Stupid place to put a plug!

[BOOMEL]

I have got a single Uk plug in the alleyway of my van. Every time I brush past it, it gets knocked out. I would be grateful for some thoughts on how I can sort this out:

- Turn upside down and put extension lead on it
- Move plug somewhere else (don't like the sound of that)
- Other idea

I cannot believe people don't think of these things when they design vans!

Thanks

Mike

 

[Shrimp]

Put a new plug in somewhere else and ignore that one.
Don't put that multi usb thing in it.
Don’t leave the multi plug thing in it.
Considering it’s not that stupid a place really as it’s in the kitchen area where you would plug a toaster or ? in!

 

[Carpmart]

I suspect the reason it’s there is modular building/construction techniques, solely driven by cost!

Solution for me would be a CBE blanking for the existing plug and running the wiring to a place you would like the plug. CBE make loat of different designs, I’m sure you’ll match up easily enough.

Other alternative is to leave that one in place and fuse a spur off for one where you really want it!

 

[MisterB]

As most of what seems to be plugged in are usb connections, could you put a separate usb socket (s) somewhere else.

Adding an additional socket by piggy backing off the alleyway socket shouldn't be too hard so long as you can route the cables to where you want them. Was the socket placed there for cooking purposes?

 

[BOOMEL]

As most of what seems to be plugged in are usb connections, could you put a separate usb socket (s) somewhere else.

Adding an additional socket by piggy backing off the alleyway socket shouldn't be too hard so long as you can route the cables to where you want them. Was the socket placed there for cooking purposes?

I have no Idea why they decided to put it there. Not sure I have the skills to put it somewhere else. The plug is needed for hair dryers etc. I had thought I might turn the plug the other way around and then put extension plug on it.

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[Figaro]

I have no Idea why they decided to put it there. Not sure I have the skills to put it somewhere else. The plug is needed for hair dryers etc. I had thought I might turn the plug the other way around and then put extension plug on it.

I think an extension lead is a bad idea, you'll be complaining next your tripping over it all the time.
The USB adapter is the problem, so have a bank of usb's installed in the 12 volt circuit. It should be a simple job to do, will solve your problem and as a bonus, they'll be useable without ehu

 

[Minxy]

Is there a 12v ciggy socket next to the mains one? If so then you could use a short extension in that which wouldn't stick out so much with a bank of USB sockets on the other end. If you put a net shelf etc on the side of the kitchen unit you could then place stuff to be charged in/on it so not take up worktop space.

 

[Brianmor]

Amazon sell various adaptors, some where there are 3 usb sockets on the bottom of the adaptor, some that have a 13A socket as well

 

[Minxy]

This is the sort of thing I'm talking about, various types available.

 

[Bolti]

Ah a Rapido, famous for a lack of sockets. This is what i have done with ours.

If you unscrew and pull forward the consumer unit it has mate-n-lock connectors, if you only have one socket there are two spares. I left the existing wiring in place and ran a new wire to the socket in new location. (Unplugged old wire and put terminal block on socket end) The 12v ciggy socket turned into double usb socket. The aux connector in the cupboard next to tv, removed green thing and used wires for another double usb socket.

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[GJH]

Given the location, the company probably assumed that it would be used for a normal plug (which would not get in the way) rather than the much larger power brick shown in the photo.
We always used the 12v system for USB, as Minxy suggests.

 

[BOOMEL]

USB I am fine with, it is the three pin plug that is the issue, completely in the wrong place and only 1!

 

[pappajohn]

Considering it’s not that stupid a place really as it’s in the kitchen area where you would plug a toaster or ? in!

5 volt usb toaster eh!

 

[Stealaway]

I have no Idea why they decided to put it there. Not sure I have the skills to put it somewhere else. The plug is needed for hair dryers etc. I had thought I might turn the plug the other way around and then put extension plug on it.

Would these be any better?

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[Tombola]

5 volt usb toaster eh!

5v? its a 3 pin 230 hes talking about.

Even with a UK normal plug it seems not the best place as whatever you plug in, the lead woudl probably trail anyway.

what about adding another piggy backed off it to the other side of your unit (round the corner) easy enough to do.
you're unlkely to be jumping in and out the van with stuff plugged in Im guessing.

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[autorouter]

Other alternative is to leave that one in place and fuse a spur off for one where you really want it!

No need for any fused spur, you can parallel as many sockets as you want. The fused spur is only required in a UK domestic 32A ring main. This circuit will have an MCB with maximum of 16A in the consumer unit, and probably only 10A anyway.

Of course it's up to the user to juggle the usage so that the demand doesn't trip the MCB. But a lot of modern stuff is chargers with very low demand, so you could have a dozen of these with no problem.

 

[BOOMEL]

Ah a Rapido, famous for a lack of sockets. This is what i have done with ours.View attachment 703163View attachment 703164

If you unscrew and pull forward the consumer unit it has mate-n-lock connectors, if you only have one socket there are two spares. I left the existing wiring in place and ran a new wire to the socket in new location. (Unplugged old wire and put terminal block on socket end) The 12v ciggy socket turned into double usb socket. The aux connector in the cupboard next to tv, removed green thing and used wires for another double usb socket.
View attachment 703167

ANy chance of a picture of the consumer unit for thgis? Much appreciated.

 

[bigwood]

It appears some things don’t change proving the designers of motorhomes have not had to use there layouts.
Our older motorhome has a mains socket on the end of unit behind the passenger seat half way up the unit. If you use it there’s no were to rest things like phones on charge because it’s next to the cooker.
The other socket is on the bathroom wall behind the drivers seat down at floor level Again it’s not very practical because yo can only put things on the floor once you plugged them in.
The third socket is in the top of the what was the TV cupboard. The only way to use that one is to use a short extension to reach the worktop. I had thought of moving the socket down to the panel were the other switches are. The switches are CBE type but the mains socket from them is not switched.
I was told the regulations for wiring in motorhomes is different to domestic wiring. Would you be allowed a mains socket without a switch?.

 

[pappajohn]

5v? its a 3 pin 230 hes talking about.

Oops, my mistake. Thought it was a 12v to usb plug.

 

[Bolti]

ANy chance of a picture of the consumer unit for thgis? Much appreciated.

Remove the 4 screws and pull the whole unit gently forward. The rear has 3 mate n lock connectors. If you only have one plug socket you have two spare. (It's the black thing at the back)

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[autorouter]

I was told the regulations for wiring in motorhomes is different to domestic wiring. Would you be allowed a mains socket without a switch?.

Most motorhome 240V sockets don't have a switch. The continental ones certainly don't, and usually they just swap the sockets to UK-style 3-pin ones, with no switch. If you really want a switch, fit a double box, and fit a switch next to the unswitched socket. That's how it's normally done outside the UK in domestic circuits if a switch is required.

 

[Carpmart]

No need for any fused spur, you can parallel as many sockets as you want. The fused spur is only required in a UK domestic 32A ring main. This circuit will have an MCB with maximum of 16A in the consumer unit, and probably only 10A anyway.

Of course it's up to the user to juggle the usage so that the demand doesn't trip the MCB. But a lot of modern stuff is chargers with very low demand, so you could have a dozen of these with no problem.

Shows how little I know about electrics. I fuse everything as I’m well over cautious and little (no) knowledge on electrickery

 

[Spriddler]

Stupid place to put a plug!​

Looks like a socket to me. You put the plug there.

 

[bigwood]

This talk of sockets prompted me to look into fitting another socket that’s more user friendly. I had a look into the RCD box thinking of linking into the existing fitting. There’s no room for any more wires in there and I don’t want to disturb the original mains wiring.
I can get to the 12 volt feed for the tv booster so I think a USB socket would be a useful addition.

 

[Rapido925M]

MY Rapido has a twin switched socket under the dinette, an unswitched socket above the work surface and another unswitched socket in the tv cabinet. One of the advantages of an older vehicle?

I can’t remember what my SiL had but she had one socket on the front of the kitchen unit and it was upside down.

We looked at buying an £80k van last year which came with one socket in the bedroom. The dealer offered to fit extra sockets at £256 a piece.

Gordon

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