Using 240V Socket without Hook-Up at Campsite

[Daisy7562]

Hello!

I've recently purchased my first camper- and I had a question that I'm hoping someone could help with.

I believe it's a fairly standard setup with a Leisure Battery that runs the lights and the fridge, and it has 240V Plug-Tower and Microwave for when it's connected to a hook-up.

My question is - on the occasional day trip where I might need to plug something in (such as a laptop for remote working), but I'm not in a campsite, what options do I have? I know I could get something like this, but I was wondering if there was a more permanent solution that could be wired into the camper and just recharged at home for example so that I could use the tower and microwave? I'm not sure if this exists, or if I'm making it up but keen to hear from those in the know!

So, in short - what's the best way of being able to use devices that require 240V Sockets whilst not hooked up on site?

Thanks in advance,

Gwen

 

[T6ChrisO]

An inverter is one option but this may/will struggle with the microwave as that is a power hungry item. It will however do your laptop easy. But yes, a power station is another option (but that wont power your microwave unless its a large power station). For example the one you linked is 200W but im guessing your microwave is at least 800W??

 

[Daisy7562]

An inverter is one option but this may/will struggle with the microwave as that is a power hungry item. It will however do your laptop easy. But yes, a power station is another option (but that wont power your microwave unless its a large power station). For example the one you linked is 200W but im guessing your microwave is at least 800W??

Thanks for the reply!!

Hm - sounds like the Microwave might be an issue, but to be honest I could easily live without that.

So, an inverter would use the Leisure Battery and could power the Plug Tower? And, do you know if it's possible to connect the Plug Tower to a Power Station easily?

(Sorry for what may be basic questions - I'm both new to campers and very inexperienced with electricals!!)

Thanks again!

 

[T6ChrisO]

Correct, an inverter would use the power from the leisure battery. I'm not too sure regarding the tower without seeing the wiring. I assume its wired into the vans consumer unit so you dont really want to be messing around with that each time you are off grid. What you have to consider is how many appliances would you really want plugged in at the same time? I only have one 3 pin plug in my van and its sufficient

 

[Daisy7562]

Correct, an inverter would use the power from the leisure battery. I'm not too sure regarding the tower without seeing the wiring. I assume its wired into the vans consumer unit so you dont really want to be messing around with that each time you are off grid. What you have to consider is how many appliances would you really want plugged in at the same time? I only have one 3 pin plug in my van and its sufficient

This has been so helpful! Thank you!!!

Last question - who would you go and see to get the inverter? An electrician? A mechanic? A camper specialist?
Thanks again!

 

[T6ChrisO]

This has been so helpful! Thank you!!!

Last question - who would you go and see to get the inverter? An electrician? A mechanic? A camper specialist?
Thanks again!

I'd have a word with a camper specialist personally

@roadtripper is a very knowledgeable person when it comes to electrics - I haven't said anything wrong here have I mate?

 

[roadtripper]

First step of any advice around these parts - get some pics of your existing setup so we can see

In general if you're not confident and you want medium power loads (nothing that heats or cooks) then your best bet is a charge at home lithium power bank as it's all done for you, most can also take a portable solar panel for a bit of free recharging.

If you want to heat/cook with battery power you will very quickly appreciate just how much power a simple 240v socket connected to the grid can supply and how much expense and space it takes to do that in a van...

Right now I've spent a day remote working in my van with my little Bluetti to keep the laptop and phones going and it's doing fine.

 

[Salty Spuds]

Thanks for the reply!!

Hm - sounds like the Microwave might be an issue, but to be honest I could easily live without that.

So, an inverter would use the Leisure Battery and could power the Plug Tower? And, do you know if it's possible to connect the Plug Tower to a Power Station easily?

(Sorry for what may be basic questions - I'm both new to campers and very inexperienced with electricals!!)

Thanks again!

A little light reading

Search results for query: 240v off grid

www.t6forum.com

 

[Daisy7562]

@roadtripper - sorry for the delay on photos!! Only just picked the van up on the weekend!!

Here they are!

We’re still torn between getting a power pack, and getting something done so that we have power when not hooked up - even if it’s just a USB Port that runs off the leisure battery. Preferably, I’d love to get the tower working off the leisure battery - just so that I don’t have to worry about lugging something else around!

Thanks

 

[roadtripper]

What do you run off the tower?

And how often will you be "off-grid"?

You mentioned just having some additional USB ports - that's very achievable for modest cost.

Running full mains off grid is going to be a serious investment of time and money and likely need much of your existing system replacing.

 

[Daisy7562]

What do you run off the tower?

And how often will you be "off-grid"?

You mentioned just having some additional USB ports - that's very achievable for modest cost.

Running full mains off grid is going to be a serious investment of time and money and likely need much of your existing system replacing.

What we'd want to run off the tower if we're able to get it connected to the leisure battery: Chargers (laptops, phones etc)

What we'd run off it if we were hooked up: Probably just the above, and a portable heater

How often off-grid: Weather permitting, one or two days a week in the summer months. Note, that we wouldn't camp off grid, so would only need to charge laptops and phones for a day here and there.

Sounds like the best way forward would be to invest in a Bluetti for the near future, and then potentially look at getting separate USB Ports from the Lesiure Battery?

 

[roadtripper]

I'm a great fan of my smaller Bluetti that I use for doing exactly what you describe and keeping the laptop and 4G router running in the van (mine's a Caravelle) and it's handy to have around in case of power cuts.

You can also get laptop chargers that work from 12v - look for aircraft type ones. While more expensive than 240v ones they are much cheaper than a full inverter system in the van.

Also modern laptops are more and more likely to use the high power USBC PD connection so if you were looking to add sockets getting a high power one fitted might work for you.

But adding extra USB or 12v sockets is reasonably straight forward with normal DIY skills and some advice. Only thing to remember is to ensure USB ones are on a switch as they have a small parasitic load all the time.

Good rule of thumb is that most 240v "charging" loads should be able to run off USB/12v feeds, anything 240v that generates heat in any way you'll quickly find out how much energy the national grid supplies at home and how difficult/expensive that is to generate yourself.

If you've just got the van personally I'd get a modest cost power pack and use it for a season to find out how you use it and what you need, then you can do what you want over the winter and hit next year running

 

[DXX]

I travel for months at a time off grid. Everything I need will run off 12v cig’ lighter type socket or USB.

 

[cgtmiles]

@Daisy7562 do you not have any 12v or USB sockets in the back of the van (not the dash ones)? There should be an almost ready made feed for this from the Sargent. We have a few USBs and a 12v cig lighter running off ours so can pretty much use everything you need from that. We don’t have an inverter built in but I do have a little one that plugs into the 12v socket just in case (used this for pump for air beds and cooler box that had to be plugged into main as the 12v circuit was bust)

Google Image Result for https://cdn.media.halfords.com/i/washford/435701b?w=620&h=480&qlt=default&fmt=auto&v=1

This is what we have, it won’t run a heater or high power devices but good to have in the van in case of old non usb chargers etc

 

[Salty Spuds]

@Daisy7562 do you not have any 12v or USB sockets in the back of the van (not the dash ones)? There should be an almost ready made feed for this from the Sargent…..

Absolutely Personally, & this is in no way a criticism of the OP, I’m astounded that any recent conversion doesn’t have USB sockets scattered around the interior. I’d actually prioritise USB over mains. Just had a quick tot up, & we have 16 USB sockets in the rear living area of the van. The OP has (in my opinion) a pretty pointless tower that only works when on EHU (trust me, you’re never going to use 3 mains sockets at any one time in a van) but no LB powered USB sockets, beggars belief.

 

[cgtmiles]

16 USBs!!! You have gone too far there

 

[Salty Spuds]

16 USBs!!! You have gone too far there

Yeah I was surprised tbh. But we have 5 of the Hafele LED stalk light (brilliant bit of kit btw) & each one has 2 USB sockets in the base. So that’s 10 for starters.

 

[Daisy7562]

Absolutely Personally, & this is in now way a criticism of the OP, I’m astounded that any recent conversion doesn’t have USB sockets scattered around the interior. I’d actually prioritise USB over mains. Just had a quick tot up, & we have 16 USB sockets in the rear living area of the van. The OP has (in my opinion) a pretty pointless tower that only works when on EHU (trust me, you’re never going to use 3 mains sockets at any one time in a van) but no LB powered USB sockets, beggars belief.

Hello

Completely agree with you that it’s an oversight, but when you’re working within a budget some priorities take precedence over others unfortunately Like they say - somethings gotta give!!

But, thankfully it seems like we have plenty of options on how to proceed thanks to all the kind folks here

We might not end up with 16 USB Ports, but at least we have a van we otherwise love!