Inverter help/advice please

[Grasmere9]

So, on investigating under seats for storage I discovered an inverter (I think). In overhead locker there is a box-solar panel lit with laden. My question is this...how do we make use of this? The inverter box has a three pin plug socket...so in theory can we connect to this to run a tablet for example?
Please excuse my complete ignorance!

 

[Grasmere9]

See photos

 

[funflair]

The inverter is a 600watt modified sine wave so you need to be careful what you plug into it, the 600watts bit would be OK for small devices but some things don’t like modified sine wave, charger for a tablet should be OK but not electronic stuff directly without a charger.

It will need connecting to a battery though and something better than clips ideally.

The fox thing is the solar regulator and is currently charging.

 

[Grasmere9]

The inverter is a 600watt modified sine wave so you need to be careful what you plug into it, the 600watts bit would be OK for small devices but some things don’t like modified sine wave, charger for a tablet should be OK but not electronic stuff directly without a charger.

It will need connecting to a battery though and something better than clips ideally.

The fox thing is the solar regulator and is currently charging.

So we need a leisure battery? This is completely new to us! I thought it might be a simple solution for tablet charging.

 

[rosalan]

Assuming it is connected by a thick cable to your battery, it should easily charge your laptop. There are two basic types of inverter, one produces a pure sine wave (more expensive) and a simulated sine wave. The latter does most things but not electric toothbrushes. We use ours to charge our electric bikes.

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[Grasmere9]

Assuming it is connected by a thick cable to your battery, it should easily charge your laptop. There are two basic types of inverter, one produces a pure sine wave (more expensive) and a simulated sine wave. The latter does most things but not electric toothbrushes. We use ours to charge our electric bikes.

Do we just buy a battery from Halfords or does it need to be special one?

 

[DBK]

So we need a leisure battery? This is completely new to us! I thought it might be a simple solution for tablet charging.

I suspect you already have a couple of leisure batteries looking at the MH in your avatar. They might be within reach of those crocodile clips but the whole installation including the solar charger looks like a DIY lashup with the cheapest components.

It might be better to try and find someone who can look at your electrical system and explain it and suggest any changes needed. If you bought it from a dealer try them otherwise a garage/mobile electrician with knowledge of MHs.

 

[NigelNovice]

I would search a bit more, trace where those big cables are coming from, I would assume there is a battery somewhere in the system for the solar power to be stored

Nigel

 

[Grasmere9]

Maybe a job for when we get back. Thanks everyone.

 

[rb62]

Do you have any 12v sockets that you can put usb chargers into ?

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[Grasmere9]

Do you have any 12v sockets that you can put usb chargers into ?

View attachment 651308

Yes. That's what we have done so far. The 12v charger in the back of the N&B is tiny and unusable but the cab one is fine

 

[funflair]

I would search a bit more, trace where those big cables are coming from, I would assume there is a battery somewhere in the system for the solar power to be stored

Nigel

Star cables are coming from the inverter but finish at crocodile clips.

 

[NigelNovice]

Star cables are coming from the inverter but finish at crocodile clips.

I realised that as soon as I had posted it, the second part should be right, Solar power has to go somewhere

 

[funflair]

I realised that as soon as I had posted it, the second part should be right, Solar power has to go somewhere

Yes there will be a battery, personally if I was going to use an inverter I would bin that one and fit a pure sine wave one directly to the batteries with short cables.

 

[rb62]

Yes. That's what we have done so far. The 12v charger in the back of the N&B is tiny and unusable but the cab one is fine

Is it a Hella socket? in which case you need one of these

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[Grasmere9]

Next question...is this (see photo) what I need to go into the French post on pitch?

 

[Grasmere9]

Is it a Hella socket? in which case you need one of these

View attachment 651348

Possibly...it's much smaller than the cab one.

 

[Grasmere9]

Am starting to stress a bit

 

[Reallyretired]

Next question...is this (see photo) what I need to go into the French post on pitch?

Maybe but most French sites use the standard blue connector, a few still have the old type where you will need an adapter. Judging by the odd wiring I would take care plugging into the mains unless you have already tested it.

 

[DBK]

Next question...is this (see photo) what I need to go into the French post on pitch?

Yes, although many use the three pin connection at the other end of that adaptor. For example virtually every CCP aire I've been on uses the blue 3 pin connectors. Just a few using the domestic two pin.

The only exception are the sockets you may find on the central bollard of some aires. Many of these use the older socket. But you have to be lucky to be able to park close enough to use it and it will be time limited as likely as not.

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[mitzimad]

Yes. That's what we have done so far. The 12v charger in the back of the N&B is tiny and unusable but the cab one is fine

the charger in the back is a hella far better than the cigarette lighter type you could take it out and fit a double usb socket or buy one of these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/39415822...d=link&campid=5338547443&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

 

[Grasmere9]

Maybe but most French sites use the standard blue connector, a few still have the old type where you will need an adapter. Judging by the odd wiring I would take care plugging into the mains unless you have already tested it.

We have used the van on mains hookup in UK and no issues. I think that the inverter thing was something that the previous owner did but we have never used.

 

[Grasmere9]

Is it a Hella socket? in which case you need one of these

View attachment 651348

Is this the same? Amazon do delivery tomorrow.
Amazon product ASIN B0199YC9C4

 

[VXman]

We have used the van on mains hookup in UK and no issues. I think that the inverter thing was something that the previous owner did but we have never used.

You will only need to use the inverter if you are off grid. I.e. Not on a campsite with EHU.

 

[rb62]

Is this the same? Amazon do delivery tomorrow.
Amazon product ASIN B0199YC9C4

That'll do the job had an early night last night,up early to get to Cropredy

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[Lenny HB]

Is this the same? Amazon do delivery tomorrow.
Amazon product ASIN B0199YC9C4

I wouldn't use that type of adaptor the sockets are often very poor quality better to use the USB adaptor that mitzimad linked to.

Next question...is this (see photo) what I need to go into the French post on pitch?

Yes about 50% of French outlets use those the rest will be the same as the UK.

As for your inverter I wouldn't use that one for any electronic equipment not worth the risk also I would never connect via Croc clips if you are goi g to use it, it needs wiring in properly.

 

[autorouter]

Next question...is this (see photo) what I need to go into the French post on pitch?

Yes, that's fine. The round blue sockets are standard throughout Europe, but some sites/aires have the local domestic socket instead. This plug will fit French sockets (it has a hole for the reversed earth pin) and German/Spanish sockets (it has metal contacts top and bottom for the earth connections). You won't need a different adapter unless you reach Switzerland, Italy or Denmark.