In Storage

[taylo482001]

Hi all, I've just parked my van for the next few months in a good secure compound, this is the first time for me not to be able to plug into mains over the winter. So I'm wondering how long my 110AH gel battery will last whilst running my blow heating in winter mode my solar panel is 120W. My van is a 2014 Adria Sport A571SP with a Truma heater/boiler with Truma Combi E /Truma Combi control, all water has been drained from the system. I will be going over once a month (picking a sunny day) to give the van an airing. Is it worth buying a small generator if so any recommendations? thanks in anticipation.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Not long I expect for the battery.

Did you just open the tap to drain it or did you pump it out too? I leave the taps open in the mid position too, open as many lockers as I can and stand the sofa cushions on edge and not against the walls, never had any heating over winter, I don't think I want warm damp air with zero ventilation.

 

[taylo482001]

Not long I expect for the battery.

Did you just open the tap to drain it or did you pump it out too? I leave the taps open in the mid position too, open as many lockers as I can and stand the sofa cushions on edge and not against the walls, never had any heating over winter, I don't think I want warm damp air with zero ventilation.

Ta Pudsey. All the above is done including running the pump with taps open. will be airing on sunny days with widows open. The only drawdown on the battery will be the heater fan.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Electric motors really do use power though, of course depending on the rated Watts.

 

[Exwindsurfer]

It won't take long for the motor to eat the battery

 

[Trotter]

Give you an idea, my 460ah lithium turned its self off at 8% after only a few days, from full, running only a small chest freezer, when the solar circuit breaker failed, while I was ill.
The freezer only consumes only a few amps, but what about your blow heater, draining, what is effectively a 55ah battery. Not a great plan

 

[trevskoda]

Dont see why folk put vans away for winter as some of the best day could be had out and about, but besides that the battery wont last a blink, and its also not good for brake cylinders.calipers to be idle, also a good idea to change engine oil/filter before hiding it away along with jacking up to keep tyres of the ground.

 

[TJBi]

I have always winterised the water system, removed as much upholstery as possible, left the wet room rooflight open (round rooflight that lifts vertically a small distance) for ventilation purposes and never had the heater on during the winter. No problems to date. I would certainly anticipate the potential for problems leaving a Truma on with only your solar and battery to provide power.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I do wipe down with a antibac spray any surfaces that have been handled. Our van is in full sun all day when we get any which makes a good place for mildew to grow on any surface.

 

[Pauljenny]

Diesel engines do need to be used and warmed , IMHO. Plus tyres , brakes, etc.
Are you not allowed to take it for a spin ,on a nice weekend day?
20 + miles on a motorway with a few windows open, and a pub lunch,will keep most things happy, including yourselves.

 

[Shonky]

Hi all, I've just parked my van for the next few months in a good secure compound, this is the first time for me not to be able to plug into mains over the winter. So I'm wondering how long my 110AH gel battery will last whilst running my blow heating in winter mode my solar panel is 120W. My van is a 2014 Adria Sport A571SP with a Truma heater/boiler with Truma Combi E /Truma Combi control, all water has been drained from the system. I will be going over once a month (picking a sunny day) to give the van an airing. Is it worth buying a small generator if so any recommendations? thanks in anticipation.

Depends on how much sun you get . I would buy a geny !!

 

[Sonar]

The simple solution is go down every fortnight start it up let it run for a while with the windows cracked open .

 

[Okta]

I don’t heat when in storage. Open the doors and windows if it needs airing, raising the temperature and allowing it to cool after closing up will cause more damp, not less.

 

[Pauljenny]

If you do manage to take it out for a roll, mark the bottom of each tyre with chalk, so that it's not parked on the same place.
This prevents delamination.
I know, because we learnt the hard way.

 

[taylo482001]

Thanks for all the replies, The van is sorned from 1st Nov, the compound is large enough to have a drive round to keep all mechanical components operational. Back to my original query the heater is the Truma Combi 4 according to the technical data the power consumption (at 12 V): operation of heater and water container max. 6.5 A for short periods (average approx. 1.2 A) if I'm reading this right my solar panel 120W and gel battery 110AH from 100% charged should be adequate running the heater for 4 hours on a sunny day, amps required for 4hrs 4.8ah energy top up per day 57.6 (WH)
I hope I'm reading all this gobbledy gook correct.
I hope to have at least 1 day a month with sunshine to make my escape from the house LOL

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Just driving around a compound will do little for it, move it 1/4 rotation on the tyre will achieve as much.

Unless you get the whole engine up to temp including the exhaust you will have condensation.

the interior is best left at ambient.

 

[taylo482001]

Just driving around a compound will do little for it, move it 1/4 rotation on the tyre will achieve as much.

Unless you get the whole engine up to temp including the exhaust you will have condensation.

the interior is best left at ambient.

I will be getting engine up to temp to stave off any PDF issues, the compound has plenty of space to manoeuvre easily.

 

[Okta]

I will be getting engine up to temp to stave off any PDF issues, the compound has plenty of space to manoeuvre easily.

I assume you mean DPF and you will need sustained motorway speeds for 30 to 50 minutes to achieve passive regeneration temperatures. Even active regeneration needs speeds of about 40 mph. Anything less than these speeds and you may be generating more soot than you are removing.

 

[andromeda]

Since I had solar and have x2 110 batteries a flat battery hasn't been a big issue. However I do give Leo a run every two weeks when not going away for a while

 

[Tim120]

The simple solution is go down every fortnight start it up let it run for a while with the windows cracked open .

C'mon Trev, you tell him the right way...
Just in case Trev misses this... It needs a drive, not sitting idling.