Rewiring caravan

[Paul_374373489]

Hi

New to caravanning and recently bought first van for hundred and seventy five quid.

Its an old Ace Rallyman,however few teething problems.

Not too concerned about van lights etc but 240 ehu is a problem.

Originally wired to bring 240 straight in and use campsite fusebox/breaker for protection.

On first holiday fridge shorting out and caravan frame live...ouch!!!

Never mind...so just eliminated electric from fridge and used gas,then ran 240 straight in to adaptor then ran lamps cd player etc from this.

My problem is I think i need to rewire this van especially with fuse box etc to make sure safe.

Anyone got any diagrams,tips etc any info about issues raised would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Paul

 

[rob_jax]

Paul,

It sounds like you may be testing or improving quite a few systems, so I'd suggest buying a copy of the Haynes Caravan Manual 3rd edition - Halfords or Amazon for around

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Paul,

Safety should be of paramount concern, not just for you but anyone else who might come into contact with the caravan, so it is essential the job is done correctly.

Now to do the job correctly requires proper wiring skills and a working knowledge of the current (excuse the pun) wiring regulations. It follows therefore that anyone with the requisite skills would not need to ask for advice on a forum like this.

I conclude, and I am sorry If I am wrong, but I suspect you do not have the necessary knowledge.

If you do under take the installation of the new wiring, I encourage you to have it checked and certified by a qualified electrician.

 

[RogerL]

Paul, our first caravan was an '83 Ace Globetrotter, same size as the Rallyman but different layout. It had no mains electric so I fitted them, in accordance with best practice ie ELCB immediately after the input connection, MCBs for each circuit, chassis earth and all wired in flex not cable. Before first use I got a fully qualified electrician to test certify it - it failed because the ELCB didn't trip fast enough - having got my money back I fitted a different brand which sailed through the test.

From the description of your installation, it's been done by a cowboy, is unsafe and shouldn't be used under any circumstances.

For any mains electrics issue I'd echo John L's advice - if you need to ask you're not competent enough and the job should be left to someone who is.

I can understand that you're working on a budget so I suggest that you remove all trace of the previous mains installation, I wouldn't trust one single component, and then get a qualified electrician to wire it as a basic installation and then certify it.

 

[Paul_374373489]

Paul, our first caravan was an '83 Ace Globetrotter, same size as the Rallyman but different layout. It had no mains electric so I fitted them, in accordance with best practice ie ELCB immediately after the input connection, MCBs for each circuit, chassis earth and all wired in flex not cable. Before first use I got a fully qualified electrician to test certify it - it failed because the ELCB didn't trip fast enough - having got my money back I fitted a different brand which sailed through the test.

From the description of your installation, it's been done by a cowboy, is unsafe and shouldn't be used under any circumstances.

For any mains electrics issue I'd echo John L's advice - if you need to ask you're not competent enough and the job should be left to someone who is.

I can understand that you're working on a budget so I suggest that you remove all trace of the previous mains installation, I wouldn't trust one single component, and then get a qualified electrician to wire it as a basic installation and then certify it.

Hi,

Thanks everyone for your advice.

Can I ask,would it not be safe just disregarding the fridge and running 240 straight in to an adaptor and using camp site fuse box,as if i were camping.?

Still trying to save money.

Thanks

Paul