Eriba Man

  I'm often asked what arrangements I have for generating power when I'm touring 'off-grid' in order to keep the 12v electrics operating. This equipment needing 12v includes the lights (all bulbs changed to LED), my 12V TV, and inverter (which powers my MacBook), and also for charging of phones and speakers etc.  I have a 100W folding panel which even over a good few days, I find this works fine with my fairly small leisure battery and I've never ran out of power yet. I've used this panel for years which is an advantage of a portable panel. I've used it on 4 different Eriba's I've owned, and a camper van before that. Importantly, it has a solar charge controller mounted on the rear of the panel. This is essential for any solar panel. I do move the panel during the day to get optimum light and try to avoid shadows from the van or trees and buildings. It fits behind the cars front seat when travelling. I didn't want to have an arrangement where I r...

  Touring this year is going to be a bit different. It's probably be a bit busier with foreign holidays more or less banned, and in addition site facilities (toilets, showers, and dishwashing) will either be restricted, closed, or even if they are fully open, probably a lot busier. So, in a small caravan like mine with no onboard toilet or hot water, or space (!), what can be done to prepare for this years touring? I'd proved this little van can handle 'no-facility' CL last year, and to be honest, in many ways I preferred it. No more strategic timing of shower trips, queues, or (being polite) facilities which previous users have forgot to clean properly!! What I'm outlining here is the equipment I'll be taking with me to make by Eriba Puck self sufficient. The van is already fitted out for solar, which works a treat, but I will be mainly on sites with mains power which I'll be using for heating with my fan heater, boiling kettles, and for my toaster or Remos...

This post is about 'off grid' caravanning in an Eriba. It's where your on a site which has no power, no shower facilities, and no toilet. Here's my set up. Off Grid, you depend on 12v. I have an onboard leisure battery, which i have wired for connection to a solar panel. Mine's a 100w panel, portable, connecting to the van via a fused Anderson Connector mounted under the van. I'll be relying on gas if I need to use the heater, so the extension to the flue must be fitted to take the exhaust above the pop top. I have 12v outlets (Hella european) at the end of the kitchen lamp. Where I use a handy voltmeter/temp gauge to monitor charging. I also have a 12v outlet on the side of the fridge cabinet. Electrical selector on the fridge switched to off. I'm now running the fridge on gas which performs brilliant. For tea, you'll need one of these. And lets not forget, this contraption needs to be used as the 'f...