We have been contacted by a customer who has been told by his Insurers, that they will not cover his vehicle if he is carrying more than 5Liters of methanol fuel for his E.F.O.Y power cell.

The customer was understandably concerned about the fact that he would not be insured and asked if we could confirm the regulations.

The E.F.O.Y fuel cell has been developed by S.F.C (Smart Fuel Cell) to provide a portable power solution which can provide up to 1600 watts of power.

The E.F.O.Y power cell is marketed as being quiet, automatic and environmentally friendly and is offered in a 1600, 1200, 900 and 600 watt per hour capacity.

The fuel for the E.F.O.Y is sold in either a 5 or 10 litre cell as standard.

The E.F.O.Y unit on its own has no regulations governing its use but the fuel (methanol) is what seems to be causing some concern.

Following a conversation with the UK suppliers of the E.F.O.Y we established the following facts.

The following is an email received from the Department of Transport to the suppliers which clarifies the legal standing of methanol.

Names and Email adresses have been removed and relaced with XXXXXXXX

From: XXXXXXXX [XXXXXXX@dft.gsi.gov.uk] Sent: 25 March 2009 10:44 To: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX Subject: Methanol Fuel

Mr XXXXXXXXXX,

I have been forwarded your email regarding the carriage of methanol in motorhomes.

The carriage of methanol for personal use is covered by 1.1.3.1(a) of ADR (European Agreement concerning the carriage of Dangerous Goods). Providing there is no more than 60 litres per receptacle and 240 L in total per transport unit then ADR is not applicable.

I’m afraid I cannot comment on insurance companies questioning or refusing policies, as this a matter between the insurer and client.

Regards,

XXXXXXXXXXX Dangerous Goods Division 2/24 Great Minster House 76 Marsham Street London SW1P 4DR

T: 020 7xxxxxxxxx

F: 020 7xxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxx@dft.gsi.gov.uk

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/freight/dgt1/

So the law is quite clear as regards the carriage of the mathanol fuel cells. As long as you do not have move than 24 x 10 litre containers with you, its not a problem.

We understand that insurance companies have to look at each case and asses the risk.

Therefore we decided to contact one of the leading insurance companies in the UK – Direct Line Insurance.

We contacted the van insurance section and spoke to a polite young man who was very helpful. He listened to the problem and said he would ask the underwriters.

2 minuets later he returned and advised the following.

As far as Direct Line Insurance are concerned, the use of the E.F.O.Y power cell and the carriage of the sealed methanol fuel cells was no problem. The young man did advise that if you had a lot of fuel cells with you that this would not be a good idea but it you are did carry your E.F.O.Y and a couple of the 10 litre fuel cells this would cause no problem to them.

Direct Line Insurance did point out that you must advise them that you have an E.F.O.Y power cell and intended to carry the fuel but assured me that it would not be a problem.

They did advise me however, that insurance quotations are dealt with on an individual basis. (Well they had to say that.)

The E.F.O.F power cell is perfectly safe and legal to use in any motorhome and is quite acceptable to any reasonable insurance company.

We hope this helps.

You can find out all about the E.F.O.Y Power Cell on our website. Just click the image.

The Camos Sat-Dome has been around for what seems to be centuries.

We decided to take the lid of the Camos Dome and take it apart, we must say that we were impressed.

The Dome Satellite System from Camos is well constructed an uses high quality components from the PCB to the stainless steel bolts.

Overall the dome provided an all round package that was hard to beat.

When you take the lid of the Camos Dome you notice that the unit is very clean and well presented. (Even with the lid off the unit is tidy)

Camos Dome without Cover

The dome satellite dish is powered by some serious high speed motors which use heavy duty cam belts to move the dish.

The LNB is also a quality unit and can be skewed if you need to.

We removed the dish is self to take a closer look at the bearings that enable the Camos Dome to move with ease.

Camos Sat Dome main drive belt

Again the bearings used on the Camos Satellite Dome are tip top and would easily last a lifetime.

The whole satellite dish is self is moved using another motor which protrudes from the underside of the dish assembly.

This also has a support wheel with another heavy bearing through it.

Conclusion:

After taking the Camos Dome Satellite System apart, we found that the unit was constructed using high quality components. This ensures that the unit is free from any maintanance.

The unit is reliable and easy to install which makes it an ideal unit for the avid DIY person.

We would like to thank TSW COMSAT for providing the unit for testing.

You can also see details of how to install a Camos Dome at CamosDome.com

We are always looking for things to take apart, so if you have a unit you would like us to look at please let us know.

Review by Caravan Satellite System

Well its about time that Streamline fixed the problem with the SQL database.

For some time we have been having problems with our website as a result of the database slowdown on the servers.

They have fixed it.

Great News for US!!!

The Oyster Satellite Company was founded over 10 years ago by the brothers Ten Haaft who produced one of the first fully automatic satellite systems on the market.

Now branded OYSTER, the company produces a large range of systems for all types of vehicles.

We are going to take a look at several systems in detail over the next few weeks, starting with the Caro Oyster Satellite system.

Oyster Caro Satellite System

The Oyster Caro satellite system is flat which reduces the profile on your vehicle.

This system is also able to cover a good footprint area given the size of the dish.

What Vehicle is the Oyster Caro Suitable for?

The Caro can be used on almost every vehicle and makes a great motorhome satellite system, caravan satellite system and even a super little system for narrowboats.

The dish is operated from inside the vehicle using a single button and a easy to use on screen menu system.

The Oyster Satellite system offers an integrated EPG. (electronic programme guide) To make program selection easy.

For those of you who are interested in the technical specifications we have included it here.

• Digital satellite aiming
• Fully automatic aiming within 30 – 60 seconds (typically)
• High-performance digital receiver with integrated electronic control.
• CI card-slot system: 2 CI slots for encrypted programmes (module and card not included)
• On-screen display: simple and convenient control of all functions via on-screen menus: pre-set TV and radio programmes (selectable languages: DE, GB, NL, FR, IT, ES, PT, SE, NO, FI, DK, CZ, GR, PL)
• 5000 station pre-sets (3500 TV / 1500 radio)
• Teletext integrated in digital receiver
• EPG: integrated electronic programme guide for information on current programme and programme overview.
• TV-set volume control by CARO remote control.
• Satellite mouse with channel display for concealed installation of receiver in a storage compartment.
• OBSC system: automatic satellite swap at programme change
• Suitable for the usage till 60 degrees of latitude north
• Multiple audio and video inputs and outputs (including Dolby Digital)
• Automatic retraction at vehicle start
• High-quality craftsmanship and durable materials
• Height: approx. 14 cm
• Weight: approx. 14 kg
• 3-year warranty and reliable service
• Options
• HDCI: Receiver with 80 GB hard disk for approx. 40 hours of recording time for your favourite TV shows, time-shift function for viewing programmes while recording, 2.5“ shock- and vibration-proof hard disk, 2 CI slots for encrypted programmes.(module and card not included).
• DVB-T: Receiver with integrated DVB-T tuner for digital terrestrial reception. (DVB-T antenna not included).

Conclusion

The Caro Oyster Satellite system is well worth the cost and is easy to use and opperate.

For More information please use the link below.

Oyster Satellite Systems – Oyster Caro – Oyster Cosmo – Oyster Digital – Oyster Samy