leisure battery
- Thread starter imy63
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faux
Well-known member
Hi
When you say sockets what do you mean? 240v or 12v?
To fit a leisure battery, split charge, fuse box and 2x 12v sockets would be about £175. An inverter could be fitted for an extra £40 ish which could run small (low amp) 240v appliances. If you want to fit a full 240v hook up and 2 x 240v sockets it would probably be about £180ish. To make the 2 work together a zig unit is useful and they come at around £150 plus fitting. Any caravan workshop should be able to help.
I hope that helps.
Jon
When you say sockets what do you mean? 240v or 12v?
To fit a leisure battery, split charge, fuse box and 2x 12v sockets would be about £175. An inverter could be fitted for an extra £40 ish which could run small (low amp) 240v appliances. If you want to fit a full 240v hook up and 2 x 240v sockets it would probably be about £180ish. To make the 2 work together a zig unit is useful and they come at around £150 plus fitting. Any caravan workshop should be able to help.
I hope that helps.
Jon
Cheers Jon a bit too much technical jargon for me lol! ... dont know if i need a 12v or 240 just want a socket for a light may be a mini dvd player etc .So i dont need to go to a VW specialist just a caravan shop ? thanks anyway
Imogen
Imogen
faux
Well-known member
imy63 said:
Sorry.
If you want to run appliances that will plug into a cigarette lighter socket (phone charger, sat nav, portable dvd etc) then you only need 12v.
Leisure battery, split charge (to keep it charged up when the van is running), fuse box to protect the appliances and Cigarette sockets. Yes a caravan shop should be able to help but be aware they my just drill holes in your lovely Westy so be sure to tell them exactly where you want things and to avoid drilling or cutting where possible.
Good luck
Jon
I have just done this. You can see some pics in the gallery section.
So I have fitted a leisure battery to provide a 12V source for lights, fridge, radio and socket for a sat nav. The battery was £80 (75AH) from a caravan shop. And wire, fuse box and connectors probably around £30 from an online car wiring supplier.
You will need to charge the battery. I have an "intelligent" relay to charge from the dynamo automatically when it is spinning fast enough to generate enough oomph - I needed to adjust that myself using a multimeter. That cost £20 from bluebird.
I have also put in a mains charger. Now that's a minefield - I went an expensive route with an excellent CTEK unit, but prices are anything from £80 to £200 for a decent charger. You will then need to supply mains to that - could be an extension lead into the van - or you could plumb in a 240V mains system in the van, which is what I did.
You need to find some way of getting it in - I have modified the existing hookup socket, some people put a socket in the engine bay. You really must put in a consumer unit with an RCD - around £40 from screwfix, plus some decent wire (perhaps another £30 worth). I have used that to power a socket for the charger, and to give me a twin 13A socket in the van for mains powered appliances.
There are also specialist motorhome systems that control the various electrical bits and bobs - Google ZIG, for example. Then you start talking money.
You might find there's a local auto electrician or motorhome place that might be able to help? And yes, ask them what they are giong to do before they start drilling holes
Cheers,
Nick
So I have fitted a leisure battery to provide a 12V source for lights, fridge, radio and socket for a sat nav. The battery was £80 (75AH) from a caravan shop. And wire, fuse box and connectors probably around £30 from an online car wiring supplier.
You will need to charge the battery. I have an "intelligent" relay to charge from the dynamo automatically when it is spinning fast enough to generate enough oomph - I needed to adjust that myself using a multimeter. That cost £20 from bluebird.
I have also put in a mains charger. Now that's a minefield - I went an expensive route with an excellent CTEK unit, but prices are anything from £80 to £200 for a decent charger. You will then need to supply mains to that - could be an extension lead into the van - or you could plumb in a 240V mains system in the van, which is what I did.
You need to find some way of getting it in - I have modified the existing hookup socket, some people put a socket in the engine bay. You really must put in a consumer unit with an RCD - around £40 from screwfix, plus some decent wire (perhaps another £30 worth). I have used that to power a socket for the charger, and to give me a twin 13A socket in the van for mains powered appliances.
There are also specialist motorhome systems that control the various electrical bits and bobs - Google ZIG, for example. Then you start talking money.
You might find there's a local auto electrician or motorhome place that might be able to help? And yes, ask them what they are giong to do before they start drilling holes
Cheers,
Nick
Araon
Well-known member
To be honest imogen its probably a good start to learning to do things for yourself, its a simple camper project, the seperate items are cheap ish to purchase with some relatively cheap tools you could save a small fortune....the battery is the expensive bit for what your after it for just a 85 Ah will suffice and they can be got quite cheap if you shop around, add a few tools to the cost and theres nothing quite like looking at a completed job and being thoroughly chuffed that you did it, if you take your time and have a nice day then it will be completed in a single day without breaking a sweat.
I would second that.
There is a Haynes manual for motor caravans that probably has the basics in on leisure battery stuff - grab one from the library and have a look.
All you need to learn is some very basic wiring. And how to strip the end of the wire and crimp it to a connector, that kind of stuff. And you'll be well away.
Perhaps best to shy away from the mains until you've got the hang of it
Cheers,
Nick
There is a Haynes manual for motor caravans that probably has the basics in on leisure battery stuff - grab one from the library and have a look.
All you need to learn is some very basic wiring. And how to strip the end of the wire and crimp it to a connector, that kind of stuff. And you'll be well away.
Perhaps best to shy away from the mains until you've got the hang of it
Cheers,
Nick
deluxedude
Well-known member
imogen,
there is a good camping/caravan shop just off junction 5 M5 at wychbold it will have everyting you need. cant miss it theres loads of caravans outside
there is a good camping/caravan shop just off junction 5 M5 at wychbold it will have everyting you need. cant miss it theres loads of caravans outside
