Ro wrote:Hi,
Bit cheeky for a first post, but just bought our very first dandy discovery (199X) So excited! It isn't winterised and doesn't have electrics. I was hoping for some advice about winterisation in general, and whether or not it is possible to add electrics? If so, how? (no techy skills here!)
Thanks!
Nowt cheeky about it we like to help.
If anything we would have prefered that you would have asked before buying.
Insulation. For your future use of the forum you may find it helpful to use the search function if you enter the term
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] you end up with the threads shown there. Don't disappear off there before finishing this.
Why don't you appraise what you have before making it into something else. I don't know what your experience is but any Dandy is a lot warmer than any comparable canvas folding camper. There is no airflow through the PVC whereas no matter how thick the canvas there will always be a through breeze. Hence why canvas folding campers have inner bedroom tents Dandys don't and lots of people think they look bare or stark. So go camp in it first. Winterising came in two parts: Heaters I'm a big fan of these. Insulation I'm so so about it. I originally stated that at the point were they introduced insulated front and back walls they also got rid of the insulation at the beginning and end of the roof so what was gained? I always thought it was more about removing visual signs of condensation. On reflection it might do a bit more than that. Mike did quite a bit of work on his 6 but then again a 6 has more surface area to lose heat from. Go and camp see what you think after then.
Electrics.
As simple or as complicated as you want it to be.
Simple solution all you want is to plug into an EHU on a campsite for say a
heater, some light and run a cold box. Just go off and buy a mobile mains supply.
Not One Of These [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] this has no RCD nor MCBs. Perhaps one of these
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] but there are better designs where the plugs aren't all in a line. The cable from one plug trails over the next and you're completely goosed for using more than one socket if you have an awkward or bulky plug end that is a transformer.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]This would be more sensible except it doesn't have any socket covers.
There is a better one illustrated here in this nice guide about electrics from the
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]What is up with these units? These types of units are not hook up cables for caravans. Caravan cables are by standard 25m long and the supply cable is of 2.5mm
2 The type of unit shown will tend to be shorter 20m or possibly only 15m and the cable will be ??? They tend to avoid saying but 1.75mm
2 or only 1.5mm
2. If you're runnings lights and a cold box no problem but if you do a spot of winter camping and are going to use a convector heater, well it's looking a bit poor when you start taking above 2KW in power.
You can buy the separate components and make one up yourself. Or if you see a cheap enough unit buy it and up cable it.
Finally you can wire a unit into the Dandy. This becomes more likely if you want to charge a battery and have multiple power demands. We do have some notes on this if needed.
Home
I'll report back but thanks for the advice - hadn't considered electric blankets but the idea definitely appeals if I ever get brave enough to be a full winter camper.
Photos here. 