how to charge jayco outback camper battery

Hi, You can trim the 15amp plug to fit a normal socket, it is only the earth tang that is wider, Cheers Des,

Yeah DesF you can do that but I wouldn't recommend it (sparky by trade). The larger earth pin is designed to prevent a fully equiped van from overloading a 10 amp circuit and potentially causing a fire hazard. The short lead option should also only be used to charge the battery at home as well.
I acknowledge that some, perhaps many, vans would not exceed a 10 amp maximum demand but there are many that have everything electrical....saw one recently that even had a muncher in the sink for atomising vegetable waste.

Hi, Yes , Sorry , should have added that I only use it at home to run the fridge overnight prior to leaving home, it has been handy when stopping at friends etc overnight so we can run the fridge and a light or two.
Cheers Des.

hi patrol 22

thanks for the info as you are a sparky.

we had 3 responses trim a plug (not keen on That)

buy a proper unit for sale $280.00 (expensive)

make a new lead (sounds the easy option ,mates a sparky and would do it for nix (a slab)but on holidays at the moment so i cant ask him ,if its only to plug in over night to re charge the battery with nothing else on would that be ok and not overload anything by having the different plug types. thx

Clark - all the advice given is good advice to a point. What I'm suggesting is exactly what I do for my own campertrailer when at home or hooked up to power where there is no 15 amp power outlet. The 15 amp supply for caravans/campertrailers was introduced when it became obvious that the number and capacity of appliances were inreasing....eg air conditioners, heaters, large fridges, toasters, electric grillers an so on. What I am suggesting in regards to a 10 amp supply is intended for running you battery charger. Indeed it is no different than fitting a permanent float charger to your car and running it from a normal household lead. If you use it for this purpose only then everything will be OK and safe.

thankyou again its a great site with great advise

Sorry, forgot to post the link

power leads

Ian

i saw those units today in award caravan spares for $249, absolute theft!!! i can make one my self exactly the same for about $80, mmmm thats not a bad idea actually ( am a sparky also) new sideline maybe? cheers Paul

Yep, I reckon the price is a bit on the high side, but it probably cost him an arm and a leg to get it approved legally, which wont be the case if you make your own. Use his and you are covered for insurance, use yours and you are probably not.
As you say, parts will cost you $80, labour for a sparky is approx $80 an hour, distribution costs, insurance, GST, legal and admin costs to get it approved, then add a bit for profit, warranty claims, etc.. Guess what?? $249 sounds about right!
A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that things are overpriced without taking into account the actual costs of production. A retail price 3 times the product cost is about normal.

Ian

Excellent suggestion. Simple, cheap and safe.

and legal!