Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all ... i need to convert my vanagon elec hook up to be able to go to france this year. It currently has 110v electrics running through everything incl. the fridge. My question is ... could i install a step down transformer and if so would this also charge up the aux battery ( not sure how the westfalia circuit works?) ... thanks to all in advance. chris

You could just pick up a standard site transformer like this and take that with you - tools on UK construction sites are generally run at 110VAC for safety reasons and so tradesmen use 240VAC -> 110VAC step down transformers. It would IP rated, so could sit outside your van, and would be robust and easy to shift around. And when you no longer need it you could just sell it on.

on a pedantic point US is 120V AC so I assume the van is also, even if it is i'm sure a 110V site transformer as suggested will be fine, plenty on ebay

I take it you are not planing on taking it back to USA?
You could go down the site transformer as suggested but then you will be running 110v inside your van? and lugging around a big heavy yellow box!
& the other 240v UK/Euro stuff wont work unless you do some additional wiring to add 240v sockets pre the site transformer.
This all seems a bit pointless, if you are going to the trouble of making modifications

Another option .....

Convert to 240v and then just use a step down transformer similar to
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-230v-t ... rter-rp90x" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
this will allow the van to operate on 240v and your fridge to work on 240v (and when you have had enough of the crap fridge performance you can replace it with something better that is 240v and just remove the transformer)

Note: Make sure the step down transformer for the fridge is sufficient for the power of the fridge (the one I have linked to is for 45w, this may not be enough you will have to check the spec of the fridge?)

Just a thought, this is what I would look to do, But others may have other ideas/opinions from experience?

Thanks for all your replies ... Craig you are right I wasn't too keen to use a site transformer after looking at them. Will look at combined system ... Is it easy to split the input from the hook up between both voltages?

This step down transformer looks good = Ebay link
Not too bulky, or pricey and 300 watts so will work the fridge too (and still be only "ticking over")