Xtreme Van Electric kit..... any one used it?

[Frosty3006]

Hi guys, firstly thanks so far for any responses to my previous posts recently! This forum has been a great help and really allowing me to cheaply convert my mk6 swb into a day/surfvan!

Im cracking on with insulation and paneling the van and its all going well. But Im now thinking about electrics.

My requirements are simple I think! Im after onsite hook up, leisure battery that supplies two household sockets and LED lights. The only other option is to add in the future a seperate headunit in the rear.

Im looking at making a bench seat in the back right behind the drivers and passengers seats so am hoping to put pretty much everything electrical based in there for ease of installation and also just because I dont need to start wirering loads into the panel work excpet the LED roof lights.

That being said I hope that connecting it all up shouldnt be too much of a problem. Ive been looking at a kit like this http://www.xtremevan.co.uk/product_info ... ato9t7osv0 and wondered if that is going to be adequate for my needs? Or because of the lack of wirering etc can I make a kit myself cheaper?

Many thanks for any replies!

[GYPSYDOG]

Hi Frosty 3006, seems a bit expensive to me when all as you need is a caravan breakers and you should get all you need
for less than £100. If you are able to remove it yourself you should get all the wiring and plenty of switches then go to good
old ebay and buy a split charger £20 -30 -40 whatever you wish to pay but make sure you get a good one...

[Frosty3006]

Thanks mate, main thing for me is not knowing what I'll need . Not being amazing with electrics , the bonus of this kind of kit is it's fairly simple for me to wire up I hope!

I could try and buy parts individually and see if I can make my own similar system.

I keep seeing Zig units mentioned.... what are these? Distribution units? Do they have inbuilt chargers for batteries also
Thanks!

[GYPSYDOG]

No problem..
A Zig unit supplies a 12 volt supply when connected to the mains to run your 12 volt lights, water pump etc, and also charges the leisure battery for when you have no mains hook up available. I put my own together and I am no good with electrics. You can pick up a zig unit on ebay for around £25 - external Mains inlet socket £15 - 30 Amp Split Charge Relay Kit £17 - lights and socket also wiring is all available also from ebay just need to shop around to find the price you are prepared to pay.Use flexible 240v 3 core cable as it will flex with vibration and not facture and if you google wiring up a zig unit for caravan/motorhome you should find plenty of links I would think. Should be able to save yourself quite a bit in money may take you a bit longer to do the job but if I can do it anyone can, google it and give it some thought...viewtopic.php?f=58&t=134768 if you check this post out you will see my set up .

[Frosty3006]

Thanks for your reply mate. Sorry for such basic questions, but electrics have never been my strong point!

Ok so ive had a look online and seen units such as these cheaphttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Caravan-Zig-C ... 417b28fbac but am I right in saying that they neither charger or convert from one source to another? Will I still need both an inverter and charger, aswell as split charge relay and mains hook up kit.

Not knowing anything about electrics the main issue im finding is knowing what items online are any cop or not! Chargers and inverters for example range from cheap to silly expensive!

[pedracer]

where abouts are you frosty?

that kit is very expensive when you work out the price of the individual bits.

[GYPSYDOG]

Hi Mate, If you wont to charge your battery on the move you will need a split charge relay :-http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12v-DC-Multi-Purpose-Split-Charge-Relay-Caravan-Motorhome-Dual-Battery-/321148454905?pt=UK_Campervan_Caravan_Accessories&hash=item4ac5f087f9
This will do all you won't :-http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Caravan-Power ... 417182f141 Then you will needhttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAINS-230V-16 ... 4d17d70fe4
Now its just down to cabling.

[Frosty3006]

Pedracer I'm near Brighton in West Sussex mate!

Gypsydog, thanks mate I will check those links out.

[Frosty3006]

GypsyDog, will items such as thesehttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Swift-Caravan ... 417b321271 be what im after? When looking at other kits people talk about chargers and inverters. Will i need an inverter alongside this unit?

I am happy with the split charge relay setup and the Hookup kit. But its weather I need a charger, distribution unit AND inverter?

Many thanks.

Sorry for such basic questions. My vans comming along nicely and Im just itchy to start using it, but this is a real learning curve for me. Anything bodywork and fabrication im right at home!

[pedracer]

Ah, not local to Harrogate then.

If using an invertor, (turns 12Vdc to 230VAC) remember that as a rule of thumb, whatever current you need at 230Vac you will need to multiply by 20 from your 12V battery.

So to run a 800w microwave, you will need 4 amps at 230v, or 80 amps minimum from your battery. Think BIG SHORT cables from battery to invertor. Preferably via a big 120Amp fuse.

Distribution of 230V needs to be done carefully, if you only need 1 socket, than a short extension will suffice.

[whitemice]

get one of these kits for mains, i fitted one in mine.
http://www.towsure.com/product/Caravan_ ... lation_Kit
you could easily wire a 12v charger in, i fitted solar on mine as it sits outside a lot of the time.
viewtopic.php?f=58&t=115150&hilit=+solar

[GYPSYDOG]

Hi Frosty, looks like it could do the job - What I would be tempted to do is contact "[u]www.liverpoolcaravanbreakers.com or call them on 07581292006[/u]" and ask them whats the best unit that will involve the least work for you to fit in to your van then they would be able to supply everything
and may be at a better deal than buying bit by bit thats what I did...I like the look of this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Caravan-Power ... 417182f141 if it's all ok as you have the 240v breakers built in, 12volt charger and distribution fuses plus its all in a nice plastic style unit ready to mount to the wall of your van.I would say that it will be easy to wire as well due to the fact that it has a load of wires still attached :- Orange 3 core will be hookup feed, white three core I would think will be sockets etc then you move over to you 12volt cluster of wires and trace them back to the fuses to tell you what is what. I would think this would be the best unit to buy, but speak with them you should get all the advice you need on this unit.