Happy New Year!

[Sparkalicious]

Merry Crimbo, happy new year and all that jazz!

Hope you all had a relaxing break and got lots of goodies from the big man with the beard.

So we have started our calendar for bookings for the new season. Just friends and family mind. Probably going to be another strange year so people will take what chance they can get to get away. Will help soften the blow of the pitch fees that we just coughed up for 

Spent a lot of time mulling over how I can make close down and open up more efficient. The things I do when I have too much time on my hands. Slattster, I have the green light for the floe unit.  Watch the instructional videos so will probably be installing that come Easter. Worked out it basically paid for itself over about 4 season.

Anyone else formulate some plans or, even better, did anyone get to spend some of the festive period in their 'vans?

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[DaveE]

Seasons Greetings back at you Sparkalicious… I don’t have the Floe but I do think it is a good buy, however I’ve gone with different kit that does the same thing (easy draindowns).
As for time on my hands I’m recuperating slowly from an operation on my spine so fairly immobile at the moment. My plans are limited to just getting mobility back as much as possible and being able to get to the ‘van asap. I’ll be happy with managing to do that in the spring & then moving forward from there.


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[Sparkalicious]

Dave, hope the recovery is going well and that you are up and about in not time.

Which drain down system did you plum for?

I'm sure all our 'vans are calling us. I am quite literally counting the days. Have a wall planner for all the bookings and I can literally see the opening up day. (already delayed by over 3 weeks for my eldest's birthday and some other functions  )

Just want to get down there and give it a good once over so the rest of the family can enjoy

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[DaveE]

I decided to go for the Caraguard system ( incl. drain valves etc. ), professionally fitted along with trace heating to protect from freezing pipes whilst we’re at the ‘van. Decidedly more costly than the Floe but with me not fancying crawling about under the ‘van it worked both in installation and as a working system for us for when we go to the ‘van in the colder months.

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[Slattster]

Any problems installing the floe give us a shout but very easy to do.
When we retire … we’ll be needing a new van by then , I plan on doing what you have done Dave , we are on a 12 month site , so we could use it in winter without the fear of pipes freezing overnight but will do a drain down when we leave.

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[Sparkalicious]

Cheers Slattster.

OK, I need a bit of schooling on this. for the Caraguard system is it just this?

https://www.caraproducts.co.uk/product/caraguard-system/

That one outside unit and the box for inside? It is only £140, so almost £100 cheaper than Floe. Does it actually drain down the system or just shut the water off? Their website is a little vague.
Does appear to be a motorised valve for outside and a internal control box. I have a feeling this would work in parallel to the floe and would save me having to go outside to get at the stopcock. Have I got that right?

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[DaveE]

The Caraguard website does not explain it properly to my mind.  It is what I would call a modular system.
The 1st bit is an electrically operated stopcock that is fitted closely just after the manual one under the ‘van and is operated by a switch unit fitted inside the ‘van. ( Mine is immediately above the light switches next to my main door ).
There are other modules available and I have the drain valves option which auto open when the switch is turned off and taps are opened.This releases the water pressure in the feed pipes which though this doesn’t totally empty these pipes (as the floe does) what little water might be left cannot create enough pressure to “blow” pipework causing frost damage.
So to leave the ‘van we follow the steps —
1 Switch the stopcock off
2 Open taps (incl. shower)
3 Flush toilet cisterns
4 Put anti freeze in all sink & shower drain plugholes, toilet bowls & cisterns.
Total time spent is normally less than 10 mins and all within the ‘van.
 As I said it works for me.

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[Sparkalicious]

Right, that makes sense now. So not all the modules are in their website just the motorised stop valve. Was kind of confusing.

Think I will install a Floe for now and then later on the motorised stop valve from Caraguard, especially if I buy another outdoor storage shed which will probably make my stopcock a little inaccessible. Will have the same effect but will be using different companies components. The process for drain down will probably be very similar to yours Dave.

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[BrianJo]

Sorry for being late posting this but I haven’t been on for a while ,
Just wanted to wish you all a very happy and healthy 2022,
Best wishes
Brian & Jo

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