12v & 240v power

[steve92]

hi all. am starting to ponder about power for the van. last year we got a leisure battery, which was fine for weekends etc, but it would be nice to be able to plug in to mains when possible.my van came with a split charge relay, which didnt seem to charge the leisure at all, so im thinking if replacing this. i also want to get 240v into the van. just wondered what people have done to obtain this. have looked at the reel type ones, but i want it plumbed into the van really. cheers steve.

 

[faux]

I would go for a Zig unit. This will charge the battery, run 12v. The 240v through a consumer unit will link with the zig and also run 12v and charge the battery when hooked up.

Have a look at my thread in the gallery, 69 sneak preview. It may help or pm me for specific questions.

I find that mine works really well, nd have had no problems so far.

Jon

 

[Benyon]

I found my split charge system didn't work initially but then found out if the leisure battery is allowed to discharge too far the fuse in the system will blow as the battery tries to draw too much currant and therefore the alternator will then only charge the starter battery. My 85amp/hr leisure battery is fine for running the lights and stereo on a week away, and will not be too discharged to blow the fuse on the journey home.

...but then it depends on what you want the power for, my inverter is adequate for charging phones again off the leisure battery so my set up is fine for my needs. Have thought about getting a portable hook up as you mentioned but won't bother with a fitted hook-up.

However i do think the Zig unit a few on here have looks the dogs...

 

[steve92]

like the idea of the zig. it looks very neat. only issue for me, is the price. found this which seems a good deal.http://www.towsure.com/product/532-Caravan_Mains_Kit" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; .that would sort the 240v. will check the fuses on my split charge relay. like the inverter idea andy. great for charging the phone/ camera battery.

 

[Graham L]

Steve

Whilst the towsure kit will give you mains it won't charge your battery for you, whilst the zig units are expensive they will provide mains, charge the battery and provide 12v for additional items. Well worth the money when you take all of that into account.

 

[froggy]

If you just want 240V (as in the kit you linked to) then just buy a 240v socket, fit an in-line RCD and wire it straight to a couple of double sockets. Not hard to do.
If your after 12V then a leisure battery with split charge relay will suffice

 

[faux]

I agree the zig route is expensive but well worth it. I bought a zig CF8 for £30 and consumer unit for £10 from my local caravan scrapers for my puck, a bit cheaper than the £150 I paid new. Worth scouring ebay etc or a local caravan scrapers.

 

[steve92]

If you just want 240V (as in the kit you linked to) then just buy a 240v socket, fit an in-line RCD and wire it straight to a couple of double sockets. Not hard to do.
If your after 12V then a leisure battery with split charge relay will suffice

think im wanting both really. be good to hook up when we can, but more often than not we are not able to( festivals etc) am thinking 240 plus a new split charge relay(checked all the fuses, and they are fine, so thinking its fooked) although it would be good to find a cheap zig.

 

[steve92]

have found this today.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RCD-Powerbreaker-twin-Socket_W0QQitemZ370143761031QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_DIY_Material_Electrical_Fittings_MJ?hash=item370143761031&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

would one of these linked straight to a hook up cable surfice. i know some campsites insist on your end of the hook up being fused, would this satisfy that? also is anyone using one of these.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SELF-SWITCHING-SPLIT-CHARGE-RELAY-KIT-VW-CAMPER-VAN_W0QQitemZ110337587288QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Campervan_Caravan_Accessories?hash=item110337587288&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

think im going to get an inverter also.

 

[Turkish]

I fancy fitting one of those Zig units but don't really understand them? any hints tips, instructions to wire / fit.

Are they easy, any pics etc

Current have split charge but it doesn't last very long, with Inverter plus i havee an electric hook up which uses the US spec plug on the side of the van but it obviously doesn't charge the battery

Thanks

 

[Araon]

Standard shoreline hook up with one of these

http://www.computroniccontrols.com/products/equaliser_battery_charger.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Not cheap new but often available on ebay....

3 stage charge keeps your leisure batt tiptop when camping .....

 

[james_stan]

would one of these linked straight to a hook up cable surfice. i know some campsites insist on your end of the hook up being fused, would this satisfy that? also is anyone using one of these.

.

No. the RCD breaker is not a current limiting fuse.

Remember the golden rule - the fuse is there to protect the wiring not the appliance. If you use 2.5mm sq wire (or equivalent) to the mains hook up then this should be 'fused' at say 15A or maybe less. You can then wire this into a shed consumer unit and then onto your sockets.
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/63138/Electrical-Supplies/Consumer-Units/Volex-Consumer-Units/Volex-2-Way-Fully-Insulated-RCD-Board-Consumer-Unit" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The shed consumer units normnally have and RCD so you can just use a standard socketin your bus.

Cheers

James

 

[birchyman]

i wouldnt use a zig they are 70s technology use a serarate mains system through a RCD with a modern battery charger wired in, plug in systems,bca leisure etc they have no lights to keep you awake and are lots more efficient than a old zig .caravan and motor home manufactures stopped using zig in the late 80s plus you dont need all those switches in a vw, a modern system just needs to be plugged in also if you fit a modern "self switching relay"instead of one of them old 4 pin things you will find both batteries charge ok

 

[steve92]

No. the RCD breaker is not a current limiting fuse.

Remember the golden rule - the fuse is there to protect the wiring not the appliance. If you use 2.5mm sq wire (or equivalent) to the mains hook up then this should be 'fused' at say 15A or maybe less. You can then wire this into a shed consumer unit and then onto your sockets.
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/63138/Electrical-Supplies/Consumer-Units/Volex-Consumer-Units/Volex-2-Way-Fully-Insulated-RCD-Board-Consumer-Unit" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The shed consumer units normnally have and RCD so you can just use a standard socketin your bus.

Cheers

James

cheers james, so if i have a socket in the engine bay to recieve the lead from the hook up, then from this socket on to the consumer unit, then off to my plug sockets, will that do the job?

 

[steve92]

also if you fit a modern "self switching relay"instead of one of them old 4 pin things you will find both batteries charge ok

so the split charge relay i've found will do the job? cheers steve.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SELF-SWITCHING-SPLIT-CHARGE-RELAY-KIT-VW-CAMPER-VAN_W0QQitemZ110337587288QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Campervan_Caravan_Accessories?hash=item110337587288&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[birchyman]

yes mate its the only way to go you can fit inside so its dry no messing trying to get ign live 1wire in 1wire out plus earth job done

 

[james_stan]

cheers james, so if i have a socket in the engine bay to recieve the lead from the hook up, then from this socket on to the consumer unit, then off to my plug sockets, will that do the job?

Yes that's about it. Just make sure your hook-up cable can withstand the current
that will cause the little shed consumer MCDs to trip without catching fire. TBH I dont know what the ratings are for your average hook-up cable is so you might want to check this in case you need to change the circuit breakers in the consumer unit . I think 16 A would be fine for 2.5mm cable
though.

Cheers

James

 

[steve92]

marvelous, cheers guys

 

[Wookie Bear]

i wouldnt use a zig they are 70s technology use a serarate mains system through a RCD with a modern battery charger wired in, plug in systems,bca leisure etc they have no lights to keep you awake and are lots more efficient than a old zig .caravan and motor home manufactures stopped using zig in the late 80s plus you dont need all those switches in a vw, a modern system just needs to be plugged in also if you fit a modern "self switching relay"instead of one of them old 4 pin things you will find both batteries charge ok

I was thinking of getting a Zig but after reading this comment I may have changed my mind
What modern battery charger would you recomend?
So a self switching relay would charge up both bateries with the above charger?

 

[birchyman]

no mate the self switching relay is basically a split charger but it doesnt need a ignition feed to trigger it the benefits are you can fit them inside so they stay dry you dont need to take a feed off the coil and they will only switch on when there is enough power to do so.but the main reason is they are so simple 1wire to main battery one wire to leisure battery plus 1earth the relay does the rest ,there is nothing wrong with an old zig but all them lights and switches are not needed my mates got one in his split and it looks like blackpool when its turned on all you need is a split relay for12v plus if you want mains to charge your battery (mine will charge either via a selector switch) and a battery charger either a proper caravan one or any small battery charger wired into your mains and feeding your 12v