I need caravan help! Electrical

clivvy · 16-05-2010, 08:40

Hi all, I've got a little Elddis Wisp which we are fixing/modernising. We need to run some electrical cable to the thetford, and hot taps. I was told any 2core 2.5mm...2.5mm?? Is that right?? Can any one advise the correct electrical wire? I've got some normal household 3 core knocking about, is that any good? I've also got some lighting 3 core...??
Hope you can help!

Terranoman · 16-05-2010, 08:47

What voltage are you putting through it? 12v or 240v?

MudLifeCrisis · 16-05-2010, 11:05

12v with 2amp fuses , 1mm should be ok.

solarman216 · 16-05-2010, 12:25

The problem with 12v over long runs is volt drop, I had a narrow boat and when calculating the cable needed to run air horns at the bow I measured the voltage with the air horns on and found that 12v at the battery gave 11.2v at the horns with 6mm cable, when running things like fridges that are sensitive to volt drop, I ran 16mm cable and the fridge was near the stern, so the answer is to measure the volt drop, there is a calculation but lot easier just to stick a meter on it, Rick

clivvy · 16-05-2010, 13:21

well, i am running 12 volt toilet, and taps. Distance from battery isnt very far at all, 3 meters ish...??

You mention fuses...where do i fit these? I read that the cable goes directly from feed to toilet/taps??

rayf3262 · 16-05-2010, 14:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by clivvy

well, i am running 12 volt toilet, and taps. Distance from battery isnt very far at all, 3 meters ish...??

You mention fuses...where do i fit these? I read that the cable goes directly from feed to toilet/taps??

Fuses are there to protect the wiring under fault conditions. So ideally they should be fitted close to the power source in the +VE lead.

clivvy · 16-05-2010, 15:36

i've had a look at my existing setup. from themain feed runs a wire, not sure where it goes could be water pump but thats attached to a tube like thing, I assume thats a fuse? so I need to do soemthign similar for the toilet. run my wire from the main feed near the battery, and intersect the fuse on the + wire.

Im off to the caravan shop sometime this week to buy the electrical cable. Ive figured that I need automotove cable, so the household stuff is useless. PLus I need scotchlok connectors it would seem, the fuse holders and fuses and that sprobably about it. I will then be wiring in a feed to the Thetford direct from mains (fuse in between), scotchlock wiring for hot water taps x 2 into the existing wiring for water (correct??) or from main feed?

SO, I will end up with one x wired toilet, one x wire for hot water, one x wire for cold in the bathroom and the same in the kitchen...

good little project this!

zippy656 · 16-05-2010, 16:01

dont for get the PICS!

Deleted account DD · 16-05-2010, 16:45

Is the original eldis wiring not still in place to getthe info from even if it was knackered?

clivvy · 16-05-2010, 17:52

yeah all the original wiring is still there, but also a lot of newer wiring, which is slightly different, and I wasnt sure what the correct rating was to use (cant see print on the existing wiring)

Deleted account DD · 16-05-2010, 17:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by clivvy

yeah all the original wiring is still there, but also a lot of newer wiring, which is slightly different, and I wasnt sure what the correct rating was to use (cant see print on the existing wiring)

Just pop into the nearest maplins with a bit of the older eldis wiring and compare it to the sample board they always have up near the help desk (even if you dont buy any from them)

clivvy · 16-05-2010, 19:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by daved

Just pop into the nearest maplins with a bit of the older eldis wiring and compare it to the sample board they always have up near the help desk (even if you dont buy any from them)

good idea but i realised today that a caravan shop not too far from me sells wire, so im going to pop there next weekend for the wire, fuses etc!

lacroupade · 16-05-2010, 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by solarman216

I had a narrow boat

I'm really starting to hate you Rick!!!

solarman216 · 16-05-2010, 19:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by lacroupade

I'm really starting to hate you Rick!!!

This is our boat doing the Thames 2007

lacroupade · 16-05-2010, 19:44

Beautiful....got any more pics of her Rick?

I've wanted one for ages.....

16-05-2010, 08:40	#1
clivvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huddersfield Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB Posts: 6,947	I need caravan help! Electrical Hi all, I've got a little Elddis Wisp which we are fixing/modernising. We need to run some electrical cable to the thetford, and hot taps. I was told any 2core 2.5mm...2.5mm?? Is that right?? Can any one advise the correct electrical wire? I've got some normal household 3 core knocking about, is that any good? I've also got some lighting 3 core...?? Hope you can help!

16-05-2010, 08:47	#2
Terranoman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Northamptonshire Vehicle: Terrano II Posts: 622	What voltage are you putting through it? 12v or 240v?

16-05-2010, 11:05	#3
MudLifeCrisis Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: St Albans Herts Vehicle: 1997 Mav 2.7tdi lwb Posts: 1,377	12v with 2amp fuses , 1mm should be ok.

16-05-2010, 12:25	#4
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,432	The problem with 12v over long runs is volt drop, I had a narrow boat and when calculating the cable needed to run air horns at the bow I measured the voltage with the air horns on and found that 12v at the battery gave 11.2v at the horns with 6mm cable, when running things like fridges that are sensitive to volt drop, I ran 16mm cable and the fridge was near the stern, so the answer is to measure the volt drop, there is a calculation but lot easier just to stick a meter on it, Rick

16-05-2010, 13:21	#5
clivvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huddersfield Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB Posts: 6,947	well, i am running 12 volt toilet, and taps. Distance from battery isnt very far at all, 3 meters ish...?? You mention fuses...where do i fit these? I read that the cable goes directly from feed to toilet/taps??

16-05-2010, 15:36	#7
clivvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huddersfield Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB Posts: 6,947	i've had a look at my existing setup. from themain feed runs a wire, not sure where it goes could be water pump but thats attached to a tube like thing, I assume thats a fuse? so I need to do soemthign similar for the toilet. run my wire from the main feed near the battery, and intersect the fuse on the + wire. Im off to the caravan shop sometime this week to buy the electrical cable. Ive figured that I need automotove cable, so the household stuff is useless. PLus I need scotchlok connectors it would seem, the fuse holders and fuses and that sprobably about it. I will then be wiring in a feed to the Thetford direct from mains (fuse in between), scotchlock wiring for hot water taps x 2 into the existing wiring for water (correct??) or from main feed? SO, I will end up with one x wired toilet, one x wire for hot water, one x wire for cold in the bathroom and the same in the kitchen... good little project this!

16-05-2010, 16:01	#8
zippy656 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Devizes Wiltshire Vehicle: Nissan Note Ntec 1.5 Posts: 14,138	dont for get the PICS!

16-05-2010, 16:45	#9
Deleted account DD Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4,705	Is the original eldis wiring not still in place to getthe info from even if it was knackered?

16-05-2010, 17:52	#10
clivvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huddersfield Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB Posts: 6,947	yeah all the original wiring is still there, but also a lot of newer wiring, which is slightly different, and I wasnt sure what the correct rating was to use (cant see print on the existing wiring)

16-05-2010, 19:44	#15
lacroupade Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: All hail to the Glove of Love... Posts: 9,212	Beautiful....got any more pics of her Rick? I've wanted one for ages.....