3 hour use.
That totals to 1.97 units per day. Your 10 units should last 5 days or slightly more in theory.
What you have overlooked is the battery charger, the toilet flush pump, and the water pump. ... and of course the real killers - water heater, heating and microwave! Even if powered by gas, the heating will use some power for blowers (blown air) or pump (Alde) and controls systems!
Avoiding the 'killers', expect circa 3-4 days for your 10 units.
Don't shoot the messenger if you get a bill for excess! There are assumptions galore in there!
Monty - "the heating will use some power for blowers (blown air)" that is false, the blowers work from 12 volts i.e. battery ok they draw the power and then the battery charger kicks in to recharge.
At home over the last week we have used on average about 10/12 Kwh of electricity a day, that includes washing machine, dishwasher, and cooking and all the other less powerful uses of power. The thing in the van which will use the most is the heating/hot water. Both those can be run on gas or combined with electrics if you want to minimalise electricity usage. Putting the heating/hot water to one side I would be surprised if you used more than 5Kwh of electricity a day for the other things you have listed.
Quote: Originally posted by marg6 on 29/4/2024
Monty - "the heating will use some power for blowers (blown air)" that is false, the blowers work from 12 volts i.e. battery ok they draw the power and then the battery charger kicks in to recharge.
Not really 'false', true they are 12v powered, but the 'charger' is dual purpose and powers the 12v system as well as charges the battery, but will function with or without a battery fitted AND draws it power from the EHU, so 12v loads such as heater fans etc. ARE ultimately a load on the EHU.
Quote: Originally posted by Mrs. Bonce on 29/4/2024
Thanks David. We do tend to use the microwave most days. Hoping for warmer weather for barbies and salads.
Microwaves are tricky ones to estimate actual power usage, as the reduced power settings are really only modulated full power usage. Worst case is full power use, that'll draw circa 5A/1.2 kW. Each 5 minute usage would use around 0.1 units.
The typical 700/800W rating on the spec/front graphics, is the OUTPUT power, the input power is much higher!
As to the water heater, if it's similar to my Truma Combi, then that's rated up to 7.8A/1.8kW. Mine takes 20mins to heat cold water, so that'd be 0.6 units used. But of course it continues to use power as it maintains the water temp, and reheats any cold water introduced as hot water drawn off unless you switch it off once water up to temp.
Quote: Originally posted by marg6 on 29/4/2024
Monty - "the heating will use some power for blowers (blown air)" that is false, the blowers work from 12 volts i.e. battery ok they draw the power and then the battery charger kicks in to recharge.
Not really 'false', true they are 12v powered, but the 'charger' is dual purpose and powers the 12v system as well as charges the battery, but will function with or without a battery fitted AND draws it power from the EHU, so 12v loads such as heater fans etc. ARE ultimately a load on the EHU.
not all caravans have the transformer (dual purpose unit) that your talking about tho, the lower/medium spec ones are still using a separate charger unit.
Quote: Originally posted by marg6 on 29/4/2024
Monty - "the heating will use some power for blowers (blown air)" that is false, the blowers work from 12 volts i.e. battery ok they draw the power and then the battery charger kicks in to recharge.
Not really 'false', true they are 12v powered, but the 'charger' is dual purpose and powers the 12v system as well as charges the battery, but will function with or without a battery fitted AND draws it power from the EHU, so 12v loads such as heater fans etc. ARE ultimately a load on the EHU.
not all caravans have the transformer (dual purpose unit) that your talking about tho, the lower/medium spec ones are still using a separate charger unit.
Unless you have solar, all electrical energy (12V and 240V) comes from one place - The EHU. Even if you have solar, and you are on hookup, the majority will come from EHU for the 12v systems unless you turn off the 240V to 12v charger.
Quote: Originally posted by marg6 on 29/4/2024
Monty - "the heating will use some power for blowers (blown air)" that is false, the blowers work from 12 volts i.e. battery ok they draw the power and then the battery charger kicks in to recharge.
Not really 'false', true they are 12v powered, but the 'charger' is dual purpose and powers the 12v system as well as charges the battery, but will function with or without a battery fitted AND draws it power from the EHU, so 12v loads such as heater fans etc. ARE ultimately a load on the EHU.
not all caravans have the transformer (dual purpose unit) that your talking about tho, the lower/medium spec ones are still using a separate charger unit.
Unless you have solar, all electrical energy (12V and 240V) comes from one place - The EHU. Even if you have solar, and you are on hookup, the majority will come from EHU for the 12v systems unless you turn off the 240V to 12v charger.
the older caravans where "powered" via the zig unit and charged the battery using a separate charger, the newer vans have a transformer that replaces them both, and can even power the 12v system without the need for a battery in place
We have been on a CL with 10kw included in the price per day, at the end of the 3 days we had used 16 of our 30 and our friends used 24. Fridges on all time on EHU, microwaves kettles during the day. One use of electric grill, rest of time used gas Cadac. Bit of heating/hot water on mix early morning for showers used gas to heat up faster. TV's of an evening.
Just check the meter after 24 hrs and adjust useage accordingly.
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Topic: 10 units of electricity
via mobile 29/4/2024 at 9:06am
