On 13/08/2019 12:01, Chris Green wrote:
Brian Reay wrote:
On 12/08/19 19:46, ARW wrote:
What is the norm on them these days?

A mixture of 12V from a leisure battery and 230V for when there is a
230V hook up. Inverters?


Caravans are IMHO just things that I normally queue behind on the A64 or
overtake if I get a chance.

This one is in Bristol and needs a rewire. So apart from hogging the
middle lane of the M5 on my way to get to Britol do any caravanners have
any tips on the best way to do caravan electrics?




If you are planning to rewire one, there are two main approaches.

One is to use a 'control box' and associated panel. People like CBE,
Sargent make them. These tend mainly to control the 12V side and
interface with the vehicle- especially in motorhomes. They generally do
have some mains element but it is generally just housing the RCD and
MCBs, rather than actual control.

The other approach is less integrated. Basic wiring with fuses or
circuit breakers etc and sensors for the water tanks. People like CBE
make the various bits you need.

Our previous mh had a Sargent Box, it was large but seemed very good. We
didn't have any problems, other than the water level sensor was
sensitive to lime scale. Adding a larger cathode (reducing the current
density and therefore scale / area over time) solved this. The new one
is a CBE. It is more compact and, so far, has been fine.

On our boat I have simply used an ordinary (as in domestic mains)
consumer unit. I checked with the manufacturer that the MCBs were
suitable for 12 volt use, not all are but the Crabtree ones I have
used are good down to 12 volts. 'Domestic' CUs provide a much cheaper
solution than much of the very expensive stuff sold for 12 volt use on
motorhomes and boats. Just make sure you size the wire for the higher
currents that (may) be needed and away you go.


The mains stuff is generally domestic MCBs and RCBs etc, either a
modular type arrangement in a larger overall unit or, as in our new
vehicle, what looks like a small domestic unit. With a separate 12V box
entirely.

Contrary to what someone else has posted, the ones I've seen are fine
quality wise. The only bit which is a let down is 12V sockets. The, so
called, cigar/cigarette lighter socket is still the standard. There are
some others around but they aren't common. I tend to use PowerPoles.

True, the 'special' fittings they tend to use are over priced compared
to standard ones but you tend not to need many. They are just a bit more
compact / slim etc. CBE are probably the most common but there are others.