Lex M (Brisbane) replied:

An inverter input is 12 volts. What do you really want to know?

Moose replied:

An inverter is wired up to the battery. DIY job. What 240v inlet socket are you on about?

Member - Timbo replied:

Perhaps you want to know about an outlet socket? Either way, there are IP rated (ingress protection rated) outlets and inlets that you will see on most caravans that are suitable for outdoor use (as in the case of caravans!) - the outlets usually have a cover over them to stop rubbish getting into the holes/slots.

240v wiring should be done only by licensed sparkie but bear in mind that unless you're going to be driving an earth stake into the ground every time you use the external outlet, you should only use appliances that come with 2-pin plugs (ie. not devices supplied with 3-pin plugs).

Honky replied:

It may be worthwhile to get a weatherproof cover over a double pole powerpoint as used in caravans

_gmd_pps replied:

why do you guys even bother to answer when you not even read the original post properly ? but thats nothing new here I guess...

Treading Lightly

you can purchase a 240V inlet from any caravan parts supplier. The downside is that they are all 15Amp inlets, so you will want a 10am to 15am adapter which is illegal but can be done easy or you use a 15 amp cable to run the charger.

The question is if you want access from outside or not.
I have the inlet in my truck bed but on the camper its outside.
I does not matter because the inlets have the proper IPF rating for outdoor use.
I suggest you use stainless steel screws to mount the socket. I would place it underneath - out of sight on a mounting bracket fixed onto the chassis.

good luck
gmd

_gmd_pps replied:

Read the heading .. its pretty clear

240V Inlet goes to 240 battery charger goes to 12V battery goes to 240 inverter.
If this is not correct then the term inlet was used wrongfully.
have fun
gmd

Member - John and Val replied:

Treading Lightly -

As others have said, your question is hard to interpret. This is generating a lot of heat but not much enlightenment!

I think you're proposing to install an inverter to supply 240 volts from your 12 volt battery, and are asking where to install the OUTLET (NOT inlet) socket. Is that what you're asking ????

Or are you looking to bring 240 volt power INTO the vehicle from outside to power the charger????

Is the socket you refer to for INLET or an OUTLET???

These are two very different things. If you can clarify, we can probably be much more helpful.

For what its worth - I would not have ANY 240 volt plugs or sockets permanently mounted outside the vehicle. This is dangerous stuff and if you must do it, try to keep the connections inside the vehicle out of the reach of water and mud.

HTH

John

Rossco td105 replied:

Hi all,

I read this as; If you were to arrive at a caravan park, and wanted to plug the vehicle into mains power so as to charge the vehicles batteries, how would this best be achieved? ie. not having to have the vehicle unlocked with a power cord running to the charger inside of the vehicle (which would obviously be the safest method). You arrive, plug in externally and away the charger goes?

I have also wondered about this, but as questioned by other posters, have been concerned about the safety factor of having an external power point running to a battery charger permanently mounted inside the vehicle. Don't want a smouldering burnt out wreck or worse...

Cheers.

vk1dx replied:

As others have said this thread is all messed up.

Treading Lightly has to answer Lex's post before anyone can go further.

Phil

Member - Mike DID replied:

"240 Volt inlet on a Cruiser 100
If I was to permanently have an Inverter on board (as well as a Battery Charger) how, where could the inlet socket be mounted out of the weather???? "

- I can only assume that this is what he meant

"240 Volt inlet on a Cruiser 100
If I was to permanently have a POWER SUPPLY (240 IN 12 OUT) on board (as well as a Battery Charger) how, where could the inlet PLUG be mounted out of the weather???? "

_gmd_pps replied:

Just for info and clarification:

240V wiring in vehicles have to comply with AS 3000 and in particular AS 3001
which in essence says that you do not connect earth an neutral, but connect earth to the vehicle only through the cord. You also do NOT use an earth stake.
Vehicle chassis is to be earthed for permanent installation.

An RCD MUST be fitted. They are generally detecting low residual currents so I would not know why a poster her argues that vehicles need a special one. RCDs are meant to trip on low currents. He may refer to RCBOs because in vehicles you probably have lower overload protection than in house circuits.

RCDs are NOT overload protectors. One needs to have additional circuit breakers or use RCBOs, which combine both functions. Have not seen them in OZ though, but I also did not look for them.

One important thing though and I bet that 99% of installations do not have this:
In vehicles you need 2 circuit breakers (overload) one before the RCD and one or more after, just as in a permanent situation. I do not recall if the Standard requires that (someone else might know) but my practise is as follows.

Directly behind the 15Amp power inlet you wire a double pole overload circuitbreaker and after that and RCD. One could use a RCBO here, it would do the same. This will serve two purposes: First it will protect your cable (the breaker at the power point of the CP may not, and secondly it will make sure that if something happens on the input side with the wiring (loose contact, wire break etc) that both poles get disconnected. RCDs do not work with the neutral disconnected and the other wire live.

After the RCD you can put circuit breakers for your consumer circuits.
I have a 5Amp Circuit for my Charger and a 5 Amp Circuit for general use.
I deliberately use lower rated breakers in the truck. The camper has higher rated circuits for other devices, but also only 10Amp. I'd rather have more separate circuits than one 16 or 20Amp one, where the plug is rated only to 15amp anyway.

In ALL installations I have seen people rely on the circuit breaker at the supply point and have no double pole switch for the input - Not a good idea.

If one uses this practise it is easy to wire a transfer switch from/to an inverter to achieve automatic switching between internal and external 240V.

I am not an electrician if you may wonder so take this NOT as advise. I just
use my common sense.

And also: use flexible cable rated for the current you require, which has the proper insulation for outdoor use. Stiff (solid) cable may break eventually in a vehicle.

have fun
gmd

Treading Lightly replied:

Well I am back. Sorry for confusion all I would like to do, and have it done legally is to have provision to either iin my garage or at a powered camp site have the ability to INPUT 240 volts to charge my batteries. I do not wont to have leads running into open windows or being crushed in doors.

The question, although simple, could have been asked another way to make a bit more sense, however.

So again I ask the QUESTION can it be done LEGALLY by an ELECTRICIAN, YES or NO?"

Regards

JD

Maîneÿ . . . replied:

JD, the inverter should be wired as stated in the instructions supplied with it, an electricion should not be required as it's self contained, the only wiring connections that will make it work are 12v and not 240v.

In my opinion, it can be a DIY thing as you just connect the *input cables* direct to your DC battery system.

However, the inverter *output* is 240 VOLT and WILL KILL you !!

my in-line 240v protection from the inverter

My PSW inverter and 4 x plug power board with individual on/off switches attached

Maîneÿ . . .