Mains extension inside the pop-top?

[CJH]

While I was fitting my new pop-top canvas I took the opportunity to route a 3-core mains flex up into the pop-top, with the intention of putting a 4-way extension socket on the end, and leaving it as a loose trailing extension so the kids can plug in phone chargers and the like overnight. I routed the other end of the cable into the wardrobe, where I was planning to add another switched socket behind the one on the outside of the wardrobe, so that I could plug this extension in when needed and unplug it if not. This would make it strictly a 4-way extension cable, rather than a permanent fixture, and will maybe get around any regulations that might ban permanent mains in a pop-top (are there any?).

Anyway, picking up on the 'German polarity' thread I thought I'd check my fuse box to see where to tap into, and there isn't one! So no RCD either. The mains goes straight to the socket on the wardrobe wall and then into the ZIG CF8. I'm sure this is all as it left the conversion company 30 years ago, as there's no sign of a fuse box having been removed. So it seems the 'suggested wiring' in the ZIG manual didn't trouble the installers:



So I need to add an RCD fuse box obviously, and while I'm at it I thought I'd ask for 'best practice' advice for running the extension into the pop-top. Is it allowed? Can I use a standard domestic 4-way socket, or should I be getting some sort of weatherproof socket?

[MidLifeCrisis]

I'm sure you'll get some expert advice from a 'real' expert in due course but I'd be inclined to not run mains leads around the van if it can be avoided.

Could you not run a 12V line up to the pop-top from the Zig - most phones etc can be charged using a USB style charger so if you have a couple of 12V Cig sockets in the pop - these can be used for almost anything you may need (using one of those little 'cig lighter-USB converters' if needed).

[CJH]

Thanks MLC - lateral thinking, I like it. I agree that 12V 'feels' inherently safer, but a couple of thoughts come to mind.

1) "It's not the volts that'll kill you, but the amps". There are enough amps in either of my batteries to do some damage in the event of a chafed wire or a dead short in the 12V circuit.
2) The 240V supply is (will be) protected by an RCD, whereas I believe the 12V supply would not disconnect in the event of a short.

I'm no expert, and hopefully, as you say, a 'real' expert will chip in.

[Mocki]

12v trips are available ,
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Audio-Cir ... 53ef756548" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
but no one would run a lead to a socket without a fuse at the supply end anyway?
If you are only talking phone charging, stick with 12v , it's overkill and restricts your upstairs phone charging to campsites with hook up to do the mains thing .

[CJH]

Thanks Steve, both very good points.

[Jeff J]

You would need to suitably fuse your 12v supply, which I agree is the safer option, to be suitably protected against short cct.It would also be a cheaper way off doing it than installing rcd protection although you should really have that if you use an electric hook up anyway. A mains supply will also kill you a lot quicker than any 12v supply ever will

[CJH]

A mains supply will also kill you a lot quicker than any 12v supply ever will

That's exactly how I would want to go - quickly. But since I don't really want to go at all just yet, an RCD is indeed the next job on my list.

So next question then, now that I'm convinced about using 12V instead, and since it is for charging devices with USB cables, does anyone know of a dedicated USB multi-way socket that can be wired directly to 12V? I know there are multi-way cigarette lighter devices with a built-in USB socket, but I'm not keen on cigarette lighter adapters - wobbly plugs, iffy connections. I know I could get a powered USB hub, but they're often current limited to the USB standard of 500mA and off the top of my head I'm guessing their mains supply bricks provide 5VDC.

So is there such a thing as a USB hub that I could wire directly into the 12V supply, and which preferably will provide enough current to charge an iPad in a reasonable time?

[CJH]

So is there such a thing as a USB hub that I could wire directly into the 12V supply, and which preferably will provide enough current to charge an iPad in a reasonable time?

OK, it looks like such a thing exists - Amazon link

It uses a 12V supply with a DC plug. This one has only a single fast charging port, but there may be others out there with a couple.

[ghost123uk]

You can get surface mounting 3 or 4 way cig socket boxes that you can securely mount and hard wire to a 12V supply, fit them with 4 of the smaller type plug to USB devices, they are a neat fit and sit almost flush with the front face of the box. Job done for a heck of a lot less than (the overkill of) a hub, plus more flexibility.

[ghost123uk]

I've got one very similar that has a 5 LED voltage graph thing built in. I have checked it against a good multimeter and is pretty accurate at telling me the state of my leisure battery.

[CJH]

Thanks Ghost

I think you're right - the USB CLA adapters seem to be readily available in high current 'fast charge' versions, and I had no idea that they are so cheap. Mind you, I had no intention of forking out £30 for the item I linked to above - I was hoping there'd be a cheaper version.

So maybe I can just use the 3-core cable that I've already routed and connect 2 cores to the 12V output of the ZIG - I'm pretty sure there's a spare fused output.

[ghost123uk]