5 Spring 2023 5 Spring 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption YAKTRAX YAKTRAX YAKTRAX One of the better $40 I’ve spent. Yaktrax Matt King Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference to quality of life. One of the better $40 I’ve spent. Thanks Hunting and Fishing. A few decent pegs into the ground. Easy install, easy stow. (But don’t let that mallet stray off the pegs.) ©2023 Matt King Up Up 5 Spring 2023 , p 32

6 Summer 2023 6 Summer 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption fridge-portable_mw.webp fridge-compressor_mw.webp fridge-3way-back_mw.webp fridge-4_th.webp fridge-tall_mw.webp fridge-4_mw.webp RV Fridge Basics Collyn Rivers Most fridges are essentially pumps. They move heat from where it is not wanted to where it does not matter. All work like this. They differ in how they do it — and also how well they do it. They also differ in their ability to cool in hot weather. The major differences in how well they work are largely due to how well they are installed. This article covers the basics. Absorption fridges (three-way) These (in RVs) are powered by the alternator whilst driving and the RV’s auxiliary battery for roadside stops. They are intended to run on grid power or LP gas at all other times. When running on LP gas an 8.5 litres cylinder typically lasts three weeks. It is not feasible to run them only from solar or battery power. RV fridge basics are such that to cool satisfactorily, three-way fridges must be installed correctly. Far from all are, resulting in poor performance. As a result, they have an undeservedly poor reputation amongst RV owners. If installed properly three-way fridges work well away from grid power. They cannot, however, rapidly freeze fresh fish. Three-way fridges cool via a liquid that has a very low boiling point. This liquid is heated until it vaporises (boils). The vapour then flows into an evaporator inside the fridge, absorbing unwanted heat. That heat is then dissipated externally. Compressor fridges These are now by far the most commonly used in RVs. They work by compressing a gaseous refrigerant into a smaller and liquid volume. This forces the gas’s molecules closer together — thereby heating them. If then allowed to expand, the (heat) energy its molecules contain is now within a larger volume of space, so the gas becomes cooler and absorbs heat from the refrigerator’s contents. That heat is then released, via external cooling fins, to where it does not matter. From thereon the Second Law of Thermodynamics ensures that things of different temperatures tend to equalise in temperature. Most fridges intended for rvs use 12/24 volt motor-driven compressors but almost all run optionally on 230 volts AC. They are thermally and electrically efficient — particularly the top of the range units made from 2018 onward (that have variable-speed compressors). These fridges run well from solar. Compressor fridge energy usage Until 2014 or so, most compressor fridges ran constantly until they reached their preset temperature. A thermostat then cut the power. The power was restored when the internal temperature rose a degree or two above the set level. In ambient temperatures of 25C or so they typically ran in a 40:60 on/off ratio. This ratio varied as the contents cooled, but could be continuous in very hot areas. Fridge vendors usually quote their product’s steady-state energy draw. A fridge’s daily draw, however, substantially relates to how long the fridge cycles on — as opposed to off. A fridge that draws 1.25 amps but cycles on for a total of 16 hours a day thus uses 20 Ah/day. Another fridge that draws 1.5 amps but cycles on for 12 hours a day, uses only 18 Ah/day. So consider only a fridge’s daily draw . Compressor fridge: energy draw At 27.5 º C ambient, and set to 4 º C, most efficient compressor fridges of 40–80 litre draw about 0.7 Ah/day per litre. This progressively falls — to about 0.5 Ah/litre/day for fridges over 150 litres or so. Compressor fridges that have variable speed motors (they run constantly, adjusting speed as needed) use about 25% less energy. Fridge-freezers, with the freezer at -14 º C to -8 º C, draw only marginally more once their content is frozen. This is because their insulation is thicker. RV fridge basics As with fridges generally, RV fridge basics dictate they increase their draw by about 5% per every 10 º C higher in ambient temperature and by the same amount if set colder. Energy usage varies slightly from brand to brand — with the variable speed units generally more efficient. Installation, ambient and set temperatures and usage all affect consumption. If freezing is not required, energy is saved by using a chest freezer (providing it can be set to +4 º C). Not all can. Many RV users prefer an electric fridge if travelling extensively and spending only a day or two at powered sites. Given space for solar modules, an energy-efficient 12-volt fridge can be used successfully for extended periods away from grid power. However, a fuel cell or a generator is advisable for energy back-up during periods of little sun. Or hook up your RV to the tow vehicle and go for a long drive. Top- versus front-opening fridges Top-opening refrigerators are marginally more efficient than door-opening units. This is because cold air is retained when opened. That lost from door opening units can be minimised by using plastic drawers to block that cold airflow. One minor drawback of top opening fridges is that water vapour condenses in the bottom of the chest and needs removing every week or so. A curiosity of RV fridge basics is that most-needed items migrate to the least accessible area. Portable fridges Many RV owners would like to have a second fridge inside their tow vehicle. This is handy when shopping (although an Esky filled with ice works just as well for short distances). Consider having a 40–60 litre compressor fridge in the tow vehicle. You can power that fridge by about 200 watts or so of solar on the tow vehicle’s roof, charging a 100 amp hour AGM or lithium battery. This enables you to run the fridge constantly from solar alone. This is not feasible if your roof carries a boat up there — but that is never a good idea anyway. If tow vehicle rooftop solar is not used, the tow vehicle fridge will need to be run from a second battery in the tow vehicle. Or have one fridge that is electric and the other fridge LP gas. RV fridge standards There are no local performance standards for RV fridges. European-designed three-way fridges, however, must meet EU Standards that include ‘Climate Classes.’ These define the ambient temperature at which the fridge must deliver its claimed performance. Climate Class: ● SN (sub-normal) is from 14 º C to 32 º C, ● N (normal) from 18 º C to 32 º C, ● ST (sub-tropical) from 18 º C to 36 º C , ● T (tropical) from 18 º C to 43 º C. Regardless of brand, Climate Class ‘T’ fridges can only be positively identified by the letter T following the ‘Climate Class’ box on their compliance/rating plate. RV Books believes the ST (but preferably the more costly T) units are the only three-way fridges suitable for travelling in the hotter parts of Australia and the northern island of New Zealand. RV fridge summary An RV fridge of 80–100 litres is likely to be ample for most RV users. Freeze-dried food is equally edible, and storable at ambient temperature. Fridge energy draw depends mostly on how well the fridge is installed and used. A correctly installed RV fridge may draw half the current of an incorrectly installed one and cool far better in hot climates. Do not overfill RV fridges (and make sure nothing can break in transit). Avoid putting in hot items. Set the internal temperature no colder than the recommended +4º C (fridge) and -14º C to -18º C (freezer). Reduce fridge power consumption by cooling them in your home fridge before a trip. If your RV has a fridge-freezer, conserve energy by overnight de-thawing any food needed the following day. Next issue: Make caravan fridges work as claimed Reproduced with permission.rvbooks.com.au . Up Up 6 Summer 2023 , p 18

8 Winter 2024 8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption carbonMon-GasFlameH.webp The problem is that RV owners are not taking risks sufficiently seriously Carbon Monoxide poisoning Collyn Rivers There are severe risks of carbon monoxide poisoning if you misuse LP gas in a caravan, motorhome, or any type of tent or annexe. Moreover, there is a significant risk of brain damage at low levels of carbon monoxide. The first domestically available gas (around 1850) was produced by burning coal. This was often in an inadequate level of air. The consequent 10% or so carbon monoxide content was often lethal. Carbon monoxide’s danger became quickly known and respected. Propane was generally accepted in the 1930s. LP gas was later used in RVs, and natural gas in homes. Nevertheless, many users remained unaware of the still-existing risks. LP gas and natural gas are both safer. But only by having lower levels of carbon monoxide. Furthermore, they take longer to kill. Nevertheless, approximately 30% of people with severe carbon monoxide poisoning are still likely to die 1 . During 2001–2002, carbon monoxide poisoning was responsible for 43.9% of accidental deaths in New Zealand 2 . The report noted that imported LP gas portable appliances, certified only for outdoor use, were being claimed as suitable for use indoors. Furthermore, it warned that misusing such appliances indoors, including caravans and tents, is unsafe and potentially fatal. Inhaling even relatively small amounts of the gas can lead to hypoxic injury, neurological damage and even death 3 . Carbon monoxide exposure might lead to a significantly shorter life span due to heart damage 4 . Exposures at 100 ppm (parts per million) can be dangerous to human health 5 . Carbon monoxide poisoning is the most common cause of injury and death due to poisoning worldwide 6 . (Toxic gases are measured in parts per million (ppm) 1% volume = 10,000 ppm). Ongoing user denial In 2012 user denial came to a head. Three men died in a matter related to carbon monoxide poisoning, in a caravan in Tasmania. Despite no Coroner’s report yet published, many posts appeared on caravan forums. They denied the cause of the deaths — yet came from people with no possible knowledge of what had occurred. Such denial still exists. Government response Consequent to those deaths, the federal government established a ‘Gas Appliances (Carbon Monoxide) Safety Strategy’. Its purpose was to make people (particularly RV users) aware of the risks. The Caravan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) asked me to assist in preparing a formal government submission. My report noted that: ‘the existing regulations relating to gas installation in RVs do not necessarily need changing. The problem is that RV owners are not taking risks sufficiently seriously’. Furthermore, it noted ‘The major risk identified (in our opinion) is that of gas appliances being used in an inappropriate manner.’ ‘For example, LP gas ovens left on with the door open to provide heat. Cast iron or steel plates and ceramic pots placed over LP gas rings for the same purpose.’ The report furthermore alluded to the ongoing illegal use of LP gas catalytic heaters ‘in poorly ventilated annexes and within the RV itself.’ My report included that, ‘A further issue is the lack of quantitative data on reported incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning in RVs. This has created concern because the warnings of the dangers are frequently met by denial. People argue (wrongly) no hard data exists.’ In 2010 New Zealand Energy Safety commissioned an independent report. The report found there was not a sufficient safety problem to introduce a ban. It did, however, advise to place additional health and safety warnings on LP gas units. The cause of the risk LP-gas (and fossil fuels generally) require a great deal of air to burn safely. Burning LP gas in an enclosed space decreases oxygen, and increases carbon dioxide, within that space. Furthermore, the amount of air required varies with the nature of the gas. If you (illegally) run propane appliances from Autogas, that gas may contain butane. If it does, it will produce carbon monoxide through incomplete combustion. A total giveaway is a yellow content in the flame. This flame (right) is borderline safe. Ideally, it should be blue. As total burning cannot be guaranteed, space heating in Australia requires the burning process to be external to the space heated. Moreover, this policy is now being followed in many other countries. Australian Standards The above is made clear in AS/NZS AS5601 . As with its earlier version, and its predecessor, ( AG 601-1995 ), the appropriate wording states:‘The following appliances shall not be installed in a caravan * :(c) a space heater, other than a room-sealed type. * (AS 5601 defines a caravan as ‘a structure that is or was designed or intended to move from one place to another, whether towed or transported, which is intended for human habitation… and includes a self-propelled recreational vehicle.’) Item 6.9.4 of the new Code calls for a permanently legible label. The label must have a minimum character height of 4.0 mm. It must be affixed ‘in a conspicuous position on or adjacent to, the ‘[gas cooking]’ appliance. It shall provide at least the following information: WARNING Ensure ventilation when the cooker is in use. Do not use for space heating. Quantifying the risk Even low levels of carbon monoxide should be avoided. The World Health Organisation lists 5–20 ppm (parts per million) as impairing performance. It warns decrease exercise time, and be vigilant. The International Mechanical Code limits 25 ppm as the maximum in parking garages. Kurt (1978) reports 27 ppm as associated with a 21% increase in cardio-respiratory complaints. The World Health Organisation reports 30 ppm as the earliest onset of exercise-induced angina. At about 35 ppm (parts per million), carbon monoxide starts becoming severe. There are a headache and dizziness within six to eight hours, 200 ppm (about 0.02%) causes a slight headache within two to three hours, plus loss of judgement. Around 800 ppm (0.08%) there is dizziness, nausea, and convulsions within 45 min, insensibility within two hours and death within three hours. At 1600 ppm (still a mere 0.16%), there is ‘headache, tachycardia, dizziness, and nausea within 20 min. Death occurs in less than two hours. Even at 6400 ppm (0.64%) death occurs inside 20 minutes, and at the far from high 12,800 ppm (1.28%), you become unconscious after 2–3 breaths and die in less than three minutes 7 . Typical carbon monoxide levels The natural atmospheric level is about 0.1 ppm. The exhaust from a warm car’s exhaust (that lacks a catalytic converter) is 7000 ppm 8 . USA’s relevant (OHSA) regulations limit long-term workplace exposure levels to less than 50 ppm (0.005%) averaged over 8-hours. Furthermore, employees are to be removed from any confined space if an upper limit (‘ceiling’) of 100 ppm is reached’ 9 . Inadequate or blocked ventilation increases carbon monoxide build-up. Because of this, the risk of brain damage at lower levels of exposure is real. Furthermore, elderly, children and people with heart and respiratory problems are likely to experience the effects sooner. Moreover, (and severely) may heavy smokers. Government organisations set various exposure limits. The American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) lists a maximum allowable short term limit of 9 ppm. The Australian Environmental Protection Agency has set two national health protection standards for CO. A one-hour Time Weighted Average (TWA) of 35 ppm. And an eight-hour TWA of 9 ppm. These standards emphasise that carbon monoxide readings over 9 ppm needs investigating. And action taken. Caravan forum advice that ‘it is only dangerous if you do not stay awake’ shows astonishingly naïve lack of understanding. Gas appliances — defined The use of any gas appliance for direct space heating in a caravan is illegal in every state of Australia. Furthermore, any cooking appliance used for space heating, by any form of burning gas, is defined as a ‘gas appliance’. Many forum posts argue that a ceramic pot or whatever is ‘not an appliance’. These overlook that devices are legally definable in terms of intent — not necessarily of content. A screwdriver may thus be defined as a tool for dealing with screws. Or, in potentially dangerous areas at night, as an offensive weapon. The same reasoning extends to a gas cylinder or a can of petrol. Either, if carried onto a plane, will be designated as a bomb. Ceramic pots A ceramic device placed over a lighted gas stove for space heating is liable to be classified as a direct heating appliance. It is therefore prohibited. Why doing that is dangerous is because the flame becomes trapped within an area where air may not flow freely. As the gas is thus not entirely burned, that device generates carbon monoxide. It may reveal that by burning with a yellowish flame, or forming and depositing soot. The above was confirmed by a Gas Regulator some years ago. When asked if placing a ceramic pot or steel plate over a gas ring, or leaving the door open on a lighted oven, with the intent to heat an interior space, it becomes, by definition a space heater, he responded ‘my bloody oath’! References to local usage are currently (mid-2019) in Australian Standard AS/NZS AS 5601 2013 . An Amendment for LP-gas Installations in caravans and boats for non-propulsive purposes was published by Standards Australia in May 2016. A summary called Guide to Gas Installations in Caravans & Mobile Homes (containing all of the above references) is available free from The Office of Gas Safety (or its equivalent in each state). It does, however, relate primarily to the previous Standard. It is also available on the Internet (Google the above title). Related risks Product Safety Australia advises that other common products can and do emit carbon monoxide. These include: Barbeques that burn charcoal, gas or wood Fireplaces that use charcoal, gas or wood Portable cookers that use gas or kerosene Portable and outdoor heaters that use gas or kerosene Electric generators that are diesel or petrol-fuelled Electrical equipment that is diesel or petrol-powered (e.g. blowers, chainsaws, pumps and welders). New Zealand Until 2010 the Gas Standard (AS 5601) related only to Australia primarily because Australia’s LP gas is either propane or mostly propane with a small proportion of butane, while New Zealand uses propane and up to 50% butane. Appliances built to burn one form of LP gas can be hazardous when used to burn another form of LP gas. The Australian Gas Regulators’ view was that (as with using Autogas illegally to replace LP gas) this posed an unacceptable safety risk respectively to New Zealand and Australian consumers. This issue was quickly resolved: including by ‘Australian RV appliances increasingly being certified for use with Universal LPG Gas to accommodate the N.Z. market’: written advice from the N.Z. Office of Energy Safety, 18/09/2012. (This Universal LP gas issue affects only Australian gas appliances made for the N.Z. market). Safe RV heating Germany’s Webasto and Eberspächer companies produce very similar diesel-powered space and space-plus-hot-water power heaters. Truma has a generally similar LP gas powered equivalent. All draw fresh air in from outside and exhaust to the outside. There is also a range of similar units from Diesel Heating Australia. The Eberspächer product in some countries is marketed under the Dometic name, and sold by Dometic. These are the only form of heating recommended for annexes, caravans and motor homes. RV Books’ The Campervan and Motorhome Book covers this in-depth. How to detect carbon monoxide The only way to detect carbon monoxide is via a pocket detector — or for caravans and motorhomes, via a permanently fixed one. They are readily available from virtually all hardware stores. What to do if carbon monoxide is detected Turn off the source of the carbon monoxide — if possible to do without risk of endangering yourself or others. Then move to fresh air. If indoors, move outside to fresh air immediately. If you are outdoors, move as far away as possible from the source of the carbon monoxide. The source is often a petrol or diesel-engined generator or outboard motors. If exhibiting symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning — e.g. headache, dizziness, nausea etc, call the emergency services. Further information The previous AS 5601 Gas Standard has been replaced by a new Standard published (by Standards Australia) in May 2016. That relevant for caravan and motorhomes is Part 2 (Gas Installations in caravans and boats for non-propulsive purposes ). Note that, legally, ‘caravans’ includes all RVs. The most significant amendments to Part 2 are: A new diagram for the mounting of an LP gas cylinder in a caravan including clearances from openings into the living space A new requirement for the installation of gas BBQs and radiant gas heaters designed for outdoor use. New pipe-work strength and gas tightness test References (general) Gas Installation Code AS 5601.2013 with an Amendment for LP-gas Installations in caravans and boats for non-propulsive purposes. (Published by Standards Australia on 11 May 2016). Report of the (S.A.) Technical Regulator 2005–2006, Annual Report (p.7).Office of Gas Safety (Vic) — Guide to Gas Installations in Caravans & Motorhomes.Similar guides are available from all State gas regulatory bodies. New Zealand (facts and data) Permanent Exemption of LPG appliances from the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangements. (Regulation Impact Statement for Consultation — 2008.) References (papers) 1. Varon J, Marik PE, Fromm RE Jr, Gueler A (1999). “Carbon monoxide poisoning: a review for clinicians”. The Journal of Emergency Medicine 17 (1): 87–93. 2. McDowell R, Fowles J, Phillips D (November “Deaths from poisoning in New Zealand: 2001–2002” . The New Zealand Medical Journal, 2005, Nov; 118. 3. Raub JA, Mathieu-Nolf M, Hampson NB, Thom SR (April 2000). “Carbon monoxide poisoning-a public health perspective”. Toxicology 145 (1): 1-14.4. 4. Henry CR, Satran D, Lindgren B, Adkinson C, Nicholson CI, Henry TD (January 2006). “Myocardial Injury and Long-term Mortality Following Moderate to Severe Carbon Monoxide Poisoning”. 5. Prockop LD, Chichkova RI (Nov 2007). “Carbon monoxide intoxication: an updated review”. Journal of the Neurological Sciences 262 (1–2): 122–130. 6. Thom SR (October 2002). “Hyperbaric-oxygen therapy for acute carbon monoxide poisoning”. The New England Journal of Medicine 347 (14): 1105–1106. 7. Carbon Monoxide: National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C., 1977. pp. 29. ISBN 0-309-02631-8. (Free full text. ckw.nz/co ) 8. Struttmann T, Scheerer A, Prince TS, Goldstein LA (Nov 1998). “Unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning from an unlikely source”. The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice 11 (6): 481–484. 9. “OSHA Fact Sheet: Carbon Monoxide”. United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/carbonmonoxide-factsheet.pdf . Compressed breathing air — the potential for evil from within. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225301283 n This article is ©2024 RV Books. Website: rvbooks.com.au | this article. RV Books can be contacted at: info@rvbooks.com.au . Collyn Rivers has published 6 books relating to caravans and motorhomes. Information about them & more than 150searchable articles are included on his website: rvbooks.com.au RV Books And A Huge Collection Of Articles By Collyn Rivers RV Books. 6 Books and over 200 articles by Collyn Rivers. Collyn's books are considered to be the best RV, camper trailer and motorhome information available. Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 21

10 summer 2024 10 summer 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption surrounded by native bush and exotic trees STOP and STAY Dannevirke Holiday Park is making its facilities more accessible Margaret Earle Dannevirke Holiday Park is in the Tararua District just north of the Wairarapa. The campsite is surrounded by native bush and exotic trees. It is a quiet location with a large flat grass area for tents as well as 24 powered sites and 5 cabins. Two of the cabins include a shower and toilet and the others are basic cabins with beds. Keith, the Manager at the holiday park is an active member of All Points Camping. When I stayed at the holiday park earlier this year, Keith showed me the work being done to make the facilities more accessible. There is now an accessible toilet and shower. A ramp has been built to the deck outside the kitchen. Keith says that work is now underway to provide wheelchair access into the kitchen. The next stage will be to reconfigure one of the A-frame cabins so that it is accessible. Ramp to the camp office There is now an accessible toilet and shower (see gallery for more) The cabins can be configured in various ways to meet the needs of families. One cabin can sleep between 6 and 8 people. Two of the cabins can sleep 4 and the other cabins sleep up to 3 people. It is advisable to book the cabins well in advance as they are popular with people working locally as well as campers who are visiting the town. Keith told me that Dannevirke Holiday Park offers the ideal camping experience for families. During the summer they will be setting up a village green type environment in the middle of the grassed tent area. There will be a volleyball net, a badminton net and balls available to play rugby and football and well as some frisbees. Responsible dog owners are welcome at the holiday park. However, dogs are restricted to the campground boundaries because the campground is located beside a reserve. There is a dog park at the northern end of Dannevirke, opposite the Mangatera Hotel on SH2 (map: ckw.nz/dannevirke-dog-park ). All Points is holding a camp at Dannevirke Holiday Park on the weekend of 14–16 March 2025. This will be a family-friendly weekend with fun activities for all ages. The cost for club members will be $16/person/night for adults. Children under 5 are free, and those aged 5–16 are half price. ◊ dannevirkeholidaypark.co.nz Read Rueben, Lynne and Charlie’s camping story . Read Alice’s accessibility experience and advice. Up Up 10 summer 2024 , p 26

6 Summer 2023 6 Summer 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption van-opshop_171639_mw.webp The Waihi Beach Reserve site accesses the dramatic Coastal Walk from a historic pa site and it was the perfect backdrop for a crazy photo shoot of the 80s classic wedding dress my daughter couldn’t resist in Gonville, Whanganui. Otaki hospice shop St Johns in Levin Wanganui We spent a lovely night at the Barrage Road site beside Virginia Lake which was perfect for a morning walk and spending time with the birds in the lovely aviary. Gonville, in Wanganui Hawera We enjoyed the dramatic coastal spot only 6 min from town at Waihi Beach Reserve with shelter belts and accessible toilet. van-opshop_191158_mw.webp van-opshop_waihi-free_mw.webp We enjoyed the dramatic coastal spot only 6 min from town at Waihi Beach Reserve with shelter belts and accessible toilet. STOP and STAY Van tour of the op shops Bette Cosgrove Not only do we love freedom camping, we’re also keen on finding great charity recycle shops to purchase anything we need. So my vintage-clothes-obsessed daughter and I did a wee roadie in ‘A Van Called Wanda’ and filled her with treasures, found on the west coast, lower North Island. We freedom camped all the way. So it was a great way to spend some mother daughter time doing what we both love. Adding to the vintage wardrobe collection and finding top spots to camp. Heres a summary of all the places we found and the fabulous spots to camp along the way. Map images show the op shops we found. Ōtaki First stop on the new expressway out of Wellington was the Ōtaki River mouth — right on the beach is great. Part of the Kapiti District Council responsible camping site network. ckw.nz/kapiti-freecamp Down Mill Road there are three great charity stores run by lovely local volunteers and plenty of $2 bargains to be found. Ōtaki has 3 opshops, Main St Otaki, down Mill Road. Plenty of on-street parking. Large vehicles can park in the carpark behind the shops. Toilets are in the library and the park beside Little Theatre. Levin Levin has a great selection of opshops trailing along the main highway on both sides, and if you need to stay over, freedom camping is available during summer at Kimberley Reserve. We passed through Levin heading north and picked up some excellent deals along the way. ckw.nz/horowhenua-kimberley Levin has 8 opshops & Save Mart. Most along Main St (SH1). Parking behind the shops on east or west sides. Whanganui Whanganui is opshop heaven with 4 great stores in the central city and three suburban shops worth seeking out on Google Maps. We spent a lovely night at the Barrage Road site beside Virginia Lake which was perfect for a morning walk and spending time with the birds in the lovely aviary. There are several great places to free camp here thanks to Whanganui Council and because there are many opshops plus a SaveMart you could stay a couple of nights in different places. ckw.nz/whanganui-freecamp Whanganui has 8 opshops plus Save Mart. Mostly in the Victoria St area. Easy parking, weekdays. Worth visiting the suburban stores. Hawera Hawera is a great little town in the South Taranaki District where there are a good selection of free sites to camp. We enjoyed the dramatic coastal spot only 6 min from town at Waihi Beach Reserve with shelter belts and accessible toilet. This site accesses the dramatic Coastal Walk from a historic pa site and it was the perfect backdrop for a crazy photo shoot of the 80s classic wedding dress my daughter couldn’t resist in Gonville, Whanganui. ckw.nz/south-tara-freecamp Hawera has 4 great opshops along High St, Hawera. Parking & toilet off Little Regent St with walkway to shops. Returning home Returning home via the Kāpiti Coast, there were quite a few opshops in Waikanae Village, Paraparaumu and Raumati. Our favourite spot to overnight on the way home was the beautiful, North Waikanae Beach, Field Way site next to Waimeha Stream. Our van was packed full of treasures by then.  ckw.nz/kapiti-freecamp Up Up 6 Summer 2023 , p 16

5 Spring 2023 5 Spring 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption RV & Camper business services Find rv and camping services. Any relevant business can list; it is free. Anyone can recommend a business to add to the list. No endorsement is implied. The thumbs up shows people you can ask, if you are stuck. Their local knowledge can help you find the service you need. Up Up 5 Spring 2023 , p 35

6 Summer 2023 6 Summer 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Dehyrdrating food, Danielle-7632 recipe-dehydrator_w.webp recipe_shoshanna-dehydrate_w.webp Dehydrated dinners Margaret Earle Recipes for camping Initially I bought a dehydrator to make fruit snacks for tramping — like dried banana and feijoa. Over time, friends inspired me to use my dehydrator to make pre-cooked dinners. I use a simple round dehydrator with five trays and follow this method: Cook the meal in a large pan until it is almost dry and then spread the contents evenly across the racks of the dehydrator (about 1 cm thick). It will take at least 12 hours for the meal to be sufficiently dehydrated. It should be the consistency of corn flakes. Place the dehydrated meal in a dry plastic bag and seal it. Store it in a cool and dry place away from the direct sun. A dehydrator enables you to make meals in advance for either tramping or camping. These meals will keep for several weeks unrefrigerated and longer if you vacuum seal them. You can make both meat-based and vegetarian meals. When using meat, I have found that generally minced meats (beef, lamb, pork) are easier to rehydrate than chunks of meat. When you want to rehydrate the meal, empty the contents of the bag into a pot or billy. Cover completely with cold water. You can leave it to soak for a while or heat it immediately. Bring to the boil and continue heating until the mixture is fully rehydrated. Here’s a couple of recipes that I have adapted for the dehydrator. Ratatouille Serves 4 Ingredients 3–4 large eggplants Salt 1–2 onions (chopped) 2 Tbsp olive oil 2 400g tins of chopped tomatoes 2 capsicums (chopped) 1–2 tsp dried basil 2–3 chopped zucchini Method Chop eggplants into small cubes; sprinkle liberally with salt and leave for at least 30 mins. Rinse and drain chopped eggplants. Fry chopped onions in olive oil. When onions are clear, add drained eggplant and fry until eggplant is soft. Add additional olive oil as needed. Add chopped tomatoes, capsicum and basil and simmer uncovered until most of the fluid has boiled away. Add zucchini and continue simmering until mixture is dry. Be careful it doesn’t burn or stick to the bottom of the pan. Lay mixture on trays in dehydrator. Turn dehydrator on and check after 12 hours. Continue dehydrating until the contents are the consistency of corn flakes. Can be served with rice or pasta. Venison stew Serves 4 Ingredients 450g venison (diced, all sinew removed) 1 Tbsp olive oil 2½ cups diced potatoes 2 cups diced carrots 1 cup diced celery 1 large onion (diced) 2 cloves garlic (minced) 2 tsp, a mix of dried green herbs Salt and pepper to taste 400g tin of chopped tomatoes 1 cup beef stock (or more, if needed) 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce Method Heat olive oil in a large pan and add diced venison. Sauté for a least 5 minutes until it is beginning to brown. Remove venison. Add potatoes, carrots, celery and onion to pan and sauté for around 10 minutes until they start to soften. Add garlic, dried green herbs, salt and pepper. Cook for a further minute and then add chopped tomatoes, beef stock and Worcestershire sauce. Add venison and bring stew to the boil. If necessary add more beef stock but don’t make the mixture too watery. Simmer covered for 1 – 2 hours, stirring occasionally. When venison is tender, remove lid and boil off any excess liquid. Be careful it doesn’t burn or stick to the bottom of the pan. Lay mixture on trays in dehydrator. Turn dehydrator on and check after 12 hours. Continue dehydrating until the contents are the consistency of corn flakes. Can be served with rice or instant mashed potatoes.  Photo above: ©2023 Danielle Carp instagram ckw.nz/dehyrdate-it-video Shoshanna, Instagram Up Up 6 Summer 2023 , p 12

1 Spring 2022 Biking in Southland Up Andrew Morton A three-hour late-night drive to Lumsden freedom camping spot at the station, arriving 11.30pm. Woke to a stunning day, chilly, but an awesome day for riding. Then overnight in Mossburn, driving to Mavora Lakes tomorrow then ride to Walter Peak return (100 km). Andrew Morton. May, Southland. Photos ©2022 Andrew Morton Up Up Up Spring 2022 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF CONTENTS Lumsden free camping spot A three-hour late-night drive to Lumsden freedom camping spot at the station, arriving 11.30pm. An day for riding Woke to a stunning day, chilly, but an awesome day for riding. Cycling near Lumsden Lumsden free camping spot A three-hour late-night drive to Lumsden freedom camping spot at the station, arriving 11.30pm. 1/4

2 Summer 2022 Summer 2022 ISSUE 2 CONTENTS PDF BUY Up Katikati coastal estuary cycle way Bette Cosgrove Up Cycling on a stunning Spring day around the Katikati coastal estuary cycle way which loops back to the town through the kiwifruit, avo and grape vines. Heard the steady clicking and cracking noises from swift strokes of industrious horticulture workers clipping away at their pruning tasks. Folding bikes are a game changer in our van. An easy way to get around and always safely out of the weather, stored in our under-bed garage. A great transport addition to A Van Called Wanda. Bette Cosgrove #vangranz Photos ©2022 Bette Cosgrove Up Up Katikati coastal estuary cycle way Cycling on a stunning Spring day around the Katikati coastal estuary cycle way #vangranz ©2022 Bette Cosgrove Folding bikes are a game changer in our van. An easy way to get around and always safely out of the weather, stored in our under-bed garage. A great transport addition to A Van Called Wanda. #vangranz ©2022 Bette Cosgrove Past the orchards, Katikati The cycle way loops back to the town through the kiwifruit, avo and grape vines. #vangranz ©2022 Bette Cosgrove Katikati coastal estuary cycle way Cycling on a stunning Spring day around the Katikati coastal estuary cycle way #vangranz ©2022 Bette Cosgrove 1/5

8 Winter 2024 Winter 2024 ISSUE 8 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Autumn Gold wave on your way in and wave on your way out STOP and STAY Comfort Zone, Whakatane Angela Bryan Comfort Zone is one of those properties you will just want to keep coming back to, whether you’re just passing through or you really want to stop and stay. Bill and Annette are the classic hosts, welcoming everyone with a smile and a wave and a plethora of local knowledge, and that is before you even get to your campsite. Take your pick from harder stand sites to the comfort of the grass. The large areas are sheltered by towering trees to keep you sheltered in the windiest of weather while still enjoying all day sun. But bring a torch, there are no street lights here to worry about, it is truly DARK. Just the stars to sit out and watch. Located near the Whakatane Airport with easy access for the largest of vehicles for travellers seeking a quiet place to park up. Back country roads make it easy to take a quiet bike ride into Whakatane township and for the more adventurous all the way to Ohope Beach. And the bonus, this is a free park over property. That’s right, no charge. Bill only has two rules. You must wave on your way in and wave on your way out. Once you’ve been to Comfort Zone, you will definitely be back. FREE 105 Aerodrome Road, Whakatane bill.matheson@xtra.co.nz 027 499 3981 Images ©2024 Comfort Zone A list for travellers and campers in NZ — use it, share it, add to it. View, download or print: stopandstaynz.org Add your spots for stopping: ckw.nz/add-one-now Open to all, courtesy of NZ's national camping club, All Points Camping . Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 41

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing share the pleasures of camping far and wide A summer of content: editorial Miriam Richardson While we travel in a country beset by discontent, we can lift our eyes to the hills, and see the enduring beauty and majesty of the country we live in. The long view. Someone asked why the free places don’t look as wonderful as the photos she had seen, and the answer is we choose where to look, where to snap, and what to share. A nondescript bit of land— scrubby plants, struggling to survive, and rabbit holes. We aren’t blind to the rough, but we focus elsewhere. We might be parked in a line-up of other campers, but we can still look to the hills, the lake, the sea, the clouds or the magnificent night sky ( aurora , what is out there ). Our new freedom camping laws are a dog’s breakfast; plenty of scope for discontent. But unless (or until) there is an opportunity to take positive action, we can feast our eyes on those hills and skies and share the pleasures of camping far and wide. ◊ Tiaki mai, tiaki atu, Miriam Richardson, Editor The Lindis Crossing freedom camping spot, Central Otago is a very nondescript bit of land — rabbit holes, weeds, scrubby plants struggling to survive. But behind are those magnificent hills. The fabulous dusk sky. Images: ©2024 Miriam Richardson Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 4

12 Winter 2025 ISSUE 12 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption now_H_20250430_151535.webp GO TO Chilly chilly chilly out there Bigger batteries are no use without the means to charge them Now we have the power to go off-grid Graham Leslie We bought a modern lightweight English caravan a couple of years ago. It was set up for comfortable off-grid camping. We can run most of the caravan on gas ie., the fridge, cooking, water heating and central heating. We found the limiting factor was 12-volt battery power. Why we wanted more power Being a modern caravan, it is well insulated and has its own bathroom so we want to extend our camping season out of summer into winter. Winter camping for us means longer time with the lights on at night, using the shower rather going for a swim, watching TV in a warm caravan rather than going on an evening walk. We have also found we are taking more electronic devices and these are using more power than before. We also need more power for our caravan’s facilities, for instance, the gas central heating has an electric fan and there is an electric pump to get water to the shower or sink. We needed more battery storage Our goal was to increase our battery capacity to store more power. We opted to go with lithium batteries. These offer two major advantages to us. They are about a third the weight of, and provide about double the usable power of, similar lead-acid batteries. We opted for two 100 Amp hour LiFePO4 batteries to replace our old single 100 Amp hour AGM lead-acid battery. This should give us four times the power storage at two thirds the weight of what we had before. They should also have about double the life span of a lead-acid battery. LiFePO4 batteries are a type of lithium battery commonly used in deep cycle applications. Unlike lead-acid batteries they have smart electronics in them called a BMS (Battery Management System) which protects the battery from damage or catching fire. We were also pleasantly surprised to see that lithium battery prices are now dropping as they become more common and now can be bought at prices approaching those of lead-acid batteries. If you have more than one battery, it is best practice for the batteries to be matched. This means in simple terms that they are the same brand, model and age as each other. Also you should not add additional batteries later on to your existing batteries. For these reasons we bought two batteries upfront, rather just one. Bigger batteries and bigger electrical loads need to be set up correctly to last and be safe Unfortunately lithium batteries can’t just be swapped into where your old lead-acid deep cycle battery operated. They have different charging needs and so battery chargers and solar controllers often need to be changed. Although the batteries were not as expensive as we initially thought, we realised we were heading for a major upgrade of the whole 12 volt system on the caravan. I guess this could have been done in stages but we did it all in one hit. Wayne Ravelich’s article in issue 9 of Camping the Kiwi Way; “Solar basics for dummies” was very useful. Getting specialist professional help to set up a new expanded system is highly advisable. It is not just choosing the correct charging equipment, but also setting it up safely with the correct fuses and wire sizes. 12 volt systems today have to deal with much greater electric loads and so there is more danger when things go wrong. We went to Rigs’n Things in Stratford and worked with the owner, Merv Hooper. Working with Merv was great experience in itself. His workshop is in ex-railways workshop complete with tracks running through it. He invited us to camp inside the workshop in our caravan while the work was being done. He also allowed us to help with the work to keep labour costs down. It also meant we were able to get a more hands-on feel about how everything fitted together and he listened to our ideas. We were concerned that the weight of solar panels could cause our flat caravan roof to sag in the centre. Merv appreciated our concern and so put together a roof rack system for the solar panels to take load on the outer edges of the roof. Bigger batteries are no use without the means to charge them Having decided we wanted 200 Amp hours of lithium battery power we needed to look at how we charged them. Solar panels are now much cheaper and better than they used to be, so my advice is to go overboard and put as much up as you have room for. Once installed they provide free power. In our case it was 640 Watts worth. Solar panels also like to be matched to work best. Due to space limitations on our roof we have two different types of panels so we installed two separate solar controllers; one for each type of panel. We added two further battery charging systems: A new 230 volt mains charger to charge batteries when the caravan is plugged into mains power and a DC to DC charger that charges the batteries from the car’s alternator when we are driving. We went with Victron (brand) Bluetooth components for all our chargers and controllers. This means the different chargers all talk to each other and are able to manage the different stages of battery charging in a coordinated manner. It is all automatic, and we can also see it all on our phones via Bluetooth if we want to. We also wanted a reliable fuel gauge to see how much battery power we are using and how much is left We added one more component to the mix in the form of a ‘smart shunt battery monitor’ which keeps track of the power going into and out of our battery by looking at the amps going in and out. The ‘shunt’ provides us with an effective fuel gauge and tells us how full our battery is. Due to the nature of lithium batteries the old voltage-based battery monitors in caravans don’t show how much power you have left. Our shunt has Bluetooth too and so we can monitor our power usage through a phone app. We put a ‘smart shunt’ in our caravan. It is easily installed between the negative terminal of our batteries and the chargers and loads. The smart shunt measures the current going in and out of our batteries and calculates how much battery power we are using and how much power we have left. We can see this information via Bluetooth on our phones rather than needing to wire in a separate display unit to show the information. It is like a fuel gauge for our power shown on our phones. We are looking forward to getting off grid and not worrying about how much power we have. 🏕️ Up Up 12 Winter 2025 , p 15