New owners

[spraggy]

Hi we are proud new owners of a safari 1971 11/2. She is generally in good condition with no damp that is obvious. We have just started to redecorate her. Watch this space....

[Brian M]

Welcome Spraggy, I assume this was the 11/2 on ebay last week. It certainly caused a lot of excitement and appears to be one of the best - unusual to be and 11 footer, in good condition and in my opinion bought at a sensible price. We look forward to pictures, as you improve it, and can you please confirm your serial number at some time.

[spraggy]

Hi Brian, yes it was that one! Not by the van right now, but recall the serial number as 71108, I will double check. There are a few bit we will need eg Door Catch (the part on the van), replace rear glass/window (small crack), new window catches (the plastic screws in the centre of the windows that secure the window shut) - anybody have any of these?! Spraggy

[Deleted]

Hello Spraggy and welcome! you must have outbidded me on her, she is a very nice van and one of the only ones we have seen in such good condition with the arched door! I own the largest model which is a 1972 17-4S and wanted to have to cutest little model also!

I can help you with the parts which you need, I have many window catches including both rear bathroom windows and kitchen windows. Give me a ring on 07904976654. As for the door catch if you send me a photograph I can search my little box of bits! Chris.

[Deleted]

Hello Spraggy and welcome! you must have outbidded me on her, she is a very nice van and one of the only ones we have seen in such good condition with the arched door! I own the largest model which is a 1972 17-4S and wanted to have to cutest little model also!

I can help you with the parts which you need, I have many window catches including both rear bathroom windows and kitchen windows. Give me a ring on 07904976654. As for the door catch if you send me a photograph I can search my little box of bits! Chris.

[spraggy]

Hi Chris, many thanks. We won't be able to work on her for the next week or so - will get in touch once we have a photo.  Cheers Spraggy

[oliver1]

Oops:  because of a technical issue (no doubt at my end) this appears to have got diverted to the wrong thread.   Perhaps Brian can move it,  please.    Intended thread was entitled "Absolute beginners..."

Thanks,



Oliver


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As a recent returnee to this site I am coming in late on this.

I fully concur with Margo's comments on the Zig unit. All models (I think) of Zig units provide basically the same functionality although outward appearances and some details differ; essentially it is a combined battery charger and 12V distribution board. The Mains switch controls the 240V mains supply to the battery charger (only); you will normally leave this "on" at all times, but may occasionally wish to switch it off while changing batteries, or if your battery becomes overcharged. Note that this does not isolate other mains functions; the fridge (if you have a 3-way one) and any 13A sockets fitted will remain live, but in a late model van such as yours you should have a consumer unit (comprising at least an isolator switch and RCD and two fuses or alternatively circuit breakers, plus possibly a polarity indicator) as the first item in the 240V wiring.

The 12V switch is an isolator for the output. As both you and Margo say, if it is turned "off" nothing will work; that is what it is for!

The one in the middle is a selector for which source is to be used for charging the battery. "Car" enables it to be charged from the towing vehicle (via the 12S connection), "mains" enables it to be charged from the 240V site supply.

The Bowen water heater was the water heater used as standard by Safari up to about 1980; it was good technology for its time, but (if I have my dates correct) at least in its later years it was contemporary with the Carver 1, which was quieter and had the advantage of a more flexible thermostat which could be controlled from inside the caravan, and (if I remember correctly) automatic electric ignition. For many owners the Carver 1 would therefore have been the better and more convenient system, although I have only ever met a single example, and that happened not to be in a Safari; however by about 1980 (again if I have my dates right) the Carver 2 had come onto the market, and this was a vastly better system. This was quiet in operation, and had automatic electric ignition, although the interior control of the thermostat had been discarded, and the GLE option included an electric heating element which ran off the site's 240V supply and thus saved your gas consumption.

I had a Bowen on my present caravan when I bought it, but found it temperamental until it had been professionally serviced, and even then I found that its pilot light tended to blow out in gale conditions. And relighting it was a minor chore, especially in windy conditions or during a downpour. Eventually I had it replaced by a Henry, which is similar to a Carver 2 but by a different manufacturer.

It is a nice coincidence that the name Bowen sounds not entirely dissimilar to Boeing, because when the main burner fires up it has a roar that is reminiscent of a jet engine! You may or may not be able to obtain service parts for it, but for your intended application - using the caravan for "hotel guests" - I suggest that the Bowen is not suitable, both because of its noise level and because it does require some familiarity with the procedure for relighting it. I would suggest that for your intended use you replace it with a modern water heater, with the electric heating element option.