Mains Hook Up |
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BlackBeltBlakey
Yardie Joined: 07 Jul 09 Location: West Sussex Status: Offline Points: 500 |
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Posted: 31 Jan 10 at 12:26 |
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I'm nearly there on the leisure battery set up now. I have the battery, mains charger and SRC systems all bought. Next weekend the plan is to build a box in the back of the van to store them all and wire them all together. Sweet. So I have turned my attention to the last phase of the project: the Mains Hookup.
Been doing some research this morning but am drawing blanks. I can't find a single place on the net that sells "mains hookup kits".
What I'm after is an underside inlet like this one. I am happy to fit that to the underside of the van, cutting a suitable sized hole to slot it into. I don't want to fit it to the side of the van, definitely underneath.
The question is: what do I attach to that inlet plug on the inside of the van? I guess I'm after a double 240v socket on the inside of the van. Do I need something between the 240v socket and the inlet? Does anyone know of a kit which provides this stuff?
Also, do I want to wire this directly into the leisure battery so that when the mains is pluuged in the battery is charged? Can I even do that? Of course I have my mains charger already bought and this will be fitted into the battery box so an obvious thing to do is simply plug that into one of the 240v sockets I'm bringing into the van.
Last question: How many 240v sockets can you sensibly run off the mains hook up before you're getting dangerous? I think I'd like to run the mains charger plus have 2 spare sockets available for use.
Cheers
Blakey
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2007 130PS SWB Pearl Black Kombi. My Van Blog.
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Andi
Yardie Joined: 05 Sep 07 Location: North Notts Status: Offline Points: 343 |
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The socket needs cabling to a small consumer unit like in a shed or garage, you then have 2 trip protected circuits. Normally one powers the fridge and the other the battery charger / transformer and a couple of 240v sockets. If you're not bothering with a fridge, then I'd have my charger on one and the sockets on t'other. The charger can be wired in to provide power to the LB when on hook up and so alow you to use your internal 12v stuff of that without flattening it - lights and whatever - good idea to wire your stereo up to the LB too. Something like this Neatly tucked away under my RnR. I know it's a T3 but the principles are the same Hope this helps a bit |
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BlackBeltBlakey
Yardie Joined: 07 Jul 09 Location: West Sussex Status: Offline Points: 500 |
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Hey Andi,
Cheers for the reply. I have a 12v cool box and no fridge - and currently no plans for a fridge either. The 12v cool box runs off the LB. So I'll go mains charger and double 240v socket - sounds good.
So I just need a "consumer unit" in the mix (and some wires of course). Any links to a suitable consumer unit?
I'm amazed there are no kits to do this on the net.
Blakey
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2007 130PS SWB Pearl Black Kombi. My Van Blog.
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energysolutions
Vanorak Joined: 02 Dec 08 Location: Earth (For Now) Status: Offline Points: 3684 |
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As your installing 230V into what is considered a "high risk" area (caravans etc) you need to install 30mA RCD earth leakage protection To do this there are two methods:
Hope this helps |
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!!Never Eat Yellow Snow!!
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Andi
Yardie Joined: 05 Sep 07 Location: North Notts Status: Offline Points: 343 |
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All good advice there too.
One last "cat amongst the pigeons" though, tecnically this is covered by the Part P regs and as such should be done by a "competent person". It may be worth getting it done properly so as you can then prove it's integrity to your insurance company... Sorry I forgaot all about that bit before |
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energysolutions
Vanorak Joined: 02 Dec 08 Location: Earth (For Now) Status: Offline Points: 3684 |
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In theory you can install as many sockets as you like (provided they`re wired in 2.5mm cable) because the incoming supply is via a 16A socket and as such should be fused at 16A
This means no matter how many items you connect if the total load exceeds 16A the main supply breaker feeding into the van will disconnect
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!!Never Eat Yellow Snow!!
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Blue Sweeper
Not Quite Newbie Joined: 08 Feb 08 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 26 |
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Park homes, caravans and mobile homes dont come within the definition of buildings in the Building Regulations. Therefore they are not normally subject to the requirements of Part P.
Have a look in the IEEE 17th edition of wiring regulations. It's online somewhere, see section 708 & 721 for special locations. This is for static caravans but I can't find anything for mobile homes or vans!
However, if you're going to play with mains voltage, best be sure what you're doing or get a competent person to check it out after. Edited by Blue Sweeper - 31 Jan 10 at 16:01 |
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BANANABUS
Vanorak More Like BanBus! Joined: 01 Jul 07 Location: W YORKS Status: Offline Points: 1987 |
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http://www.justkampers.com/shop/camping/leisure-camping-outdoor-accessories/electric-power/240-volt/mains-flush-mounted-hook-up-kit-240v-j11916.html |
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Committed To Famine Relief. Last Week I Sucked Off An Ethiopian
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BANANABUS
Vanorak More Like BanBus! Joined: 01 Jul 07 Location: W YORKS Status: Offline Points: 1987 |
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Edited by BANANABUS - 31 Jan 10 at 16:33 |
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Committed To Famine Relief. Last Week I Sucked Off An Ethiopian
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BlackBeltBlakey
Yardie Joined: 07 Jul 09 Location: West Sussex Status: Offline Points: 500 |
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Guess I could buy that kit and the inlet I posted a link to but now with all the other posts I'm thinking this mod could be one for Bodie and Doyle...
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2007 130PS SWB Pearl Black Kombi. My Van Blog.
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Reverend
Groupie Joined: 28 Sep 09 Location: Midlandshire Status: Offline Points: 184 |
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[QUOTE... if you're going to play with mains voltage, best be sure what you're doing or get a competent person to check it out after...[/QUOTE]
Blakey,
It's ok to experiment with 12v but mains voltage...
This is the best bit of advice I can give with your level of knowlege.
Steve
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BlackBeltBlakey
Yardie Joined: 07 Jul 09 Location: West Sussex Status: Offline Points: 500 |
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Yeah, I think, all things considered, this is the best advice. I'm going to try and get CMC to do this when they add my reimo roof and carpet.
Thanks for the help all!
Blakey
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2007 130PS SWB Pearl Black Kombi. My Van Blog.
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john brown
Newbie Joined: 13 Aug 10 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1 |
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Mainly Mains Charger are under gov. authority but you can review the specification and user manual for that charger.
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Andi
Yardie Joined: 05 Sep 07 Location: North Notts Status: Offline Points: 343 |
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Nope, sorry, you've lost me there
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energysolutions
Vanorak Joined: 02 Dec 08 Location: Earth (For Now) Status: Offline Points: 3684 |
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Dont worry, its just some rambling asshole touting for business selling mobiles
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!!Never Eat Yellow Snow!!
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The Chaos
Groupie Joined: 23 Oct 09 Location: North East Status: Offline Points: 228 |
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has anyone fed a cable through the engine bay to get power into the van?
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energysolutions
Vanorak Joined: 02 Dec 08 Location: Earth (For Now) Status: Offline Points: 3684 |
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Yep - me!
My advice - remove the glove box (simple enough, 6/8 torx screws) and look over towards the top of the passenger wheel arch, there is an empty rubber grommet in the bulkhead which is perfect for this purpose
Once the cable is through this grommet open the bonnet and look behind the battery, there will be a screen type item stopping you from getting to the cable. To remove this you have to remove the rubber cover over the metal edge above it (the rubber that stops water getting in from outside) and this will expose the screws to remove the screen
I drilled a hole through the solid metal adjacent to the screen, put a rubber grommet in it and fed the cable through this to the battery and put everything back together
This is all from memory so I hope its accurate
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!!Never Eat Yellow Snow!!
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Ian156
Vanorak Joined: 24 Feb 09 Location: Montreal Status: Offline Points: 1379 |
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You don't need to remove the glove box. Just take the panel off in the passenger footwell (where the pollen filter is).
If you get a torch you will be able to see the above mentioned grommet. Just poke the wire through from the engine bay and you will be able to get hold of it.
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Brian Vantana. 60% of the time it works everytime!
2012 Subaru Impreza with a roof rack and tinted windows 2006 Rio Kia5 1.6 with heated seats and a remote start. |
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Delfhill
Yardie Joined: 26 Feb 07 Location: West Yorkshire Status: Offline Points: 252 |
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Towsure do a suitable kit, (www.towsure.com/product/532-Caravan_Mains_Kit ). I attached the socket to a towbar mounted step and fed the wire inside through an existing hole under the bumper up behind the trim over the nearside rear wheel. I'm sure a simple bracket could be made if you have no step or towbar. Seems better than cutting holes in the bodywork and it's worked fine for 5 years. The instructions with the kit are very staightforward, basically the 3 core cable supplied connects the exterior plug to the supplied consumer unit from which you distribute your sockets. The picture shows the mains hookup on the left with the two 12v sockets above and to the right. As you can see I spend hours polishing the van! Edited by Delfhill - 14 Aug 10 at 20:30 |
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4Motion 130 window van, medium roof, camper conversion.
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