4 Winter 2023 ISSUE 4 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up Camping The Kiwi Way, Winter 2023 ​ Up Featured ‘ Let’s go south for a few weeks ’ ‘How many weeks?’ ‘Eight.’ ‘How about six?’ Greenies on the road : Managing food scraps. Winter's here : Some of our most glorious times camping have been in the winter season. Tips and tricks. Before the cyclone : Freedom Camping Eastern Hawke's Bay, Winter 2022. Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track : We put it to a family-friendly test: with my toddler (and his dada) in tow, we set out. Self containment changes in brief RV & Camper business services : Self containment, LPG work, electrical work, motorhome work & more. Table of Contents 2 Small town friendly 4 Editorial: The good news 4 One hundred nights a year 4 Winter’s not going to stop Mavis 5 ‘Let’s go south for a few weeks’ 6 Why we chose our Swift Sprite Quattro caravan 7 I am on track 7 Eight degrees of harm 8 Halfway through my 73 days traveling 9 Greenies on the road: Managing food scraps 10 A stove jack 11 It was cold at Mavora Lakes. Plenty of snow around. 12 Winter's here... Tips and tricks 13 Pegs for tough weather 13 Quinneys Bush Family Holiday Camp 14 Get on ya bike 16 Two long blacks and a cheese scone 17 I did it! My very first solo camping and tramping trip! 18 Gold miner Wattie Thompson 19 Before the cyclone : Freedom Camping Eastern Hawke's Bay, Winter 2022 23 Winter at Nokomai Station 23 CampFest — Bulls, 2023 24 Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track, Mavora Lakes : A family test 26 Waikato west coast road trip 27 Camping as a young family 27 Recipes for camping: Vege Nachos 27 Our morning view, heater on 28 Game: Fill in the grid 29 Kimbolton Sculpture Festival 2023 33 Stop and Stay The Store cafe and camp – Kekerungu (Marlborough) Lakelands Holiday Park , Whanganui 34 NZers go camping: clubs & groups : Life of Van 34 EVENTS — Camping 35 EVENTS — Festivals and show s 36 Self containment changes in brief 37 RV & Camper business services 47 Coffee Time Up Up ​ 1/0

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BUY PDF CONTENTS 6 Summer 2023 Up NZers go everywhere to camp Up Cheryl Tyler “This trip is the adventure I’ve dreamed of my whole life. Something different that will challenge me and possibly the closest I can get to Timbuktu for now, so I’m super excited. Over the next 3 months I’ll be travelling from Dakar in Senegal, West Africa to Cape Town in South Africa on a motor scooter.” “Etosha National Park: the guard at the gate started his spiel with ‘there are lions around so stay in your vehicle…’ Then looks at us on our bikes and says ‘go that way and don’t stop until you get to the end’.” © 2023 Cheryl Tyler Up Up ​ ​ tiny-Cheryll-guinea_mw.webp tiny-Cheryll-trip-map_mw.webp tiny-cheryl-posed_mw.webp tiny-Cheryll-guinea_mw.webp 1/3

​ ​ BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption tiny-Cheryll-guinea_mw.webp tiny-Cheryll-trip-map_mw.webp tiny-cheryl-posed_mw.webp NZers go everywhere to camp Cheryl Tyler “This trip is the adventure I’ve dreamed of my whole life. Something different that will challenge me and possibly the closest I can get to Timbuktu for now, so I’m super excited. Over the next 3 months I’ll be travelling from Dakar in Senegal, West Africa to Cape Town in South Africa on a motor scooter.” “Etosha National Park: the guard at the gate started his spiel with ‘there are lions around so stay in your vehicle…’ Then looks at us on our bikes and says ‘go that way and don’t stop until you get to the end’.” © 2023 Cheryl Tyler GO TO Celebrating Summer ​ ​ Up Up ​ , p 19

Click on image for full view and caption tiny-Cheryll-guinea_mw.webp tiny-Cheryll-trip-map_mw.webp tiny-cheryl-posed_mw.webp Article title Author Up Up this item , p pageNum GO TO Celebrating Summer Pull quote FC status SEASON 2024 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF CONTENTS Feilding, New Zealand ​

4 Winter 2023 ISSUE 4 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up Camping The Kiwi Way, Winter 2023 ​ Up Featured ‘ Let’s go south for a few weeks ’ ‘How many weeks?’ ‘Eight.’ ‘How about six?’ Greenies on the road : Managing food scraps. Winter's here : Some of our most glorious times camping have been in the winter season. Tips and tricks. Before the cyclone : Freedom Camping Eastern Hawke's Bay, Winter 2022. Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track : We put it to a family-friendly test: with my toddler (and his dada) in tow, we set out. Self containment changes in brief RV & Camper business services : Self containment, LPG work, electrical work, motorhome work & more. Table of Contents 2 Small town friendly 4 Editorial: The good news 4 One hundred nights a year 4 Winter’s not going to stop Mavis 5 ‘Let’s go south for a few weeks’ 6 Why we chose our Swift Sprite Quattro caravan 7 I am on track 7 Eight degrees of harm 8 Halfway through my 73 days traveling 9 Greenies on the road: Managing food scraps 10 A stove jack 11 It was cold at Mavora Lakes. Plenty of snow around. 12 Winter's here... Tips and tricks 13 Pegs for tough weather 13 Quinneys Bush Family Holiday Camp 14 Get on ya bike 16 Two long blacks and a cheese scone 17 I did it! My very first solo camping and tramping trip! 18 Gold miner Wattie Thompson 19 Before the cyclone : Freedom Camping Eastern Hawke's Bay, Winter 2022 23 Winter at Nokomai Station 23 CampFest — Bulls, 2023 24 Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track, Mavora Lakes : A family test 26 Waikato west coast road trip 27 Camping as a young family 27 Recipes for camping: Vege Nachos 27 Our morning view, heater on 28 Game: Fill in the grid 29 Kimbolton Sculpture Festival 2023 33 Stop and Stay The Store cafe and camp – Kekerungu (Marlborough) Lakelands Holiday Park , Whanganui 34 NZers go camping: clubs & groups : Life of Van 34 EVENTS — Camping 35 EVENTS — Festivals and show s 36 Self containment changes in brief 37 RV & Camper business services 47 Coffee Time Up Up ​ 1/0

BUY PDF CONTENTS 6 Summer 2023 Up RV Fridge Basics Up 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 ​ ​ fridge-portable_mw.webp fridge-compressor_mw.webp fridge-4_mw.webp fridge-portable_mw.webp 1/6

4 Winter 2023 ISSUE 4 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up Camping The Kiwi Way, Winter 2023 ​ Up Featured ‘ Let’s go south for a few weeks ’ ‘How many weeks?’ ‘Eight.’ ‘How about six?’ Greenies on the road : Managing food scraps. Winter's here : Some of our most glorious times camping have been in the winter season. Tips and tricks. Before the cyclone : Freedom Camping Eastern Hawke's Bay, Winter 2022. Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track : We put it to a family-friendly test: with my toddler (and his dada) in tow, we set out. Self containment changes in brief RV & Camper business services : Self containment, LPG work, electrical work, motorhome work & more. Table of Contents 2 Small town friendly 4 Editorial: The good news 4 One hundred nights a year 4 Winter’s not going to stop Mavis 5 ‘Let’s go south for a few weeks’ 6 Why we chose our Swift Sprite Quattro caravan 7 I am on track 7 Eight degrees of harm 8 Halfway through my 73 days traveling 9 Greenies on the road: Managing food scraps 10 A stove jack 11 It was cold at Mavora Lakes. Plenty of snow around. 12 Winter's here... Tips and tricks 13 Pegs for tough weather 13 Quinneys Bush Family Holiday Camp 14 Get on ya bike 16 Two long blacks and a cheese scone 17 I did it! My very first solo camping and tramping trip! 18 Gold miner Wattie Thompson 19 Before the cyclone : Freedom Camping Eastern Hawke's Bay, Winter 2022 23 Winter at Nokomai Station 23 CampFest — Bulls, 2023 24 Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track, Mavora Lakes : A family test 26 Waikato west coast road trip 27 Camping as a young family 27 Recipes for camping: Vege Nachos 27 Our morning view, heater on 28 Game: Fill in the grid 29 Kimbolton Sculpture Festival 2023 33 Stop and Stay The Store cafe and camp – Kekerungu (Marlborough) Lakelands Holiday Park , Whanganui 34 NZers go camping: clubs & groups : Life of Van 34 EVENTS — Camping 35 EVENTS — Festivals and show s 36 Self containment changes in brief 37 RV & Camper business services 47 Coffee Time Up Up ​ 1/0

​ ​ BUY PDF CONTENTS 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 . GO TO Celebrating Summer ​ ​ Up Up ​ , p 18

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 Article title Author Up Up this item , p pageNum GO TO Celebrating Summer Pull quote FC status SEASON 2024 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF CONTENTS Feilding, New Zealand ​

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4 Winter 2023 ISSUE 4 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up Camping The Kiwi Way, Winter 2023 ​ Up Featured ‘ Let’s go south for a few weeks ’ ‘How many weeks?’ ‘Eight.’ ‘How about six?’ Greenies on the road : Managing food scraps. Winter's here : Some of our most glorious times camping have been in the winter season. Tips and tricks. Before the cyclone : Freedom Camping Eastern Hawke's Bay, Winter 2022. Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track : We put it to a family-friendly test: with my toddler (and his dada) in tow, we set out. Self containment changes in brief RV & Camper business services : Self containment, LPG work, electrical work, motorhome work & more. Table of Contents 2 Small town friendly 4 Editorial: The good news 4 One hundred nights a year 4 Winter’s not going to stop Mavis 5 ‘Let’s go south for a few weeks’ 6 Why we chose our Swift Sprite Quattro caravan 7 I am on track 7 Eight degrees of harm 8 Halfway through my 73 days traveling 9 Greenies on the road: Managing food scraps 10 A stove jack 11 It was cold at Mavora Lakes. Plenty of snow around. 12 Winter's here... Tips and tricks 13 Pegs for tough weather 13 Quinneys Bush Family Holiday Camp 14 Get on ya bike 16 Two long blacks and a cheese scone 17 I did it! My very first solo camping and tramping trip! 18 Gold miner Wattie Thompson 19 Before the cyclone : Freedom Camping Eastern Hawke's Bay, Winter 2022 23 Winter at Nokomai Station 23 CampFest — Bulls, 2023 24 Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track, Mavora Lakes : A family test 26 Waikato west coast road trip 27 Camping as a young family 27 Recipes for camping: Vege Nachos 27 Our morning view, heater on 28 Game: Fill in the grid 29 Kimbolton Sculpture Festival 2023 33 Stop and Stay The Store cafe and camp – Kekerungu (Marlborough) Lakelands Holiday Park , Whanganui 34 NZers go camping: clubs & groups : Life of Van 34 EVENTS — Camping 35 EVENTS — Festivals and show s 36 Self containment changes in brief 37 RV & Camper business services 47 Coffee Time Up Up ​ 1/0