Southdowns | Motorhome News | Bailey Motorhomes Undergoes Cold Chamber Testing

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14th November 2011

Bailey Motorhomes Cold Chamber Testing at Millbrook Proving Ground 01

New Bailey Motorhome Undergoes Cold Chamber Testing

Bailey Approach Motorhome Prototype Takes on Millbrook Cold-Chamber Challenge

Motorhome owners like to enjoy extended use of their vehicles throughout the year and it is important therefore that it can stand up to the elements - most notably to seasonal variations in temperature.

As part of the pre-launch product development programme Bailey decided therefore to subject their motorhome proto-type to a thermal grading test with the aim of proving that it could match the performance of its current Alu-Tech caravan ranges in achieving Grade III classification of Thermal Insulation (EN1646-I). This is an automotive standard test carried out, in this instance, in a temperature controlled chamber at the Millbrook Proving Ground.

To achieve the Grade III classification a motorhome must have passed a specified two part procedure covering both thermal performance and efficiency of a vehicle.

Thermal Performance Test Procedure

1. Chamber including motorhome is cooled to - 15 degrees centigrade from an ambient temperature of + 20 degrees centigrade. This takes approximately 10 hours
2. The motorhome heating is turned on and the inside temperature is raised to + 20 degrees centigrade. Maximum time allowed for this exercise is 4 hours
3. The motorhome internal temperature is stabilised at + 20 degrees for one hour
4. Fresh water supply is connected and should be operational within the motorhome at this time when the outside temperature remains at -15 degrees centigrade.

Thermal Efficiency Test Procedure

1. Measurement of the power requirement needed to sustain an internal temperature at +20 degrees for two hours with an outside temperature of -15 degrees centigrade.
2. Motorhome was heated using the internal power supply from the Truma combi boiler
3. U-Value is calculated by dividing the Power Consumption by the multiple of the Internal Area and the Temperature Difference. Maximum U-Value permitted is 1.2 W/m2K.

Details of the results of the testing will be published shortly.

Click here for more details of the new 2012 Season Bailey Motorhomes.