power for laptop and fridge in a tent

Submitted: Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 01:20

ThreadID: 90513 Views:6794 Replies:2 FollowUps:9

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miloaussieguy

hi im getting an oztent soon and will be staying at caravan parks

im looking for a safe way to charge my laptop and portable fridge/cooler

am i ok to run a lead like they use (weather proof) to hook to a caravan, and go into the tent?

im trying to keep it real simple, safe and easy for me in all sorts of weather,
and not too expensive..

thanks
milo...

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Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 07:10

Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 07:10

Hi Milo,

If you stay on a powered site, there is no reason why you cannot run a lead into your tent.

You may need a 15 amp lead to comply with caravan park rules, but you can connect a standard multi-outlet power board to connect two or three or four devices.

The power board will have a 10 amp plug on it but this will connect into the 15 amp socket on the end of the lead. The maximum amps will be reduced to 10 if you use a power board with overload protection on it, (a good idea) but this is more than enough to run your fridge, charge your laptop and run an electric kettle or toaster.

The power distribution pole will have a 15 amp circuit breaker and your power board a 10 amp overload trip, (no problem here) which will provide adequate protection.

If you have young ones, or just need the ultimate protection for yourseves, you could also add a ELCB (Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker) device to your circuit. This will trip power in an instant should a short circuit occur. The ELCB devices are available as an inline unit that plug into a power outlet (eg the end of the lead) then has a short lead of 1.5 metres or so which you could connect the power board to. You simply press the button on the ELCB to energise the circuit.

Bill

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AnswerID: 471929

Reply By: MartyB - Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 07:56

Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 07:56

Hi Milo,
I dislike having 240v running while camping if there is any chance of rain.
A totally safe idea would be to use a 12v power pack to run the laptop and fridge and charge the power pack from the caravan park supply. That way you can disconnect the 240v when it is raining and still run the laptop & fridge.
Here is an example of a power pack Site Link

from Marty.

AnswerID: 471933

Follow Up By: oldtrack123 - Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 12:07

Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 12:07

Hi Marty
Totally agree
AS well as that there are clearly defined rules in the standards for suppling 240v to tents
SEE ,AS /NZS 3001:2008 section 4"elecrical installations inTENTS"

I would suggest that anyone offering advise make themselves aware of THOSE requirments.

They still require the lead to be in one piece[NO joins ]

They do allow the connection'of ONE devise [at any time] to that lead

When MORE THAN ONE devise is required to be connected it SHALL be connected via an APPROVED outlet box

Outlet boxes compling to AS3105 are speciffically NOT APRROVED

Simple power boards are not approved

The approved outlet box has very specific requirements, regarding supply cable, cable support & anchorage, water & mechanical protection, rcd & overload protection etc

Peter

FollowupID: 746711

Follow Up By: oldtrack123 - Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 12:21

Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 12:21

Hi Marty
I doubt that unit would have sufficient capacity [charger output] to run a fridge continuously.
I would suspect it would also be very low on battery capacity
.
But the principle of directly charging a battery [deep cycle preferred] then supply all loads from the battery is very sound, safety wise.

Peter

FollowupID: 746713

Follow Up By: miloaussieguy - Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 13:49

Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 13:49

but what if that power pack is just plugged into the power lead to the cp power continuously, ? its like the one i looked at jaycar recently..

milo

FollowupID: 746721

Follow Up By: oldtrack123 - Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 15:17

Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 15:17

Hi Milo
ONE battery power pack plugged directly into the extension lead is ok with every thing else working on 12v from the battery pack & is about as safe as you can get
But you need to make sure the battery pack can run whatever you want
The charger section needs to be able to keep the charge up to the battery
Peter

FollowupID: 746735

Follow Up By: miloaussieguy - Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 16:52

Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 16:52

Thanks peter, will do that..
So ill run the laptop and fridge/cooler on the 12v plugs..
should be good

thanks
milo

FollowupID: 746744

Follow Up By: oldtrack123 - Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 22:21

Thursday, Dec 08, 2011 at 22:21

Hi Milo
just make sure the battery charger combo can suplly around 6<7amps continuously
Also you may need an adapter for the laptop if it is not 12v
Jaycar have arange to suit different lap tops
Peter

FollowupID: 746773

Follow Up By: miloaussieguy - Friday, Dec 09, 2011 at 01:12

Friday, Dec 09, 2011 at 01:12

hi peter
is this ok

http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MB3594&CATID=83&form=CAT2&SUBCATID=998#3

FollowupID: 746786

Follow Up By: miloaussieguy - Friday, Dec 09, 2011 at 01:50

Friday, Dec 09, 2011 at 01:50

actually that one i posted in the link, you can plug your laptop
straight into the power point in the unit itself

FollowupID: 746788

Follow Up By: oldtrack123 - Friday, Dec 09, 2011 at 15:50

Friday, Dec 09, 2011 at 15:50

Hi Milo
I am not a fan of jump packs
That one has to many options for the price
The inverter is no doubt modified sine wave [not pure sine wave].it may not run your TV or laptop
The 240v from that inverter can still kill

The charger will be a very small & I suspect would not be much more than a few amps ,which would not keep up with your fridge & other loads
You should ask that question of them
You need a charger with around 6<7amps capacity
why not buy a sealed lead acid battery of about 30 plus amphrs capacity & a good charger of around 7amps capacity
you would need 12v sockets connected to your battery plus matching plugs on the appliances[they would need to be changed]
Ordinary cigarette lighter sockets are not reliable
I would suggust the "Merit" range available @ Jaycar.
They also have a battery charger which could suit your needs [MB35222]
RE the laptop you should confirm it is ok for direct connection to 12v, many require 19v perhaps take it with you to Jaycar ,I am sure they will check it out & supply you with an adapter if one is required
The whole lot should work out arounr $150 <$180 roughly depending on what you pay for the battery

Peter

FollowupID: 746851