campervan electrics campervan 230v fuse board upgrades

campervan electrics campervan 230v fuse board upgrades
How legal are is your electrical installation? are you complaint with the regulations! I'm not so it time to get things sorted
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We list both crafter and sprinter in the title as they are one and the same vehicle shell and many of the parts we use fit both types of the van

[@timstradling7764]

Didn’t know that the DP MCBs were available in the slim unit, and was thinking I’d have to invest in a larger consumer unit. Thanks for that, now on the hunt! Lovely installation you’ve got, and good to see a bit of professional pride on display😊

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Cheers I appreciate that

[@Crowtherstephen79]

Ahh the first time through years of following you and doing my own van build inspired by you, and I was slightly in front of you Sam. I already had my electrics double pole, phew 😮‍💨. Good work

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

I've had them laying around for about 12 months 🤣🤣

[@brynhope4816]

Noticed the fridge was 6 amp before and you swapped it with the boiler has that was 16 amp before but I’m sure you already know that 👍

[@CalMUK91]

I would go for a type B RCD so it protects you against DC current crossing to AC.

[@davidlambert9813]

Nice one Sam it was on my job to do also. Complete overhaul of my electrical system underway to move over to Victron. A massive upgrade ahead of our first European trip in May/June. Keep the vlogs coming mate and hopefully we can catch up at a festival soon.

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Sounds like a big job 👍😁

[@suffolkseries3319]

Thank you Sam. You are the go to, for this stuff.

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

I appreciate that! 😁👍

[@robertallsworth8206]

Your video raised some really interesting points. Do you use conduit for all of your 240v cabling in the van? From a safety perspective I can think of many reasons why it might be sensible but is it a regulatory requirement? My understanding of why the MCBs need to be double pole is linked back to reversed polarity on live and neutral. If live and neutral were reversed the MCB would still trip on overcurrent but it would break the neutral connection, leaving a live feed present from source, through the load, and all the way back to the breaker.

[@dcurleyifa]

Hi Sam, though you are right to want to upgrade electrics to make them safer, regulations are not retrospective and there is no evidence that an Insurance company would invalidate a claim if you had the older RCBs fitted in fact most vehicle assessors are not qualified on 230v electrics so could not even report on them.

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

I wouldn't want to find out the hard way. Your campervan won't pass a habitation check with single pole MCB'S as they don't comply with section 721 of the UK regulations, More and more insurance are now requesting habitation certificates to mitigate their liabilities It's better to be safe than sorry, don't you agree?

[@dcurleyifa]

@@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife yes better safe than sorry, interestingly LV don’t want to know what is fitted and when I spoke to them about this very point their view is that unless there is evidence of criminal installation (I won’t mention any utuber In Particular ,diffo not you) then they will honour a claim.

[@robertallsworth8206]

This would imply ever campervan ever made and installed with 240vac by the manufacturer would need upgrading to be compliant with regs. Surely it would also mean domestic installations that now breach current regs would also need upgrading to be insurable?

[@LeisureBit]

Those dual pole mcbs look a handy size nice to see ones which fit in one slot rather than two - much nicer compact in the van. Assume they tested out ok? Great video All the best, David 👍

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

They work a treat 👍😁

[@sasmicky71]

Niceone m8 ill be starting electric's vsoon. Another great video thanks sam.ps thank for makeing my van famess.

[@DaveandChez.]

Nice one mate, always good to be safe especially with the kids on them. Personally I think we're lucky that insurance companies don't ask for certificates for self builds.

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Totally agree they will charge us once they work out how to sell it to us😁

[@nigelburton7408]

Hi Sam. Did you try the plug tester in the van to see if the RCD works with the inverter? That is the missing 'golden nugget' from the video. Cheers 😊

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Had the system tested by my son all working fine we used a mutil function tester as it records the results

[@backontwowheels9469]

Maybe a proving unit too, prove test prove 🤔

[@gonefilming2020]

Great video, mate. 👍 I like the breaker panel and the conduit you used! I am actually just in the process of mounting and wiring our electrics, with our install, it's all on the rear LHS - a tight fit. I am a little surprised, that ferrules are not used on the (stranded) wire ends going into the breakers - that's a no-no within the german electrical standard. Using an RCB / MCB Kombo or an RCBO on the landline coming in should be a given, however, if you run mutiple outlets from your inverter to additional wall sockets, should you not include an additional breaker RCB / MCB breaker box behind the inverter? (Perhaps I just did not see one...) I actually need to have a licensed electrician sign my 230V install prior to applying for a van certificate. Stay safe! 🚐☁🍀

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

😁👍

[@waynemantle6274]

Hi buddy, I’ve had a few scary moments with the standard brakes on my swamper so after loads of research I’ve gone and bought the only upgraded brake kit I can find for vw crafter, got them from PB brakes , have a look pal

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Thanks for the info it's on my list to do also How are the new breakes?

[@waynemantle6274]

@@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife Very expensive pal , £ 1600 just for the front but the calipers have 6 pistons!! It makes a massive difference, only doing the front as it’s £ 1700 quid for the back 🙈🙈🙈 it’s just to much to do both, 👍👍

[@overlandready]

I would have all isolatros in plain view and gap around them so they can be properly used, the isolator on the side of the seat is too close to the upright, the one under the seat is hidden and not readily accessible. not sure what the bare fly leads are, but prob not good. Also why is alt and 12v through a mains trip? Never understood why there is never a switch on camper/carava 230v outlets? Can't be a great idea. Worth noting that ferrules on the cable ends makes a much neater and safer job. Makes sure you never get stray ends. Vehicles only need to be current at time of build, but always good to update the items. DC should also never go through a mains AC fuse box. Most inverters are true sine wave so the wave is as close to spun derrived AC as it can be.

[@dannyburnside739]

Great vid Sam, cheers.

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Glad you enjoyed it buddy hope your well mate

[@leslittle7932]

Hi Sam, hunted high and low for the slim MCB's but can't find them anywhere. Can you tell me where you got them from or point me in the right direction. Thanks.

[@minisurfboardscouk]

Great video Sam very informative and easy to understand but I do a electrical question I’ve been considering a lot at the moment Is the grounding of the electrical system to the chassis of vans When you turn on a inverter does it not change the current running through the chassis and cause issues with the vans ECU ? Thanks Kev

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

You must earth your van to comply with the UK regulations Most safety devices require ears to operate properly Your invertor is just another supply of power with a floting earth

[@richardockenden8669]

Great video Sam once again very informative. Do you know of anyone who does Gas system inspections please. I`d like a pro inspection of my LPG tank fitting and pipework. I`m sure its good ( 40 years engineering experience, mech ) but a second pro opinion and any advice to be safe I would gladly appreciate. Thanks .

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

There is a place in Workington that does a habitation check they may be able to help you

[@Trotterthecampervanbuild72]

Hi Sam, I'm thinking I might not fit an inverter and all the bits that go with it, like batteries and so on. However, I'm still going to run a 12v DC system including fuse box. As for the 230v ac I'm considering a solar generator setup IE ecoflow. Do you think it would still be prudent to run a 230v fuse box for the fridge, microwave, and TV, which would all connect to a shore power connector on the outside of the van. Also, the ecoflow has shore power connectivity, which could power the van 230v system. Would this meet regs?

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

It would always be prudent to have a second source of power that complies with current regulations and a fall back or just for the winter months to protect your vehicle from frost and damp

[@tonyflanagan5682]

Hi Sam, what is the difference between the two 230v inputs being switched by the changeover box. Is the AC sine wave from the inverter not compatible with certain RCDs? My van was built by a large manufacturer and was fitted with a Sargent with built in RCD, would that be suitable for a changeover from a power bank, what do you need to look for please?

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

The change over switch just allows you to select where you get your power supply from, either mains power or the invertor There a several different types of RCD out there all designed to work on different systems it's important to choose the right one as when you need it, there's a chance it may not protect you! You could also add a power bank to a change over switch

[@waynemantle6274]

Are you taking your van to van fest end of may pal ??

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Is that a Scampton hall

[@waynemantle6274]

At the big race race course just below Birmingham where we first met up pal, Stratford upon Avon

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

@waynemantle6274 I'm not planning too but I say that alot these days and end up going anyway 😁

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

@waynemantle6274 are you going to vanlife eats again this year?

[@waynemantle6274]

@@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife The wife said it was to small she likes the big events pal

[@Rob.1340]

👍👍🚐😎

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

🫶😁