zig Units and leisure batteries

[Mister Monster]

Does anyone know what the difference between a cf 2000 and cp 2000 zig unit is please?

[Mister Monster]

trying to decide what is best to buy,

There are some cheaper distribution units available on ebay so also considering one of those. I have tried to look into the names of them but not finding much info on them.

I dont think I am going to be hooking up to mains (ie at at campsite) - trying to keep it simple and not cut any holes in van - thus the power will be directly from leisure battery.

For now, i think i will just want to power lighting, soundsystem, and possibly a small fridge / microwave and projector/dvd player - since i know nothing of electrical matters I'm guessing i am being far too ambitious to think i could power all of these things - certainly wouldn't expect to have them all on at same time for any length of time

I'm guessing there won't be enough power for an electric blanket?! as I can't afford to put in a proper heating system right now!

[ake]

trying to decide what is best to buy,

There are some cheaper distribution units available on ebay so also considering one of those. I have tried to look into the names of them but not finding much info on them.

I dont think I am going to be hooking up to mains (ie at at campsite) - trying to keep it simple and not cut any holes in van - thus the power will be directly from leisure battery.

For now, i think i will just want to power lighting, soundsystem, and possibly a small fridge / microwave and projector/dvd player - since i know nothing of electrical matters I'm guessing i am being far too ambitious to think i could power all of these things - certainly wouldn't expect to have them all on at same time for any length of time
X
I'm guessing there won't be enough power for an electric blanket?! as I can't afford to put in a proper heating system right now!

If you plan on using proper campsites then it would be madness not to have a hook up. 12v fridges will only work with engine running. Microwaves need 230v, unless you get a 12 volt one, and they need 4 batteries and engine running. All electric blankets are 230volt!
A leisure battery will give you 12 volt. You could use an inverter to create 230 v, but that's an inefficient way of doing it and will quickly flatten the leisure battery, meaning you need the engine running again!

Realistically you need a hook up.

[Mister Monster]

I don't think I am going to be hooking up to mains - trying to keep it simple and not cut any holes in van - thus the power will be directly from leisure battery which is to be powered by the main van battery.

I would like to power lighting, soundsystem, projector/dvd player and possibly more in the future, I'm guessing there won't be enough power for an electric blanket?! as I can't afford to put in a proper heating system right now!

Since i know nothing of electrical matters I'm guessing i am being far too ambitious to think i could power all of these things - certainly wouldn't expect to have them all on at same time for any length of time. SO basically can you tell me which is the best leisure battery to buy, what I can expect to power with it and how much I should be paying for one

Thanks a lot folks

[Mister Monster]

thanks for your reply mate, really appreciate it I've started a new post with a more relevant title now

[ake]

Buy the biggest battery you can afford, and don't start multiple threads about the same thing, it gets confusing.

[Mister Monster]

sorry about that
I certainly intend on buying the biggest battery I can afford. Here are the best prices I found
100 ah = £67 / 110 ah = £71.50 / 115 ah = £69.50 / 120 ah = £80 / 135 ah = £110
I will be going for either the 120ah or 135ah. What kind of appliances I can expect to power with these and for how long?
Also how long does the engine have to be running to charge leisure battery up to full again?

[Keef]

If you break each one down to how many ah you get per £ then the 115ah seems pretty good value for money.

[MinorMatt]

Remember you can have more than 1 battery 2 x 115 AH ones will be better than 1 x 130AH for not a lot more money

[speedystew]

the cp 2000 is just a distribution unit the cf 2000 is distribution and charging unit.

dont take this the wrong way i am not having a dig we all have to budget etc but it will only cost about 100 quid to put 240 volt in and will save you loads of agro

if it was my van i would build the van with mains hook up and zig cf 2000 distribution and 100 AH battery all the lighting would be 12 volt and most of the power would also be 12 volt ie tv/dvd,music etc then 2 or 3 240 volt sockets. fridge would be 3 way,mains 12 volt (when engine is running only) and gas when no hook up is available.

the cf 2000 makes the job very easy as does the later cf9 (more modern unit)

[nick217]

Couldn't you have a 240v on a extension lead for one or two plugs then feed it in through a open gap?

[GYPSYDOG]

These work well if you don't wont to cut holes in the van :-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electric-Hook ... 51ade71468
I have also seen the caravan style 240 volt hook up socket fitted under the bonnet and the 240v cable run through the bulkhead to these
type of RCD socket set up.

Fit this under the bonnet :-
http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Caravan-Motorhom ... ~60_12.JPG
wire it with some of the orange or blue 240v flexible cable too the RCD cunit :-
http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Trailer-Caravan- ... ~60_12.JPG
and place the RCD unit to fit your needs with in the van then use a caravan hook up lead with the appropriate plugs fitted too
Plug in on site and connect under bonnet:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Motorhome ... 1c38b0d284
Hey presto 240v and no holes in the van body work, you can then use a leisure battery charger on site and have all your 12v items
run from your leisure battery via self made fuse board and sockets.

Hope this is of some use to you ......

[matt86_wd2]

i havent bothered with a Zig unit or a proper distribution pannel ive made from from CBE parts and my own fuse box , battery charging will be done via split charge relay and a solar pannel





in middle is main power switch , bottom is the water pump and the lights at top is battery level indicator and the fridge will be powered from relay , aux sockets will be wired in but not live untill they got something plugged in .

matt

[Geoffemmerson]

I have a cp2000 but havnt got any idea of what wires go were anyone have a diagram that could help me please much appreciate it

[Kedishen]

http://www.freewebs.com/12voltsdc/zigmanuals.htm

May be of some use.

If still stuck, take a photo of front and of back and upload them here with description of what you want connected.