Electric hook-up ?

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doenut82
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Electric hook-up ?

Post by doenut82 »

My question is, is it hard to put an electric hook-up into a van and what would you need? My Devon moonraker only has a leisure battery for the lights.
Last edited by doenut82 on 05 Apr 2016, 14:43, edited 1 time in total.
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Ian Hulley
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Re: Electric hook-up ?

Post by Ian Hulley »

If you 'only' have the original 2 way Devon fridge It would probably be more sensible to go straight for a solar panel, controller and swap to LED lights :D

Just my opinion obviously. :ok

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doenut82
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Re: Electric hook-up ?

Post by doenut82 »

Ian Hulley wrote:If you 'only' have the original 2 way Devon fridge It would probably be more sensible to go straight for a solar panel, controller and swap to LED lights :D

Just my opinion obviously. :ok

Ian

Need to put in some three pin plugs though ( TV ) lol
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1987 Honda cbr 600f
2002 Suzuki drz 400S

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Ian Hulley
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Re: Electric hook-up ?

Post by Ian Hulley »

doenut82 wrote:
Ian Hulley wrote:If you 'only' have the original 2 way Devon fridge It would probably be more sensible to go straight for a solar panel, controller and swap to LED lights :D

Just my opinion obviously. :ok

Ian

Need to put in some three pin plugs though ( TV ) lol

Get a 12v telly :ok

Since we fitted our solar system we haven't used the 240 hook-up at all, I guess it's there if we need it but ....
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doenut82
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Re: Electric hook-up ?

Post by doenut82 »

Good idea :ok something I'll have to look into .
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Winchweight
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Re: Electric hook-up ?

Post by Winchweight »

Otherwise a small consumer unit with 10A and 16A breakers. Wire (of correct rating) and sockets (with closed backs to prevent accidental short circuits against the body etc). Just make sure its properly earthed to the van (same for the sockets). I also fitted an inline RCD in the hookup lead.

I always check with a socket tester when I hook up before plugging stuff in, just to be sure the earths etc are good.

I wired my T4 up and got it tested by an electrician afterwards.
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Re: Electric hook-up ?

Post by kevtherev »

I agree with Ian, 12v is really the way forward.
Solar power is very cheap these days.
Most TVs are DC nowadays.

However, if you must have 230 volt AC power then towsure can supply a kit to hook up to the campsite supply.
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neil1967
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Re: Electric hook-up ?

Post by neil1967 »

Hello All

Is solar easy to fit and is there any particular
ones recommended. As I am interested in fitting
one.

Thanks Neil
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kevtherev
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Re: Electric hook-up ?

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http://forum.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=127964" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Electric hook-up ?

Post by neil1967 »

Thank you Kevtherev

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horizontal kipper
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Re: Electric hook-up ?

Post by horizontal kipper »

After the first fortnights camping last year with the panel on in not so sunny weather, only moving the van twice off the site. The hook-up stay's at home.

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Re: Electric hook-up ?

Post by CovKid »

Really useful to have a watt meter (fiver on ebay) as you can see what each appliance actually draws so you can take control. Unfortunately theres not much incentive for manufacturers to produce low-consumption 12v items so its often a good thing to use an ohms law calculator (loads online) to work out the amps consumption before parting with your money when considering a 12v item. I now know my stereo draws an amp so the solar keeps up with that all day no prob (previously it would flatten battery in no time). A propex heater draws around 2 amps but should run all night but for the average leisure battery it will need topping up the next day.

Not all manufacturers display even basic information about power consumption unless its a stereo (possibly a TV). I was recently looking at fans to keep cool inside and few of those give any spec at all. I just had to bench test a few to find out. As long as you know the watts, you can work out the amps and it all matters if you want to be at least free to roam sometimes. One of these (below) displays it in real time and they're surprisingly accurate for the money. I've always been wholly 12v and its good to not have to rely on mains hookup if you can but its just as well to remember than not everything meant for 12v is a wise choice either. Some items are so lazily designed or use such old technology they just sap power - even LED lights vary in design and I've had some that could pull a battery down overnight yet others drew so little it was neglible. 240v hookup isn't really needed unless you just go camping to watch TV 24/7.

Image

This gives you an idea of how they work in practice and why its such a useful thing to have around: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-idUaalx24" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.

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