There's a running joke in the Practical Motorhome office that I'm the team member who most feels the cold. While others sit comfortably in short sleeves, I'm frequently found snuggled into a fur-hooded coat with my hands wrapped around a steaming mug of tea, moaning about the iciness of the office air-conditioning.
So, when a phone call came through from Swift inviting us along to a cold-test of the new tag-axle Bessacarr E769, I pulled my collar up a bit higher and kept quiet.
The plan for the day was then discussed around me. The motorhome would be taken to the Cambridge Refrigeration Technology labs and subjected to frosty temperatures of -15°C, to test its accommodation heating. I pulled down my collar an inch and listened closer.
In truth, I was intrigued. I have a background of motoring journalism, and must confess that the technical aspects of all things motorhome, especially type approval, holds some interest for me.
So, I raised a gloved hand and volunteered for the job.
It's three days later and, on the warmest day of the year so far, I'm on the road to Cambridge with my ski gear packed into the boot of the car.
On arrival I'm met
by John Fisher, Swift's legislation engineer,
and Matt Millar, project engineer at the labs, who direct me to the office alongside the giant container that holds one very cold Bessacarr. To my delight, the office where we will be spending the next few hours is warm. At which point John gives me the lowdown on what will be happening.
The aim of the test is to discover whether the new Bessacarr will meet the stringent British Standard for motorhome heating.
As the E769 is a top-end luxury vehicle,
it will need to fulfil Grade 3 – the highest there is. The idea is simple: the Bessacarr was parked inside the enormous refrigeration chamber, before the fans were turned on. The motorhome was then chilled down to an icicle-forming low of -15°C over
a ten-hour period.
Then, an engineer entered the 'van, turned the accommodation heating on, and the test began in earnest. Probes positioned inside the vehicle measure how long it takes to reach an average of 20°C inside the 'van, while the outside temperature is maintained at a constant -15°C. For the motorhome to pass the test, this must be achieved in less than four hours. The heater in the new Fiat X2/50 cab is not to be used – the vehicle's keys laying on the office table testify to the fact that the ignition remains off.
When I arrive, the motorhome's heating has just been turned on, so we've a potentially long wait ahead of us. But the computer equipment that surrounds us is entertaining in its productivity as every five minutes, scores of temperature readings from the probes within the vehicle are flashed up on screen. It's clear to see that the interior is heating up fast, despite the Arctic-level temperatures outside the 'van.
There are six 'official' probes within the 'van but numerous others are placed inside by Swift, and it is these which prove most fascinating. "We put those inside so we can test for cold spots when the heating is on," explains John, "so we know where we can improve design in the future." After numerous cups of coffee and an hour spent staring at the computer screen, it's clear where the warmest spots are. The washroom soon rockets up past a snug 30°C, while the door well remains distinctly chilly. "That tells us where the heat needs to be better distributed," says John.
I've been putting off the inevitable for some time now, so finally agree that it's time to enter the cold chamber to see how the Bessacarr appears to be holding up amid the chilly onslaught. So, I don my ski gear, Matt flings open the heavy door, and
I dive inside the refrigeration chamber.
It's cold. Very cold. At first, the change
in temperature is refreshing, even invigorating, but then, around six seconds later, I realise just how intensely cold it is. Multiple fans line the walls to distribute the freezing air more thoroughly but also multiply the wind-chill factor on human flesh. Within five minutes my nose is hurting and thoughts of frostbite occur to me.
The motorhome looks fine, though. Ice covers the windscreen and everything else around but all is going well inside, I'm assured.
It's dark as I look in through the window in the accommodation door, but it appears lovely and snug in there. We are not allowed to enter until the test has been completed, though, so I have to make do with pressing my nose against the window. Not too close, mind – it would be embarrassing for me to get frozen onto it.
|
