Help wiring a small camper

[Chill]

Looking for some advise or useful links . I'm about to start converting my van (traffic) will be more of a day van than camper . Was planning to just wire it up with a straight forward 240v kit no leasure batteries , a couple of sockets with USB's , possibly a 12v socket . Was wondering what's the best way to go about wiring a couple of lights in , will they be wired to the rcd or is some 12v lights better ? .

Many thanks

 

[pappajohn]

First question.... Where are you getting the 230vac supply from?
230v lights need wiring through a 6amp mcb and 230v sockets need wiring through a 16amp mcb.
You can't simply wire to a single rcd... Well you can but its not good practise and not recommended.
The fuse box needs connecting via an rcd main switch.

 

[Chill]

I was looking to get one of the kits offline , hookup socket , rcd , wiring etc . Or using a small garage rcd maybe , I'm fairly clueless and loozing for advice . Once I'm ready to fit I can probably call on elec friend for help if needs be

 

[Mikeco]

Have a look on the Magnums Motorhomes website as they do various kits, I used the PMS3 unit on my conversion.

 

[pappajohn]

No, what I mean is How are you getting a 230v supply....
Hookup
Generator.
Inverter etc

Hookup means a campsite and if the van Looks like a van with a mattress in the back campsites are going to be hard to find. Generator means prolonged noise and fuel cost.
Inverter means a lot of expense and a large battery bank (3 or 4 batteries) and charging system and a few solar panels to keep them charged.

Much better to wire for mainly 12v with a couple of 230v sockets.for campsite use.

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[Chill]

Sorry . Campsite hookup . Going to be doing a bit of work to the van , side windows , fully lined , R&R bed , swivel front seats , drive away awning etc

 

[Mikeco]

Sorry . Campsite hookup . Going to be doing a bit of work to the van , side windows , fully lined , R&R bed , swivel front seats , drive away awning etc

Don’t forget the insulation.

 

[Chill]

Yea got that all planned seen a good package on the sound deadening shop

 

[Minxy]

Are you having a permanent fridge? If so you're gonna need to have a way to power it on the move so just having a mains system won't really work.

 

[Chill]

No there won't be any fixed appliances , full width rock and roll on rails in the back and that's about it .

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[mitzimad]

unusual to wire a van solely for 240v as it means nothing usable other than on hookup but if thats what you want you will need a inlet socket a garage fuse box then wiring i would fit a double socket with usb fitted they are about £10 from screwfix for white plastic
sound deading isnt the same as insulation

 

[mitzimad]

you will get more responses on diymotorhomes.com a sister site to this

 

[Minxy]

No there won't be any fixed appliances , full width rock and roll on rails in the back and that's about it .

You may have some issues on campsites as they tend to only like to have campers with at least SOME facilities in them ... not just a large sofa/bed otherwise they might think you're going to set up a certain business!

 

[scotjimland]

Looking for some advise or useful links . I'm about to start converting my van (traffic) will be more of a day van than camper .

If you want to change the classification on V5C to 'Motor Caravan' ..

Minimum requirements.. https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...caravan/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motorhome

It's not mandatory but you will get cheaper insurance.. also

most sites don't allow commercial vehicles, ie unconverted panel vans,.. if it doesn't look like a camper van, ie side window, etc some sites may not allow you to stay.. and if you don't have on-board washing and toilet facilities , you will have to use sites with full facilities which are generally a lot more expensive than basic sites that just provide water and toilet dumping ..

good luck with the conversion..

 

[John.]

Looking for some advise or useful links . I'm about to start converting my van (traffic) will be more of a day van than camper . Was planning to just wire it up with a straight forward 240v kit no leasure batteries , a couple of sockets with USB's , possibly a 12v socket . Was wondering what's the best way to go about wiring a couple of lights in , will they be wired to the rcd or is some 12v lights better ? .

Many thanks

Can't give you a link at the moment but I'm certain you can buy a dedicated wiring loom from Sargent giving you all the 240v and 12v including the onboard chargers.
Also go to The Vauxhall Owner forum (van derivatives including Campervans) section which has a good section.
Vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk

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[autorouter]

If you want to wire it properly according to the regs, a garage kit or shower kit is not compliant. The MCB needs to be a DOUBLE POLE type. MCBs in garage and shower kits are single pole. I have never seen double pole MCBs available in any DIY store, including Screwfix. They are available on Ebay, or most DIY stores outside the UK. Something like this:



I imagine most people aren't too interested in this, but I'm saying it just for the record anyway.

 

[autorouter]

The MCB needs to be a DOUBLE POLE type.

In fact 'Single Pole Plus Neutral' MCBs will be OK, because they will switch both live and neutral in the event of an overload. The MCB(s) in the Sargent control units look as if they are single pole plus neutral so they are OK. Garage kits and shower kits have single pole MCBs.

 

[mitzimad]

If you want to wire it properly according to the regs, a garage kit or shower kit is not compliant. The MCB needs to be a DOUBLE POLE type. MCBs in garage and shower kits are single pole. I have never seen double pole MCBs available in any DIY store, including Screwfix. They are available on Ebay, or most DIY stores outside the UK. Something like this:



I imagine most people aren't too interested in this, but I'm saying it just for the record anyway.

which reg are you quoting?