Temporary power

Get yourself a 3-5kva generator and a sparky can certainly rig up a change over switch in your meter box for when you have blackouts. I,ve had the same set up for years when I lived in Gove. Have a set up now I,m in Far North Queensland. I say 3-5 kva so realistically you could run your house apart from aircons. If you have no power for 7 days then it would be nice to know that all the fans, lights, tvs. etc. can still be used. I use a 3kva for my house as well as a spare 1kva camper unit. Having 400 a/h of lithium also means I dont run the gennies much..

I assume you mean you intend to put sufficient solar and battery a van to cover the consumption of the two fridges and lights in your house when there's a blackout?

I'm not an electrician but I don't see the chenage over switch being an issue as not much difference either supply the fridges and lights from a generator or van assuming both are wired for such by an electrician.

You would need to work out the battery capacity required keeping in mind you would want to allow for 2 or 3 days in a row unless your in a sunny area and you might be surprised how much battery and solar you'll need on the van to keep those two fridges running.

Is it worth asking your insurance company ?
Of course, getting to talk to anybody who has the faintest idea what you are talking about might be a problem.

Cheers
Jim

Running your house off the caravan set up is no different to having a generator connected to your switch board via a correctly installed inlet and change over switch. It will stilled be classed as an external AC supply regardless, if it is from a generator or a battery supplied inverter. Your electrician will be able to do the correct installation of inlet and change over switch which will have to comply with the standards.

qldcamper
To answer you reply to me , Having worked as an electrical contractor for 50yrs I have a fairly good knowledge of what is required to satisfy the current standards regarding the installation of an external power source that is connected to your house switch board via an inlet socket and change over switch. I know that QLD has some strange idea regarding electrical installations but if the inlet and change over switch is installed as per the standards then it should not be a problem . Your electrician SHOULD have a copy of AS/NZS 3000-2018 and the requirement are in it .

Many electricians will state that things can't be done because they will not think outside the square or their comfort zone, and are not willing to think about how the job can be completed and still meet the standard requirements which are the minimum that we have to work to.

Qldcamper, I am not qualified to comment on the electrical aspects of your posted request. I can possibly help with the insurance position however. I can only speak generally as I don't know your specific insurance policy. In my experience policies cover the circumstance you are proposing providing it is done in accordance with the legal requirements and has been signed off by a qualified electrician. (So if the ship hits the span they have someone to go after)

There are two aspects to look at when considering the insurance cover. First - were you asked at the outset or most recent renewal about temporary / alternative power supplies? I've never heard of that happening but it might be sneaking in with the increasing of disasters. Secondly, is there any specific reference / exclusion in the PDS?

Good luck with it.

I would put your question to ChatGPT,you may be surprised at the answer,it has solved some technical problems for me.Just give it all the information.

Qld : This conundrum appears to have a "elephant in the room" if I understand your question correct, you want to run your house freezers and lights etc off your camper in the event of a power out ?? How is that goingwork ?
HAHA :)))

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Hi QC,

As you say, " it might not be as easy as it sounds".

I know that you say "Its the legality and safety of having it mobile and not perminant is the question I'm asking". To have it "mobile" I take it that you wish to use the power source of your travelling rig and its solar and batteries. Well that can be achieved but to be legal and safe will invoke the requirements of government regulations and two Standards…. AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules and AS/NZS 3001.2 Connectable Electrical Installations. You would need an electrical contractor familiar with both and capable of carrying out this work to satisfy the electrical authority and insurer.

I do have views of the feasibility of your proposal but I understand that you are not asking that.

Can't see any issue legally if you get an electrician to install a switch and socket so you can use an alternative power source wether it's from a battery or genset. 15amp is minimal for a caravan to legally plug into. If you have house insurance ask them before you do something.
Your using batteries so no poisonous fumes and no legal distance specified that the van needs to be from the dwelling unless your insurance has something written there. Also as long as the caravans electrics are legal, up to standards all good and the meter box on the house is up to spec.
We had to get our meter box upgraded to get ours set up in 2013.

A friend uses and RVD device infront of his RCD when getting power from his generator or inverter to power his van with 240vac.

If I was powering part of the house I would be looking at installing an RVD in the vans inverter circuit prior to powering the house.

https://www.rvdsafe.com.au/
https://www.rvdsafe.com.au/shop/

The other area that I would looking further at is the earthing. I understand that some Inverters have an earth connection others do not. I think your inverter may need an earth connection and an earth stake ( to link the Caravan frame (earth) to the house earth).

See attached 7.5 Mobile Installs.
https://www.victronenergy.com/media/pg/The_Wiring_Unlimited_book/en/ground,-earth-and-electrical-safety.html

Note am not an electrician, just looked into a DIY Home Solar System.

RVD from Mr Google:

An RVD (Residual Voltage Device) is an electrical safety device that monitors and detects a rise in voltage on the earth (or frame) of a system, such as a caravan or boat. Unlike a conventional RCD (Residual Current Device), which detects imbalances in current, an RVD senses dangerous voltage on the earth wire, providing an additional layer of safety, especially in isolated systems like those powered by generators or inverters, where standard RCDs are ineffective. When the detected voltage exceeds a set point (e.g., 43V), the RVD triggers the connected RCD/RCBO to rapidly isolate the power, preventing electric shock and protecting equipment.

How it works
• Voltage detection:
An RVD continuously monitors the voltage on the earth connection or frame of the system.
• Rapid Isolation:
If the earth voltage rises above a safe threshold, the RVD triggers the associated RCD/RCBO to shut off the power to the circuit within milliseconds.
• Enhanced Protection:
It provides protection against insulation breakdown, even in isolated power systems where a standard earth connection is not available for a traditional RCD to function.
When to use an RVD
• Isolated Power Systems:
RVDs are crucial for vehicles, caravans, boats, and other applications that use isolated power sources like inverters or generators.
• High-Impedance Environments:
They work in systems where a standard earth connection might be compromised or where high-impedance is a concern, which can prevent RCDs from tripping effectively.
• As a Complementary Safety Device:
An RVD enhances safety by working alongside an RCD/RCBO, providing an additional and different fault detection mechanism.
Benefits
• Personnel Protection:
It prevents electric shock by detecting dangerous voltage on the vehicle's frame or chassis before it can harm someone.
• Equipment Protection:
It safeguards sensitive equipment from electrical damage due to insulation failures or voltage leakage.
• Improved Safety with Generators/Inverters:
RVDs are essential for systems that use generators or inverters, where a conventional earth system doesn't exist to trigger an RCD.

I think it will be a rare Sparkie that will get involved and even then it will be a nightmare if there is some type of accident, with insurance companies involved.

Why not just run an extension cord from the camper output to the fridge/freezer and leave the house wiring alone.
KISS.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

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Hi Loddo,
As a new contributor to this forum you will not be familiar with the challenges to your expertise. No matter your qualifications or experience you will not be accepted on face value and will be involved in all manner of argument and defence. The world seems to abound with people who consider they are competent at electrical matters. Cope with them as you see fit.
p.s. I am also a sparky. sigh!
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