Overwintering Help? Forums

mikenovak

I won't be using my motorhome for the next couple of months as I need to do some work on her before the spring (full service, new cambelt etc etc), but whilst she is sitting idle (and especially now as we have snow and ice at the moment), would it be recommended to connect up my 240v cable to keep the leisure battery topped up? I would have to run it from my garage to my driveway where the van is parked under a tarpaulin, which isn't a problem, but as I am completely new to motorhoming I am unsure as to what is the best option to take - 240v cable - or leave it as it is until I am ready to use the van in a couple of months time?

Would appreciate any tips?

Happy New Year to all

Mike Very Happy

BERTHA

I have run a mains cable to a weather proof socket where I plug the van mains cable in to.

I have a Oil Rad in the van and of course it automatically keeps both the leisure and engine batteries topped up

I went in her the other night after leaving her standing for a few weeks and she is nice and snug and warm

Regards
H

**LadyJ** · National Rally Co-ord

Hi Mikenovak,

We always leave the van pluged into the electric while it is stood on the drive. Un plug it every couple of days to run the engine for 10 mins this helps to stop engine and gear box from ceasing up in very cold weather. Also put a fan heater on for a couple of hours to help keep it warm.

BERTHA

I don't know what the risk is but I have over the last 2 weeks left on the onboard heating to make sure the tanks stay defrosted etc.

Is there any risk in leaving the van heating on for X weeks

H

teensvan

Hi.

We leave our van coupled to the mains all the time through a 7 day timer, which turns the mains on twice a week for 2 hours. This has worked very well over the past 10 months.

steve & ann. ---- teensvan.

sng

We keep the mains lead connected, that together with a small fan heater (set to the 'frost' setting, that seems to be working so far... and it's cost effective.

minus 3 forecast for this area tonight... first job tomorrow - check the 'van... just in case...

Phil905

Hi, like several other posters I keep mine plugged in to the mains whenever we are at home, I alternately charge the batteries for a day or two every couple of weeks and during the cooler months I leave the fan heater on 'frost' setting. About once a fortnight I start the engine for 10 mins or so and drive forward or backwards a little to rotate the wheels and stop the tyres from getting flat spots.

mikenovak

Thank you to everyone who has left replies to my posting - it is very much appreciated.

I think the general consensus is to connect the mains up and leave on - with possibly a small fan-heater set to 'frost' to keep the van from freezing up.

I would like to wish everyone a very happy and safe new year.

Once again - thanks!

Kind regards

Mike

sng

just one thing to add Mike:
I keep an hygrometer (from Maplins) that has a max/min temp feature... as well as the ambient moisture, temperature and time)...

helps monitor the lowest temp... if it drops to below freezing it may help to predict leaky bits when it thaws Wink

MOTORHOMER

Hello

We also use a small dehumidifier.

Motorhomer

BERTHA

I have read some impressive stories about these dehumidifiers, but do they also keep the van warm, thinking about keep the tanks from icing up. Or do you have to run heating in conjuction with a dehumidifier