Standard Wiring & Plumbing layout for caravans?

Ahh Dodger...you just beat me to it..after a search I found the link to Collyn Rivers a very informative read!

Cheers!

Matt.

wow what a massive effort!!! I'm not looking to do such a major rebuild (hoping the roofing, windows, interior sheeting etc will be sound enough (even if not pretty enough) to keep) but obviously there will still be a lot to do.
couple of questions for you though:
- did you install a combined shower/toilet? what type of toilet? (i was thinking of a separate toilet & just using the porta potti i already have to keep it simpler
- what brand fridge did you go for & is it just 12v?
- what brand of roll out awning did you find best?
- is your LCD TV 12v?
- what is the 'automatic arrangement' you have for the charging system selecting between the solar & 240v inputs? are there any obvious choices for 12v/240v charging/switching gear?
- what type of 12v lighting did you go for .. 1w LEDs?

- was there a particular supplier that you found particularly useful / comprehensive?

sorry but one more question while i'm on a roll ......
- what aircon system did you use .. one of the caravan type or a small domestic house unit (i notice that a few folks find the power draw of the smaller units acceptable but i'm not sure where they find the space to put the compressor unit)

No worries Drew,
Firstly the "original" intention was do do just what you intend to do.
But that changed as the project drew nearer.

The shower is custom made by me using lamipanel and timber framing but using laminex jointing and sealing goo. The toilet is just a porta potti that can be used in the shower for privacy (and smell evacuation as it has a powered vent) or it can be taken outside etc. It is stored either in the shower or for travel it is stored under the bed in a galv steel "safe" leakproof box. easy to get in and out when required but with enough bunding to contain a possible spill.

The Fridge/freezer is a 12V only 190L Isotherm that was being imported by Evakool on the Sunshine Coast. It is a marine fridge and now works very well with only about 4amp draw when in normal use. It can draw 6amp when operating from a warm start. We had issues with it at first with not cooling the fridge area but that was two reasons, one being sitting around not being used for 12 months. That doesn't happen now. It feels just like a domestic fridge to use but doesn't have the baggage. I fully insulated the housing for the fridge and it vents with assistance of an additional 12v fan when required from the floor to an outlet on the side. I do not have side louvre vents for the fridge cavity.

The roll out awning is a Dometic 9000? series with the permanent roll cover to prevent aging of the material in the sun when not in use. This awning is too easy even the oldies can use it. Sets up in under a minute easily. (colours also match the van). I looked at others but the deal and operation of the Dometic were too good.

The TV is just a 12v Vue from major retailers. No inverter and it comes with it's own car adaptor that I chopped the end off and installed a 12v plug for use with our 12v wall sockets (same as the Fridge).
The automatic arrangement comes from the BP solar charger and the 3 stage 240v charger that work well together. All major electrical supply items came from Derek Bester Affordable Batteries a sponsor of this site.
All main power is 12v from the batteries. These get charged by solar constantly (during daylight) and topped up by the 3 stage charger whenever 240v is present.

Lighting is 12v (except one 240v outside light just in case of battery failure) with a 12v incandescent entry light/handle, 12v halogen downlights for mood and direction and the remainder are 11/18w fluoros. These came from Camec. Walk around pick what you need.

The Air Con is a Dometic roof mount. Their biggest non-reverse cycle but with a heater element that works well. I figure if you are going to have enough power for the Air, then you have enough for the heater element. It was on special for $1000. Much cheaper than any other reliable alternative and is meant to be banged about. That is the reason I went for a steel framed roof rather than Millards timber framing. I cannot understand why they have an aluminium frame walls then use timber in the roof???

The only issue with the roof mount is the extra running height it generates. Mustn't forget to know your total van height when clearance gets tight.

I looked at domestic reverse cycle cheapies but in the end they just didn't suit versus the gamble of failing compared to the roof mount that distributes the air along the ceiling better than the others as that's where it starts.

You and I didn't mention TV aerial either. I have been avoiding this issue for two reasons. One, when the sheeting was not yet on i forgot about it. Two, there are many expensive options to choose from. In the end I opted for a through the wall connection and manually place the fold up aerial on a pole mounted to the draw bar. For the small amount of free to air TV watching we do it is a good solution. Mostly watch DVD's whenever the chance is available.

Sorry for the long winded reply but there really isn't much deep info about in one location.

I cannot suggest that the methods and solutions I have used are the best or the cheapest, but for me they have been worthwhile. I am not sure if I would change too much a second time around (other than not doing it of course).

Hope that helps
Feel free to ask again.

Cheers Cam

thanks Cam, that give's me heaps of background as a start point to do some detailed planning. looks like i have a bit of work ahead of me

cheers ... Drew