Basic boot jump queries

[pavb2]

Hi all

I’ve just got a Berlingo 2017 Multispace and hope to put a boot jump in, I will probably only use on C& CC sites with EHU for 2 - 3 days at a time so No need for a leisure battery, cooker or sink but I do have a couple of queries if anyone can help.

Can anyone recommend an emergency electrical power pack or UPS, chargeable from mains, suitable for small heater and led lighting just in case I have to overnight and don’t have power.

What heater and heater size should I use and led lighting?

I would prefer an awning specifically made for a Berlingo awning can anyone recommend one or are the universal ones just as good?

Is there any way to run the EHU cable other than an open window or tailgate without drilling

I’ve read Gravity’s thread and the other threads here some great ideas, any help much appreciated

[theraginganarchist]

Hi all

I’ve just got a Berlingo 2017 Multispace and hope to put a boot jump in, I will probably only use on C& CC sites with EHU for 2 - 3 days at a time so No need for a leisure battery, cooker or sink but I do have a couple of queries if anyone can help.

Can anyone recommend an emergency electrical power pack or UPS, chargeable from mains, suitable for small heater and led lighting just in case I have to overnight and don’t have power.

What heater and heater size should I use and led lighting?

I would prefer an awning specifically made for a Berlingo awning can anyone recommend one or are the universal ones just as good?

Is there any way to run the EHU cable other than an open window or tailgate without drilling

I’ve read Gravity’s thread and the other threads here some great ideas, any help much appreciated

With regards to emergency power packs Nitecore do a range of all in one 240v options such as https://charger.nitecore.com/OUTDOORPOWER/NPS/

They are not cheap but I have always found their flashlights and chargers to be good quality.

However if I were spending the sort of money that UPS etc cost I would be more inclined to get a decent AGM leisure battery and a 12 - 240v inverter, purely for the fact that:

1. the battery can be upgraded when it loses capacity or battery tech moves on.
2. You could, in future, incorporate the components into a spilt charge relay system should you find yourself off grid more frequently.

In terms of how much power you need. You can roughly calculate it using ohms law to give you the amps you will be pulling, and as batteries are rated in Amp Hours this should allow you to calculate how long a specific battery will run for.

Please bear in mind that when using an inverter to boost 12v to 240v it will not be 100% efficient, but a good manufacture should include these specs.

As for heating... I use https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8936004 It's tiny but quite effective in a small space, However this is my first year boot-jumping so haven't tried it in the depths of winter yet.

As for cabling I currently use a tailgate stand off bracket to leave a gap under the tailgate hatch, not elegant, but does serve to give ventilation without having any windows let rain in (trust me - you will want some ventilation!)

Hope this helps

[Sol]

As a quick but accurate power conversion between the mains side and the battery side of the inverter:

W/V=A (on both sides - Ohm's Law)

1000W/240V = 4.17A (mains side)
1000W/12V = 83A (battery side)

Take the Ah rating of your battery, and divide by the current (Amps) needed on the battery side

150Ah/83A = 1.8h

Battery Life = Ampere Hours / Current drawn ( Amps)

So a 150Ah battery will last 1.8 hours powering a continuous 1kW load via an inverter, in reality  slightly less due to the efficiency losses mentioned above by TRA. Plus a heater won't be continuously on, rather more like a 30-50% duty cycle.

In case anyone is still wondering about a UPS...I just designed a backup system at work for a job and the Riello UPS I used can supply 15kW for 30 minutes max, or 1000W for 7.5 hours - but it weighs 400kG and stands 1.5m tall....so not much use for camping unless you have a forklift

(There are little ones the size of a PC tower that would last 15 mins @ 1kW but you'd still get a hernia lifting one into the boot)

[dekpat]

Hi all

I’ve just got a Berlingo 2017 Multispace and hope to put a boot jump in, I will probably only use on C& CC sites with EHU for 2 - 3 days at a time so No need for a leisure battery, cooker or sink but I do have a couple of queries if anyone can help.

Can anyone recommend an emergency electrical power pack or UPS, chargeable from mains, suitable for small heater and led lighting just in case I have to overnight and don’t have power.

What heater and heater size should I use and led lighting?

I would prefer an awning specifically made for a Berlingo awning can anyone recommend one or are the universal ones just as good?

Is there any way to run the EHU cable other than an open window or tailgate without drilling

I’ve read Gravity’s thread and the other threads here some great ideas, any help much appreciated

[dekpat]

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/6-person-c...icture-0-0
hope this is useful

[theraginganarchist]

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/6-person-c...icture-0-0
hope this is useful

Hi dekpat.

Have you used the decathlon shelter with a berlingo? if so how do you find it? will the tailgate open and close under the larger opening....better yet provide cover between the two?

Sorry for all the questions, I was considering buying the tent this summer but as decathlon don't list the dimensions of the openings, it would be good to hear the opinion of someone who has tried it.

Thanks either way

[pavb2]

The more I think about it I think I prefer an awning which goes on the side as I'll be using that to get in and out of the boot jump also I would prefer to keep the tailgate down and locked.

The Decathlon one looks good and would go on the side I'm also considering this smaller one

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01NGYFXAE/?..._lig_dp_it

I've been on some windy camp sites trying to keep awnings up in the middle of the night, Storm Dennis the most recent, so making sure its secure would be a major factor for me

[Thisisnotaspoon]

n.b. when calculating the size of a leisure battery it's best to assume it doesn't want to go below about 50% otherwise you shorten it's life considerably. I wouldn't try heating off 12V, just spend the money on a warmer sleeping bag or down jacket. Unless you insulate the whole car thoroughly as well all that heat will escape as quickly as it's generated.

[pavb2]

Yes I think trying to heat off grid takes things up to another level and I’ll probably always have EHU.

Any recommendations for a decent sleeping bag?

I’m going to buy the boot jump kit from Simple camper vans picking it up next Wednesday 
https://www.simplecampervans.com/  as I don’t have time to make my own and don’t need a full blown unit with cooker etc. 
My thinking is I can add storage etc over time as I’ll have a better idea what I’ll need. I’ve booked a week end away in Canterbury on 30 Oct to try it out.

I’m leaning towards the Decathlon tent/awning and after looking at leisure batteries, invertors battery boxes etc I’ll probably get a portable power pack.

I might also get this portable shower from Amazon any opinions on its suitability or alternatives welcome.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B085W679N1/?..._lig_dp_it

[theraginganarchist]

With regards to sleeping bags. I loath the nylon lining and outer found on most bags. As we have little chance of getting wet in a bootjump I opted for the decathlon cotton sleeper. It comes in two temp ratings 20c and 10c

I went for the 20c one as i can always use a liner to make it warmer. I love it, it is long, the cotton inside feels like a normal bed would and the outer is not slippery like most outdoor bags meaning its fine to sit on, it unzips completely making a duvet or allowing two to be zipped together as a double.  


https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/cotton-sle...R-p-303126     £35

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/cotton-sle...R-p-302150     £25

Reasonable price too compared to most cotton ones.