240 or not 240 that is the question

Post by **surfem00** » 15 Feb 2007, 15:20

hi guys

im about to start on the interior of my bus over the next couple of weeks and theres now i huge debate raging through our household on wether to put in a 240v hookup or not!

Other half is kinda in the frame of mind that he cant be arsed and just wants to run of 12v/gas cause were only going for a surf bus kinda thing.

Me im not so sure what if i have a hair straightening emergency or something equally life threating

Any feedback from you guys on what way you reckon we should go would be great (especially if it means paul is in the wrong

)

cheers

Post by **Horza** » 15 Feb 2007, 15:36

I've never really used the hookup in mine though it was on my list of must haves when I bought it. For long holidays it might come in handy as you can have charging, heating, cooling and playstation but you have to decide if the utility is going to be cost efective. If you are doubtfull then it probably wont and if you decide later you need it you can always retrofit or get a camping electric thing (RCD and socketstrip in one for tenters) and use that.

Post by **Mocki** » 15 Feb 2007, 15:43

i'd say fit it now, BUT make everything 12v, lights, ICE ect, just a couple of outlets for say, heating, and femaley stuff, that way its there, but you'll hardly use it......

i use mine at only two meets a year, the mid winter ones, and only coz the fan heater is cheaper on the free leccy than my diesel heater..........
but its there if i need it... like Euan says

Post by **ozzy** » 15 Feb 2007, 16:22

Kez, Jane dont use ours that much as most site has a shower/wc block with a nice big mirror and usually some leckie. We use it more for the fan heater or ps2 n telly.
But cuz ur working with a blank canvas the i would stick it in now

Post by **R0B** » 15 Feb 2007, 16:38

we use ours a fair bit.its handy for plugging the genny into.

Post by **surfem00** » 15 Feb 2007, 16:38

Kez, Jane dont use ours that much as most site has a shower/wc block with a nice big mirror and usually some leckie. We use it more for the fan heater or ps2 n telly.
But cuz ur working with a blank canvas the i would stick it in now

ozzy your opinion dont count your family............any way whay you cookin for tea sat??

Post by **redstar** » 15 Feb 2007, 16:56

If you intend to use it in winter, make sure you have 'lecky..
(or ebber) I use my beast all year round for weekends away so 'lecky
is important to me.. (also saves money on gas when you hook ya
fridge on to it) tight i know..

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 15 Feb 2007, 21:33

While you`re wiring it, wire it for everything. 240V sockets are worth placing at various points, also 12V sockets (caravan type 2 pin) and 12V cig. lighter type sockets, at least one near the front, and one in the rear load area, to plug in a cool box for instance or blow up an airbed?

Don`t forget to run the 240V through an RCD unit/breaker trip switch for safety. Like Mocki said, have the interior lights, radio, etc running from the 12V leisure battery system, use an auxiliary fusebox fed with decent rated wire, and then split it off through the individual fuses to your lights, sockets etc

Worth sitting down and drawing yourself a diagram, with sockets etc in their position, then what wiring needs to be loomed together to run between the various items, keeps it neat and run all the wiring through sleeving.

Post by **shepster** » 16 Feb 2007, 09:56

Same as everyone else says really, just done a bit of interior re-furb myself so while cupboards were out i've run the cable in for 240v. I got an RCD off 'tinternet for £20, 6m of 3core cable, a double surface mounted socket and 'male' plug for the end,total cost about £35. I won't be fitting a socket to the outside of the van so i'm going to 'store' the plug in end in the engine bay and simply unwind it through the rear inspection hatch when i need to hook it up.

Post by **SteveW** » 16 Feb 2007, 11:00

Yes worth doing and also worth getting a secondhand Zig unit to run all the 12v from and keep the leisure battery charged.
I have fitted one of the sockets that are designed to be mounted under caravans on the inside of the inspection flap on the deflector plate that the header tanks bolt to. Seams to work well and no need to cut a big hole in the side of your van.

Post by **surfem00** » 16 Feb 2007, 11:14

thanks guys

youve all been really helpfull, i think were a definatly gonna put in 240, kinda like the idea of hiding it away so we dont have to make a big hole in the side of van

cheers