Hi Has anyone experience of installing 230v electric hook up into their van? I've been thinking of upgrading from my electric hook up cable with the 3 sockets & RCD that stays in my awning to installing electric into my van. Looking on the web, there's mains installation kits available which includes everything I think I shall need. However, if anyone can post some photos as to where they fitted the inlet socket, this may then give me an idea for planning my install. Thanks!
take a look in the how to section, heres a link to the leisure 240v bit http://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/leisure-electrics-230v.5526/
I tried to find some way of converting my existing US 110v Westie hookup connector to take a 240v plug however failed as I couldn't find one shallow enough to fit behind the internal side panel and so instead fitted a mains inlet socket in place of the original side water inlet socket - I'm reworking my kitchen unit and not using the water inlet any more. I fitted one of these: Had to cut the hole slightly bigger to fit it, but it looks very neat once fitted. Not wired it up yet, however am planning of fitting my battery charger and inverter in the small gap down the side of my Westie bed, and then the RCD and mains socket under the main bit of the bed. I've removed all the electrical bits from behind the old hookup flap and just put a blanking plate in behind - couldn't think of a use for this hole! Nick...
Mines connected in the engine compartment. This then runs up the side of the van to the control panel.
i find the portable ones better because you can go out in the van and leave the fridge powered up in the awning. Towsure do most of the bits you need.
Opening up the debate about earthing, If you use a tent type in the awning, how/where do you bond your van? If you use it for sockets in the van, your van isn't earthed if you do this, safety issue.
i don't use sockets in my van, just sleep in it everything else is in the awning, on an overnight trip we just used the leisure battery. however if a unit is deemed safe to be used in a damp tent, i cant see an issue in using it in a van However i am not an electrician.
Hi Big daz, that's fine but the problem is that your van metalwork isn't earthed with your set up, consider if you had say a hair dryer powered from the awning with someone sat in the van using it, however unlikely it may be but if the wire were snagged on van metalwork and the live touched, your van is sat on 4 tyres so insulated, your van metal becomes live, someone has their hand on bare metal.... Shouldn't be an issue if you are careful as you say, me personally I would always use a proper site hook up with the earth bonded to the van, there is a debate about the credibility of some site supplies in general, but at least with a properly earthed hook up your RCD has a proper earth reference and so will cut the supply in the event of an earth fault. Sorry to go all techie....I just think like gas electricity should be treat with appropriate caution..I can see the benefit of power in the awning for the likes of cool boxes when you drive out for the day...
i have a tent one in my van but iopened it up and ran an earth wire from the sockets to the van metal, then permanantley fixed it down.
Me three, here's a few pics, hook up inlet tucked up under the van, camping type unit earthed to original westy point ...
