Electric Hook Up: what’s needed and how?

[Graeme Collins]

Newbie question: Looking to put a electrical hook up to the van to run some standard sockets in the rear of the van. I have read various threads about options which has left me a bit confused - doesn't take a lot!

What do i need to be considering?

Thanks in Advance

 

[Wills]

Try Martyn's site @travelvolts https://www.travelvolts.net/shop-3 His pdf's are informative and his advice valuable.

 

[DaveyB]

Main thing to consider is to not use domestic cable or sockets.
It’s incredible to thing that folk do this when tinkering in their own vans.

 

[teamfly]

I understand why not to use domestic cable, but why not sockets?

 

[Lord Mfwic]

@travelvolts did mine in my Kombi and I can recommend his work.
Leisure battery under drivers seat. I'd set a budget so only went for a 330w inverter, in hindsight I wished I gone for a bigger wattage (1000W) but Its not a difficult job to change it. I went with 4 extra USB sockets, 2 either side on the B posts, 12v socket, and a single 240v socket. I use mine as a mobile office/Day van so works well for me.
When I do camp it runs an my electric cool box fine, just need to run the engine for 20 mins every morning as I don't have Solar.

 

[Dieseldonkey]

I understand why not to use domestic cable, but why not sockets?

Yeah I wondered the same thing. Only thing I can find out is that sockets should have double pole switches. I can understand that requirement. Can someone explain why domestic sockets would be a no no if they're mounted with an insulated plastic back box.

 

[Oldrat]

As I found out on my first euro trip-

If you are travelling abroad, take a short extension lead with the live and neutral swapped at one end as some Euro sites aren’t worried about the same standards as the U.K.

It makes a reverse polarity ‘normal’- Luckily I found the kit to make my own up.

 

[Dieseldonkey]

It was for this reason @Oldrat that I'm thinking double pole switches are a safeguard if your abroad. Live and neutral will be turned off no matter what way it's wired if switch is double pole. That and the fact your vans a big metal box.

 

[andys]

@travelvolts did mine in my Kombi and I can recommend his work.
Leisure battery under drivers seat. I'd set a budget so only went for a 330w inverter, in hindsight I wished I gone for a bigger wattage (1000W) but Its not a difficult job to change it. I went with 4 extra USB sockets, 2 either side on the B posts, 12v socket, and a single 240v socket. I use mine as a mobile office/Day van so works well for me.
When I do camp it runs an my electric cool box fine, just need to run the engine for 20 mins every morning as I don't have Solar.
View attachment 27352

I like your seat back organisers. Do you have swivels and if so do they still swivel ok with stuff in the pockets?

 

[craigblues]

@travelvolts everytime!! Martyn is the friendliest and most helpful guy you will meet! The bonus is he really knows his stuff!

 

[Lord Mfwic]

On

I like your seat back organisers. Do you have swivels and if so do they still swivel ok with stuff in the pockets?

Only the passenger swivels. Bit of a faff to do but once you've sussed it, its easy enough. The only thing that bothers me is that the organiser can rub against the comfort dash top glove box which is gloss finish, so I can be a bit paranoid about it scratching.
I've always thought that the drivers seat is too much hassle to turn into a swivel, with the hand brake and steering wheel. Hence why my leisure battery is under the drivers seat.

 

[Lord Mfwic]

@travelvolts everytime!! Martyn is the friendliest and most helpful guy you will meet! The bonus is he really knows his stuff!

Totally agree, Great bloke and great quality work.

 

[andys]

On

Only the passenger swivels. Bit of a faff to do but once you've sussed it, its easy enough. The only thing that bothers me is that the organiser can rub against the comfort dash top glove box which is gloss finish, so I can be a bit paranoid about it scratching.
I've always thought that the drivers seat is too much hassle to turn into a swivel, with the hand brake and steering wheel. Hence why my leisure battery is under the drivers seat.

Yes I could do with all that storage but I thought it would be a bit tight when swivelled. The driver's seat is a bit more fiddly but you soon get used to doing it quickly

 

[Graeme Collins]

Thanks Chaps

 

[David Breed]

Like that drivers seat organiser, where us it from?

 

[Lord Mfwic]

Like that drivers seat organiser, where us it from?

Van X at Busfest last year. Very useful and quality is good as well. Check their website and see if they still have them.