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Winter Living in Arctic Sweden

Posted: August 13th, 2016, 8:08 pm
by cthodgson
I have just landed a job working in Abisko National Park in Sweden from mid November to April and we will be living in the camper for the duration. This is about 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Obviously having a Skarosser is going to add a few insulation points to our cause but what do I need to do to ensure a toasty winter?

Temperatures can get down to -35º but this will only be for a couple of weeks at most, generally it will be -10/20. We will be demounted and on a permanent electric hook-up. We will have access to internal facilities but the toilet and water tanks will need to be used at certain times.

My concerns are waster water - should I leave open all the time?
Legs - are they up to surviving a full Arctic winter, can the extreme temperature do damage?
Windows/skylights should I invest in extra insulation and if so are there any pre-made to fit demountable window measurements?
Base - should I give an extra coat of weather seal - if so what do people use?

Cheers and all advice welcome especially anything I've missed :)

Image

Re: Winter Living

Posted: August 13th, 2016, 8:26 pm
by zildjian
Image

Re: Winter Living

Posted: August 13th, 2016, 8:28 pm
by DutchRon
I was googling for you on http://www.blocket.se, there are mats for sale to keep hydraulic containers, or even diesel tanks free from frost. They are thin rubber mats, working on 220/230volts, and are attached to diesel tanks, or hydraulic-oiltanks of machines so they can be used in strong winters.
Maybe you could use some of them to keep your water tanks free from frost, or even warm your camper on the outside on strategic spots.
As soon as I find an example, I will post it here for you.

Greetz, Ron

Re: Winter Living

Posted: August 13th, 2016, 8:36 pm
by cthodgson
zildjian wrote:Image
Did you see that ludicrous display last night...

Re: Winter Living

Posted: August 13th, 2016, 8:38 pm
by cthodgson
DutchRon wrote:I was googling for you on http://www.blocket.se, there are mats for sale to keep hydraulic containers, or even diesel tanks free from frost. They are thin rubber mats, working on 220/230volts, and are attached to diesel tanks, or hydraulic-oiltanks of machines so they can be used in strong winters.
Maybe you could use some of them to keep your water tanks free from frost, or even warm your camper on the outside on strategic spots.
As soon as I find an example, I will post it here for you.

Greetz, Ron
Thanks Ron, that sounds interesting - I'll have a look at that

Re: Winter Living

Posted: August 13th, 2016, 8:43 pm
by zildjian
Some of you have been that far North (though not sure about that season) so this will be very interesting to see how it works out,
on a positive (sic) note you now needn't worry about that fridge fuse right!

Re: Winter Living

Posted: August 13th, 2016, 8:45 pm
by DutchRon
I can't find it right now, but I believe they were called 'kalix värmare', in winter big machines need to warm up their hydraulic oil before they can use the machines. These mats are glued, or attached anyway to an oiltank, so they are able to use the machine. You can hook it up to the local 220/230volts plug.

Re: Winter Living

Posted: August 13th, 2016, 8:47 pm
by zildjian
cthodgson wrote:
zildjian wrote:Image
Did you see that ludicrous display last night...
remember it so well I loved that show

Re: Winter Living

Posted: August 13th, 2016, 8:49 pm
by zildjian
Yes go on then Ron being serious for a moment, they sound a good idea

Re: Winter Living

Posted: August 13th, 2016, 8:50 pm
by DutchRon
If you are able to talk a bit Swedish, or at least try to open a conversation in Swedish, you could ask this question on http://www.husbilsklubben.se, that is the Swedish camper community. These people are very helpfull and friendly, and approaching them in their own language opens many doors.