Fitting a 3 pin socket outside.

[Ernest_5084714]

Hi all, Shoot me down in flames if you want to but I would like to know if it's feasible to fit a sealed three pin electric socket on the outside of a caravan.

I ask this because with the awning up and we get a chilly night there is nowhere to plug a heater in except by opening a window and trailing a cable through the window.

 

[rayc]

Ernest, on my van the socket is fitted inside the drop down storage locker on the side of the van. I can see nothing wrong with your proposal as long as the fitting is waterproof i.e will not let water in, including whilst towing.

 

[Guest]

You certainly can fit an outside 3 pin socket and has been mentioned there are 2 ways of doing it. You can either fit one inside an exterior locker so the socket is separated from the exterior, or you can fit specially designed socket and mounting case. This is usually fitted outside of a seat area so access ot the inside is easy. The socket has both a waterproof cover as well as the outside plastic cover. I have the latter fitted to my van. You can get the correct fitting from Towsure etc but do ensure that the wiring is done correctly, by an electrican if you have doubts.

 

[parker1158]

Hi Ernest

As the others have said it is not a problem to fit one but check first you have not already got one, I had owned my van for nearly two years without realising there was one fitted. For some reason some manufactures hide them! Just a thought.

 

[Ernest_5084714]

Thanks for the replies. I've got a Bailey Ranger Series 5 and to be truthful they've been a bit mean with the sockets inside the van and what's made them worse is they are very close together, one in the TV cabinet and the other just below next to the hob. I might have a word with Harrington's and ask about a costing.

 

[colin-yorkshire]

hi iv'e got a bailey ranger 2002model and yes they are mean with the sockets I had extra ones fitted to our van 2 singles flush fitting in the front bunks at the front end and one in the batterybox they are not the waterproof type because they are inside but there should be no problem fitting a water proof one outside if you want

but watch your power consumption as the power cut off is only 16amps

 

[Oldfogey]

I'm never going to buy a new caravan, but I do like to nose round them at shows, and I have yet to see one with anything like enough sockets.

With just 2 in the van we have:-

2 Laptops.

2 Mobile Phone Chargers.

Fan Heater

2 Internal mains lights

1 Awning light

Fridge (Combicool)

Camera charger

Electric fan

Kettle

The only ones which use much power are the fan heater and kettle - but they all want sockets.

I feel I've missed something, but can't pin it down.

For the awning I just got a sealed hatch with a moulded recess behind (a bit like the one that contains the mains inlet) and ran a short extension lead with a single socket. Open the hatch, pull out the socket and there you are.

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Ernest I would be cautious about fitting an external socket in either the battery box or the front compartment as should there be a gas leakage from either the battery or the gas bottles a spark could have a devastating effect. I would check with a knowledgable caravan service fitter before fitting an external socket.

 

[MalcolmL]

But the mains inlet to most vans is within the same locker housing the battery.

 

[runnerphil]

you can get waterproof sockets from any diy shop. make sure it ip56 rated and is wired via a circuit breaker also slide the cable in rubber grommets after you drill the side of your van to stop the cable chafing.

hope this helps

 

[Ian_5097929]

I fitted a 16 amp blue surface mount socket under my van then trail a lead with a 13A socket from that under the awning side skirt into the awning.

 

[John_Boy]

Just bought a bespoke 13a socket housing complete with a covered socket inside for

 

[lunar2000]

But the mains inlet to most vans is within the same locker housing the battery.

Malcolm,

Hence the reason for the correct coupling-up of your mains cable to the sites output. The recommendation is to switch off all caravan appliances, connect your mains cable to the caravan, and only then connect to the site mains.

This should avoid any sparking near the battery.