Get all the power you need
EVERY ITEM IN your caravan that lights up, heats, cools, pumps, moves or makes a noise relies on electricity to function. Even the gas-powered devices require a spark before they can spring into life.
Run out of power and you’re left with little more than a comfortable bed and lounge on wheels. You might be unable to flush the toilet. More importantly, the tonic for your gin will start to warm up!
Most people underestimate the amount of power devices use and when you’re looking for additional charging sources, information on the internet is of variable quality.
And when it comes to product reviews, especially on YouTube, you need to be a little careful. Many are either paid for by the manufacturer, or are a review in exchange for free goods.
With so many first-timers now joining the caravan market, there are plenty of questions about power demand. But no matter what your experience level – and even if you always use electric hook-up – it’s a good idea to focus on working out how much your van needs and get an idea of which devices are heavy consumers.
So how do you know which products to buy, and how do you work out the power you need?
A sense of scale
Before we get into the maths, it helps to understand how a caravan’s electrical system works, to get an idea of the scale of capacity versus consumption.
The best way is to think of it as a large bathtub of water. The water is the fixed energy stored in your leisure battery. When you plug into the mains, it’s like topping up the bath with a watering can. A solar panel is more like chucking in a mug of water every few minutes at intervals (or a thimbleful in winter). More solar panels means more mugs (or thimbles!).
Your tow car’s alternator should of course also
