Whether you’re chasing summer up the coast in the campervan or out on the boat for the weekend, the same five things make or break your off-grid setup: power/gas, hot water, cooking, the fridge, and sorting out the loo. Get those sorted and everything else falls into place.
Offgrid Appliances stocks the Challenger range, built for NZ conditions and backed by local support. Here’s what to look at for each, and where a campervan or RV setup differs from a boat.
Campervans and RVs are all about compact, low draw gear that can handle the corrugations and still work when you pull up at camp. Space and weight are the main constraints.
Boats deal with a different set of hassles, vibration, damp, and often less consistent solar depending on where you’re moored or anchored up. Reliability without needing to fuss over it matters most.
Hot Water: Gas Califonts
A gas califont only heats water when the tap’s on, so there’s no standing heat loss to worry about, ideal for a vehicle or vessel with limited space anyway.
Campervan/RV: the 5L Califont or 6L are the go, small footprint, easy to mount, enough for a quick shower and the sink.
Boat: the same compact units work well on board too. If you’ve got more than one outlet (galley plus a shower), bump up to the 7L.
If your water pressure’s a bit average, pair the califont with a 12V pump so it fires reliably. Any permanent gas install needs a certified gasfitter, no cutting corners there.
Cooking: Stoves & Hobs
Campervan/RV: the Domino 2 Burner Hob tucks into a tight galley bench. If you’ve got a bit of power spare, the 3 Gas 1 Electric Hob throws in one electric element as a backup.
Boat: the 4 Burner Hob with Wok gives a bit more room to cook for a crew without taking up a full stove’s worth of space, good for a galley bench.
Both run off standard 9kg LPG bottles, easy to swap and refill at most marinas or holiday parks, and come with Flame Failure Safety Devices built in as standard.
Refrigeration: 12V Compressor vs Gas (3 Way)
12V/24V compressor fridges cool fast and don’t care about being unlevel, handy when you’re bouncing down a gravel road or rocking at anchor. 3 way gas fridges run silently off LPG for weeks without touching the battery, the old faithful choice for boats and older caravans.
Campervan/RV: the 86L Wheel Arch 12V Solar Fridge is shaped to fit straight over the wheel arch, no wasted space. For a freestanding option, the 50L Compact Bar Fridge Freezer or 68L Built In Fridge slot neatly into cabinetry.
Boat: the 60L 3 Way Fridge runs on gas, 12V, or 240V, so it’s not fussed whether you’re plugged into shore power or out on the water for a fortnight. Smaller boats could go with the 42L or 46L portables instead.
Sanitation: Toilets & Waste
Campervan/RV: the Swivel RV Cassette Toilet is the standard for a reason, easy to empty and swivels to save space in a tight bathroom. Pair it with the service door so you can empty the cassette from outside without walking it through the van.
Boat: the same cassette toilet works well on board too, especially for day boats or smaller cruisers without a fixed marine head. If waste needs to travel further than the fixture allows, a 250W Grey Water Macerator Pump shifts it up to 9m vertically or 90m horizontally.
Sample Setups
Campervan/RV: 6L Califont, Domino 2 Burner Hob, 86L Wheel Arch Fridge, Swivel Cassette Toilet + Service Door.
Boat: 7L Califont, 4 Burner Hob with Wok, 60L 3 Way Fridge, Swivel Cassette Toilet.
Before You Buy
Think about how much solar and battery you’re actually running before locking in a fridge, a 12V compressor unit is only as good as the charge behind it. On a boat especially, weigh up whether gas or 12V suits your cruising style better. And always get a certified gasfitter or plumber for permanent installs, keeps you safe and keeps the warranty intact.
Offgrid Appliances has a califont selector tool if you want help sizing things up, and the team’s on hand for parts and support once you’re on the road or out on the water.
