Gas and electrical installation in Autohomes Komet

[RachelDaisy]

Getting the camping interior of our van sorted is driving me loopy!! Can anyone give me some advice please. I'm sorry but this is going to be a long post.

I've got an autohomes komet - 1986. The interior looks standard but the electrical wiring doesn't seem to be. For a pic of the interior have a look in the "garage". Sorry I can't work out how to put a link in

There is no leisure battery, no zig unit, no split charger or wiring to suggest there ever was any of these items. 12volt lighting seems to be connected to the main battery - and only works ocaisionally.

I thought it was time to rectify all this but I'm not sure what to do. I've been quoted a huge sum to fix the wiring (£500 - ouch!). Can any of you give me your opinion please?

I need to resite the battery (as I can't get one to fit due to the swively seat problem). There is a battery tray way back in the locker to the right of the fridge. I've been told the battery should go in a box not just in a tray is that right?

I think the locker to the right of the fridge is usually where the gas bottle goes. I've been told that the gas bottle can't be sited next to the battery or any other electrical stuff. Is that correct?

If so I'll have to resite the gas bottle. I was thinking to put it in the cupboard to the left of the fridge (below the hob and grill). Has anyone else done that?

Finally - I've been told that I don't need a zig unit, just a split charger. Will that do the job OK? or should I try and get hold of a zig unit?

Any help you can offer would be great. Thanks.

[mininut]

Same layout as mine. Looking at your piccies, the zig unit should be on the locker above your sink/drainer. It looks like there is something black there on your piccie, can't tell off the size of your piccie. Is it a blanking plate, because I think your conversion should have a zig as standard fit in that position, (some zigs were black) so, I imagine the wiring should be there unless it's been ripped out. Is that a three pin 240v socket i can see as well?
Gas bottle should be in the locker on the right hand side of the fridge on the tray you mentioned.
I use a 70aH standard car batt. for my leisure batt. Fits in the seat box and seems to last long enough to get through the night with a couple of lights on and the propex heater now and again (which, by the way, is in the locker on the left of the fridge)
[IMG:480:640]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p253 ... /dw022.jpg[/img]
Hope this helps a bit.

[dbroada]

I don't have a zig and am quite happy with my simple split charge relay.

The gas bottle should be put in its own cupboard where there is no risk of a spark. There should also be a hole from the bottle cupboard down through the floor. This will allow any leaking gas to fall outside the van and be blown away. The fire and gas regulations current when these vans were built were quite lax so you may not have a drop out hole.

Is the £500 for 12v & mains or just 12v? If it is only for leisure 12v stuff I would recommend a few nights on the web and doing it yourself. If you want mains a specialist auto-electrician is not required as all the wiring should be to domestic standards.

I'm not sure why the battery should be in a box.

[RachelDaisy]

Hi Mininuts,
I was hoping you would be online.
I've uploaded a bigger image of the interior to the garage.

I've not got anything in the space where you have your zig unit. I don't think there was ever one fitted. I think it was an optional extra (according to an old autohomes manual I came across in the wiki). I do have a 240v plug socket and a 12v socket there though.

Ah so that's why there is a tray in that locker. It is for the gas to sit in.

I've been to manbat twice and still can't get a battery to fit in the space under the passenger seat. It's because of the replacement volvo seats.

Can you guess who gave me the huge quote? Glo**op Caravans. They said that because the ELCB was in that locker there shouldn't be any gas in there.

I think I'll go to Tameside Caravans and see what they say. The last time I went in there and asked about some work the bloke behind the counter said "Oooh you are green aren't you" so I wanted to get my facts straight before he could take the p again.

Thanks for your help again. By the way we liked the tardis cupboard!! That was you wasn't it?

[mininut]

Does your van batt. fit under the drivers seat ok? If so a normal car batt. should fit under the passenger seat. They come in a wide range of sizes unlike leisure batts.

I would stay well clear of Glo**op Caravans, they only seem interested in you if you've got over £20k to spend. Never used Tameside Caravans, are they the ones in Hyde?

Couldn't comment on whether or not to go for a zig unit as that's all I've ever had. Mind you it would fill the gap in your top locker

The 'tardis' was all mrs mininuts doing. My son is Doctor Who mad

[RachelDaisy]

Just read your post dbroada. So it is all designed so I won't blow up!! Must admit it had crossed my mind that it might all come down to health and safety.

The £500 was for purchase of a split charger, installation (of charger and leisure battery), a bit of rewiring (12v lights from leisure batt not main batt) and re-siting the gas.

No mains work will be done. That is all there already. And works - phew!

I wouldn't know where to start doing it myself. I'm useless at technical stuff. Probably not the best person to own a T25

[RachelDaisy]

Yes, Tameside Caravans are in Hyde. Only 5 mins away from me. I just didn't like his attitude. But I suppose I am a bit green where all this is concerned so he got it right really.

I'll have to see what he quotes. Bound to be cheaper than Glo**op Caravans. Well I hope so.

Cheers, Rachel

[mininut]

Just to add, all my electrical gubbins are in the left hand sliding door locker above the gas bottle locker. The lockers are separated by the floor of the top locker. I assume this to be safe , it's how it left Autohomes.

[steve8090]

Down in Chester and quite happy to quote on your work, please feel free to call and discuss.

[RachelDaisy]

Hi Steve,
thanks for your offer. Just popped into the caravan place round the corner and he has quoted me an acceptable price for the work we need. It's booked in tomorrow. I will definately remember you for the future as we could be down to Chester in about an hour.

We have been considering a lpg conversion as our mpg is appalling and I've heard you are the man to talk to. I'll get in touch when my bank balance has recovered a bit !!

[BigTam]

I have an 1991 Autohomes Kameo, like yours no zig unit and no leisure battery, space above sink for unit and I can get leisure battery in box below passenger seat.

Been trying to get my hands on secondhand zig to no avail, I am buying new one and attempting ti fit myself, same as you prices quoted for fitting are ridiculous.

[funbus3]

Just put a second-hand Zig CF8 (£30) in our AH Kamper, fits perfectly in the little space where it should be if you rip out all the trim! All the wiring was commoned up behind the panel and took half hour to fit. Works a treat!

[dbroada]

The £500 was for purchase of a split charger, installation (of charger and leisure battery), a bit of rewiring (12v lights from leisure batt not main batt) and re-siting the gas.
......
I wouldn't know where to start doing it myself. I'm useless at technical stuff. Probably not the best person to own a T25

£500 for that does sound like they don't want the work.

It really isn't very difficult to fit 12v electrics. There are a couple of links on my web page of helpful sites. Even if you don't do the fitting its worth getting the knowledge so you know when people are salking sense.

I would leave gas to somebody else had I not known somebody able to test mine but again its not difficult.

[RachelDaisy]

Funbus - the wiring was behind the trim. That's interesting. I looked for a second hand CF8 but I am just going for a split charger now.

Big Tam - I know what you mean about finding a 2nd hand zig. I looked for a new one too. This was the cheapest new CF8 I could find online (just in case you haven't spotted it) - http://www.thecaravanshop.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=31
Have you tried any caravan breakers? You might have some luck with them.

Mininuts - your gas is safe where it is, as your leisure bat is under the seat. Hope I didn't worry you. It is just a prob for me as I must resite the leisure bat and I can't put the battery and the gas in the same locker. Sorry about that.

Dave - you are right I do need to improve my technical knowledge. I don't want people ripping me off. Can't believe how much I've learned about how the engine works in the last 6 months. The interior is the next challenge!! What is your web address so I can have a look at the info you mentioned?

Cheers for all your help. If you want any advice on accessorizing your vans in complementary colours then I am your girl!!

[dbroada]

Dave
What is your web address so I can have a look at the info you mentioned?

If you look down there a bit you can click the WWW button (like I have just done on yours ) Alternatively its http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/schnecke2 - a long way from its last update.

You need to click on "Links" on the left and there are a few specific sites there. If you go to the very first one you may find that zig units don't have a brilliant reputation for their build quality.