I need some advice with electrics? (1 Viewer)

[Scarabs]

Hi there, I am new to motorhoming and I have the bug already. I am constantly trying to improve my van. However when it comes to electrics I have come a little unstuck. I have a convertor that I have installed off my 120ah 12v leisure battery and I also have a mains hook up in place. Does anyone know if there is a way that I can wire it up or add a component to allow it to automatically use the mains hook up when it is available thus saving my leisure battery? All help and advice would be much appreciated.

 

[big map]

Hi and welcome. I haven't got a clue but someone who has will be along soon.

 

[The Dudess]

Me neither, but

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[wigster]

 

[Scarabs]

Nice to meet you. What a warm welcome.

 

[Gaston aires]

Just dont switch it on when on hookup.
Welcome from sunny Suffolk
Phil

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[Scarabs]

I want it automatic gillnPhil so that I can store the invertor out of site plus I thought it would be a good feature to the electrics. It's just how to do it? I've heard of change over relays and coils but I don't know how they work or how to wire them up.

 

[Techno]

What is the inverter used for and what rating is it. They are not a good idea on such a small battery.
Most low power items are usually fed via a transformer and often can be powered by a 12 volt adapter

 

[andy63]

Hi and welcome...don't have an inverter but what you propose can be done.. I'm sure some on here will have such a system..
There is plenty on line as well if you Google it..
I'll try a link but don't always work with phone.
http://www.motts.org/INVERTER.htm
Andy

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[Scarabs]

The invertor is more of a back up should I need it in an emergency if mains hook up isn't an option. It's 2kw output if I remember.

 

[Techno]

Clives is OK but the contactor hum will get on your tits eventually.
There is a feature in the resources section but I believe you need to be a paid member to access this

 

[Techno]

The invertor is more of a back up should I need it in an emergency if mains hook up isn't an option. It's 2kw output if I remember.

A 2kw invertor will if used anywhere near its capacity will kill your battery very quickly

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[Bart]

Hi and

 

[Clarky]

We have an 1800w inverter fitted and wired into the mains circuit and that has a automatic cut out when the mains is plugged in, so it can be done.
Just don't ask me how it's connected as it was fitted by those magicians at VanBitz so I don't have a clue.

Richard.
PS Welcome to Fun.

 

[autorouter]

When you first start down this path, it's likely you don't appreciate how much energy mains appliances use, and how little energy is stored in a battery.

2000 watts requires 2000/240 = 8.3 amps at mains voltage (240 Volts)

2000 watts requires 2000/12 = 167 amps at battery voltage (12 Volts).

That is a LOT of amps to draw from a battery. In theory a 120 amp-hour battery will last 120/167 = 0.72 hours = 43 minutes before it is completely flat. In practice you'd be lucky to keep it going for more than 20 minutes.

Most of the high-wattage appliances involve heating, so most people use gas versions (oven, hob, kettle, water heater, fridge, room heating).

Having said that, if you just want to run an 800 watt microwave for 10 minutes, you'll probably get away with it.

There is a feature in the resources section but I believe you need to be a paid member to access this

That's on my list of future mods, to replace the manual switch.

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[Techno]

That's on my list of future mods, to replace the manual switch.

Interesting as I went the other way
All 13 of my sockets are available on mains or inverter but for me I'm either off hook up for many days or not and as I have to go in the garage anyway I flick the switch over at the same time as either getting out the hook up cable or switching on the inverter

 

[Stealaway]

I have two sets of sockets.
2 sockets are specifically wired to the inverter (TV & sound bar) I left the existing sockets (fed from the hook up).
I am almost always wild camping so seldom need to change over.
When I am on hook up I simply change the plugs over to the original sockets.

 

[Techno]

This is the latter day version of the resources article
Perhaps it will tempt @Scarabs to cough up meanwhile he might double his battery capacity

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[Stealaway]

All 13 of my sockets are available on mains or inverter

Thats a lot of sockets.
You got an IT suite in there?

 

[Techno]

Thats a lot of sockets.
You got an IT suite in there?

No it just offers a better variety of locations for the equipment connection just like at home
We don't have to be driven by the thriftiness of converters

 

[mitzimad]

if its only for emergencies one socket that runs from the invertor has got to be the simplest system and only switch the invertor on when needed

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[buttons]

Hi and Welcome.......

 

[Terry]

Hi I have a Victron pure sin wave inverter come charger that does exactly what you require Not cheap but works all sockets on mains then inverter once unplugged
terry

 

[Scaniaman]

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