Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all
I've searched around quite a bit but haven't found exactly what I need to know so thought I'd ask myself instead... There are some fascinating and useful threads out there (eg the ideal elecrrical set up one: https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=97060), but some of it is well beyond my understanding!

I want to be able to power my van from a hook up. I have mainly 12V stuff but occasional need for 240v. I was thinking of upgrading to a WAECO fridge at some point soon so will probably add extra leisure batteries + 240v battery charger (I think I can justify a decent float charge unit to condition the batteries as the van stands around a reasonable amount these days) . I've been looking at the simplest way to hook up and have been looking at mains leads for tents with single socket and RCD:
http://www.camping-online.co.uk/mains-e ... -unit.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I would like to fix quite permanently and avoid cables through windows etc so planned to fit a hook up socket on outside of van and wire the tent unit to the inside of it.
The unit still takes up quite a bit of space though, so I wondered whether something like this would do the job on its own:
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Electri ... 470/p15906" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

2 concerns though:
1/ this is a 13A unit, and hook up cables etc seem to be rated at 16A. Is there a danger that camp site supplies could be higher rated and that if I ever drew too much current (how?) I'd exceed the capacity of this plug
2/ by fitting this RCD plug, or one of the tent plugs semi-permanently, is there a danger that I could make the whole van live at 240V, if for example any wiring between the outside socket and my inside plug became damaged.

Any thoughts or expertise would be most welcome.

Cheers,
John

Follow this and you will not go wrong. I have my hook up under the van one side and on the other I have a female one wired to a circuit in the Distribution board which is female. This is so I can have a trailing lead into the awning ( if I ever buy one ) and can shut all the doors.
Zig units seem to be the easiest way for battery chargers and 12v distribution.Just wiring by numbers. You would have to as which one would run a fridge in 12v though, if any as I do not have a clue.
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=93057" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cheers dude - that's certainly a comprehensive guide, and I will certainly follow it if I need to fit a consumer unit.
I'm just wondering whether I can avoid one completely though - I only need 1 (or maybe 2) sockets to run an intelligent battery charger, so having different circuits off a consumer unit feel over the top.

Is it sufficient that these new sockets (eg outdoor ones) have an onboard RCD, or is an MCB or similar needed as well?

I like the sound of Mocki's set up though (taking stuff off the leisure batt when hooked up) - I'll post on that post to see if he can answer what a PSU is! I suspect it's power supply unit.. but where do I get one of them and how much do they cost?

the PSU is indeed a power supply unit, a 12v from mains transformer if you like

i use a expensive radio transmitter quality switch mode one, as my amateur radios run from it.


but you dont need to use such a quality one just for running lights , pump, tv ect.
mine will happily run everything in the van, the only thing running directly from mains is the fridge and fan heater. i only have two main sockets, as everything else in the van is 12v .

Cheers Mocki - I shall price one up.

Presumably you don't need to take your 240v battery charger with you then, as you're not running the batts down when you're hooked up?

I was wondering whether I can avoid a zig or one of these by using the batt charger instead - which I read that v-lux does.

i have a intellegent Draper 12amp charger that is manually switchable between the leisure battery and the main battery , that is hard wired into the system, so as soon as the hook up is connected and switched on te charger is charging one or the other batterys . As nothing is being taken from either once the ignition is off and the hook up switched on, the batterys are charged to capacity and then the charger maintains them automatically.

this is only a 8amp version of the one i have
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRAPER-66800- ... 270wt_1199" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

no need for any rubbish Zig units or sterling expence!!

Do you need a separate charger if using a PSU with the leisure battery in the circuit (eg something like this):
http://www.leisureshopdirect.com/carava ... v-12v.aspx

They state that they don't overcharge the battery, but presume at this price that it's a much less sophisticated set up that the float charge facilities on intelligent battery chargers? Not much detail provided so doesn't inspire with confidence so I'll keep looking...

i wouldnt give that peice of crap house (van) room mate. Its a cheap copy of a Zig, and they are rubbish.

and for that money you could get a good smoothed PSU.
any old charger will do as long as you dont intend to leave it boiliing your battery for days on end.

i wouldnt give that peice of crap house (van) room mate. Its a cheap copy of a Zig, and they are rubbish.

and for that money you could get a good smoothed PSU.
any old charger will do as long as you dont intend to leave it boiliing your battery for days on end.