Electric Sockets

[Connie]

Hi - help please! 😄
We are motorhome novices and are in the process of giving our Elddis Autoquest 120 (`56 plate) a makeover!
The sockets have previously worked but seem to have given up the ghost! We are currently not hooked up to mains, but sockets not working from vehicle battery or leisure battery - lights are.
We would be grateful for any advice - we have checked fuses in box under rear seat but all look fine. 🤔

 

[Damian]

If you are meaning the 3 pin domestic type sockets are not working, then that is correct, they will only work when connected to the mains.

It is impossible to have them working on two power sources, one being 230v AC and the other 12v DC.

 

[Connie]

Thanks Damian - so does that mean that when we are out and about Iwe will not be able to use TV etc unless hooked up?

 

[audiorob]

Your 3 pin sockets are just like the ones at home, so no electrical device will work unless hooked up - TV, hairdryer, kettle etc. You can of course get TVs that operate on 12V.

 

[Damian]

Thanks Damian - so does that mean that when we are out and about Iwe will not be able to use TV etc unless hooked up?

Yes it does, as far as a mains powered TV goes, but as audiorob has said you can get 12v TV's.
It also means when not connected to a mains supply you will not be able to use an electric kettle, toaster, or any other mains powered item.
You have to start thinking differently, using gas for cooking and boiling water, gas for heating, and gas for the fridge.
It is important to make sure all your appliances work on all power sources, its no use expecting the gas system to work correctly if it has not been used for a long time, it most likely will not work.

Have you bought the motorhome from a dealer or privately~?and has it got a recent service record?

If it has no service record it would be in your best interests to get a mobile caravan engineer to give it a service.

 

[Connie]

Many thanks - we have got lots to learn 😊

 

[Connie]

Yes it does, as far as a mains powered TV goes, but as audiorob has said you can get 12v TV's.
It also means when not connected to a mains supply you will not be able to use an electric kettle, toaster, or any other mains powered item.
You have to start thinking differently, using gas for cooking and boiling water, gas for heating, and gas for the fridge.
It is important to make sure all your appliances work on all power sources, its no use expecting the gas system to work correctly if it has not been used for a long time, it most likely will not work.

Have you bought the motorhome from a dealer or privately~?and has it got a recent service record?

If it has no service record it would be in your best interests to get a mobile caravan engineer to give it a service.

Thanks - yes it has been fully serviced on purchasing from dealer so all in working order. We have not been out as yet - it has been hooked up, but not currently. We have just bought TV and wanted to try it out - which is how we stubbled across socket issue. As I say we have a lot to learn!
Thanks for advice

 

[Mel]

Our 12v tv came with a 3 pin socket plug and a 12v plug (looks like the sort you would put into the cigarette lighter of a car) Next to the tv Arial point in the van is a 3 pin socket and a 12v socket. Just watch that you don’t drain the leisure battery when not on hook up.
mel

 

[Damian]

Thanks - yes it has been fully serviced on purchasing from dealer so all in working order. We have not been out as yet - it has been hooked up, but not currently. We have just bought TV and wanted to try it out - which is how we stubbled across socket issue. As I say we have a lot to learn!
Thanks for advice

You are very welcome.

It does not matter how many questions you have, there is a wealth of knowledge on this Forum from very informed members .

If you are concerned about asking a "silly" question, then don't be ! We have all started in the same position as you and the only "silly" question is the one you have not asked.

 

[Beachball]

Welcome to the forum Connie any questons you will received a answer from the members

 

[JezzerB]

You can buy an inverte r but they drain the battery and take care with quality. Connect direct to your 12v battery.Most would struggle with kettle etc though.

 

[Woodentop]

Also to the OP, be aware that some sites in the UK and many in Europe limit the current you can draw on the hook-up (known as EHU.)

The blue plug and socket system is rated to handle 16A or about 4KW in total. However the wiring in your MH - if it is like most caravans - will be split between two miniature circuit breakers (MCBs or electronic fuses if you like) and the limit on the sockets may be 10A IN TOTAL. Look at the mains MCBs for the rating printed on the front and read the manual (or find it on line) to see what devices use which MCB. For instance the 12V power supply (which also charges your leisure battery) and any mains lighting may all run off a 6A MCB leaving the fridge, water/room heating, microwave if you have one and all the sockets running from the other MCB which may be 10A or 16A. If the supply is limited by the provider to 10A then despite your MH internal system being rated to handle 16A the breaker in the (pillar?) supply connection will trip first - probably to your embarrassment!

Talking of trips, be careful when asking for help to ensure you are clear what has failed. Between your outside connector and the MCBs is a safety switch known as a RCD or residual current device. Despite this device being able to switch 25A or higher it can also detect minute leakage currents as low as 0.03A which are not travelling through an appliance or whatever - like maybe through you - and break the supply to protect the system and you. There is a small button on the front of the RCD which you should push to test fairly often (say at the beginning of every outing) to ensure the mains goes off and that the protection is working. Do not be surprised if you arrive on site and find the RCD is off as they can sometimes trip mechanically due to vibration in transit.

Finally, look at the power drawn by your devices. If you have an under-counter fridge it will draw typically about 120W; your water heater may be 450W or 850W (look at the label,) your microwave if it is rated 650W of cooking power will drawn 1KW or a bit more when working; and lastly the kettle over which you have control should ideally be a lower rated type at about 1000-1100W and not the 2000-2200W or higher of a normal domestic kettle. Being lower powered it will of course take longer to boil. To calculate current simple divide the power in watts by the mains voltage in volts - in the UK assume 240V. For example your fridge at 120W will take 120/240 or ½A.

As Damien has said, do not be afraid to ask no matter how dumb you think the question to be. It is often the little and perceived 'silly' things that can spoil to whole.

 

[Connie]

Our 12v tv came with a 3 pin socket plug and a 12v plug (looks like the sort you would put into the cigarette lighter of a car) Next to the tv Arial point in the van is a 3 pin socket and a 12v socket. Just watch that you don’t drain the leisure battery when not on hook up.
mel

Thanks Mel - we're going to invest in a 12v TV - at least that way we've got the option if not on hookup - we'll keep an eye on battery
Connie