Glen and Debbie

Norm & Irene would be very interested to discuss your gas heater. Could you please PM us. Cheers Deb B

Hi John, 1. We usually have it set on 4 or 5 which is its highest setting, but it rarely reaches the point where it cuts out and never when the outside temp is around zero. 2. They rate the gas at 2.4kw which is higher than the diesel, but I can't explain why the diesels still seem to perform much better. 3. I think the regulators fail due to the build up of black fluid within the lines that is often the cause of a drop in flow rates. Once the flow rate drops the heater will shut off even though your gas burners still work, but somewhat reduced as well. As you are going through more gas this occurs more often. 4. Yes, there are many Dometic agents, but very few have any knowledge or experience with gas heaters, whereas diesel is far more common. The control modules are pretty much throw away as you say. There was a fault when we first got ours and they just replaced it. We had our control switch positioned beside the bed on the wardrobe so it could be turned on and off from in bed. The gas system is working ok, but not as effective as I believe it should and nowhere near as efficient as the diesel systems seem to, according to comments from many people. Cheers, Glen

Hi Rob You can contact on email gdbalint@gmail.com or mobile 0427361442. Cheers Deb b

Hi Rob Off the subject slightly, we are also visiting family in Adelaide and will be starting our first house sit next week. I know of a few KOGs who are either living in the area or visiting. Maybe we could meet up sometime. Cheers Deb B

Hi all, We have had our gas heater through two winters now. It is vented through the side of the van and located under the stove. The first winter it seemed to work satisfactorily, but we were only doing short trips in cold times. Now having spent the last few weeks travelling through NSW, Victoria & now SA we are considering changing to a diesel heater. This may seem drastic, but this is for several reasons. 1. If run all night you are lucky to get four nights out of a nine kilo gas bottle. That can be quite expensive in some areas where you can pay $35+. 2. When it is down to zero outside it struggles to bring the temperature above 15 degrees and takes over 2 hours to achieve the 15 degrees. 3. We have had to replace our gas regulator twice in 12 months due to a drop in flow rates which causes the unit to fail. 4. There are only a limited number of service agents with any experience with these units at present. So trial and error is their method of repair. Our van is only 18 ft internal so larger vans will struggle to warm even more. Sorry to put a dampener on your intended installations but I thought I should share our experience with the gas heater. If anyone wants to ask questions about anything I have written here please feel free to PM me. Our gas unit may be up for sale in the next couple of weeks. Although I don't think this was a good sales pitch for it. My next question is do I go for Dometic or Webasto diesel heater? Cheers, Glen.

Thanks to Sandra & Clive for a great weekend and thanks to Rod & Mavis for the write up and pics. Had the best time. Cheers

Merry Christmas to all Koggers as we transition from Wannabenomads to actual nomads as of next Monday. Good luck with your new home Joy & Geoff & wellcome to Queensland. Would like to catch up before we head off around the block. Stay safe & happy travels everyone.

Congratulations Gordon & Chris. As you know we were very pleased we changed ours to a cafe dinnette & no doubt you will notice the extra room & comfort this affords.

Hi all, Has anyone had experience with using a computer program designed for logging your travels, including maps and the ability to attach photos to locations of where you have been? I'm aware there are a few versions out there, but don't know anyone who has used them to advise if they are practical & easy enough to use. Any info would be appreciated.

At Coober Pedy, we found the Stuart Range CP the better one - once again a few years now since we have been back there. A must see other than a tour of the underground houses, churches, etc is the cemetery. There was a bowser as you enter the park to buy your water or a communal one the other end of town. The food at Tom & Mary's Greek taverna and johns pizza bar was very good in enjoyment and value for money. The pizzas from the CP were also really good. Umoona opal mine and museum was my favourite shop - I think that's why we have only been to coober pedy 3 times - my husband can't afford any more visits:) The Breakaways and the painted desert are a must see. Cheers Deb B

Our favourite spot for camping near Marree is Muloorina Station - camped beside the bore fed waterhole. It is approx 54ks nth west of Marree on the edge of Lake Eyre. Been a few years since we were there, but it was an honour system of a gold coin with proceeds going to RFDS. AND surprisingly has a flushing toilet:) The turnoff was approx 1k past Marree. Cheers Deb B

Hi Kyds, Your new Blog looks great and as usual, wish we were there. Keep up the good work! Glen...

Hehe

LOL - love the boots - you will have to share now with all of us dog owners where you obtained the boots from. Cheers Deb B

Hi Mal & Kerry you are in one of our most favourite spots that we usually call into at least once a year and wish we lived closer. Well actually it is one of the towns that Glen advises "he could live here" If you haven't already, another good spot is Town Beach, Tocumwal - there is a good possibility that we will live there. You must check out the bakery - great pies and pizzas. There is an interesting track that you access from the road to Inverell - you would need to give Glen a ring for more details - it actually takes you through the area across the river. Have you caught any Murray Cod yet. Which way are you heading after Bingara. Cheers Deb B

Hi One of my favourite spots is king fisher camp north of lawn hill. They have showers, flushing toilets, green grass and boats for hire. If you stop at Gregory downs, check in with Rhonda or Ian (ma and pa) at the pub who can give directions for great camping spots just out of Gregory downs. Meals aren't bad either. They have a caravan park next to the pub as well. Cheers Deb b

LOL And we look forward to visiting you both in the retirement home or better yet sending post cards:) Happy new year to all. From The Workers.

Hi Col & Debbie, We've had the Hyland previously, it was OK but did get stuck on rare occasions, Now have the previous model DO35 & know of others who have the current DO45 and love it. It hooks up at any angle & releases without a problem. Very simple to use. I highly recommend it. Glen

Hi Ian, No, the Redarc doesn't have any readouts on it, just little red led lights that indicate if it's charging or not. I've just put a volt meter on the dash that can read voltage of main & auxilliary batteries.

Hi Ian, I have set mine up a little different to Danny, as I wanted to provide optimal charge to the auxilliary battery located in the back of the car with my fridge, even when the van is not attached. The Redarc unit is located under the bonnet and charges the rear AGM battery via a 32 square mil cable to ensure minimal voltage drop. When hitched up to the van this also charges the van batteries directly via the same size cable and 175amp Anderson plug. My solar charge doesn't drop out when the car is running, so I believe the charge from the panels & Redarc work together to provide maximum charge rates possible. This seems to work well for my set up which Springers had installed about 12 months ago. My generator rarely ever gets a good work out now days. I'm sure there are a number of different ways to set these up according to your individual needs and the idea of these units is to provide optimal charge rates for the batteries and to prolong there life. Only time will tell.

Hi If anyone finds an orange lure approx 4" - glen would really appreciate getting it back:) Cheers Deb b

Hi Camping beside the river opposite the pub is one of our favourite spots. We have been lucky to have had good meals and service from the pub both times we have been passing that way a few years back. Cheers

Russ Due to our little guy still being a pup and still not 100% house trained I put a pee pad down for him but he didn't need it. He also sleeps on our bed at night in the van and he would wake us approx 5.30 in the morning ready to go out for a pee. We had a tenterfield terrier who wasn't the most sociable and who passed away recently from old age - nearly 17 who we didnt take travelling. We had always said we wouldn't get another due to hoping to hit the road in a few years. But really can't live without them. Fingers crossed for our 6 wks on the road with the pup. Cheers

Congratulations on your new van. Vaning really is a lifestyle and what a lifestyle it is:) We took our 16 wk Tibetan spaniel x for his first camping trip the weekend just gone to trial him with camping, kayaking, etc. We are very pleased with his behaviour and how quick he took to the lifestyle:) On the day we went out to lunch we locked him in the van with all windows open and only locked the screen door. We also gave the campers next door our number in case he was barking, etc. They advised us on our return not a peep out of him. I left him with some water, dry food, a couple of treats including a pigs ear and all his toys. Of course he decided to empty out our dirty clothes from the clothes bag, but no damage done and he appeared to be quite content. Obviously it will depend on how hot it is as to whether this will work for you. I had thought of putting the fan on for him, but didn't think it necessary this time. The next day we went to the cheese factory and markets and took him with us - there were quite a few dogs out for the day at the cheese factory while owners ate ice creams:) We are hitting the road for a few weeks soon and definitely planning to take him with us. We are hoping to mostly do free camping, but if we decide to stay at a national park, we will book him into a kennel for a couple days. Cheers

Hi We bought a telescopic one from Aldi which fits under the bed. Cheers