Pump frost protection

Hi folks, we're awaiting delivery of our Neuvo EK and I've been trawling through the handbook in preparation. I understand we will get a handover from the dealer but a few things (did I really say a few  ) have got me puzzled.  The handbook suggests that the heating pump frost protection kicks in at 7C, in Scotland the temperature rarely gets above this.  Am I reading this right?  Also, the handbook advises that the main power is switched off when winterising the van.  I thought the whole purpose of having a solar panel was to keep the batteries charged up during the winter lay over. Can I ask what others do. 

I'm sure you will have guessed we're new to all this, please accept my apologies for asking for advice on what I'm sure are some of the basics and my thanks for your patience.

Hi and welcome to the forum from Bridlington 
Boaby

Askit wrote:Also, the handbook advises that the main power is switched off when winterising the van.  I thought the whole purpose of having a solar panel was to keep the batteries charged up during the winter lay over.

This no doubt depends on what make/model of power management system A-S fit to your van, but I'm fairly sure that the current generation of Sargent controllers include a solar system which remains active even when the main panel power is turned off.

Thanks, that would make sense.  I need to write down a list of questions for our unsuspecting dealer, then again, will he have the answers!

burlingtonboaby wrote:Hi and welcome to the forum from Bridlington 
Boaby

Thanks for the welcome Boaby, cheers.

Hi there and a big welcome to the forum.
Re your two questions; it all depends on what you mean by wintering as in how long you will leave it without use. 
Your dealer will be of great help and the people on the forum will be as well 

Thanks for the welcome Jaytee, I'm learning from the forum already. I'm having to use a storage facility as we don't have space, but there's no problem with access. We have no plans for winter touring right now so I guess the layup could be three or four months? The issue with the pump dump valve worries me more, we are getting frost warnings this week.

The pump dump is a manageable condition as there are mods etc and ways around preventing it opening when in use and then when stored it would be open anyway so 'worry not' 

Hi ,yes welcome to the forum, you will find most of the common problems we all endure as A/S motorhomers here at some point! We have a 2012 Nuevo ek basically the same as yours ,I have never experienced any problems with the batteries keeping charge, the standard solar panel seems to keep up with any drain which occurs when the M/H is left idle. Jaytee is spot on saying there should be no problem with the drain valve , as if you are leaving the M/H for any length of time it would be wise to empty the system anyway. I have only once had a problem when filling the tank as it was a frosty morning ,and 5 minutes with the seat base open and the heater on cured it.We really like our Nuevo ,so heres wishing you loads of enjoyment when you get yours!!   Kind regards  Paul

Thanks for the replies Jaytee and Paul, the information you're giving me is reassuring.  Getting the Neuvo will follow a very long period of research so we're excited and nervous in equal measure. I feel there's so much to learn but I'm sure it will sort itself out with a bit of practice