zig CF9 or PMS4 for non-wired van

[aardvark101]

Hi,

What is the general opinion of which is the best method to go for?

I understand that the PMS4 has everything and that the CF9 needs a RCD Consumer unit, but the PMS4 has it built in.

My van (1980 Devon 1600 Petrol) has a 12v/gas fridge, so will want to run it of 12v (when hooked up to mains). There is no real 12vs in the van (don't know if it has been stripped or if it never had it - so will be starting from almost scratch)

I am wanting to run th following off the leisure battery - fridge, 4x12v internal lights, water pump. Also plan to have 2 single 240v sockets for TV, Radio, heater etc...

The downside with the PMS4 from what I can find on line is the lack of instruction guide (any one have one?).

Cheers

Aardvark101

[DentedDevon]

Pms4 has no 12v contorol panel , it is not a complete system , simarly the cf9 has no 240v consumer unit.
Have you looked at one of these ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PMS3-Power-di ... 3a6b0cd3b7
Everything you need in 1 box

As your fridge has no 240v on it you will have to run on gas when not driving , the 12v element draws too much power for an ordinary charger to run it and keep the battery charged up,
Nothing wrong with running it on gas , If you have deep pockets you could replace it with the dometic RM123, which has gas 12v & 240V (expect you currently have Electrolux RM122)

[aardvark101]

DentedDevon,

Thanks for your reply - didn't realise that the PMS4 was not a complete system.

I will have a look at the PMS3 and look at what I need again.

Cheers

[Oh Danny Boy]

Would be interested to know how you get on, so please update when you decide. I'm pretty much in the same position as yourself and was going to go down the pms3 route over a zig. As i understand the PMS3 does have a conumer unit included in it's design, but doesn't have a split relay charge to charge the leisure battery whilst driving - while the zig unit does have one, so i guess it's a bit of swings and round-a-bouts. The PMS3 wins on asthetics for me (although they are both a bit ugly in my opinion. I still wonder why these manufacturers don't put a bit more thought into the design of the units) Apparently the zig can get a bit hot too... Sargent also do a unit, which you might want to take a look at.

[elsid]

My 1985 autosleeper is fitted with a Zig CF9 which has a built in charger and a load of fuses. The hook up lead goes to consumer unit which has a RCCD and two MCB's, a 5 amp which feeds the Zig unit and a 10 amp which feeds the 13amp socket. I have fitted and extra socket so the 10 amp MCB is actually feeding 2 sockets. I have the option of adding a third MCB, to feed the second socket, at relatively low cost but don't consider it worth it since I have never tripped the MCB yet.
Sid