Westfalia Joker 81 hook up connection - UK compatible?

Post by **zazznpazz** » 12 Aug 2007, 20:46

Had my Joker a few years, but never used the hook up - the combo of gas and battery seemed to work fine. Fancied trying mains this year, but it appears that the connection in the side of the van is not compatible with standard hook up cables (like them on JK) I believe the connections are original. Can anyone advise what needs to be bought or changed to get the 240 going? is it a simple adapter, or is it a rewire?

Many thanks.

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 12 Aug 2007, 20:52

Should have the standard blue plug in the hook-up box. Any usual hook-up cable should be compatable, unless yours has had some modification to it?

If it`s not the right connection, then you should be able to swap whatever is there for a new box and plug. Is your box the black oblong one with a flap on it? If so then new ones are available cheaply, they are a standard item used on lots of motorhomes and campers. I got a new one the other week from Rainbow Conversions for about £15.00 complete (google will find them)

Post by **zazznpazz** » 13 Aug 2007, 06:26

Thanks for the speedy response!

No it hasn't got the blue plug, but a black connection. The hole in the van is about 8cm square and has a lift up flap, but the plug is also black and looks most like the one at the end of this link (not the case, just the socket).

http://server2.gs-shop.de/200/cgi-bin/s ... terID=4357

Will look for a new case. Am also concerned that the connection could be 220V like that on the link and therefore use of a 240V hook up could cause overload.........
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Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 13 Aug 2007, 07:07

220/240V is the same connection. Your `van will be an early type I think (can`t see the picture in the link) If it `s the square type with a flap, and the socket part inside is sort of "fixed" to the case, I have seen these as well. Try these: look in electrical section, then general electrical system, there are fotos of the two different type half way down the page, oblong with flapand swing-out plug and square with flap and the fixed plug. They do decent mail-order service, I use `em regularly

https://sslrelay.com/s113419701.oneando ... shopscript

Post by **Mocki** » 13 Aug 2007, 10:19

wander into any good caravan shop and adaptors are available to change your standard german inlet to the usual blue hook up connecting plug - the voltage will be 220-240

posted mobile via 07947137911

Post by **zazznpazz** » 13 Aug 2007, 12:37

Thanks both - yes forgot to write, it is an '81 Westfalia Joker 1.
Like the idea of the replacement socket, as this will deliver the simplest solution. The complication is that I go on holiday in a couple of days and am not too confident with electrics. so...
Does anyone know any good caravan shops that might have one of these, that I can either order online, or that is in the west country!

Post by **zazznpazz** » 13 Aug 2007, 13:33

just wondering - am I right Mocki, that you are meaning one of these, but in reverse?

http://shop.justkampers.com/product_inf ... s_id/10222

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 13 Aug 2007, 15:28

That link above is for O learys, they will send it mail order and pretty quick usually. Not a hard job to pop out the old box, the wire will come so far with it, then de-wire the socket (3 wires) and wire into the new one with the colours to the correct pins.

Put some location info on your profile etc, someone localish to you from the forum may be able to help. Obviously electrics arn`t to be messed with if you arn`t confident, and you are right about asking for help if you don`t want to get into it.

Post by **sparkes** » 18 Aug 2007, 17:08

zazznpazz wrote:just wondering - am I right Mocki, that you are meaning one of these, but in reverse?

http://shop.justkampers.com/product_inf ... s_id/10222

That's exactly what I need, in reverse.. Is there such a thing?

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 18 Aug 2007, 17:52

Better to just swap the hook-up box. Some campsites frown on convertor leads with multiple plugs in them being used, not very watertight when they are just hanging down the side of the van, or on the ground. It`s about £15 and ten minutes work to change it over, and it can be changed back again if you want to.

Sites abroad are 99% changed over to the blue plugs.

Post by **sparkes** » 24 Aug 2007, 20:56

Yeah, fitting a new plug socket does make sense, but after taking mine off and offering up the uk version, they are different sizes.. Looks like I have to cut a larger hole in the side of my van!!!

Post by **cumbriankeith** » 24 Aug 2007, 22:46

Sites abroad are 99% changed over to the blue plugs.

Not in our experience of 2 weeks in Spain and France this summer they're not!
Blue plugs were a rarity - so my advice is to have all the convertors you can think of - including a reverse polarity version.

Post by **horizontal kipper** » 27 Aug 2007, 11:12

Easliy solved without any work our friends in holland who have a 76 bay bought us a lead from home for our 1980 Joker which has a european Fitment to go into the van and a english adaptor on the end problem solved no need to rewire or change plug. Readily available on german ebay possibly from some of the european traders or westy frank may have one he usually does ask him if you are going to vanfest ours cost about £5 last year you are welcome to come and see ours at vanfest will be in the split screen camping over flow field in a brown joker one next to the above bay on Dutch plates. Hope this helps

Post by **zazznpazz** » 03 Sep 2007, 12:58

Interesting comments - just got back from holiday, deciding eventually to just minimise use and stick to batteries.

I looked into the square box converter, but as mentioned by Sparkes, some modification to the van is required - measured the screw centres and it appears that drilling will be required. I also noted that there is a small round hole in the westfalia paneling on the inside of the van. This would mean cutting and potentially damaging the interior.

I did have a look on German ebay before hols, but it is difficult to find the actual name.

I'm going to Vanfest Sunday, so will look you out Horizontal Kipper and find Westy Frank. In the meantime, if anyone know's what the German name for a hook up converter, please let me know!

Post by **horizontal kipper** » 04 Sep 2007, 20:33

Friends from Holland will be bringing to sell for £5 each four of the correct plugs to fit the two pin socket outlet on the side off the early westfalia jokers. This replaces the english plug on your electric hook up so that you can then use standard mains electric without changing the socket on the side to a uk one. Anyone interested please PM by thursday nite for collection at vanfest cheers.

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